Perfect Ideas for Fun in a Wedding

May 15, 20190

Do you need wedding ideas on how to wow your guests?

A wedding is one of the most significant days in the lives of a couple. It is a day that leaves both the couple and invited guests filled with memories. Having fun on the day plays a crucial part in creating such lasting impressions. Here are some fun ideas for your perfect wedding day.

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1. Adding an element of fun in a wedding

A wedding is a more personalized, solemn and serene occasion. It is also a great big reunion of family and friends, hence a perfect time for some fun and noise. Some of the best celebrations are those that add personal, unique touches to ensure everyone keeps smiling and talking about the moments even well after the wedding day.

Introducing an element of fun adds to the joy of both the couple and guests, leaving lasting impressions on everyone.

2. What are some wedding fun ideas?

You can get help from guests to arrange special surprises for the couple such as bursting poppers or showering petals during their exchange of rings. Guests can even shower flowers on everyone from above. As the couple and wedding party exit the ceremony, guests can still burst poppers and make plenty of noise and dance for the couple.

Introduce some mini-events to the main event. For example, friends of the groom or bride can arrange special dances, flash mobs, or even fly in unexpected guests if resources are available.

3. Having fun mixed with emotions

The fun elements in a wedding create an atmosphere of joy and laughter but can also bring tears to the eyes of the couple too. Guests can do something special and show appreciation for the couple, such as making a donation to a cause that’s special to the couple, giving a moving speech, or it can be a talented professional coming in as a surprise.

These moments will bring such a close bond between the guests and the guests present, which will be always be cherished forever.

4. Planning in advance

Having a clear plan well before the date is very important so that you are on top of everything and you do not leave out anyone or any fun part. Planning in advance also gives your event manager or wedding planner enough time to make sure that the timing of your special day is perfect.

Where can you get the best ideas and more for a perfect wedding?

Discuss all your unique fun wedding ideas and plans with Clarence House events experts. With over 30 years of experience hosting thousands of weddings in Australia, Clarence House wedding venues Sydney knows exactly how to make your wedding event unique, special and memorable.

Call us today on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Order of Service Guide

May 10, 20190

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Getting Closer to the Big Day and Wondering How to Plan Your Order Of Service Wedding?

The good news is that most wedding ceremonies follow the same generic order. Although each wedding ceremony is unique, elements such as walking down the aisle, exchange of vows and rings, and the long-awaited kiss, are sure to be part of this joyful ceremony. Here are the Tips for order Of Service wedding.

1. The Procession

This is the part where members of your immediate family and wedding party walk down the aisle and take their places. The procession begins with the parents making their entrance, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the groom, flower girls, and finally, the bride.

2. Welcome Remarks

When everyone is in their place, the marriage officiant then shares a few words of welcome. The officiant may thank the guests for being witnesses to your union, as well as welcome everyone to the event.

3. Opening Remarks and Introduction

The officiant will give an introduction and share the significance of marriage. He or she may take this opportunity to give a brief recount of your love story and emphasize the importance of the marriage vows you are about to take as a couple.

4. Readings

If your ceremony includes readings, a few people will be invited up to share a few words. Your wedding officiant may introduce each reading and reader or you may choose to let the readers flow naturally.

5. Exchange of Vows

The two of you face each other and exchange vows. You may choose to write and recite your own vows or use traditional phrasing. At this point, you also place rings on each other’s fingers to symbolize your marriage and the officiant pronounces you husband and wife.

6. The Kiss

Next comes the moment everyone has been waiting for, sealing your marriage with a kiss!

7. Unity Ceremony

At this stage, some couples choose to have a unity ceremony. Here, the couple performs something that physically symbolizes their new union, like the mixing of two different colors of sand or water or lighting a candle.

8. Final Blessings

The officiant will wrap up the ceremony with a few closing words. For a religious ceremony, the couple is prayed for.

9. The Recessional

The married couple is introduced by the officiant. Then, the bride and groom are the first to exit the ceremony, followed by the wedding party and finally the guests.

Hope You got all points that you want to know about the order of Service wedding.

Make an Appointment with Clarence House to Tour Wedding Venues.

With over 30 years of experience hosting thousands of weddings, Clarence House knows exactly how to make your wedding event unique, special and memorable. Call us today on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au to book a tour of our illustrious wedding venues Sydney.

Wedding Tips

7 Wedding Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Couple

May 6, 20190

Should You Gift Appliances, Linen, or a Set of Dinnerware?

Finding the right gift for a couple about to get married can be tricky, especially if they haven’t sent a gift registry with the invitation cards. However, not to worry if you’re in this pickle, here are our ultimate 7 wedding gift ideas that are guaranteed to help you figure out the best gift for any couple.

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1. For Couples That Love to Travel

Do you know if the couple loves to travel, or plan on going abroad for their honeymoon? Practical gifts such as suitcases can come in handy, buy a matching set of two. Other cool and handy things that are ideal for wander lusting couples include portable Wi-Fi Hotspot generators, power banks, travel drones, water purifier bottles, video recording sunglasses, and there’s nothing quite like a portable cocktail kit!

2. For Couples That Are Moving into a New House

Setting up a new home can be a nightmare! There is so much that’s needed, from the kitchen and household appliances to towels and linens, cups, plates, spoons, you name it, every single item that is used on a daily basis. If you intend on purchasing bigger appliances such as fridges, or microwaves, you may want to check with the couple first if they haven’t already made arrangements to purchase these themselves.

3. For Romantic Couples

All couples are romantic, but there are some couples that make the rest of us look bad (cheers to you guys!) We’re talking couples that have regular date nights and actually dress up, do random things like taking walks on the beach at night, those kinds of couples. As they enter marriage, you want them to foster this and not give up, so why not help them out, and gift them movie gift cards and meal cards so they keep the date nights alive.

4. For the Party Animals!

We all know of (or have heard about these couples!) You know the ones we’re talking about – the ones who party into the early hours of the morning. Well, let’s encourage them to party at home now that they’ll be getting married. Purchase several good bottles of wine and help them stock their cellar.

5. For Couples That Love Food

There’s nothing like a good recipe book for newlyweds. If you’ve been married a few years yourself and have a trusted copy that you swear by, then consider buying a copy and gifting the new couple. Inspire the Julia Child in them!

6. For Couples That Love Taking Selfies

You know that couple that’s always posting snaps of themselves to social media. Great gift ideas could be photo albums, instant cameras, sophisticated cameras, and camera equipment. You can also help them develop their pictures by giving them a gift card for a camera shop.

7. For the Ambiguous Couple

There are some couples you might not know too well and are a bit ambiguous. For these soon-to-be-married folks, it might be best to simply get them a multitude of gift cards for different places so they’ll be able to pick and choose what they truly need for their new life together.

Discuss These Gift Ideas and More with Our Clarence House Gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Tips

Brides Guide for Pre-Wedding Party in 2019

May 6, 20190

Read Out this Brides Guide for Pre-wedding Party in 2019

You can’t get married without throwing one final ‘single lady’ party! And fortunately for you, there are at least three such parties you’ll have the joy of experiencing before you say ‘I Do’. There is the congratulatory engagement party, the exhilarating hen party, and the preparatory kitchen tea to really make you feel loved and pampered. Here is our exclusive brides guide for the pre-wedding party in 2019.

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1. The Engagement Party

If you’ve recently been proposed to and said ‘yes’, then congratulations on the engagement! This is a significant milestone in any relationship and one that definitely merits celebration. There are no hard and fast rules for engagement parties with a lot of couples choosing to keep them budget-friendly and low-key. This can mean inviting a few friends and family to a sit-down meal to share your joy in the upcoming nuptials.

2. The Kitchen Tea Party

The kitchen tea party, also known as the bridal shower is a chance for the bride’s close friends to lavish and pamper her with marriage advice and gifts. When is the best time to host this event? Anytime between 2-weeks to 2-months prior to the actual wedding will be good. However, we recommend not having the shower so close to the wedding because final wedding preparations will take up quite a significant amount of your time.

