Are you getting married in the fabulous Hunter region? There are lots of options when it comes to finding a specialist wedding cake baker in the Hunter Valley. The wedding cake is one of the most memorable elements of your special day, so it is worth taking the time to work with a professional to come up with something amazing. The cake can be as magical and fantastical, as elegant or as traditional as you wish (and these are not mutually exclusive categories by the way!).

Where to start

If you’re not really sure what you want, why not snap photos of things that inspire you, and add some of your favourite inspirations to a social media site like Pinterest? Being able to point to a series of pictures makes it super easy to discuss ideas with specialist bakers, as otherwise it can be hard to explain exactly what you want in words alone.

Traditional white wedding cakes

Your wedding cake can uphold the classical tradition of tiers of fruitcake dressed with elegantly carved, romantic royal white icing. This type of cake fits with almost any wedding theme without fuss, and looks beautiful whatever the weather and time of year. White wedding cakes are also easily accessorised with subtle hints of colour in the decoration, which makes it a simple task to create colour harmony between your cake and your overall wedding colour scheme.

On the other hand….

Commissioning a wedding cake is also an opportunity to do something a little different. It can be an opportunity to have a bit of fun, and to create something that will amuse your guests, as well as look stunning.

Surprising your guests with the unexpected is possible thanks to artisan sculpting techniques based around chocolate and icing. Today’s skilful wedding cake specialist is much more than just a great baker. Think of them as an artist and a sculptor too, and you’ll have a better idea of what can be achieved.

Tiered or stacked?

A tiered wedding cake is one where several layers are separated by stands. These can range from intricate metal structures to clear plastic that resembles elegant glass stems, or white or coloured plastic to resemble classical columns.

A stacked cake is where the tiers rest directly one on top of the other. These can be a terrific choice when you want a decorative scheme, such as icing sculpted to form the illusion of a piece of silk draped over the cake, to flow continuously from the top to the bottom of the cake.

Cake illusions

What if you have always wanted a spectacular, many-tiered wedding cake, but you’re only having a small wedding? You can in fact have your cake and eat it too, as the saying goes. Your baker can create the illusion of a cake with several tiers by adding so-called dummy tiers that are indistinguishable from the real thing.

No one except you need ever know, because of course the wedding cake is always whisked away after the ceremonial first slice, to be cut up behind the scenes before being served to your guests.

Chocolate wedding cakes

Of the many delightful properties of chocolate, some of the most useful when it comes to wedding cakes are the ways in which it can be carved, moulded and coloured. From fragile chocolate butterflies, to intricate model airplanes complete with chocolate wheels and a propeller, to chocolate ruffles and flourishes and simulated swags and folds of material, there’s almost no limit to what can be done with chocolate.

Delicious bridal cakes

Of course a wedding cake isn’t just about the outside, it needs to taste good too. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to flavour, from traditional fruitcake to black forest, carrot or pretty much anything else! You may even want to consider different flavours for each layer.

When you’re ready to commission your Hunter Valley wedding cake, our directory is waiting for you with listings of some of the best bakers around.

Icon Makeup Emporium

Effective wedding makeup is not just about a flawless finish. You need makeup that’s going to not only ensure you look wonderful in the all-important wedding photographs, but also last through a long day and evening, without fading.

We know you want to look fabulous on your wedding day, and although you are perfectly competent at putting on your everyday ‘face’, there’s no better occasion than a wedding to call on the services of a makeup artist.

An expert can advise you and help you achieve the look you want from your wedding makeup. Cessnock boasts a number of wedding makeup professionals, and you can find them all in one place, thanks to the Hunter Bride directory.

Here’s a quick guide to the seven secrets of perfect wedding makeup, and why hiring a professional is a wise idea.

Secret 1: flawless coverage

To achieve a finish that looks flawless through the photographer’s lens, a makeup artist has the experience to use neither too much, nor too little, and to make sure the foundation is right for your skin type and colour. They will take a number of factors into account, including the need to properly conceal any under-eye circles. This is vital, otherwise your eyes can get lost in photos, no matter how creatively the photographer lights the shot.

