Etsy has some gorgeous ring pillows that are a little different from the typical lace numbers

Chocolate Silk Dupioni Pillow, Dahlia Ring Pillow by TyrabelleDesigns

Red Seersucker Pillow, Brown & Cream Pillow by Tinarie21

Blue Hydrangea Ring Pillow & Burnt Orange Swarovski Rose Satin Ring Bearer Pillow from EmicBridal

I know this is a wedding blog. But every now and then it’s nice to throw in non wedding things that give a little lift. This was read out to me again last week and I realised how much I like it.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Time for another mixtape! This one is all about the processional. I’m a big fan of wordless songs for this but only included two today!

Here are some ‘different’ choices for your walk down the aisle, different eras, different tempos and a different feel to each. I hope it inspires something for you! (I had to include "At Last" By Etta James, these days it’s almost a crime not to!)

The juicy talk of the wedding day often gives me goosebumps. Today the face behind Girl With A Satchel shares her big day to husband James with Polka Dot Bride.

The Day

Tell me about what you wore? How did you decide on it?

Though I was never the kind of girl to keep a ‘My Wedding Day’ scrapbook (like Andi in ‘How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days’), I religiously keep clippings from magazines in big style journals. I’d kept a picture of Carmen Kass in a white Valentino dress from about 2001 and just always assumed I’d wear something similar on my wedding day. I went through the ritual of trying on dresses in the stores, but I just knew I wanted something unique and special, using the Valentino design for inspiration.

What about what your husband and attendants wore?

As the girls were in navy, I was adamant that the boys be in grey. We chose a lovely grey suit with a fine pinstripe at Roger David in Brisbane. The groomsmen wore navy shirts and ties, while Jim wore a white shirt and grey/silver tie.

How did you get to the wedding?

Jim hired two beautiful silver… gosh, I forget what kind of car they were! Will have to ask Jim and get back to you. I know they were big and German!

Tell me about your wedding day?

I had no sleep the night before, as I was running checklists over in my head. I’d arrived in Queensland just days before and everything was really hectic. I was literally laying out place settings in the marquee at 7pm the night before the wedding!

As I hadn’t slept a wink, my sister and Caelia, who’d spent the night with me, took me on a little walk to get some fresh air. Then we had brekkie – fruit and yoghurt – and my mum dropped by to make sure we were getting ready to head to the hairdresser. My friend Brooke picked us up and we went to Boss Hair and Beauty at Mermaid Beach to commence the beautification process. It was really fun having all the girls there. We had champagne and banana bread and sandwiches. My makeup artist, Aimie Fiebig, flew up from Sydney, so she got to work as soon as she arrived.

Once we were all done, mum drove us up to Mount Tamborine to get changed and have photos taken at Jim’s Aunty Muriel’s home. Dad arrived and teared up a bit, then my page boy and flower girl arrived looking adorable. After the pre-wedding photo shoot, we got into the cars and headed for the church (St. George’s Anglican Church).

The church was packed when we got there and the nerves (and my emotions) finally hit me. When the bridal procession music started (Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles, played on piano by our friend Karis), the girls prompted our page boy and flower girl (Jim’s nephew and niece) and then followed. Dad took my arm quite proudly (as daddies do) and headed for Jim. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

Erica and James at their wedding ceremony in St George’s Anglican Church

The service seemed to go forever (our preacher, Rhys, was quite verbose!) but there was lots of laughter and music. Our friends Charmaine and Mike read Bible verses (Jim and I are both committed Christians) and Jim’s parents prayed over us.

After the ceremony, we headed outside to greet our guests and have the first photos taken. It was overcast and getting dark fast, so we had to make a quick exit and head to the locations we’d planned.

I had a blast at the reception. Just having everyone you love in the one room is such a buzz. Our MC, my then-boss Sarah Oakes (Girlfriend/Cleo), kept everything together and made our guests relaxed. Then we had possibly the longest toasts and speeches of all-time – thankfully, they were very entertaining! Jim’s dad, my father, my sister, Jim’s best man and cousin Andy and Jim and I all made speeches. Andy’s best man’s speech has everyone cracking up from start to finish, and he ended it with an acoustic number on his guitar.

James playing the song he played during his proposal to Erica at their wedding reception.

