Category Archives: Uncategorized

‘Wedding Planner’   V     ‘Wedding Coordinator’    V    ‘Wedding stylist’

Image by Amy Higg Photography. Florals By Willowbud Flowers. Styling Simply Style Co. Wedding Coordinator Maple Weddings and Events. Venue The Old Dairy Maleny.

Organizing a wedding comes with a whole new set of lingo which sometimes isn’t so easy to understand especially as planning a wedding itself can be quite overwhelming for some.

Weddings come with an array of vendors such as the venue, celebrants, photographers, cake makers, catering teams, florist and so many more. Then there is the wedding planner, wedding coordinator and a wedding stylist which many think is the same person however this is not the case.

To put your mind somewhat at ease we will explain the difference between the three,  wedding planner, wedding coordinator and a wedding stylist.  Each are very different and quite possibly you may require 2-3 of these vendors on your team for your day here is what you need to know to clarify who is who and what they each do.

Images by Shae Estella Photo. Venue Maleny Retreat. Flowers Willowbud. Wedding Coordinator Maple Weddings and Events.

Wedding Planner

A wedding planner is your go to through the whole entire process. They are your ringleader, your confident, your side kick, your professional. They will be with you every step of the way and ensure every detail is covered. A wedding planner essentially holds your hand the entire journey and allows you to enjoy the ‘planning’ journey.

Every wedding planner is different as everyone has a differing approach to the weddings they execute, however a wedding planner can help with duties that include–

• Budget Management- Often wedding planners can secure great deals through their own contacts which in fact could save you some money!
• A highly professional and well-respected wedding planner will have a ‘black book’ and will be able to list of and name vendors off the top of their head. Aligning suppliers that suit your style, budget, and personality.
• RSVP tracking. Especially with Covid these days this alone can cause a sense of angst and a lot of time management.
• Assist with finding a wedding venue.
• Attend site meetings and meet with suppliers.
• Transportation for both the bridal party and guests.
• Organise accommodation or a list of local places to stay.
• Working with the wedding stylist to create the vision for the day. Layouts and floor plans.
• Run sheet for the day.
• Oversees the day (on the day coordination).

Essentially a wedding planner is your best friend. This is usually a good 1-2 years of talking to someone consistently however with Covid lingering still many couples have been moving their dates forward and needing a planner to help them in a short time frame which leads us to why would you need to book a wedding planner?

• As mentioned, you might have a very short time frame to get everything organised.
• You are not at all an organised person.
• You are time poor with a busy career and/or family or other commitments.
• You find it stressful.
• Your planning a destination wedding so choose a wedding planner that is in that region.
• Or let’s face it some just don’t like the thought of planning a wedding. It doesn’t excite them at all and just don’t want to do it.

Wedding planners come at a cost with many hours spent planning and organising then the on the day execution, you could be look at the vicinity of $4000-$5000 plus for a professional wedding planner.

Don’t forget though wedding planners can actually save you money!!!

Image Daniel J Photography. Venue Pier33. Flowers Fiesta Flora. Styling Maple Weddings and Events.

On the day coordination

On the day wedding coordination means exactly that. Coordination of the actual day. You yourselves will plan all your wedding. This means collating RSVP’s, budgets, booking suppliers which can mean a lot of work as sourcing and looking for local talents, essentially planning every detail of your wedding day. You will then pass over to the wedding coordinator. Your wedding coordinator will liaise with you usually 1-2 months prior to your date and start compiling all your information to be able to plan and be prepared for coordinating your day. During this time, they may ask you questions, or have you done a certain thing which may prompt you to then do it as it’s something you had forgotten about or weren’t aware of.  A wedding coordinator is fantastic covering off on those last bits that may have been missed.

Duties can include-

• Gathering all information from the couple.
• Formulating a timeline of the day. This means conversing with the suppliers booked by the couple and compiling all this information.
• Conversing with the venue.
• Checking all elements for smooth running of the day such as water and power requirements.
• Potentially moving items on the day- perhaps the arbour from the ceremony needs to be moved to reception or the signage needs to be moved from ceremony to repetition.

Why book an on the day wedding coordinator?

• You don’t have the budget to book the full wedding planner service but would like some help.
• You want a stress-free day on the day.
• Don’t want to ask family or friends to be the contact on the day hence paying a professional.
• By booking you will know if you missed any important bits which the coordinator will confirm everything in the lead up.
• You really want to plan you own wedding. Something you had been dreaming of as a child but don’t want to do anything on the day.
• The weather! If the weather is not favourable on the day whether its too hot, windy, rainy you know that you have a professional on site to make the call as to what to do in this circumstance and then work with the suppliers on the day to execute a smooth Plan B.

