Princess Classic Cars

On your wedding day, the wedding car is not just a means of transport. Your wedding car can add a unique touch to your photographs, and also lends a little glamour to the proceedings. After all, who doesn’t want to feel like a rock star or princess on their special day? If you have a particular yen for being treated like royalty for your wedding, look no further than Princess Classic Cars and their Austin Vanden Plas Princesses.

Traditional vintage wedding cars

When it comes to planning your wedding day transport, Princess Classic Cars might be just the ticket. Their fully RTA accredited and stunning off-white Austin Vanden Plas Princess limousines are stylish and highly photogenic as well as extremely comfortable. Literally fit for a princess, as they were a favourite of Queen Elizabeth’s, these limousines service the Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie areas.

Royal service

When you choose the Princess experience, you will benefit from the services of one or two highly experienced chauffeurs in formal uniform, depending on how many cars you book.

There will be no need to worry about getting to your wedding on time! Gary and Andrea know all the venues, and will pick you up in plenty of time. They typically check likely traffic conditions a couple of days in advance too, and will let you know if more travel time needs to be allowed.

They can also help you in and out of the vehicle, making sure your entrance is dramatic for the right reasons!

Immaculate finish

The wedding vehicles provided by Princess Classic Cars gleam as if they have just come gliding out of the showroom. Lovingly maintained and serviced, inside you’ll find immaculate interiors without a speck of dust, ensuring your wedding dress arrives in high style.

Style and comfort

Even though these are vintage cars you’ll find they all have modern air-conditioning. You’ll step out of your Princess limousine looking cool and collected, even if the nerves are fluttering on the inside!

Spacious seating

The Princess limousines accommodate up to seven people in each vehicle, so there is plenty of space for the main members of the wedding party.

Gary and Andrea encourage you to view the cars for yourself prior to booking and are happy to show you the vehicles after hours.

Royal extras included

A red carpet, tulle and white satin ribbons are included in the wedding package, and there are umbrellas in case of rain.

In addition, Princess Classic Cars provides complimentary champagne and nibbles for you to enjoy while you are having photographs taken.

Classic style and history

When you want the ultimate traditional vintage wedding car, there may be little better than these elegant Austin Vanden Plas Princess cars.

The brand was born in 1947 when Sir Herbert Austin (known to his workforce as ‘the Governor’) bought the Belgian Vanden Plas luxury car body business in order to expand his empire with a top quality exclusive brand.

He achieved a significant marketing coup when the first two vehicles produced were sold to the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) in 1952, the year of her marriage. She found them so comfortable that two more were subsequently ordered by the Royal household, ensuring the model’s success.

The Princess brand was extended in 1954 with the creation of a limousine. Longer and wider than the initial saloon version, these vehicles were not made on a production line. In fact each car was hand-built from start to finish by a team allocated to that vehicle alone. The craftsmanship that went into these vehicles and the fact that only 1,500 were built over a 14-year period makes them a real collector’s prize.

Another reason to choose one of these historic cars is that Sir Herbert had a strong association with Australia, having spent 11 years here as a young man, during which time he married an Australian.

Book now

Booking a vehicle from Princess Classic Cars is easy – just check our directory. You’ll soon be gliding towards your wedding ceremony in regal style.

Photo by Michelle-Leigh Photography

We all know how memories can fade, which is why photos and videos are such a vital part of any special event – especially your wedding day. Hiring the right photographer for your wedding day not only helps keep treasured memories sharp, often you’ll be amazed at how many beautiful, magical moments happened that you weren’t fully aware of at the time.

If you’re looking for wedding photography packages, Newcastle is spoilt for choice when it comes to photographers. To make your life easier, we’ve listed them for you in our convenient directory. We’ve also put together a brief guide on what to consider when choosing your wedding photographer.

Passion and commitment

That’s what a wedding is all about isn’t it? Passion and commitment, the commitment you and your partner are making and the passion for excellence your service providers bring to their work. The photographers in the Hunter Bride directory are no exception. They’ll tell the story of your wedding day from start to finish with unique shots that capture your personalities and the atmosphere perfectly.

Award-winning photographers

Several of the photographers listed in our directory have won awards for their work and have been featured in wedding magazines. Some of the others haven’t (yet!) but they are all seriously talented and all provide stunning, artistic results.

