New Zealand Weddings Blog

Fashion

Top five entertainment tips from DJ Ian Wilson

1 Get involved

The playlist at your wedding should reflect you and your man’s personalities, so let your DJ know what sort of music you want. Discussing song lists and ideas is a good place to start. Ensure you talk about the timing of events, special genres or songs to be played, any special edits that are needed, and of course don’t forget the ‘do not play’ list for any tracks you hate! A good DJ will ask about what you want – if they say they understand the music you have in mind without discussing it with you first, then you know they will be rolling out a standard playlist, not something tailored to your special day. The mix of music generally depends on the age of the audience, but there are so many variables. To avoid disappointment, take the time to talk it over with your chosen DJ and get your music preferences in writing to make sure you’re both on the same page.

2. Do something fun

No matter how much you love dancing, hours and hours of it without a break can get a bit tiring. You might want to look at ways to break up that time with something entertaining for your guests. For example, if you’re doing a bouquet throw and a garter toss, how about asking the DJ to get the winners up for a special dance together – this was a memorable highlight at a recent wedding I played at. Get creative and think outside the box to keep guests on their toes.

3. Romance on the dance floor

The first dance is a very special moment, and if you're game then you can learn some simple dance moves that look very impressive. If your dance routine only lasts a short time then you could ask the DJ to edit the song for a shorter version, or introduce the bridal party at the point when the dance routine comes to an end. But it doesn’t have to end at the first dance. At one wedding I was a DJ for, about halfway through the night we had the bride sit on a chair in the middle of the dance floor, and the groom and groomsmen surprised her by serenading her with ‘You’ve lost that loving feeling’ by the Righteous Brothers. A small amount of effort usually pays off – if it is a surprise, just make sure you let the DJ in on the secret to avoid awkward interruptions. Communication is key.

4. Get creative

Many brides and grooms want to follow certain etiquette and wedding formats: it’s what people expect, and it can be nice to have traditions. But at the same time, you probably want your celebration to be different from your friend’s or sister’s wedding. From the music that plays as you walk down the aisle to the song of your last dance, you can add your personal touch. Talk to your DJ about having a special dance when you enter the reception, or have two songs for the first dance (such as a slow romantic tune with a fun song mixed in). If you put your creative thinking caps on, you could be the first to start off a new trend and wow your guests with something unique. Just make sure it’s tasteful, and a good fit to your personalities.

5 Connect with your guests

From your vows to the speeches, you want to make sure people can hear what is being said and feel a part of what is happening. You will usually need microphones, preferably wireless, and an amplification system. Quality sound equipment makes a huge difference. It's also important to keep your guests informed, and an MC can help immensely. A good MC will keep things flowing smoothly and avoid awkward pauses and silences. Not every announcement needs to be made over the PA system – informing smaller groups of guests to take a seat sometimes works better. Many emotions, laughs and sometimes tears are shared during these spoken moments, so they should be audible. Consider asking your DJ or videographer to record them for you, so you can treasure the memories in years to come.

You can find Ian at www.aucklandweddingdj.co.nz

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 12 January 2012 | 16 comments

Pride and Prejudice

“…You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

- Mr Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 22 December 2011 | 35 comments

With this veil, I thee wed

It's one of the biggest questions when it comes to your wedding ensemble: to veil or not to veil?

The right headpiece will complete your look, turn heads, and make you feel every inch the bride. But remember, always consider your dress. Balance is key - in general, the bigger your train and the more voluminous your skirt, the more likely it is that you will pull off a longer veil. If your dress is shorter or has a simple design, it may be best to go for a smaller hair piece that won't detract from your gown.

Luckily, there are many options available. Here, we list our favourite looks, from celebrity weddings to the silver screen.

Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), Twilight

Bella's look is sweet and simple, and the jewelled hair comb adds a glamorous touch.

Liv Lerner (Kate Hudson) in Bride Wars

A stunning full-length veil to match a princess-esque gown.

Kate Middleton

Gorgeous, classic and very royal. If you like Kate's look but don't want to wear a crown, try a jewelled headband instead.

