Bride Advice: with Chanel

Chanel and Allen became engaged in November and the gorgeous couple caught our eye when they won a LOOP Giveaway that The Bridal Box Co. was participating in. Chanel is ALL about the details, has great taste and a totally swoon-worthy instagram @chanelngarcia. 

These love birds have tied the knot now, but we had a sit down when Chanel was still a blushing Bride-to-be to talk all things wedding!

The Bridal Box Co: Tell us about the proposal? Did you see it coming, or were you super surprised?

Chanel: No I didn’t! He caught me by complete surprised and kept the ring with my Maid of Honour. We went glamping in Glenworth Valley for our 10 year dating anniversary and he popped the questioned by the fireplace. It was very secluded and romantic!

The Bridal Box Co: When is your wedding and how long is your engagement?

Chanel: Our wedding is in November, we would have then had a 2 year engagement. We’re thinking of having a cute little garden ceremony and reception in Camden, Moss Vale or Byron Bay.

The Bridal Box Co: How many people are invited?

Chanel: We’re planning on having a small intimate wedding with about 60-70 people.

The Bridal Box Co: What is the theme/colours of your wedding?

Chanel: Blush pink, white and gold.

The Bridal Box Co.: Let’s talk Bridesmaids. How many are you having, how’d you choose and how’d you propose?

Chanel: I have three bridesmaids, I surprised all of them individually. My best friend is my Maid of Honour because she’s been there through thick and thin. We tell each other everything! Bridesmaids are my sister who’s always been supportive and my cousin who I share my fondest childhood memories with.

Maid of Honour- We were playing the game “speak out” with the mouth pieces. I pretended to read a card asking her “Will you be my maid of honour?” She understood what I said but didn’t realise I was actually asking her!

Cousin- I made a “Will you be my bridesmaid” mug and dropped it off to the barrister before we met up for coffee. I waited for her to receive her order in her mug. She was so surprised and excited!

Sister- I came out with a card and a “Will you be my bridesmaid” candle in a gown at my first wedding dress fitting.

The Bridal Box Co: What did you fill your Bridal Box Co boxes with?

Chanel: A candle, nail polish, beautiful soap, customised shot glass, customised hair tie and a DIY inspo booklet (with photos and details about our big day, their dresses and their roles).

The Bridal Box Co: Do you have any advice for other Bride-to-be’s planning their own wedding?

Chanel: Keep an eye out for inspiration on Instagram and Pinterest. Keep a little planner to note down ideas and plans. Involve your fiancé and your bridal party! My fiancé and KIKKI K wedding planner have made everything easier!

Real Brides: Amanda & Carly

Our Story

Carly drums in a band, and we had a mutual friend who asked me to go with her to see this band that’s the day I met Carly. It was a slow start for us but eventually we ended up together and we thought we couldn’t of been happier. We got engaged three years ago after being together for only about 1.5 years. I always wanted one of those chocolate advent calendars for the countdown to Christmas. It was December 1st and we were having dinner in (stir fry, my favourite) Carly handed me this advent calendar, I was beaming with excitement cause I’m a chocoholic. She told me to open the box labelled one and there it was a beautiful engagement ring and that’s when our life together really started.

Planning

Our wedding planning experience was stressful and draining which is why in the end we decided to elope and surprise our guests at a party! The most important thing to us was that the day was about us and our life together not about anyone else and that our fur baby could be there to celebrate with us.

The Dresses

Our wedding dress search was rushed with 8 weeks to find something. We had no idea what “the one” was. We both went in with pictures of this and that and joined bits and pieces together, luckily for us Nancy knew exactly where our imaginations were going and created us both our dream dresses.

Special Touches

My (Amanda) dad passed away 8 years ago and we had a special button hole made for him that matches our hair pieces and it went out to his plaque the morning of our day so that he could be “wearing” it while he was with us. Archie our fur baby came with us to our ceremony and photos as well. 

Advice

Elope.

Only do what makes you and your partner happy.

You can’t please everyone. So take a deep breath and enjoy your day it goes crazy fast. 

Photography: Morgan Roberts Photography www.morganrobertsphotography.com

Videography: Julie Lowe www.julielowephotofilm.com
Ceremony Venue: Buderim Forest
Officiant: Josh Withers www.marriedbyjosh.com
Styling: Crown of Eden www.edentheflowershop.com.au
Flowers: The
 Elopement Collective www.elopementcollective.com

Wedding Dress: Nancy Khau boutique www.m.facebook.com/NancyKhauBoutique

Hair: Dollhouse Makeup Artistry www.dollhousemua.com.au
Makeup: Lilly (our beautiful friend)

Inspo: Bridesmaid Proposal

Your besties have been by your side through thick and thin; to celebrate your wins and bring you ice cream when you’re down. When you want to ask them to stand by your side on your special day, you want to find a way to let them know they are special and just how much they mean to you!

Sometimes your closest friends live on the other side of the world and the question will have to be asked over the phone or Skype. But if you’re lucky enough to have your tribe close by – then why not spoil them with a Bridesmaid proposal picnic!

Pop-up picnics are definitely trending at the moment, which means there’s probably a service near you that lets you host a gorgeous picnic – without all the hassle! Just like Glamping (which we also love!) all the cooking, packing, set-up and cleaning is done for you. If you’re more organised and DIY, here’s a little inspo we put together with a few of our very talented Gold Coast vendors.

As you grow up, you truly realise how important having your best friends in your life is. Even though you may not see them every day or even week, you love knowing that when you are together again, it’s like it was yesterday that you last spent time together!

We also (of course) recommend our gorgeous, “I can’t say ‘I do’ without You” gift boxes to accompany you on your Bridesmaid Proposal Picnic!

Styled Shoot Team:
Coordination & Bridal Boxes @thebridalboxco
Event Stylist @lovenwishesstyledevents
Florist @franklyandtheflowers
Photographer @atomicbutterfly_photography
Videographer @nsiproductions
Clothing @the_bohemian_club
Sweet Treats @two_little_cupcakes
Jackets @hideandrose
Platter @conkandco
Hair @hsk_hair
Makeup @majormakupandhair
Signage @bearartdesign
Candles @drifttradingco
Models @conkandco @jessicatonkin1 @gold_coast_musings @bruna_bidoia