Where to host a kitchen tea party? If you’re looking for a hassle-free affair, you should consider places that offer special high tea. In this way, you are guaranteed a beautiful setting and good food. If you’re all about DIY, venues such as The Lemnos at Clarence House can be well worth considering.

As for food, you can keep it light. Think cocktails and sandwiches.

3. The Hen Party

The hen party is the party for a soon-to-be-married-woman. It’s a final opportunity to party it up! Hit the streets with your best mates and enjoy your last moments as a single woman if that’s your style. To get it right, there should be lots of pampering, think spa dates, cocktails and food.

You can even arrange to play a few games here and there throughout the day or night to keep things moving. Hen parties have received a notorious reputation over the years, but many women are now opting to keep it classy by signing up for cooking classes, or long luncheons and elegant high teas instead. Ultimately, whatever you choose, you should have fun.

Discuss these party options and more with our Clarence House gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class Sydney’s wedding reception venues worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for wedding venues Sydney, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

Guide for 2019 – Where to Spend Your Wedding Styling Budget

April 19, 20190

Your wedding should reflect your style, whatever that may be. This should come out in your décor, your overall theme, and your choice of venue. We’ve hosted a significant number of weddings in our three decades of existence as Clarence House, and today we bring you our insider tips on where and how to get the best bang for your wedding styling budget.

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1. Choose a Suitable Venue

Your venue sets the tone for the rest of your wedding. A good venue reduces the need for too much décor. A venue with stunning scenery, walls, chandeliers and rooms don’t need to be excessively decorated – allowing you to spend those décor dollars on other more important things such as hiring quality linen. And speaking of linen…

2. Hire Quality Table Line

There is nothing like good old fashioned quality table linen. Explore your linen options, and choose colours that complement and suit your overall wedding theme. Are you going for a rustic theme or a romantic theme? You might want to take a look at choosing colours that highlight and support your theme.

3. Ensure You Have the Right Type of Lighting

Lighting is significant because it helps to set the ambience of a place. Appropriate lighting is needed to ensure that any photographs taken indoors will come out looking good. There are different kinds of lighting available, and each one plays a different role. Ambient or general lighting is needful as it allows you to see what’s in the room and comes in the form of chandeliers and ceiling lamps.

Wedding-Styling-Budget

Accent lighting is designed to focus people’s attention to a particular focal point in the room. If you want your guests to focus on something important, say the statement cake you’ve ordered, your dance floor, or indeed anything else, you might want to ask your venue if they provide these accent lights.

4. Fake It Where You Can’t Make It!

If you’re on a tight budget, this tip just might help you breathe a little. We all know that wedding flowers can be expensive right? Well, what if we told you that there are ways to incorporate artificial flowers in your flower arrangements that will save you a fortune. Yes, get an expert florist who can craft stunning flower walls that combine real flowers and artificial ones. You can have these integrated flower arrangements in areas with low lighting or out-of-the-way places like stairwells to avoid guests noticing.

5. Splurge on Your Cutlery and Crockery

A good wedding reception venue, quality linen, and crockery will win you bonus points, even if your décor is minimalist. This is one of our top tips when deciding where to spend your styling dollars. You don’t want guests eating good food out of cheap glassware, cutlery, and crockery do you? So this means your high table, and all respective guest tables should feature good cutlery and crockery. Trust us with this one, you’ll thank us later.

Discuss These Style Tips and More with Our Clarence House Gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues Sydney worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

top 5 wedding style ideas by clarence house

Wedding Tips

5 Wedding Style Ideas For 2019 – Clarence House

April 19, 20190

Are You Looking for Style Inspiration for Your Upcoming Wedding?

Clarence House has hosted scores of weddings and we’ve seen some truly amazing styles over the years. Some styles have come and gone, while others seem to have lingered on and have been adopted by soon-to-be-married couples. Here is a look at our top 5 wedding style ideas for 2019.

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1. Suspended Pendant Bulbs

We don’t have to emphasize the importance of good lighting for your wedding. Lighting makes all the difference and can help set the tone and create the mood for your reception. If you’re looking for unique accent lights for your wedding then look no further than suspended pendant bulbs. These can be placed in strategic places to create the desired effect such as over the high table, over the statement cake, or even over your dance floor.

2. Mirror and Glass Tables

Mirror and glass tables anyone? Who needs table linen when you can get awesome mirror and glass tables for your wedding reception hall? Not only is this table setup budget-friendly but it also looks chic and adds instant glam to your event. You can also go very minimalist with the table centrepieces because the glass and mirror finish is bold enough.

3. Opt for Banquet Tables

Here at Clarence House, the most popular reception tables over the years have been the circular ones. However, it appears that people are changing. Banquet tables are now in and all the rage. Banquet tables, when arranged properly, can be really attractive, think state dinners or royal banquets! They really do have a way of adding charm and sophistication to any event.

4. Floral Colours Galore!

Gone are the wedding seasons where couples opted for muted and toned down colours. Bright flowery colours are back in fashion! And this season’s must-have hues are gold, pink and peach, and we can see why. These three colours when combined create a soft and ethereal look. Forget the all-white or red flower centrepieces.

5. Bring Out the Balloons!

Did someone say balloons? Yes, balloons are such a great décor accessory because you can do so much with them. You can float them over your dance floor; you can create monograms of your initials, and ceremony backdrops as well. If you have large open spaces at your wedding reception venue that could do with some décor, but flower walls are too expensive, why not opt for balloon backdrops?

Discuss These Style Tips and More with Our Clarence House Gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for wedding venues in Sydney, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

10 Trending Wedding Themes for 2019 – Clarence House

April 18, 20190

Not Sure Which Wedding Theme to Go with for Your 2019 Wedding?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

The 2019 wedding season is off with a bang! And already we’ve seen some truly amazing weddings. We’ve also noticed some exciting wedding themes that we’re sure are going to be the main features of a lot of upcoming weddings this year. Here are the top 10 wedding themes for 2019.

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1. Romantic

Perhaps you’re the couple that waited to share their first kiss on their wedding day and look forward to things like sharing your first dance together. If you’re romantics at heart, then we suggest you go for a romantic themed wedding that brings out this passion and love you have for one another.

2. Rustic

If you’re thinking of having your wedding in fall, then a rustic themed wedding might be what you’re looking for. Think acorns, warm oranges, gold’s, and browns for your décor, and warm hearty meals. Rustic weddings can be fun especially if thrown in an intimate setting with a limited number of people.

3. Vineyard

Two out of every ten weddings are hosted in vineyards, and we can see why. There is something about large open spaces, idyllic picturesque settings, and a crystal blue sky that makes us smile.

4. Beach

If you’re fortunate enough to live close to a private beach, this might be a great and viable wedding option. Beach weddings are generally fun; the only downside being the unpredictability of the weather.

5. Vintage

Vintage wedding themes are increasingly becoming popular as people seek for that old world glam and charm. If you’re into chivalry and love rustic looks then you probably should consider hosting a vintage-inspired wedding. Elements to include in your wedding: real China cutlery, lace, and vintage wedding reception venues like The Victorian at Clarence House.

Wedding Themes 2019

6. Outdoor

As a nation blessed with favorable weather, outdoor or garden weddings have become the rage. Outdoor weddings give you the ability to combine several themes if you so wish, for example, you can have rustic vintage looks while incorporating traditional wedding elements like having a sit-down meal with friends and family.

7. Classic Traditional

This is undoubtedly the all-time favorite wedding theme for most couples. This theme allows you to draw inspiration from tradition, and typically your day involves getting married in a church or chapel and then having an outdoor reception complete with a sit-down meal.

8. Contemporary

Duchess of Cambridge Princess Kate Middleton and Duchess of Sussex Princess Meghan Markle’s weddings are the epitome of what contemporary weddings are. Both princesses wore elegant, yet modest dresses that flattered them without drawing too much attention. If this is the theme you’re after, you might want to take your cues from their weddings.

