Wine Country Weddings | Spring Summer 2014

ine Country SPRING / SUMMER 2014

HUNTER VALLEY VENUES | PHOTOGRAPHERS | FLORISTS | CELEBRANTS Cover shot by

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

TAMBURLAINE Unique q weddings g designed g ffor yyou Hooray.... We're getting married at Tamburlaine!!!!

We know that Lou and Crystal will work with us from our first enquiry until the last guest leaves the reception, to make sure that every important detail is seen to. To them, every wedding is unique, and they have taken pride in helping us plan the best day possible according to our Special Day dream.

The beautiful, homestead-style Lodge offers elegance and atmosphere for weddings between 60 and 180 guests. The surrounding lawn, man-made lake and organic vineyards make it an ideal photographic backdrop to capture our special day and memories forever.... We're jumping for joy!!!!

George Waterfield Photography

PH 4998 4217 weddings@mywinery.com www.mywinery.com

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

Tamburlaine Organic Wines 358 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin

Winner of the ABIA 2013 Best Reception Centre in NSW

A HUNTER VALLEY WEDDING FESTIVAL

Love is in the Air..‌......or is it in the Vines? ‘Love in the Vines’ isn’t just another wedding expo‌ it’s a Hunter Valley Wedding Festival!

Brought to you by ‘Your Hunter Valley Wedding Planner’ - the areas pre-eminent guide to all things bridal, Love in the Vines will be held against the stunning vineyard backdrop of the historic Lindeman’s Estate in Pokolbin.

Prepare to be entertained and inspired by an amazing array of talented wedding suppliers and professionals who are ready to show you how they can bring your big day in the Hunter to life.

On arrival at the iconic Lindeman’s Estate you will be greeted with a glass of Hunter Valley sparkling and mouth-watering canapÊs - courtesy of the talented chefs from CafÊ 1843, before you immerse yourself in beautiful, unique and creative

dream cake creators to photographers, wedding venues and

‘Love in the Vines’ runs from 10.30am to 4pm on Sunday 26th October 2014 at Lindeman’s, Mcdonalds Rd, Pokolbin

What to expect on the day‌ * Pamper Pavilion – Get yourself in here for a bunch of FREE mini beauty treatments along with the candy bar offering a smorgasbord of sweet treats. * Mobile Video Games – Something for the boys (and the girls)! * Workshops & Seminars – Scheduled throughout the day and FREE. * Fashion Parade – Sit back, relax and take in the visual delights of a huge array of stunning gowns and accessories on offer. * Picnic Lunch or Dine in Style? The choice is yours! Chill out on a blanket in the picnic zone, or sit down for a culinary treat indoors or alfresco style. * Entertainment – Enjoy the musical stylings provided by a range of wedding entertainers as you wander through the event. * Prizes & Goodie Bags – Any good wedding festival needs a fabulous little goodie bag.

For further wedding ideas and advice, why not take in one or more of the exciting workshops or seminars scheduled throughout the day?

All that and more will be on offer at Love in the Vines!

WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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REAL WEDDINGS

Vanessa& Wade 10th May 2014

“ I think this is a good time to tell you that I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry me? �

The Engagement

We were lucky that the grounds of Tamburlaine are so beautiful

Wade and I celebrated our six year anniversary by having a

and that we could have all our photographs taken there and

two night mid-week get-away staying at “Dejavu Estate� in

across the road in the vineyard.

Pokolbin. I had booked the venue 3 months earlier and only told Wade the day before because I wanted to enjoy the

Why Tamburlaine?

break and not be wondering the entire time if he was going

We wanted to get married in Pokolbin as it holds so many

to propose. My theory was that if I tell him the day before he

great memories for us. We also wanted a romantic country

won’t have a ring and he also will not have had the time to talk

wedding and Tamburlaine was just perfect for this. We also

to my Dad. Little did I know that 3 months earlier Wade had

loved the intimacy of Tamburlaine. It’s owned and managed by

asked his younger sister Samantha (one of my bridesmaids) to

a family and right from the start Lou and her team made us feel

help him pick out a ring and he had been keeping it hidden

completely assured that things would go perfectly to plan - and

in one of our bedside tables. It was while walking around the

they did. We met Lou a month after we became engaged (in

property early one morning, and just as I was telling Wade

June) when we visited Tamburlaine to examine the venue and

about my early childhood memories growing up on a vineyard

do a tour of the grounds. We really wanted a venue where we

in the Hunter Valley and working amongst the vines, that he

could get married and have the festivities immediately follow

suddenly stopped, turned and said (something I will never

on from the ceremony as we didn’t want our family and friends

forget ) “ I think this is a good time to tell you that I love you

having to change destinations. Instead we wanted them to be

and want to spend the rest of my life with you, will you marry

able settle in and enjoy the day/night with good food and wine.

me? � We spent the rest of the day celebrating by enjoying the local wines.