How to find your ideal photographer

Even though we’ve brought together a highly talented set of photographers in our directory listings, we can’t choose the perfect one for you! The best way to start narrowing down your choices is to browse each photographer’s portfolio. This should help you come up with a top three or five possibilities.

Find the right wavelength

Many brides, tense with expectations and nerves and unused to posing for photos, find it hard to relax for the photographer. You can make life easier for yourself by selecting a photographer who’s on your wavelength. Find out whether they seem to be your kind of person by chatting to them in their studio. If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to observe them working at a wedding even better. Just don’t distract them with questions!

Ideally you want someone who can capture important but fleeting moments without intrusion as well as help you feel comfortable posing for more formal shots.

Have they worked at your venues?

Discuss your wedding and reception venues and ask to see any shots they’ve taken there. This is a terrific way to get a real feel for their work in your actual wedding setting.

What’s unique about your wedding?

Help your chosen photographer by making sure he or she knows about the important details, such as cultural heritage, family traditions and themes for the day.

If there are any such stories, people or information you want reflected in the photos you should make sure your photographer is prepared to capture them. For instance, is your ring or veil a family heirloom? Perhaps your mother grew the flowers in your bouquet? Is there an elderly relative who is particularly important to you? Being clear about what you want (and anything you might not want!) should help make sure everyone’s on the same page and you get the results you hoped for.

Prepare for your close-up!

Wedding photography packages in Newcastle are many and varied to cater for all sizes and styles of wedding. Check out some of the amazing photographers on our directory today, and we’re sure you’ll be even more eager to star in your own wedding production. Fabulous photos are one of the best ways to ensure your wedding stays as fresh in your memory as if it were yesterday.

Tamburlaine Organic Wines

Many people are choosing to minimise the impact of their lifestyle on the planet, and when it comes to your wedding, it’s perfectly possible to hold a stunning event based on a sustainable philosophy. In this post, we showcase Tambourlaine Organic Wines, and its restaurant venue, the Tambourlaine Lodge. It’s a perfect place for an eco-friendly wedding to remember!

Sustainable credentials

As well as being Australia’s largest organic wine producer, with some award-winning wines under its belt, Tambourlaine is a carbon-neutral winery.

First established in 1966, the winery was bought in 1985 by a small group led by current Managing Director and Chief Winemaker, Mark Davidson, and proudly publishes its environmental policy. Tambourlaine is committed to ensuring its environmental impact is minimised.

The management actively works to prevent pollution, and incorporates sustainable water and energy management, including recycling and minimising waste into the winery’s working practices.

Award-winning Tambourlaine

In 2012, Tambourlaine was a state finalist in three categories in the Australian Bridal Industry Awards, for the sixth consecutive year. The awards are based on bridal couples’ votes on the quality of service, and value for money delivered by venues. Tambourlaine was also the only Hunter Valley wedding venue to reach the top 20 in the 2011 National Designer of Dreams award.

Perfection and attention to detail

With over 10 years of experience planning and delivering award-winning weddings, you can be confident that the people at Tambourlaine know how to turn your wedding ideas into a day perfectly tailored to your wishes. They make a particular point of getting the details exactly right, down to the smallest bow and the fold of every napkin. The aim is that you don’t have to worry about a thing except making sure the photographer gets your best side!

A spectacular lakeside setting

The homestead-style Lodge is designed to be close to nature with wide, shady verandahs supplemented by a delightful deck extending out over the lake. The Lodge provides a blend of indoor comfort with a natural outdoor atmosphere, and enables guests to move in and out freely. There’s no need to worry about other visitors to the winery either, as the private Lodge grounds are reserved for the exclusive use of the wedding guests.

Flexible layout

The main reception room can be decorated in a number of ways, including full or part ceiling drapes for a marquee effect, and tiny lights to simulate stars in the night sky. There is room for plenty of tables as well as a generous polished wood dance floor on which to boogie the night away.

The lake plays its part as night falls, and the central fountain is dramatically lit to heighten the romantic atmosphere. A display of fireworks creates a stunning note with which to herald your departure on honeymoon.

