Plan an Unforgettable Wollombi Wedding

Wollombi is a small, historic village regarded by many as the gateway to the picturesque Hunter Valley wine region. Only a two-hour drive north of Sydney, the village is steeped in colonial and Aboriginal history, and is surrounded by the Yengo and Watagans National Parks. Whether you’re planning a church wedding, a garden wedding, or a ceremony in a vineyard, the peaceful area offers many locations for couples looking for a memorable Wollombi wedding setting.

Church weddings

St. John’s Anglican Church was designed by famous architect Edmund Thomas Blacket and was built around 1849. This historic church features intricately-crafted stained glass windows behind the altar and on either side of the nave. Antique brass lamps hang above the aisle, casting a gentle glow over the original cedar pews. The church is equipped with a 150-year-old pipe organ that is used regularly for weddings and Sunday worship.

The Church of Saint Michael is a small sandstone church built around 1840, which has been restored to showcase its original beauty. St Michael’s seats 80 guests, making it the ideal church for smaller weddings and intimate gatherings. This church has a traditional organ, and a sound system for more contemporary musical choices. St Michael’s welcomes all denominations and civil marriage ceremonies.

Civil ceremonies

If getting married in a church isn’t your style, you’re spoilt for fabulous location choices in and around Wollombi. Romantic vineyards, lush gardens, tranquil waterways, stunning bush backdrops and even the down-to-earth hospitality of a genuine country farm are just a few of the unique wedding settings the area has to offer. Many of the locations have reception venues close by, and with transportation around the valley easily found, getting your bridal party and guests to your reception won’t be a problem.

Local attractions

If the majority of your guests are city dwellers, your wedding celebration may be the perfect opportunity for them to extend their stay in the country and indulge in a little rest and relaxation.

It’s very easy to fill many contented hours while exploring the rich history of Wollombi. Well-preserved Aboriginal engravings and tribal markings can be viewed in caves and outcrops in the surrounding countryside. If your interest lies in historic architecture, the Wollombi Village Historical Walk will take you past many historically significant buildings, including the Endeavour Museum.

For the creative minded, the Cultural Centre in the heart of the village has regular art exhibitions, and an annual art show can be viewed at the Laguna School each September.

For nature lovers, the area has something for everyone. The National Parks offer a range of bush walks with varying degrees of difficulty and distance. Or simply enjoy watching the many species of birds and animals that are especially active in the area at dusk and dawn.

Of course, no trip to the region would be complete without exploring the Wollombi Valley Wine Trail. The majority of the vineyards are small, family owned operations; some have been producing wine since the 1850s. Often the grapes are hand picked and hand processed to produce the fine wines the valley is famous for.

With celebrants, caterers, photographers, florists and musicians available locally, and plenty of elegant guesthouses and quaint bed and breakfasts for your guests to enjoy, planning your Wollombi wedding will be a pleasure. You may even decide to stay for your honeymoon!

CC-Hunter Entertainment – Mobile DJ & MC Service

If you’re looking for live music at your Hunter Valley wedding reception, why not consider hiring a DJ to entertain your guests? Typically, hiring a DJ is less expensive than a hiring a live band or other live entertainment. They usually have access to numerous music genres, and can cater to a wider variety of tastes. However, it is vital you ask potential Hunter Valley wedding DJs a few specific questions to ensure your final choice is legitimate, professional and trustworthy.

Are they a wedding DJ?

As you begin your research, you’ll find there are different types of DJs available. Some specialise in corporate entertainment, while other specialise in parties. Ideally the DJ you’re after will specialise in weddings, or at the very least have lots of wedding experience. An experienced wedding DJ will know the order of proceedings at a reception and will have the perfect song for each moment. They will also be prepared for any unexpected glitches in the proceedings, and can quickly divert attention ensuring everything goes as smoothly as possible.

Are they registered with ARIA?

In Australia, professional DJs must be registered with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). If they are correctly licensed, you can be sure the songs they play have been legally obtained and are of the highest quality.

What is the quality of their equipment?

It may seem like a slightly invasive question to ask, but a DJ only sounds as good as their equipment, so the answer is vital. Cheap or outdated equipment can look and sound terrible. The last thing you want is the music to die in the middle of your reception. Typically, a seasoned Hunter Valley wedding DJ will also have replacements on hand to cover equipment failure.