9. Boho Chic

From trendy Boho style wedding dresses to décor, a Boho style wedding can be great fun to throw. Think bare feet, beach settings, and eco-friendly décor to create the ideal Boho wedding.

10. DIY

DIY weddings are special because you’re not outsourcing anyone else to manage or plan your wedding. You’ve taken it upon yourself to decide all the elements you wish to have, as well as find all the vendors needed to pull off your big day. It truly becomes your wedding in every sense of the word.

Discuss These Themes and More with Our Clarence House Gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues Sydney worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Tips

5 Tips To Pull Off A Wedding Everyone Will Be Talking About!

April 18, 20190

Do You Want to Host the Wedding of the Year?

No two weddings are ever the same, and no weddings are created equal. There are some weddings that are just better than others, and that’s a fact. Whether it comes down to excellent organizing or simply having the more disposable income to lavish on the wedding, we can all agree that there are some weddings that are just memorable. Here are our top 5 tips to pull off a wedding everyone will remember and talk about for years to come!

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1. Choose an Idyllic Venue

Your Sydney wedding venue set the tone for your wedding. You might not realize it, but a venue that offers guests the ability to take a stroll in lush gardens, enjoy picturesque views, and bask in the warm sun will have a positive impact on their overall experience of your wedding. Get your guests in a good mood by choosing the right wedding reception venue.

2. Share Your Journey with Your Guests

How did you meet? What was the proposal like? What was your reaction like? People are curious to know these details…so fill them in! We live in a digital age and people love visuals. Some guests will only know you, and others will only know your partner. Share a bit about yourself and your journey together through creative short video blurbs placed at the entrance or the gift table. String along pictures and create a couples idea board where people can wish you well and leave marriage advice.

Pull Off A Wedding

3. Don’t Be Stingy with Food

Well-fed guests make happy guests. If you have people arriving in from out of town, it’s always a nice touch to have something ready for them to eat. This could be something as simple as a tea table with a few sandwiches and cupcakes. For the rest of your guests, you might like to have a few food tables scattered across the venue to ensure that guests can grab something to eat, as and when they get hungry. You can also opt for waiters who walk around with platters of drinks and food it that’s more your style.

4. Choose an Entertaining Mc

Let’s be honest, there’s nothing like a good MC for any event. A hilarious and funny MC who can make people laugh and have a good time is worth their weight in gold. Take your time to inquire about MC’s and hear their material first before booking them for your big day!

5. Get a Funky Photo Booth

There are lots of in-between times during a wedding. Don’t let your guests get bored. Keep them entertained by placing multiple photo-booths with different themes around the venue. You’ll have lots of great memories and unique photos of your wedding to remember guests by!

Discuss These Tips and More with Our Clarence House Gurus

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or visit best wedding venues Sydney or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Venues

Watch These Worthy Wedding Trends in 2019 | Clarence House

April 12, 20190

The 2019 wedding season is off to a great start, and we’ve seen quite a few noteworthy trends to watch. We find it interesting how each wedding season seems to carry its own unique styles and ways of doing things, and it appears 2019’s wedding trends will not disappoint.

Here are the top wedding trends we think are worth watching because of just how popular they seem to be.

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1. First Look and First Private Photos

Traditionally it was considered taboo for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony. Today, however, many couples seem to think differently and are choosing to deliberately share a private moment before exchanging their ‘I do’s’. This first look trend is also a great opportunity to get some quick portrait snaps taken by your photographer.

2. Spruced Up Wedding Favours

Gone are the days of gifting your guests a boxed piece of cake as a wedding favour. Couples are getting creative and choosing rather interesting things to include inside their wedding favours. We’ve seen everything from natural soaps, to puzzles, and miniature alcoholic beverages handed out to guests. If you really want your guests to feel valued, there is nothing like personalized and unique wedding favour to do the trick. It’s not a bad idea to include a hand-written ‘Thank you’ note as well.

3. Eco-Friendly Weddings

Are you a big fan of the environment, or just worried about the environmental impact of your wedding? We’ve seen an increase over the years in couples who are big on making sure that their weddings have as little impact on the environment as possible, and for this reason are choosing ‘greener’ options for their big day. Practically this might mean using biodegradable plates and cutlery, wedding invitations made from recycled paper, and organic décor. Most wedding reception venues are stepping up to accommodate these admirable values.

4. Non-Traditional Food Stations

Not a fan of traditional sit-down wedding meals? Don’t worry you’re not alone. There’s been an upsurge in couples daring to choose non-traditional food options for their weddings. This is especially true for couples who aren’t interested in footing the enormous food bill that’s generally associated with traditional buffet-style or sit-down wedding meals.

5. Destination Weddings

When people hear ‘destination wedding’ they automatically think of an overseas affair. However, couples are re-defining the term and choosing local, exotic, out-of-the-way places for their big day. For this reason, we’ve seen couples who choose to travel out-of-state for their wedding and come host their weddings in our prestigious The Victorian in Sydney.

Discuss These Trends and More While You Tour Clarence House

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues Sydney worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Tips

5 Things to Know Before Planning a Wedding – Clarence House

March 25, 20190

Many couples come back to us with a list of things they wish someone had told them before they started planning their wedding. 35 years in the business we think we’ve seen it all and now share with you some things that’ll hopefully save you from endless headaches and sleepless nights.

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1. Set a To-Do List and Date by Which Everything Needs to Be Ready

Last-minute phone calls to check up on the caterer or the DJ are not only stress-inducing but an endless cause of headaches. You don’t want to be up all night trying to make sure that all your vendors will be there the next day. Finalize details with all your vendors three weeks before your wedding date. This means your flower arrangements, final dress alteration, menu and music playlist all need to be selected and confirmed with the respective vendors.

2. Ask People to Help You with the Planning

You don’t have to do everything yourself. If you’ve decided to plan your entire wedding by yourself, (Read our Blog:- 5 Things You Should Know Before Planning an NSW South Coast DIY Wedding for more tips) it doesn’t mean that you have to do it all alone. Rope in friends and family to help take the pressure off of you. If you’ve hired a wedding planner, meet on a regular basis with them to make sure that everything is running on schedule. Don’t neglect to meet with them because you think they can handle everything. They need to hear your feedback too on key issues.

wedding planning Sydney

3. Keep a Paper Trail of Every Little Thing

Receipts, contracts, agreement terms, everything you’ve discussed your wedding needs to be written down and a paper trail established. This is because there will a lot going on in the months leading up to your wedding and you can’t possibly remember all the quotes and figures you’ll receive, and all the payments you’ve made.

4. It’s Okay to Trim Down Your Guest List

If your budget is tight and you can’t seem to make everything balance except by cutting out a few people, we want you to know that it’s okay. In NSW, it’ll cost you on average $150 per plate to host a guest. Sacrificing a couple of people might seem hard but it’s either great-aunt nana doesn’t make it or you go into debt. We don’t think great-aunt nana will mind.

5. Pack Your Honeymoon Bags a Month Before

Trust us on this one. The last few weeks at your wedding will fly and you won’t know what hit you. Imagine getting to your beach destination and realizing you left that cute bikini you were planning on rocking! It’s the last thing you want. Therefore, pack and re-check that you’ve got everything ready while there’s still time.

Clarence House Wedding Venues for a Hassle-Free Wedding

Clarence House offers you quality and affordable wedding reception venues for your wedding. To book a tour at our Sydney wedding venues contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

3 Most Popular Wedding Menu Styles for 2019

March 25, 20190

Are You Wondering What You Should Serve at Your Wedding?

Food is a very political matter. The type of food you serve can either make or break your wedding. Unhappy guests make terrible wedding guests. While we know you’ll do everything in your power to please them, we need you to remember that it’s your wedding. And your wedding means your wedding rules. If you want a buffet-style food plan instead of a traditional sit-down one then so be it.

If you’re still not sure which food or menu style you should serve, here are 3 popular wedding menu styles that you can never go wrong with.

