Say ‘I Do’ At Huka Lodge
Posted: February 27, 2013 Filed under: Getting Married | Tags: beauty, engagement, venues, wedding Leave a commentThinking of popping the question but need some inspiration for somewhere so breathtakingly beautiful that the moment will be forever etched in your minds? This week we look at Huka Lodge in New Zealand who have undertaken months of research to create an unrivalled venue for one of life’s defining moments – the marriage proposal.
To celebrate their launch as the ultimate proposal venue, Huka Lodge has aligned themselves with Hartfield Jewellers in Auckland who are the only distributors of Chaumet, the Parisien luxury jewellery house. Any guests who become engaged while at Huka Lodge between now and Valentine’s Day 2014 will be eligible to win a piece of bridal jewellery by Chaumet, the stunning Liens Open Heart diamond Pendant valued at NZ$13,700.
Founded in the 1920s, Huka Lodge is renowned for its beauty, tranquillity and elegance with unrivalled hospitality to match. Its accommodations are set amongst unparalleled beauty on the banks of the Waikato River surrounded by a spectacular landscape of snow-capped volcanic mountain peaks, wild tussock and green, lush wilderness. We couldn’t think of a more fitting location so close to our Australian shores.
Breakfast With Miranda
Posted: February 17, 2013 Filed under: From the Kitchen, General, Getting Married, News Leave a comment
All eyes were on The Pacific at Bondi Beach last Wednesday as Miranda Kerr was named ambassador for Clear Scalp and Hair Beauty Therapy. Attended by Australia’s beauty editors and related media, it was Katering’s pleasure to provide a beautifully hand selected breakfast for guests including:
- homemade granola with yoghurt, honey, white peaches, raspberries and blueberries,
- carved out passionfruit cups filled with mango, fresh, mint, nectarine and strawberry salad
- scrambled eggs with fresh herbs and bacon diced lardoons with crème fraiche
- mini French crepes with a choice of thick lemon curd and fresh cream or cinnamon sugar and pureed apple
- mini blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, fresh cream and blueberries
- a selection of Iggy’s bread toasted with ricotta, avocado, lemon, fresh tomato, basil and olive oil
- mini leek egg and bacon pies and crunchy top raspberry muffins.
Our breakfast treats were all served on platters of marble and Miranda especially loved the Iggy’s bread toasted with avocado.
Our barmen mixed together juice cocktails including passionfruit and raspberry spritzers, blueberry and elderflower water, green goddess water with fresh mint and cucumbers and Miranda sipped on coconut water throughout the morning.
Doing a live feed with Sunrise, she certainly knew how to work the media, carefully orchestrating each photo shoot to work with the light and various angles, a professional, this is a girl who knows her best side!
The Pacific was beautifully decorated with flower arrangements by George Low from Seed Flora, who puts together the spectacular David Jones flower show each year, creating an intimate, beachside feel in what was a perfect blend of media personalities with a touch of home grown Aussie talent.
A Wonderful Wedding Weekend
Posted: February 10, 2013 Filed under: Getting Married Leave a comment
A rainy Sydney weekend and the arrival of the annual bridal exhibitions meant the offices of Katering where filled with ideas the following Monday morning.
Always looking for trends and inspiration, Kate’s first stop was Sydney’s Entertainment Centre where she was presented with so much information, it was hard to decipher the rings from the bling and the veils from the sales!
Away from the tulle, tiaras and jewels, Kate stumbled upon a blow up photo booth – her best find for the day! Jpeg Photo Booth (www.jpegphotobooth.com.au) are a great way to entertain guests and provides inflatable booths with all the dress ups.
Feeling the wedding buzz, Kate’s next stop was Sun Studios in Alexandria– and most exciting for us here at Katering is that we are now a preferred caterer for this amazing venue! This exhibition was held by One Fine Day who market themselves as a refreshing alternative to the traditional bridal fair. This event was unique and the suppliers much more stylish! This is where we want to be to get inspired!
Kate was in awe of Dylan Wright, the most wonderful singer and guitarist, whose music would be fabulous during the drinks and canapé part of your night. We are certainly going to be booking him for our future events – http://www.dylanwrightmusic.com.au
Cosmo Bride had a fantastic stall where future brides could dress up in bridal attire, have a photo shoot with a professional photographer and the winner featured on the cover of the next issue. Lots of fun and very entertaining!
Kate drew amazing energy and ideas from two wonderful girls called The Sisters whose whimsical style and personality are beautiful attributes in any wedding. Kate’s friend Jo from Paper Couture (www.papercouture.net.au) has amazing ideas for decoration including paper flowers to adorn the church and pews, staircases or as a feature wall. A favourite of Kate’s was tea towel invitations. Tea towels can be used again and again and are a wonderful reminder of the bride and groom with no paper wastage – check them out at http://www.invitationteatowels.com.au
Finally, Kate was really impressed with a company called You Film It (www.youfilmit.com.au). Guests are supplied with video equipment to film their take of your wedding day. The company then edits the videos and puts them together for a wonderful memory that is very personal.
Walking away from the bridal exhibitions, Kate realised how overwhelming the whole process can be. There are a lot of amazing products available but it is hard to sift through the good from the bad. Her advice would be to make sure you can relate to your suppliers, that they have your same sense of style and that there is a trust established. Don’t rush into booking suppliers until you have worked out the bigger picture. Start with planning the ceremony and reception venue, then work out the running order which will assist with planning times for your band, photographer, photo booths and cars.
Kate left feeling inspired and very lucky to be part of such a passionate industry. In wedding mode, she went home and spent the afternoon baking wedding cakes with her three daughters. With so little time to spend teaching the basics of cooking, it was a lovely tradition to be passing down to future generations. She hopes they enjoyed it as much as she did.
K A T E R I N G 