Engagement

The ring is on your finger and the news is out! You're engaged and it's time to PAR-TAY. Spring is the perfect time to celebrate, so we're sharing with you our guide to hosting the perfect engagement event.

Who to host?

If you're planning an engagement celebration, it's important to think about who will host the event. Traditionally the bride's parents were responsible for playing host to engagement festivities, however these days it's completely up to you. Who hosts the event will determine important elements including venue, budget and theme, so best to get this settled before you progress any further.

So, the love of your life has bent down on one knee and you've got the new bling on your hot little hand, but what happens next?

While a lot of saving, plotting and planning goes into the perfect proposal, not many of us give much thought to the steps that come afterwards. In fact, most people just fly by the seat of their (tuxedo) pants , which can cause unnecessary stress for everyone. Before you start blowing up balloons for the engagement party, we've put together a step-by-step list of pre-wedding protocols to help guide you through this busy time.

1. Family comes first

It's vital that the first people who find out about your impending nuptials are those nearest and dearest to you. Usually, this is

Image via Pinterest

The verdict in Australia's Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey at the end of last year was a cause for celebration around the globe. With a resounding 61.6% of survey respondents voting "Yes" in support of same-sex marriage, our land down under had finally joined the global movement of acceptance and love equality. And on the 40^th anniversary of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade this past weekend, Sydney celebrated in a way only it knows how - with a festival of love that knows no bounds and shines a light on the issues affecting LGBTI people around the world.

You'll attend all kinds of weddings in this lifetime. Perhaps among the most confronting is when one of your parents marries a new partner. Here a member of our PF family shares with us her recent experience of her father's journey down the aisle, second time around:

My phone beeped, signalling a new text message. As I looked down, a grainy photo of my beaming father and his girlfriend sitting on a gondola came into focus. It wasn't until I zoomed in on the image that I realised my father wasn't trying to show me the splendours of the Venetian canals at all. Instead, he was gesturing toward the sparkling new ring that seemed to have sprouted  ­- as if miraculously ­,

Giving a gift that marks the beginning of a couple's married life together is no insignificant task. So, what can you offer that is personal yet practical, and appropriate to commemorate such a milestone life moment? Or more importantly, what should you avoid at all costs? We countdown the ten worst wedding gifts of all time, to help you avoid these present pitfalls and bestow on every bride and groom a gift worthy of their special occasion.

Re-gifts

Everyone is guilty of a re-gift at some point in their lives. But for a wedding? C'mon! The fact that you are never going to use the three-in-one kitchen appliance Aunt Marge gave you last Christmas, probably means the happy couple wont either, and obvious re-gifts such as this scream thoughtless-ness and poor taste.

When you're still bubbling over with excitement like a freshly popped champagne bottle at your newly engaged status, friends and well-wishers may begin to enquire if you're planning an engagement celebration. This is no cause for alarm. Before you launch into full swing Bridezilla panic mode (save this for the wedding), we have a few tips and tricks that will help you host a successful engagement soireé.

The ideal time

The ideal time to host an engagement party is shortly after you've said yes - when the excitement is still fresh and you are just bursting to show off that diamond dazzler strapped to your digits. As a general rule of thumb, engagement parties shouldn't be any closer to the wedding than six months out.

These days the majority of couples find themselves in the 'try before you buy' scenario. Most people live together to test out how the relationship survives under one roof before even contemplating the notion of marriage. Before the distant sound of wedding bells begin to chime, many couples have bought a house together or made other significant financial investments, and may even have a couple of kids together before making it official.

Sun, surf, sand and a ceremony - doesn't it sound blissful! Beach and coastal weddings are forever a popular choice among brides especially in Australia. Beautiful locations, pristine beach coastlines and amazing views.  When planning your wedding it is important to take certain elements through the entire wedding so your ceremony and reception all link in style. Your wedding stationery is another important element and does not have to be a daunting task.

Your wedding stationery sets the tone for the wedding and should reflect you both as a couple. Beach weddings are often associated with earthy natural elements that make up the beauty of your surrounds. Wooden invitations and save the dates are a perfect example of incorporating natural elements into your wedding.

Made from Alder wood and pro

RSVPs can sometimes be a hard thing to get back from your guests. Everybody is very busy in their lives and trying to get your guests to send back cards can sometimes be a bit of a tricky task. Here are 5 tips that can help you get your guests to respond to your invite!

1. Have a deadline!

Let your guest know exactly how to RSVP for your wedding and have a deadline! If you require your guests to post back their response, include a stamp already on the card, allowing your guests to tick YES or NO and then send it back.
A little tip - make sure you get your guest to send back the RSVPs TWO weeks BEFORE you actually need the responses to arrive.

2. Give options on how to reply.

Allow guests to RSVP in a way that is easy for them. Via text, email, or snail mail. Make

It is said a wedding band has no beginning or end, which represents the boundless love and devotion that a marriage provides. With such massive responsibility tasked to a tiny ring, it’s no wonder shopping for the perfect ring can be stressful for bride and groom. Below you will find six tips from WeddingBands.com that will help your search for the perfect wedding ring.

1) Know your size!

This will not only save a lot of back and forth sizing and resizing but it can help cut those costs. Knowing your correct size is the first piece of information needed when buying your wedding bands. A proper fit for a ring is for the ring to go on with ease, and come off with some resistance. The ring should be comfortable on your finger, but if you've never worn a wedding band before, it may take a couple of days to get used to the ring.

2) Comfort fit vs. Non-Comfort Fit.

The differences between comfort fit and non-comfort fit rings are minuscule in features but

Working in the wedding industry I am constantly asked by couples which type of invitation I would recommend for them. Below I help to cut through the misinformation and provide you with all my knowledge and experience.

Invitations can broadly fit into six categories:

1. DIY Invitations

2. Electronic Invitations

3. Professionally made Paper Invitations

4. Magnet Invitations

5. Engraved Wooden Invitations

6. Engraved Acrylic Invitations

Who:  Emma & Robert
Guests: 50+
Where: At Home
Style: Rustic elegance, Alfresco

We had the pleasure of sharing some of Robert & Emma's photos from the night! Emma shares some great D.I.Y ideas and tips for holding an Engagement Celebration at home on a budget!

"Rob & I initially were looking at holding the party at a venue but felt restricted with what we wanted to do. I am a very creative and resourceful person and wanted to source and make much of the décor and decorations myself. "

When it comes to choosing your wedding flowers, picking the right ones is important. A popular trend at the moment is using succulents. They are fresh, long-lasting and are a unique addition to your wedding day! With an assortment of different types and colours, succulents can add a natural, rustic and simple feel to your wedding. Here are 6 creative ways to include succulents in your wedding day: 1. Invitations Right from the start, you could showcase your theme and include succulents in your invitation design!

Stubby coolers or holders have long been an essential Australian drinking accessory aiding us in the warm weather, providing grip, support and comfort when drinking our ice cold beer. Sometimes we underestimate the potential and under-appreciate its worth to us in times of need. Not only are these a handy household items but they also make fantastic wedding favours for guests. The Personalised Wedding Stubby Holder is one of our post popular items and keeps growing.

Our graphics team developed some awesome art work options which are personalised to suit your style and theme. They can be as humorous or relaxed as you like.

The engagement gathering of Russell & Peita was held in Berillee about an hour from Sydney on a beautiful rural property on a rainy Sunday. The downpour did not dampen the smiles and laughter of everyone who attended. The party was a smart / casual afternoon barbeque with family and friends who gathered from many parts of Sydney and the Central Coast.