Kasia and Huw held their wedding reception in the Garden Marquee at Victoria Park, with ceremony held at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church nearby in Bowen Hills. Recently Kasia sat down to discuss their big day with the Victoria Park team.

Tell us about your journey together, from how you met, to what the proposal was like!

Huw and I met at a bootcamp session, at which we ended up side by side doing wall sits! Huw was struggling so I laughed at his shaky knees. We started talking and the rest is history. As for the proposal, Huw had told me that he was planning a surprise outing for my birthday. On the night, he put me in the car and made me wear a blindfold so I had no idea where we were going! After what seemed like ages, we stopped driving and I took off the blindfold to see that we were at the Eaton’s Hill Hotel and that the surprise was that Huw had bought us tickets to a 90s throwback concert featuring S Club, B Witched and Atomic Kitten, some of my favourite 90’s bands. During the concert, when Atomic Kitten played my favourite song The Tide is High Huw got down on one knee and proposed.

What (besides the obvious ‘I do’) was your favourite part of your wedding?

We had a great time taking our bridal party photos around the grounds of Victoria Park mainly because we were able to drive around in golf buggies which was a lot of fun. We also loved our first dance, even though everyone was watching us, it just felt like we were in our own little bubble.

Tell us about your decorations and wedding styling – did you incorporate a theme? What did you choose for your wedding entertainment and guest favors?

We didn’t really have a specific theme but we always said that we wanted the wedding to be simple, yet elegant. We stuck to a largely silver and white colour scheme and tried to keep decorations quite minimal. Kate Maree Floral Designs did an amazing job with all of our florals. We had a floral table runner for the bridal table and floral wreaths for each of the guest tables with candles to go in the middle of the wreaths. G&M DJ’s provided excellent entertainment and our guest favors were shot glasses in keeping with my Polish culture.

What’s the best piece of advice you can give other couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Make a detailed do to list and then give yourself plenty of time to do your research and work through it. Go with your gut when making decisions and don’t stress, everything will come together in the end.

Would you recommend Victoria Park to other people getting married?

Definitely! We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue.

Please list your photographer, stylist and any other prominent suppliers below for crediting purposes:

• Photographer – Just for Love Photography
• Cake – Zuccherino Cakes
• DJ – G&M Group
• Florals – Kate Maree Floral Designs
• Hair and make-up – Emilia-Maria Make-up & Hair

Find out more about Victoria Park’s wedding venues for 30 to 400 guests.

Shannon & Daniel held their wedding ceremony and reception in the Garden Marquee at Victoria Park. Recently Shannon sat down to discuss their big day with the Victoria Park team.

Tell us about your journey together, from how you met, to what the proposal was like!

Dan and I shared a mutual friend, but it wasn’t until we became ‘facebook friends’ that we had our very first conversation, and the rest is history. 7 years later, in the house that we built, along with our fur baby Fletcher, Dan proposed. It was the night before my 25th birthday and I was coming home from the shops with a girlfriend. I walked into our house to find that Dan had covered our lounge room floor and ceiling with white and pink balloons, and big silver letters that read ‘MARRY ME?’. He also had an acoustic version of ‘our song’ playing in the background. I am not sure that he will ever be able to top that birthday present!!

What (besides the obvious ‘I do’) was your favourite part of your wedding?

My favourite part of my wedding was the father daughter dance. I had tucked my head into my Dad’s shoulder to hide my tears, a few moments later I looked up and all of a sudden, every single one of our wedding guests had come to the dancefloor to join in the dance, it was so full that we couldn’t fit everyone and there were people dancing around the tables. It was such an amazing feeling, you could definitely feel the love in the room from all of our guests.

Tell us about your decorations and wedding styling, did you incorporate a theme? What did you choose for your wedding entertainment and guest favors?

Our styling was by the incredible Gemma Burrows (Borrowed Event Hire). We had no idea what theme or style we wanted, soI really let Gemma take control with this (and for anyone that knows me, this doesn’t happen easily). Every single thing she put together for our wedding was absolute perfection in my eyes and really complimented our personalities as well as the bridal party’s dresses and suits.

What’s the best piece of advice you can give other couples starting their wedding planning journey?

As a bride, I was told “enjoy every moment, take a moment to take it all in”… which I didn’t really understand because, well, duh! My advice is “remember to remember why you are getting married”, when I would get nervous about all the attention and all the people, I thought about my husband to be and all the reasons he makes me happy and the nerves turned into excitement.

Would you recommend Victoria Park to other people getting married?

I would absolutely recommend Victoria Park. It is a stunning location, the staff go above and beyond and are welcoming and polite always. I really couldn’t fault a thing!

