The 2013 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party lights up the Opera Point Marquee!

A glittering crowd of 250 brides and their entourage including mothers, bridesmaids and grooms enjoyed the fifth annual Ultimate Wedding Planning Party on May 8th at the Opera Point Marquee, Sydney Opera House. The marquee adorned with chandeliers to die for and inspirational florals, styled by renowned Sydney wedding planner, Anthony Del Col in this year’s theme, ‘Vintage and classic bride’. Guests where treated like stars as they walked down the red carpet to enjoy Jansz Sparkling rose and scrumptious canapés by ARIA Catering under the Opera House on a beautiful night whilst meeting an array of Sydney’s finest, leading wedding planning experts at their exhibit stands.

At 7pm guests were seated to enjoy a stage show featuring an opening song 'Fly me to the moon' by Alli Rayal and two bridal fashion shows with the likes of: Steven Khalil, Karen Willis Holmes, Henry Roth, Michelle Roth, Rachael Gilbert, Maria Chiodo and Zegna to name a few. Hair and make up was completed by Eternal Elegance, shoes by Peep Toe and accessories by Kristi Bonnici.The next generation of new designers also graced the catwalk, Georgia Osborne and Eden Rose. 

Speakers from the industry shared their top tips and tricks to brides to be for their upcoming nuptials including Elizabeth Trevan talking all things ceremony, a Q and A with Polly and Waz from ‘The Block’ with Rachael Bentick from photography company, Inlighten. Plus, recently married bride Marisa Laria featured on stage with planner, Anthony Del Col as he ran through a real life example on how to plan a beautiful wedding. Simon Sandall, ARIA Catering chef was interviewed on stage by Sophie Hull from Complete Wedding Magazine. The show was MC-ed by Lynette Bolton who looked stunning in a rose coloured Steven Khalil gown.

On lucky bride won a fabulous door prize being a 5 night stay at 6 star resort: The Long Beach in Mauritius. All guests went home feeling inspired after an enjoyable evening, plus took home a gift bag featuring Jo Malone, Bobbi Brown cosmetics a Sparkle cupcakery macaroon, the most exclusive chocolates by local dream destination, Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa and many special offers from the event partners. We loved that bridal designer, Maria Chiodo gave each bride a hand made garter as well ;-)

Attached highlighted images where taken by Inlighten Photography, for additional images (we have 500) or more information, email Kim Veverka-Bray kim@magnetpr.com.au or visit www.ultimateweddingplanningparty.com

Q and A with Real Bride, Kate Hickson, married January, 2013 in Sydney

Hi Kate, Where and when did you get married?

Anthony and I were married on Friday the 4th January 2013 in Wendy Whiteley's 'Secret Garden' at Lavender Bay. We had champagne and photos in the garden with our guests before a cocktail style reception and dancing at Aqua Dining, a short 10 minutes walk away. 

Tell us about your dress?

I chose a silk, Georgette low cut back gown with a high wasted sash that tied at the back from Helen English in Paddington. It was comfortable on the day and easy to dance in! Helen was fantastic to work with, she was no fuss, fitted around my busy work schedule and all her dresses are elegant and made with beautiful French fabrics.

Any special moments on your day?

So many to choose from. The ceremony in the garden would have to be the highlight. Anthony and I walked down the aisle together and walking down into the garden and seeing all our friends and family was unforgettable. We spent a lot of time with our celebrant Elizabeth, pulling our ceremony together and writing bits and pieces. It was worth it. It was so special and meant so much to us. 

Do you have any advice to give future bride to be's?

Don't stress out, family and friends are there to help so give people little jobs to do. Everything will come together on the day and if anything does go wrong, the bride will be the last to find out. 

I'd also recommend asking a bridesmaid to grab you and your husband half way through the evening so you can spend 10 minutes alone (on a balcony or somewhere nice away from guests). The day flies by so taking that time together to briefly reflect was really special for us. 

Thank you Kate for sharing! xx

Journalist and PR, Vera Devai shares her wedding story...

I don’t think either of us could have known that a chance meeting outside a London pub in 2007 would lead to a wedding about five years later. Although, Brendan vows he knew I was “the one” right from the start. We dated briefly the year we met, both of us ‘fresh off the boat’ – I was from Australia and he from South Africa. Having similar experiences of recent heartbreak, which lead us to London, we now found solace in each other’s company. But fate dictated that I return to Australia just three months later.  After three years of continued friendship, phone calls and endless stories about our lives at other ends of the earth, there was finally another opportunity to meet up. I was going to visit London. And that was it, as soon as we met up we both realised what we had was too special and started our mission to be together in the same country – it would be another two years, an engagement in South Africa, a lot of conversations on Skype and another stint in London before we would get married in Australia. And when we did we had an intimate wedding with a small group of family and friends at Strickland House in Vaucluse, Sydney, where we exchanged our vows. We then had our reception at the Wharf Restaurant @ Pier 2, Walsh Bay, overlooking the Harbour Bridge where the food was devine and we could enjoy the warm glow of our accomplishment, despite the rainy winter’s day outside. We opted for a simple wedding as planned to have an extravagant honeymoon. We chose to go to French Polynesia and Bora Bora eight months after our wedding, and it was the perfect way to relax, unwind and reflect on our how far we had come to be together.....and not a single regret!          

Our wedding story by, Vera Devai, PR Professional and freelance journalist

Get inspired at the upcoming 2013 Ultimate Wedding Planning Party, Sydney Opera Point Marquee, May 8, tickets available now!

Register with The Sydney Wedding Registry by 31 July and you will get a Global Synergy Knife Block Set!

The Sydney Wedding Registry is proud to offer this fantastic promotional offer to the brides and grooms to be.

Register with The Sydney Wedding Registry by 31 July and you will get a Global Synergy Knife Block Set!   

Simply create your gift registry with The Sydney Wedding Registry between 1 July and 31 July 2011 (inclusive) and they will give you a Global Synergy Knife Block Set, valued at $749.  

http://www.sydneyweddingregistry.com.au/

Global knives are loved by home cooks and professional chefs around the world. Made in Japan to the highest quality standards, Global blades feature a unique profile, designed to slice cleanly using very little force, and with minimal food sticking to the blade. And unlike some knives, the handles are comfortable for both men and women. So this set of 6 knives makes the perfect wedding gift from us to you. 

A couple must have a minimum of $5000 spent by their guests on gifts and or/gift vouchers to be eligible. Signup date must be between 1 July 2011 and 31 July 2011 inclusive. The Global Knife Block Set will be delivered to each eligible couple after the wedding, together with other gifts.