Things brides and couples wish they knew before their wedding day!

LIPSTICK LIFE HACK
For longevity purposes when drinking from a glass if you lick the glass where you are going to put your lips it creates a barrier keeping your lipstick on your lips and not on the glass. Also for lipstick revival always carry a lip balm, apply a small amount over top of old lipstick and it will look like new again!

PJS/SILK ROBES
The cute button down pyjamas or silk robes you see everyone wear in prep isn’t just for looks - it’s practical so you don’t have to lift anything over your freshly done hair and makeup.

These two tips are from Alana Hair and Makeup Artist! Alana’s Instagram is filled with so much incredible content and more helpful ideas.

SAVE YOURSELF SOME CAKE
Make sure your caterers save you some cake if you’re busy during the night of your reception and don’t get to eat a piece.

Tip from Becs at Stiletto Studio who has made many cakes for me, highly recommend!

WHEN TO WASH YOUR HAIR

Wash and dry your hair the night before unless instructed otherwise by your hairstylist! We can easily give your hair extra volume and texture with products if it’s feeling too silky, but if it’s too oily, there’s nothing we can do!

Emily Faye Belle’s tip for hairstyling, you can catch her on Instagram here!

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BOUQUET

When talking flowers I always recommend having vases on the bridal table to pop bouquets into. This keeps them fresh and it's a good way to reuse them as it often means you don't need extra arrangements on all the tables. And always go for seasonal blooms!

Tip from Flowers by Megan!

HEAD TABLE SEATING

If you’re having a sit down meal with a head table, seat the shortest people on the side that the MC (or guests doing speeches) will stand on. This means your partner doesn’t constantly have to lean back so you can both see. Or consider having a different spot for speeches.

Tip from Married by Ashleigh!

How to choose the right wedding package for your day?

When it comes to booking a photography package everyone’s wedding day will look slightly different, so it’s important that your photographer can customise to your needs.

POPULAR WEDDING PACKAGES

For weddings with over 60 guests I start with providing a PDF that has my 3 most popular package options: 3 hours, 6 hours and 10 hours. This is a good starting point for clients to figure out if they want the full day or half day covered. I also give a guideline for the parts of the day that would fit within those hours, which looks like this.

3 hours:
Ceremony
Candid photos of guests
Family photos
Bridal shoot

6 hours:
Preparations
Ceremony
Candid photos of guests & Family photos
Bridal shoot 
Entrance to the reception
Reception details
(Couples can pick preparations or 2 hours of the reception instead)

10 hours (max):
Preparations
Ceremony
Candid photos of guests & Family photos
Bridal shoot 
Full reception coverage & First dance

FULL DAY VS. HALF DAY

Most couples will book the full day/10 hour package but I won’t ever try and sell you this package if it’s not what you need. If you’re really clever with your timeline you can actually fit a lot into the 6 hour option. If preparations aren’t as important to you then you could have only 1 hour of getting ready photos, or even opt out of these all together, that way you can have more of your reception covered. A great way to get your first dance into your 6 hour package is to have your reception entrance which leads straight into the first dance, this is a really unique way to get your guests excited for the evening.

The 10 hour option is really good if you don’t want to be following a strict timeline on the day and if there is travel to multiple locations. I cap this package a 10 hours because it starts to be a long day for everyone.

CUSTOMISE YOUR PACKAGE

If the options you’ve been given don’t quite fit your timeline then find out if a custom package is an option! 6 hours might not be enough, 10 hours could be too much, maybe 8 hours would be perfect!

ELOPE INSTEAD!

If the idea of a full-day wedding sounds like too much and you’ve started considering what it would feel like to just elope instead, then it’s probably a perfect option for you! Elopements always end up being just as special as a full wedding day, they bring so many good memories and I absolutely love photographing them!

GETTING STARTED WITH YOUR TIMELINE

Knowing what package to go for does require having a draft timeline of the day which can feel really daunting if you don’t know where to start. Have a read of my blog post which runs you through some ideas here! I’ll give clients plenty of time to make the decision on which package, you can always book me in by paying the deposit and we can decide on the amount of coverage at a later date.

How to design an engagement ring - By Karl Mooyman (my Husband)!

I asked Karl to feature on my blog and talk about some of the things he learnt when designing my engagement ring. For anyone wanting to propose - take note, there are some great ideas here!