Secret 2: achieving a healthy glow

There are two secrets to achieving a radiant glow, and one is to avoid products with mica in them, otherwise you could end up looking a bit too shiny instead of super healthy. The other secret lies in getting the right shade of tan. Professional makeup artists generally know which products work best with individual skin types, and sensitivities. They’ll also make sure you don’t turn orange!

Secret 3: the neck check

Wedding dresses often feature a dramatic neckline designed to perfectly frame your face. This is all very wonderful, except that it can cruelly highlight uneven skin tone in the neck and décolletage. Solution? A professional will blend foundation lightly over neck and upper chest for a truly seamless finish, without staining your dress.

Secret 4: more blush please!

Yes, more blush. More than you think you need, because it gives your face the shape, contour and colour that will make you look so good in your photographs. This is where working with a makeup artist comes in really handy, because the camera doesn’t see things quite the same as the naked eye, and a professional knows exactly what’s needed. Too little blush and your face looks flat, too much and – well, we’ve all seen those disasters!

Secret 5: trip the lip fantastic

The trick here is to wear a lip colour just slightly darker than your normal shade, so that your lips really pop in the photographs, but don’t dominate your face or detract from your eyes. You’ll also need a long-lasting product if your lip colour is to survive all the champagne toasts and kissing. An expert can help advise you on the right product to use.

Secret 6: a discreet retouch every now and then

Ask your makeup artist for samples of the products they use for discreet touch-ups throughout the day. That way, there’ll be no worries about colour mismatch, caking or shine.

Secret 7: trial avoids error!

Organise a trial makeup session, and try and wear a top that’s the same colour as your wedding dress, or take a swatch of the material. This helps the makeup artist work out the right colour palette for your skin tone.

Make these secrets your own

These are just some of the secrets used by professional makeup artists and beauticians to create flawless wedding makeup. Cessnock is a great place to get married and many of the professional makeup artists listed in the Hunter Bride directory are happy to travel throughout the area, so they can be there for you when you need to look your very best.

What’s more, you’ll find that many of our makeup artists can also take care of your hair too. Book a trial session and be amazed at just how fabulous you can look!

The Wedding Designer

At Hunter Bride, we know that most women lead busy lives – juggling work, social, and family commitments. If this is you, and you’ve just added complex wedding arrangements to the mix, we understand you may be feeling just a touch overwhelmed.

You may be able to sustain the extra demands on your time and energy over the months to come, but let’s just press pause for a moment.

Naturally, all the planning and preparation is focused on one special day, but, and it’s a big but, wouldn’t you prefer to enjoy the process of getting there? Instead of trying to hold the thousand threads of a wedding, while juggling the rest of your life, wouldn’t it be nice to let someone else take care of the details, once you’ve made the major decisions?

Even if career and family aren’t already making demands on your time and energy, planning a wedding is a huge undertaking. That’s why we’d suggest you seriously consider hiring a local Hunter Valley wedding planner to take the strain.

Cost versus benefit

You might wonder whether you can justify hiring a professional wedding planner, but it can be an excellent investment. You will typically be saving a great deal in terms of your time, energy and stress levels. You may also find that a professional wedding planner is able to get discounts you wouldn’t be offered. We think those are both great reasons to investigate a little further.

What does a wedding planner do?

Essentially you can get as much or as little help as you need. You can hand over the entire event, or just certain elements of the planning, such as organising the reception. Let’s face it, detailed planning is not everyone’s cup of tea. So why turn yourself into a frazzled, stressed bride-to-be when a wedding planner could be the secret to serenity?

Rest assured that you’ll still make all the decisions, it’s just that a Hunter Valley wedding planner can take care of all the details involved in turning those decisions into a fabulous wedding.