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1. Buffet Style Wedding Menu

Buffets involve tables set up in a separate location loaded with all your food. Guests line up and fill up their plate as they progress up the table. Buffets are great in that they allow your guests to try new food. They also mean that people don’t have to wait for others to finish eating before they can go for the second round of food!

Buffets are worth considering if you want to include a whole lot more food in smaller portions. So say you have several soups, main courses and desserts you can’t choose between and want to serve all of them. Buffets will offer you the chance to serve and delight your guests with all these delicacies.

2. Traditional Sit-Down Wedding Menu

If you’re looking for a more intimate get-together and lots of laughter at the table then consider having a traditional sit–down wedding menu. Such a meal option involves having food placed on platters laid out in the middle of the long table where everyone will sit around.

Think of a long family table, with food laid out in the middle and everyone sitting around the table. This type of setting requires quite a handful of waiting staff to refill empty wine glasses and replace empty platters.

It’s worth noting that this type of food option is often costly as it’s difficult to estimate how much your guests will eat. Your caterer will end up buying a lot more portions and this is all placed on your budget.

3. Cocktail Style Wedding Menu

If you’re not fussy about food, then you might want to think about a cocktail style service. This is a stand-up affair with no formal seated guests. It’s a great option if you think your type of guests would prefer roaming around and picking up finger food when they’re hungry. Cocktails are also fantastic if you’ve got a caterer who can come up with creative finger foods.

What’s difficult about planning for this menu is trying to figure out how much the cost per person for a plate of food amounts too.

Clarence House Wedding Venues for a Hassle-Free Wedding

Clarence House offers you quality and affordable wedding reception venues for your wedding. To book our Sydney wedding venues contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

5 Creative Ways to Throw an Unforgettable Wedding

March 25, 20190

For many people, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. This means they want their special day to be memorable and unforgettable. We understand this all too well. Having hosted more than 3,000 weddings in our 35 years of business here are our time-tested creative ways to throw an unforgettable wedding that your guests will talk about for a long time to come.

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1. Let the Fun Start with the Invitation Cards

We’ve seen all kinds of invitation cards, quirky, funky, puzzle-invitations; the list of unusual wedding invitation cards is endless. Let your guests anticipate what’s to come from your invitation. If you plan on having a themed wedding make sure you’ve included this in your invitation card and if you want your guests to dress up, don’t be shy in mentioning it.

2. Location, Location, Location

Location is everything in creating an unforgettable wedding and the more unique it is the better. An unusual location will have your guests talking for a long time to come. One wedding reception venue that’s bound to impress your guests is prestigious. The Victorian wedding venue at Clarence House. It’s everything and more of what wedding venues should be.

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3. Get Live Music and a Band

Whether you want to walk down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D or to John Legend’s All of Me, nothing sets the tone quite like a live band. Ask your vendors which are the bands that get the crowds moving. Make sure you find a group that’s animated, fun, professional as well as experienced. You don’t want an amateur group ruining what should have been an otherwise beautiful day.

4. Go All Out and Plan a Sumptuous Menu

Let’s be real for a minute. The highlight for many guests on such occasions is the food. Feed them well and they’ll be praising you and holding up your wedding as the standard for years to come. If you have the budget for it, go all out on your menus. From delightful and tasty finger foods, and cocktails, to a full course sit-down meal, not forgetting delicious desserts from your local patisserie. If you truly want to hit jackpot and win your guest’s favor, include post-party gift bags packed full with baked goodies and thank-you notes.

Make Your Wedding Unique and Unforgettable

5. the Iconic Perfect Dress

A moment people won’t forget fast is the bride’s arrival and her walk down the aisle with her father/brother. Nothing will leave a more indelible impression on your guests as the dress you wear. Take time to shop for the iconic perfect dress. The dress that seems like it was made for you.

6. Bonus Tip: Hire a Quality Photographer and Videographer

Your wedding will not last forever. Within a few short hours, it will all be history. Don’t settle for a cheap photographer with limited skills. Hire a quality photographer and videographer, because when all is said and done, your photos will be the eternal memories that you will cherish.

Host Your Memorable Wedding at Clarence House

Clarence House offers you quality wedding venues for your wedding. This is especially true of our impressive Victorian wedding venue. To book a tour contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

Vintage Wedding Planning Guide 2019 – Clarence House

March 22, 20190

30 years in the wedding business we think we’ve seen it all. We’ve even thrown a couple of vintage weddings of our own, in our aptly named The Victorian wedding reception venue. This is what makes us confident about the time-tested modern rules of vintage wedding style we’re about to share with you.

So what constitutes vintage anyway?

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The Definition of a Vintage Wedding

According to the free dictionary, vintage style is a ‘type of clothing from the 1920s to 20 years before our present day.’ So for your wedding, you can opt for a wedding dress and groom’s suit inspired by couture from this era, as well as crockery, decor, and food.

The Golden Vintage Rule: Less Is More

In an age of extravagance, pomp and much fanfare, a lot of people miss the beauty of simplicity. When planning a vintage wedding, you need to remember this Golden Rule: less is more. It’s about quality and not quantity.

Select Unique Centerpieces, and Accessories

Your decor will play a big role in your entire vintage theme. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it will require a little bit more effort on your part to source the right centerpieces and accessories to create that old world look. Thankfully we live in a world that’s global, so you can source your products overseas and have them shipped right here months before the wedding. Think lanterns, lace tablecloths, candles, and fine china.

Make It Inclusive: Ask Your Guests to Play the Part

If you really want to throw a vintage wedding that people won’t forget, make it fun and include your guests. Ask your guests to be a sport and dress the part. To help them with the task, find suppliers of vintage clothing and include their details in your invitation cards so it’s easy for your guests to shop or hire their outfits.

Get Your Photographer in on the Action Too!

Don’t forget to let your photographer know what you’re planning. You’ll want your photos to match your theme. Thanks to all the filters we have, you’ll be able to get retro-style photos at the end of the day to remember the event. See if you can find a vintage photo booth to hire where your guests can also take photos from. It’ll be so much fun looking through your photo album and reminiscing about your wedding day many years from now.

Check Out Clarence House Vintage Venues

Clarence House offers you stunning wedding venues in Sydney that will make the perfect backdrop for your vintage-inspired wedding. This is especially true of our impressive Victorian wedding venue. To book a tour contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

5 Things You Should Know Before Planning a DIY Wedding in South Coast NSW

March 22, 20190

Wedding planning is no joke. There is a reason people are paid to do this as a job! However, we understand that there are some couples out there, who like getting down and getting their hands dirty. That’s fine by us, so long as you don’t forget to have fun and keep the fire burning during the planning stage of your wedding.

Before you finalize things and rule out getting professional wedding planners and event coordinators to help you out, we thought we should highlight 5 things you should know before you start planning a DIY wedding in South Coast, NSW.

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1. Settle Your Budget First Before Anything Else

Before you go out checking all the lavish hotels and wedding reception venues available in NSW, first determine how much you actually have to spend on your wedding. Look at your own savings, talk to your parents if appropriate and have a figure in mind. Divide this figure into two – actual budget and buffer for emergencies (about 15% of your entire budget).

DIY Wedding South Coast NSW

2. Figure Out a Guest List and Stick to It!

Your wedding venue is going to take up most of your budget – at least half. Your venue will largely be determined by how many people are on your guest list. Remember that it’s not just the venue that is costly where guests are concerned, but it’s the price you’ll also have to pay per head for catering, alcohol, parking and the number of tables.

3. Where and When Can You Get Discounts?

Knowing the right people to ask questions can save you a ton of headaches. Ask your vendors to recommend people they have worked within the past. You might even find that your vendors know where and when you can get the best discounts for flowers, decor, wedding venues, etc. Don’t neglect to ask friends and family who’ve recently gotten married if they can recommend any reliable and trustworthy vendors to work with.