Please list your photographer, stylist and any other prominent suppliers below for crediting purposes:

• Andrew & Sarah Follan (@thefollans) – Photo & Video
• Gemma Burrows (Borrowed Event Hire) – Styling
• Abbey Shaw (@poppypie) – Cake
• G&M Events – Entertainment

Find out more about Victoria Park’s wedding venues for 30 to 400 guests.

Jane and Tin held their wedding ceremony and reception in the Marquee at Victoria Park. Recently the pair sat down to discuss their big day with the Victoria Park team.

What was your favourite part of your wedding?

A favourite moment of our ceremony was seeing Tin waiting for me underneath our amazing fresh flower arbour. I could not have asked for anything better! Although Tin and I were standing in front of all our family and friends as we shared our wedding vows, it truly felt as if we were the only two there.  Tin and I decided to surprise each other by sharing our wedding vows with each other for the very first time during the ceremony, and to our surprise we both shared similar words and promises to each other.  Another beautiful moment was when our guests lit their sparklers as we cut our cake with fireworks shooting in the background to our favourite soundtrack.

Tell us about your decorations and wedding styling.

Our ceremony was held on the Victoria Park Marquee deck, overlooking Brisbane city beneath a stunning floral arbour. I must give credit to Styled Events and Danielle my Wedding Planner, who did an indescribable job creating our white wedding. We had over 100 metres of pure white carpet leading to the alter with multiple clear pillars with vases of fresh flowers on either side. To complement our aisle we added a 4 metre wisteria tree to create a whimsical, romantic look.

Our reception took place in Victoria Park’s Marquee room where we hosted a 3 course sit down dinner. My inspiration was to bring a garden into the marquee, so we decided to create tree-like centrepieces on gold stands which stood over 1 metre high. Each centrepiece included white roses, green foliage and disbuds. We created a romantic ambiance by having candles scattered around each table. To flow with our white and gold theme we had gold Tiffany chairs, a custom gold bridal table, gold cutlery, white and gold menus with each of our guest names, gold centrepiece stands, a white dance floor with our initials monogramed in gold and custom made white napkins with our gold monogram. We also had a ‘wishing tree’ where guests could write us a message to hang on ribbons alongside 150 hanging fresh Singapore orchards.

What’s the best piece of advice you can give other couples starting their wedding planning journey?

When it comes to planning the ceremony, my advice would be to do your research and to have a team that you can trust that is genuinely there to help you. Finding the right Celebrant is very important as they are the one marrying you after all! When Tin and I met Jamie Eastgate from Brisbane City Celebrants we knew he was the right man to help us tie the knot. Jamie has the most amazing personality. He is warm, caring and one of the most genuine people we know. He made the whole process very easy for us by explaining the ceremony process and options available, customising our ceremony to suit us and organising all the paperwork. Jamie even submitted the application for our official marriage certificate for us and within a few weeks of our day, our official marriage certificate arrived in the post.

Please list your major suppliers below for crediting purposes:

• Photography Marcus Bell Studio Impressions Photography
• Marriage Celebrant Jamie Eastgate Brisbane City Celebrants
• Styling Styled Events Group
• Planning White + White Weddings & Events
• Flowers Always Fabulous Flowers
• Flooring Staging Creations
• MC + Entertainment Sex and Chocolate
• Photo Booth Lover of Mine
• Videography Grandeur Films

Find out more about Victoria Park’s wedding venues for 30 to 400 guests.

Experts Reveal Their Predictions

We asked 11 wedding experts from around the world: What are the top new wedding trends to watch out for in 2019? Read their answers below.

Wedding “honey funds”

Top 2019 wedding trends will include cash and/or “honey fund” where guests can send money over to an account that they can then use for whatever they like rather then a wishing well at the wedding. We also expect to see signature foods that represent them as a couple served and unique entertainment such as fire eate or belly dancer. Written by Audrey Hu-Gonzalez of Events by Audrey.

One gown or two…or maybe three?

Again, we have to thank the Meghan Markle but we will certainly see more and more brides and also grooms looking to have a number of outfit changes with a little more focus on comfort come the evening allowing them to hit the dance in style as well as comfort. I predict we will see more elegant jumpsuits or simple, classic designs of gowns come the evening reception. Written by Susie Evans of Inspired by Susie Evans.

Creative Stationary & Decor

The invitations are often the very first hint to your guests. There is so much choice available now, with creative elements constantly increasing such as gold foiling, wax seals, laser cut, calligraphy, personalised monograms… the list goes on. One of our couples had a wedding signature scent created for them and each invite was scented! Also, hanging flower hoops within a marquee or venue with high ceilings can fill a big space and create an impressive visual impact. Written by Jenny Wren.

