Your relationship is full of special milestones that take you by surprise and make the everyday exciting. These are the moments the stars align, when you realise this person is an important part of your life and you can see a future made even happier by being together. 

Star map trailblazers Under Lucky Stars are here to share all of the relationship firsts we should be celebrating! 

1. First Meeting

Maybe a mutual friend introduced you, maybe you locked eyes across a room, maybe you’ve known each other since first grade. Whether you were school friends, colleagues, teammates, acquaintances or strangers, the first time you met marked the beginning of your story together – even if you didn’t know it yet. 

2. First Date

Fun and flirty, first dates are a journey of discovery. Sharing your backstories, interests, experiences and goals with each other uncovered common ground and a connection you were both keen to explore. This is when you realised a second date couldn’t come soon enough!

3. First Kiss

Ooh la la. There’s something to be said for the tingle of anticipation and spark of electricity that comes from a first kiss. That, or you bumped noses when you both went left. No matter how it played out, this moment of intimacy signaled the start of something special. 

4. First Declaration

Up until now, you weren’t quite ready to put a label on it. If you took the next step by posing the question, updating your relationship status together or blurting it out during a conversation with friends, declaring to the world that you’re an item is cause to celebrate!

5. First ‘I Love You’ 

For some, it’s a slip of the tongue that accidentally reveals their innermost thoughts. For others, it’s a leap of faith to share how deeply they feel about their significant other. The first ‘I love you’ is a vulnerable and precious exchange that means you’ve found your person.

6. First Holiday

Before, all of your travel stories were from that time when you were doing your own thing. Now you’re kicking off the first of many adventures as a couple. Whether you’re sleeping under five stars or a galaxy full of them, this is your first loved up escape that will become one of those treasured memories you’ll look back on, together.

7. First Home Together

You’ve signed on the dotted line, combined yours and mine and finally have an equal number of drawers (maybe). Renting or buying together is not only a mingling of financial futures but the moment you begin to build a home that reflects the two of you. What more perfect place is there? 

8. First Day Engaged

The question of joining your hearts forever has been asked and answered. Your proposal is one of the most exciting and emotional chapters of your love story that symbolises your intention to be partners in all that life has to offer. 

9. First Day Married

You’ve done it! You’ve made things official and promised all your tomorrows with sentimental wedding vows in front of the people you love most. From this day forward, this special celebration of your commitment to one another will never be forgotten. 

10. First Anniversary

Your first year as life partners calls for a celebration! Whether that involves dinner at a swanky restaurant or cuddles on the couch reminiscing about the year that was, it’s time to commemorate your paper wedding anniversary. 

Thank you to the team at Under Lucky Stars for this story! Their personalised, astronomically verified and archival quality star maps are a beautiful way to immortalise the time, place and memory of these meaningful relationship moments. 

Photography: Marko Klaric from Pexels

Want to share your wedding tips with our readers as a guest author? Find out more about our editorial partnerships.

The post 10 Meaningful Relationship Moments Every Couple Should Celebrate appeared first on The Wedding Playbook.

Our latest free online wedding magazine is out now and we can’t wait to show you what’s inside! In addition to our inspiring collection of weddings and shoots, we have a number of fabulous interviews with venues, photographers, designers and more revealing their top wedding tips. Plus, I’m thrilled to be sharing my own wedding story this issue! Read on to find out what ideas are trending in Volume 15.  

1. Wine and dine – We’ve all heard of the midnight Macca’s runs after a mediocre meal! Couples are prioritising hand-picked menus and well-stocked bars to ensure their guests leave with fond memories and full bellies.

2. Creative colours – From muted neutrals to multicolour brights, our pages are filled with unique colour combinations including coral pink, mustard yellow, icy blue and vibrant violet.

3. Lifting the veil – Our featured couples aren’t afraid to get candid about their wedding experience! They share advice on how to embrace the unpredictability of planning such a large event.

4. Men in black – Black tie has been a popular style choice this issue, offering a timeless and formal look for even the most relaxed celebrations.

5. Moving pictures – There’s more than one way to tell a story! This issue features a number of beautiful wedding films which capture the action and atmosphere through a different lens.

So what are you waiting for? Click here to read Volume 15!

