Making it official with your bridesmaids is a big task, and you know your best friends/family deserve more than a text or phone call to be asked to stand by your side on your bid day...so here is a few cute and creative bridesmaids proposal ideas that you could try. Having said this, some of these ideas can also be applied to groomsmen proposals, or even just as general gift ideas. I am also sharing what Vincent and I did for our wedding squad and hopefully it can inspire you.

1. Giant balloons with confetti

You must have seen people use giant balloons to reveal baby genders on the internet, so why not use the oversized inflatables to help you "pop the question"...in a literal way too? For me, I custom ordered a few blush pink balloons that are 90cm in diameter with the girls' named printed on the surface, filled them up with confetti and a handwritten note with the question at hand, gave each girl a pin, and stood back to watch as the fun explodes. It was so much fun and the girls loved it too, and of course they all said 'yes' :)

Balloons arrangement by Moonshot Balloons; IG: @moonshotballoonsm

2. Personalisation with an extra touch

Gifting a personalised item always adds a nice touch to make the recipient feel extra special. They can make perfect gifts to your bridesmaids, pair them with a note with the 'question' and these items will hold an extra layer of sentiment for your bridesmaids to commemorate their duties for your big day. For Vincent and I, we put in some thoughts in making a few personalised items for our bridal and groom parties: Vincent picked out perfumes for his groomsmen and engraved their names on the bottle; I prepared dressing gowns for my bridesmaids with their names embroidered in silk; we also both organised some wooden hangers with our wedding details engraved on them. When it comes to personalised items, Etsy can be a really good place to shop.

Bridesmaids wearing silk ropes with their initials embroiled by thePeony Bride Couture on Etsy; IG: @peonybride

3. Personalised goodie box

Why give just one bridesmaid-asking gift, when you can give a whole box full of goodies? It is certainly a nice feeling receiving a box filled with thoughtful goodies - I'm sure no one is going to say no that?! For Vincent and I, we used this idea for our on-the-day gift to our wedding squad. We put together goodie boxes for our wedding squad filled with the aforementioned personalised items plus things that will come in handy on the day of the wedding; we even personalised the box itself! Again, Etsy can be your one-stop shop for this.

Bridesmaids Box Content:  Perfume in Peony & Blush Suede by Jo Malone; IG: @jomalonelondon Custom bridesmaid box with magnetic closure made by the OxleyDesignsAU shop on Etsy; Etsy Shop: @OxleyDesignsAU White Gown Hangers engraved by the ENGRAVDStudio on Etsy; Etsy Shop: @ENGRAVDStudio Head pieces in Rose Gold Diamante Flower Pearl Hair Vine by Lovisa; IG: @lovisajewellery Bridal bouquets by the talented Bespoke Botanics; IG: @bespokebotanics

Groomsmen Box Content:  Perfume in Luna Rossa Carbon by Prada; IG: @prada Socks by Ted Baker; IG: @ted_baker Round black stone cufflinks by Geoffrey Beene Bow tie in blush pink by OTAA; IG: @otaa.australia Black Suit Hangers engraved by the ENGRAVDStudio on Etsy; Etsy Shop: @ENGRAVDStudio Buttonhole flowers by the talented Bespoke Botanics; IG: @bespokebotanics

4. A formal luncheon/get-together

A formal get-together will never go out of fashion, and girls love a day/night out! Treat your best friends and family to a relaxing spa day, a nice lunch, or a wild party; and pop the question while having fun! I took my bridal party out to the Japanese Mountain Retreat where we had the most relaxing spa and massage; then a nice lunch at the breath-taking Coombe Estate and Gardens at Yarra Valley - both places I would highly recommend; they make great places for date venues.

Private bathing at the Japanese Mountain Retreat; IG: @Japanese Mountain Retreat

The beautiful Coombe Estate; IG: @coombeyarravalley

How would you ask your bridesmaids? I hope you are inspired by some of these ideas. Leave a comment below and tell me which idea was your personal fave! Have an idea of your own? Leave that in the comments as well! If you missed previous posts in my WEDDING series, here is the link, so check it out.

With thousands of possibilities, finding the place to host the most epic party for your big day can be seriously tricky. Trust me I've been there. For me, I decided to restrict myself to visit only 3 venues so research beforehand was very important to shortlist the best 3.

1. Pick a few tentative styles

Contemporary elegance, vintage, romantic vineyard, rustic, bohemian romance or garden outdoors - What look are you going for? Start googling, get pinning and go 'magazining'; I suggest to keep an open mind and look at real wedding photos to get inspired for styles and themes and narrow down ideas. For me, I picked 3 styles.

• Style 1 - Modern Victorian

The Willows | Website | IG: @thewillows_events

• Style 2 - Romantic Vineyard

The Immerse | Website | IG: @immerseyv

• Style 3 - Garden Outdoors

Ballara Receptions | Website | IG:@ballarareceptions

2. Set and stick to a budget

Estimate how many people you'd like to invite to your big day. It is always easier to aim low in the numbers. Nearly every venue will have a minimum requirement on guest count, and most venues now offer dinner and luncheon options. So Sit down with your fiance and figure out how much you are willing to spend. Do your homework and find out what the going rates are in your desired wedding location and what items are covered in the price package (e.g. food, venue hiring, furniture, etc) - you don't want to spend more than half of your total wedding budget on your venue. Having as much information with you on the day of your appointment will make it easier for the venue coordinator to give you an idea of price and what packages suit your budget.

3. Understand how flexible your venue is

Does your venue offer on-site accommodation/bridal suite? food tasting? Are there ample parking spaces for all guests? Any restrictions on hours, vendors or use of certain space/rooms? Also make sure you understand whether you are allowed to customise your menu, indoor vs outdoor receptions and other aspects of your big day. After you've done your research, email or call prospective venues to schedule official walk-throughs. Don't rush into booking the 1st place you see, take photos, collect as much information as you can, talk with your fiancé and sleep on your decision.

Ok here you are, some tips to hopefully help you find your perfect venue!! Remember, don't rush into decisions, make sure your venue works with your wedding date, guest size, budget, style and theme, and most importantly, you and your fiancé. So...which venue did I go for in the end?? I will share that after the wedding...so stay tuned!

If you missed the 1st installment in my WEDDING series: Getting Inspired at the 2018 OFD Wedding Fair, here is the link, so check it out.

Wedding fairs are an excellent way to get inspirations, connect with vendors and just get your head into the space of planning for your own BIG DAY. I would highly recommend anyone who is recently engaged to check out and go to a few wedding fairs.

The One Fine Day Wedding Fair was hosted the past weekend at the Melbourne Showgrounds. The event was jam packed with hospitality drinks, live events, giveaways, runway shows and expo of vendors included photographers, florists, musicians, cake designers, venues, jewellery designers, stationary designers, fashion and accessory designers and more.

Here are a few photos I took to capture a snapshot of the event:

I made this sign to use as a washing/drying/bleaching/ironing guide in the laundry room because I couldn't remember the meanings of all the different laundry sings on my clothes. Please feel free to use it. You can also frame it and hang on the wall in the laundry room as an artwork, that'd be cute too! :)