Catering Tips

Weddings are really just great big parties - albeit celebrating one awesome occasion - and parties need one thing to be truly fantastic: FOOD! This week on the QB blog we're going to look at some food related queries and help you make some tasty choices.

Here are some simple tips to help you plan your reception catering. A lot of the details will resolve themselves when you look at your theme, budget and guest list. So think about that first before make any decisions. 

1. Choose the right caterer

If you are planning to have your reception in a private home, garden or venue that doesn't offer an in-house catering service, then you might just find choosing an independent caterer or catering company slightly confusing and difficult. There's a plethora of talented and professional catering services available out there, and it is a decision that deserves careful thought. Find a caterer who can work within your budget without forsaking taste, style and variety. 

Image from the wedding of Alexandra and Fortunato

2. Don't be afraid to be adventurous

When choosing the menu for your reception, don't be afraid to be adventurous - having a variety of cuisines and some sophisticated dishes can give your guests a great culinary journey. Be sure to make suggestions to your caterer if you have a favourite recipe or dish you would like included as they are more often than not willing and able to interpret your ideas into the menu. 

Image from the wedding of Sheridan and James

3. Don't forget about dietary requirements!

Don't forget that some of your guests could be vegetarian or have allergies to nuts or dairy, so be sure to include some alternatives to cater for this increasingly common possibility! It is a good idea to make a note of this on your invitations and ask guests to let you know if this applies to them so that you can better estimate what dishes will be needed, or avoided entirely. 

Image from the wedding of Troy and Johanna

4. If you don't like it, don't serve it!

When you think about what kind of reception you want to have, think about how you want to serve food. For example, if you're having a casual outdoor wedding, a relaxed BBQ could be a fun idea. On the other end of the scale, a more formal affair could be the right time to have a traditional sit-sown dinner. Whether it be buffet, cocktail, sit-down, or even BBQ make sure your food suits you - the couple. If you don't like the food, don't serve it!

QB x

Check out Queensland Brides at www.queenslandbrides.com.au, Facebook and Twitter. Get the latest issue here.

Xennox Diamonds 5 Tips For Cleaning Your Diamonds and Keeping Them Sparkling

Image taken from the wedding of Peter and Melissa

When you've exchanged rings with your loved one you know that you'll be wearing it constantly. But have you thought about the casual wear and grime that builds up on a diamond ring? Not to worry, here's what Xennox Diamonds suggests you do to keep your rings shiny and pretty.

1. Use near boiling water.
Cleaning your dishes with cold water wouldn’t be very effective, and it is the same with cleaning your jewellery. Hot water is perhaps the most essential ingredient, as it helps to break down any soap and hand cream which has accumulated on the jewellery. While it is a case of ‘the hotter the better’, I normally recommend just under boiling temperature. The melting points of gold and diamonds are much higher than 100 degrees Celsius.

2. Add a small amount of detergent
While almost any detergent that you have in the kitchen will do, a squirt of dishwashing liquid is ideal.

3. Use an old toothbrush to clean around diamonds
An old toothbrush is a great tool for getting into all those tricky areas. When using the toothbrush, use a dabbing motion rather than a scrubbing action. The dabbing motion will help the bristles to find their way underneath the diamond. 

4.Time to soak

Leave your rings/jewellery in the hot solution for around 5 minutes. Then after giving them a scrub, re-soak them for another 5 minutes if required.

5. Avoid using hand cream while your rings are on.
To keep your diamonds looking as bright as they can be for as long as possible, try removing your rings when you are putting on hand cream. When your hands are dry, it is safe to put your rings back on.

QB x

Check out Queensland Brides at www.queenslandbrides.com.au, Facebook and Twitter. Get the latest issue here.

Track the Trends: see what's hot for wedding dresses

(as seen in QB Autumn 2013)

We've rounded up our pick of the trends from the Queensland Brides Design Awards, with various entries echoing exciting styles from the international fashion runways.

Eye-catching Waists
Waist details were a common sighting, belts as well as vintage-inspired brooches and bows utilised to add a clear waistline or as a pretty embellishment. 

Ann McMillan Bridal

Check out Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2013 bridal collection to see waist details used to striking, feminine perfection, or take a look at how our local designers tapped into the trend; Ann Wilson Couture for Strictly Bridal, Kim Marcel Art of Couture, Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions, and Helena Couture Designs were just a few of the entrants who incorporated waist detailing into their gowns.

Colour & Florals
Colourful and floral fabrics were big this year, the People's Choice award going to an elegant yet daring floral extravaganza by Wendy Makin Couture. Subtle overlays of colour were also seen throughout, as well as striking black, which was used head to toe by Rebecca Cobbing Couture and Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions for maximum impact. 

Wendy Makin Couture

Stars including Jessica Biel and Anne Hathaway donned coloured gowns on their big days, a trend which is still standing strong in the fashion stakes.Take a look at Vivienne Westwood,Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta's Spring 2013 collections for more bridal colour inspiration.