Any advice for other couples getting married?

Wade and I knew when we got engaged in May that we loved the Hunter Valley at that time of year. We both didn’t want to be really hot, and having grown up in the Hunter, I know how hot the summers can get. I think May is the perfect time of year for a Hunter Valley wedding, the vineyard’s are starting to

Favourite moment? $

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for one another is by far the best moment. I would recommend every bride and groom write their own vows, it makes the moment even more special. I think as a bride, you know pretty much every detail of the wedding day and it was one of the few surprises of the day for me, and by far the best!

change colour to include more reds and browns and the grass

Suppliers:

is generally really green and lush. The only thing we had to be

Venue: Tamburlaine, Music: Emmy Rose (acoustic guitarist for

mindful of was the early sunset so we had our ceremony timed

ceremony) and Twinsanity band (for reception), Brides Dress

" # "

and accessories: Johanna Johnson, Groom suit: Rembrant,

1.5 hours for photographs before we lost the light. I think if you

Sydney, Celebrant: John Scanlon, Bonboniers: Hunter Belle

choose May, you need to have a clear idea of what photos you

Cheese, Fudge Cake and desert bar: Megan Bradford cakes

want and have those options relatively close by so you don’t

Photographer: Matt’s Photography

have to waste too much time travelling.

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

couples a world of ceremony, reception and photography options to create your perfect wedding day.

Hunter Valley Gardens is your ultimate

couples a world of options to create your perfect wedding day. Imagine holding your wedding ceremony in the Lake’s Walk Rotunda or at the top of a stunning 10 metre waterfall.

Our beautiful onsite Wedding Chapel

Brokenback Mountain Range, along with our 10 internationally themed gardens to provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography.

The Garden Terrace reception venue

overlooking the Oriental Garden. With endless possibilities Hunter Valley Gardens is one perfect day, in one perfect place.

02 4998 4084 | weddings@hvg.com.au Broke Road, Pokolbin NSW

www.huntervalleygardens.com.au

WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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How to...

CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Image courtesy of MMG Photo & Cinema

“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.� - Eudora Welty

The most natural and beautiful photos come when you are &

that you connect with in order for them to capture your individual personalities and love for one another. It is also important that your chosen photographer is experienced and professional. Ask your friends and family if they have had a good experience or can recommend anyone.

These days everything for your wedding can be booked online at the click of a button, however when it comes to your photographer it is critical that you do actually meet the Image courtesy of April Werz Photography

photographer that will be attending your wedding. Some larger

photos you pick out in the portfolio may well have been taken by someone who no longer works at the company, so make

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, so a

sure you see actual photographs taken by the photographer

great photographer to capture the magic of the day is a must!

who will be at your wedding.

With so many options out there to choose from it can be one of

A pre-wedding shoot or engagement shoot can be a great way of breaking the ice and getting a feel for your photographer

There are many details that need to be considered before

before your big day. A casual and fun shoot will help both you

deciding on the perfect photographer for you. It is important

and the photographer get to know each other and work out the

&

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best way to bring your photos to life on your wedding day.

with, someone that has a style you like and just as important, someone that will work within your budget.

Jay from MMG Photo and Cinema says “its all about capturing fun moments that are priceless for a couple both now and into

When meeting potential photographers, go to their studios,

the future - so the images should have a timeless quality’’.

look at their portfolios - choose photos you like and photos you don’t so they get to appreciate what it is you are looking for

We asked April from April Werz Photography how she makes

and get a feel for your style. Ask as many questions as possible

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their photos, she said ‘’I really like to bring out each other’s

photographer, whether they have a back up plan for the day

personality by having fun with the couple and I have a certain

in case it rains. Have they shot any other weddings at (your

way of getting them to bring the personality out in each other.

particular venue) before? What’s included in the package?