South Coast NSW DIY wedding planning

4. Figure Out Meal Plans for Everyone Involved

In order for you to have a successful wedding, there will be so many people working hard behind the scene on your big day. And all these people need to be fed. Don’t get carried away planning your sophisticated sit-down meal that you forget the foot soldiers laboring tirelessly to ensure that you have a hassle-free wedding. You can ask your caterer to prepare something for them.

5. Ask for Payment Plans from Vendors and Write It Down!

The golden rule of wedding planning: write everything down. There will be so much to remember, that details such as payment plans and when money is due are things that certainly must be written down without fail.

Host Your DIY Wedding at Clarence House

Clarence House offers you lovely wedding venues for your DIY wedding. This is especially true of our impressive Victorian wedding venue. To book a tour contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Planning

5 Ingenious Ways to Keep the Fire Burning While Planning Your Wedding

March 19, 20190

Wedding planning can be exhausting. It’s very easy for tempers to flare as you try to agree on what you both want on your big day. It’s easy for the romance to fly out of the window. So how do you strike that balance? How do you plan a wedding together (without killing each other) and still keep the sparks flying? Here are our top 5 recommendations.

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1. Schedule Date Nights Regularly

You remember all the fun times you used to have while courting? Yes, when you used to dress up and go out for dinner and a movie? Don’t let that go. Schedule regular date nights and keep things simple. Avoid wedding talk during your time out. Just enjoy each other’s company and the moment. Use these date nights to create memories leading up to the big date. Remind each other why you chose each other.

2. Write Love Letters to Each Other

As cheesy as it sounds, letter writing was the way in which millions of couples the world over-communicated their love for centuries. Discover the lost art of letter writing. Use the opportunity to put down your feelings. Make it extra special by going out and buying actual letter writing stationery. Get good quality letter writing paper and envelopes. What to write about? The first time you saw your significant other, your first kiss what you felt, your hopes and dreams for your life together.

3. Assemble Some Friends to Help You Plan

You two don’t have to do it all by yourself. If you have friends who are currently courting, rope them in to help you plan your own wedding. It’ll give them invaluable experience when they decide to get married. Hire wedding venue if your budget allows for it. This will give you enough room to focus on spending quality time with your partner.

4. Plan Your Honeymoon Together

Want to retreat to an island for your honeymoon? Thinking of the Maldives, Seychelles or Bora Bora? Planning your honeymoon together can get you too pumped up for what’s to come. Choose the place together, and what activities you’ll do when you get there. Let your imagination run wild with anticipation! Trust us; it’s good for you, what with all the stress of planning the wedding.

5. Exchange Meaningful Gifts

If you’ve been keeping your grandmother’s earrings or family heirloom waiting to give them to the right person this may be the time to gift them to your bride. Or perhaps you’ve gone ahead and bought a set of matching clothing. Don’t skip out on the small but meaningful things that solidify relationships.

Book a Tour of Clarence House

Clarence House offers you the chance to plan a hassle-free wedding on our premises. Book a tour of our stunning wedding reception venues and explore your wedding reception venue options. Contact our friendly Clarence House team on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Venues

15 Things You Must Know to Keep Away Wedding Venue Problems

March 16, 20190

Wedding reception venues are sometimes forced to take legal action because of their clients. In the majority of cases, this is because a couple didn’t read all the terms and conditions before signing the contract. What else should couples know to avoid wedding venue problems?

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1. Put Everything You’ve Agreed with the Vendor in Writing.

This is the golden rule because we easily forget details.

2. Tour the Rooms You Plan to Book

See your wedding hall, reception area, and any bridal suites for the bride, groom and bridal party to freshen up in that you might need.

3. Agree on the Deposit Amount

Settle on the deposit amount and choose a date when the rest is due.

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4. Confirm If the Place Has a Liquor License

You don’t want trouble with the law.

5. Does the Venue Have Permission to Host Civil Ceremonies?

Believe it or not, this is actually quite an important thing to verify.

6. Does the Venue Have the Required License to Play Music?

You don’t want the neighbors calling you out for playing music at your own wedding.

7. Verify If You’ll Have Enough Parking Space for All Your Guests.

Expecting 500 guests? If half of them bring their cars, you’ll need enough space to park at least 250 cars.

8. Find Out the Cost Per Plate for Each Additional Guest.

In Sydney, an unaccounted for plus-one will set you back about $150. Now imagine 10 uninvited guests showing up!

9. Penalties for Late Payments

If you fail to pay your remaining balance on time, you might attract penalty fees.

10. Penalties for Weddings That Go Over-Time

wedding venue often give couples a set time to end their event. Over-time might incur an extra charge.

11. Will There Be Renovation Work Around Your Wedding Date?

Anything could happen and the renovation work might not finish on time. You’ll want to know ahead of time before signing that contract.

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12. Maximum and Minimum Guest Numbers

There will probably be extra charges if you exceed the venue’s carrying capacity.

13. Can You Bring Your Own Alcohol?

If you’re on a budget and trying to keep costs down you might want to bring your own booze.

14. Is There a Policy About Bringing Children to the Venue?

Some venues might have strict no-child policies because of the presence of alcohol on the premises and or other private venue reasons. Verify ahead of time.

15. Cancellation Policies and How Are Refunds Issued Out?

You may want to cancel or postpone your wedding due to an unforeseen matter. This happens all the time. Ask about refunds and how much of the total booking fee the venue will give back.

To Book a Hassle-Free Wedding Venue Contact Us

We like to see our clients stress-free. All our contracts are clear and easy-to-read. For a hassle-free experience, schedule a wedding venue tour of Clarence House today. Book with us on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

Wedding Venues

6 Dos and Don’ts of Booking a Wedding Venue – Clarence House

March 16, 20190

Booking a wedding venue sets it in stone that you’re finally going to walk down the aisle. It gets the ball rolling towards your big day, so it’s kind of a big deal. However, here are a few dos and don’ts of booking a wedding reception venue we think you need to know.

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Do Read Everything in Your Contract

Before you put pen-to-paper and sign that wedding reception venue contract, make sure you’ve read and understood all the terms and conditions presented by the venue. We’ve heard many horror stories of couples who received debt-collector bills months after their reception because they failed to read all the fine print in their contracts.

Do Visit and Tour as Many Places as You Can

Many couples settle for the local church and hotel reception hall, when there are so many diverse, unique and exciting wedding venues out there, like the prestigious The Victorian, or the chic and sophisticated The Lemnos right here in Sydney. If you’re not in a rush, give yourself time to visit as many places as you can.

Clarence house wedding reception venue in Sydney

Do Inquire About Off-Season and Weekday Pricing Structures

A lot of couples are not aware that they can get lower booking fees for weekday weddings. This is also true about getting married in ‘off-seasons’ like winter and fall. You may also be delighted to find that the venues even offer discounts and promotions if you opt to host your wedding during these times.

Don’t Take Too Long Before You Book Your Dream Venue

There are only 52 Saturdays and 52 Sundays in a year. That means a venue can only host 104 weddings during the weekend each year. So if you absolutely, must get married on a Saturday or Sunday, and you’ve already found the venue of your dreams, don’t hesitate another moment to secure your date. A little delay and you might hear the unfortunate words, ‘Sorry, we’re fully booked for weekends this year.’

Don’t Try and Do Everything by Yourself

So many couples skip out on getting in-house help such as décor, catering, and music, in favor of bringing in their own people. In most cases it always ends up with the couple making last-minute panicked calls asking whether the sound guy has come, the caterer is one their way, and if the décor is ready. If a venue is offering additional services, do seriously consider taking them – it’ll make your life simpler. Trust us.

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Don’t Settle for Less-Than-Perfect Venues Because They’re Cheap

You know the wedding reception venues we’re talking about. The ones that look amazing online and then when you visit them, you’re left gasping wondering if people actually pay to have their weddings there. Yes, those venues. While it might be tempting to settle for such a venue in the hopes of getting amazing décor to hide the peeling paint and unsightly walls – don’t! It just isn’t worth it because it will cost you a fortune to hire enough décor to cover all the walls. Take our word for it.