One of the hardest things when you’re planning to propose is the ring!

When I first started planning to propose I knew the ring was going to be very important; my wife Jaymee doesn’t tend to wear jewellery, but she had talked about an engagement ring/wedding ring being the only jewellery she would wear, so I wanted it to reflect her style and remind her of our relationship.

I did a lot of research into rings, diamonds etc and whether to buy one off the shelf, or get one designed. I ended up getting one designed and made by The Village Goldsmiths, who were incredible through the whole process! Here are a few of the things I learned during that process.

Why did I go for custom made?

In most cases it’s not more expensive to design your own engagement ring. Since you’re starting from scratch you can set your budget and you’ll know exactly what you can get for the cost. It also meant I could create something really specific that would represent Jaymee and I, and have control over all of the elements.

Speaking of cost

There’s an old rule that you should spend three months salary on the ring, don’t buy into that and definitely don’t go into debt for it. You don’t even need to buy a ring if your partner isn’t into that. My best friend Dave’s partner got a tattoo to symbolise their engagement. No matter what you get only spend whatever you’re comfortable with - the cost was the first thing I decided on.

Research

First figure out what kind of jewellery your partner likes. Jaymee literally only owned one ring at the time and she never wore it. Luckily she did have a Pinterest board with wedding rings she liked (talk about a hint). I noticed that most of them used rose gold, all but one had diamonds, and the diamonds were mostly round or pear shape.

Design

For me the overall design of the ring was the fun part. I really liked the idea of incorporating the infinity symbol in it (so cheesy) and just created a few different design options. I sent those through to the designer and she came back with some similar rings they had done in the past, for inspiration. One of them had one larger diamond, and a smaller diamond to each side of that, which I thought looked great so we expanded on that idea.

As it happens, this design was actually very similar to both our grandmothers engagement rings, which was a nice surprise after the fact!

The other main design element was the metal colour. I knew rose gold needed to be the main metal, but one of the design ideas was two-tone, with white gold in addition to the rose gold. I liked this idea but eventually decided that the full rose gold is what Jaymee would prefer, and had a more classic look.

Diamonds (or other jewels)

A girls best friend. Also quite expensive! This actually takes up most of the cost of the ring, so your goldsmith can change the size and quality to match your budget. There are lots of other options if you can’t afford the size that you’re wanting. While researching I came across Moissanite which I was originally going to go for, however, you would need to find a specific jeweller that works with this as not all of them do. There are also white sapphires, which Village Goldsmith recommended if I wanted something larger for my budget.

You don’t have to go for the standard, a different coloured jewel could really make your ring stand out, if that’s what you and your partner like. I knew Jaymee liked diamonds since it was all over her Pinterest board, so I went with that. I think she might be addicted to them now though!

Designing our wedding bands

We wanted our wedding rings to fit in with the engagement ring, especially Jaymee’s, since it would sit right next to it. For her wedding band, we stuck with rose gold, but wanted something a bit more delicate and understated, since the engagement ring was the main piece. We love the band of small diamonds, as it makes the diamonds on the engagement ring look bigger!

For my wedding band, I needed something durable since I do a lot of heavy work so I went for titanium. To keep it within the look, we had a band of rose gold through the middle of the ring in to match Jaymee’s rings.

Reasons to hire a wedding planner - Interview with Kater Weddings Wellington

Your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life! Wedding planners can take a huge weight off your shoulders when it comes to organising a wedding and will be able to help you make your vision come true.

I caught up with my friend Kate from Kater Weddings & Events to find out more about her role as a Wellington based wedding planner!

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A WEDDING PLANNER?

As a wedding planner and coordinator, it’s challenging to explain to a couple the extent of our role without sounding like a comprehensive devil’s advocate. The reality is, that is our job.

Like a duck to water, a wedding coordinator jumps in the pond the moment you sign them on. Whether it is three months out or a few weeks before, a wedding planner/coordinator loves and is experienced in all thing’s logistics. We meet, share a glass of wine and work through every element with you. After all those hours of perfectly selecting the most magical vendors, styling your tables, budgeting and saving like a squirrel to ensure you can include all your Pinterest dreams, we want you to enjoy the complete wedding experience. And on the day, simply be surrounded by those you love and be present in every moment. Because let’s be honest your wedding day is over in a flash, so why not enjoy the planning highs, the cake tastings, and often daunting dance lessons together as a couple.  