This is the way of getting the most natural smiles and character

Where would they recommended you have your photos taken?

in the photos�

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

Like fashion, photography trends are ever changing. It is one thing to use the latest techniques and shoot with the most up to date equipment but you need to make sure when you look back at your photos in 20 or 30 years you still like them

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Photography on Hermitage ( who has over thirty years’ experience in the industry) says “I don’t really follow trends. There is classic

it’s all about

the fun...

photography and then there are the trends which come and go. I try to keep my own style as much as possible but still tailor it to my clients�

Most photographers have different packages to choose from, ranging from their entry level packages right through to deluxe packages. This means you can work out exactly what you want

< about what you need and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay for services you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need. Some of the packages may include extras like having two photographers rather than one or the option of having a photo-book keepsake featuring all your favourite shots from the day.

When working out your budget remember that all photographers will require an upfront deposit with some requiring up to 50% of the cost before the day. Be prepared for this and work out what you can and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to you, what you want to capture and remember the main thing is the overall quality of the shots, so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be swayed by the inclusion of extras.

Voted top twenty in Australia by couples in the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards

Image courtesy of Photography on Hermitage

say cheese film & video productions mob: 0416 034 226 email: amanda@saycheesephoto.com.au www.saycheesephoto.com.au WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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THE HUNTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PREMIER HAIR & BEAUTY SALON Zen Hair Skin Body is a full hairdressing salon and beauty spa in one location in the beautiful Hunter Valley Wine region. Let Zen take care of you on your special day!

Please contact the salon to arrange a consultation or trial.

Call us today on 02 4998 6844 Shop 4, Hunter Valley Gardens Village Broke Rd, Pokolbin E: info@sublimezen.com.au www.sublimezen.com.au

As a professional hair and make up artist who has specialised in Wedding Styling for over 20 years, I am often asked â&#x20AC;&#x153;why should I come to a salon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it better to

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completely up to you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your day and you should have it exactly how you want it.â&#x20AC;?

I have provided both options for my brides. Over the years it has been my personal preference to do in-salon service and this is the advice I offer to those considering their optionsâ&#x20AC;Ś.

I love to pamper and take care of our Brides and the bridal party. Even the groom and groomsmen are often included.

In salon, we provide our ultimate package which includes the trial for the Bride, hair and make up for Bridesmaids, Mums,

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" bubbles (of course), lipsticks to take with them and additional discounts on pre wedding services (manicures, pedicures and massages).

We want to take the stress out of the day and endeavour to provide everything they need to relax and enjoy this special time.

It is always my goal to make the Bride the most glamourous version of herself. I want her to look and feel most comfortable but also the most gorgeous she has ever felt. Providing our services in the salon allows us to have all of the products, tools and equipment to create any look her heart desires for both the bride and her bridal party.

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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look, and any â&#x20AC;&#x153;littleâ&#x20AC;? thing that comes up can be promptly dealt with by our fabulous and friendly team of Hair Stylists, Make Up Artists and Beauty Therapists.

Timing is of great importance on the day and we work closely with the photographer to ensure the entire wedding party is ready on time (but not sitting around looking beautiful for too long â&#x20AC;&#x201C; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want those nerves to kick in too much!).

We have a fantastic and highly skilled team to ensure maximum

" " Z[\

but it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take up all of their precious time before the ceremony.

We also invite the photographer to come into the salon to get some great shots of hair and make up being done and the party enjoying the atmosphere (and the sparkling wine).

Finallyâ&#x20AC;Ś.the mess is left with us. The bridal party walks out of our salon radiant and ready to put on those gorgeous dresses, get some amazing photos and walk down the aisle. No mess to tidy up before photos can be taken, no last minute sandwiches, or missing earrings (that may have been moved so the Make Up Artist could use the dressing table). Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stress the bride just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need....

I hope this helps Brides to make a decision about Salon vs Mobile for their special day and for further information or advice I am always happy to chat in person.

Rachel Davis- Artistic Director- Zen Hair Skin Body

WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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REAL WEDDINGS

Georgie& Chris 9th August 2014

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe the most vital thing a bride should do is hire excellent vendors who you can trust to execute their roles perfectly... â&#x20AC;&#x153;

When Chris Page asked Georgie Clark to be his wife, they always knew the celebration would take place in the Hunter Valley. We spoke to Georgie about their day and all the elements that made their perfect Hunter Valley Wedding.

I think in choosing a venue, you have to work out what are the most important aspects of the day that it must cater for â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ours

] " 9 ^_`{ provided all three!

Tell us about your engagement story, how did Chris propose?

We heard you invited some very famous people to your wedding, including Kate the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William- who were the others and did any of them make it on the day?

