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The Most Beautiful Weddings – Popup With Style

Popup With Style are putting the FUN back into weddings! If they had a theme song, it would be ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen which is a fitting choice for this team of wedding styling and planning experts – their enthusiasm for creating and delivering awe inspiring weddings is infectious!

The Popup With Style team are magic makers that create the most picture perfect weddings from the ground up at some of Victoria’s most unique locations. This month, we were thrilled to take 5 with the creative geniuses at Popup With Style to get their expert wedding style and event planning tips for the season ahead.

How did you get the awesome idea to create bespoke ‘pop up’ weddings at unique destinations?

We decided that there needed to be someone who specialised in weddings that can be built in a unique way, from the ground up…and Popup With Style was born!  We are passionate about injecting FUN back into the wedding planning journey, ensuring our couples are enjoying the process.

Favourite colour palettes or style trends for the wedding season ahead?

‘Colour is the new black’ – we are absolutely LOVING the injection of bright colour palettes into the industry.  These days couples are focusing more on injecting personality rather than tradition – which we can’t get enough of!

If the Popup With Style team had a message for brides / grooms to be this wedding season – what would it be? How can they make their lives easier and stress less before the big day?

Hire us….hahaha!!  We are the wedding experts, the creatives, the planners + new besties!  We are completely invested in your love story.

Whilst we are foremost in the business of love + fun, there are obviously benefits to having us in their corner. Weddings are our jam – we do this all day, every day. We know the trends, have strong relationships with quality vendors, understand what’s required for a wedding day to run smoothly from setup to packdown and everything in between.

PLUS – always focus on the LOVE.  That is why you are planning a wedding, and everything that matters after.

DIY Tip for event planners – what can event planners do easily for their home or office celebrations to create a bit of mood?

Lighting & music!  Knowing your client really well is also very helpful for creating the mood/vibe they will dig!

Contact the team of wedding experts at Popup With Style to start planning your dream wedding! 

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Credits: 

Feature image and image #4: Venue Manager, Planning & Styling: Popup With Style, Photographer: Daniel Brannan Photography, Furniture, Glassware & Cutlery: Complete Function Hire, Florist: Poppy Culture, Catering & Plates: Mr Hall Catering Co, Perspex Plinths & Table: Meaps, Linen: Di Simmons Linen ,Suit: Mickey Blue Mornington, Wedding Dress  : Amante Bridal (Emmy Mae), Bridal Headpiece & Cuff: Jeanette Maree, Hair & Makeup:  Sophie Knox Makeup,  Male Model: Rory Pierce, Female Model: Frankie Evans

All other images: Popup With Style, Ivory Tribe, Daniel Brannan Photography, Rachael Mary Films, Poppy Culture, One Day Bridal, Make Up By Sophie Knox, Frankie Evans, Clover Culinary Projects, Complete Function Hire, Sally Rose White Label

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How to Create A Stylish Winter Event – Levian Events

The team at Complete Function Hire enjoys working closely with Melbourne’s most talented event designers and stylists to help create exceptional events and perfect weddings.

Levian Events go above and beyond to create the most special occasions. With their full range of event services including wedding and event design and styling, the team at Levian Events are a team of creatives that loves adding a touch of magic to every event including beautiful florals, spectacular centrepieces and elements of technical audio and visual lighting solutions.

On this week’s blog, we were thrilled to speak to the passionate team at Levian Events to explore the latest trends and to get their tips on how to create stylish events that stand out this winter.

What makes winter events so memorable?

Winter events are memorable as clients tend to explore different themes and styles. Themes can be Winter Wonderland to Enchanted Forest – this becomes fun when clients are completely invested in the theme and allow us to work our magic!

For clients that don’t necessarily want a particular ‘theme’, we can experiment with different colour palettes and tones that complement the winter months. These tones can either be quite classic with neutral, muted tones or darker, richer tones for a more dramatic effect.

Levian Event’s style tips:

Don’t be afraid to experiment with deeper, richer tones in winter months.

Use lighting where possible to enhance settings and interiors.

What are the Levian Events team’s event styling predictions for the cooler months ahead?

Rich and warm colour palettes will be a popular choice for wedding and event planners this winter and candles throughout your event space will add a romantic touch.

We love classic colour palettes for winter, incorporating greys, blues and whites. For those clients that like to experiment with colour, our team loves using burgundy and red tones with abundant dark foliage to create drama.

We enjoy introducing more lighting in winter such as fairy lights and festoon lights which creates a gorgeous atmosphere. As guests will arrive to evening events in the dark during Winter, we love up lighting the exterior of venues to create an impressive entrance.

What are the Levian Events team’s top tips for corporate event planners to ensure a stress free experience in the lead up to their event this winter?

• Research a style or theme that you prefer
• Establish a budget for all aspects of your event
• Get organised early to avoid stress (e.g. source suppliers and obtain quotes)
• Keep regular contact with your chosen suppliers
• Don’t leave things to the last minute
• Delegate, delegate, delegate!

What’s new at Levian Events?

Recently we have been working on some very large scale events that have allowed us to be extra creative and really think outside the box. Something that has been very popular for us of late is hanging features for weddings and events – this is something that we really special in.

Speak to the team at Levian Events to make sure your Winter Event exudes style and really stands out.

For all your winter event hire needs – contact the team at Complete Function Hire today. 

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Expert Advice For Wedding & Event Planners – Ed Dixon Food Design

The team at Ed Dixon Food Design ‘live and love food’. Creating spectacular occasions of all kinds since 2001, the team at Ed Dixon Food Design know just how to throw an amazing party!

With an eclectic range of incredible event spaces plus their beautiful menus that look almost too good to eat (almost!), Ed Dixon Food Design has gone from strength to strength over the last 17 years.

We were so delighted to speak to the team of catering and event gurus at Ed Dixon Food Design to find out about their wedding and event trend predictions for this year and to get their top tips on how to make an event really special.

What are the Ed Dixon Food Design team’s catering and event trend predictions for 2018?

Shared dining is still easily our most popular menu for weddings and events and we’ve seen this evolve into huge grazing tables. In 2018 we think this will lead to more DIY food stations – taco bars, sundae toppings, “pimp your Prosecco”, etc. This type of event is a win-win – guests enjoy the novelty of something different whilst hosts can tackle dietary requirements, quantities and variety really easily.

Ed Dixon Food Design’s gorgeous (and healthy) Ocean Trout canapés are an essential menu choice. Image @bravonovember

The focus on health is continuing with trends leaning towards a more vegan offering – poke bowls, acai bowls, substantial salads. Also, non-alcoholic cocktails are increasing in popularity.

At the other end of the scale, we’re also seeing an increase in ‘midnight snacks’ at weddings and evening events. Think pulled pork sliders, loaded fries and mini ice-creams – carnival type food!

Salted Caramel Ice Cream Pops are always a huge hit at the end of the night. Image @hellourbansafari

Tell us about some of the most unique spaces that you create in events in.

The most unique space we’ve been in recently would be the Gershwin Room at The Espy. We did an event there whilst the rest of The Espy was still gutted. The atmosphere was super spooky!

What are the team’s favourite wedding style predictions for this season?

For styling themes, we think Scandi will still be big – timber, clean lines and a warm atmosphere work so well at weddings, also the style is very accessible as it’s present in many areas of our lives; furniture, décor, etc. We predict the Palm Springs theme to become more commonplace – the colour palettes are great and everyone loves a relaxed summer vibe! We also think balloon installations will become bigger and crazier!

‘Wed-stivals’ are one of the team’s wedding style predictions for this year. @michaelbriggsphotography

The other trend we’re predicting is more wed-stivals – Festival Weddings. We’ve started doing a few of these, but with the popularity of glamping, music festivals and festival-type styling, we see this becoming more popular.

Tips for event planners – what are your team’s top tips for organising memorable events this year?

• We love an outdoor party however always make sure a wet weather contingency is in place!
• Trust your suppliers – they are (generally) experts and have a heap of experience planning events like yours.
• Preparation is key – we recommend maintain a Master Sheet, which has all your supplier details and information. This will allow your Event Manager to identify gaps or troubleshoot BEFORE the day of your event.
• When in doubt, pay a professional. Similar to the saying “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, wait until you hire an amateur…” You will NOT feel like hanging lights or putting on chair covers on the morning of your wedding. You also won’t feel like packing up and carrying everything home after your reception so pay the extra and have it all done for you.
• And in terms of weddings – take a moment to soak it all up – it goes way too fast!

