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What Couples Don’t Know To Ask Their Wedding Lighting Designer

28.07.26
Reception Wisdom Styling Wisdom Wisdom
What Couples Don’t Know To Ask Their Wedding Lighting Designer
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BY
Sarah Thorley of Out of the Dark Event Lighting
The After Dark Issue

Weddings take on a special magic after sunset. Think city lights, candlelit tables, bold night photography, and unexpected moments.

This month, we celebrate all that’s moody, sparkling, and unforgettable.

The fun that only happens when the sun goes down.

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"The grief isn't really about the invitation; it's "The grief isn't really about the invitation; it's the gap we feel between the person we have and the person we needed."⁠ ⁠ Some of the hardest parts of wedding planning never make it onto a checklist. For some couples, the guest list isn't about numbers. It's about navigating family estrangement, protecting your peace, and making decisions that others may never fully understand.⁠ ⁠ As part of our After Dark Issue, we're creating space for the conversations that often happen behind closed doors.⁠ ⁠ Registered counsellor and grief and loss specialist Kimberly Freeman of @shifting.perspective explores the complex emotions that can come with deciding who to invite (and who not to), setting healthy boundaries, and giving yourself permission to choose emotional safety on your wedding day.⁠ ⁠ Read the full article via the link in our bio!⁠ ⁠ [Image one description: a soft blue background with white text that reads "Just because they're family doesn't mean they can offer the safety or care needed on such an important day." ⁠ ⁠ Image two description: a matching text tile that reads: "A title doesn't define a relationship, nor does it come with automatic access or respect." – Kimberly Freeman. Navigating Family Estrangement While Planning Your Wedding."]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings⁠
When it comes to all things cake, @missladybirdcak When it comes to all things cake, @missladybirdcakes is simply unbeatable. And we would know – since they make our gorgeous birthday cake every year!!⁠ ⁠ There are no pre-mixes in sight with @missladybirdcakes; they only use the highest quality ingredients to create over 20 flavours. And with 20 flavours, you have to know you’re picking the right one, which is why they offer taster boxes for you to sample every morsel of yum. ⁠ ⁠ We've watched this crew over the years and quite frankly, count ourselves amongst their biggest fans.⁠ Find more of Gina & the team's incredible cakes on the Polka Dot Directory. Link in bio!⁠ ⁠ psst! Wedding vendors – we’d love to show off your talents! Click the link in our bio to get in touch about a Polka Dot Membership.⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @heyjack_co / Wedding Cake: @missladybirdcakes / Flowers: @flossandfleur⁠ ⁠ [Image one description: A cake sits on an acrylic pillar surrounded by red, orange and pink florals. Soft white fabric drapes across the three pillars, with tall candles in glass holders littered on the other two pillars.⁠ ⁠ Image two description: A closer look at the three-tier white cake, with white fondant artfully folded across its surface. A silver cutting knife sits beside the cake, ready to cut.]⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #WeddingCake #WeddingDirectory
We can think of no better wedding to finish off th We can think of no better wedding to finish off the After-Dark issue than with today's feature! After everything Natalie and Daniel went through to get here, it's no surprise the overwhelming feeling on their wedding day wasn't nerves. It was relief!⁠ ⁠ Relief that they were finally in Hobart. Relief that their loved ones were there. Relief that, after years of setbacks, they were finally getting married.⁠ ⁠ Their Dark Mofo-inspired celebration is full of beautiful DIYs, heartfelt moments and one very unforgettable story.⁠ ⁠ See the full feature and Jonathan Wherrett's stunning photographs on Polka Dot Featured now!⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @jonathanwherrett / Accommodation: @thetasmanhobart / Beverages: Punch & Ladle / Decor: Event Avenue / Calligraphy: @pen_and_inkcap / Wedding Ring: @susannah_wintersmith / Catering: @olivetreecateringtas / Ceremony Officiant: @marrymetasmania / Creative Direction & Styling: @jonathanwherrett / Engagement Ring: thesmallbeast / Hair & Makeup Artist: @tamsinnolancreative / Illustration: @pip_tacla / Bride's Dress: @alidibley / Venue: @alcemehobart / Hairstylist: @eyeamhair⁠ ⁠ Image descriptions in the comments.⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings #DarkMofo
