Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 53 i Cosmopolitan Bride Australia

There’s just something about wedding photos. It doesn’t matter if they’re your bestie’s, your parents’ or a stranger’s – having a window into someone’s big day is equal parts intimate and inspiring, even downright moving. For us at Cosmo Bride HQ, it’s one of the greatest parts of our job. We consider it an honour that couples entrust their special day to us. This issue, we got literally hundreds of submissions, so I’ve transformed my editor’s letter into an album, to celebrate as many as possible. But this month, your inspo doesn’t stop at real weddings! The Cosmo Bride Little White Book (p199) is filled with tons of helpful info, and our Bride Advice section (p35) has some of the best tips we’ve ever read! And if you’re after a…

Real advice from real brides! ‘TRIAL EVERYTHING (HAIR, ACCESSORIES, MAKEUP) AND WEAR IT ALL FOR A FULL DAY. I HAD MY HAIR TRIAL BUT THEN WENT STRAIGHT TO BED, SO LITTLE DID I KNOW IT WOULD FULLY DROP OUT AFTER A DAY SPENT IN 30-DEGREE HEAT!’ – JORDAN, 28 ‘Invest in an “on the day” wedding coordinator. They can take care of details on the day and save you and your family so much stress.’ – TARRYN, 29 ‘Uber Black is a perfectly acceptable way to arrive at your wedding. $60!’ – SARAH, 35 ‘My best advice would have to be to mentally prepare yourself: if by chance anything goes wrong or not to plan, just laugh it off. Don’t let the lack of precision or a mishap ruin your…

‘Steph from By Kinsman Couture sent me a sketch of my dress and I died when it opened in my emails… it was perfect. I loved the structured lace and mesh sleeves and the detail on my train’ ‘My bridesmaids and I had manis and pedis with personal touches on our nails, and enjoyed bubbles and treats supplied by the studio. It was such a fun day to share together before the wedding’ ‘We used the quote “In a gallery full of art all I can stare at is you” on our save-the-date teasers and through our seating chart and circle menu name cards’ Liana and Daniel said ‘I do’ in the bride’s beautiful family cathedral in Fremantle in a touching, traditional ceremony. After exchanging vows it…

‘The chunky gold heel on my wedding shoes made it so easy to walk down the grassy aisle, and I was also able to dance the night away!’ ‘We sourced custom carved coconuts for when the guests arrived and then had vegan ice pops for after the ceremony – the perfect touch in the balmy Bali heat’ ‘The hanging light bulbs over the reception, mixed with the DJ and the sounds of the ocean, really set the mood for a beautiful evening under the stars. It was chilled, relaxed and happy, with emotions running wild!’ After getting engaged, Kylie and Richard knew they wanted a destination wedding so all their family and friends would be in holiday mode and have a relaxed, amazing day celebrating. The happy couple…

‘I had always imagined that moment when my dad would lift my veil away from my face and kiss me on the cheek’ ‘Alex and I broke into a giggling fit during the ceremony. Everyone could see us holding back our tears of laughter, which of course just made it harder for us to stop’ ‘I wanted the pinks and reds of the blooms to feature in arrangements that would pop against the deep navy and gold of the gallery walls’ Tess and Alex had a full Catholic mass, incorporating their wedding ceremony, on a warm day in country Victoria. In the middle of the mass, the priest asked the congregation to get up out of their seats and introduce themselves to those on the other side…

‘It was so relaxed – we wanted it to just be fun. We could not have asked for a more memorable and special day’ ‘The sun began to set and a full moon was rising. We quickly ducked off for some couple photos and then returned for speeches and danced the night away’ ‘We love food and have done a fair bit of travelling, which mostly consisted of us eating! We wanted food that could be shared and which used local and seasonal ingredients, so we couldn’t have been happier’ After 11 years together, this perfect pair were so excited to get married. All Jess can remember from walking down the aisle with her dad is Chris’s Cheshire Cat grin waiting for her. They said their vows in…

