Happy New Year!

Hi there

Just popping past to say Happy New Year!!
I know I said I'd still maintain this blog, but I haven't really been, so if you're looking for me then please head over here to my new blog:

Styling, Hiring & Inspiring

Lots has been going on with the new little business.

• We have a new logo (see above)
• We're getting plenty of enquiries flowing in, mainly from facebook or from readers of this blog (thanks guys!)
• We've booked a super-fun wedding for February next year in a theme I've always loved and wanted to do. 
• We're exhibiting at The Eclective in February
• We just did a lovely Christmas photo shoot and are meeting some great industry people for future collaborations.

Exciting times ahead in 2012!!

I hope you all have a brilliant NYE.  May 2012 bring you much happiness and joy. And if you're planning your wedding for 2012, then enjoy every minute!

Jess xo

Hip Hip Hoorah!!!!! I did it!

Yes, you guessed it. I've finally kicked off the new little business that I've dreamed of for so long...

Introducing....

Pod & Pea

styling. hiring. inspiring

Now that we've launched it, I can tell you more. I have teamed up with my gorgeous like-minded friend, Jacinta to create what we think is an exciting and innovative little venture.

We're going to help create gorgeous, unique, creative events - filled with handmade touches and sweet details.

We're not so interested in corporate events, we're drawn to personal soirees celebrating life's special moments.. Weddings, Engagements, Baby Showers, Hen's Days, Christenings, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries... and so on.

A big part of what we're planning is around hiring... and we're building up an eclectic collection of antique and vintage furniture, along with quirky, rustic and unique props.

We have SO much still to do... but we're on our way.. and we are oh-so-excited!

Please go check out our new blog OVER HERE. 
(this look will change, we haven't even got our logo finalised yet!)

And perhaps even like us on FACEBOOK.
(check out some pics to see some of our range and work).

I intend to still maintain this blog and will be back to share more 'rustic' events and ideas. So don't go away. But please also come follow me at Pod&Pea.

(p.s. you know how i agonised for months over a name... so I'd love to know what you think of the final product! Be honest, let me know what you think!).

xox

More Adelaide Venues - Rustic (Part 6)

A couple more to add to the archive of great little rustic venues in SA.


Howard Vineyards


The first thing I noticed about Howard Vineyard (in the Adelaide Hills) is this lovely oak tree, which makes such a picturesque ceremony spot:

Then I saw the stone walls and the word 'barn' and I went "oooh.. it's another special one!"

I would like to have lunch here one day.

Paxton Vineyards


If you're reading this blog, you surely know my favourite kind of venue by now. Here's another to fit the bill:
Indoor/Outdoor- check!
Old / heritage - check!
Sandstone - check!
Ceremony & reception in one place - check!
Scenic - check!

Paxton is at McLaren Vale, amid the vines and not far from the sea.
It's one that I contacted not long after we got engaged.

They use external caterers, (so you could perhaps bring your favourite chef) but you purchase wine from the winery (which shouldn't be a problem as it is a decent drop!)

For the rest of the list, go back here

Rustic Venues - Adelaide. Part 5.

It seems like forever since I have blogged about Adelaide Rustic Wedding Venues!

There's no excuse for the delay really. I still have quite a few in mind to share. And I've noticed that these posts seem to be some of the most popular ones! So I know there are plenty of Adelaide girls out there still searching for the perfect rustic venues!

If you want to read the older posts, go to: Part 1 or Part 2 or Part 3 or Part 4.

Today I'm going to do something a little different and look at some alternative venues that aren't typically wedding venues. And they're also not wineries. Rustic venues in Adelaide so often come in the form of wineries, since that's what we're famous for in SA. These aren't wineries. Nor restaurants.


WOODHOUSE 
Owned by Scouts, here is a rustic school-camp style venue that allows your guests to stay overnight. Yay - what could be more fun than a sleepover wedding!?!

You can book this place for 48 hours. Imagine a whole weekend wedding shared with your nearest and dearest!
....Get there on the Friday to set-up and get organised, have dinner and drinks with some close family and friends, and getting ready right there the next day. No need to travel to and from your wedding.

