Flames of the Forest

We chat with the beautiful Nat – ( GM at ) Flames of the Forest – Port Douglas

What makes Port Douglas a fabulous Wedding Destination?

You only have to look out the window to see how gorgeous this destination is!  I love that I can sit in my office and look out onto the street filled with sunlight and the beach is just across the road.  Port has the unique ability to make every visitor so relaxed they feel like a local!   The abundance of ceremony locations – beach, park, rainforest, chapels, day or night and the huge array of beautiful reception venues that are really unique and completely different to anything anyone would find anywhere else, really sets us apart in our ability to offer something truly special.  And it’s warm!

 How long have you been GM of Flames of the Forrest?

I took over the role in March last year – but I have been here forever!  I came back after some time off eight and a half years ago to concentrate on the Sales and Marketing for the business.  It’s my third child …. !

Why is Flames different from other venues?

Flames is like nothing else – anywhere!  There isn’t anywhere else in Australia I can think of that offers such awesome natural beauty in our surrounding rainforest complemented by a black silk lined marquee with handmade crystal chandeliers – yes, I did help make them – it took three of us seven weeks to complete them!  It’s just simply so beautiful out there in the rainforest, and magical- my daughters still believe the fairies live there!  We also have no mobile reception which keeps guests firmly focussed on the important couple, and no noise restrictions or curfews, so you can turn up the music and dance the night away for as long as you like!  My partner’s band, Easy Pickings, love playing out there because all we ever tell them to do is turn it up!

 How many guests can you cater for?

The majority of our weddings are between 30 and 150 guests, but we can cater for up to 850.

What happens if it rains?

You get to hear the rain fall in the forest and smell the beauty of it!  We are undercover, so if it rains it doesn’t bother us.

How far from Port Douglas town centre is Flames?

Flames is 15 minutes from the town centre and we can arrange the transfers for the guests so everyone arrives together.

How to I get to and from Flames?

We are in a strictly secret squirrel location so the only way to get there is by coach or chauffeured car.

 Can I have my ceremony at Flames of the Forrest?

We hold stunning night time, candle lit wedding ceremonies for couples who really want to do it differently (it’s so romantic by candle light too!) in conjunction with receptions.   The main ceremony candelabra, is hand made from wrought iron and looks amazing in photos.  That’s me and my other half in the photo standing in front of it the first time I took him to dinner at the venue.  He was suitably wowed!

What’s your favourite menu item?

Hands down it is the lemon myrtle kangaroo loin served on a bed of rocket with homemade fig chutney and toasted macadamia nuts ….. yum!  And any wedding cake that is leftover I am happy to sample …

What’s your beverage of choice?

I used to be strictly bubbles, but have switched to straight scotch or vodka on ice.

Any advice to couples planning a destination wedding in Port Douglas?

Do it and do it strictly your way!

 

Pics by http://www.sassstudios.com/blog/