What’s involved in detailed wedding planning?

It’s a professional wedding planner’s job to have a little black book brimming with a tried and trusted network of suppliers and contacts that can be tapped on your behalf.

Your wedding planner knows who to contact, when things need to be booked and how much they are likely to cost. You’ll see quotes and make the final decisions, but you won’t have to worry about getting it all done or the logistics of who needs to be where at what point during the day.

Enjoy restful nights

From sourcing and sending out invitations to organising a personal trainer for you, a wedding planner can be worth their weight in gold. Typically you’ll also have the benefit of their considerable experience of what works well, and what doesn’t.

A wedding planner can also take on the responsibility of constantly checking with suppliers to make sure nothing has been forgotten and alerting them to any changes in your plans. This means you’re spared the 1am wakefulness that goes with wondering whether anything has been forgotten!

Ready to relax?

Have we convinced you that handing your wedding arrangements over to a professional co-ordinator just makes sense? If you’re ready to let a Hunter Valley wedding planner take charge of your wedding arrangements, click on through to our directory of wedding planners, and you’ll soon be in very safe hands.

Margan Restaurant & Winery

Any wedding is a special celebration, no matter how large or small the event. Some couples want to go all out, others prefer to mark this special day in an atmosphere of intimacy. If this is your aim, Hunter Bride is here to help.

Setting a budget

Did you know that in many cases, the wedding reception eats up about half the overall wedding budget? Even though you are planning an intimate wedding, it’s still vital to know your overall budget before you start investigating venues and catering.

Guest numbers

How many people will be invited? Although ‘intimate’ means different things to different people, a guest list of more than 50 people is likely to require a larger, and more expensive venue.

Intimate venues

When you have an idea of your budget and guest numbers, it’s time to think about possible venues. While there are many wedding locations in the Hunter Valley, intimate weddings can typically take advantage of the most charming. Whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding, or a venue that combines both, when it comes to Hunter Valley weddings, we’ve done the hard work for you. From vineyards to gazebos to fairy tale garden settings, the Hunter Bride directory is full of wonderful ideas.

Ceremony and reception

If you are having a civil ceremony, it’s often possible to get married in the same place that you are holding your reception. This can be easier for everyone, as guests only have to find a single venue. A religious ceremony generally means travel between two venues, and if this is your intention, it’s a good idea to look for a reception venue within about 15 minutes drive, so neither you nor your guests have to travel too far.

Convenience

Are any of your guests likely to bring children? While many venues are happy for children to be present, some are better equipped to keep youngsters amused than others. Also bear in mind that if there are to be guests with limited mobility, you’ll need to make sure they can access the venue easily. While neither of these factors are major issues, thinking about them beforehand avoids unexpected problems on the day.

Exclusive use

If you are having a small wedding, it’s often possible to find a venue for your exclusive use, and this goes a long way towards creating that special atmosphere of intimacy. However, the ability to book a whole venue can depend on how long you want it for, or you might be charged extra.

For instance, getting married in the morning tends to suggest a lunchtime reception, and perhaps an early to mid-afternoon departure.

This might not enable a venue to accommodate another event that evening, in which case, you might be charged extra to cover the potential loss of revenue.

An afternoon wedding is often followed by an early evening reception with dancing into the night, and some venues are more amenable to an exclusive use booking when celebrations are likely to occupy most of the day.

Your short list

When you’ve reached a short list of venues you’d like to visit, make appointments to be shown round by knowledgeable staff members, who can answer your questions.

Handy tip – to get a good feel for a venue’s atmosphere, ask if you can visit when it is set up for a reception.

Let’s get started!

Now that you have an idea of what you’ll need to consider, it’s time to start investigating our directory listings for the Hunter Valley. Intimate weddings are a great way to bring family and friends close, and create a very special occasion where no one gets lost in the crowd. Happy planning!