The Meghan Effect

It’s totally stating the obvious, but it has to be said. The Meghan Markle effect is going to be seen in weddings in 2019. Not just in pared back, super simple and uber elegant dresses; but also in detailed veils. I can see the appeal for lots of brides in splashing out on a veil with amazing details that truly delight. Dress styles from Anne Barge and Justin Alexander will make good choices. Written by Gill Neild, wedding planner.

Natural Florals

Clean designs are still going strong and thanks to the Duchess of Sussex’s dress we see this trend continuing. Lastly unique floral and greenery installations are hot and will continue to be for the foreseeable future, the more natural and organic the better. Written by Shannon Leahy.

Pastels and Balloons

Highlights of pastel colours such as coral, teal, turquoise and blush pinks will pop amongst a background of natural greenery. Oversized balloons dot their way around the venue with glitter, confetti and all things pretty. Cara Hammer of First Kiss Weddings

Bright Colours

When it comes to decor options rose gold and blush are definitely on their way out. Bright and rich colours are what we are seeing for 2019. You can incorporate these colours in all aspects of your wedding decor from table settings, candles, linens and florals. Turquoise is definitely one of the key colours for 2019. Written by Ravita Atwal of Vekha Events.

Moody Colours

Colour will feature more heavily than in previous years, think deep shades like burgundy and hunter green for a striking and moody look to your day or mix several shades from the same palette to create a fresh and on trend feel to your styling. Wrriten by Rebecca Barnett.

Smaller weddings

Looking forward into 2019, it is clear that size really does matter! Less is most definitely more as couples look to optimise their wedding budget by becoming increasingly discerning in regard to the length of their guest list, choosing only to invite those closest to them in favour of offering a better quality of experience. Written by Helen Davies.

Experiences

No longer are brides and grooms choosing suppliers to work on their weddings but they are now choosing to work with planners who create a journey and experience for all the guests to enjoy.  This can be from scenting invitations to immersive decoration creating a wedding experience that stays with your guests for long after the wedding day itself. Written by Jennifer Holden of Raspberry Bespoke Events.

Balloon Arch​es

We all know that a wedding isn’t a wedding without flowers. Many couples are now opting for air balloon arc displays with minimal flowers as opposed to a full floral one. The wedding world is big on balloons right now. Written by Minihaha Grande.

Want More insight?

We suggest visiting top Bridal websites for the latest predictions including Style Magazine Weddings, Hello May Bridal, and White Magazine.

PUBLISHED BY VICTORIA PARK

Jannie and Aaron held there wedding reception in the Marquee at Victoria Park, with ceremony held on the Marquee deck with city views. Recently Aaron sat down to discuss their big day with the Victoria Park team.

Tell us about your journey together, from how you met, to what the proposal was like!

Jannie and I met over 8 years ago while I was living in Adelaide and she was visiting for a work conference from Brisbane. We travelled back and forth for over 6 months getting to know each other and showcasing our states best tourist attractions to each other (which made for some awesome first dates!) before I finally decided I wanted to see her every day and subsequently moved to Brisbane to be with her.

I proposed to Jannie while we on holidays in Danang, Vietnam, as travelling is a huge part of our relationship and Jannie’s family are from Vietnam originally. The proposal took place on a beautiful private white sanded beach on a perfect summer evening. The beach was decorated with candles, lanterns and rose petals and the proposal completely took Jannie by surprise as we casually walked to the beach for a look at the night stars and ocean.

Since the wedding we have now left Australia and returned overseas together to live in Mongolia.The wonderful adventures and time together has continued and we are excited for the future, building a family and living a happy and amazing life together as we continue to support and celebrate each other through all of life’s challenges, journeys and achievements.

What (besides the obvious ‘I do’) was your favourite part of your wedding?

Our wedding day was an absolutely flawless day which symbolised our love and commitment to each other in such a perfect way. On the morning of the wedding we conducted a traditional tea ceremony at Jannie’s family home which was a special moment for us to be able to pay tribute to the culture and traditions of Jannie’s family.

Our favourite part was just the amazing situation of having all of our favourite people from all stages of our lives (both separate and together) all in the same room at the same time. The love and support we felt was just overwhelming and was so much fun for us to enjoy the day with all of them.

Tell us about your decorations and wedding styling – did you incorporate a theme? What did you choose for your wedding entertainment and guest favors?