Katherine Heigl

A pretty facinator is elegant, eye-catching and modern, while still making a classic up-do look extra special.

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 20 December 2011 | 24 comments

Tea for twenty-one

One lucky bride won a gorgeous vintage afternoon tea for her hen’s party celebration through New Zealand Weddings magazine, thanks to The Vintage Table and Bluebells Cakery.

Philippa Shorten and 20 of her friends and family got together at Cornwall Park’s Pavilion Room in November for an unforgettable high tea experience. Everything from the food to the linen was provided, set up, and cleared away afterwards so Philippa and her guests could relax and enjoy. The venue was beautifully decorated with pretty bunting, vintage linen, lots of pink china, and pink peonies. The guests went all out, dressing up in 1920s flapper dresses, head dresses, and pearls.

After sipping on bubbly served in vintage hollow-stemmed champagne glasses, they enjoyed exquisite club sandwiches, fresh scones with jam and cream, baby cupcakes, petite savoury and tarts and other sweet treats, topped off with tea and coffee served in vintage china teapots and teacups.

Check out these gorgeous photos from the event for inspiration for your own celebration!

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 16 December 2011 | 46 comments

Top Five Flowers

“Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers also feed the soul.” – The Koran

Looking for the perfect flower? Here are our top five flowers, their meaning, and how to use them - and check out our summer issue for tips on vintage flower arrangements!

Peony – bashfulness

Peonies are both beautiful and changeable – their shape will alter dramatically as they bloom from a bud to an open flower.

Rose – love

This classic wedding flower also offers lots of variety – mix it up with different colours, sizes and shapes.

Sweet peas – delicate pleasures

From pretty pastels to eye-catching brights, these blooms offer plenty of colour choice and can be used long-stemmed in a bouquet, or cut short in small glass vases.

Tulip – declaration of love

Tulips offer a clean, classic yet exotic shape, in a wide variety of colours.

Cala Lillies – magnificent beauty

Elegant, sophisticated and modern, these flowers are a popular choice for weddings – particularly in white!

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 27 November 2011 | 23 comments

Floral fantasia

Putting your DIY hat on is a great way to add personal touches to your wedding decor. Try scattering pretty fabric flowers like these on table tops, among tea light candles or vases of fresh flowers. To cut costs, use left-over fabric from dress alterations to match your colour scheme. Bonus: these flowers will last forever!

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 22 November 2011 | 77 comments

Love is blind

"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind."

- Helena, in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 15 November 2011 | 120 comments

Tips for the perfect bouquet!

- Choose a variety of shapes – a mix of vertical spikes like lavender, bulb-shaped blooms like tulips, and flatter flowers like open roses will give your bouquet depth.

- Did you know different flowers had different meanings in Victorian times? A quick google search will tell you what your flowers represent, so you can choose varieties that reflect what you and your partner value. Try http://aboutflowers.com.

- Choose flowers that complement your colouring, not just your décor – you will be holding them near your face for photos! Also consider the bouquet size – if you’re petite, a large bunch of flowers may look overwhelming in your photos, whereas if you’re taller you could get away with longer stems or a larger flower bunch.

- If you like the tradition of throwing the bouquet, consider having a smaller version of your chosen bunch of flowers for this purpose. Having taken the time to carefully choose your flowers, you may not want to throw them away so soon!

- If you get your wedding dress or bridesmaid dresses made or have the hems taken up, save a strip of fabric for wrapping around your bouquet to tie it in with your look.

- Most of all, you want a bouquet that you will enjoy holding. Don't worry that your favourite flowers aren't traditional or that the roses you like are too simple - if you love it, that's all that counts.

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 14 November 2011 | 41 comments

Perfect imperfections

“Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.”

- Mr Knightly in the movie, Emma.

Posted by New Zealand Weddings on 9 November 2011 | 55 comments

Our favourite details from the Grand Weddings Show

Ever wondered what there is to see at a wedding show? Photographer Lisa Wilson captured some of our favourite stands at last weekend's Grand Wedding Show at SkyCity, Auckland.

Astra Bridal takes inspiration from the tropics...