Ed Dixon Food Design’s Berry Smash Cocktail is a stunning addition to any soiree. @bravonovember

What’s new at Ed Dixon Food Design?

We have a new head chef who is bringing a wealth of knowledge and fresh ideas to the team. Plus, a change of season means new menus are out soon! Watch this space.

If you want to make your wedding or upcoming event reallys special, contact the awesome team of foodies at Ed Dixon Food Design today.

The team at Complete Function Hire are at your service to discuss all your wedding and event hire needs. 

*Feature image credit @bravonovember

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Venues We Love – No.1, Malvern

Hot off the press this week and much to the excitement of event planners all over Melbourne, was the news that an exciting new event space is opening in Malvern.

Set in the lush surrounds of Malvern Valley Golf Course, No.1 is set to open its doors this June.

This modern new event space has been designed as a blank canvas for event planners to let their imaginations run wild in. The venue’s multiple pillar less spaces, operable walls and multitude of break out areas, outdoor terraces and courtyards will allow for total flexibility for both wedding and corporate event planners alike.

No.1 is a blank canvas style event space with modern design elements and loads of natural light.

Managed by highly experienced local caterers – Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events, No.1 has been purpose built to host a range of events – from intimate board meetings through to lavish Gala events for up to 400 guests.

No.1 is the perfect venue for beautiful weddings of all sizes and styles.

Saxon Mitchell, Managing Director of Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events was excited to report that, “No 1 is a fantastic new Melbourne venue perfect for all manner of corporate and private occasions. The venue boasts generous spaces with an abundance of natural light, in a gorgeous golf course setting. Exclusive on-site catering is provided by Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events, a leading Australian family owned catering business that focuses on fresh locally sourced and environmentally sustainable menus”.

Fancy a spot of golf? Event planners can incorporate either a golf based or outdoor team building activity to add an awesome point of difference for conferences and events.

Speak to the friendly team at Harvest & Soul – Catering & Events about your special day or upcoming event.

For all your wedding and event hire needs, we are here to help. 

 

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Venues We Love – The Deck, St Kilda

Located in the heart of St Kilda, The Deck at The Prince Hotel, has played host to some of Melbourne’s most elegant weddings and spectacular events. Eternally chic, The Deck’s contemporary style and exceptional food make it a popular choice for wedding planners year in, year out.

On this month’s Venues We Love, we were thrilled to speak to Sarah Bolitho, Sales Manager at The Deck, to find out why The Deck continues to be one of Melbourne’s most sought-after spaces for beautiful weddings and to get up to speed on some very exciting times ahead for this iconic venue.

Why are weddings at The Deck always so special?

The Deck is such a unique, yet iconically Melbourne venue. With panoramic views of both Port Phillip Bay and the city skyline, it’s a destination that feels like Melbourne, yet, as the sun sets over the bay also feels removed.

The Deck exudes chic style. Image/ Flowers Foxy Ever Green.

With both the inside function space and the large outdoor deck area, the property is also well suited to Melbourne weather which, at times, can be unpredictable (always great to have a wet weather option!). The Prince Hotel facility also encompasses a 38 room boutique hotel which makes it easy to accommodate guests travelling from abroad, and also gives the bride her own space for between-photo touch ups!

What are your team’s favourite wedding style predictions for the season?

Love in every way is exciting and we are really looking forward to helping all couples celebrate their love in 2018 and beyond.

Being able to mingle and speak to all your wedding guests is always important to our Brides, however can also be challenging. Our clients love incorporating roving entrées and desserts to maximise their time talking to friends and family, not to mention allowing for more time outside on the rooftop and on the dance-floor!

An impressive entrance to an elegant soiree. Image by Jerome Cole.

We continue to see a trend towards feasting style mains, which are a great way to offer variety and encourage interaction between guests.

We also love creating signature cocktails with our clients – if they have sipped something special somewhere in the world we can recreate for their wedding (our beverage manager loves a challenge!).

What’s new at The Deck?