....Have a garden wedding in the pretty grounds.. or in the on-site CHAPEL (!!!) then either move inside to the ballroom for dinner - or set up a marquee for the reception.

....Party the night away and at the end of it all, everyone can just drift on up to bed

... And on the Sunday morning you can share brekkie and re-live the fun from the night before heading off. I think this would be so much fun! And such a relaxed intimate vibe.

The house itself sleeps 60 people.

All info (and more photos) are on the website: http://www.woodhouse.org.au/weddings.php

ADELAIDE HILLS WILDERNESS LODGE

Oh dear... it looks like I waited too long to write this blog post. This venue appears to have been sold, and the website has disappeared. Here's hoping the new owners allow weddings. Bummer!

Similar to Woodhouse, this one looked a bit like a school-camp venue and would have been great for a sleepover wedding. 

For the record, it's a wooden building located in a bush setting. 

It's in Stirling, only 20 minutes from the city.

It sleeps 104 guests, in 12 seperate lodges. 

How very disappointing. I'll keep an eye out in case this one pops up again. 

AMAROO WATER GARDENS AND LODGE

This place looks ah-maz-ing. I haven't been there, but boy am i keen to check it out!

Pics from Amaroo Water Gardens

It's a 20 acre property on which the owners have created spectacular gardens and an amazing lodge with a rustic, earthy, natural feel. The lodge itself is built from all kinds of antiques and salvaged materials collected over 18 years. Wow. 

They offer private garden weddings and receptions. I could  imagine a picnic style wedding at this place, overlooking the lake.. or tucked away down behind a little walking trail. 

You and your groom could then spend your first night in the lodge. Sweet. 

Check it out here.

___________________

...That's all for now. I'll try not to leave it too long before I share more venues with you!

SA Rustic Wedding Venues – Part FOUR

I promised to deliver more rustic and barn-like venues, so here are a few more that I discovered on my search.

Rustic venues in South Australia often come in the form of wineries - since that is what we are so famous for here. I already introduced: Longview and Golding wineries in Part One, followed by Penny's Hill and K1 Winery in Part Three.

But there are SO many more. We are lucky to have 4 wine regions right on the edge of our city: Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Clare and McLaren Vale. Just browsing the regions' websites can uncover many great venues for a Winery Wedding.

Here is one more venue from each region that I think would suit a rustic wedding:

Saltram Wines (Barossa):

Located in Angaston, this venue features 5 separate indoor areas and 2 outdoor ones - plenty of choice for a rustic bride and groom!

The photos below look rather elegant don't they? But the exposed stone walls and wine barrels around the room definitely make it a rustic elegance.

I've heard the food is fantastic here too.

pics from Saltram website

Maxwell Wines (McLaren Vale):

This place is a winery that offers a function room, outdoor area etc.. the standard winery wedding thing. Lovely. But standard.

What caught my eye was their Lime Cave. 

It's a 95 year old, 40m long hand-carved limestone cave. What a superb place for an intimate wedding dinner?! Very unique, very romantic. Maybe a tiny bit spooky?!

David Sievers

Bridgewater Mill (Adelaide Hills):

Only a short drive from Adelaide lies Bridgewater Mill / Petaluma Winery. The 1860's Mill with it's waterwheel is a lovely old site- housing both a cellar door and restaurant. The lush green lawns would make a nice spot for ceremony or pre-dinner drinks. So would that deck!

Inside, the restaurant is really interesting featuring tiered seating over several levels. Look at the ledge where the piano is above the bar.. imagine your band playing up there!

photos courtesy of Australian Explorer

I've decided not to include a Clare winery. I don't actually know one that would be a good rustic wedding venue. Do you? If so, please comment and help me out.

I do have some other Clare venues in mind though... so Stay tuned for PART FIVE - which wont include any wineries at all. I've got 4 alternative wedding venues in mind..

Alternative Wedding Cars - Our Kombi Van

I've just checked our photographer's blog - and spotted a pic from our wedding.  Hopefully this means our pro shot's aren't too far away!

The photo is of our wedding car, a fantastically restored 1960 Split Screen Kombi Van which we hired from from Kombis 4 U

Initially we weren't going to have wedding cars. My dad wanted to drive me to the wedding, just as he has driven me to every other major occasion over the course of my life. And the boys were just going to get a cab or something! 