Photography: (1) Riddel Photographers | (2 & 3) Lover of Mine | (4 & 5) Alex Jackson Photography | (6 & 7) Byron Loves Fawn | (8 & 9) Figtree Wedding Photography | (10 & 11) Nattnee Photography

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With so many of our lovely brides adding stunning handmade details to their celebrations, we thought we’d catch up with Etsy for their top trend picks and tips for shopping Etsy for your wedding! 

What role can Etsy play in your wedding planning?

“Etsy can act as your wedding registry, a way to add personal touches to your day or your one-stop shop for your entire event, from the rings to the dress, bridal party outfits, wedding decor and gifts. Brides and grooms can shop according to their values as well, whether that be local or eco-friendly, handmade or vintage.”

What are some of the most popular products purchased on Etsy?

“Table settings, including decorations and bonbonnieres, as well as custom jewellery. Wedding rings are very popular because it’s the one place you can find unique, bespoke and beautifully crafted handmade rings – anything from vintage art deco to minimalist modern can be found.”

What is one of the biggest trends at the moment?

“Our Editor’s Picks are curated to highlight trends and themes for the current season. Meaningful gifts are on the rise, with home grown succulents, personalised printables, custom candles and edible treats all popular.”

“Things like custom cufflinks, personalised socks, monogrammed makeup cases and even purses and jewellery with names on them are also great gifts for your bridal party.”

What is the best way to personalise your wedding with Etsy?

“Create a mood board of everything you love and want your wedding to be, then shop around on Etsy to find a maker for those items. Often, you can work directly with the maker to tweak a design, add a special touch or even create something entirely new to reflect the theme of their wedding.”

What wedding styles are you loving?

“On Etsy you can shop for any theme or niche, but I love rustic wooden signage and beautiful bohemian invitations – not to mention the stunning boho wedding gowns you can find.”

“Another favourite trend of mine is metallics! You can find so many stunning headpieces, statement jewellery and even sparkly gowns to match your glittering wedding backdrop.”

What are your top tips for planning an Etsy wedding?

1. Put your personality into your wedding to keep it fun and unique to you.

2. Use Pinterest to create a virtual moodboard – it’s a great reference for current trends, celeb weddings and where to find products on Etsy.

3. Due to the artisanal nature of our makers, often the items are made to order, so always keep an eye on production time and delivery deadlines.

4. Remember if you can’t find the perfect item, you will always be able to connect with a seller who can make it for you!

Want to check out some stunning real weddings featuring Etsy products? You’ll love Cassie and Cody’s modern garden wedding, or perhaps this bright boho wedding might be your style!

Feature Image: Lauren Metzler Photography

(This post contains affiliate links)

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We are so excited to release the 10th edition of The Wedding Playbook online magazine! From vintage boho to rustic glamour, our featured couples have created their own style rules this issue and planned some truly gorgeous celebrations.

We’re also sharing tips from the experts on everything from finding the perfect shoes to personalising your ceremony, choosing your reception music and planning an amazing wedding morning. And don’t forget to take a look at our stunning shoots, showcasing modern industrial, rustic romance and relaxed boho wedding ideas. Click here to check it out!

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They say diamonds are forever, but they might not be for everyone! A coloured stone can add personality and a distinctive beauty to your engagement ring. The question is, how do you choose with so many different tones and shapes? Expert jeweller and gemmologist, Matthew Ely, shares his top tips on finding the perfect gemstone ring.

1. Start With A Broad Idea

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when investigating coloured gemstones for the first time, but considering your partner’s favourite colour or birthstone helps to narrow the field. I work personally with couples to source the perfect stone that they are looking for, starting with the preferred gem and then deciding on tone, shape and size.

2. Choose Your Hue

Each gemstone comes in different intensities, from pastel to deep hues, which means your engagement ring can be truly unique. It’s important to take into account your partner’s fashion palette and skin tone here.

3. Don’t Disregard Diamonds

Traditional white diamonds can still be combined with gemstones in your design. The vibrancy of a coloured gem makes for an eye-catching centre stone and offers a stunning contrast when paired with white diamonds.

4. Get Creative With Your Design

I believe design should be taken into special consideration with gemstones, to help maximise the stone choice. Gemstones often need shoulder stones to contrast and compliment the piece as a solitaire in a coloured gemstone does not have the same effect as a diamond.