Wedding planners/coordinators offer proficient industry advice and cross any t’s or dot any i’s that you may have missed. We help with the tricky decisions, provide a tissue for happy tears and an emergency safety pin for any dress mishaps. We pre-plan and pre-empt for the worst (so that you don’t have to). We assist your Aunty with decorating the cake, provide an extra pair of hands for your florist and host your guests on your behalf.

WHY SHOULD YOU BOOK A WEDDING PLANNER?

When you book a wedding coordinator you can guarantee that if anything goes wrong, we will arrive on the day like a magical fairy godmother, in a pumpkin chariot pulled by magical unicorns.

Speaking as a past bride myself, to a ‘bride/groom to be’, I speak from personal experience when I say wedding planners/coordinators are worth their weight in gold.

Image of Kate at The Milk Station by Candy Capco

You can find out more about Kate and her services over on her website: https://www.kater.co.nz/
Go check out her Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/kater.weddings/

Our top Wellington wedding venues

Wellington and the Kapiti Coast has a range of wedding venues for your ceremony and reception. This list showcases different venues with links to their websites where you can access more information!

Anam Cara Gardens

Anam Cara Gardens offers 10 acres of serene garden settings, an indoor venue and two separate spaces for getting ready making it the perfect venue for your day. Their venue has capacity for up to 120 guests, includes a modern commercial kitchen for caterers and a bar for BYO. Pick from 6 different ceremony locations and many areas for photos, including the beach which is only a short drive away for sunset photos.

BOOMROCK

Boomrock Lodge is an out of city experience with panoramic views across the Tasman sea. The clifftops are a perfect spot for your outdoor wedding ceremony and The Lodge can comfortably seat up to 120 guests or 140 cocktail style. Their resident chef Warren Maddox will design a menu to suit your requirements and budget. Boomrock is a 30 minute bus ride from the CBD or a 6 minute helicopter transfer. They also offer fun activities for guests during cocktail hour like clay bird shooting and golf.

SUDBURY

Sudbury is a Kapiti Coast wedding venue set on a ridge overlooking a valley in Peka Peka, 40 minutes north of Wellington City. Dinner in the stables can seat up to 150 guests and their catering partner Mark Harman brings a delicious dining experience while you provide BYO alcohol with no corkage fee. The venue offers a range a stunning photo backdrops and is only a short drive from the beach if couples would like sunset photos. The onsite accommodation Cottage 103 is the perfect spot for getting ready.

OHARIU FARM

Ohariu Farm is a countryside venue found only 20 minutes outside of Wellington CBD. Their in-house catering team will cater for weddings with up to 230 guests seated and 450 standing. Their menu is prepared on-site using fresh and organic ingredients. Their wedding packages can include lawn games, a prosecco wall, a mobile gin bar and a golf driving range.

DOCKSIDE

Dockside is a venue and restaurant located on the edge of the Wellington waterfront. The Main Deck downstairs can seat 140 guests and features an opening roof, so it’s perfect for any weather and large enough to host your ceremony and reception.

Lighting tips for your Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions can be a challenging environment for photographers. Most venues will have low light conditions once it gets dark and artificial lighting from the dance floor can mean there are a lot of uncontrollable variables. A good photographer will be able to adapt on the spot to any lighting condition, but there are a few things we can prepare for in order to get better photos. Putting more thought into the design of your wedding lighting can add a lot to the atmosphere of your reception.

LIGHTING TERMS

Here are a couple of lighting terms that you’ll want to know before asking your vendors for quotes:

Uplighting – lights that are placed on the floor and shine up the walls in various colors
Gobo light – a template that light shines through to create a pattern, monogram, or motif on the floor, ceiling, or wall
Texture lighting – the same as a Gobo light but with a preset pattern, such as leaves or a starry night sky
Spotlight – a lamp that projects a narrow beam of light on one particular area or object
Pinspot – a tiny light used to illuminate a small area, such as a centerpiece on a table
String lights – also referred to as twinkle, fairy, bistro, or cafe lights, these strands of lights are the most versatile and cost-effective way to light up any space
Pendants – also known as drop or suspender lights, these are single fixtures that hang from the ceiling
LED light – type of bulb that is cost-effective, long-lasting, and provides more vibrant color than a traditional bulb
Color wash – a general fill of color used throughout an entire room that doesn’t highlight any particular area
(Information sourced via: Junebug weddings)

DECIDE ON A STYLE

Decide on the atmosphere and style that best suits your ideas and venue. Candlelight and fairy lights work great for romantic and classic lighting. If your style is glamourous, look for more dramatic lighting sources and add sparkly details so the light glows around the room. For a rustic look use antique lanterns and bulb pendant lights for a raw and natural look.