Finally….

Do Contact Us

We’d love to hear about your dream wedding, and help you find the right venue. If you would like to sit down with a wedding venue expert and tour our venues, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Clarence House agents on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

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Wedding Venues

5 Most Important Points You Must Have on Your Reception Venue Contract

March 14, 20190

We all know that you should never sign a contract without reading it through, and yet surprisingly many couples do. Before putting pen-to-paper check to see whether these key points are included in your contract. If not, you might want to re-negotiate that wedding reception venue contract.

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1. Personal Particulars

· Your full name (spelled correctly) and that of the venue

· Your wedding date

· The time you intend to start and finish your wedding

· Which rooms you’ve booked for the day e.g. The Victorian or The Lemnos

· Time extensions (if applicable)

· Details on accommodation (if applicable)

· Proof of venue’s liquor license

· Proof of venue’s city-building council permission to hold civil wedding ceremonies

· Total price broken down showing what you’re paying for

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2. Your rights and obligations

Music: will the venue provide a DJ or you can bring your own? Are you allowed to bring a live band? If yes, this must be stated in the contract, as well as any particularities involving sound limits, the use of smoke and fog machines.

Venue capacity: What is the venue’s policy if your guests outnumber the final guest list you submitted? Will you have to pay an extra per person fee? How much is the extra per person penalty fee?

Venue clean-up obligations: Who will be responsible for cleaning up after the wedding? You or the venue have a staff?

3. Payment, wedding postponement and cancellation policies

Deposit: How much deposit do you have to down payment to secure your date? When is the remaining balance due? The date must be written down in the contract. Can you pay off the remaining balance in monthly installments? If yes, of how much per month?

Postponement: Does the wedding allow postponements? If yes, what is the inconvenience fee? Is there a penalty for moving your day further back?

Cancellation: What is the venue’s cancellation policy? How much will they refund your total amount? How many days’ notice do they need? Is there a cut-off point where it becomes impossible to cancel and get a refund? What happens if the venue is the one that cancels your booking?

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4. Penalties

Weddings that go beyond the set time limits: Is there a set penalty fee or you’ll be charged per over-run hour?

Broken or missing items: If the venue is providing cutlery, what are the fees for broken glasses, chinaware, missing napkins or cutlery?

5. General terms and conditions

Garden wedding weather cover: If you’re planning a garden wedding, what will the venue do if it rains? Is there a room they can prepare for you?

Arbitration fees: In the event of a dispute with the venue, who are the arbitrators and who will pay their arbitration fees?

Schedule a visit with us

To book an appointment to discuss hiring exclusive wedding venues, call our Clarence House agents on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au We look forward to meeting with you.

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Wedding Venues

Things to Do Before, During and After Viewing the Wedding Venue

March 12, 20190

You’ve got your wedding date picked out, and have started wedding venue viewing, but aren’t quite sure what exactly you’re meant to be doing during the tour and after the tour. Don’t worry, we’ve highlighted things you should be doing before you visit, during your visit, and after to get the most out of any tour.

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Things to do before venue viewing

Preparation is the key to a successful venue tour. Here are some things to do prior to viewing a venue:

· Do make an appointment

You can’t just budge into a wedding venue and expect to be taken on an elaborate tour without prior notice. Make sure you stick to the time and day you’ve been given.

· Know your budget and buffer

Get yourself organized first before going to look at venues. Know what your budget is, and how much extra you’re willing to pay if you find the right venue. Know how many people you’re inviting. All this will be helpful while touring.

· Prepare a set of questions to ask the guide

Have a series of questions pertaining to space, catering, music/DJ, decor, parking, toilet situation, inclement/weather precaution ready. If you’re not sure what kind of questions to ask, check out our blog What Questions Should You Ask While Touring Wedding Venues?

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Things to do during venue viewing

So you’ve done your homework and come to the venue prepared. What do you do during your venue tour?

· Listen to your guide

This is the most important thing. Listen to what your guide is saying and explaining. Takedown all relevant information mentioned such as a number of power sockets available, minimum and maximum guests allowed, and remember to take any free brochures from the reception.

· Ask as many questions as you can

Ask questions when you don’t understand something. This will clarify things. Don’t assume things will be included in the venue hire. It’s better to confirm that later receive a bill for something you were not aware had to be paid apart.

· Consider things from your photographer’s point of view

Does the venue have enough lighting for your photographer to do their job properly? Is there extra lighting provided by the venue or your photographer will have to bring their own? Take as many photographs as you can so you’ll be able to review everything when you’re home and relaxed.

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Things to do after venue viewing

Now that you’ve had your fill of touring wedding venues, what is it that you now need to do? Here are the things you should do to finalize your selection and go pay your deposit.

· Review your requirements and compare with venues toured

Now that you’ve toured several venues, you should have an idea of the venue that closely matches your requirements. Perhaps you’ve already found the wedding reception venue of your dreams. In that case, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and book it!

· Finalise logistical issues

Is your desired venue in an easy-to-reach location? Will you need to hire a bus to ferry guests? What about arranging accommodation for out-of-town guests?

Schedule a visit with us

To book an appointment to view our beautiful wedding reception venues, call us on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au. We look forward to meeting you.

Wedding Venues

5 Tips for Saving Major Cash on Wedding Venue and Catering Costs

March 6, 20190

Weddings cost a pretty penny, it’s no secret. And if you have several hundred guests, things can get quite expensive very fast. So how can you keep everyone on your guest list, while still throwing the wedding of your dreams? We’ve put together a list of cost-cutting tips which can help you save major cash. Thank us later!

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1. Have one venue for ceremony and reception

Thinking of having a church wedding and then going somewhere else for your reception? Keep costs down by having one venue for both your ceremony and reception. Many wedding reception venues are more than happy to accommodate you. Ask to see the rooms available for these events. You can have an indoor ceremony and then a garden reception – a win/win if you ask us.

Reception Venue for Weddings Ceremony in Sydney

2. Get married during the week!

Looking to do something out-of-the-usual? Why not get married during the week? Yes, it might be inconvenient for several of your guests, but your pocket is going to thank you for it. Off-day weddings are generally much cheaper than traditional weekend weddings. Because nine out of ten people want a weekend wedding and there being only 52 Saturdays and Sundays in a year, that drives venue prices way up.

3. Skip the traditional meal and go buffet style!

Your wedding is exactly that, your wedding. Therefore, just because everyone else has a traditional sit-down dinner doesn’t mean that you have to as well. You can do things your way. A buffet dinner can be just as exciting as any traditional sit-down. What’s great about a buffet is that you get to serve so many different foods too. So you can ask your caterer to cook a few fancy dishes but stick mostly to what’s in the season to further cut down on costs.

Traditional Weekend Weddings

4. Drop the big cake and opt for fancy dessert

Who needs a massive cake anyway? A visit to your local patisserie will reveal a vast array of sweet treats that you can serve as dessert. Cakes can be quite costly too, so save several hundred dollars by opting for simpler cake options and leave out the big cake. This doesn’t mean you can’t have cake cutting pictures. What many people now do is they order one small cake and ask the baker to make dummy models for the rest of the other ‘cakes’ you see. So you get to cut the real small cake while serving dessert from the patisserie to your guests.

5. Eliminate entrées and cocktail hour

A lot of couples think they have to serve entrées to their guests, as well as having a cocktail hour. However, these services are not a must. They are optional. If you really want to have something passed around, consider having waiters walk around with individual platters which allow those who are hungry to pick and eat as they like.

Talk to us

For all-inclusive wedding venues Sydney that’ll help you save major cash, talk to us at Clarence House and book a free no-obligation tour today. Call us on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you

Best wedding reception venues near me in Sydney

Wedding Venues

How Far in Advance Do You Book a Wedding Venue

March 5, 20190

Given there are times when it’s an emergency and a couple has to rush a wedding. Perhaps a parent is dying or sick from a terminal illness. In that case, you can book as soon as you’ve found the venue that fits your budget. However, for those with more time who would like to compare different venues, it’s always a wise idea to set down a deposit nine months to a year before your big day. Here is how far in advance do you book a wedding venue.