On the day coordination is by far the most popular and utilized service when it comes to weddings. Its most definitely a life saving service for many couples as it takes the pressure of them and their family and friends. Remember it is once in a lifetime and you want to enjoy your day as it really does go by so quickly.

A wedding coordinator can vary in price depending on the providers own packages but anywhere from $1500/$1600 upwards is average for this service depending on your location too.

Picture 1                                                                                                           Picture 2                                                                                                     Picture 3                                                                                                 Picture 4

Picture 1 Image Angela Cannavo Photography.  Venue The Old Dairy Maleny. Styling Maple Weddings and Events. Flowers Fiesta Flora.

Picture 2 Image Angela Cannavo Photography. Venue The Old Dairy Maleny. Styling Maple Weddings and Events. Flowers Fiesta Flora.

Picture 3 Image Tara Lee Photography. Venue Noosa Waterfront Restaurant.  Styling Maple Weddings and Events. Flowers Fiesta Flora.

Picture 4 Image Daniel J Photography. Venue Pier33.  Styling Maple Weddings and Events. Flowers Fiesta Flora.

Wedding stylist

A wedding stylist is not a wedding planner/coordinator. They do not have anything to do with meetings on site with suppliers, budgets, contracts, formulating timelines and being on site all day to the end.

A wedding stylist is the visionary. They are the artistic drive that brings the beautiful aesthetics for your day. Your wedding stylist will have furniture or suppliers they work with to create your vision. They can put together the concept or build on from your own ideas. They will offer layouts and floor plans ensuring it all fits into the space on offer.

Stylists will work with you or your wedding planner to design a unique design that suits you and your partner. From the lighting to chairs and tables, to linens, candles, signage, furniture and working with the florist to tie it all in just perfectly.

A wedding stylist will come in and set it all up and take it all away. Leaving it to the professionals means it will take the pressure of yourselves and family and friends, but most of all they will make it look amazing.

Image Life and Love Photography by Lee B. Venue Mali Retreat. Flowers Fiesta Flora. Styling Maple Weddings and Events.

Like anything there are pros and cons to everything. Its really a matter of you as a couple weighing up your options and deciding on what you do need help with.

Fortunately, here at Maple Weddings and Events we cover all 3 services with additional packages as well. Our half day coordination is quite popular too. Our services can be found on our website.

Image Bliss Photography by Leah. Flowers Poppylane Flowers by Design.

RAJEENA & CLINTON

The Old Dairy Maleny

What was the most memorable part of your day?

‘It has to be seeing each other for the first time, walking down the aisle. We both cried as soon as we saw each other, it was so emotional, and it still brings tears to our eyes when we think about it.’

If there was ever a wedding to go back and redo this would be it! Not because it was bad and we should ‘redo it’ in fact its quite the opposite actually. Everything about Rajeena and Clinton’s Sunshine Coast Hinterland wedding was PERFECT so much so I want to relive their day over and over!!!!!!

If you could relive your day again is there anything you would change?

‘Not at all!! Everything was incredible, it went above and beyond what we could have ever imagined. It was perfect!’

I first met this gorgeous couple when I was showcasing at The Old Dairy Maleny for the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s Summer-showcase in January 2020.  We hit it off instantly and they say the rest is history.  I sure as heck am gonna miss seeing these beauties at the Summer showcases as the last 3 I was able to catch up with them and of course outside of these too! Lets hope they pop in again this January to say hi!

From starting your wedding planning journey to the date of your wedding, how long did it take you?

‘We got engaged in December 2019. Naturally I got caught up in the wedding planning excitement and found the Hinterland Showcase in Jan 2020. We fell in love with The Old Dairy Maleny and from there we got the ball rolling. We decided we were too broke to get married in 2020 haha and pushed it out to 2021, also deciding we wanted an August/September wedding.’

The Old Dairy Maleny is sublime. It is truly breathtaking overlooking the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Valley’s. The owners of this gorgeous property have covered every element in its building construction and wows people every time they drive down that driveway.

I asked Rajeena and Clinton why they chose The Old Dairy Maleny – 

‘We went to the Hinterland Showcase in Jan 2020 and basically started from the top at Montville and worked our way down and around the Hinterland, viewing all the open venues and meeting suppliers. The Old Dairy was our last stop for the day and as soon as we drove down that driveway, Clinton declared, “This is it. Nothing will ever compare to this.” He also noted he could see the Crohamhurst tower from the venue and as he grew up in Peachester it was a good way to tie his childhood into our wedding.’ 

We were fortunate enough to not only coordinate their amazing day but also do all the styling. Working alongside our pal Court over at Fiesta Flora for our styling and florals was a dream. Rajeena and Clinton actually had a completely different vision from when I first met them until a couple months out from their wedding! They 100% wanted earthy tones with a bit of modern rustic to tie in with the Sunshine Coast Hinterland landscape. Clinton collected pine cones from his family farm just over the ridge and asked that we incorporate them on the day. They left the styling and florals to us to create some magic. Its wonderful when couples trust their suppliers implicitly and give free reign to create.

In terms of styling when we first met your vision was completely different to the vision on the day with a changeover in the last few months leading into your wedding. Tell us about your initial vision of what was created on the day. –

‘When we first started talking about our wedding, we envisioned it to be full of the natural elements, like a rustic, earthy style. As we had so much down time from when we locked our suppliers in, to when we had our wedding, it gave me a lot of time to see other weddings and my Instagram feed soon became one big wedding spam feed.

It gave me a lot of new ideas and in the end, we decided to simply let our venue do most of the work and just add the basics to elevate it. We fully trusted Maple and Fiesta Flora to take over where necessary and do what they knew best. We ended up with what I would say was a modern woodsy elegance theme, which was better than what we had envisioned.

Clinton also really wanted to include pinecones into our theme and at the last minute he had his family collect a big bag of pine cones from his family home in Peachester and Maple and Fiesta Flora did an incredible job of incorporating them into our style, they didn’t look out of place at all and we felt it added to our style perfectly.’

What platforms did you use to select your suppliers?

‘I spent A LOT of time googling, researching, and reading reviews to select our suppliers. We met Angela and Kristy and Naomi that day at the show case and vibed instantly, we knew you were both going to be involved in our day one way or another! From there the rest of our suppliers easily fell into place and we feel we picked a team of fun, easy going, yet super professional and talented suppliers.’

You booked Maple Weddings for both coordination and styling. Did you find that easier having one supplier do the bulk of it all?

‘We weren’t going to have any coordination on the day in the beginning as we were trying to save money. Kristy convinced us in the end to have a half day coordination package with our styling and can we just say, THANK GOD FOR KRISTY!! I cannot imagine how stressful and busy our day would have been, had Kristy not been coordinating for us! Everything just ran so smoothly, if anything went wrong, we didn’t know about it and we all had the best day!

For us as well, the styling was such a huge part of our wedding, it just made sense that you would also coordinate the day for us. It was definitely easier having the one supplier doing the bulk of the work.’

Would you recommend to other couples to have a coordinator on the day?

‘YES!! Our day went by so fast; it was almost a blur. Everything was perfect and we didn’t have to think about a single thing. We could just enjoy our day from the moment we woke up, to saying goodbye to our guests without any stress or worry in between.’

I often ask people what the one most important part of their day is and couples can never pinpoint one so tell us what the 3 most important things to you both were for your day.

‘Our ceremony has to be one. We didn’t want to have the normal ceremony that people usually tune out of halfway through. We wanted it to be fun and inclusive for all our guests and Sommer smashed it out of the park

The next thing was probably just making sure our guests had a good time. For us we wanted everyone else to enjoy the day as much, if not more, than us haha.

Last but most certainly not least, was the styling/setup. Our venue was so stunning, and we wanted our styling to match that, and Maple and Fiesta Flora did such an incredible job. It was one breath taking moment from walking down the aisle to another when we entered our reception.’

What is some advice you would offer to other couples planning a wedding- and in a pandemic!

‘Have a coordinator for your day! If you can afford it as well, having someone to come in and set up our ceremony and reception for us also made a world of difference. We were so busy with hair and makeup and then photography and videography before our ceremony, I don’t even know, where we would have fit the time to style and coordinate the day if we had too. Not to mention, during these COVID days, having that extra support on hand to help guide you through your planning was so reassuring.
Also DO NOT watch the news in the lead up to your day, the media over exaggerates everything and just adds stress you do not need!’

As an approx what was the cost of your wedding?

‘Haha that’s a funny question!! So, we started our wedding planning, estimating it would be about $20,000 – $25,000. As we started locking in suppliers and our venue, we realised it was going to be more, so we went up to about $35,000, then $45,000 and then the budget was just out the door! I think overall it was probably more like $60,000 with every little expense included.

You certainly don’t have to spend as much on your wedding but for us, having our wedding in the Hinterland was a must and as we started planning other things became just as important, like having our day documented in a certain style for us to look back on, having an expert to come in and style/setup our day and having our florals a certain way, all became important to have. I also have a habit of having expensive taste, so naturally I had to have the best.’

One thing about Rajeena and Clinton’s wedding that stands out for me (apart from the amazing styling and florals! haha)  is the ‘team’ of suppliers. We all know each other well and have all worked together before and what a friggin fab team we all make! Having suppliers who have worked together is a such a bonus not only for us coordinating but for the couple too as they know they dont have to worry about a single thing knowing they have a team of support who all work and connect together. It was such a vibe on their wedding day and one I will cherish for a loooooong time. The photos that the amazing Angela of Angela Cannavo Photography took encapsulate their day just perfectly. It really sums up what a great crew we all are working together and also how beautiful, genuine and humble Rajeena and Clinton are.

The Old Dairy Maleny shone yet again creating so much love and happiness for everyone.

The Crew 

Venue- The Old Dairy Maleny 

Wedding Coordination – Maple Weddings and Events

Celebrant- Sommer Saunder Celebrancy

Photographer- Angela Cannavo Photography

Videographer- Twelve 08 Studios

 Styling – Maple Weddings and Events

Hair Stylist- Coastal Blondes

Makeup Artist- Erin Fedele Makeup

Florist- Fiesta Flora

Catering Service- Vanteen Catering

Bar Service- The Cellar Van C/O- Vanteen Catering

Cake- Chocolate 2 Chilli

Reception DJ- GM Event Group

Wedding Dress- White Lily Couture

Bridesmaids Dresses- A Formal Affair Brisbane

Grooms Suit- Instistchu

Groomsmen Suits- Institchu

Favours- Sprinkled With Sweets

Jordy and Cam are Sunshine Coast locals, so we met up at the Mapleton Tavern with their little girl Elsie for an informal chat and catch up. We hit it off straight away.

Jordy told me from the get-go she takes ages to make decisions and is very indecisive. Challenge accepted! She also said she found the planning overwhelming as she works full time and with a toddler in tow was making it challenging for her, so they opted to book our pre planning middle package. Jordy and Cam had the freedom to book some suppliers and looked after their RSVP’s whilst Maple Weddings took care of the rest. Oh, what fun we had.

Initially Jordy and Cam’s vision and dream wedding was to be under the stars of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland with a very relaxed vibe and LOTS of fairy lights. They chose the Mapleton Hall as their venue as this offered a space to have both ceremony and reception, it was easier for guests & transport, they had a backup plan with hall and they could have their entire wedding outside as they dreamed.

Maple Weddings was not only their wedding planner but also their wedding stylist in conjunction with the lovely Fiesta Flora on florals. We all met up on site to discuss options and to work with Jordy’s vision. She couldn’t decide if she wanted what was ‘trending’ or to go the classic white and green. A huge decision to make for someone who struggles with decision making! Eventually she had to decide and what a fantastic choice it was. Classic white. Timeless and elegant. The ceremony would comprise of Maple Weddings timber bench seats with the 2-piece arbour plinths adorned with playa blanca roses, banksia hookeriana, white carnations, white alstroemerias, white lisianthus, snow berry, magnolia, eucalyptus and wattle by Fiesta Flora.

The reception would compromise of fairy lights, cable reels with stools and 2 horse floats! The Tipsy Mare on bar and Parma Street Food on pizzas. Chilled. Outside under the stars. Lots of fairy lights. No fuss. Their absolute dream wedding.

Well, the week of their wedding arrived and bam we were in full throttle mode to sort their wedding with torrential rain all week and C19 wreaking havoc with new govt rules and regs around square metre rule. This meant their 100 guests could not fit in the hall (their back up plan for wet weather) and their vision of being outdoors under stars and light tarnished.

The Sunshine Coast wedding community are all legends in rallying together to make weddings happen. Tipi Luxe came on board last minute to erect one of their gorgeous Tipi’s which would play host to the ceremony and reception. Having already booked furniture, lights and dance floor through Equip4Hire  for their under the stars wedding both companies rallied together and got the job done without fuss. True professionals. 

Needless to say, the entire day was wet! Like super wet! Thank you, Sunshine Coast Hinterland!! However, it was seriously the best wedding. These guys were troopers and were just so happy they could get hitched and have all their family and friends with them in March. The rain didn’t worry or deter them and we were all prepared. By the end of the evening Jordy was quite literally carrying mud around on her dress and was grounded with no shoes! True bride style!!!

