Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Autumn Colours for an Autumn Wedding...
Trends, Patterns and Colour Ideas For Your Wedding 2013-2014!
Stay Relaxed...
One recent wedding trend is seeing relaxed lounge furniture, low couches and arm chairs with organic coffee tables made from recycled materials, old barrels and tree stumps.Keep Everybody Smiling...
In keeping with a good-natured feel to your wedding day there are some other fun elements that you can add into the mix. Photo booths are becoming increasingly popular and the props you choose can also be translated into design ideas that you can use throughout your wedding stationery, table decorations and to make the basis for your wedding theme.Setting the Mood...
For a more formal setting add some mood lighting - candles and chandeliers are huge this wedding season and can add a flash of posh to your wedding reception. Whether you are outside and hanging glass candle jars and chandeliers from the trees or indoors with high ceilings that need that extra special lighting, you can be sure that these will brighten up your day.A Splash of Colour and Keeping in Pattern...
When it comes to your wedding invitations we have got it sorted, fashion this year is asking for bright almost fluoro hints of colour, brides are loving the use of neutral shades and then a colour that simply pops from the page with unusual and modern design patterns having a massive influence on the way that brides are shopping this year... Introducing The CHEVRON zig-zagging its way to a wedding table near you! This spikey design looks fabulous on napkins, table runners, in bridesmaid accessories and of course on your wedding invitations and bridal party stubby holders!Design inspiration...
Here are some ideas that will hopefully jump off the page and inspire you based on this year's wedding design symbols, patterns and colour ideas... Reference: DP15571-yellow-chevron Reference: WED-THEME-021[chandelier-red-heart] Reference: WED-THEME-021[chandelier] Reference: WED-THEME-022[colour-pop-pink] Happy Planning!Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Weddings in Melbourne, Australia.
The city of Melbourne is made up of the city centre and a number of precincts and inner-city suburbs, each with their own character and charm. Renowned for its art and culture, live music, varieties of dining and amazing shopping, Melbourne has a wealth of opportunity for you and your guests when you choose this wonderful city for your wedding location.
The city 'Laneways' are famous for their back street corridors of walls covered in graffiti this would make an awesome backdrop for your wedding photography creations, and there is nothing stopping you from saying your vows in front of your favourite graffiti.

Docklands

You can choose from a heap of function venues to suit your wedding, from cocktail packages to formal sit down receptions you will find all that you could wish for, all with this wonderful city as your backdrop.
Yarra Valley
This picturesque area surrounding the Yarra River is known as one of Australia's leading wine producing regions, with wineries in abundance you can discover a whole world of beauty from art galleries to restaurants, markets and more.
If you are looking for a winery for your wedding then you have certainly come to the right place, the Yarra Valley has some amazing venues to choose from including the Yering Station Winery and Rochford Winery. If you're looking for an intimate venue for your closest family and friends then you could try Stones of the Yarra Valley, they offer a stunning Chapel, Dairy and Barn combination wedding all intertwined with paths and luscious green gardens making a perfect setting for your wedding photographs.

To the east of Melbourne and past the eastern suburbs you will find the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, this picture perfect piece of land is covered in rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves all within a stone's throw of the ocean.

Phillip Island
Connected to the mainland by bridge from the town of San Remo to the Island town of Newhaven, Phillip Island is located less than 2 hours away from the city and is easily accessible from across Victoria. Tempered by the ocean breeze the island tends to experience milder weather all year round, making it a wonderful place for a summer wedding that is not too hot!
Great Ocean Road
Travelling the Ocean Road is one of Victoria's greatest highlights, from Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula all the way along to Warrnambool you will see some spectacular sights and take in some breathtaking scenery.
Planning your wedding in this part of the country leaves everything to the imagination; you could consider Apollo Bay as a central point, or beautiful Lorne where you could marry in the gorgeous settings of the Lorne Beach Pavilion, this is in the perfect position to allow a beach ceremony followed by a sit down reception or cocktail event in the cafe or restaurant location right on the beach front.
If you are looking for somewhere completely different then why no rent the famous Pole House, in Fairhaven, it could be a place to retreat to as your bridal suite or perhaps as a location for your actual wedding, ideal if you are only having your close friends and family.

