UTTERLY ENGAGED // THE VENUE HUNT

What an incredible start to the year it has been,
With 2017 was such an incredibly busy year;  from working with all of my gorgeous bridal clients to creating 35 gowns for #TheMissUniverseProject and the National Costume for the gorgeous Miss Universe Australia, Olivia Rogers. Touring to different TV studios to traveling to the corners of the globe and getting engaged in beautiful Melbourne. 2018 hasn’t been much different in the way of craziness and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon!

On the wedding front, my beautiful man, Robbie and I have been getting deep into the wedding planning game. We have toured the country side for venues from Byron Bay to Brisbane and inland as far as Warwick and Alstonville.

I am so excited to be taking this journey with such a wonderful person. Knowing full well that Weddings are something that I live for he has been absolutely incredible and supportive whilst we’ve toured all over the place to find the foot that fits the slipper. We have the vision, we just need the right place!

I have a very specific image for what I dream our wedding will look like and piecing together the puzzle has been no easy feat. We have met some absolutely beautiful people along the way and seen venues that make the heart sing.
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Like so many girls and women before me, I have always pictured of the day I would be swept up in a beautiful romance with my dream prince and my perfect fairy-tale. And now here I am living the modern day reality of that fairytale. Lets be honest its not always whistling with songbirds and fairy godmothers but it’s pretty darn close!

I have pictures in my head the hold the scenes to the perfect day. Having spent a lot of my childhood travelling through Europe, I have always had a true love affair with the romance of grand estates, beautiful old Chateau’s and fine detailing of French décor. I love seeing buildings so old and soaked in history that they have begun to decay and moss over with endless vines scaling up walls, towers and turrets. I am a true romantic deep into my soul and love to be filled with the nostalgia of the happy places I have been blessed to visit particularly memories aboard trains through Switzerland and France. Admiring the snow covered alps as the train treks through the mountains, past sprawling vineyards, magnificent lakes, charming little houses and grand mansions. Eating the freshest baguettes with the cheese from the quaint little village where we stopped to visit our close family friends. It was all an adventurous fairy-tale to a petite Begitta, one that I was lucky enough to live over and over again each Winter. It’s not hard to see how romanticism grew and flourished within me and I have made it my life to create those Cinderella moments for my beautiful brides and now I am soon to truly have my own such moment!!

My favourite fairy-tale romance is Cinderella. With Princes and Paupers, grand balls, the guests, hopefully sans ugly stepsisters! and of course… The Gown! But like all beautiful tales the ball must take place in a castle. Or at least a version of my ‘dream wedding chateau’. So the story begins with my Prince and I journeying through the country side in search of my OUR dream venue!
 
We’ve searched high and low for a venue we absolutely adore, our guiding requirements were:

• South East Queensland or Northern NSW
• Room for 50-100 people
• Romantic in feel and Black-Tie worthy
• Beautiful surroundings for photographs
• Space to be married- Chapel on property or church near property

After compiling a list of the most suitable contenders we managed to narrow it down and these beautiful venues have taken our breath away!

So let me show you the beautiful places we discovered....

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​Customs House – Brisbane CBD
A heritage listed landmark of the beautiful CBD. Set riverside just near the Story Bridge, I would always drive past this stunning building almost every day when I lived in Brisbane and think to myself “That’s where I want to have my wedding”. Having been a part of a magnificent shoot here many years ago featuring our gowns, I was so excited to finally have the chance to enter the building and see the interior- it certainly did not disappoint. We loved the feel and the high ceilings, exquisite architecture and the delectable menu. 

ABOVE IMAGE CREDIT: WIKIPEDIA

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: PINTEREST

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​Evergreen Garden Venue – Gold Coast, QLD
We were lucky enough to have our Engagement Photos taken at this dreamy location. Every nook of this lush venue provides the backdrop to a beautiful photo opportunity. Catering for up to 60 people Evergreen is the perfect venue for an intimate wedding with a fairy-tale essence! Featuring perfectly manicured grounds, beautiful sandstone details, a stunning garden staircase and statuesque front gate, the owners have created an absolute Eden here. With options to have a beautiful silk-lined marquee to hold your reception within, you could not find a dreamier venue for your nuptials!

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: KAITLIN MAREE PHOTOGRAPHY
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​See more of our Engagement shoot - HERE

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: WE ARE TWINE

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​Summergrove Estate – Northern NSW Hinterland
A truly breathtaking venue, think The Sound of Music with rolling hills and endless views beyond belief. This property offers so many options for both ceremony and reception with their beautiful chapel, picturesque gardens and their new purpose built barn. The chapel on the grounds is just to-die-for and the huge white wedding barn is custom built to offer any couples that Pinterest worthy wedding they have always dreamed of!
​It’s the place of daydreams and the perfect estate to host an elegant wedding with a little bit of ‘relaxed country feel’.

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: THE ATELIER

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The Abbey of the Roses – Warwick, QLD
The history and grandeur of this exquisite venue is beyond compare. Robbie and I took a road trip out to see the stunning Abbey in all her beauty. What I like to call a “semi-destination” wedding venue, her beauty is enough to rival the most gorgeous French Chateau. We fell absolutely in love with the charm and grace of such an amazing building, with the options to have your ceremony held in the stunning gardens or in the on site chapel. Additionally hosting a number of guests in their B&B Style accommodation that feature beautiful antiques and lush bathrobes (I’m a sucker for those details!).
​It’s the perfect venue for an exquisite wedding and the perfect ‘Happily Ever After’!

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: THE ATELIER

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​University of Queensland – St Lucia, QLD
UQ has endless amazing options of places and spaces to host your ceremony, reception and cocktail hour. With additional options to have a marquee put up on the grounds meaning you can tailor a package to suit your budget. The ladies at Schonell Events were so accommodating. The surrounding gardens, ponds and buildings really set the scene for your guests and The Great Court is absolutely awe-inspiring with its tall pillars and green lawns.
​It’s the perfect backdrop for those stunning gown shots and loved up candids with your man in his Tux.

ABOVE IMAGES CREDITS: SCHONELL EVENTS

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​Deux Belettes – Dalwood, Northern NSW
Set out in beautiful Alstonville, Northern NSW, fairy-tales like Cinderella certainly took place in places like Deux Belettes. The owners have constructed the building over the last 30+ years in a labour of love for all things French. It is a divine establishment with no inch untouched by exquisite detail. When we went to view this venue we just fell in love, boasting gorgeous living spaces with accommodation, sweeping lawns and of course the most picturesque French interior and exterior.
​It's not hard to picture the fairytale moments in a place so surreal! 

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: THE ATELIER

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​Old Government House – Brisbane CBD
The Old Government House building is set on the grounds of the stunning Queensland University of Technology and adjoining the Brisbane Botanical Gardens. This 150-year-old building sets the tone for a chic, elegant, endlessly scenic wedding. With options to have banquet dining within the house itself or just next door and up amongst the clouds at Room Three Sixty with panoramic views of the beautiful Brisbane city skyline. We just loved the stately old world feel of this striking building.
​The perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding with a modern city feel.

ABOVE IMAGE CREDITS: QUT 

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I am bursting with excitement! We’ve set a date and its so so close!
We cannot wait to share with you which one we have picked! You may figure it out before the big day but we’re going to keep you hanging!