The wedding styling was all white and elegant with glass candelabras and big beautiful flower centerpieces. The all white stage and dancefloor added a classy finish to the Marquee room. We loved our wedding entertainment which included and acoustic guitar singer/performer throughout the ceremony and canapés followed by a DJ at night during the reception. They both just created the atmosphere and set the tone so well with the perfect songs and genres for the moments. We also played a range of video clips projected onto the Grand Marque big screens including a same day edit from our fabulous wedding videographer. The reception also featured lion dancing performances, dance routines, a photo booth and an amazing fireworks display which guests could enjoy conveniently from the outdoor deck!

What’s the best piece of advice you can give other couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Try to slow down and enjoy the day, it goes so fast and the day is so busy that it is easy to get caught up in it all and not actually soak in every moment. Also don’t sweat the small stuff, you will remember the happy vibe and loving feeling of the day a lot more than any little issue that may you may perceive at the time. The biggest advice is to plan your wedding day that on the day you do not need to make any decisions and just enjoy the special time.

Would you recommend Victoria Park to other people getting married?

Absolutely, the beautiful and extravagant setting of the Grand Marquee & Deck combined with the professional service and wonderful location was the perfect wedding environment for us. The venue, the service, the people and the overall vibe of the day was a priceless experience and memory for us and will be forever.

Please list your photographer, stylist and any other prominent suppliers below for crediting purposes:

• Photographer – Feather & Finch Photography – Ryan Teague
• Cinematographer – Mitch Lally Films – Mitch Lally
• Dress – Holly Rose Couture
• Stylist – Elegant Settings
• Make Up – Ginelle Dale and Jessica Peacock
• Hair – Vanise from Glamourous Hair
• DJ – Tristian DJ Twista Twist
• Acoustic Guitar Performer – Adam Kharita
• Cake – Vas Frosted Indulgence
• Photo Booth – In the Booth
• Dance Floor – Regent Staging
• Flowers – Jacqui M Florist Design
• Stages – Regent Staging
• Entertainment – LTL Lion Dancing
• Celebrant – Noelene Owen

Find out more about Victoria Park’s classic venues suitable for weddings for 30 to 400 guests.

How To Plan Your Wedding Down To The Tiniest Detail

The day you slip into your white dress, walk down the aisle and exchange vows with your beloved is one of life’s extra special moments. It’s an opportunity for you to share and celebrate your love with your nearest and dearest, and to cheers to the next step of your adventure. However, planning your special day isn’t a “one size fits all” situation. Different couples will value different things when it comes to their wedding, and working within your budget can be tricky if you aren’t confident navigating the world of wedding planning.

Whether you’re in the middle of planning your big day or just starting the adventure, we’ve put together a few wedding planning tips that will help make planning every single detail of your wedding as easy as possible!

Look for ways you can make your wedding unique to you

One of our biggest tips for couples wanting a unique wedding is to dissect every little aspect of the day. If you don’t like the idea of a traditional wedding cake, forego one for cupcakes, doughnuts or ice creams instead. If you and your partner are known for throwing epic parties, why not keep the ceremony as simple as possible so that you and your guests can get to the after-party sooner? If the norms and “rules” around weddings make you uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to ignore them in favour of what will actually make you and your partner happy – after all, it’s your special day!

Select a venue that works for you

For many couples, selecting a venue is the hardest and most nerve-wracking aspect of planning a wedding. After all, it really does shape the entire day. With six uniquely beautiful wedding venues to choose from, Victoria Park can cater for intimate affairs of 50 guests right up to massive celebrations of 380 guests. Each of our venues includes stunning finishing touches (such as sparkling chandeliers or floor-to-ceiling city views) and can be styled to suit your individual theme. With private bars, exclusive outdoor decks, and all in a convenient location only 3km from Brisbane City, you won’t find a more perfect destination for your wedding.

Make it a memorable experience for your guests

While your wedding day is ultimately about you and your partner, it’s also an opportunity to celebrate with your loved ones. You know how earlier we were thinking about different ways to make your wedding unique to you? This will come in handy when planning special moments for your guests to enjoy! If you choose to have your photos taken between the ceremony and reception, why not set up a pop-up garden bar in The Orchard where your guests can enjoy custom cocktails and a playlist of your favourite love songs? Or, instead of serving classic desserts, treat your guests to ice creams cones while they boogie on the dancefloor.

Get extra help where needed – you’re only human!

One of the most important things to know before you start planning your big day is that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. When you choose to host your wedding at Victoria Park, we’ll provide you with a dedicated wedding planner who will help you plan every aspect of your day and help ensure it runs smoothly. Styling and décor is another big part of your day, but if you’re not confident with your own styling skills working with a wedding stylist can help you enjoy the wedding of your dreams.