Booking your venue does one of several things:

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1. Sets the entire plan in motion

Once you’ve got your wedding venue secured you can now get the wedding invitation cards printed and delivered to your guests. Booking the venue makes it official. It means you’ve got a date, and a place to say your ‘I do’s’. This sets everything else in motion.

2. Takes off some of the wedding planning pressure

Wedding planning is no easy task. In fact, many couples admit that they never imagined how stressful planning a wedding could be. Most wedding stress can be associated with the cost of the wedding itself.

A lot of couples feel overwhelmed when they see that they’re likely going to have to spend more than they originally budgeted. The average Aussie wedding is estimated to cost $32,000 – an entire $10,000 more than most people’s initial budget. With the venue secured, however, a lot of couples can breathe more freely.

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3. It helps you figure out what else you need (and can afford!)

It’s no secret that the biggest amount of your wedding budget is undoubtedly going to go to secure your wedding venue. In New South Wales, you can expect to part with at least $15,503 for a decent wedding reception venue. With the venue sorted, however, you’ll be able to see what else you need to pay for. This might be your wedding planner, your wedding hire, your dress, and cake.

4. Keeps you on time

Once you have your date and your venue booked, you’ll be kept to a timeline. Everything else will have to fall into place as the countdown begins. Booking early is also advantageous in that you get the date you want. A lot of couples miss the timing because they take too long to secure their desired venue. Venues fill up fast, so the sooner you can put down a deposit the better.

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Schedule your Clarence House tour today

Clarence House boasts two world-class wedding reception venues worth touring. If you’re in the hunt for a wedding venue, book an appointment with us today. You can call us and talk to one of our friendly staff members on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

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Wedding Venues

Top 7 Things Every Wedding Reception Venue Should Have

March 4, 20190

Most people only have one chance of throwing a memorable wedding, and the wedding venue plays a very big role in that. Your venue will feature in every picture therefore; it truly has to be spectacular. For this reason, many couples are willing to spend a fortune on the wedding venue of their dreams. However, for a venue to be ‘The One’ what are some of those much needed must-have factors?

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1. Space to fit all your guests

You want a wedding venue which will accommodate all your invited guests. Make sure you ask if the numbers given are for seated guests. Yes, as unbelievable as it is, there are some venues that can only accommodate all your guests by having some seated and some standing. That’s not what you want, and neither is it what we recommend.

2. Competitive fees that have inclusive options

A wedding reception venue of repute should charge you a comprehensive price with inclusive features. The booking fee shouldn’t just be for venue hire. The hire fee should include complimentary parking, décor and or in-house catering.

3. Change rooms for the bride, groom and bridal party

This should be a given for such a big day. The bride and groom, as well as their bridal party, need to set apart rooms for changing, tweaking make-up and generally space away from the crowds to rest. A quality wedding venue will be able to provide this and more for you and your team.

4. Disability and senior-friendly facilities for elderly family members

If you intend on having senior family members at your wedding, then you’re going to want that venue to be a disability and senior-friendly. It’s vital to book a wedding reception venue that allows those who are disabled and elderly to move around and navigate without hassles.

5. Enough restrooms to accommodate the masses

Planning to have several hundred guests? Then you’re going to need a venue that has enough restrooms to prevent long queues outside these bathrooms. Furthermore, your desired venue must have the staff to monitor and keep these lavatories in tip-top shape. Nobody likes an unsightly toilet.

6. Technical support for music and lighting

A high-quality venue will offer technical and lighting support on your big day. Preferably there should be an in-house DJ with whom you can sit down and choose your music. In this way, you won’t have to bother about ensuring that the outsourced lighting and tech staff have arrived and set up on time.

7. No double booking

It seems like a common courtesy that a wedding venue would not double book two weddings on the same day. However, for many venues, business is business and the more weddings they can book per day, the better for them. You wouldn’t want to feel rushed now, would you? Therefore don’t settle for such. You deserve a peaceful day.

Contact us

For a tour of a wedding venue that features all these must-haves call us at Clarence House on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au to schedule your appointment today. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Wedding Venues

12 Questions You Should Ask While Touring Wedding Venues

March 4, 20190

We’ve put together a handy list of questions to ask venue operators as you tour your potential wedding reception venues. Our questions are guaranteed to root out the places that won’t meet your expectations and assure you a hassle-free wedding.

We’ve split the questions into those which have to do with logistics, questions pertaining to service, budget-related questions, and questions about emergencies. Here are 12 Questions You Should Ask While Touring Wedding Venues.

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Logistical questions:

1. What is the carrying capacity of the venue? Or how many guests can comfortably fit into the venue?

Nobody wants to sit elbow-to-elbow with fellow wedding guests in a cramped venue. Know how many people you want to invite prior to starting your venue tours. In this way, you’ll be able to find out if your potential wedding venue will be able to accommodate all your guests.

2. What is the lavatory situation like?

Expecting 500 guests? We think you’ll need more than two toilets! Ask to see the restrooms so you’ll know what they’re like and if you’ll need a bit of décor in there too. In this way, you’ll also know how many toilet trailers you need to include in your budget.

3. Does the venue have enough parking and is it included in the venue booking fee?

The last thing you want is your guests not having anywhere to park. As you tour venues, ask what the parking rules are. Does the venue offer complimentary parking and is the price included in the venue booking fee? If not, is there a place close to the venue where your guests can park easily and safely?

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Service questions:

1. Does the venue offer in-house décor or you’ll have to hire an outside person?

Some venues have in-house event planners that can put up and take down décor for you. This is fantastic as it removes the burden of having to outsource an outside décor company to furnish your venue. If the venue doesn’t offer this service, you’ll want to know if they have any rules pertaining to set up times and forbidden accessories e.g. candle flame and digging to insert tent stakes.

2. Is there an on-site kitchen?

If you want to bring your own catering team, will they find an on-site kitchen to work from? What equipment is available to them? Or will they have to bring their own cooking equipment? Also, what’s the distance between the kitchen and the serving area? Are water and power readily available or you’ll need to hire a water tank and a generator?

3. Is there an event planner to help me out at the venue?

Does the venue offer an event planner who will oversee all the details of the wedding? Furthermore, will this person be there on the actual day itself? What duties will the event planner handle, and what will you have to do. Don’t assume the event planner will organize your entire wedding. They are not wedding planners!

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Budget questions:

1. What are your venues pricing structures?

It’s not enough just to ask how much it is to book the venue. Ask about the pricing structures as these will help you a better plan. For example, certain weekdays might have lower booking fees. The fees might be dependent on the number of people you invite. Does the venue charge per head, per plate or per person? If that’s the case, and you really want this venue, you might be able to get it by cutting off a few people. (Ouch!)

2. What’s included in the venue hire fee?

Is décor included, is parking included, is food included, catering and servers? Knowing all this can help you save money in the long run.

3. What’s your venue policy on alcohol?

Alcohol can push your venue bill up quite high, especially if you intend on having an open bar. Hear what the venue’s policy on alcohol is. Perhaps they don’t allow alcohol at all. Perhaps they offer a free first round of alcohol. Don’t skip out on getting answers to all these questions.

In case of emergency questions:

1. What is your plan if it rains?

This is a question most couples fail to ask – much to their horror when they find themselves in a rainy predicament! If you’re planning a garden wedding or an outdoor wedding, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of this question. See where they’ll potentially move you if it rains. And if they don’t have such a space, at least you’ll know beforehand!

2. Does the venue have a cancellation policy?

If for some unforeseen reason you have to cancel your wedding, will the venue refund your money? If yes, how much? Is there a date that you have to alert them?

3. How do the venue address noise issues and gate crashers?

If your venue of choice is a hotel, how do they address noise issues from another event say down the hall? What of gate crashers? What’s the venue’s security policy to keep unwanted invitees from coming in?