Jim and his band played the song we’d written (and, by that stage, finished) for me after his speech. Then it was time to party before departing for our first night together as a married couple!

The Reception

What did you dance to?

Erica and James take to the floor for their first dance.

Lauryn Hill’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”

What did you eat?

We had Shamar Catering take care of everything. They served the guests canapés before we arrived, then we had two vegetarian entrees (a grilled Mediterranean vegetable salad and avocado, bocconcini and tomato tart), chicken and beef for mains (chicken with parmesan and oregano crust; grilled tenderloin of beef) and chocolate cupcakes with white icing made by Jim’s aunt Muriel for dessert.

Cutting the cupcake wedding cake!

What about your cake?

As above – we had 150 cupcakes made for the guests and our wedding fruit cake (which we’re saving for our April anniversary) was made by Jim’s aunt Anne.

Stay tuned- next up, Erica tells us about her wedding details!

Peony & Plaid Paper adorn Presents laid out beside the Placecards which are captured by a Photographer who also makes sure to take Photos of the Parents

~

Preston Bailey created white twinkling trees to mark the aisle for a winter wonderland wedding.

Gone are the days when tulle was the only way to decorate your walk up the aisle. You can go bare and let the venue speak for itself or go all out and create something really unique.

You can go low key and place vases of flowers or candles on the floor, hang decorations over the pews or use decorations with height so they raise up over the aisle.

Spring

• Hurricane lanterns
• Roses
• Fresh pastel coloured blooms
• Galvanised buckets filed with flowers

Winter

• White flowers
• Strands of crystals
• Pepper berries
• Candles
• Rich red roses

Summer

• Go for a minimal look and use curtain tassels- decorative but modern.
• Simple satin ribbon
• Bright flower balls
• Organza ribbon bows

Autumn

• Sheaths of wheat
• Candles
• Bunches of autumn foliage tied with brown string
• Brown paper cones filled with autumn leaves

No Pews? Your options aren’t limited! You can use the same ideas. Scatter rose petals over the aisle, use an aisle runner like a beautiful white carpet,

Eucalyptus and dendrobium orchids adorned every other pew at Katie & Jeff’s wedding, Kelly & Marc used candles to decorate their simple aisle, Kelli & Rob used galvanised tin buckets filled with orchids, Cheryl & Paul  had flower balls created out of green button mums which attached to the chairs with Shepard’s hooks. They also attached a cone of rose petals at the end of each aisle in preparation for guests to shower them on their descent. The wedding of Donald Trump and Melania Knauss created a statement with garlands of orchids, Norma & Robbie use a string of flowers over white fabric to decorate their church pews.

Don’t forget to consider the width of your aisle- if you have a small aisle and a big dress perhaps go for a simple ribbon rather than a hanging decoration to avoid destroying it!

Images from theknot.com and Instyle Weddings

The Chinese Garden Of Friendship in Sydney is such a stunning wedding venue. So lush and green with the peace and tranquility.

The gardens were built to celebrate by the local Sydney Chinese community to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary. A nod also to Sydney’s sister city of Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, China.

There are three venues to choose from for your wedding (ceremony or reception) with gorgeous names like the ‘Hall of Longevity’ (fits 120) or the ‘Peace Boat Pavilion (fits 40).

The garden is a public area, but can be hired privately for wedding receptions from 5.30pm until midnight. You can even have champagne served to add to the celebration.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is located close by to the historic Rocks area in Darling Harbour makes it perfect for photos with the iconic bridge and of course, throughout the gardens.

For more information email chinesegarden@shfa.nsw.gov.au or phone the gardens on (02) 9240 8888

Photo courtesy of Vincent Lai Photography

Sonnet 116- William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
admit impediments. Love is not love
which alters when it alteration finds,
or bends with the remover to remove:
Oh, no! It is an ever-fixed mark.
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
it is the star to every wandering bark,
whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
within his bending sickle’s compass come;
love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
but bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

We’re bunkering down in anticipation of a sweltering NYE here and I know NYE can be a popular wedding date! Here’s 10 tips to keep your wedding cool!

