di Matteos

Bartending has taken local Coastie, Joel Konza all over the world! Recently winning the 2022 Asian Pacific Bartender of the Year competition in Singapore, he is set to compete at this year's IBA World Final and in the Diageo World Class, arguably the most publicised comp in bartending. When he is not jet setting and competing, Joel is Group Beverage Manager of two of the Central Coast’s trendiest bars, Mumbo Jumbos and Drifters Wharf!

The first venue Joel recommends is the vibrant Mexicoast Cantina that has recently relocated from Terrigal over to Toukley. It's a fun venue with great food too!

His favourite drink is a tequila base with homemade pineapple shrub and a touch of spice through it called the 'Pina Picante'.

Set right by the beach at Norah Head with the sounds of the waves gently lapping on the sand is Joel's favourite tapas bar on the Coast. 

His cocktail of choice is a heart-warming cocktail called the Max Miller made with vodka and chocolate liquor.

Imagine you're seating on the roof top, looking over Terrigal beach, onto the water and eating a meat board. The cocktail that Joel suggests is the 'Sugar Daddy'. A super fun cocktail made with vodka, passionfruit and lemon served with some sprinkles on the top.

When in Terrigal, Joel admits there is nothing better than enjoying a freshly made Italian pizza and sipping on a super fresh cocktail called 'The Downeaster'. It's a mix of sloe gin, pineapple, passionfruit and lime. 

Joel recommends Terrigal's Pocket Bar for its Negroni! He says they have definitely got the negroni right here in this little trendy Sydney type bar and  always go for a classic here!

While eating fresh seafood sitting on the water overlooking Brisbane Water at Gosford, Joel suggests a nice spicy margarita type cocktail made with tequila, pineapple and jalapeno called the 'El Capitano'. 

Joel's favourite cocktail at Shady Palms in Kincumber is the one he won the Asian Pacific Bartender of the Year with! It's called the 'Better Bitter Sour' and is a gin, campari and lychee based cocktail with some egg white through it to make it nice and fluffy!

'Jerry’s Coco Rumba' is Joel's favourite cocktail at Bar Toto in Ettalong which is a coconut tequila based cocktail with house made triple sec. It's creamy and coconutty and great for sipping on while sitting in the old theatre. Lucky Bee has just moved into that little plaza. The plaza is a great little spot to visit. 

Not strictly a cocktail, but Joel says you won't be able to pass on the Pale Ale or Moobi Valley burgers with tasting paddles allowing you to try all their beers. This great spot in Erina Heights is perfect for a Sunday afternoon session.

Carmen Glenn is a Wedding and Elopement Photographer based on the Central Coast and was voted one of Australia’s Top 20 Emerging Wedding Photographers by Capture Magazine. Carmen loves to capture every couple's unique love story through authentic and uncontrived imagery.

The Central Coast is a photographer's dream, the region offers couples an array of locations that will suit any love story.

Carmen recommends the gem that is Pearl Beach for your picture-perfect beach vibe photo session. Nearby Mt Ettalong is a stunning lookout that offers sweeping views all the way to Palm Beach.  For couples willing to get up early to chase the perfect shot, sunrise is the best time to take some pics.

Acclaimed venue and restaurant Amalfi is very close by and is the perfect place to host your nuptials if you have your heart set on Pearl Beach.

For the nature-loving couple, Carmen recommends Strickland State Forest. The sunlight twinkles through the bushland canape ensuring magical lighting, while a stunning suspension bridge, quaint forest floor creek, or magnificent waterfalls provide the perfect spots to capture a wedding day smooch.

The Stables of Somersby is the closest venue, this rustic, rural retreat is close enough to Strickland State Forest that your guests will hardly miss you.

For an intimate venue, filled with character and charm, Carmen's advice is to look no further than Gracelands. This quirky renovated manor house is in the beating heart of Forresters Beach. The black and white geometric facade on the building's front and the neon signs in the venue's interior both offer photo ops that scream, fun and fancy-free.

Crackneck lookout is about 5 minutes up the road, boasting views of the northern coastline up to Norah Head Lighthouse.

If you're looking for hinterland heaven, Carmen doesn't think you can look any further than Glenworth Valley. From misty mountain mornings to open paddocks bordered by beautiful bushland if a country wedding is what you're after this venue has that in spades. 

The daily spectacular that is the Running of the Horses is a unique opportunity for an iconic photo op, giving slim dusty vibes and the good kind of goosebumps.

Long Jetty has become renowned for its street art with colourful murals and shop fronts lining the streets. This quirky piece of paradise offers pockets of splendour that will give your wedding photos a touch of grunge and a lot of life.

In addition to this vibrant urban landscape, just down the road is the suburb's namesake, The Long Jetty offers epic views over the pristine waters of Tuggerah Lake.

Carmen says Bells at Killcare offers variety and versatility for photo settings like no other. The magnificent, perfectly manicured gardens, the lovely lawns, a pretty pond, and a perfect pool. Plus this venue is set amongst native bushland if you're after a ruggedness to your images.

If you don't have a time constraint, leave your guests with some delectable canapes and cocktails and head to Putty Beach with your photographer, you won't regret it.

Bouddi is bouddi-ful, there is no doubt about it. With whimsical wide dirt roads, gorgeous greenery of the Australian bush and epic views of a dramatic coastline this location will add brevity to your images like nowhere else. Carmen suggests you schedule your shoot here to make the most of the golden hour before sunset.

If you're in love with these views you can spend your first night as a married couple at the exclusive and lux Pretty Beach House.

Carmen simply loves the old world charm offered by Kanatra House, this heavenly little chapel is nestled in amongst a lush rainforest landscape with warm timber interiors and heritage feels. 

The stairs leading into the chapel scream cool, classic wedding style and the surrounding bush and gardens provide spots for intimate shots of the happy couple.