We have some very big changes happening at The Prince Hotel in 2018. The entire property including The Deck and all food and beverage outlets, will see a renovation and rebranding this year. We are working with the extremely talented Iva Foscia on the redesign, which will commence with the renovation our restaurant space (Circa) from May. The Deck will follow in June/July – we can’t wait to give the space an amazing face lift.
In late 2017, we completed a full refurbishment on The Prince Hotel accommodation rooms. The interior design approach was focused on preserving the hotels original art deco architecture, offering a softer palette of alternating textures and hues, suggestive of Miami beaches and candy coloured ice-creams.

Perfectly romantic. Credit: Erin and Tara

What are your team’s top tips for making a wedding really memorable?

Make it personal – showcase things that represent you both eg: cocktails, signage, fave dishes.

Don’t over complicate things – keep it simple and don’t lose sight of what’s important to you.

Enjoy the process – it should be fun the whole way!.

Feature image credit: Badlands + Co

The team at Complete Function Hire can’t wait to discuss your special day with you! Contact our friendly team today.

 

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The Most Beautiful Wedding Trends for 2018 – Toko Events

On this week’s blog, we had the pleasure of speaking to the passionate team of wedding and event experts at Toko Events.

Toko Events are completely obsessed with helping couples create their dream wedding – whether you need an event manager and a stylist to take care of every detail or to manage your event, Toko Events thrive on making everything just perfect.

An incredible styled photoshoot by Toko Events at The Line, Furniture: Complete Function Hire, Styling and Arch/Chuppah: Toko Events, Photographer: Pretty Flamingo, Florist: Georgie Boy, Bangin Hangins (decor).

Judith Weizman explained that “Just as a general note about Toko Events… we absolutely love weddings, we love working with people and relationships with our clients is our biggest priority… when we take on a wedding, we are in for the whole journey with you. As a wedding planner, our focus is on bringing our couples vision to life, ensuring they are comfortable with the process and always updating them along the way so they feel completely in control without taking on any of the stress”.

Music to wedding planner’s ears! For added awesomeness, the team at Toko Events shares a passion to make the world a better place by donating 10% of all profits to a non-profit organization.

What are the Toko Events team’s wedding style trend predictions for this year?

It’s all about celebrating love and having a great big party! Photographer: Jeremy Blode Photography

Couples are looking for something unique and they want to create a wedding which is a celebration of love and a great big party. We are definitely moving away from the “conventional wedding” and this excites us because we can become really creative with our offerings and have some fun with the styling and planning. I think we will see more bold colour choices and couples choosing expressive and bright colour combinations both in florals and other styling elements – custom neons and signage are big and we love playing around with cheeky quotes!

What are the Toko Events team’s favourite colour palettes of the moment?

We are loving the mixture of textures and deep colours – love playing around with the emerald and blush tones and pairing these with lots of big branches and delicate florals for contrast. Burgundy, peach, pinks and foliage – heaven!

Team faves – what are the team at Toko Events crushing on right now?

We are loving couples choice of signage with playful phrases and the personal touches. We also cannot get enough of candles – simple, beautiful and romantic! Also, have you seen Bangin Hangins? They turn any space into a party!

An amazing mixture of textures and deep colours. Photographer: Free the Bird
Florals: Georgie Boy

What’s new at Toko Events?

Our Chuppah and Arch Range and our package to organise a couple’s ceremony which is especially helpful if it they are wanting ceremony and reception in different locations – we will take care of furniture, styling, timings, music and anything else that is needed.

“As a wedding planner, our focus is on bringing our couples vision to life”. Toko Events. Photographer: Free the Bird, Florals: Georgie Boy

Top tip for wedding planners?

Celebrate your love with the people you love. Photographer: Dan’O’Day

It’s really easy to get caught up in the stress of the planning and ideas of what your wedding should be… and it is just SO important to remember the reason you’re getting married… to celebrate your love with the people you love and keep that as the focus. For couples, choose suppliers you get along with so the people on your wedding journey could also just be your friends… and then it will all be much easier and so much more fun!

The team at Complete Function Hire love working closely with Toko Events to create Melbourne’s most stunning weddings. Discuss your special day with Complete Function Hire today.