Happy Planning!
Monday, 4 February 2013
Ideas for Celbrating The Chinese New Year 2013
Valentine's Day Gift Ideas on a Budget!
Here at Coolaz the team have put together a 'recipe book' style feature flowing with recipes and cute gift ideas that will be sure to tantalise your tastebuds and wow your loved one this Valentine's Day!
Why not start with some Lunchbox Love...
If your sweetheart is off for a normal day at work and you are unable to share a romantic midday snack together then why not offer to make their lunch for them, pack it up into a cute little box full of extra special treats! Make sure that you whip up some gorgeous sandwiches packed full of your loved one's favourite fillings and cut them into heart shapes!
Move onto to a Romantic Dinner ...
Your Valetine's meal together doesn't have to be expensive and you don’t even have to go out! There are so many home cook dinners that you could make for eachother, whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or a wanna be gourmet chef there are so many step by step recipes out there, so set your very own masterchef challenge and wow your other half with something delicious this year - and remember presentation is everything!
Make sure that you plate everything up onto eco-friendly, biodegradable plates and use equally as green disposable utensils ... this will mean no arguments about the washing up, simply dispose of your eating tools into the correct recycling can! Then all that will be left it to do is simply sit back and relax!
Maybe your ideal dinner-in would be to cook together, put on your matching aprons and work as a team in the kitchen! One half could read the recipe while the other actively chops and prepares or you could have set tasks each to make things easier and then do the cooking bit together – how romantic! If you’d rather cook alone then I always find the "I'll cook, you clean" rule works pretty well. Or there is always the take-away option for a naughty but nice treat at home!
And finish up with some personalised gifts...
Get in touch with your crafty side and DIY some gifts this year, gather together your lover's favourite goodies, chocolate bars and more, bundle them together in a box or red bucket and fasten them with a cute ribbon!
Homemade cards are always great, it can be as fancy and creative or as simple as you like, you could simply cut out a heart shape from some red material and fasten it to the front of the card, after all it is the words inside that will be the important thing.
If your other half is fond of a cold beverage then why not order them a little something online, a wine or champagne bucket, or beer coolers with a difference. Be sure to check out some of our new designs like the ones shown below - you can grab personalised stubby holders either in a 'be my valentine' fashion or something completely different!
Check out our Top 5 Aphrodisiac Recipes!
Designed especially for a romantic night in for two and perfect for your special Valentine's dinner, there does seem to be a theme of heart shape things, red ideas and strawberries ...
1. Oysters Kilpatrick
Considered a natural aphrodisiac, why not make this as a starter for your romantic night in!
2 cups rock salt
24 oysters, shucked
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
175g thin rashers rindless bacon, diced
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
lemon wedges, to serve
Preheat grill on medium-high heat. Place rock salt, in a thick layer, on a baking tray or heatproof plate. Arrange oysters (in their half-shells) on rock salt. Sprinkle Worcestershire sauce over oysters. Top with bacon. Grill, on the salt, for 5 to 8 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with lemon.
2. Strawberry and Feta Salad
This unusual combination of strawberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds and romaine lettuce in a sweet and tangy dressing is sure to be a winner - A guaranteed pleaser for your other half!
1 cup slivered almonds
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 head romaine lettuce, torn
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
Nice and simple – lightly toast the almonds first and set aside to cool. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, raspberry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. In a large bowl, toss together the toasted almonds, romaine lettuce, strawberries, and feta cheese. Cover with the dressing mixture, and serve.
3. Wine Sauce Chicken
6 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut
into 2-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream
of mushroom soup
1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup slivered almonds for topping
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Place the chicken in a saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil and simmer until the chicken pieces are no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the mushrooms; cook and stir until the mushrooms are lightly browned and have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Place the chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish and add the sautéed mushrooms. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine and heat the soup, milk, Cheddar cheese and garlic powder. Remove from heat and add the white wine and mayonnaise. Pour mixture over the chicken and mushrooms. Top with slivered almonds and grated Parmesan cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
4. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (love bugs)
These cute dipped treats are a simple yet affective dessert or appertiser! You could even paint little faces on with white choc or an icing pen to make them into little love-bugs.
5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves
Cook chocolate until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Holding berries by the stem, dip each one in molten chocolate, about three-quarters of the way to the stem. Place, stem side down, on wire rack and chill in refrigerator until hardened.
5. Strawberry Love heart Sponge Cakes
350g double unfilled round sponge cake
250g cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup thickened cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
250g strawberries, hulled, sliced
1/2 cup strawberry jam
1 tablespoon pure icing sugar
Place sponge cake layers on a chopping board. Using an 8cm heart-shaped cutter, cut 3 hearts from each cake. Using a sharp knife, gently split each heart in half. Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cream and vanilla. Beat until mixture thickens.Spread cream cheese mixture over sponge cake bases. Top with strawberry slices. Place jam in a heatproof, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high (100%) for 30 seconds or until warm and runny. Spoon warm jam over strawberries. Sandwich together with sponge tops. Dust with icing sugar and serve.
Top 5 - Love Potions
Assorted Champagne mixtures and yummy cocktails!
1. Sparkling Strawberry cocktail
