New Zealand Weddings

Top five entertainment tips from DJ Ian Wilson

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +1300

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

Words of love

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +1300

“…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

With this veil, I thee wed

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:08:00 +1300

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.

Tea for twenty-one

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:01:00 +1300

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!

Top Five Flowers

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:58:00 +1300

“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!

Floral fantasia

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 09:04:00 +1300

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!

Love is blind

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:22:00 +1300

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

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

Tips for the perfect bouquet!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:24:00 +1300

- 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.

A Wellington Wedding

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:13:00 +1300

We were at the Wellington Wedding show on Sunday, October 30 at TSB Arena, Queens Wharf. We spotted some gorgeous ideas for your big day - check out these lovely displays from Paula Bevege Events.

Perfect imperfections

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:27:00 +1300

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

- Mr Knightly in the movie, Emma.

Win Bridesmaids on DVD

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:51:00 +1200

New Zealand Weddings magazine is giving away five copies of Bridesmaids on DVD – time to get your girlfriends around and settle in on the sofa!

Thirty-something Annie (Kristen Wiig) has hit a rough patch, but finds her life turned completely upside down when she takes on the maid of honour role in her best friend Lillian’s (Maya Rudolph) wedding. In way over her head but determined to succeed, Annie leads a hilarious hodgepodge of bridesmaids (Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper) on a wild ride down the road to the big event.

Email “bridesmaids” to nzweddings@tangiblemedia.co.nz with your full name, address and phone number and you’ll automatically go in the draw. Winners will be drawn on November 20 and notified by email.

Our favourite details from the Grand Weddings Show

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:51:00 +1200

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...

Gorgeous personalised gift favour boxes...

Getting creative with bunting...

Personalised chocolates for guests...

A whole host of invites...

The Sweet Buffet Company's gorgeous display...

The New Zealand Weddings stand, complete with incredible prizes!

Colourful parasols from Parasoul...

All images courtesy of Lisa Wilson Photography.

Win your dream wedding: Rebecca's Diary

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 08:53:00 +1200

Our Win Your Dream Wedding winners, Rebecca and Justin, take us behind the scenes as they plan their big day...

The countdown is on... our wedding date is creeping up fast! There are only a few minor details to sort out, then it's time to relax for the big day. I flew up to Auckland last week for a few days to meet a few people and sort out a couple of things.

THURSDAY: The Centrepiece store has so much cool stuff, from rugby balls to beautiful vases. You can walk in and decorate a table with the things you want on the day! It’s so easy and they have everything there for you to use. I'm really happy with our setup - you'll be able to see it in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

I then met with Cathy from New Zealand Weddings who is just lovely. We ran through what we had been up to, questions we had and she spoke to us about what’s been happening with the magazine and our prize. These girls work so hard to produce an amazing magazine!

I visited Anna Schimmel for a gown fitting and had my dress taken in. Just a couple of touch ups and add ons to go, then it'll be done. Anna Schimmel is so talented at what she does and tailors the dress to fit your body like a glove.

FRIDAY: I met with makeup and hair stylist Lisa Phillips-Hogg who did a practice hair/makeup run on me for the big day. Lisa did a great job and made sure it was what I wanted. She also suggested ideas, which really helped. They're giving me a set of Revlon makeup, as well as doing my mother's and Justin's mother's hair and makeup - so lucky!

We caught up for lunch with our wedding planner, Gayle Garmaz, to fine-tune a few things such as table settings, photo lists for the photographer after the ceremony, and so on. Gayle is incredibly organised. She's come along to all my appointments and made the process so easy - I would be lost without her.

We picked up our gorgeous rings from Carats Design Jewellery and are loving Justin’s unique design. They look great together in a double ring box!

My Dad and I travelled up to Bracu to meet Gayle, Bracu's wedding planner Kim and manager Kiran to go through details for our big day. They were all so inviting and made sure everything was what we wanted. They also suggested options to make our day run as smoothly as possible. We all sat down and went through how we wanted our tables set up, where we wanted our dance floor area (very important), alcohol (what's available) guest numbers and the bar closing time. We also talked about any people with food allergies, children's meals, and meal options. We established where we wanted people to sit/stand for the ceremony, the order of service and what we would do if it was wet ... lets hope it's not! So many things to think about! But it's getting sorted and we are both feeling so confident in all our suppliers that our day will run smoothly and will be absolutely amazing.

SATURDAY: I had one last dress fitting with Anna Schimmel - it fits like a glove! There's one minor detail to change and then I'll be collecting it on Monday. Finally, I had a much needed pamper session with my mum and sister - what a treat! I definitely recommend this to every bride to be.

The wonderful ladies Lori, Patty, and Sarah at Insphire are creating the final touches to our venue: the lovely white chair covers and the white sashes. They are not only providing these, but are also going to set them up and will collect them again after the wedding... how cool is that?

FRIDAY: Tried on my Trousseau dream shoes today, they fit like a glove and are so comfortable.

Deutz have offered to provide us with their delicious sparkling wine and gorgeous hand-blown black champagne flute glasses. They are going to look so divine with our centrepieces and cake. We had our rehearsal today, Dad got to walk me down the aisle, it all went well and it's coming together nicely.

The best man has the rings from Carats Design Jewellery... he had better not forget them! It was so nice to catch up with my amazing fiance after almost a month apart. I'm off for a French manicure tomorrow - only two days to go!

Stack rings to create a unique look

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:53:00 +1200

We showed these gorgeous Carats Design Jewellery rings individually in the latest issue of New Zealand Weddings - but you can also wear them stacked, as below!

Win a vintage tea party

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:53:00 +1200

Thanks to The Vintage Table and Bluebells Cakery we have a gorgeous afternoon tea to give away!

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Celebrate your hen's party or hold an unforgettable high tea for 20 of your friends! The prize includes:

Bubbly served in vintage hollow-stemmed champagne glasses
Dainty club sandwiches, fresh scones with jam and cream, baby cupcakes, petite savoury tarts and other sweet treats
Tea and coffee served in vintage china teapots and teacups

All the china, food, drink, linen and decorations are provided, set up and collected afterwards, so you can relax...

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To enter: Head to Facebook! Tag the New Zealand Weddings page in your Facebook status (to link to our page, type @New Zealand Weddings - you'll need to be a fan of ours first). Your status update will then appear on our wall - that's your entry! The winner will be drawn on August 5. Anyone in New Zealand is eligible to enter, but please do note the prize must take place in Auckland, so if you're out of town it'll be a great excuse for a trip!

FAQ: Is your status not appearing on our wall? It's probably to do with Facebook's privacy settings. Before you post your status, click the picture of the lock next to the Share button and choose "Everyone" - then we'll be able to see it!

PS: You'll have even more chances of attending the party if you get your friends to enter too...

Creating a bridal look in just 23 seconds with Clarins

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1200

Win your dream wedding: Behind the scenes

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:53:00 +1200

Our Win Your Dream Wedding winners, Rebecca and Justin, take us behind the scenes as they plan their big day...

Wow what a journey so far! Thank you so much New Zealand Weddings and our public voters for helping us to win this amazing dream wedding. We are both so excited and still find it hard to believe it is actually happening to us! We are very lucky!

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The past six weeks have been exciting, scary, anxiety-provoking and amazing all at the same time. We have met so many incredible people who are all great at what they do, know how to make you feel at ease and go out of their way to ensure our big day is perfect.

The day after we won (after a few celebratory vinos) Gayle Garmaz, our wedding planner, called us to organise our first meeting. She has been with us every step of way, from providing guidance to suggesting various options to booking appointments at various suppliers and everything else you could think of. