The wedding cake is an important part of your big day, but where do you find the right baking specialist to create the cake of your dreams? If you are a bride-to-be in and around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens or the Hunter Valley, Michelle at The CakeChef is the person you’re looking for. Michelle is a qualified chef and has a Masters Degree in cake decorating. She will work with you to ensure your wedding cake not only looks fantastic, but tastes amazing too.

Order early

You may know exactly what you want for your wedding cake, or you may still be combing magazines for inspiration. Either way, keep in mind it may take some planning and reviewing to turn your dream cake into a reality, so be sure to have the process underway well in advance of your wedding day. Ideally your cake should be ordered as soon as you have chosen your colour scheme and your venue.

Taste test

The CakeChef offers numerous cake flavours with ganache style fillings that you can mix and match to suit your taste. Imagine a Mars Bar mud cake with caramel flavours and dark chocolate ganache, or coconut mud cake with lemoncello ganache. Make an appointment for a cake tasting and be prepared to want every flavour you try!

Current trends

The CakeChef specialises in the popular double barrel and triple barrel wedding cake trend. Each cake or barrel is six inches high, and comprises four layers of cake and three layers of ganache. Cupcake towers are also still very much in demand as wedding cakes, and Michelle’s version can include a one or two-tier cutting cake.

Get creative

The days where a white tiered wedding cake with a generic plastic bride and groom perched on top as the only choice are gone, so get creative and consider coordinating your cake with your wedding theme, or the colour of your bridesmaid dresses, or the jewellery you’ll be wearing on your special day. Imagine your guests gasping in delight when they see your cake draped with the same pearls or rubies you are wearing, for example. This is especially effective if you’re wearing an heirloom piece of jewellery.

Another current trend is to personalise your cake by matching it to the fabric of your wedding dress. For example, if your dress features an insert or overlay of lace, a fondant replica can be made and incorporated in your cake design to highlight your unique style.

Cutting the cake

History tells us wedding cakes began as cakes of wheat or barley that were broken over the bride’s head to ensure fertility. Thankfully, times have changed and brides no longer have to worry about getting cake in their hair (although some YouTube wedding clips show differently!) and modern wedding cakes symbolise good luck for the newlyweds.

However, it’s interesting to know the cutting of the cake is the first task you perform together as husband and wife, and feeding cake to each other traditionally signifies the commitment you have made to provide for each other.

If you’re looking for a wedding cake specialist who can work with you, provide inspiration, and a really great tasting result, The CakeChef is the place to start.

Your wedding day is one of the only occasions in your life where all eyes are on you. Looking and feeling fabulous, from your dress to your shoes, is the order of the day! If you’re searching for bridal shoes, Newcastle wedding suppliers are a great place to start. They are specialists, and can help you find the right shoe for your overall style – and your feet!

Comfort and style

The first thing to remember when you start your search for shoes is that while you want something that looks fantastic, you also have to have something that is comfortable, or your feet will be screaming by the end of a long day and night. Not all shoes are created equal, so take your time looking around, and trying on (preferably in the afternoon when your feet are naturally larger). Steer clear of anything that is uncomfortable after five minutes walking around the shop – they will be no less uncomfortable on the day!

Tricky terrain

Take a good look at the surfaces you’ll be walking on at your ceremony and reception. Steep, narrow staircases, strips of grass and concreted slopes all have the potential to literally trip you up. Not a good look on your wedding day, especially when there are numerous snap happy guests to immortalise your embarrassment! If you’re going to be on solid ground all day, feel free to go with the sky-high stilettos, but if the terrain is not so stable, try a low Louis or kitten heel.

Pumps

A classic pump is probably the most popular choice for brides, due to the numerous styles, heights and colours available. When choosing a pump, stay away from pointy toe styles, especially if you have a wider foot, as they don’t have a lot of wriggle room. The last thing you want is squashed toes!

Ballet flats

Fun, flirty and feminine, ballet flats just might be like the ultimate bridal shoe choice. But beware of ballet flats that can be easily bent in half. Ballet flats with no arch support, no padding and a thin sole can very quickly make you feel like you’ve been walking barefoot for hours. Opt for styles with a thicker sole, a small heel and lots of inner cushioning and support.

Peep toes

Peep toes shoes with a medium heel can be an elegant choice, and ideal for showing off your pedicure. Remember, your toes should ‘peep’ out of your shoes not ‘squish’ out, so avoid styles that tip your feet forward too much. Also stay away from styles that are very narrow at the toe and cause your toes to press together excessively.

