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Retreat for bridal expo
Melanie Maeseele | 14th August 2009
FOR an aspiring events co-ordinator wedding bells are ringing but it's not for her wedding, it's for brides-to-be.
Next month Larissa Farrelly will use her organisational skills and love of the industry to showcase everything bridal when the Minden Retreat hosts its first spring bridal fair.
The bridal fair will feature more than 20 exhibitors including dressmakers, caterers, decorators, cake-makers, photographers and entertainment for that special day.
Retreat owner Charles Pinwill approached Mrs Farrelly, an experienced events co-ordinator, about the proposal for holding a bridal fair at the facility to promote the use of its chapel, large reception hall and accommodation facilities.
Mrs Farrelly, who moved from Melbourne to Laidley about three years ago, is now pursuing her dream of helping brides through their special day.
“The owner approached me about the idea of holding a bridal expo and because I'm a wedding and special events planner I immediately jumped at the chance,” Mrs Farrelly said.
“It's the only bridal expo of its kind to be held in this region and the Minden Retreat is a very unique place.”
Mrs Farrelly said the country bridal expo would feature a variety of exhibitors necessary on the special day as well as a look at a beautifully restored century old country chapel on site.
“We've got a great day planned with a range of exhibitors to cater for every bride,” she said.
“We really want to get across to brides out there who are considering a country wedding that the Minden Retreat would be an ideal spot,” she said.
“The place is really unique and as an events planner I love the bush setting, the beautiful chapel, the reception hall and that it includes accommodation for up to 90 people.
“It's a great place and it's an all in one wedding venue.”
The Spring Bridal Fair will be held on Sunday, September 6 from 10am to 4pm at the Minden Retreat on 25 Boughens Road, Minden. Entry is by gold coin donation with proceeds benefiting the Queensland Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade.
Prizes will be drawn throughout the day including the major prize of the hire of the full Minden Retreat venue, chapel, grounds, reception hall, catering facilities and accommodation for 90 people for the night before and the night after the wedding.
For more information phone Mrs Farrelly on or visit www.mindenretreat.com.au.
The Brides's Diary
See us in the 2010 Queensland edition of the Bride's Diary
Testimonials...
Minden Retreat
"Our Country Wedding" Annual Spring Bridal Fair (September 2009)
I first met Larissa Farrelly in June of 2009 when she was first launching her events planning business “Fantaysia Celebrations & Special Events”, and came to check out our wedding venue, “The Minden Retreat”.
We had only held our first weddings here in the previous month, were still practically unknown, and needed to do something about it. I knew little of Larissa’s qualities then, however within an hour I knew her to be pleasant, intelligent, that she presents well, made good sense when discussing organization, and very importantly, Larissa really loves making social occasions successful. That was enough. I asked her if she would assist us in holding a Wedding Expo at the Minden Retreat come September. So it began.
From researching how we could best spend our advertising dollar, to designing the mailouts to exhibitors, to doing media interviews, approaching prospective exhibitors, planning the sequence and time frames of our organizational tasks, to looking after people on the day etc., etc., Larissa did it pleasantly and extremely well. We had a wide range of service providers, 32 exhibitors and 1,000 people along, of whom 200 were brides.
Even the industry was impressed. Probably the best wedding expo ever organized “in the bush”, starting from “scratch”, and we are committed to running it hence forward as an annual event.
I have no hesitation in recommending Larissa’s talents and “Fantaysia” to assist with your special event. I am speaking from experience, and a very pleasant experience in her assistance to ourselves.
Charles Pinwill, Secretary and Director, Minden Retreat Pty Ltd
Happily Ever Afters...
Tamika & Brenton
June, 2010
"Congratulations to you both! We wish Tamika and Brenton all the very best for their future together! Thank you for entrusting us with your specail day"
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