When Adam spotted this Kombi one day at the beach though, he was sold! It is so very cool - and I love the buttery yellow colour of it!  I still went with dad as planned - but this was the transport for the boys! They loved it!!

I cant wait to see more pictures from our photographer, James Field!

If you are looking for an alternative to classic wedding cars in Adelaide, then why not try a Kombi Van!?

Daydreaming of a Garden (of unearthly delights) Party

From SA Tourism

mikecogh via flickr

Kryztoff

The Fringe Festival has just finished in Adelaide. I adore this time of year. It is when Adelaide really comes to life. There is an energy in the air and always something new to see - from comedy to cabaret, from burlesque to break-dance... even just the weird and wonderful characters that appear from the woodwork and make for great people-watching. 

My favourite part of the Adelaide Fringe is spending an evening in The Garden of Unearthly Delights. The weather is usually great and we spend long nights sitting among huge old trees strung with lights, sipping on wine and soaking up the atmosphere. For 30 nights, there is a carnival feel, everyone is in good spirits, the smell of the food and the sound of the various shows swirl in the air creating a terrific buzz.

It was this event that first prompted my love of a Garden Party. 

The first time I ever pictured my wedding, it was NOT a formal affair with me in a gown at a church, or with a tiered cake in a function centre.

Nope, it was:
- me and my (then) boyfriend, dancing barefoot on the grass, under a huge oak tree - surrounded by strings of bulb lights, fairy lights, coloured paper lanterns. 

- It was guests feasting on hot chargrilled corn on the cob and (of course) poffertjes! 

- We would have sat at big wooden picnic tables with bench seats. 

- There'd have been a cool little band playing under a rotunda. 

- Drinks would be served from a vintage caravan, carnival-style.

- And there would have been African drumming. Or fire twirling. Or at least a hula-hoop lady. 

Ahhh... If only I lived somewhere with a perfect climate (rain would have ruined it).. where money was no barrier (i know, it sounds low budget but outdoor events are expensive!).. and where people like parents wouldn't find this a totally ridiculous concept (I know it's nice to think it is only about what the couple wants, but i think weddings are also really an event for the families too). 

Alas, this wedding wouldn't have been possible for me - but it was a brilliant daydream. What better Garden Party than one of the Unearthly variety?!!

Rustic Wedding Venues in Adelaide / South Australia – Part Three!!!

On I go with the list of Rustic Venues in SA. There are some more little beauties in this list. 

I thought I was doing well after Part One and Part Two, but it actually seems that I have plenty more up my sleeve. 

Here are another three venues that I think would be perfect for a Rustic Wedding or Event.

Pennys Hill, McLaren Vale:

Australiana at it's best! Penny's Hill is located in the gorgeous McLaren Vale region South of Adelaide. The site offers several function options, with the best wedding options probably being the 'Gedney Room' or the 'Stables' (complete with sawdust floor!) which hold 200 / 110 people respectively.. There is also a barn, but that only holds 12 people. 

The surrounding paddocks help set the scene and supply a very rustic backdrop. It is one of those places that you could hold the whole wedding.. ceremony in the paddock, pre-dinner drinks for your guests in the cellar door, followed by a reception in one of the function areas. You can even spend your wedding night in their on-site accommodation!

I've been to wine festivals out here and it is such a great feel, sitting around on hay bales and sipping on fantastic shiraz. Mmm.

pics from Penny's Hill Winery

K1 Winery:

Wowsers!!! Check this place out!

Another winery, this time located in Kuitpo. I think I am in love... Go explore for yourself here: K1 Winery

I can totally imagine a wedding held on that deck overlooking the lake. And imagine the photo opportunities on that stunning property. I think they'd offer a pretty good drop of wine too!

They have a person's name there for Function Enquries, so I know they do functions, but that is all I know for now. Tell me what you find out!

 

Pics from the venue's own website

Russell's Pizza, Willunga:

Moving away from wineries for a minute, I cant talk rustic venues without mentioning Russell's Pizza. I know a  pizza place sounds like an odd choice for a wedding venue - but nah-uh, this place is COOL and an institution for locals. 