When booking your wedding planner there must be a level of trust. These guys trusted me through the whole wedding planning process which meant I was able to recommend suppliers to them in which they had as part of their amazing team. Having a team, we knew and trusted meant the week of the wedding in our scurry all fell together nicely and everyone was so professional. Having recommended the photographer was huge. Photos are such an integral part of a wedding day and are lifelong memories. When I suggested Bec from Ash and Stone Photography I knew she wouldn’t let me (Or the couple) down and was just so fun on site and even got a bit dirty herself! We love a dance on the dance floor, and I just knew she was the perfect fit for Jordy and Cam. The pics speak for themselves.

We asked Jordy to give her version of events and here is what she had to say-

1. You live on the Sunshine Coast and married on the Sunshine Coast. Did you find this a lot easier being in the same place?

Things were easier in the sense we have a little one and we didn’t have to travel. Mostly I looked at vendors social media to view their style etc. I also liked the fact that I could meet with vendors including Kristy face to face.

2. You booked Maple Weddings middle package with Pre Planning help and assistance as well as on the day coordination. How did you find this experience? Would you recommend to couples to book a wedding planner as well as on the day coordination?

I have recommended Maple numerous times online and in person. Having a wedding planner made the whole process seamless and I wouldn’t change a thing. Maple was worth every cent and if I got married again I wouldn’t change a thing.

3. Did you stumble across any hiccups during the planning process?

The only hiccup in wedding planning was the unpredictability of Covid and possible lockdowns. This was a challenge and all we could do was hope for the best and put some plans in place in case we had to postpone. Kristy was great in that she stayed up to date with Covid Safe Plans and what was needed with regulations etc. With the planning process and generally I struggle with making decisions as I am indecisive person. I also think there is this narrative around weddings that everything needs to be perfect. I don’t think that is realistic and if you change your perspective, I think that allows you to be more flexible in your planning and on your wedding day.

4. What is the fondest memory you take away from your wedding day?

 I cant pinpoint one moment. The whole day was so much fun! It was more than I could have imagined. Worst moment was when I lost our room key haha. But again Kristy’s team were there to sort out it out!!

5. Your wedding week and day was very wet. How did you feel about this?

I didn’t mind about the rain. At first I was disappointed as we had so many guests travel and make a holiday out of it. I continued to tell myself that you cant control the weather and there is no use worrying about something you cant control. Life is messy, you just have to go with it. In the end I loved that the rain added a whole other dimension to our wedding! We all (friends and family) still laugh about it to this day.

6. What was the most important part to you both in terms of your wedding? Food? Photos? The ceremony? Flowers?

I love flowers and plants and have a strong connection to the natural environment. This was one of the most important factors for me. We also wanted to ensure that the vibe was a big celebration which meant that entertainment, food and drinks were also important. I felt like the atmosphere of a wedding is so important and all of my vendors nailed this and that was thanks to Kristy and her team.

7. In terms of styling it was to all be outdoors with lights and a casual feel. In the end a Tipi had to be booked and the style changed at the last minute. Did you still feel with Tipi, the rustic furniture booked with us and and Fiesta Floras flowers, you still accomplished the look and feel you wanted- even with the rain!?

I surprised myself that I didn’t have too much input into the styling of the day, normally I’m a bit of a stress head and prefer things done a certain way. I expressed what I liked and didn’t like but overall I had little input and the day turned out perfectly! The rain was great in a way because it meant everyone couldn’t spread out too much which was nice because of the open space. It made it feel intimate.

8. Did you find booking a stylist and florist that work closely together a much easier process to navigate?

So much easier! I think one of the things that made my day so successful was the already established relationship between the stylist and florist. It felt like everyone was on the same page. It felt like luck it all fell into place so perfectly but I know it was due to the very hard work behind the scenes.

9. What is the one piece of advice you would offer any couple?

Get a wedding planner or someone from the industry who can assist with making the big decisions. They will pay for themselves!!! So many of our guests commented about how amazing all of our vendors were.

10. What was the approx spend  on your wedding?

In the end I think we hit 30k. There were a few last minute items that were only needed due to the wet weather. We were happy with how much we spent.

