Sugar and Spice Events

 

Modern Wedding: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Decinda: Hi guys – I’m Decinda!

My mum calls me by my full name Decinda-Jane but most others know me by my nickname – Cinderella, or Cindas.

I’m the Creative Director at Sugar & Spice, which means I get to make my imagination tangible at events across the country. It’s amazing!

Sugar & Spice has been my baby for nearly 8 years, and it is a true passion. I am totally obsessed with creating beauty, because it makes people happy when they see it…and that’s what life is all about right?

I love Mexican food, anything sweet and my 2 year old (I probably should have said him first hey…), oh yeah, and my very supportive, very loving hubby. I love clothes and SHOES…dear God I love shoes. I love (Queen) Beyonce and pretty much all music because it moves me.   I love business, and I love love love events.

Modern Wedding: How did you get started as a stylist?

Decinda: My introduction to the wonderful world of events was through an entertainment production company – Aerial Angels. I dedicated my life to this company…it was a passion! We provided high-end performance artists for corporate events Australia-wide and internationally and being involved in the creative industry was a dream come true. I had always loved events and occasions and working in entertainment gave me incredible exposure to spectacular corporate events.

I didn’t think I would ever do anything else…

Until I turned 30…and my head completely changed.

I was doing a wealth creation course, and we were encouraged to take something that we really loved and think about how we could make a business out of it. I remember giggling to myself, as I wrote my answer…. “I love to set tables”. I have loved it since I was a little girl and my parents bought some nice placemats with images of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and other pretty scenes of iconic Australian architecture. The Opera House was my favourite as it was all lit up in purple in pink. Every time we sat down to dinner we had a good time, we talked and laughed and were silly, it was a real time of family togetherness.

As I grew older, I still loved to set a fabulous dinner table and throw elaborate dinner parties for my family and friends, because I just loved getting people together. Easter was an extravaganza…Christmas – legendary. Birthdays were a week-long celebration always culminating in a fabulous night out with friends, dancing until our feet hurt and creating memories.

A few days after I turned 30, I had a flash of light…one of those pre-destined moments of clarity and I couldn’t do anything else but start an event company. I was a woman obsessed.

I registered the business name: Sugar & Spice Events.

I began to research the local market and how I would be different. I quickly realised that on the Gold Coast there was a gap in the market for glamourous and lavish weddings and my years of exposure to theatrical events put me in a good position to fill this need.

Modern Wedding: What colours and colour palette combinations do you love for next 12 months?

Decinda: I never tire of black, green and gold together. It is so versatile, and can be glamourous or relaxed depending on how you put it together.

Modern Wedding: What are your favourite new styling trends for 2018/2019?

Decinda: 

Metallics

We’re not the only ones who are suckers for shiny things. The wedding world has been enamoured with rose gold for some time now, which gave way to copper and silver is the next in line. Metallics are as modern as they are beautiful, and create an eye catching aesthetic. In a small way, consider cutlery and charger plates, or for more of a statement choose feature furniture pieces such as bars seating.

 

Secret Garden

Couples who are looking for a timeless and romantic affair love the secret garden look. With florals cascading from tall surfaces and fairylights overhead, this creates a whimsical and classically romantic atmosphere. Tabls are covered with sheer flowing fabrics and inside venues should be heavily draped to create an ethereal look.

 

Urban

The vintage boom has given way to another look which is edgy and industrial, but still relaxed. Warehouses with raw brick walls and exposed beams are the perfect setting for the couple who want a celebration that is uncluttered and fun. This type of wedding perfectly lends itself to a cocktail style, with oil drums in place of dry bars and eclectic seating areas for guests to rest their tired dancing feet.

 

Modern Wedding: What are your five favourite styling elements to work with right now and why?

Decinda: 

Balloons

So hot right now! I’m not talking about the daggy balloon clusters of our childhood, but organic balloon installations. They are SO fun and the shapes and looks you can create are endless. Use for fun ceiling installations and entrance pieces and go mad with colour and metallics.

Fancy Fabrics

We love using embroidered linen and overlays to embellish plain table tops, or coloured napkins instead of standard black or white.

Copper

Don’t roll your eyes…it’s still cool guys! Copper is an amazing accent colour for cutlery or candle holders, or something more of a statement like huge industrial light fittings dangling over your guest tables.

Curved Tables

These aren’t long or round…they are curved! You can be so creative with your reception look with tables that curve in and around each other. Having a long curved table is an immediate wow-factor for your guests, and you can have a unique looking wedding without going crazy on other décor.

Suspended Greenery

Every time we conduct a site inspection, I look up to see what hanging points are available. Suspended florals have been popular for some time, but they can be reinvented every time to suit individual tastes. A personal favourite at the moment is huge tropical greenery to really make an impact, over something that is more floral heavy.

Hanging Candles

Our clients love hanging candles, and so do we. They are so simple, yet so effective when hung en masse to create a stunning bridal table backdrop, or feature over long banquet tables.

Modern Wedding: What are your top 3 tips for brides wanting to create unique wedding style?

Decinda: 

• Do a lot of Pinterest “research” and pin whatever catches your eye. From there you will see a theme emerging. Once you can see your theme – stick to it. You may change your mind a lot, but usually you come back to what you originally loved because it is your personal style.
• Think about your own home décor – then do it on a bigger scale.
• Consult a wedding stylist if you are stuck for ideas – they will know how to navigate your likes and dislikes and come up with a look you will LOVE.

 

Modern Wedding: If you were designing your own wedding, how would you style it?

Decinda: Black, Green and metallic Gold…glittering fabrics and abundant flowers and greenery. Layered place settings with tabletops that don’t need linen, raised centrepieces with cascading greenery and thousands of candles.

Stylist, Planner, Marquee & Prop Hire: Sugar and Spice Events / Photographer: Figtree Photography / Videographer: Lemon Tree Film House / Celebrant: Benjamin Carlyle / Bride’s gown: Maggie Sottero / Groom’s attire: Made With Class suits / Bridesmaids’ gowns: Weddington Way / Groomsmen’s attire: Made With Class suits / Hair: Anna Ramsay / Makeup: Alex Ouston Beauty / Ceremony & Reception Venue: Victoria Park, Ewingsdale / Caterer: Eat Drink Catering / Entertainment: The Accidents Band / Transport: My Sports Car / Florist: Stem Design / Cake: Eat Drink Catering,