Photo by Todd Hunter McGaw

Tags www.toddhuntermcgaw.com.au | Bride, Snapshot Sundays | Comments 1

Shaye & Cara

The gorgeous backdrop of Shaye and Cara’s engagement photos and their infectious smiles drew me in to today’s shoot. I like laughter and I like when it crawls its way into photographs, it reminds me of why I write about love, why I am so passionate about sharing it.

Bella from Bella Photo Art – Photography by Bella captured Shaye and Cara, Cara telling, “Shaye and I met through a mutual friend at the Times Christmas party. We later discovered that neither one of us were actually going to go to the party as we with had other things on, but after much persuasion from the host we ended up agreeing. Neither of us knew about the other, but seemed to arrive to the party around the same time. It was late and everyone else had been partying for some hours prior. Shaye and I began talking on the staircase and as they say, the rest is history.”

Cara remarks, “I love everything about Shaye. Her selflessness, her humor and wit, her generosity and love of animals and all things less fortunate than ourselves, but if I had to really narrow it down I’d have to say her humility and the way she loves me. It’s magical and I honestly believe she’s a blessing to my world.”

“There is never a dull moment in our relationship and for those that know Shaye and I they will tell you this. We are known to our friends as the everyday Ellen and Portia. Shaye is definitely the funny extrovert. She can capture and entertain an audience for hours weather it’s family friends or people she’s meeting for the first time. Although I’m lighthearted and outgoing, I tend to be more serious about matters.”

Shaye says, “ I absolutely love and adore Cara’s selflessness, she has this beautiful calming nature about herself and has a beautiful love of all things. Cara brightens any day and has brought me so much love, joy and happiness. Together we share a beautiful life and we try and spread colour and warmth everywhere we go. Its just a little something that we like to do to give back ( pay it forward). ”

“Shaye and I adore the outdoors band being surrounded by nature. Early on in our relationship I had stumbled across this amazing little hobbits cabbie style accommodation set in the middle of the rainforest. We stayed a few nights and fell in love with the peace and serenity. By night we snuggled up on a mattress under the stars front of a log fire, and by morning we woke to birds playing us sweet tunes and kangaroos on our balcony. It was evident that one day I was going to marry this girl and I thought to myself that when I propose, I couldn’t imagine a more surreal atmosphere than the one described in the quirky little cabins above. Roughly 2 months later after asking for her hand in marriage I booked us into the cabin for the weekend and on two knees asked Shaye to be my Wife.”

Bride, Engagements | Comments 1

I’m a sucker for baking, especially with the cold weather I always want to whip something up and I am even more of a sucker for the gorgeous tableware to show off creations. To me, a wedding cake can look like such a showstopper when placed on a beautiful cake stand and so these cake stands from Sarah’s Stands really tickled my fancy.

Sarah’s recently introduced the “Simply Stunning” collection which is all about clean, bold lines (and also complements her “Picture Perfect” & “Natural Beauty” collections beautifully). Available in a huge range of colours, each cake stand in the “Simply Stunning ” collection is powder coated (preventing any damaged from the cake cutting!) and made of carbon steel (though I am a lover of the gorgeous square and round wooden stands Sarah also offers).

Cake stands available at Sarah’s Stands

Bride, Cakes | Comments 0

Maggie & Duncan’s Traditional Sydney Wedding Photo by Elise Hassey

As the weather gets colder (well, it does here in chilly Melbourne at least!), I’m reminded of why I love this change of season. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am proud Summer-loving sun-bunny – but I must admit that there is a certain romance that accompanies chilly mornings with a hot coffee wrapped in your hands, and the first smells of log fireplaces sparking back to life that softens the cool blow. I also love how trees come to life in this season, and can become either a sanctuary from rain, or a life-force whipped into a frenzy when the wind rises. Quite mesmerising.

We’ve had a similar frenzy of a week here at Polka Dot Central, and the fun doesn’t stop as we head into the weekend. Have much planned? Well, how about you take some time for yourself and have a browse through the roundup of our specialty blogs this week!

This Week On Polka Dot Weddings

Polka Dot Weddings is the blog where real brides write about their weddings and share their experiences. Inspiration abounds so click on each image to read more.

1. Real Wedding – Stephanie & Simon’s Fun Rustic Farm Wedding 2. Real Advice – Inspired Words – Annabelle 3. A Glass of Bubbles With….Tamarin from Nouba 4. Real Wedding – Maggie & Duncan’s Traditional Sydney Wedding 5. Real Wedding –  Jessica & Emanuel’s Simply Elegant Palazzo Versace Wedding 6. Desperately Seeking - May 2013

This Week On Polka Dot Wisdom

Polka Dot Wisdom is a treasure trove of advice, news and wedding planning tips! Written by wedding professionals you could almost plan your whole wedding by following this, the wisest of all blogs! Click on the images to read more.

1.What Would They Know? Kendrie Coonan of Chick Flicks 2. Vendor’s Favourites - Simon Peter Taylor Photography Event Review 3. Event Review - David Jones’ Bridal Expo VIP Preview Night Sydney  4. Event Review – Jack Sullivan Designer Day 5. Expert Advice – Wedding Gown Cleaning Tips

This Week On Polka Dot Made

Polka Dot Made is your source for all things handmade including weekly DIY projects to make for your wedding or engagement.

1. Etsy Roundup – Autumn Coloured Hair Flowers 2.Tuesday Type -Hola  3. DIY – The Professionals – Jay Kirby from Jay Kirby Ties 4. Tutorial – Handmade Cherry Lattice Pie 5. Cocktail Friday – Pomegranate Punch with Strawberry Ice Blocks

This week on Polka Dot Honeymoons

The wedding is over, the dust has settled and now it’s time to get away from it all! Find resort reviews, inspiration and real honeymoons every week on Polka Dot Honeymoons.

1. Real Honeymoon - Shhh..It’s a Secret Honeymoon Location

This week on Polka Dot Groom

Polka Dot Groom is dedicated to all things groom. Inspiration, advice and style for the Australian groom.

1. Expert Advice - 4 Lessons to Learn From Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala Faux Pas 2. Real Groom - Inspired Memories – Nolan 3. Groom Style - Rick

Attention Lovers! The generous Martine Payne is offering a special for Polka Dot Bride readers, so if you book your Engagement Portrait Session or a sneaky Anniversary Portrait Session with Martine Payne Photography in the next w7 days – you’ll receive it for half price!

If you are no longer a Bride-To-Be,any Mums-To-Be or a New Families can book a Maternity or Family Portrait Session in the next 7 days for 20% off! Head to her website for examples and for more information about the packages!

The National Wine Centre will open its doors on Sunday 26th May 2013, 11am to 3pm, for their annual Wedding Open Day, showcasing the best of what the South Australian wedding industry has on offer.

With free entry, you can enjoy touring the centre, whilst sipping Australian Sparkling Wine, with a fashion parade kicking off at 1.30pm! All brides-to-be will also receive a gift bag to take home!

For one weekend only Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is getting dressed up and opening its doors for an exclusive bridal showcase.With Collette Dinnigan showcasing her new bridal collection and celebrity chef Pete Evans on board this is an event not to be missed!

Guests will be treated to an exclusive tour of the brand new, architecturally designed wedding centre, with a hand-picked collection of boutique wedding vendors on show to give you inspiration on everything old, new, borrowed and blue.

For more information, head to their website!

Our video this week is in the form of a Save The Date! This wonderful idea is courtesy of the lovely folk at Lester & May

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