Go green at Tambourlaine Lodge

If you’re looking to hold a wedding with a green heart, Tambourlaine Lodge might be just the place, with its beautiful natural setting, excellent service, and environmental credentials. Making an appointment to visit Tambourlaine Lodge is simple with Hunter Bride, just click on Tambourlaine Organic Wines. Booking a sustainable, environmentally friendly wedding couldn’t be easier.

Why not take along some girlfriends and spend an afternoon sampling the fine food and wines at Tambourlaine? Wedding planning was never so relaxed!

Exquisite Jewels For Hire

A fabulous wedding look needs fabulous finishing touches – and that usually means jewellery. But if you have been sighing over a diamond tiara, or an elegant three-strand pearl choker that you can’t possibly afford, we’re going to let you in on a little secret. You don’t have to buy, you can hire beautiful jewellery without the designer pricetag!

Exquisite Jewels For Hire provides wedding jewellery for brides throughout the Hunter Valley and Newcastle areas. From genuine diamonds to vintage-style pieces and Swarovski crystal pieces from some of the most sought-after designers, they have everything you might need, or desire for your big day.

Here’s a few practical things to keep in mind when choosing jewellery for your wedding day.

Organise your dress first

It’s generally more effective to choose your wedding dress before hiring jewellery. If your dress isn’t going to be ready until shortly before your wedding, make sure you carry detailed pictures of the design when you browse the showroom at Exquisite Jewels For Hire.

Accessories for ornate dresses

If your dress comes with an overlay of crystals scattered throughout the skirt or perhaps some diamante on the bodice, for example, you’ll need to avoid jewellery that adds too much glitter too close to the detail of the dress. This can end up looking overdone, and ruin the overall effect of your look.

Successfully accessorising an ornate dress probably means wearing simpler jewellery. You might want to avoid coloured stones, or overly fussy designs, and go for elegant and streamlined. Think platinum and clear Swarovski crystal or genuine diamonds. If you do want something a little more bling, consider a tiara or other headpiece. That way, it’s far enough from your dress not to clash.

All out glamour

If you have a simple and classic dress, why not consider a statement piece of jewellery? Think a collar of coloured stones with a matching cuff, or that three-strand pearl choker, or a stunning diamond tiara – there’s lots to choose from at Exquisite Jewels For Hire.

What works with lace?

We’d advise you to think about silver rather than gold, and pearls rather than highly coloured jewellery. Colour can work, but there is a risk of overwhelming the delicacy of the lace. Ornate and vintage-style items often complement lace beautifully.

Are you a boho bride?

Fab it up with a discreet touch of gold bracelet. Alternatively, enhance your independent style with chunky earrings and several complementary bracelets.

Bridal jewellery and colour

Exquisite bridal jewellery doesn’t have to lack colour. Clear crystal is stunning and always on trend, but it is far from your only choice. There are plenty of gorgeous pieces that would be perfect for subtly picking up your wedding colour theme.

For instance, if your colours are blue and yellow, you might choose a pretty pair of pastel blue earrings. If your colouring suits darker shades, deep sapphire tear drop earrings might raise a few gasps of appreciation as you walk down the aisle! They could be your ‘something blue’ too!

And finally

It’s quite likely you’ll be dazzled and instantly in love with most things you see in the showroom. Just make sure you don’t set your heart on something before you try it on! Take a friend with you for a second opinion, and also take photos of yourself wearing the jewellery you’re considering. That way, you will have a visual reminder when you’re mulling over your choice later.

If you’re eager to find out more about sourcing some serious bling for your wedding, check out Exquisite Jewels For Hire on the Hunter Bride directory. It’s the place to go for designer jewellery at an affordable hire price. Happy browsing!

Living a sustainable lifestyle and caring for our planet is increasingly important to lots of people. While there are many wonderful wedding venues in the Hunter Valley, in this article, we highlight a couple of winery restaurants that offer an elegant wedding and fine dining experience built on a sustainable philosophy.

Having a sustainable Hunter Valley restaurant wedding doesn’t mean compromising on the event either – you can rest assured you’ll be working with experts in the art of celebration. These venues are able to accommodate your desires, whether you want a simple affair or a more lavish formal event.

The Tambourlaine Lodge

The Tambourlaine Lodge at Tambourlaine Organic Wines offers individually tailored packages.

