A South African safari

We have some fantastic news for anyone thinking of having an African adventure for their honeymoon! V Australia has just launched a direct route from Melbourne to Johannesburg, South Africa, which departs twice weekly - it's sure to be a stylish start to your honeymoon.

To celebrate the launch of the new route, V Australia held a fabulous "Out of Africa" safari-themed party last night at Werribee Mansion, and our founding editor Kirsten and husband (and managing director of Indigo Media Group) Toby MacKelden were invited!


Sir Richard Branson as a witch doctor. Image by James Morgan

Kirsten and Toby even managed to meet Sir Richard Branson himself - the fulfilment of a long-held dream for Kirsten, as Richard's autobiography "Losing My Virginity" inspired her to create Real Weddings! (click here for the full story)





Kirsten and Toby also met Dancing with the Star's Todd McKenney, and Getaway's Catriona Rowntree at the event.





If you haven't yet considered South Africa as a honeymoon destination, have a look at Shauna and Kent's Real Postcard on our new website - the newlyweds visited local wineries, toured through the local game reserves - where they saw 4 of the 5 "big species" (including the giraffe above) - and even went shark diving! It's the perfect mix of relaxation, sightseeing and adventure!

And for more information about V Australia's new South African route, head to www.vaustralia.com.au

Inspirational Image #14

Anyone for a gorgeous outdoor reception in the French countryside, complete with serenading musicians?

Yes please....

Photo by Elizabeth Messina

RW Website Launch Party, Melbourne Part 3

Soon the room was full of friends, and the party really began!


Kirsten with photographer Joseph Koprek and partner Vera


L-R: Kirsten with paper princess Cristina Re, and partner Jason; Kirsten with floral stylist Victoria Whitelaw


Kirsten with Mel from Izaro Haute Couture, and her husband Jim


Kirsten with photographer Simon James, and partner Annette. Simon shot the very first Real Weddings cover!


The boys from C2 video, our videographers for the evening, have a laugh


L-R Marketing Coordinator Meg and Editorial Assistant Ashleigh grab a drink from the bar

The Real Weddings team had a fantastic night celebrating our new website with so many of our Melbourne friends... and we look forward to catching up with all our Sydney friends very soon! x

RW Website launch party: Melbourne, Part 2

With our frocks (and suits) on, the RW team paused for a moment to survey the room, which was bursting with green and white blooms from Victoria Whitelaw; roses, delphiniums, hydrangeas, bouvardias, and mollaca balms.



Flowers by Victoria Whitelaw


Furnishings by Place Settings

... and take a few quick team photos. Bridal couture designer Johanna Johnson created a red Italian wool dress with Swarovski crystal embellishment for Kirsten to wear... lucky Kirsten!


L-R: Founding editor Kirsten MacKelden with husband and Managing Director Toby; our National Advertising Manager Renee, Kirsten, and Creative Director Nicole


Meanwhile, the Food & Desire team put the final touches on the drinks - including a delicious cocktail featuring a passionfruit foam - and an array of delectable canapes such as baby cones of watermelon, basil salad, cucumber espuma and crumbled Valdeon (below, right) and Colcannon potato cakes with garlic chilli prawn, chervil and orange aioli (bottom).



... and before we knew it, the guests were arriving!


Style Guide
Venue: The Harbour Room
Catering: food&desire
Floral Styling: Victoria Whitelaw
Furniture Styling: PlaceSettings
Photography: Matt Reed
Videography: C2 Videography
Kirsten’s Gown: Johanna Johnson

...coming soon....

We know we promised you some more shots from our launch party - and they're on their way!

But here's a sneak peak of the reason for the delay...








More details on this one soon...