Tillee Music

“If music be the food of love, play on!” wrote Shakespeare, and rightly so, for what is a celebration without music of some kind? Your wedding is an opportunity to blend good food with extra special musical entertainment, so indulge yourself on your special day.

Where and when?

Traditionally, music is often played before and during the actual ceremony, while guests are waiting for your photo session to be completed, and during the reception. However, it is entirely up to you. You can organise music to be played throughout the day’s events, or keep it for after-meal entertainment. Typically couples’ choices are strongly influenced by the style or theme of the wedding, and of course the budget.

Have you thought about where music will be played by your wedding band? Hunter Valley weddings can combine indoor and outdoor elements, so you may need to check that your preferred musicians are prepared to play outside. It also pays to consider the acoustics of an outdoor venue, because it would be a shame to organise wonderful music that no one can hear properly!

Music before and during the ceremony

When you are getting married in a church, music is often taken care of by an organist and choir, and all you need to do is select the hymns and entrance/departure music. If you prefer not to have an organist play, some churches may be willing to let you hire a string quartet, a trio, or a classical soloist instead.

If you have chosen another marriage venue, wider musical choices will probably be possible. While guests wait for the bridal party, they can be entertained by a cellist and violin combination, or perhaps the airy sounds of a harp will set the appropriate mood.

Music helps bridge any gaps

Immediately after the ceremony, time is generally devoted to your photographer. Your guests may have to travel to the reception venue, and wait up to 40 minutes before you join them. While canapés and drinks help to bridge the gap, there’s nothing like some background music to help your guests relax.

There are a number of choices, including classical musicians, or why not hire a folk band for a contemporary Australian sound?

Get your guests grooving!

Many couples hire a professional DJ to take charge of after-dinner dancing. All you need to do is make sure your personal favourite songs are included in the play list, along with a good mix of funky dance music, and some more romantic, chill out numbers.

A popular alternative is to hire a great local band for live music, and possibly even a personalised song! Live bands tend to have an individual repertoire, as well as being able to play a wide range of popular dance music and songs.

Music for themed weddings

If you’re planning a themed wedding, perhaps Caribbean style, or 50’s glamour, you’ll want music to match, from reggae to jazz. This doesn’t necessarily mean finding a specialist wedding band; Hunter Valley musicians who play regularly at weddings can typically accommodate a great variety of musical requests.

Where to begin the search

So much to do, so little time! Even when your wedding day is some months away, it’s never too early to book musical entertainment. The more popular ensembles can sometimes be fully booked up to a year in advance, so this part of wedding planning needs to be organised early on. Fortunately, Hunter Bride is here to help you find the perfect wedding band. The Hunter Valley is home to a number of singers and musicians, so take a look at our listings to find out more.

Hunter Valley Vineyard Weddings

Nothing says romance quite like a wedding among the vines. Situated just a couple of hours drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is a gorgeous area renowned for its wonderful wineries, and quality local produce. Many of the region’s vineyards are nestled in the foothills of the Brokenback range, ensuring stunning cellar door views that stretch over acres of vines to the mountains beyond. A Hunter Valley vineyard wedding promises an event to cherish in one of Australia’s most beautiful rural retreats.

The Region

The Hunter Valley is recognised as one of Australia’s premier wine regions, and boasts many of our oldest and most renowned wine labels. There are more than 120 cellar doors, offering a range of wines from crisp whites to robust reds. However, the area is probably best known for its Semillon and Semillon blends, which are revered both nationally and internationally. Some of the area’s best-known wineries include Tyrell’s Wines, Tower Estate, McWilliams Mount Pleasant, Brokenwood, Wyndham Estate, McGuigan and Tulloch. There are dozens of other boutique vineyards as well, offering interesting and adventurous wines that are well worth a taste test.

Great wine, paired with great food

While the Hunter Valley is known for its wine, it also has a reputation as a bit of a foodie’s paradise. There are several award-winning restaurant options in the region, with delectable menus featuring the very finest of fresh local produce. Several of these restaurants offer private dining options, and are well versed in wedding feasts. Think matched fine food and wine, and a reception guests will remember for a long time to come!