Romance in the vineyards

The Tambourlaine Lodge sits in a spectacular lakeside setting, and features an outdoor deck that’s perfect if you need extra reception space, or simply want to have cocktails outside.

Inside, there is plenty of space, and the layout can easily accommodate a number of round tables for guests, as well as a top table for the wedding party, and still leave plenty of room for dancing on the polished wood floor.

The ceiling can be fully or partly draped to achieve a marquee effect, and once darkness falls, the lake fountain and deck are romantically lit as the dancing gets underway. Fireworks over the lake can also be organised for a spectacular finale.

Photo opportunities abound

Outside you can walk down a real red carpet to your wedding ceremony, or tread a carpet of rose petals. The landscaped grounds create an elegant backdrop for photos, and you can even arrive by helicopter!

Go green!

Tamburlaine is a great choice if sustainability is important to you and your partner. Tamburlaine is a carbon-neutral winery, and Australia’s largest organic wine producer.

Tambourlaine Lodge at Tambourlaine Organic Wines

The Margan Hunter Valley winery

Margan winery is the place to go for stylish yet unstuffy celebrations. Friendly, professional service showcases quality wines complemented by an award-winning dining experience.

An idyllic location

Margan winery is in the pretty village of Broke, and stunning views of the Brokenback mountain range make for spectacular wedding photographs.

Flexible event planning

Margan can accommodate large or intimate weddings with equal ease. There are two beautiful outdoor ceremony locations to choose from, and your reception can be held in the stylish Margan Restaurant or in the larger Barrel Room, aptly named for the rows of casks lining its walls.

Five stars all round

The award-winning Margan Restaurant is acclaimed for its food, which is equalled by the quality of the winery’s equally award-winning wines.

Local and sustainable

Margan takes its environmental commitments seriously. This includes a huge organic kitchen garden which supplies 90% of the produce used in the restaurant. The company advocates low-food and resource mileage, which means always buying local and buying environmentally friendly products where possible.  In addition, used cooking oil from the kitchen is recycled to fuel the winery’s tractors!

Margan Hunter Valley Wine Restaurant

Check out some venues

It’s simple to choose a venue for a Hunter Valley restaurant wedding, just look at the list of tempting options in our Hunter Bride directory.

Investigating potential restaurant venues is super easy too. All you have to do is grab a friend and make a reservation. Just remember that you might need to fit in an extra gym session afterwards!

Candice Campbell Photography

Like every bride, memorable wedding photos are probably high on your wish list for the perfect wedding day. Wedding photos should be a jewel box of treasures you can dip into with delight for the rest of your life.

But while many photographers have the ability to take a decent shot, they don’t all have the passion and eye that enables them to create visually striking images that capture special moments as they happen. For that reason, and a few others, we’re delighted to showcase Candice Campbell Photography.

Star for a day

Very few of us are experienced photographic models and standing in front of the camera can feel uncomfortable, especially when we’re not 100% self-confident. You’ve only got to look at any celebrity being hounded by the paparazzi to realise how intrusive it can be to have a photographer snapping your every grimace and gesture.

Even though a wedding photographer only wants to catch the best possible shots, relaxing in front of the camera isn’t easy, and that’s where Candice Campbell stands out. You’ve only to look at some of the romantic moments she has captured to see couples that are relaxed and happy, and letting the love shine through.

Vintage style

As well as outstanding informal shots, Candice specialises in quirky images with a slightly retro or vintage feel. Some of these are just perfect if you’ve ever imagined you and your partner as a glamorous ‘30s or ‘50s Hollywood couple – perhaps in the roles of a tough (but soft-hearted) private eye kissing his femme fatale in the closing scenes of a classic noir movie!

Urban glamour

Candice is skilled at using the changing natural light and sometimes dramatic weather conditions around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley to create stunning images. Aided by a few professional lighting effects, Newcastle’s train station becomes a symbol of the journey of marriage that you’re about to embark on, as well as evoking the romance of luxury train travel.

If it comes on to rain that’s no problem at all. Think yet more glamorous movie star shots, spectacularly backlit under an umbrella. You could almost be looking at stills from Singin’ in the Rain!