I've actually been to a wedding here (as well as many dinners) which had such a laid back, relaxed feel, you couldnt help but have fun. And remember it! The venue totally contributed to that.

Russell's is a small stone cottage & out the back lies a large shed, along with outdoor areas - perfect for a function. A massive wood oven churns out delicious pizzas, topped with local gourmet ingredients.What could be more rustic than that?? If not for a wedding, at least get down there for dinner! 

I'm not sure these pics do it justice.  It is really, truly, very cool. And very workable as a space. 

In the shed:

by Melnq8


The pretty courtyard area outside the cottage.

Diana Mayfield



  Imagine serving this up to your guests, straight from the wood oven!?

On that note, I'm off to make some dinner!

You know what?  I'm not finished! I can think of AT LEAST 5 more rustic venues. There is going to have to be a part four...and five. How exciting! Stay tuned for more loveli-ness.

Rustic Wedding Venues in Adelaide / South Australia – Part two

Yesterday, I posted Part One of suggested Barn-Style and Rustic Wedding Venues in South Australia. If you didn’t see it, scroll down and have a read..

Today, I was going to list a few more, but thought I would first introduce you to the venue of MY Rustic Garden Party

Introducing… Glen Ewin Estate, Houghton, SA.

Located about 25 minutes from the CBD, Glen Ewin Estate really isn’t that far away..it’s just into the Adelaide Hills. But you enter the driveway and suddenly feel like you’ve been transported to a place far, far away.

The gardens are stunning. Did you hear me? STUN-NING. The venue is set in a valley, surrounded by rolling hills. There is a lake by which you can get married, there are gorgeous old stone buildings that look like they belong in the English country side, and there are endless opportunities for photos.

Ok.. the bit you are waiting for... There is a Barn! Well, they actually call it the Pulp Shed. But it is made of wood, is easily a hundred years old, and it used to be a Jam Factory. (In fact, I grew up eating Glen Ewin jam on toast every morning!).

pics courtesy of Glen Ewin

And at the risk of sounding like a Damoz Direct ad, there is MORE! One of the catering options is for a banquet, in the form of shared platters served in the middle of long tables. My dream of communal dining comes true! AND they allow you to BYO all beverages... which was quite a blessing given that my husband and I both work in beverage companies.

Hello ‘Dream Venue’! It was you I had been looking for.

Still not satisfied? Stay tuned… there will be a third installment of SA Rustic Wedding Venues soon (preferably with barns). I have a couple more up my sleeve! 

Barn-Style Venues in South Australia - Part one

With rustic and barn style weddings becoming ever more popular, there are many brides to be on the search for unique venues offering that relaxed, rural, yesteryear look.

To assist, I thought I’d share what I came across in Adelaide, during my search for the perfect rustic garden party venue!

Longview Winery, Macclesfield:

An original dairy and hay shed from the 1920s, this place has the rustic, rugged, woody feel. Gorgeous!

Plus it is set in a glorious vineyard – perfect for your ceremony! See more here

 Golding Wines:

Still in the Adelaide Hills is Golding wines at Lobethal.

Their sandstone barn comfortably fits 150 people. It also features a lawned area and lovely courtyard space.. again with views over the vineyard.  I haven’t checked this place out in person but think a trip to the cellar door is needed. It looks so picturesque! Check it.

pic from Landscape SA

The Shores, West Beach:

You don’t necessarily have to venture out of the metro area for a barn-like venue. Centrally located, the Shores Function Centre at West Beach has a great woodsy, rustic feel.. and is so versatile it can fit up to 1800 people! They have several rooms available, from the main woolshed area through to the outdoor decking. I think you could make this work so that guests feel like they are in the country!

Have a look at their packages on this site

Al Ru Farm,

Located about 35 minutes north-east of Adelaide, this Barn is not so rustic in style, but is ever so pretty.

It seats about 80 people – or 120 cocktail style. It is set in amazing gardens!!

The actual website doesn't do it justice, so have a look at amaranthine wedding consultants instead. They have some pics and info. 

I'll be back with the second installment of this topic soon.. including the venue I went with.