Happy Monday Dotties! I am well and truly excited for this week- the gang is back together and we’re going to get so many new things underway! Hooray!

With unpredictable Spring weather almost upon us, be sure that your wedding day covers all possibilities. Do you have a wet weather option available? Or if your heart is set on an outdoor wedding do you have umbrellas for you and your guests in case of rain? Shade in case of an unseasonally warm day? To help you during your wedding journey, we have so many vendors in Ms Polka Dot’s Directory and are adding more all the time. We know that you will find your ideal your wedding vendors right here – ready to give you lots of great advice and assistance.  We have Bridal Gowns, we have Celebrants, we have Jewellery and Photobooth Hire – we even have Bridesmaid Gowns and Catering! Our Directory is filled with vendors who are dedicated to creating the best day possible for you.

Check out Ms Polka Dot’s Directory for wedding vendors who will love your wedding as much as you!

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Located within the majestic buildings of The University of Sydney, Hostco is your host for the most beautiful wedding. With a dedicated wedding specialist to answer all your questions and guide you through your wedding journey, you will find several spaces to suit your needs, within the University. From the magnificence of the Refectory to the smaller Sutherland Room and pre dinner drinks in the Drawing Room your guests will love the sense of history, learned wisdom and elegance that these spaces impart. And the food – oh the food – it will make your mouth water!

We asked Tran of Hostco  five questions in five minutes:

What is your favorite after five drink?

I love to end off a busy week with something sweet and delicious. Chambord and Lemonade with a piece of Lime and in a short glass never fails to win me over and is definitely my drink of choice for a relaxing start to the rest of the evening.

Your favorite weekend getaway?

Melbourne, Melbourne, Melbourne! I find myself booking trips to Melbourne whenever I can. It’s just such an incredible city with such amazing restaurants. My favourite way of relaxing is sampling (and eating at!) Melbourne’s finest restaurants. There’s always a new one or two to visit each time I go.

Favorite restaurant?

Good food and service is really important to me. When in Sydney you can never go wrong with Black by Ezard, one of restaurants I know I can go back to and not be disappointed.

What can we find you eating for breakfast on a Sunday morning? 

Dumplings at Yum Cha! Starting my Sunday by sharing a meal with my family is important to me.

Your favorite wedding story?

Early Jan 2015, I met a couple, Samantha and Stuart as well as their wedding planner, Anna Wang. They were engaged and looking for a venue for their wedding. I took them around HostCo’s spaces and treated them to our menu tasting. It turned out they had already secured another venue at a different location but I remember, not long after our viewing Sam phoned me for a chat. I recall Sam saying ‘you know things happen for a reason. My gut was telling me the other venue wasn’t right. When I saw your space and how perfectly it fit with the vintage theme for our wedding I knew we had to book with you’. I couldn’t believe it! I knew when I met all three of them that they were perfect for our venue also so it really was meant to be!  We have incredible Chefs at HostCo so it helped that we won them over by our delicious food and wine during their menu tasting as well.

On the day of Sam and Stu’s wedding, as Anna Wang and her team were setting up and styling the space, there was a miscommunication with the setup of the balloons. The supplier had changed the particular type but luckily it still worked for the wedding theme – although I did need to advise the supplier that they need to ensure the balloons would not be able to move and set our fire alarm sensor off. So, everything was set perfectly, the wedding was running on schedule and the bride and groom looked beautiful. Guests started to arrive in droves all dressed for the vintage Great Gatsby theme. As time went on guests enjoyed their meal, fawned over Sam and Stu’s first dance, and gushed over their incredible cake and amazing dessert room. When it was time to dance the DJ was pumping and suddenly the balloons started to deflate. Thankfully our staff jumped on this so quickly moved them. Nothing was going wrong, but what our staff didn’t notice was missing was one of the balloon arrangements, toward the end of the night somehow made its way to the sensor and triggered the fire alarm! Suddenly the Fire Brigades arrived and made their way to our building. By this time, we thought Sam and Stu would not be very happy, but they were the opposite, they loved it! So much so they couldn’t wait to get some photos of the fireman!

Visit Hostco – The University of Sydney’s page to find out more about our Vendor Of The Week. Hostco – The University of Sydney is a member of Ms Polka Dot’s Directory.