Romantic landscapes

Candice really knows the area and makes the most of its diverse natural backdrops. She’ll also accommodate requests to visit local places that hold special memories for you, for example the place where you got engaged.

Shots of a romantic stroll along the beach might be given focus with a dramatic cliff in the background, and a lace of sea foam reaching out in the foreground. Or you could have some ‘Titanic’ style reaching out to embrace the wind shots on the cliff top!

Other beautiful waterside settings include waterfalls and lakes, which Candice uses to create fun group shots as well as idyllic images of a romantic boat trip for two on serene water.

Highly original and creative

Whether she captures you strolling through a meadow, or perhaps leaning over the family farm gate, Candice uncovers the magic behind the apparently ordinary. A stone arch turns into ancient ruins, rusty tin sheds and wrecked cars join in the fun, and a good time is had by all.

Book ahead

You’ll gather that Candice is about much more than the formal wedding group shot (although of course she does those as part of the package) and we forecast that Candice Campbell Photography is going to be increasingly in demand for Newcastle and Hunter Valley weddings. Luckily, you can easily find her through our listings so why not click through to look at some of her amazing photos today? Be sure to check out her blog too!

The CakeChef

Whether you want something traditional or more modern, your wedding cake is one of the most memorable elements of your special day. If you’re getting married anywhere in the region, and looking for a wedding cake, you’re in luck. Thanks to Hunter Bride, beautiful, boutique Hunter Valley wedding cakes are just a few clicks away.

Our directory listings offer you plenty of options for finding specialist wedding cake bakers, and we’ve also put together a few ideas for the perfect wedding cake experience, from deciding on the design, to transporting the finished product.

Original and individually designed

These days, bakers can offer you a range of flavours, colours and decorations. Many of the specialist wedding cake providers listed in our directory offer an individual design service for each client. At your appointment, you can expect to discuss your ideas for how you’d like the cake to look, as well as enjoy a fabulous tasting experience.

Stuck for ideas?

Looking at our wedding cake providers’ websites is guaranteed to give you some ideas and may well give you the munchies too! You will be surprised at the amazing cake designs on show, and seeing what’s possible might just spark your own creativity. Don’t hesitate to discuss your thoughts, because there is often a way to turn even the wildest idea into a fabulous cake! Other sources of ideas can be your wedding theme if you have one, wedding magazines, and social media galleries like Pinterest.

Fresh flowers

Many bakers are willing to accommodate fresh flowers as part of your wedding cake decoration. They may be able to source flowers for you, but if you want to make sure the flowers on your cake are the same as those in your bouquet or other wedding floral decorations, it probably makes more sense for your florist to provide them.

Cake or cupcakes?

There is quite a fashion for creating a ‘wedding cake’ from a tower of cupcakes, which can be a beautiful, individual solution. It makes for super easy serving, and you can indulge yourself with a variety of colours, textures and flavours.

Not too keen on cake? A stunning alternative is to go for macaroons instead. These melt-in-the-mouth treats are so light they won’t weigh you or your guests down after your wedding meal.

Is your cake going to be dessert?

You’ll also want to decide whether your cake will form the dessert course, or if it is to be served separately with coffee. There are so many delicious flavour combinations that it is a very practical idea to serve your cake as the dessert. Doing away with a separate dessert course might also help lighten the load on your wedding budget too!

Alternatively, serving your cake with coffee gives your guests a little something to nibble while they listen to the speeches.

Getting the cake to the venue

Generally it’s a good idea to have the cake delivered, and we’d certainly recommend it when you are having more than one tier to your cake, or planning a cupcake or macaroon tower.

If you do collect the cake and set it up yourself, remember to keep it flat and drive cautiously! To make sure the cake is kept level, rest it on a towel, perhaps in the boot. The passenger seat isn’t flat so it’s not the best place to transport your cake – also you’ll be tempted to keep looking at it (yes, you will) and that could cause an accident!

Tastes to savour

To help you select your cake from the yummy Hunter Valley wedding cakes on offer, our directory lists some of the best wedding cake providers in the area. Why not take a couple of girlfriends tasting with you, and make a party out of planning your wedding cake?