Sling-backs

Flirty, sexy sling-backs are perfect for gliding down the aisle at your ceremony and then dancing the night away at your reception. Styles with a lower heel will be more comfortable to wear for an extended length of time. Straps should be firm fitting, but not tight. Too loose and your shoes may slip off, and too tight they might chafe and rub the back of your heel.

Remember when you’re browsing for your bridal shoes, Newcastle wedding specialists can help you find shoes that ooze elegance and won’t leave you hobbling into your honeymoon. Make sure you break your shoes in by wearing them a few times before the day. And, of course, you don’t have to restrict yourself to a single pair of shoes on your big day; many brides choose to switch to a more comfortable shoe at the reception.

Hunter Bride

Getting the word out there about your bridal business is one of the most vital keys to business success. There are many ways to go about advertising your business, from traditional media to social media and online. In fact, advertising online makes increasing sense, given just how fast online shopping is becoming mainstream in Australia. Hunter Bride is a niche, local online wedding directory that can help you boost the visibility of your bridal business in and around the Hunter Valley. Bridal advertising in the Hunter Bride directory is a great way to reach the customers you want, and increase the chances of a bride-to-be locating your product or service. Here are some of the advantages of advertising with us.

More people seeing your business listing

Hunter Bride offers high quality, engaging and useful information on a variety of topics, extensive directory listings, constant updates of information, and an active social media community. Our directory also has the advantage of being easy to navigate, with a simple mouse click linking the clearly marked categories. This provides an excellent user experience, and means we get tens of thousands of visitors every month. What this means for you is that not only are more people likely to find you if you’re on our site, a person who locates your business in our directory is an interested buyer, and is very likely to be ready to make a purchase.

Work with search engine and online marketing experts

The Hunter Bride website is backed by industry professionals who are experienced in running blue chip advertising campaigns. The Hunter Bride website has maximum visibility in the search engine rankings on Google and Bing, and we know how to drive targeted, quality leads to your business.

Small businesses and low budgets

Every business has to start small in the beginning, and that usually means having a strict budget and limited time. This is where advertising in an established directory like Hunter Bride can give you the exposure you need, without huge expense and without the worry of having to concentrate on a large campaign. We can take care of it for you.

Building trust

Unfortunately, many consumers have been burned by unscrupulous people who set up slick-looking websites with the purpose of scamming people out of their money. So if your business isn’t a bricks and mortar business, and sells purely online, consumer trust is vital to your success. Having a presence on Hunter Bride can help you build this trust, and build your reputation as more and more satisfied customers get the word out.

Advantages over print advertising

Generally, print advertising is much more expensive and time consuming to produce than online advertising. It can also be more difficult and more expensive to target print advertising to your exact customer base. Online advertising however can be put together quickly, and has the potential to instantly reach a large number of people who are specifically searching for the products or service your business specialises in.

So consider boosting the awareness of your business, and potentially increasing your sales, with Hunter Valley Bridal advertising. Contact us at Hunter Bride to see how we can work with you to advertise your speciality bridal business.

Photo by The Wedding Designer

The best hen’s days are, let’s face it, one giant movable party on legs. It can be a challenge to organise the best hen’s party ever, but we’re up for it, if you are! Here are a few tips to help you plan an event to remember.

A morning full of activity

Plan a surprise activity for the morning. Using up some energy in healthy exercise gets everyone bonding and is a sure way to feel virtuous before all the debauchery to come! Book some surfing lessons, a ride along the beach or something like a round of golf depending on the level of challenge your group is up for. Is there something your bride has always wanted to have a go at, but hasn’t quite got around to? Now’s the time!

Pace yourselves girls

Or should that be brace yourselves, girls? The important thing is not to peak too soon. You don’t want to be known for the hen’s day in Newcastle that ran out of steam mid-afternoon. Here are two ways to avoid this disaster:

– Don’t start with the alcohol too early on. If there’s going to be a drink or two at lunchtime, make sure everyone knows they’ll need to be on their toes for the afternoon’s activities.

– Alternatively, give everyone an excuse to sneak a quiet snooze by scheduling beauty treatments in early afternoon. The snoozes will pass completely unnoticed when you’re in massage heaven, or a hair stylist’s skilled hands. You’ll leave your various treatments with a spring in your step and raring to go!

An afternoon mystery

When you’re all beautiful and pampered, it’s time to head off on a magical mystery quest. Hand out clues and send small teams off in search of answers! You can do this on foot or in cars. Eventually everyone should end up in the same place to find you and a couple of mates serenely waiting with a prize for the winner and a booby prize for the tail-end Charlies.