The A Team of Vendors

Venue- Mapleton Hall

Wedding Planner- Maple Weddings and Events

Celebrant- Ricky Lapham

Photographer- Ash and Stone

Styling – Maple Weddings and Events

Florist- Fiesta Flora

Tipi- Tipi Luxe

Hair Stylist- Sass and Niki Hair

Makeup Artist- Sunshine Brides

Catering – Parma Street Food

 Bar Service- The Tipsy Mare

Musician – Aaron Hamilton Music

Dance Floor, Cable Reels & Festoons- Equip4Hire

Wedding Dress- Luv Bridal

Bridesmaids Dresses- Esther & Co

Bridal Transport- Suncoast Transfers

Guest Transport- Maleny Coaches

I still recall my initial conversation with Corrine last year. We chatted for quite some time and on speaker with Richard to talking all things Formula 1, as my husband is obsessed too like Richard! Then Corrine drops the bomb shell………….I was a wedding planner and have done events for quite a number of years! Well now the pressure was on!

Having worked in the industry herself Corrine knew exactly what she wanted and that was to ensure she had a stress-free day, so the first thing booked when speaking with me was a wedding coordinator for the day. Corrine and Richards wedding reception was at a well-known Noosa restaurant- Noosa Waterfront Restaurant. Being in a venue establishment meant they could book our half day wedding coordination package as the MC and venue would be able to take over for the evening proceedings. This is exactly why we opted to offer a half day coordination package so we can help throughout the day and get you to reception.

With 3 locations for guests to navigate Corrine and Richard both wanted to know their guests would be in safe hands. There lies our job as a Sunshine Coast wedding planner. Meeting and greeting guests on arrival to Hidden Grove Noosa, onto the Catalina Boat for canapes and drinks before disembarking and heading onto reception at Noosa Waterfront Restaurant.

When speaking with Corrine and Richard they needed styling for their special day. So why not book it all with one supplier! Especially as Corrine and Richard are from interstate, they wanted everything to be seamless and convenient. So they booked Maple Weddings and Events wedding styling services.

When we are styling one of my first questions, I ask is have you booked your florist yet. The reason we ask this is so we can then work with the florist to tie the florals and colour palette into the styling. Corrine hadn’t yet booked a florist so of course I recommended our friend Courtney over at Fiesta Flora, a local Sunshine Coast Hinterland wedding florist. Corrine adored Courts work so that was easy!

Courtney from Fiesta Flora spoke with Corrine about all thing’s flowers and one of the things was the colour palette. Corrine couldn’t decide if she wanted pastel tones or bright and vibrant. As you can imagine 2 very contrasting styles. After much discussion and deliberation Corrine chose to mix the 2 .

Vibrant flower tones against the blue ocean at Hidden Grove Noosa was picture perfect. As soon as guests arrived there was the wow factor. Everyone was beaming with excitement and so many conversations about the beautiful colours. We opted to go a mix of white and timber using our most popular timber rustic arbour with white seating and the vibrancy of the flowers.

As always, working with Fiesta Flora we are mindful of couples spend and like to reuse where possible. Fiesta Flora used glass vessels for the blooms which we tied on the chairs at the ceremony then relocated to the reception as table centrepieces along with the gorgeous arbour piece to be displayed on the bridal table.

The Noosa Waterfront Restaurant is just that. On the waterfront. With the glass doors open and beautiful breezes it certainly had a coastal vibe. Against the dark furnishings in the restaurant meant the bright floral colours stood out yet the dinner mood was set with pillar candles and timber name placements for final touches.

Everyone had a fun night dancing the night away with live tunes from the most well-known duo on the Sunshine Coast The Famos.

The gorgeous images are from the talented Tara Lee whilst working alongside her husband Jayden from Sunshine Coast Video creating the lifetime of memories and moments for Corrine and Richard.

Ceremony Venue- Hidden Grove

Noosa Venue for Canapes- Catalina Noosa

Reception Venue- Noosa Waterfront Restaurant

Wedding Planner – Maple Weddings and Events

Celebrant- Natalie Skye Marriage Celebrant

Photographer- Tara Lee Photography

Videographer- Sunshine Coast Video

Florist- Fiesta Flora

Styling – Maple Weddings and Events

Hair Stylist- Beauty On The Move

Makeup Artist- Beauty On The Move

Florist- Fiesta Flora

Cake- Chocolate 2 Chili

Reception Musician- The Famos

Bridal Transport- Old Skool Kombis Noosa

Wedding Dress- #designsbymelanieford B

Bridesmaids Dresses- White Runway

Grooms Suit- Institchu

Choose your wedding stylist with an unequivocal YES! The most compatible stylist for you and your partner will give you both a confident feeling that they will deliver exactly what you want for your special day.