MATCH THE COLOUR OF LIGHT

Only add in light if it’s the right colour for the occasion. If you use different colours and shades the lighting can start to look very unnatural and it can make people’s skin tones look unflattering. I prefer photographing in warm tungsten lighting, as opposed to purple and green spotlights.

SPEECHES

Plan where your guests will stand when they make speeches. Avoid having guests stand in front of large windows, this can make it tricky for your photographer as the light will be brighter than the rest of the room and it can make images look hazy and less detailed.

LOW LIGHT

Discuss with your photographer what will happen to your lighting during your reception. Communicate with your DJ about which lights will stay consistent and if any lights, like a strobe, will be added later for your dancing. Your photographer will appreciate knowing in advance so they can plan without any surprises and know to bring additional lighting if needed. If there is limited light at your venue and it’s too dark, your photographer will need to use a flash to capture your first dance and speeches.

How to pin a buttonhole (boutonniere) to a suit jacket?

Pinning a buttonhole or boutonniere to a suit isn’t something most people have done before. Groomsmen are often Googling ‘how to’ the morning of the wedding. This tradition began when men would place a single bloom through the buttonhole of their suit lapel to add colour and style. They are usually pinned on the Groom’s left side (above the heart), with the flower pointing up and the stem pointing down.

First, decide on the placement of the boutonniere by holding it against the suit. Once you’re happy with the placement, fold the lapel over and use your pins on the back of the lapel and weave the pin through to the front of the flower stems.

Brides and Grooms - send a ‘how to’ video to your bridal party before the wedding so they know what to do on the day. Here’s a helpful video found on youtube demonstrating what to do!

Learn how to pin a boutonniere on a lapel for your next special event. Presented by Floating Leaf Studios and Fresh and Fabulous, LLC.

Tips for your wedding preparation photos!

Photographing your wedding preparations is about letting the day unfold and capturing some of the best moments with your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. The morning of your wedding day can be a little chaotic, so I’ve put together some helpful tips that you (or your Bridal party) can organise before your photographer arrives.

SHOWER AND HAVE LUNCH

Do the essential things like shower and have lunch nice and early. If you only have a short window of time with your photographer for Groom’s preparation photos, make sure everyone is showered and has their outfits ironed and ready to go.

If you don’t feel like a big lunch, have some nibbles laid out for you to snack on. I’m obsessed with platters and these look nice if they’re in the background of your photographs (rather than a plastic bag of potato chips, as much as I also love potato chips).

PUT YOUR SUITS AND DRESS ON DISPLAY

Photographers love details. Take your suits and dresses out of any protective laundry bags, cut off any tags and unpick any temporary stitching on the backs of suits. Hang your garments on a curtain rail or a ledge. Try and do all of this before your photographer arrives so it’s not something you need to worry about later on while you’re in the middle of having photos taken.

AVOID SMALL AND DARK HOTEL ROOMS

Often the Groom and his Groomsmen will get ready at a separate location to the Bride and ceremony location. If preparation photos are an important part of your day put some thought into the location for these photos. A cramped hotel room with minimal natural light isn’t going to be the easiest space for your photographer. Instead, look into booking an Airbnb or something similar which has more space and style.

OTHER DETAILS

Gather other items like shoes, the rings, a wedding invite, buttonholes, etc and place them somewhere obvious for your photographer, so they can create more detail images for you.

PLAN THE LOGISTICS

Know what time your photographer is arriving and plan any important photos around this. I recommend a maximum of 2 hours for the girl’s preparation photos. Preparation photos often look better once the Brides makeup (or hair) is complete, you can then get some touch-up photographs and the most important part which is putting on the Brides dress.