5. Consider Your Lifestyle

Gemstones are typically less ‘hard’ than diamonds. Stones such as emerald and opal can be very soft and easily scratched, so you will need to take extra care of them. If you ultimately decide on the softer coloured gemstones, regular checks by an experienced jeweller every 6-12 months are a good idea.

6. Size It Up

Generally speaking, most gemstones cost less than white diamonds and therefore allow for a larger sized stone for the same price. However, some precious and rare gemstones, like certain types of tourmaline, emerald, ruby and sapphire, can cost more than diamonds of the same size.

7. View The Stone Before Purchasing It

Because gemstones are natural, no two look exactly the same. It’s important to view the stone before you buy it to avoid being disappointed by the visual size vs the weight it’s been listed at, as most gems are cut deeper than diamonds to enhance their colour.

Look for an even dispersion of colour throughout the stone with no light and dark patches – a well-cut gemstone will be bright and have an even sparkle.

We love the idea of personalising your engagement ring with a coloured stone – thanks to Matthew Ely for his fantastic insights!

The post How to Find The Perfect Gemstone Engagement Ring appeared first on The Wedding Playbook.

The verdict is in: Brisbane is a pretty amazing place to get married! We’ve asked top local vendors what makes the city such a great wedding location, and the ideas they’d love to see brides include in their big day.

Charlie of Stylised

Brisbane is great for weddings because…it sets a beautiful stage for the big day. There are so many new venues popping up which keeps the selection fresh.

I would love to see brides…pick that one fabulous piece whether it is a phenomenal overhead floral or bridal table design. It is one of the best styling tricks in the book! It is always more cost-effective to distract guests with an amazing piece than it is to try to ‘hide’ something.

Jen of Gathering Events

Brisbane is great for weddings because…it has a burgeoning foodie scene. From off-site catering and fine dining through to food trucks and pop-up stations, couples really can choose a menu that reflects them, without compromising on taste!

I would love to see brides…get creative with their beverage menu. Creating signature cocktails or custom drinks conjure up memories and make the experience personal. Beverages are one element guests will be enjoying all night – have fun with it!

Eva of Foreva Events

Brisbane is great for weddings because…as a big city, it offers brides and grooms a great range of vendors to match their style and personality.

I would love to see brides…consider an on-the-day coordinator, to take the stress off their hands in the last month leading up. Another great idea one of our couples did last year was to write a personalised note to every guest, placed inside their napkins. As each of the guests sat down you could just see their faces light up!

Megan of Hansel & Gretel Cakes

Brisbane is great for weddings because…it caters to a variety of wedding styles. You could have an industrial wedding at Lightspace or a more traditional wedding at Customs House, both within 15 minutes of each other!

I would love to see brides…incorporate fresh flowers in their cakes. They can have such an incredible impact, offering an elegant and timeless feel to your cake and complementing your venue decor.

Vicki of Ella Baché Paddington

Brisbane is great for weddings because…of our beautiful weather! I think spring and autumn weddings in Brisbane are divine.

I would love to see brides…work with their beauty therapist to develop a skincare plan in the months before their big day. This should include regular facials and a personally designed at-home regime. Great skin is one of the most important elements for beautiful makeup and fantastic photos.

Brian of When Elephant Met Zebra

Brisbane is great for weddings because…of the diverse range of locations for ceremonies and receptions, which keeps the creative juices flowing for us photographers.

I would love to see brides…get creative with their bridal portraits! We suggest allowing a little extra time and looking at a specific location which we can drive to from the ceremony. It’s a fun time for you to hang out as newlyweds with your closest friends, all while we take great pictures of you.

Katina of Blush and Bangs Beauty

Brisbane is great for weddings because…of all the amazing local vendors. You have so much variety to choose from to suit all weddings from modern, to vintage, to boho.

I would love to see brides…explore the modern minimalistic look with a pop of colour. This style has taken off this year, with bridesmaids in short laser cut or lace dresses paired with simple greenery. It’s a trend that I would personally love to see teamed with a bold pink or red lip and a simple textured up do!

Laura of Laura Brain Videography

Brisbane is great for weddings because…it’s never too cold for an outdoor wedding and there are so many different landscapes within an hour or so – beaches, rainforests, rolling green hills, country barns and bushland. Plus, there are a lot of brilliant urban venues that highlight some unique architecture.