30ml strawberry liqueur
2 large strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced
1 x 200ml btl chilled dry sparkling white wine
Divide the liqueur and strawberries evenly between 2 serving glasses.
2. Frozen mango and vodka cocktails
4 large mangoes, peeled, flesh chopped
125ml (1/2 cup) water
80g (1/2 cup, firmly packed) finely chopped palm sugar
240g (2 punnets) raspberries
500ml (2 cups) vodka Top each glass with the sparkling wine to serve.
Spread chopped mango over a tray. Place in freezer for 3 hours or until frozen. Meanwhile, combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to the boil. Boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until liquid reduces by one-third (see microwave tip). Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly. Place raspberries and sugar mixture in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Place half the frozen mango and vodka in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large jug. Repeat with remaining mango and vodka. To serve, layer the mango and raspberry purees among serving glasses and serve immediately.
3. Champagne cocktails
1 litre frozen passionfruit sorbet (we used Weiss Frutia)
750ml sparkling white wine, chilled
Place half the sorbet in a blender with half the sparkling wine. Process until well combined. Pour into 4 chilled glasses. Repeat with remaining sorbet and sparkling wine. Fill 4 more glasses. Serve.
4. Pom-pom cocktails
200g berry sorbet
300ml pomegranate juice (or juice of 3 pomegranates), chilled (see Notes)
150ml vodka, chilled
Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer. Whiz all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into the chilled martini glasses, then serve ice-cold.
5. Cosmopolitan Champagne
250ml (1 cup) cranberry juice
2 tbs Cointreau liqueur
2 tbs fresh lime juice
6 sugar cubes
1 x 750ml btl chilled pink Champagne
Place cranberry juice in a medium saucepan and bring to the boil over high heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until reduced by two-thirds. Remove from heat and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Combine the cranberry juice, Cointreau and lime juice in a small jug. Place a sugar cube in each serving glass. Pour the cranberry mixture over the sugar. Top with Champagne or sparkling wine and serve immediately.
Happy Valentines Day!
Monday, 14 January 2013
Australia's Northern Territory! Great place for a Wed
From the coast to the red centre the Nothern Territory has so much to offer! With a landscape like no other stretching from Australia's famous monolith Uluru, to the Barkly tablelands and the tropical north where wetlands and waterfalls cut through the national parks to create a stunning backdrop for any wedding photograph! Make sure that you take some time out to meet the locals and soack in the rich aboriginal culture and history, be mindful to watch out for some other locals like the crocodile!
Darwin & Surround With its tropical outdoor lifestyle, beautiful harbour scenery, surrounded with WWII history and its cuisine heavily influenced by its near by Asian neighbours, Darwin is a true adventure paradise for you and your guests. Renowned for it’s sunset markets, if you need to pick up a last minute gift for the bride and groom, or grab some final wedding decorations then you’ve come to the right place as you can expect to see arts and crafts in abundance here!For a truly unique wedding experience you could take in a Darwin Harbour Cruise or discover the Melville and Bathurst Islands, (Tiwi Islands) on tropical sailing journey. Say 'I Do' onboard a private catamaran! Check our Arafura Sailing Adventures for more ideas! If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground then Darwin also has some amazing hotels and resorts that can cater for all of your needs to create the perfect wedding in Darwin! The amazing SkyCity has some fantastic wedding packages on offer to help you plan your big day!
Kakadu & Arnhem Land In this stunning location you can witness world Heritage-listed scenery and outstanding rock art, Australia's largest national park boast cascading waterfalls, giant crocs and exotic birds! Check out the Wilderness Safari Retreat for some exclusive bush luxury... you can speak to the lodge team about arranging your wedding in Bamurru Plains, an amazing marriage amongst the wildlife.Perhaps for the more adventurous this is somewhere to consider for your honeymoon, you could hire a campervan and takes the Nature's Way Tourism Drive for a romantic adventure! Experience the Mamukala Wetlands, Nourlangie Rock, Jim Jim and Twin Falls along the way, what an amazing way to start your married lives together.
Katherine & Surrounds The Katherine region extends from the QLD border in the east to the Kimberly region in the west and is a wonderful gateway to nature and adventure. Perhaps the more remote areas like Elsley National Park would not be ideal for your ceremony but certainly your honeymoon of adventure might start with a bushwalk over the spectacular Katherine Gorge! You could hire a car and go on the drive of your life, crossing the Daley river and onto the Douglas Daley area, off into Butterfly Gorge and explore the many waterholes and hot springs that natures beauty has to offer.There are heaps of wedding venues in the area including Knotts Crossing, secluded amongst tropical gardens near Katherine River is the perfect location for your wedding in the Northern territory.
Alice Springs & Uluru Famous for the personality of it's locals, their love for contemporary art and traditional aboriginal influence along with all the natural wonders around it, Alice Springs is the gateway to your outback adventure and truly Australian wedding location. You could consider a romantic hot air balloon ride over the West McDonnell Ranges for a truly unique red centre experience! Maybe you could convince your Alice Springs celebrant to go up with you and say your vows in the sky! Venture out to the spiritual heart of Australia and experience the one true gemstone that is Uluru, also known by the name Ayers rock this awesome sight is a must see. With its extraordinary display of ever changing colours, you cannot miss the natural show at both sunset and sunrise, just amazing!Voyages/Ayers Rock resort offers a choice of apartments, a luxury wilderness camp, hotel, backpacker rooms or campground accommodation! You can choose whichever style suits your needs, however the Longitude 131° offers a truly unique experience for your nuptials! In 5-star luxury you and your guests will have private views of the sunset and sunrise over Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, what an amazing way to start your married lives together!
Check out our location design like this awesome Uluru background, just click on the image to take you to some great desigsn, and don't forget if you can't find what you're looking for then you can email our friendly team and they will see what they can find for you! Happy Planning!






