Main Event Weddings are a Brisbane Based boutique wedding planning and styling organisation founded by Cassie Visser. They are a group of creatively in-tune stylists and personable wedding planners who focus on creating unique, bespoke & 100% customised weddings for every bride & groom to be. They focus on bringing ideas to life and achieving dreams that seem beyond the achievable. With over ten years experience in coordinating and planning weddings, Cassie and her team have the knowledge in both the creative and practical fields, which provides a great balance between organisation and style.

We chat to Cassie about her career, favourite trends and all things styling!

MW: Tell us a little bit about yourself?

CV: My name isCassie Visser and I am the Founder and Director of Main Event Weddings.

I'm sure this sounds like a cliché wedding planner answer, however I love weddings. And when you work in and on your business 24/7, it's important to LOVE what you do. I'm extremely blessed to work with a fantastic team of people that continue to inspire me and my brides. No day is the same at Main Event Weddings and especially now, no wedding is quite is the same. So on a business level I'm loving seeing weddings evolve. And when I say evolve, I don't necessary mean increase in size, rather evolve into unique, individually catered celebrations which is what I love.

On a personal note - I love my family and friends. I have the cutest 14month old daughter, Frankie Joy that brightens my every day. I was never really a 'mummy' type person however there is definitely something about her cheeky little attitude that gets me every time. I'm also lucky to have a long term partner & father of Frankie, Andy, and our companion of five years now; Duchess, our Great Dane.

It's also great working in this industry because your 'industry acquaintances' can sometimes quickly turn 'loyal friend' and I've loved developing these relationships over the years.

MW: How did you get started as a stylist?

CV: I spent approximately 7 years as the Functions Sales Manager for the Port Office Hotel Brisbane. During my time there I planned upwards of 50 weddings per year. I really got a taste what it was like to be a stylist and planner. After my time there developing weddings & events. I realised I wanted this to become my sole responsibility. During this time I also established key industry contacts that would enable me be to do so. Therefore I started Main Event Weddings - a boutique wedding and events styling business. Now we have a team of dedicated planners, stylists, florists and creative experts to assist me in bringing my client's dreams to a reality.

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

CV: With the ever-changing industry, I don't think a style stays relevant for 12 months. However, at the moment I love working with the ever abundant and elegantly timeless taste that an 'organic' wedding brings to the table. Think luscious greenery, foliages & texture with accents of white blooms and wooden tones to set the tone of a botanical inspired look. Think installations of any variety, ambient suspended exposed lighting, and gorgeous settings to really paint a blank canvas. With these muted tones and naturally inspired selections, this is one style that remains timeless no matter the location. Due to the versatility of this colour palette you can really individualise an event. It just lends itself to keeping an event understand and minimalist, however can per personalised to suit each occasion.

MW: What are your favourite new styling trends for 2016/2017?

CV: The ol' KISS policy. Definitely keeping it simple and maxxing out on understated, elegant selections are what are screaming down our stylist consultation lines at the moment. We are opting for one or two wow factors and ensuring that the remainder of the wedding simply inspires these wow factors. Focus on an epic floral installation, a beautiful entry feature, or a beautifully chosen setting and the rest shall simply follow.

Lighting is definitely the new 'black' so to speak. Lighting at a wedding has become so important as it can create such an impact and mood overall. Think of oversized letter lighting, gorgeous beaded chandeliers, hundreds of metres of suspended lights from a structure or ceiling, think fairy lit clear roof marquees, unique pendant lighting - the options are simply endless, and with the right execution can bring your wedding styling from 'zero to hero' with a simple switch of a light {and a well equipped ambience dimmer}.

Metallics. This has been a trend we have seen in the styling ranks for a little while now, but the inclusions of metallic has been used to create contrast against a base, neutral setting. Think of cutlery, pendant lights, vases and vessels, foil printed stationery and oh so much more. But, remember, too much and the look will be lost. A touch here and there, and it shall be the perfect accent to your style.

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

CV:

· Geometric lighting and accessories

· Champagne towers (we supply packages)

· Hanging floral installations

· Beautiful furniture. Be it moderd, art deco, retro or antique, choosing beautiful furniture for your wedding shall really make or break your overall styling vision. If I had to pick a single item, I would definitely choose a classic bentwood dining chair, wooden, solid, comfortable and effortlessly timeless to set the tone of any wedding.

· Beautifully sourced hand made accessories such as woven rugs, embroidered upholsteries & custom designed linens.

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

CV:

1. Be prepared and realistic with your budget! At Main Event Weddings we can help style and plan weddings of all sizes and budgets. To avoid any surprises, or pre-marital disagreements, work out a budget with between the two of you and let your stylist take care of the rest.

2. There is no right and wrong! So often brides finish their sentence with 'do you think that's okay' - our answer is always YES! We love when a couples challenges us by wanting to do something unique and interesting. We suggest taking inspiration from the pages of glossy magazines and frequently updated blogs to draw inspiration from and keep a pinterest or scrapbook that we can start from.

3. Be true to you! If you are a relaxed kind of person that loves being by the beach with a frosty beer in hand then don't feel the need to have a classic white church wedding that doesn't reflect you! Make sure all the elements of your wedding reflect you right through to hair and makeup. If you aren't the kind of girl that wears a lot of makeup, then don't feel the need to have the foundation packed on and four rows of lashes. Your husband picked you for you, not the girl behind the makeup so he'll still want to see you. BUT on the other hand if you are a glam girl - then go for it! It's the one day of your life it makes sense to really stand out and your hair and makeup can certainly do that. And this kind of principle relates to every aspect when planning your wedding.

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

CV: WELL, whilst I LOVE planning, styling and executing weddings, I'm not in a hurry to get married. Maybe it's because I have so many of our brides' to think about I personally love simplicity and refined decadence. I imagine the more formal part of my wedding to be very intimate, just close family and friends and fine food with champagne running endlessly. Think a long lunch with 40 of your nearest and dearest evolving into a post luncheon cocktail affair with everyone whose ever made an impact on yours and your loves ones life and that's the wedding I would dream of. But, our little party of four is pretty busy planning our lives at the moment, so these dreams might stay on hold for a little while longer!

Check out more from Cassie and the Main Event Weddings team on their website, instagram and facebook.

MW x

Credits (Images 1-6) Wedding Stylist + Florist Main Event Weddings Stationery The Ink Refinery Photographer Jessie Dains

Credits (Images 7-14) Wedding Stylist + Florist Main Event Weddings Photography Jessica Aleece Stationery Minted Ceremony Venue Broadway Chapel Woolloongabba Reception Venue & Caterer LOFT West End Bridesmaid's Dress Smik Clothing