‘Pulling up to the chapel was one of my favourite moments – it’s so beautiful and it was special knowing everyone inside was there for us. I had to take a few deep breaths and try not to get teary’ ‘Spending a few hours with my husband, getting to kiss and hold hands while walking along the sand having our photos taken, was very enjoyable’ Shelley and Lachlan arrived in Fiji a week before the wedding and had their hen’s and buck’s days there – the best way for all their friends and family to get to know each other! On the day of the wedding, it was a busy morning for the girls and a chilled-out one for the guys, but as the village choir began to…

‘The skirt pockets turned out to be a great feature on the day, with my dearly departed Grandma’s pearl necklace in one pocket and a blue embroidered hankerchief from my Nana in the other’ ‘I wasn’t too stuck on a theme but wanted to keep true to our style. I went for a fairly clean, white look. Modern, but nothing that we would look back on and question’ Kate walked down the aisle with her mum, a beautiful moment, before joining Matt under a wooden archway decorated with florals and greenery. They said their vows to each other against a stunning backdrop of blue skies and crystal clear water. After a personal and relaxed ceremony, Matt and Kate raced off for photos while their guests enjoyed live music…

‘We had a boho, relaxed wedding theme – it really represented who we are and our style. The focus was on earthy colours and textures while bringing in as much nature as possible’ ‘Danny surprised me with a Kombi van to pick me up from the house and take me to the ceremony. It was all I’d wanted so, when I saw it in the driveway, I cried’ Shelley and Danny kicked off their wedding celebrations with a relaxed, holiday vibe by hiring a house in Dromana, Vic, for their immediate families and close friends to stay in. On the morning of the big day, the boys headed off for a game of mini golf, whereas the girls chilled out on the balcony while gazing out at the…

‘We are both such outdoor people that we had always imagined geting married outside. The Sunshine Coast is a really special place where Paul and I visit whenever we can, so it was a natural choice’ ‘I will never forget the way I felt standing next to my husband as he delivered his speech at our reception. Some of the words he said made my heart burst’ Paul began the day playing golf with his groomsmen, while Sophie and her girls slept in and chilled out together, getting pampered. One of Sophie’s most memorable moments was walking towards the aisle with her dad, as she watched her stepson, niece and three of her best friends walk towards the love of her life. There wasn’t a dry eye in…

WHOEVER COINED THE TERM ‘it’s better to give than receive’ probably never witnessed an overexcited bride-to-be assembling her wedding registry. For many couples, the thrill of starting married life is amplified by the anticipation of creating a happy home and filling it with their first ‘couple’ homewares. Choose wisely and many of these gifts will become lifelong keepsakes. However, make the wrong decisions, and you could one day regard your presents as outdated clutter. So how do you make sure you’ve got it right? Just check out our definitive list of registry dos and don’ts… do  Give your guests a helping hand to make your gift table more wow than what were they thinking? Make a list of things you really want before setting foot in the store. It’s easy…

THE ICEBLOCK BAR We can only imagine how fun iceblocks would be on a hot day – guests would be lining up for sure! These ones by IycPop (iycpop.com) are alcoholic and have super-cute travel carts you can hire. THE PAVLOVA BAR You know what’s yum? Pavlova! Try smashing it up Eton mess-style lke this one by On The Table Events (@onthetableevents), making it easy for guests to scoop, or buy mini meringue nests. Then just fill bowls with your favourite treats. THE BURGER BAR Imagine: you’ve been cutting up the dancefloor for two hours solid, when the burger bell rings… and in the corner of your reception room a pop-up bar has appeared with little burger sliders and loads of fillings so you can make tiny burgers as your…