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Complete Function Hire Venues We Love – The Refectory, Werribee Park by Bursaria

The team at Complete Function Hire LOVE working with Melbourne’s most beautiful venues and incredible caterers. On this month’s edition of Venues We Love, we were thrilled to chat to the talented team of foodies from Bursaria about their newest venue, The Refectory at Werribee Park.

Located only 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD, The Refectory is nestled in 10 acres of formal gardens offering a variety of stunning ceremony and photography settings in the one location. We spoke to the sales and events team at Bursaria to find out all about this exquisite space.

Image credit: Michael Briggs

What does The Refectory – your newest venue space at Werribee Park – offer for couples?

For those who are seeking a stunning wedding venue that offers everything you can desire in one location … The Refectory by Bursaria awaits you.

Guests can host their garden ceremony in the gorgeous grounds, enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés overlooking the grand Mansion on The Refectory front lawn and then move inside to enjoy Bursaria’s award-winning food and service.

Image credit: The White Tree

Bursaria offers an award-winning dining experience – what’s on the menu this wedding season?

Grazing or Plated. Modern or traditional. Our menu allows you to bring as little or as much of your personal style as you wish. Whether you choose our popular grazing menu to share, plated or cocktail style dining, our creative menu showcases the fresh seasonal tastes on offer.

Our 2017 Spring/Summer Menu is a fusion of fresh produce bursting with colour and flavour. This coming season is all about highlighting an array of amazing produce of the season to create delicious food concepts.

Couples love our grazing menu served down the centre of the table because of its communal atmosphere accompanied with a variety of seasonal side dishes. Our grazing menus are designed to be plentiful and for guests and family to share. When everything comes together at the event – it’s a colourful affair!

Image credit; Michael Briggs

Tell us about your wonderful special offer for 2018 Brides to Be?

A special offering for new couples who book their wedding in 2018 at The Refectory! Grazing or Plated package. Which will you choose?

All new couples who book their wedding at The Refectory on a Friday or Sunday evening during May to August 2018, have the opportunity to select from either a plated or grazing ‘dinner’ package for only $110 per person.

Want to know more about this gorgeous wedding venue? Contact The Refectory Werribee Park by Bursaria on 03 9731 7101 today or click here to enquire online. 

 

For all your wedding hire needs, contact the experienced team at Complete Function Hire today. 

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Complete Function Hire’s Top 10 Wedding Reception Songs To Fill The Dance Floor

Weddings, Ceremonies, Wedding Hire, Melbourne Weddings, Furniture Hire

The team at Complete Function Hire have been a part of more wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions than we can count. Our team enjoy being part of ceremonies and wedding receptions at different venues, private homes and amazing locations all over Melbourne!

Having been a part of so many wedding receptions, our team have some great top tips on which songs are going to guarantee the dancefloor at your wedding is full all night long!

1. ‘Grease Mega mix’ – A classic way to start the proceedings, the Grease Mega mix is a combo of all the best tracks from the famous movie that all your guests will know off by heart.

2. ‘Dancing Queen’ or ‘Waterloo’ by ABBA. These famous dancefloor fillers are guaranteed to get the oldie’s (and the youngies!) moving.

3. ‘All Night Long’ by Lionel Richie. A wedding reception anthem that will get those final few guests onto the dancefloor.

4. ‘I Saw Her Standing There’ by The Beatles is a much-loved wedding reception anthem for both younger and older guests.

5. ‘Love Is the Air’ by John Paul Young – this song is a MUST for any good wedding reception playlist!

6. ‘Nutbush City Limits’ by Tina Turner. This song has its very own dance. Enough said!

7. ‘Gangnam Style’ by Psy. This super catchy Korean tune also has its own simple (and hilarious) dance moves that anyone can copy and that everyone seems to know!

8. ‘Billie Jean’ by Michael Jackson. The ultimate dance tune for any good party. Laugh as your family and friends try to moon walk the night away.

9.  Anything by John Farnham – in particular ‘You’re the Voice’ and ‘Take the Pressure Down’ 

10.  ‘New York, New York’ by Frank Sinatra. More often than not, this is the final song for the night and you can be guaranteed that your family and friends will all be singing along to this one (whilst begging the DJ to play one last song).

If you need help with planning your special day, the team at Complete Function Hire would love to talk CLICK HERE TO CONTACT.