Have they performed at your reception venue before?

Because every venue potentially poses different challenges, it’s crucial your wedding DJ is familiar with the room size, acoustics, placement of power outlets and security at your reception site. There are many wedding reception venues in and around the Hunter Valley region, and even the busiest DJ would not have performed at every site, so ask them to familiarise themselves with your venue before the date.

What happens if they are unable to perform?

Despite careful planning, accidents happen and unavoidable difficulties crop up, so it’s essential your DJ has a backup strategy if they are prevented from working on your wedding day. A professional DJ will be prepared for any circumstance, but you should know what their backup plan is and be comfortable with it.

How involved can we be?

The final, but perhaps the most important, consideration is to be sure your DJ is on the same musical page as you. Do they have a printed song list you can look at? Will they accept a playlist from you, and can it be altered? Can you submit a ‘do not play’ list? Are they willing to take special request for guests? An experienced wedding DJ should be able to take these types of questions and requests in their stride and easily accommodate them, but the questions do need to be asked well before the big day arrives.

So when you’re looking for the right Hunter Valley wedding DJ to perform at your wedding reception, do some research, meet with them, check off all your questions and make sure you are satisfied with the answers before you book them. The last thing you want on your wedding day is a glitch with the music!

Margan Restaurant Winery

A small wedding is ideal for couples that prefer to celebrate their formal union with just a few special people. Brides who are not professional event planners (i.e. most of us!) often find that organising a small wedding is fun and much less stressful than the complicated logistics involved in an event for 300. Here are a few tips for planning a small wedding in the Hunter Valley to help you pull together the core elements of a fabulously intimate and highly personalised event.

You still need to set a budget

No matter the size of your wedding, setting a budget is still the key to having a successful event, without a financial hangover. Deciding to have a small wedding doesn’t mean missing out, either. In comparative terms, a small wedding budget can stretch farther than a budget for a big wedding, because you have so many more options. For instance, when you need a reception venue for hundreds of guests, the venue cost typically gulps half your budget in one hit!

Location, location, location

Planning for an intimate event opens up so many choices, as you’re not limited to venues which can handle big parties. Another advantage is that you might not need to book quite so far ahead. An expensive venue that you have been sighing over, but can’t afford, might also be a possibility if you’re not paying for quite so many people.

Do you have a favourite beachside café for example? Why not look into the cost of hiring the whole place? If a beach wedding suits your style, there may be little better than an intimate sunset ceremony followed by a boho evening at a small venue just metres away. Or, imagine a small marquee overlooking rolling hills of grape vines, or a classy waterside restaurant.

The Hunter Valley is a gorgeous setting in which to get married, and options in our directory range from beachside venues or lush garden settings to vineyards and restaurants.

Personal touches

Planning a small wedding may mean you have more opportunity (and time!) to get involved in creating personal design touches with flowers, place settings and even the entertainment. It’s likely that with fewer people, you’ll have more to spend, and you can do more with less. For example, entertainment might be able to be whittled down to one or two musicians, or simply something like a roving cartoonist or magician. If you need fewer place settings, you might be able to really go all out on bomboniere.

And it’s not just about stretching your budget further either. Having a smaller, more intimate wedding can be a lovely experience. There’s something wonderful about being surrounded by just the people who love you best as you take your vows!

Catering

You might think it’s possible to do the catering yourself for a small wedding. But unless you have friends or family who are caterers, it’s typically less stressful to leave the preparation and service of food in the hands of dedicated professionals.

If you choose a venue that doesn’t provide catering packages, check out some of the catering options in our directory. Just because your wedding is small doesn’t mean it shouldn’t still be planned and executed with a little help.

Easy planning

To make your small wedding in the Hunter Valley extra special, we’re here to help. Our directory brings together everything you’ll need in order to create a very special intimate wedding, from caterers, to venues specialising in small weddings, to florists and dress designers. May we be the first to toast the happy couple?

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!

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!

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!