1 YOU AND YOUR FIANCÉ HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS If you’re keen to have the whole traditional shebang, but your groom’s leaning towards a more low-key affair, chances are the wrong kind of fireworks will erupt. Marriage celebrant Pauline Fawkner (paulinefawkner.com.au) says compromise is essential. ‘For example, you could choose a formal setting, but have an informal style of ceremony,’ she suggests. Etiquette expert Alexandra Frampton, founder of Manners & Style (mannersandstyle.com), offers this solution: ‘Perhaps have a small, formal wedding with immediate family, then a big, informal party later.’ 2 YOUR PARENTS ARE RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS MONEY Money will always be one of those subjects that’s hard to broach, and can be especially uncomfortable if there’s a big difference in financial capacity between both sets of parents. So how to…

CASTLE embroidered print, from $200 ( castleandthings.com.au ). Something sweet for someone special. INGRAINED serving board, $50 ( ingrained.bigcartel.com ). For the cheese-loving couple. INKLING DESIGN illustration, $385 ( inklingdesign.com ). Illustrate your first home. MOON AND STITCH AT ETSY portrait, $55 ( etsy.com/shop/moonandstitch ). A cute way to ask your BFF the big question. UNCOMMON GOODS personalised hearts game, $95.68 ( uncommongoods.com ). Love a game? Personalise it! THE LIP LAB custom blended lipsticks, $65 each ( theliplab.com.au ). A perfect gift for your bridal party. LETTERS FROM BELLE leather flag, $49.95 ( lettersfrombelle.com ). From wedding decoration to home décor.…

‘There were no bridesmaids or groomsmen aside from my son, Marcel, who Peter asked to be his best man. Only the three of us for the whole bridal party was perfect’ ‘It was very relaxed. We wanted to just wake up and really enjoy the day with a small number of close friends and family. The speeches were very short and informal. We planned a day we would enjoy’ ‘I loved every minute in my dress, but I also loved changing into a second dress for the end of the evening that was a little more comfortable to move around in’ On the morning of the wedding, Peter, Kerrie, her son Marcel and her mum and dad all enjoyed the most beautiful breakfast in this Byron Bay…

‘In the morning, us girls woke up and exchanged gifts, then went out to breakfast. It was such a nice time, just to get excited about the day, listen to our favourite songs and drink champagne’ ‘Surprisingly for me, going off for photos was a highlight! We initially were against going away for photos as we didn’t want to miss out on the fun, but it was such a nice time to just be together’ ‘The villa was tiered in levels. We started on the top lawn for the ceremony, moved down for cocktail hour, then down again to the reception. It flowed so nicely!’ After getting engaged, Lauren and Mark had the ultimate decision to make: Bali or Byron Bay. Once they settled on Canggu, one…

‘Nothing felt rushed, and as soon as we had our first dance, everyone was up on the dancefloor enjoying the night’ ‘Our guests arrived on the magic bus and were dancing up and down the aisle, so the vibe for the day was set before everyone arrived. They all still talk about how fun it was’ ‘So many people said it all goes so quickly, so we took some time out together to soak it all up’ Before walking down the aisle, Charlotte and her bridesmaids were celebrating in a cottage, singing at the top of their lungs. Peeking out of a window at all the excited guests arriving on the ‘magic bus’, the bride caught a very special glimpse of her husband-to-be waiting at the altar. Just…

‘The skirt was lovely, fitted yet flowing, and the long-sleeved lace top made it traditional yet modern. I don’t generally wear dresses, but I definitely felt like a bride!’ ‘We loved that there were so many different aspects to the property – we could have the ceremony, drinks and the reception all in different areas. It felt lovely’ When Grace and Sam chose the South Coast for their wedding and looked at Willow Farm, they fell in love all over again. It was the perfect choice – a balance of casual cool and natural beauty. The ceremony began with the groom’s brother, Adam, singing the bride down the aisle. The special touches continued with readings by two of the couple’s friends, one of which was personalised for Grace…

‘To know that our friends and family had travelled oceans to celebrate our wedding in one of the world’s most stunning locations was a remarkable feeling that we can never replicate’ ‘The stunning views, gardens, historic château and olde-world barn were all so breathtaking, we didn’t need decorations! The day had a relaxed, rustic feel’ The incredible location of Bordeaux held a special significance for the New Zealand-born bride and the English groom – it was the area he proposed to her! And what a location it was! Following an intimate ceremony at a historic château, held in the garden under 200-year-old oak trees, guests were ushered through the house and into the back garden to watch as the bride and groom popped open some champagne and then…