Peplums
Peplums added striking silhouettes to the competition's mix, echoing the nipped-in waists of the 50s. Leonard Derecourt, Bertossi Brides, and Ja Delle Designs each customised their gowns with glamorous peplums. 

Leonard Derecourt Designer

Peplums are also big news in the fashion world — take inspiration from Calvin Klein’s Spring 2013 Collection.

Convertible 

Convertible gowns were also a favourite at the awards, the Supreme Award going to Wendy Makin's version of this functional frock.

Wendy Makin Couture

Removable skirts, lace overlays and convertible sashes mean a full-skirted gown can easily be transformed into a subtler evening dress, ideal for dancing and mingling with guests. 

QB x
Check out Queensland Brides at www.queenslandbrides.com.au, Facebook and Twitter. Get the latest issue here.

A Little Hairspiration

When it comes to your wedding, it absolutely must be a good hair day. Here are some styles we've seen around lately that strike our fancy—maybe they'll strike yours! 

Wedding of Thomas and Jessica

Wedding of Monty and Courtney

For an elegant style that lets your dress and that wedding glow shine, try a high bun like Courtney and Jessica did. 

Wedding of Mitch and Nicki

Wedding of Dylan and Chloe

Braids soften any hairstyle and give it that subtle vintage vibe.

Wedding of Damien and Erin

If you have an exciting detail on your dress don't think the rest of your outfit needs to be as busy—and that includes hair! Erin had a classy but simple style that let the feathered detail of her dress pop. 

Wedding of Kylie and Adam

Wedding of Marcus and Holly

Soft, loose, and wavy styles are very natural and look great with strapless dresses. Keep in mind that for an outdoor wedding loose styles may not pair well with a windy day. 

Wedding of Trevor and Emily

We're loving this bun style that Emily wore to her wedding. The volume, and the styled messiness provide a stunning, but not overwhelming, partner to a natural makeup look. 

What do you think? Will you try one of these styles for your big day?  

QB x

Check out Queensland Brides at www.queenslandbrides.com.au, Facebook and Twitter. Get the latest issue here.

Real Life Wedding: Sudipta and Josh

This real life couple managed to have two ceremonies!

How Joshua and Sudipta Met
I was a final year medical student, he was a first year medical intern, it was Australia Day 2006. We got talking, became great friends and the rest is history!

Proposal
It was Dec 2010, we were in Paris. It was a beautiful crisp evening, the snow was falling softly, and we were wondering along the avenue De Champ-Elysees. I remember feeling so happy and content after enjoying a leisurely walk and all I could think about was sitting down in a warm restaurant with a bottle of wine and some tasty st agur cheese! However, Josh obviously had other plans up his sleeve. We ended up taking a ferry across the city of Paris and after the pleasant but chilly ride, he pulled me along the side of the river walk. He looked nervous, and I had no idea why. I thought to myself, this can be either something really bad or something really good. He then told me he loved me dearly and that I would make him the happiest man and the rest is blurred! I certainly thought the ring was bedazzling and felt like the luckiest girl in the world. 

What Made the Wedding Uniquely 'Ours'
We made personal vows to each other. The day was flawless, the ambience was magical, the dancing rocked all night! 

The Couple: Joshua Daly and Sudipta Sinnya
Date: 8 September, 2012
No. of Guests: 105
First Dance Song: Moon River, Mancini
Theme: Hollywood Glamour 

Funniest Moment
When one of the bridesmaids proposed the toast to bride and the best man accidentally! (he happened to be the groom's brother!!)

Special Memory
Getting ready with my bridesmaids and reminiscing with a bottle or two of Veuve Cliquot! 

Special Thanks
To my family and best friends for making our day amazingly special

Advice
Learn to make the most of the day, it's your wedding day, it will always be perfect :) 

Ceremony: Pandanas Lawn, Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast
Reception: Lily's on the Lagoon, Twin Waters
Wedding Gown: Darb bridal Couture Designer: Brad Webb
Bridemaid's Dresses: Zimmermann, Melbourne
Groom's Suit: Versace, Gold Coast
Decorator: Bedazzled, Sunshine Coast
Flowers: Suncoast Flowers, Sunshine Coast
Hair: Hollywood Brides, Brisbane

Makeup: Hollywood Brides, Brisbane 
Cake: Lorinda Rogers, Sunshine Coast 
Transport: Buggies from Twin Waters 
Stationery: Bedazzled, Sunshine Coast 
Music & Entertainment: Rock U Wild, Sunshine Coast 
Photographer: Milque Photography 
Hen's & Bucks: Sea Temple, Surfer's Paradise 
Honeymoon: Bora Bora, French Polynesia 

Celebrant: Sally Evans

Congratulations to Joshua and Sudipta! 

See more real life weddings on the website, and you can submit your special wedding as well! We'd love to see some more gorgeous weddings, we're always surprised and delighted by the themes and stories that come in.

QB x 

Quick Inspirational Links: 

Wedding Flowers

Cake Inspiration

DIY ideas

Bridesmaid gallery