Make sure you do plenty of research on local vendors (or chat to your personal wedding planner) and put together a mood board so that you have a detailed idea of how you want your wedding to look and feel. A stylist can help bring all the details together and will help add the final touches to your venue to help make your wedding day “you”. Alternatively, with a range of styling packages on offer at Victoria Park, as well as a list of trusted suppliers, your dedicated wedding planner can take all the stress off your hands!

Plan a run sheet, but don’t be afraid to run wild

Once you’ve put all the work into planning your special day, it helps to have a run sheet (even if it’s a brief one) so that you and your bridal party, guests, vendors and wedding venue have an idea of how the day should run smoothly. Your wedding planner or photographer will typically take care of this, but make sure you run your eyes over it to make sure it suits you.

If you want to have speeches before the drinks get out of hand, plan accordingly. If you don’t want to leave the party to take photos with the bridal party, make sure you organise a pre-reception space for your guests to enjoy a few drinks and some mingling. It’s also a good idea to keep the reception plans fairly flexible – the last thing you want to do when the dancefloor is pumping is leave to organise dessert!

Do what feels right for you (and ignore everything else!)

Ultimately, the best way to plan your wedding is to do what feels right for you and your partner. Working with a venue and wedding planner that understands what you want of your special day is vital to ensuring that you enjoy the wedding of your dreams. Stay true to what feels right to you and the rest will follow!

Planning a Brisbane wedding? Read more about Victoria Park Wedding Venue. Here at Victoria Park, we are thrilled to be recognised as one of Brisbane’s most romantic and spectacular wedding venues. From our sprawling gardens and uninterrupted views of Brisbane City to private bars and tailored menus, our team of wedding planners are committed to making your planning process as seamless and enjoyable as possible. 

Nicole was living in a share house when she met Wes, her house mate’s best friend. Wes and Nicole met on Valentine’s day, the very day Nicole moved into her new house….

What was the proposal like?

It was on our annual family holiday to Ballina and Wes took me out to dinner. Afterwards we took a walk on the beach at sun set. We walked out onto the rock wall watching the sun go down with waves splashing on our feet, then Wes proposed. I said yes of course. It was a perfect moment for us.

What was the location of you ceremony and reception?

The Victoria Park Garden Marquee for both ceremony and reception.

What (besides the obvious ‘I do’ was your favourite part of your wedding?

Spending our day with all of our closest friends and family. I highly recommend the extra money for the golf carts too! Was so much fun with our bridal party.

Why would you recommend Victoria Park to other people getting married?

The staff and location cannot be faulted. Our event planner was so helpful all the time. She really listened to all of our requests and went over and above to make it happen. You need this from a venue. The grounds are beautiful and would be very hard NOT to get amazing photos, and at night time our marquee was stunning!

 

Jemma and Chris held their wedding reception in the Ballroom at Victoria Park with ceremony on-site in the Garden Marquee. Recently the pair sat down to discuss their big day with the Victoria Park team.

Tell us about your journey together, from how you met, to what the proposal was like!

We met in Pre school when we were both just 5 years old. From there when we got older we started dating in grade 12. We then got engaged 3 years later. When Chris proposed we spent the day by going hot air ballooning in the morning following a jet boat ride. Chris then took me to dinner where we had our very first date. After dinner we then went for a walk surrounded by gardens and fairy lights, then someone came from the corner playing the guitar and singing. Chris then started crying and got on one knee and asked for us to be forever.

What (besides the obvious ‘I do’) was your favourite part of your wedding?

Some of my favourites parts of our wedding would have to be spending the morning getting ready and then seeing Chris at the end of the aisle waiting for me, it was such a special moment.

Tell us about your decorations and wedding styling.

We went for a very traditional/classic theme but also with modern elements and glam. I love elegance and everything grand so that’s what inspired us with our styling. We put a lot of effort into the small details of things. For our guest favours we did 2 pink coasters with a personalised tag on them.

What’s the best piece of advice you can give other brides to be?

The best piece of advice I would give to other brides would be to enjoy every minute of your day, it goes by so quickly. I loved just taking a second to look around the room and seeing all of our friends and family that came to celebrate us on our special day.

Would you recommend Victoria Park to other people getting married?

We would definitely recommend Victoria Park. All the staff were so helpful every step of the way to help us have our dream wedding day.

Please list your major suppliers below for crediting purposes:

• Photographer: Mario Coli Photography
• Videography: Castle & Crown
• Florist: Unveiling Poppy
• Stylist: Avideas
• Make up: Blake Designs Make up Artistry
• Hair: Galves Hair Design
• Cake: Cakeit4u
• DJ: G&M DJs

Find out more about Victoria Park’s wedding venues for 30 to 400 guests.