The guys don’t tend to need as long for preparation photos, I recommend 1-hour max. Make sure the Groom and his Groomsmen hold off getting fully dressed until the photographer arrives, they can leave suit jackets off and wait to pin the buttonholes. Sometimes we have arrived and the guys are fully dressed and ready to go which leaves us with no authentic and natural moments to photograph, which often means we have to stage photographs that the guys don’t tend to enjoy doing!

How to assign guests to tables at your wedding reception

Assigned seating at your wedding isn’t mandatory, but most couples will decide to have a seating plan for a number of reasons. You want to make it easier for your guests and group people where it makes sense. If your reception is providing a plated dinner service your coordinator may ask for a seating plan as a requirement for their staff.

Start with a lay out of how your tables will look and how many people they will sit. Your venue should be able to suggest the most appropriate layout for your number of guests. Typically you can fit more guests on rectangular tables and it makes it easier for guests to talk to other tables.

Place your parents next. Traditionally, parents on both sides will sit together, along with grandparents. This is a chance for families to share how happy they are for you. Sometimes, this arrangement doesn’t work depending on their relationships, so you may need to consider multiple tables for family members.

Once you have finalised who is attending you can start grouping people together. You can create groups based on how you know each other, for example: high school friends, work friends, cousins and other family members. Consider your guests ages, backgrounds and interests, so they have lots to talk about. You will want to make sure there are some familiar faces at each table so no one feels left out or awkward.

Consider having a separate table for younger children (somewhere not too far away from their parents). You can make this fun and provide lots of activities to keep them entertained and happy.

Keep in mind your floor plan. Your bridal party will want the best seat in the house, while Grandparents may need easy access and won’t enjoy being too close to the band or loudspeakers.

Make it easy for guests to find their table by having a sign at the entrance and cards on their table. If you’re still not into the idea of assigned seating, consider assigned tables instead, that way guests can pick their own seats but within the right group.

Preparing for your wedding proposal photo shoot - Redrocks Wellington

Planning a wedding proposal is a mix of excitement and nerves! You’re asking someone to spend the rest of their life with you, so you want to ensure this moment special for the both of you!

If you want the proposal photographed there are two ways this can happen. The traditional approach is to plan with a photographer where and when you plan to get down on one knee, your photographer should be somewhere hiding near by ready to snap the action. The way of photographing a proposal which I prefer is to have a planned shoot where your partner knows a photographer will be joining you. This approach means you end up with better photos because your photographer has more control over the scene and your movements. It involves a little more planning and some strategic communication but heres how you can make that happen!

HAVE A STORY

Your partner might start get suspicious so come up with a back story as to why you have booked a photo shoot. You could explain to your partner that you won a couples shoot through a competition you entered, or a work give away. Your photographer could be ‘an old friend’ who is looking to build her portfolio. You could ask a friend to help out, perhaps they won the couples shoot but they can’t go ahead. Suggest a photo shoot for a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, but really its much more than that. Keep it simple and make it more about the act of doing something fun together. It might be completely out of the ordinary for your relationship but the chances are your partner will definitely be into it! Let your photographer know what your story is.

CHOOSE AN EPIC LOCATION

Pick a location that you know your partner will love. If you are shy and nervous about other people watching, find somewhere that is quiet so the moment can be more intimate. Your photographer will be able to suggest a good spot and the best time of day. Visit the location a week or a few days before hand to make sure it feels right.

LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WORK THEIR MAGIC

Don’t stress too much, your partner will sense you are acting strange. Before the shoot, ask your photographer for a queue which indicates a good time for proposal. Your photographer will be looking at what the light is doing and framing the image with the background while keeping an eye on what you are doing, so it’s important they are ready for this moment.

I’ll usually spend 20-30 minutes with couples ‘warming up’ to the actual proposal. This is a chance to set the scene and get used to the camera.

When it comes to getting down on one knee, try and stay there for as long as it feels comfortable. This will give your photographer more opportunities to get the key shot. Have some words prepared and tell your partner how much they mean to you!

MAKE A DAY OUT OF IT!

Plan the whole day and make it special. You could book dinner reservation for afterwards. You’ll both want to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter together!

YOUR PROPOSAL PHOTOS

You will be so excited to see your new photos! Ask your photographer for one or two preview images so you can announce your engagement to friends and family.

Are you looking for candid and un-posed wedding photography?