The Wedding Designer

With its stunning landscapes and plethora of venue options, the Hunter Valley is the location of choice for many a wedding. From ceremonies held at quaint stone churches nestled in the countryside, to services boasting a backdrop of rolling hills and grapevines, the Hunter Valley is a wedding location steeped in tradition. But while it does lend itself to traditional, and dare we say quite formal affairs, there’s also plenty of scope to have something different. Here are a few ideas to help you organise a fun, quirky Hunter Valley wedding.

Theme

The first step in organising an unusual wedding is to look at whether you can carry a theme. Not just a colour scheme, something based on a significant interest that you and your partner have in common.

We’re thinking perhaps you’re into online games. Or, are you avid fans of film genres, such as classic Hollywood ‘noir’ films of the 50s, or fantasy epics like Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars? You might have met through an interest in medieval re-enactment or renaissance fairs. Vampires, and gothic style might be your thing, or maybe you always dreamed of running away to the circus.

If you’re up for something really different, any one of these ideas offers myriad ways for creating a quirky wedding. Let’s look at a couple of them in more detail to help get your creative juices flowing.

A circus-themed wedding

Be wild and wacky and get everyone to dress as a circus character. Or you might want to wow the crowd at the reception with a Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatic troupe.

Dress your MC as a ringmaster, and have roving performers – you could even have an area where guests can learn a few simple circus tricks.

Having a circus theme can allow you to clown around with a bit of slapstick and a custard tart or two for smooshing, or be elegant with lots of sparkly costumes and props, and a slick show to entertain your guests.

A medieval wedding

Medieval and renaissance themes are a fabulous opportunity for everyone to dress up and tuck into a banquet!

Entertainment can involve hiring ‘knights’ to put on displays of knightly prowess, or strolling troubadours and jugglers to entertain your guests while you have your photos taken.

At the reception, whether indoors or outdoors, everyone can sit on benches at long tables, with a single top table raised on a dais with banners draped behind.

Quirky weddings without a theme

While you might have a shared interest, it doesn’t have to take over your wedding! If a theme isn’t your idea of a good time, there are many other ways to create a beautiful, yet quirky wedding.

Our suggestions include:

1) Making a weekend of it. There’s so much to do in the Hunter, including balloon trips and guided  bushwalks, as well as wine-tasting and fine food to enjoy. You might decide saying your vows while gently floating above the earth in a balloon is the most intimate and romantic ceremony ever.

2) Creating a picnic setting in a secluded area of your venue. Think hand-made bunting strung between the trees, individual tea lights in reclaimed glass jars, cushions and picnic rugs scattered about, along with lawn games for people to play and straw bales to sit on.

Over to you

Now you have some ideas, are you ready to take the plunge? With Hunter Bride’s resources to hand, you’ll find organising a quirky Hunter Valley wedding is a breeze. And if you do decide on a quirky wedding, head over to our Facebook page, and tell us all about it!

Princess Classic Cars

The Hunter Valley might almost have been specially designed by nature to provide a stunning backdrop for romantic weddings. Its moderate climate, extensive vineyards and beautiful landscapes have long made it a popular spot to celebrate that most special of days with friends and family. However, planning a wedding in the Hunter Valley wine region does usually mean organised transport is required, as the venues can be fairly widely spread out.

But while you might need a Hunter Valley wedding car on a practical level, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the experience. If you’ve ever hankered to find out what it’s like to be a celebrity, and emerge from a snazzy car to the flash of cameras, then your wedding day is the perfect time to indulge your fantasy.

Wedding car options

There are lots of options to choose from to ensure you travel in style. You might choose a modern limousine or something like a stretch hummer to go with a contemporary wedding, treat yourself to a vintage Rolls Royce to complement a more retro style, or go movie glam with a 60s convertible. And although it’s not strictly a car, some wedding car companies may also be able to provide alternative wedding transport, such as a horse and carriage.

Presentation

Whatever your choice, you can be sure that your vehicle will be gleaming and immaculate in every last detail. This extends to your driver too. He or she is much more than just someone sitting behind the wheel. As well as being dressed to accessorise the car in a picture perfect uniform, you can expect your chauffeur to open doors for you, and help you in and out of the vehicle. Wedding cars also often feature in the backdrop of a selection of the wedding photos. Using the car gives your photographer the opportunity to stage slightly different shots.