Your consultation with them is very much an interview, so you should come prepared with a list of questions for them. A well-rounded list of questions will cover all of the bases, and the answers should fill you with excitement, plus lift a burden off of your shoulders.

Read on before you meet with your stylist.

1. What Is Your Experience Level as a Wedding Stylist?

Ask what your wedding stylist’s experience level is to get a grasp on topics like these:

• How many weddings have you planned
• What was their budget
• How elaborate was their wedding
• Which was your favourite wedding to plan and why

The answers to these questions are a great way to get to know them professionally.

2. Is Our Wedding Date Available?

Your wedding date was probably chosen for a very specific reason. Inquiring as to whether the stylist’s calendar is open for your chosen date could be a deciding factor as to whether you will hire them or not. If they were highly recommended to you, they may be willing to work with your schedule to accommodate you as best they can.

3. What Is Your Rate?

Budget is a factor for many weddings. Yet it is quite a freeing feeling to be able to say that budget is no issue. This gives your wedding stylist the freedom to create exactly what you envision for your special day with no restrictions.

What are the different packages your stylist offers? The “budget is no issue” wedding may not need to nail down which package is best suited for the couple whereas weddings that are on a budget may wish to choose their package.

Packages may range from having the wedding stylist’s assistance only on the wedding day to orchestrate the event, to a mid-range involvement on their part, or to giving them full control over the planning process.

Choosing which package best suits you and your needs may come down to budget or could depend on how much time you personally have to put in and how much you desire to be a part of the planning. Sometimes it is a relief and blessing to just leave it all to the professionals. Planning a wedding can be overwhelming to some people.

4. How Much of the Process Do You Handle?

What are you personally looking for in a wedding stylist? Are you hoping to hand over as many responsibilities as possible? Or, would you rather have them there as a professional guide as you choose your own wedding fleet of worker bees?

Choosing a stylist that takes care of everything might cover hiring people like these:

• Florist
• Photographer
• DJ or Band
• Venue

Unless you already have a special florist, photographer, entertainment, and venue in mind, your stylist may be able to guide you as you choose one rather than leaving it all in their hands.

5. Do You Have a Full Staff?

Planning every detail of a wedding can be a lot for one person. When the stylist has reliable staff members, they can delegate responsibilities from the to-do list so that they are not carrying the full burden on their shoulders.

Having staff also gives them a back-up plan in the unfortunate event that they fall ill or become injured during the planning of your wedding.

6. How Do We Communicate?

As a couple who is getting married knows, communication is key! Confirming how/when you will communicate with your wedding stylist will let you both know which route of communication is expected and acceptable. Otherwise, ideas could be lost, missed, or start to get overwhelming.

When you wake up in the middle of the night wondering about the details of your wedding, such as the following, you will want to talk to your stylist about them:

• Wedding flowers
• Wedding colours
• Wedding tables capes
• Wedding trends

Being able to communicate your questions and concerns through e-mail is great because it can be a quick and easy way to convey things that are on your mind. But, speaking over the phone or in-person gives a more immediate response to your queries. Both have their place in planning a wedding.

7. How Many Weddings Do You Work on at Once?

Every couple wants to know that their big day will be pulled off without a hitch and that they will be made to feel extra special on the day of the wedding, knowing that your stylist has enough time to dedicate the necessary attention to your wedding.

8. How Organised and Thorough Are You?

It takes an incredibly organised individual (and staff) to pull off a faultless event. Asking a pointed question such as this will either have them bragging up their skillset or fumbling over their words. Either way, you will know if they are the stylist for you, or not.

9. Have You Ever Planned a Wedding at Our Venue?

Though it is not a requirement for your stylist to have previously planned a wedding at your venue, it can be a helpful bonus. Being familiar with the venue gives them the upper hand on knowing the staff, venue layout, what they do (and do not) provide, measurements of the room, etc.

Some wedding stylists prefer to only work with specific venues because they have formed a relationship with them, and working with venues that they are not familiar with can bring a negative experience on their behalf and yours.

10. What Is Your Vision for Our Wedding?

Towards the end of the meeting with your stylist, ask what their professional vision is for your wedding day to drive home whether they are a good match for you and your partner or whether you should move on to the next stylist if their vision is not inspiring enough for you.

Big Plans for the Big Day

Has this article helped you become more confident about meeting with your wedding stylist? Write your questions down before meeting with your stylist to help you stay on track and make sure that all of your concerns are covered.