‘Hand-delivering the invitations in custom boxes was probably the icing on the cake for us as we got to share in the excitement and see the reactions of our guests when they opened them’ ‘Having both my parents walk me down the white carpet to greet my future husband is still my favourite memory of the day’ This happy couple made sure their day celebrated both their cultures, with Turkish and Indonesian phrases scattered throughout their wedding. ‘Bon appétit’ was translated in both languages on the menus, creating a perfect ice-breaker for the tables. And the treats for guests didn’t stop there. Sylvia and Tolga personalised each menu book with not only their guests’ names but a small hashtag or quote they associated with them, too. So special!…

‘The day was everything we could have hoped for, filled with love, happiness, culture, traditions, good food and laughs’ ‘Our first dance was nothing fancy – a barefoot, slow dance to a beautiful song. We got to just breathe, soak it all in, enjoy the moment and reflect on the amazing day’ To begin their ceremony, Jessica and Blain were both presented with leis to exchange, paying respect to the groom’s Niuean culture. Their two-year-old son, Brody, stood with the happy couple as they said their vows – so cute! After a touching ceremony, pink confetti filled the air, announcing the couple’s second child, a baby girl. The reception was filled with Niuean performances including a traditional dance by the groom’s cousin, and their traditional Niuean war dance,…

‘Amazingly, my dad printed the chuppah on his 3D printer! It took him around 150 hours to print all of the pieces, then the day before the wedding, he went to set it all up. It was very special’ ‘We knew we wanted a cocktail-style wedding – something that felt young and fun and not too fancy or formal, but still elegant’ After catching her reflection in the car window en route to the wedding, it finally became real for Monica that she was a bride! The couple spent the week before the wedding apart, as per Jewish tradition, which only made the big day more special. After his first glimpse of Monica, Andrew had a little cry (so sweet!) and she later walked down the aisle to…

‘We recognised we would never again have all of these people that are so important to us in the same room at the same time, so we used the opportunity to thank them for a lifetime of support’ ‘We had been together for just under 10 years when we got married, so our first dance song, “At Last” by Etta James, may have carried a little irony…’ Aleksandra always knew her family church – which her grandfather had helped establish, and in which she was christened and her parents and grandparents married – would be the place she said ‘I do’, especially when Tom was christened there in 2016. After a traditional Serbian Orthodox ceremony, the bridal party and their immediate family celebrated with canapés and drinks on…

ELEGANT & WHIMSICAL Your ideal wedding is… Lots of lace, love, music and candlelight. Think: a garden ceremony followed by a reception in a converted warehouse. Your hit list: Sentimental favourites and foot-tapping jazz and blues numbers. Walking down the aisle: ‘You Make It Real’ by James Morrison. Signing the register: ‘One Fine Thing’ by Harry Connick Jr. Recessional: ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’, from Jersey Boys. Entering the reception: ‘It’s a Beautiful Day’ by Michael Bublé. During dinner: The buzz of good conversation, with jazz and lounge music playing in the background. First dance: ‘At Last’ by Beyoncé. One to get everyone up: ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours’ by Stevie Wonder. Dancing music: Hits from the past and present by the likes of Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin…

The Calyx, Sydney, NSW ( botanicrestaurant.com.au/locations/the-calyx ) This natural heaven deep within the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney (and also conveniently located right in the city) will stun your guests with unique architecture and a changing floral exhibition. Designed as a ‘jewel’ in the middle of the gardens, this flower wall has to be seen to be believed, standing at 6m and spanning 50m – way beyond Kim and Kanye’s. There’s the perfect mix of indoor and outdoor space for your guests to mingle and explore, while the menu delivers sustainable Australian produce reflecting the garden. Cupitt’s, Ulladulla, NSW ( cupitt.com.au ) Charming and unique, this picturesque winery location has a spacious stone terrace overlooking the green rolling vineyard for your guests to enjoy before experiencing…