Wedding options

If you’re considering a Hunter Valley vineyard wedding, you have a few options. There are some beautiful historic chapels in the area if you are looking to marry in your faith, or you might look to hold your ceremony in a vineyard itself. There are a number of vineyards with cellar doors and restaurants, which can provide the perfect backdrop for your ceremony, or you might look to hire a marquee, and enjoy a stunning wedding among the vines. It’s perfectly feasible to hold both ceremony and reception in one location. Or, you might like to travel from a church, to a vineyard reception.

Accommodation aplenty

With an abundance of accommodation in the region, from budget to luxurious, it’s also easy to organise wedding accommodation for your bridal party, family and other guests.

Have you fallen in love with the idea of a Hunter Valley wedding? Then how about a wine country honeymoon? Combine wine tasting and intimate dinners, with culinary tours, balloon flights, trips to historic villages and horse riding. You can visit first-class spas, and pack up freshly baked bread with cheese, olives and other tasty bites, and cycle off to a perfect picnic for two.

Discovering Hunter Valley vineyards

If you’re looking to have a Hunter Valley vineyard wedding, be sure to browse the Hunter Bride listings for accommodation, reception venues, marquee hire, and transport options in the region. Then, why not make a weekend of it, and narrow down your search with some first-hand research. You can decide on your wedding and reception venues, and have a break away with a little romance and relaxation tossed in as well. Visit www.winecountry.com.au for maps, and other useful information on the Hunter Valley.

Music and songs play a big part of your wedding day. Whether it is background music while your guests mingle or a song for walking down the aisle, you will find you are accompanied by music throughout the day.

It is because of this that it is so important to find the right band or DJ to help you, as what service they provide can help make your amazing day all that more special.

It is a tough decision for some brides and grooms on whether to have live music or use a DJ. A lot of people will get around this by having both, but at different times of the day.

Live music for the ceremony lends a very romantic, fairytale feel to the wedding, while a DJ can get the guests up and dancing at the reception after all the official parts of the day are over. Live music can also be great for when guests are having canapés and waiting for the bride and groom to arrive at the reception.

If you are considering having live music for your ceremony, you should speak to the amazing duo Two Play Strings. Dave and Catherine are both tertiary qualified musicians and their experience is evident through their performance.

Dave and Catherine play a violin and cello duo, which means their combined sound make for a romantic atmosphere for the start of your wedding day.

Through the playing of the strings, they will invoke feelings in the guests at each significant part of the ceremony. There will be expectation and calmness as the guests arrive, excitement as the ceremony is about to commence and suspense as the bride is arriving and everyone is trying to catch their first glimpse of her. Of course at the end of it, there will be joy as the bride and groom complete their vows and become husband and wife.

Two Play Strings have a large repertoire of music so you will be sure to find something you like. They can play popular wedding music such as Pachelbel’s Canon and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons but of course their talent doesn’t stop there. They can also play classical, romantic and modern periods as well as jazzy numbers. Every song they play will enhance the emotions of the day.

Two Play Strings cater specifically to Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, so they are very familiar with all of the locations of the area already. They can also travel further if need be so make sure you ask about packages outside of these areas.

Imagine a gorgeous church wedding in Newcastle or a romantic vineyard wedding in the Hunter Valley with the strings playing softly as your guests arrive. Being accompanied down the aisle by this beautiful music will heighten the mood of the moment, helping to ensure it is one you will never forget.

A Wedding Reception to Remember

Will it be a restaurant among the vines, or a marquee under the stars overlooking lush grassy hills? How about an English garden brimming with beautiful flowers? Now that you have the ceremony sorted (you did remember to do that didn’t you?) it’s time to find the perfect spot to dine, dance and create a wedding reception you and your guests will remember.