I would love to see brides…plan a well-choreographed first dance, especially if it’s a surprise for your guests. It’s something they will talk about as a highlight of your day and it looks amazing on film! It’s also a great way to spend time together, learning the dance moves in the lead up to your wedding.

Thanks to all of these talented vendors for their fantastic insights!

Photography: When Elephant Met Zebra

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You can’t help but dream of wandering the hidden paths, basking on the sun-warmed stone terrace and reveling in the cool of the lawn beneath your feet with this bohemian wedding inspiration! We love how this shoot captures the essence of a summer celebration, with fragrant blooms, light-catching lace wedding dresses and accessories from subtle to statement.

Location: WA | Photographer: Peggy Saas | Venue: Cottesloe Civic Centre | Gowns: Rue De Seine (Look 1) & Kite and Butterfly (Look 2) from Through The White Door | Accessories: Frankly My Dear (Look 1) & Stylist’s Own (Look 2) | Styling: Ella Zampatti, The White Files | Hair & Makeup: The Pretty Parlour | Flowers: Ivy Flowers | Model: Emma Handreck

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Volume 9 of our free online magazine is out now! Whether your style is vintage, modern, classic or boho, this issue is packed with so much inspiration, including tips for flawless summer wedding makeup, nailing your first dance and how to plan a beautiful engagement shoot.

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A night out on the town featuring anatomy-inspired decor not quite your style? Here we share some refined inspiration for an elegant hens party in Sydney, from an indulgent high tea to private cooking class. 

1. High Tea at Vaucluse House Tearooms

Experience the charm of a bygone era with a luxurious high tea at Vaucluse House Tearooms. They have a range of decadent savoury selections like Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche Blini with Salmon Caviar, and Wild Mushroom Tart with Truffle Cream and Pecorino. Sweet treats include Salted Caramel Profiterole, Brioche Apple and Cinnamon Doughnut and of course, scones with berry preserve and clotted cream.

Available Wednesday to Sunday for $49 per person, including a glass of sparkling wine. The bride-to-be will also receive a complimentary high tea with a booking of 10 or more!

2. A Cooking Class with Chef Up!

Hosted by French Chef, Xavier, along with Mathieu and Thibault, a 2.5 hour hands-on workshop with Chef Up! will see you create four different canapés and verrines as well as a croquembouche. A welcome glass of champagne is included, as well as chef-prepared food such as quiches, cakes and other surprises…$95 per person will cover all the ingredients and equipment, a digital photo album and photo booth to capture the fun of the day!

3. A Group Pamper Session at Zen Day Spa

Treat yourself and your besties to a day of vitality and wellness at the luxurious Zen Day Spa in Darlinghurst. Packages start from $75 per person, including an express manicure and pedicure, complimentary champagne and cupcakes from Black Velvet Sydney for bookings over four people. The professional team at Zen will provide a luxurious experience that will leave everyone feeling relaxed and stress-free before the big day.

4. Dinner at The Governors Table

For a truly elegant Hens Party for the foodie bride-to-be, The Governors Table provides the perfect setting and location just a stone’s throw from Circular Quay in Sydney’s CBD. Groups of 8 or more can choose from delectable banquet menus starting from $55 per guest to enjoy in the main dining room, at the 16-seat Governors Table or for exclusive private dining, in The Governors Room.

5. Private Wine Tastings with The Wine Society

Hens parties are destined to include wine, so why not learn a little while enjoying a glass or two? With The Wine Society, you can choose an event theme and wine package to suit your budget. Each package includes a selection of 7 wines to sample and a Wine Educator to host your event at The Wine Society Vintec Tasting Room in Sydney, or an alternate venue of your choice. Cheers!

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Pair the colour of passion with the relaxed style of the free-spirited bride, and you get stunning inspiration for your wedding day look – complete with vintage lace and opulent floral accessories. Immerse yourself in the beauty below!

You’ll find more from this beautiful shoot and our tips for rocking a flower crown on your wedding day in our free online magazine here.

Location: NSW | Photography & Styling: Alana Taylor Photography | Flowers: Floral Pines Design Co. | Hair: Emma Stapleton | Makeup: Claudia Molinaro | Dress: Vintage | Model: Brooke Stapleton

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