Not into posed and formal photos for your wedding? I’m with you on this! Candid and natural photos are a personal favourite of mine. My second shooter and I make sure our approach is subtle and like a fly on a wall, so you don’t feel awkward or even know we are there.

A lot of couples are turning away from posed and polished wedding photos. Instead it’s all about interacting with guests, lots of laughing shots and those in-between moments. A great opportunity for these types of images is during your ceremony and straight after when your guests are congratulating you. There are often some tears and lots of hugging going on. Then again at your reception when you and your guests are mingling.

You can still have a bridal party shoot. I will often give directions which makes everyone laugh and relax. I will suggest things like “now everyone walk towards me” or “look at each other and chat/tell a silly joke”. These shots are more about hanging out with your best friends, as opposed to standing in a line and smiling.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! What kind of photography are you looking for?

Planning your Zero Waste and Eco-friendly Wedding

If you’re planning a wedding you will start to see how much goes into one event. There will likely be a lot of people to invite and potential waste. Your decisions can have a huge impact on the environment. I’ve put together some ideas for how you can spread the love and have an eco wedding! Making some small changes doesn’t mean you need to compromise how you celebrate, if anything you are adding so much more value to your day.

PICKING AN ECO FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that reduces its waste and gives back to the community reach out to your local venues to see what your options are. Do they that align with your ideas; do they use sustainable products and local produce?

Get married in your back yard! Having an outdoor ceremony is one way to save on energy and decorations. If you can have your ceremony and reception at the same location this will also mean your guests wont need to travel from one event to the next which will mean less transport costs.

GO PAPERLESS

Don’t get me wrong, I adore wedding stationary but going paperless is becoming more popular. Check out Paperless Wedding, their service allows couples to pick from a variety of themes to create online invitations. Once you click send guests receive their invites straight to their email inbox which is much faster and can click to RSVP.

REDUCE PACKAGING FROM GIFTS

Your guests will want to gift you with a present to say congratulations! Think about all of the packaging that will go to waste if every person was to bring a gift. Look into an online gift registry like Honeypot, pick items that you would like to receive for your honeymoon or newly wed life and guests can choose the value they want to gift.

This also means you don’t receive the same item twice which happens more often than you think! I know this option would suit my partner and I as we are very specific about what items we want in our household and we don’t like the idea of receiving items that we don’t have a need for.

WHERE DO YOUR FLOWERS COME FROM

Talk to your florist about where they source their flowers and what flowers will be in season. Being a proud plant Mum to many indoor plants, I appreciate that sometimes insect control is needed to keep your plants alive. I use organic sprays and home remedies. Find out how long it takes for the flowers to reach your florist after they are cut, this insures they are fresh and uses less electricity as they are often kept in refrigeration.

Look into alternative solutions for flowers. Dried florals are a huge trend right now, check out Wellington florist Floriade. Dried arrangements and bouquets are timeless and at the end of your wedding you won’t need to dispose of them. Indoor plants are another alternative to using flower arrangements.

LOCAL AND ORGANIC CATERING

Look for local businesses who use locally grown organic produce and focus on seasonal food. Find out what sustainable initiatives they have in place, how do they reduce waste etc. Good Chemistry Catering Wellington pride themselves on offering good food using sustainable ingredients while tailoring to your needs. It’s making me hungry thinking of all the yummy options out there, so many companies are jumping on board with this.

SUSTAINABLE WEDDING RECEPTION DECORATIONS

Avoid single use items by only sourcing items that you can reuse again, this includes decorations. Hiring or borrowing decorations is a great way to save on money and ensure the items aren’t wasted after single use. Look for alternative materials like up-cycled fabrics, avoid plastics. Candles and solar lanterns are a great option for saving on electricity and creating atmosphere.

Look for minimalist and D.I.Y inspiration, Pinterest is the best place for this!

WEDDING ATTIRE

Looking for a sustainable wedding dress doesn’t mean you need to wear your Mums wedding dress, although this could work if it was altered to suit a modern style. Look into local designers or ethical brands that are part of the sustainable fashion movement. Find out how the fabrics are made. Groomsmen and Bridemaids have the option to wear their outfits again, so focus on finding a look that they will likely rewear.