DRAMA-RAMA Cake Ink, $1675 (cakeink.com.au ). Gold foiling and pattern detail adds something special to a traditional cake. COLOUR BURST Unbirthday Bakery, $595 ( unbirthdaybakery.com  ). Brighten up the room with this beauty. GO NUTS FOR DOUGHNUTS La Petite Tarte, $480 ( lapetitetarte.com.au ). Love doughnuts but still want to cut a cake? Compromise! MERINGUE CLOUD Faye Cahill Cake Design, $POA ( fayecahill.com.au ). Melt-in-your-mouth modern art! FLORAL DELIGHT All Things Sweet by Carissa, from $1500 ( allthingssweetbycarissa.com.au  ). This floral split is a dramatic surprise. BANANA CREAM DREAM Andy Bowdy Pastry, from $220 ( andybowdypastry.com  ). Banana, dulce de leche and peanut butter? Heaven! WORK OF ART Felicity Cook, from $650 ( felicitycook.co ). Something blue… and…

Forget everything you’re thinking about clichéd cruising – this heavenly trip is a new-gen version with a totally sexy, stylish and of course romantic feel. Perfect for loved-up couples, U by Uniworld (ubyuniworld.com) have launched a super-luxe cruise like no other. The ship has two rooftop venues, a spa, mixologists, international DJs and incredible food – sold yet? If you’re worried about going stir-crazy on board, the cruise docks in the heart of each city, so you’ll have plenty of time to jump ship, explore and soak up the locations. The staff grow their very own herbs on board the ship to deliver fresh ‘paddock-to-plate’ food for brunch and dinner – yum! Polish up your cocktail crafting skills with a mixology class together (the ultimate way to learn to perfect…

When did your love of events begin? My mumma said I have had a passion (borderline obsession) for planning and orchestrating events my entire life. I began to transition this passion into a career in 2012 and found myself adding skills like floristry and planning into my existing stylist skill set. Describe your event style… We are classically timeless with just a tiny hint of trend. Think dreamy, soft styling with a contemporary twist. What are the most popular wedding blooms? Peonies and roses are always a favourite, but at Ivy & Bleu we also love something a little imperfect and different. Think dahlias, scabiosa and andromeda. What are the most popular wedding styles and themes? Metallics are still a big trend in 2018, but we are also seeing monochromatic…

How did you and Joel meet? The short answer is through friends… but I really believe the universe had us meeting and falling in love in its plans. When did you know he was The One? With Joel, I knew from the very first date that something was different… I had never felt this way before. There was something very, very special about that and it happened really early on. It’s funny because people would say ‘something is different about you…?’ And honestly, it was Joel. How did he propose? Joel proposed to me on the beach at Wategos at sunset… I had no idea but Joel had thought out every detail and did it our way. We were barefoot in our happy place. What was the most special part?…

‘The entire day was magical. From the moment I looked in the mirror and saw myself – dress, Choos, veil, hair, makeup and all – to the moment I turned the corner to walk down the aisle, I felt pure love and joy’ ‘Zonzo offers an authentic Italian family-style feast – delicious food to be shared among those you love!It just added to the fun and intimate vibe’ When this happy bride saw her groom standing at the end of the aisle smiling back at her, it all felt real. The love and happiness was indescribable. This feeling carried on throughout the ceremony, filled with happy tears and laughter, before the newlyweds walked down the aisle together and guests tossed rose petals. Soon it was on to the…

‘We wanted an easy party and no stress, somewhere that we were already comfortable with and we would be able to walk home from’ ‘We went to Sydney Markets the day before and just picked out our flowers ourselves’ Cat and Jimmy spent time together in the morning, wanting to soak up the special moments. Then Cat put on her Fifties-inspired red dress and surprised Jimmy – in a matching red tie – before they walked together to Petersham Park for their wedding ceremony. They exchanged vows, then it was on to Petersham Bowling Club, a favourite of the pair – plus an easy walk home! The newlyweds played bowls in the sunshine with their loved ones, surrounded by fresh blooms that they had collected from Sydney Markets…