Sometimes the weather doesn’t ruin the wedding; Sometimes the weather doesn’t ruin the wedding; it becomes the reason you’ll never forget it!⁠ ⁠ A blizzard rolled in on Cassie and Reece’s winter wonderland wedding, but instead of heading inside, everyone wrapped up in blankets, embraced the snow and turned it into the celebration they’d always dreamed of. ⁠ ⁠ Live over on Polka Dot Featured!⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @acaciaandgrace_photography / Venue: @barrakee.lodge / Hairstylist: @frey.thesalon / Bride’s Dress: @sarahjosephcouture / Makeup Artist: @tranquilbeautymerimbula / Makeup Artist: @facesbyabbeyschafer / Musicians: @anthonyhughesmusic / Flowers: @havarniandmefloristry / Cinematographer: @scoutshonourfilms / Ceremony Officiant: @married__by__megan / Wedding Ring: @gregoryjewellers⁠ ⁠ [Video description: shots from Cass & Reece’s wedding flash across the screen as “Float” by Olivia Dean plays in the background.] ⁠ #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WinterWonderlandWedding #SnowWedding #RealWedding
The best honeymoon memories don't always happen in The best honeymoon memories don't always happen in the daylight. Sometimes they're found beneath a sky full of stars, over a candlelit dinner on a private pontoon, watching wildlife come alive after sunset, or discovering an underwater world that glows in the dark.⁠ ⁠ If you're planning a honeymoon, expert travel writer @lisaperkovic rounded up five unforgettable evening experiences from around the world that prove romance only gets better after dark. Which one would you add to your honeymoon bucket list? ⁠ ⁠ Tap the link in our bio to read the full story.⁠ ⁠ Photography: @africansafarigroup ⁠ ⁠ [Image description: An intimate outdoor dining experience unfolds beneath the evening sky at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge in South Africa's Kruger National Park. Set on a sandy riverbed surrounded by native bushland, elegantly dressed tables for two are illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns and crackling fire pits, creating a romantic setting for honeymooners. Soft lights weave through the surrounding grasses and trees, while the twilight sky overhead adds to the magic of this unforgettable evening safari experience.]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings
We found the REAL LIFE love boat! @coralclubwhits We found the REAL LIFE love boat! @coralclubwhitsundays sets sail just around the corner from Yangaro; where we've been showing you around this week. This vessel-meets-venue is ship-shape (sorry, couldn't resist) for incredible sunset drinks, a day party after your wedding reception, or even a sublime swapping of vows out on the water. To take virtual cruise with us - or for more memorable moments made possible when you wed at @yangaroresort - jump to our "Yangaro" highlight now. x Ms Fleur de Lys
“Enjoy it all!” – @bourkinator & lintonsthom “Enjoy it all!” – @bourkinator & lintonsthomas⁠ ⁠ How do you thank over 100 people for being part of your life? Loretta and Linton answered that question by handwriting every guest a personal letter!⁠ ⁠ From a full-circle romance that started in a wedding party to an evening celebration under the stars, today's feature is packed with moments you'll want to read about!⁠ ⁠ The full feature is waiting for you over on Polka Dot Featured now.⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @mitchgamble.media / Ceremony Officiant: @nataliedrumcelebrant / Venue: @quatquatta⁠ ⁠ [Image one description: This couple walks through clapping guests at the end of their after-dark ceremony. The groom wears a classic suit with a red flower on his lapel, while the bride wears a tea-length white lace dress with a high neckline and long sleeves. She holds a bouquet of red flowers and a pair of tan peep-toe Louboutins. ⁠ ⁠ Image two description: The groom sits on a metal bench with his arms resting on his thighs. The bride sits on the arm of the bench, with her arm around his shoulder and leaning down in a near kiss. ⁠ ⁠ Image three description: A close-up of the bride's rose bouquet, with a star charm hanging off the stems.⁠ ⁠ Image four description: A shot of the bride walking down the aisle as guests smile and cheer on either side of the walkway. Festoon lights hang overhead with tall green hedges around the edges of the courtyard.]⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #TheAfterDarkIssue #AustralianWeddings #RealWeddings #EveningWeddings

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