If you are still searching for stylists, reach out to Maple Weddings and Events to schedule a meeting with Kristi and Naomi. This dynamic duo and their team will help you turn your dream wedding into a dreamy reality!

Planning your wedding day can be overwhelming, but you don’t want the details of your entertainment to get left out. After all, you must dance the night away with your new spouse.

Choosing the right wedding entertainment can help your wedding day run smooth and stress-free.

Will you choose a live band or DJ? There are tons of factors you need to consider before making your final decision.

Be sure to keep reading for our guide on the six tips you need to know for choosing the perfect wedding entertainment in Brisbane.

1. Think About Your Venue

One of the first things you must do when thinking about wedding entertainment ideas for your wedding in Brisbane is to consider your venue. The size of your venue can help determine whether you want to have live entertainment or would rather hire a DJ for your wedding.

For example, a small venue could be challenging to accommodate a full-size band. It might even create a noise level that is too powerful and overwhelming for your guests. Instead, you could hire a single musician for a more intimate gathering.

If you are having a larger wedding, you might even prefer the ease of a DJ. You can choose your music, and the DJ can help be the voice to move you and your guests through the night.

2. Don’t Choose the Most Inexpensive Option

While choosing wedding entertainment to fit your budget is smart, don’t choose the first thing that comes your way. Your wedding music and entertainment shouldn’t be something you look for to help trim your budget.

Looking for the most inexpensive option will typically result in a less than satisfactory outcome. You get what you pay for is always the case.

Instead, make sure you do your research and talk with each vendor before making your final decision. Be sure that they offer the services you want to have at your wedding.

Looking for bands or DJs that already have wedding experience is essential. While a local band could cost much less, they aren’t going to know how to play for a wedding crowd.

3. Consider Wedding Dinner Music

Dinner is a huge part of any wedding reception, and you don’t want too much awkward silence. Instead, you want there to be music in the background of your reception to help fill the space.

One thing couples consider doing is hiring both a DJ and a live band for their special day. The live band can come for an hour to welcome your guests and play while they eat a delicious dinner. Live entertainment is exceptional for background music because it can be soothing and gives people something enjoyable to listen to while eating.

After dinner, the DJ can move the reception along with some more upbeat and popular songs that your guests will recognize. Doing this can help to get your reception party started.

Be sure to talk with your wedding planner and see what they recommend about hiring multiple forms of wedding entertainment for your special day.

4. Watch a Live Act

Are you stuck choosing between different bands or DJs for your big day? One of the easiest ways to choose your wedding entertainment is by seeing them perform live.

On paper, a live band or DJ might seem like the best option. They could check all the boxes you’re looking for to fit the needs of your wedding day. Yet, when you see them in person, they might not be what you thought they were.

By seeing potential wedding entertainment in action, you can judge how they interact with the audience, how they excite a crowd, and their overall stage presence. Doing this will help to see who the best fit for your wedding entertainment will be.

5. Craft Your Wedding Music Playlist

A primary difference between a DJ and a live band is that you can have more freedom with your wedding music. A DJ can help you craft the perfect wedding music playlist. You can work on choosing songs that you and your guests will want to listen to throughout the night.

While a live band can play songs that you enjoy, their playlists can be limited.

Once you’ve decided on your wedding entertainment for the night, you should work with them to figure out your wedding dance music. Your guests will love busting a move on the dance floor, so pick some songs that get everyone up and moving.

One of the best things to do is to create a “do not play” list. Doing this will help your DJ or live band know which songs you don’t want to hear on your special day.

6. Scope Out Reviews

The last tip in choosing the best wedding entertainment for the most magical day of your life is to scope out reviews. Whether you decide to go with a live band or DJ, be sure to look for reviews from other people who have worked with them.

The company can tell you how great they are, but can you take their word for it? Do an online search for them and see what reviews you can find regarding their services.

It is crucial to make sure that other wedding parties had a good time with their wedding entertainment services before making your final decision. You want to be sure that the vendors are on time, upbeat, listen to requests, and so much more before working with them.

Choosing Your Wedding Entertainment

As you can see, a lot goes into choosing the perfect wedding entertainment for your big day. Whether you prefer a live band or a DJ, it is up to you and your taste preferences.

Either way, you and your guests will be having a blast dancing the night away and creating lots of exceptional memories together.

If you’re looking for a wedding planner that can help manage all the details of your special day, look no further. We are ready to take on any wedding, no matter the size. Be sure to check out our packages to see which ones will fit your needs for your big day!