Myjones.com water bottles courtesy of theknot.com, Parasols from Jenny & Andy’s wedding courtesy of Weddingbee, Iced cocktail from brides.com, Thongs (Flip Flops) from Terra, Program Fans from Ceci New York courtesy of Weddingbee, Mini ice cream cones from brides.com, Loungechairs from brides.com, Seafood buffet from brides.com,  Fresh cherries from brides.com, Gorgeous mexican sunset from timparkinson

1. Fill containers with ice and decorate water or soft drink bottles with personalised labels to keep your guests hydrated during the ceremony and festivities. If you don’t want to DIY, Brewtopia will do them for you

2. Provide parasols for guests, decorate with tags and flowers and place bunched in baskets at your ceremony and reception entrance for a festive feel and to block out the harsh sunlight.

3. Having only recently discovered the goodness of a 7/11 Slushee (where have they been all my life?) hire a slushee machine (and top it up with a bit of alcohol for a frozen cocktail if you’re so inclined!) for a bit of childlike fun and pure cold bliss.

4. For sore, hot feet group thongs (flip flops) tied together in pairs in a basket for guests to slip on. perfect for walking over sand or grooving on the dance floor!

5. Make your ceremony programs in a fan shape, or provide pretty wooden fans for guests to use during the ceremony.

6. Serve mini ice creams at midnight as a snack for those night owls! Or set up an ice cream bar with different flavours and toppings for guests to choose from.

7. Set up seating areas for guests using beach umbrellas or nooks and crannies in the garden or beach (preferably in the shade). It allows guests some time to cool off and relax- ready to party again!

8. Bring back the 70s with some classic seafood on ice! A welcome cool and deliciously decadent treat!

9. Embrace the beautiful fruit of summer and serve ice cold watermelon, cherries, mango slices, nectarines and more!

10.  Have a sunset wedding! Pass the heat of the day and say your vows to the romantic (and cool) backdrop of the sun setting.  Think of having your time consuming couple shots before the ceremony and bask in the golden light.

Excerpt from Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

“Still,” Morrie said, “there are a few rules I know to be true about love and marriage: If you don’t respect the other person, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you don’t know how to compromise, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. If you can’t talk openly about what goes on between you, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. And if you don’t have a common set of values in life, you’re gonna have a lot of trouble. Your values must be alike.
“And the biggest one of those values, Mitch?”
Yes?
“Your belief in the importance of your marriage.”
He sniffed, then closed his eyes for a moment.
“Personally,” he sighed, his eyes still closed, “I think marriage is a very important thing to do, and you’re missing a lot if you don’t try it.”
He ended the subject by quoting a poem he believed in like a prayer: “Love each other or perish.”

Following on from yesterdays post about beach weddings. The first thing you need is a venue! We’re so lucky in Australia to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here are some of my favourite beachside wedding venues, or weddings with a lovely coastal feel

Jonah’s at Palm Beach, NSW

Located out of Sydney, Jonah’s is a stunning ‘all in one venue’. They provide accommodation, stunning options for your ceremony in their cliff top garden and plenty of room for your reception in its recently renovated rooms with a verandah and large windows overlooking the ocean. The food is gorgeous as they’re a fully functional restaurant outside of wedding bookings. If you so dare you can even arrive via seaplane. Jonah’s has a maximum capacity of 100 guests.

The Sebel Reef House at Palm Cove, Queensland

Palm Cove is such a beautiful spot, the beauty of having a wedding here means it gives your guests a mini holiday! The Sebel offers a variety of venues and a fully inclusive wedding package, leaving you free to concentrate on having a great time!

Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia

Cable Beach in Broome is a stunning part of Australia. Mother Earth has blessed Broome with white sandy beaches, blue waters and red rocks making it a breathtaking location! A beach ceremony followed by a reception under the stars sounds completely romantic to me! The most amazing scenery also contributes to the most amazing photographs!

Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Queensland

Port Douglas is a popular tourist spot and with this beach as the premier beach of the area is it any wonder? Port Douglas has some amazing restaurants and things to do (including the beautiful Daintree Rainforest and just a hop skip and a jump to the Great Barrier Reef) which makes it great for a 4 day weekend celebration!

Of course with Australia’s massive coastline, this is only the tip of the iceberg of fantastic beachside wedding locations! What are your favourites?