Size of the bridal party

When organising wedding transport, think about how many people need to be transported. While you may prefer to book a single special vehicle for your arrival and your subsequent journey with your new spouse to the reception, some weddings may require a whole fleet of cars. Should you desire, you can organise vehicles for the parents of the bride and groom, and the bridal party. The only limitation might be the size of your wedding budget!

Practicality

Remember to think about your style of dress when looking for a Hunter Valley wedding car. You need to be able to get in and out of the car elegantly, so a low-slung convertible might not be the best choice for a slim skirt, for example.

If you are planning an unusual wedding and/or reception location, such as a rural picnic or cliff top beauty spot, do remember to discuss this with wedding car providers as well. They’ll need to be able to drive up and park safely so that you can make your glamorous entrance.

Take a break

As you and your beloved travel from the wedding ceremony to the reception venue, it will be the first opportunity you will have had to be alone as a married couple. Even if the journey is a quick one, talk to the hire company about a short stop at a scenic spot, so you can assimilate the emotion of the ceremony, before plunging into the reception. Many companies are willing to provide a little extra special treat in the form of champagne for you to enjoy, ensuring you arrive at the reception with an extra buzz!

Book your wedding car

When you are ready to book a Hunter Valley wedding car, Hunter Bride provides the shortest route to your goal. Our directory lists wedding car providers in the Hunter Valley and the surrounding area, so it’s easy to find just what you need for your celebrity moment.

Angela Carson Makeup Artist

Every Hunter Valley bride wants to look her absolute best on her wedding day and one way to maximise the chances of looking picture perfect all day long is to secure the services of a professional in bridal makeup in the Hunter Valley area.

Yes, it is an extra expense to add to your wedding budget, but you’ll get the benefit of the specialist knowledge that will keep your makeup in place and looking flawless throughout all the emotion of the day. Professionally applied makeup used with the appropriate primers and powder means there’s less risk of your look running, smudging or simply evaporating.

Areas to highlight

An artist applying bridal makeup is likely to highlight either the mouth or the eyes, not both, because it can look overdone. As an example, if you’re going for a gentle romantic look, then you might want to keep the mouth soft, and focus on creating a really dramatic look for the eyes.

If you’re confident that your eyes can speak for themselves with just a subtle frame, then your makeup artist may suggest using a bold colour on the lips to create a more vivid look.

If you’re not sure what might work best with your skin tone, facial shape and dress style, a professional makeup artist can act as a skilled consultant. In a trial session you’ll get to experience the effect of emphasising eyes versus mouth. As well as showing you just how beautiful you can look with the right makeup, it’s also an opportunity to find out what you feel comfortable with. There’s no point in going for a dramatic red pout if this feels too bold and just not ‘you’.

You can also help your makeup artist understand what you want by arming yourself with pictures of some makeup styles that appeal, such as examples of great colour and shading on eyes or lips. After all, it’s generally much easier to show someone what you mean, rather than to try to describe a particular shade or look.

Remember your dress

If possible, try to take a snapshot of your wedding dress (perhaps on your phone) so that your makeup professional can get a good idea of the style and create a look to match.

Keep it real

For the majority of women, bridal makeup is generally best thought of as enhancing their natural beauty, rather than making a statement in itself. It’s usually best to set aside ideas about anything really dramatic or unusual that you may have seen in a magazine shoot, as these looks are designed more for the catwalk than the clear light of day.

Dealing with blemishes

While we all hope it won’t happen, pre-wedding stress and nerves can add up to unfortunate last minute skin blemishes. With a professional makeup artist on hand, this needn’t be a disaster as they will usually have a range of tips and tricks to deploy, from skin-calming serums to concealers, powders and ways to shade the face to draw attention elsewhere.

Practice looking fabulous

One of the best ways to get confident about your wedding day makeup is to have a practice run. Schedule a trial for another special occasion, such as a romantic dinner or birthday party.

When you’re ready for a trial session, we’ve made it easy to find professionals who specialise in bridal makeup in the Hunter Valley area. Just click over to the Hunter Bride directory listings, and get ready to feel and look like a star!