Wedding Planning - How to Write Personal Wedding Vows

Wedding vows serve as an intimate moment during your ceremony to express your love, commitment and promise to one another. Writing your own wedding vows gives you the chance to personalise this moment.

SET THE TONE WITH YOUR PARTNER

First you want to set the tone. You have decided to step away from using traditional vows and want to write something that comes from the heart and is about your relationship.

Together you can decide how long your vows are going to be. You can discuss if you want to add elements of lightheartedness or inside jokes. You might decide to keep it more sentimental.

MAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Take some time to reflect on your relationship and how it makes you feel. Start with a statement about who your partner is to you; your best friend, your lover, your partner in crime.

What did you think when you first saw them?

What do you have now that you didn't have before you met?

What do you miss most when you're apart? 

Can you think of a funny or touching experience that put your partner in a new light? 

What goals and values do you both have?

What about your partner inspires you? 

What promise can you make to solidify and encapsulate your devotion? 

What are you most looking forward to about married life? 

THE PROMISE

What promises do you want to make to your partner? Mention ways that you will continue to show your love. You can use words like ‘I promise’, ‘I vow’ and ‘I pledge’. Make promises that you can keep, avoid promising perfection, make it real and down to Earth.

SEEK ADVISE FROM YOUR CELEBRANT

Talk to your celebrant about what vows are required by law. In New Zealand you must include “I [name] take you [partner’s name], to be my legal [wife/husband/partner]”, or something similar, to each other at some point in the ceremony. Your celebrant will also be able to structure your ceremony.

WRITE YOUR VOWS EARLY

It can take time before you feel completely satisfied with what you have written. You might have several drafts. Give yourself plenty of time, after all it is your wedding so you want to be putting in your best efforts. Start writing your vows around the same time that you start looking for a celebrant.

Wedding Planning Timeline - How to plan a wedding

What’s your wedding game plan - from the moment you get engaged, what comes next?

12- 18 MONTHS BEFORE

To get started set a budget and write a list of all the costs that you are going to have over the next few months (there are some helpful wedding cost checklists on Pinterest which you can download for free). Try to be specific with how much you want to spend on each part of your wedding. For example, photography may be really important to you so this might be an area where you splurge a little but you might need to save money somewhere else to make up for this.

Start saving for your wedding! One of the most common costs that aren’t accounted for are deposits from your vendors. When a Bride and Groom ask to book me I have a $500 deposit which is non-refundable, a lot of vendors will have a similar upfront cost.

Once you have an idea of the budget you can start writing a guest list. Depending on numbers, this might mean some changes to your budget. Start with close family members, close friends and close co-workers because these are the people who you can’t imagine your wedding without.

Next comes the venue and setting a date. This is a biggy and can take a little bit of time and research. You’ll need to know your budget and guest count before you can confirm a venue. There are two main things to consider, the first being the location and the second being do you want the venue to cater for both your ceremony and reception.

10 - 12 MONTHS BEFORE

Let the fun begin! Once you have confirmed a date and venue you can start looking for things like a dress, photographer, celebrant, hair stylist, make up artist, florist, cake and reception entertainment.

You might decide to throw an engagement party or send gifts to your best friends asking them to be your bridesmaids.

6 - 8 MONTHS BEFORE

You’ll want to give your guests plenty of notice so make sure you send out save the date invites. Queue cute wedding stationary! It’s usually around 4 months when you send the final wedding invites.

Your hair and makeup artist may ask you to book in a trial, this is a good time to start thinking about the styles you want and book in a time to see them.

4 MONTHS BEFORE

If your vendors are organised they will start asking for a timeline of events. I try to encourage couples to talk their timeline through with me so I can make sure enough time is set aside for photos. This is also a time to start finalising seating plans and the dinner menu for your reception.

1 - 2 MONTHS BEFORE

As you move closer to the wedding start thinking about your vows and speeches, otherwise you might find yourself on Google frantically trying to write these a few nights before the wedding.

Apply for a wedding license. In New Zealand you’ll need to arrange your license at least 3 working days before you get married. It expires after 3 months, at around 1-2 months before the wedding this is a good time to arrange this so it isn’t a last minute stress.

Have your final gown fitting and bring your dress home! Make any last minute adjustments with vendors and book any beauty appointments that you will need a week or so before the wedding. This is a great time to pamper yourself and take some time off.