Early evening entertainment

While you’re sipping on a cuppa, or a cocktail if it’s that time of day, you’ll be watching the door for the extra-special stripper-gram delivery – yes it’s time to start embarrassing the bride!

Get everyone to vote on how well she handles it and depending on the result give her L or P plates to wear, or make her put on a special Bride-to-Be T-shirt.

Bring on the games

Everyone can get involved in games with an equal chance of winning prizes. It’s up to you whether everyone gets to share penalties too, or whether these are reserved for the bride. Perhaps you could put it to a vote on the night. The bride is sure to be in a minority!

Have a list of bridal challenges at the ready, so people can vote on what she does next. Typical tasks might see her getting up to slaughter a song, asking strangers (male of course) for items of clothing, asking them for a dance or collecting kisses!

Hen’s night quizzes

Having a selection of quizzes up your sleeve is a great idea for quieter moments. You don’t have to be quizmaster, other people are generally happy to take a turn at asking questions too. Here are some ideas:

Bride. How well does everyone know the bride? Talk to everyone in the hen’s party in advance and ask for one thing they know about the bride – the more obscure the better. That way there’s a fair chance everyone finds out something new about the bride. At the end ask the bride to reveal something about herself that no one has yet mentioned.

How well does she know her husband-to-be? Plenty of opportunity for her to make mistakes here! You’ll have got the answers from him in advance. If he’s a bit shy, ask one of his mates to do the questioning for you. You want to know things like :

What she does that really annoys him.

Where did he go to school/what was his first job.

What’s he afraid of.

What fantasy outfit he’d like her to dress up in.

Cheers!

Take a look at our directory listings for things to do on a hen’s day in Newcastle, just make sure you’ve enough energy left to dance the night away and don’t forget to pack some headache pills for the morning after the night before!

When it comes to overseas romantic getaways, you’re spoilt for choice. Whether you want an island retreat perfect for lazing on the beach, or envision strolls along cobblestoned streets in Europe, there’s a destination to suit. Here are our top six getaways.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini

The force of a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago reformed the Greek island of Santorini, leaving it with a giant, central lagoon that oozes with romantic appeal. The island’s capital, Fira, is situated on a high cliff overlooking the lagoon, where every evening the sunlight reflecting off the water creates unforgettable sunsets. The island offers amazing views, quaint villages, and sheltered bays that are ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Venice, Italy

Venice

Just thinking about Venice amps up the romantic atmosphere! Built on a lagoon, this city truly is one of the most romantic getaways in the world, and has managed to remain virtually unchanged in over six hundred years. Imagine viewing magnificent architecture while floating down a canal ensconced in a traditional gondola, or dining in an 18^th century castle. Although water travel is a crucial part of getting around Venice, off the water you’ll find plenty of drama and history in the city’s many cobblestoned squares and hidden alleyways.

Belize

Belize

Magical and mysterious, Belize will have you falling in love all over again. The country is located on the north-eastern coast of Central America, and surprisingly, English is its official language. Once you’re settled in your accommodation, modern resort style or quaint original colonial, you can choose to hike alongside Howler monkeys through lush jungle to locate Mayan temple ruins, or simply lounge on the beach with a good book.

Casablanca, Morocco

Casablanca

Who hasn’t watched the famous movie and ached to be immersed in the romantic spirit of the city of Casablanca? Well, there’s a lot more to the city than intriguing ‘Gin Joints’ and gorgeous movie stars! Dotted among the many mosques, museums and market places are cafes and restaurants offering western and traditional food, or visit one of Casablanca’s beach clubs and find a patch of private sand with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Taj Mahal, India

Taj Mahal

Completed in 1653, this jaw-droppingly beautiful building was built by an emperor in memory of his much-loved wife. Considered one of the wonders of the world, the mausoleum embodies the spirit of true love.

Each year, lovers visit the Taj Mahal to soak up the tranquil atmosphere and watch the building turn a remarkable translucent pink as it is bathed in the light of the setting sun.

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora

Take a leaf out of Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman’s honeymoon book and consider this most romantic of romantic getaways. On Bora Bora, your most difficult decision will be whether to stay in a resort next to the beach, or in one of the famous bungalows built over the lagoon. With masses of tropical jungle inland enclosed by warm, blue water and the whitest of sand beaches, Bora Bora is the perfect place for couples to unwind and enjoy being in love.

When planning your romantic getaways, remember, you don’t have to splurge lots of money or even travel very far to spend quality time with your partner. Loads of romantic places and romantic activities can be found right here at home. Check out the Port Stephens area for the most peaceful of romantic getaways, surrounded by the natural beauty the region is known for.