“The Wedding Collective is a collaboration of the creme de la creme of Queensland’s very own wedding suppliers that have joined forces to provide a one-stop shop for couples who want their vision for their dream wedding day realised”. This was certainly evident in their recent 2013 Gala Showcase as the partners worked together to create a wedding expo with a difference.

Guests were invited to a ritzy night of wedding fashion, style, music, canapés and champagne at The Wedding Collective Gala Showcase for 2013 held at Mirra Private Dining and Events, Brisbane, Queensland. When a converted warehouse has been transformed into a venue where Paris meets Shanghai, you know that you’re in for something a little bit different!

A black carpet held a queue of excited couples flanked by giant balloons and feathers, a photo stop fit for celebrities, and staff dressed in Gatsby-inspired attire. In fact, many of the attendees were taking a leaf from the Gatsby book with plenty of black-and-white, sequins, flapper dresses, and gentlemen in suspenders. white+white were on hand to register attendees, mingle, and ensure guests were being looked after.

A champagne tower was my first sighting as I entered the room, followed by styled reception tables with Moroccan influences created as a collaboration between The Wedding Collective members. Wedding Bling, Urban Weddings, Cake Star, Amini Concepts, and Epic Empire were all on hand to answer questions and give a little more information.

Rush Entertainment kept guests’ feet tapping and a Chivas for Whiskey Bar kept grooms happy. The Babushka Ballerina and Wil Valor joined by George Wu showcased their latest bridal creations via a runway winding through the crowd. A side room was then unveiled featuring bridal fashion, jewels, and millinery, with the added opportunity to powder your nose and primp your hair.

Outside in the courtyard, Bouquet Boutique were at work making real-life wedding flower preparations, and for those that wanted to rest a while, there was a popcorn cart and movie viewing through Wedding Films and Stewart Ross Photography.

Admittedly I felt a little overwhelmed without the structure and layout of typical exhibition booths, but on reflection, I appreciate the efforts of The Wedding Collective to make this feel more like an event experience and leave you wanting to know more. Fantastic effort by all involved in putting together something that little bit different!

Images by Stewart Ross Photography