There is an abundance of reception venues in the Hunter Valley that can cater to weddings of any size, from intimate gatherings to bigger than Ben Hur extended family affairs. You may have an idea of the sort of place you’re after, or not a clue as to where to start. Don’t panic – start by browsing our Hunter Valley wedding venues directory and magazines for inspiration and ask around for recommendations. Do you want live music and a dance floor? Are you looking for glamorous and ritzy or casual and comfortable?

When you know a little more about what you want, short list some venues that look promising or have been recommended, make some calls and arrange a time to view them for yourselves.

You will need to have some basic information on hand: the estimated number of guests, date or dates you are looking to marry, and preferred time of day for the reception. If you know where the ceremony is being held, it makes sense to choose a venue in close proximity. Ask questions about access to the venue for set-up and about what is, and isn’t included in the price.

Then it’s just a case of deciding which venue best meets your needs, the size of your party, and your own personal style. You might opt for a dedicated reception venue, any of the many fine dining restaurants in the region, or even an accommodation option that provides areas for wedding receptions. Wherever you choose, you can look forward to some beautiful food, delicious wines, and perhaps some dancing to finish off the big night.

One of the many fabulous things about the Hunter region is not only the beautiful natural scenery that abounds, but the variety of settings. From sweeping valleys to sparkling lakes and stunning beaches, the area is blessed with sights to take your breath away. So if you are looking to marry in the region, you’ll be spoiled for choice for the perfect backdrop for your wedding day photos.

With sweeping panoramas of valleys and vines, the Hunter Valley is a gorgeous spot that will always provide a stunning backdrop for your perfect day. It’s packed with character accommodation, wonderful wineries and lush rolling hills. Many reception venues here have beautiful gardens and wonderful views, so you may not need to travel far at all for your photos – and that can be a good idea on a day when there’s so much going on.

In Newcastle, the options are extensive. You might choose the iconic landmark, Nobbies as a backdrop, the harbour foreshore, any of a variety of beautiful parks (King Edward and Civic Park have been wedding party favourites for many years) or the historic East End of town with its character terraces. Or you might decide on a spot overlooking any of the beautiful beaches for which the town is known.

For a beautiful bush setting or gorgeous lakeside photo opportunity, nothing quite beats the sparkling and tranquil Lake Macquarie – and there are numerous potential locations around the Lake.

It’s your day, and your day to shine. So whether you choose lake or beach, valley or hill, wild bush or English cottage garden, there are natural photographic backdrops to suit any wedding in the beautiful Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter Valley region.

Beautiful Backdrops for Wonderful Wedding Photos

Natural Photographic Backdrops

Accommodation Options for your Hunter Valley Wedding

If you’ve decided to marry in the Hunter Valley, you’ve already done an admirable job of picking one of the best locations around for guest accommodation. There is an abundance of accommodation in the Hunter Valley to suit any budget and any mood. From cabins to five star luxury lodgings, the choice is entirely yours – or that of your guests.

So where to start? Obviously you will need to have the date decided, and ceremony and reception venues booked so there are no sudden changes. Then simply search websites and listings to discover the array of accommodation options available. You may wish to book family and some guests into their accommodation close to, or even at the reception venue if available. Some couples choose to provide a shortlist of suggested accommodation to wedding guests, or you could give yourself a break and let guests do the work themselves. With so many quality locations available, they shouldn’t have any trouble finding somewhere that suits their style and their budget.

Guests can pick from hotels, resorts or may even choose a self-contained option such as a holiday cottage. This can be a great idea for small groups of friends or families.

And don’t forget your own accommodation of course. It’s the first night of the rest of your lives together, so if you’re not immediately jetting off for an overseas honeymoon, you’ll want to make it special. Romantic cottage or bed and breakfast, heritage hotel or luxury resort, it’s all possible when you marry in the beautiful Hunter Valley.

What better way to start married life than by waking up to breathtaking views, beautiful quality surroundings, and a fresh delicious breakfast?