Restaurant Cuvee, Peterson House

Are you getting married in the Hunter Valley? Lucky you! Although planning a wedding is a big project, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing a wedding venue in this fabulous location. However, perhaps we can make life a little easier by recommending one of our favourite Hunter Valley wedding venues – Restaurant Cuvee at Peterson House.

Restaurant Cuvee Peterson House

Multi-award winning Restaurant Cuvee is an integral part of the Peterson House estate. It is beautifully sited amidst landscaped lawns and cottage gardens, which set off its charming sandstone walls and airy ceilings with exposed timber beams. Lanterns strung amongst the trees increase the inviting, intimate atmosphere as twilight falls.

The venue is ideal for an elegant, stylish wedding, with stunning views from the deck over rows of manicured vines for you and your guests to enjoy. The gardens are a treat for the senses too, whatever the season. Should you be getting married in spring, you’ll find the spectacular cherry blossoms are definitely a highlight. With so many settings and backdrops to pose against, your photographer should have little difficulty in creating wedding photographs that will bring a smile to your face every time you look at them in years to come.

Ceremony and reception

Restaurant Cuvee can handle both ceremony and reception for you, and you may have the choice of an outdoor ceremony as well, depending of course on the weather. The venue can accommodate small, intimate weddings and larger celebrations of up to 140 guests.

Dedicated wedding co-ordinator

This iconic venue has its own wedding co-ordinator to help take the strain out of organising your day, and make sure you enjoy a seamless, highly personalised event.

Nothing is left to chance, not even the weather, as there’s always a Plan B, just in case the ceremony needs to move location – which means you can relax, knowing you’re in safe hands.

With so much experience to call on, your co-ordinator knows just who to go to whatever you need, although Restaurant Cuvee can provide themed decorations, chair covers and even a red carpet!

Celebrations with sparkle

Peterson House specialises in producing the finest sparkling wines, so you won’t be short of a bubble or two at this venue! The vision of producing traditionally made sparkling wine grew out of the founder’s desire to celebrate the birth of his first grandchild and the whole ethos of Peterson House is one of celebration, making it just perfect for weddings!

Red, white and blush

The word ‘cuvee’ is a winemaker’s term referring to the way grape varieties and vintages are blended to produce first class wines. Peterson House produces a great range of sparkling wines, including some unusual sparkling whites. You’ll find they have Pinot Noir Chardonnay blends as well as sparkling Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot and Chambourcin wines.

Cuisine

Naturally the Restaurant Cuvee celebration menus are designed to showcase and complement Peterson House’s wine offer. Featuring fresh, seasonal produce and modern Australian cuisine, the venue recently won Restaurant Wedding Caterer 2012 for northern NSW.

Let’s get started!

Now that you have an idea of what’s on offer, it’s time to find out more about Restaurant Cuvee Peterson House. We’re sure you’ll have a wedding to remember!

Utter the words ‘hen’s day’ and they generally bring to mind an image of a group of young women out on the town and dressed to be noticed, sometimes accessorised with everything from ‘L’ plates to big pink wigs.

That can be fun, but it’s not every bride’s cup of tea. Which creates a bit of a dilemma if you’ve been asked to organise a hen’s party for a mate who definitely doesn’t want to make a spectacle of herself. At Hunter Bride, we’ve been thinking about how we’d go about organising an elegant Newcastle hen’s day, and here’s what we’ve come up with.

Stay together to play together

Book everyone an overnight stay at a classy hotel. Getting ready for your evening out after a day’s fun is just that bit more special when everyone’s in the same place and popping in and out of each other’s rooms, especially when the champagne has already started flowing!

Spa’s the word!

We suggest you start the day with some serious pampering for everyone at a day spa. Make sure that everyone can have their hair done too if they want. Of course you don’t all have to do the same thing or have the same treatment.

Relaxation time in between treatments is a perfect opportunity to slip in a couple of quizzes. Fair enough your mate isn’t keen on being a public spectacle, but there’s no way she’s going to get away without some private embarrassment right?

Surf’s up?

Alternatively, if you think your group would be up for something more active, why not book a morning’s group surfing lesson at one of Newcastle’s highly rated surf beaches? You could follow that with hairdos and manicures at a spa and then skip straight to afternoon tea below.