‘The overall theme of the wedding was pastels with pops of colour – it fit so well with the beautiful venue. The property we got married on is full of hydrangeas, and roses are my favourite flower’ ‘The archway – my favourite part of the entire wedding – made the perfect entrance into the dining marquee. Our guests used it as a backdrop for their own photos!’ ‘Having Daryl Braithwaite perform was a special tribute. We chose him because my brother, who passed away, loved him – especially his song “The Horses”’ Jessica and Leo’s big day was blessed with perfect weather and filled with flowers as the couple said their vows under a gorgeous arch decorated with roses and hydrangeas. The moment the high-school sweethearts were…

‘Each bridesmaid wore a different style to cater for their unique body shapes. My main concern was that they would be comfortable. We chose burgundy to tie back to the colour palette of our wedding’ ‘Like us, we wanted the wedding to move quickly. It was efficient and had a good pace. It was never boring, nor did it drag on. We wanted our guests to have fun!’ Lisa and Adrian’s wedding day was a true Melburnian affair, with guests arriving at the picturesque ceremony location during scorching weather. The clouds came over just in time for the bride’s arrival, and the couple said their vows with entertaining weatherman Mike Larkan officiating. They then headed to their favourite café, Square & Compass, for a bite before moving to…

‘Getting ready with our respective bridal parties was fun and completely nerve-wracking. The final 30 minutes were some of the most nervously anticipated seconds, just waiting to see each other’ ‘It was a surreal experience to have everyone of the utmost significance in our life be in one room supporting us, loving us and sharing the love we have for each other’ It was beautiful blue skies the day of Erin and Jenna’s wedding! Nerves were kicking in for both brides as they got ready, anticipating seeing each other in white. Erin and Jenna were married prior to the marriage equality laws, and to have the love and support from their family and friends around them felt so special. They signed their personalised vows as a commitment to…

‘The ceremony felt like a true reflection of who we are as a couple. From start to finish, we felt that we were surrounded by love. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun’ ‘We made a chuppah from Irish linen and lace and had a traditional handfasting tie made. And no Jewish wedding is complete without the smashing of the glass!’ Gillian and Sam celebrated their love not once, but twice, with a legal marriage ceremony at the British consulate in front of immediate family and then a large ceremony and party in Sydney for extended family and friends. At the time, Australia hadn’t yet legalised marriage equality but as Gillian was from the UK the couple were able to make a legal commitment – an important step for…

‘My dress fit perfectly and was moulded to my body like a second skin. It wasn’t too heavy, and the train was manageable’ ‘The vows were an emotional mess – I didn’t think I was the type to cry, but cry I did! The things that Jason was promising were emotional and heartfelt’ ‘The cake was made by a close friend, Leanne Pho. I loved the naked look that suited our theme so well. Tier one was salted chocolate caramel, and tier two was white chocolate vanilla passionfruit. The flavour was spot on!’ The day started early for Jess and Jason with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, honouring the couple’s heritage. But it didn’t feel quite real for Jess until she was in her beautiful white dress and…

‘You plan this day and all of its details for months, and in the end, everything is so simple. We truly savoured the advantages of our choice of an elopement to our favourite city in the world!’ ‘One of our favourite moments was strolling through The Rocks on a beautiful spring evening, full of anticipation of what would come out of the pictures’ After organising the details from Germany, the nerves kicked in for Carola and Manuel the morning of the big day. But as soon as the wedding professionals arrived, nerves melted away and everything just worked out! Despite catching a cold on the plane, Carola drank lots of tea to keep the symptoms at bay, and the elopers said their vows in the gorgeous Creperie Suzette…