Chris proposed about two hundred metres from where we later married! The Hunter Valley has always been very special to us and he proposed on the balcony of the beautiful Oriental Suite at Tower Estate. We celebrated with one of the best meals of our lives downstairs there at Restaurant Nine!

He proposed with a stunning diamond and I later designed my dream engagement ring.

Why did you choose the Hunter Valley and more

] " 9 ^_`{ be married?

We are regular visitors to the Hunter (and have a cellar stocked with its wine!) so it was the obvious choice when choosing a venue. I liked that it was a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;destinationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wedding not too far from home, and allowed our guests to take a weekend away in our favourite region.

After our engagement, we visited three other lovely Hunter

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it!â&#x20AC;?. We had heard that it had â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the best aisle in the Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and the restaurant itself is so rustic and warm, we knew it would be perfect.

I also liked the idea of having the ceremony and reception at the same place, so our guests could enjoy champagne and delicious canapĂŠs while we had pictures taken.

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

I did actually send an invite to Wills & Kate, as I am such a fan, and received a great reply back! It is such a fun keepsake of the day. Still waiting on Barack and Michelle to respond, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re late!

What was the highlight of your Wedding Day? All of our married friends gave us the same advice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ensure

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just for you and your groom. I am so happy we followed their Â&#x20AC;

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on this beautiful event with all our friends and family mixing and having fun was very special.

Another highlight for me was my Dadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father-of-the-bride speech. I knew how nervous he was (I think he may have been dreading it for thirty years!) but he nailed it. I was so proud.

Since both you and Chris work in the radio industry was it hard for you to decide on your wedding music? What was the song that played for your bridal waltz?

There are so many choices for music at the wedding, but I wanted a consistent musician who could cover the whole day.

I thought it was a tough ask â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but my prayers were answered when I found Mick Fetch. Mick played acoustic guitar as I walked down the aisle, then played as our guests had canapĂŠs and dinner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; then turned into the most brilliant DJ! Music is important to us â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as we had all our radio friends in attendance! We gave Mick a lot of guidance as to what songs we wanted and when. He nailed it! I loved the security of knowing he would keep music playing all day.

Chris and my music tastes are very different, but we agreed on Mama Cassâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dream A Little Dream Of Meâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. We surprised all our guests with a full choreographed routine! I loved how surprised our friends were!

How many people were in your bridal party, how did you choose who would be included?

We had a small bridal party â&#x20AC;&#x201C; my gorgeous girlfriend Bonny was my bridesmaid and the most amazing help to me in the lead-up and on the day. Having a super-organised bridesmaid is key!

Chris had his wonderful friend Dan as his Best Man. Dan got married last year so he was a great support for Chris and his speech was epic!

What is your advice for other brides getting married in the Hunter Valley?

I believe the most vital thing a bride should do is hire excellent vendors who you can trust to execute their roles perfectly, meaning no stress in the lead-up and on the day! I found some brilliant local vendors, like Jade McIntosh from Newcastle

Belinda Ward from Gillieston Heights who did the hair and makeup for myself, my bridesmaids and all the mums. Also "

our celebrant Maree Callaghan, ask for their contacts, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll

" " "

WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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Something Blue PHOTOGRAPHY & CINEMATOGRAPHY

W

somethingbluephotography.com.au FOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE "WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY"

Helen Pickering CMC Registered Marriage Celebrant Passionate and committed, I would be pleased to conduct your ceremony and offer professional guidance and a meaningful and memorable service on your special day. . . . .

Weddings Re-affirmation of vows Service of commitment Baby naming helen.pickering@bigpond.com.au P 4990 4166 www.helenpickeringcelebrant.com.au M 0428 860446

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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Unique Accommodation for Special Occasions

you a diverse range of

the Hunter Valley.

If you are planning a weekend away contact Hunter Valley Stays to experience some of the

www.huntervalleystays.com.au P: 0477 010 010 E stays@huntervalleystays.com.au

A Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Unique Celebrant T cialist!

The Scottish, Celtic & Orthodox Wedding Specialist! & ' !!' ( ) * ! ! ' really +

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Greentree Ceremonies www.greentree.com.au philip@greentree.com.au | PH 02 4984 3454 MOB 0429 471 202

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10.30am . 4 pm

sunday 26th oct '14

Lindeman's, McDonalds Rd Pokolbin A HUNTER VALLEY WEDDING FESTIVAL WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS

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WINE COUNTRY WEDDINGS