Artistic pleasures

If you decide to splurge at the spa, after three or four hours you’ll probably be feeling a little peckish. Why not show off your newly buffed skin, fabulous hair and nails over a light (very light) lunch and then take in one of Newcastle’s many arts and culture venues?

Afternoon tea

If you’ve stuck to the light lunch regime, after filling up on culture it’s time to reward yourselves with a proper English tea – think tiny sandwiches and elegant bites of cake, along with another glass of champagne!

Fine dining

A brief rest in your hotel rooms might be called for, followed by leisurely preparation for the evening ahead. Once you’re all dressed up and ready to go, let a limousine collect you and whisk you off to one of Newcastle’s many fine restaurants for a wonderful meal.

Once again, you can slip a few games and quizzes in between courses. While mindful of your mate’s wishes, quizzes such as asking everyone a series of ‘true or false’ questions about the bride, or asking her a few questions the groom has supplied the answers to, are likely to go down well. At this point in the evening you might even produce some accessories such as feather boas for everyone to wear. Make sure to give your mate the pick of colours rather than landing her with the pink one! (But if she’s brave enough to pick it, give her a big thumbs up!).

Dance the night away

Then it’s on to one of Newcastle’s party venues to dance the night away before your patient chauffeur carries you all safely back to your hotel for what’s left of the night hours.

Here’s to your party planning!

While you don’t have to stick to our blueprint, we hope we’ve given you some useful ideas you can adapt for your party. For even more inspiration, why not check out Hunter Bride’s listings to help you organise a truly elegant Newcastle hen’s day?

Caves Beachside

Newcastle wedding venues range from the gorgeous to the stunning, and no wonder. Newcastle has reinvented itself as a centre for culture and the arts, and its stylish wedding venues reflect the new ambience.

As the second largest city in NSW, Newcastle’s growing popularity has seen it embrace a number of wonderful restaurants, too.

Newcastle makes the perfect venue for a wedding, whether you’re looking for a traditional waterside venue, or a contemporary restaurant.

A beach wedding

Getting married on one of Newcastle’s stunning surf beaches is sure to be both romantic, and result in some truly memorable photos. Just imagine yourself framed by stunning vistas of endless blue sky and aquamarine sea. The foaming white surf will, of course, complement your bridal outfit to perfection too!

A waterside wedding

Newcastle is known for its laid back and welcoming vibe, but if a beach wedding is just a bit too laid back for you, then why not combine the best of both worlds with a venue located at the water’s edge?

Venues with sparkling sea views are always popular, so be prepared to book well in advance. If you simply must have a particular venue and it’s all booked out, you may have to consider changing the date of your wedding and we’re sure you won’t want to do that. It makes good sense therefore to decide on your venue before finalising the wedding date.

Multi-site or single venue?

Really, it’s up to you. There are no rules dictating that you should have your wedding in one place, and reception in another, and many Newcastle wedding venues can handle both ceremony and reception with ease.

The main advantage of a single venue is that it tends to simplify the day’s logistics. For instance there’s no risk of traffic jams after the ceremony, caused by everyone dashing off to the reception, and no risk of Aunty Flo getting lost and turning up late.

On the other hand, if you have your heart set on getting married in a church or another faith-based setting, then typically you will require a separate reception venue. Fortunately Newcastle’s many options mean you won’t have to travel far and (added bonus!) parking is generally easy to find.

One distinct advantage of even a short journey between venues is that it offers you and your new husband the opportunity of a few minutes on your own to relax before you launch into the next emotional wave at the reception.

A restaurant reception venue

Holding your reception at a restaurant is a fantastic way to take advantage of one of Newcastle’s many fine cuisine offerings. You may also be able to book the whole restaurant for added privacy, just like the celebrities do!

Some points to check with any restaurant include:

– Many couples want the reception to include dancing, does the restaurant have suitable space?

– What are the options for music? Is there space and facilities for a live band or a DJ?

– Can the restaurant lay on any entertainment and if not, will they let you organise your own?

– What are the menu options and can you sample the food before booking?

– Who organises a microphone for speeches if required?

When you’re ready to begin

We’ve made it easy to find Newcastle wedding venues with our directory listings. With so much information beautifully contained in a single directory, it’s our mission to help make choosing a place to get married and hold your reception fun and easy.