‘We went in with a brief of lush, white floral with green foliage. Badlands + Co offer a wrap service – shortly before midnight, they wrapped our florals into small bouquets for our guests to take’ ‘Jeremy has always been a big fan of the selfie stick. We had five selfie sticks with little notes on them around the venue for guests to use. It was a fun little touch that made everyone laugh on the night’ Despite buying a whole new set of bridesmaid dresses just half an hour before the ceremony, the bridal party was only 15 minutes late – impressive! After exchanging personal vows, the bride shocked her groom by turning up to the reception in a sexy party dress she’d smuggled all the way…

Whole lot of heart Sydney-based storytellers With Heart capture genuine moments, with a documentary approach that ensures you’ll never feel crowded or overwhelmed. Visit withheart.com.au for more. Coastal cliffs A luxurious but relaxed location to say ‘I do’, Jonah’s newly refurbished hotel rooms boast views over the ocean – you won’t find a more beautiful spot to spend your wedding night. Visit jonahs.com.au for more. Unforgettable Amaline Vitale and her team have an incredible eye for detail, offering assistance and advice throughout the whole dress-finding process for a truly unforgettable experience. Visit amalinevitale.com.au for more. By the lake Say your vows in the idyllic surrounds of Daylesford then host a recovery session for all your special guests at the enchanting Wombat Hill House Café and Kitchen Garden. Visit lakehouse.com.au for…

1 WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE? It might not sound like a straight-up money question, but it’s the one on which so many financial decisions are going to hinge. It’s important to check in with your partner and arrive at a collective vision you can work towards. The thing I love most about my job as a financial planner is that I get to help people take the steps they need to achieve their dreams. 2 WHICH OF US WILL MANAGE OUR DAY-TO-DAY FINANCES? It’s likely that one person in your relationship is better with money than the other, and it’s a good idea to play to your strengths. Regardless of whether your finances are merged or semi-merged, it’s important to decide on who’s going to be…

FLOWER POWER You know we’re all about a photo booth, so Rococo Flowers (rococo flowers.com.au) created the most beautiful arch for our fair friends to have photos under! The backdrop was a delicious photo of Fiji, and Cosmo tent visitors could enter our giveaway, with one lucky fair-goer winning a free honeymoon to the Fiji Marriott Resort! YOU BEAUTY We made sure anyone who came through the Cosmo tent left looking totally sleek thanks to OPI mini manicures ( opi.net.au ) and Rimmel London makeovers ( rimmellondon.com )! GLITTERATTI Nothing says Mardi Gras like glitter! Wella teamed up with Cosmo to braid fair-goers’ hair, sprinkle in their favourite shade of sparkle, and even add glitter to beards. Fun! Las Vegas Tourism was the sponsor of our…

1 SANTORINI Located off the coast of Athens, Santorini forms part of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea, and is famous for its blue water, iconic white cliff-top houses and stunning sunsets – not to mention winery tours, hikes, shopping and mouth-watering food. STAY Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa (santomaris.gr/oia) is boutique accommodation for adults only. Enjoy uninterrupted views from a private balcony overlooking the shimmering sea. Each room is kitted out with an outdoor spa or private pool, and a couple’s massage is also a must. EXPERIENCE Oia is popular for amazing food and nightlife, while Fira offers incredible boutiques to shop. HEAD TO Red Beach: Sit under an iconic red and white striped umbrella and enjoy the sunshine (and a cocktail!). 2 ZAKYNTHOS Shipwreck Beach,…

RATA ( ratadining.co.nz ) Josh Emett of Masterchef New Zealand fame has created this lush space inspired by his childhood in New Zealand. Settle in for some exquisite foodie dining. GANTLEYS ( gantleys.co.nz ) Enjoy a degustation menu in one of the most romantic restaurants in New Zealand. With an award-winning wine list, it’s no surprise that every glass you’re served will be matched to perfection! BOTSWANA BUTCHERY ( botswanabutchery.co.nz ) They serve up some of the most delish meats in town, but don’t be fooled, the non-meat dishes are great too! Book a private dining room for ultimate vibes.…