Contact us

We’ve just scratched the surface. If you would like to sit down with an expert, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Clarence House’s agents on (02) 9750 3555 or (02) 9789 1662 or send us an email at admin@clarencehouse.com.au

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Wedding Venues

Can’t Decide Between Two Wedding Venues – Best Tips by Clarence House’s Experts

February 18, 20190

Have you narrowed down your wedding venues to two and can’t decide which one of the two to book for your wedding?

Having two world-class venues ourselves, we have seen couples struggle to choose between the two stunning options. Over the years, (35 to be precise!), we have advised over 3,000 couples on how they should proceed. So if you want to know how to choose between two wedding venues keep reading these tips.

Table of Contents

1. Budget

Your budget for a wedding venue, how much you are prepared to pay, will determine the type of venue you get. If both of the venues are within a similar price range and you can’t separate them based on budget, then consider the following.

2. The packages on offer

You’ll want to ask as many questions as you can when you tour each venue. Find out if there are any price reductions for weekday weddings. Does the quote for the venue include décor? What of catering or will you have to outsource your own caterers for the big day? Do they throw in complementary bonbière or flowers? Also, what of guest parking, will it be enough for your guests and is it inclusive of the venue fee or that’s another expense you’ll have to factor in?

3. Type of Venue

Ask yourself what kind of wedding you’ve always dreamed about. Did you picture yourself getting married in a traditional setting, stone church and all? Or are you more of a contemporary and modern couple willing to marry in a wedding hall with more modern aesthetics? Knowing this will help you distinguish between two wedding venues. We know it has really helped our couples choose between our regal The Victorian reception venue which affords you the opportunity to throw a traditional wedding, and the chicer and modern The Lemnos wedding venue.

4. Destination Wedding or Not

Destination weddings seem to resonate with a fair number of couples. This might mean getting married out-of-state, or on an entirely different island, someone says Tasmanian wedding anyone? People may opt to do this for several reasons. An out-of-state wedding venue may appear to be cheaper than where one may currently reside. However, if you choose a destination wedding, just remember that not everyone might be able to make it witness your big day. If your ideal wedding is in a destination area you might want to reconsider that particular wedding venue if the majority of your guests can’t make it. This isn’t to say you can’t get married there – in the future. Plan for your 5^th or 10^th anniversary.

Talk Through Your Options

You don’t have to go through the anguish of trying to figure out how to choose between two wedding venues by yourself. Let our trusted and friendly wedding planners help you weigh in your options. Call us today or sign up free for a consultation.

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Wedding Venues

Why Are Wedding Venues So Expensive – Clarence House

February 16, 20190

Many soon-to-be-married couples always start the wedding planning journey with so much excitement and enthusiasm. However, for many that excitement often turns into gasps of horror at the sheer expense of things. Yes, weddings are an expensive affair and one that cost the average Australian couple at least $32,000. This is particularly true of the wedding venue which usually takes up at least half of your wedding budget. So why are wedding venues so expensive anyway?

Table of Contents

You’re paying for an experience

You might not want to believe this, but yes, your wedding is the perfect commercial payoff. Who doesn’t love a wedding? Wedding venues charge you for exactly that. Being able to give you a nice place to celebrate this milestone in your life with all your loved ones in attendance. They are charging you for the intrinsic things you haven’t even thought of. In essence, you’re paying for experience – but a really good one.

You’re paying for venue overheads

You might not like the idea, but when you hire a wedding venue, you’re helping to pay for the venue’s overhead costs. Yes, we’re talking venue insurance, taxes, staff, utilities like water and electricity, and oh, wedding venues have to think of maintenance issues as well. So they do charge you quite handsomely in order to be able to keep the place in tip-top shape for excited couples about to get married like yourself.

You’re paying for service staff and set up equipment

If your venue offers catering and staff, then this will definitely be factored into the final price of the wedding hire fee you’ll get charged. Many people think that they can simply throw a backyard wedding and it’ll be ‘cheaper’. What they fail to realize is that you’re going to end up spending more or less the same (but putting in a whole lot more work) because – and this is at the top of our heads, you’ll have to hire a tent, bathroom trailer, chairs, dance floor, crockery, linens, lighting, microphone, and speakers, sort out insurance for your parent’s house, tent decorations and flowers.

The venue has to make a profit

So when all is said and done, after the venue has paid for insurance, building upkeep, cost of water and electricity, in some cases heating, and their staff, the venue also has to make a profit. So you see, when hiring a venue you have to look at the bigger picture. You aren’t just paying for a site fee; your wedding is a community affair.

You Should Pay for an Expensive Wedding Venue?

We need you to understand that expensive doesn’t mean quality. A venue might be expensive but have nothing to show for it. Look for wedding venues of repute, that offer you promotions and discounts, a venue that’s committed to excellence and making sure your wedding is everything and more than you dreamt it to be. Clarence House is one such venue that is in a league of its own when it comes to offering unmatched wedding reception venues. To talk to one of our trusted wedding agents call us today on (02) 9750 3555, or (02) 9789 1662.

News

1. Adding an element of fun in a wedding

2. What are some wedding fun ideas?

3. Having fun mixed with emotions

4. Planning in advance

Getting Closer to the Big Day and Wondering How to Plan Your Order Of Service Wedding?

1. The Procession

2. Welcome Remarks

3. Opening Remarks and Introduction

4. Readings

5. Exchange of Vows

6. The Kiss

7. Unity Ceremony

8. Final Blessings

9. The Recessional

1. For Couples That Love to Travel

2. For Couples That Are Moving into a New House

3. For Romantic Couples

4. For the Party Animals!

5. For Couples That Love Food

6. For Couples That Love Taking Selfies

7. For the Ambiguous Couple

1. The Engagement Party

2. The Kitchen Tea Party

3. The Hen Party

1. Choose a Suitable Venue

2. Hire Quality Table Line

3. Ensure You Have the Right Type of Lighting

4. Fake It Where You Can’t Make It!

5. Splurge on Your Cutlery and Crockery

1. Suspended Pendant Bulbs

2. Mirror and Glass Tables

3. Opt for Banquet Tables

4. Floral Colours Galore!

5. Bring Out the Balloons!

1. Romantic

2. Rustic

3. Vineyard

4. Beach

5. Vintage

6. Outdoor

7. Classic Traditional

8. Contemporary

9. Boho Chic

10. DIY

1. Choose an Idyllic Venue

2. Share Your Journey with Your Guests

3. Don’t Be Stingy with Food

4. Choose an Entertaining Mc

5. Get a Funky Photo Booth

1. First Look and First Private Photos

2. Spruced Up Wedding Favours

3. Eco-Friendly Weddings

4. Non-Traditional Food Stations

5. Destination Weddings

Discuss These Trends and More While You Tour Clarence House

1. Set a To-Do List and Date by Which Everything Needs to Be Ready

2. Ask People to Help You with the Planning

3. Keep a Paper Trail of Every Little Thing

4. It’s Okay to Trim Down Your Guest List

5. Pack Your Honeymoon Bags a Month Before

1. Buffet Style Wedding Menu

2. Traditional Sit-Down Wedding Menu

3. Cocktail Style Wedding Menu

1. Let the Fun Start with the Invitation Cards

2. Location, Location, Location

3. Get Live Music and a Band

4. Go All Out and Plan a Sumptuous Menu

5. the Iconic Perfect Dress

6. Bonus Tip: Hire a Quality Photographer and Videographer

The Definition of a Vintage Wedding

The Golden Vintage Rule: Less Is More

Select Unique Centerpieces, and Accessories

Make It Inclusive: Ask Your Guests to Play the Part

Get Your Photographer in on the Action Too!

Check Out Clarence House Vintage Venues

1. Settle Your Budget First Before Anything Else

2. Figure Out a Guest List and Stick to It!

3. Where and When Can You Get Discounts?

4. Figure Out Meal Plans for Everyone Involved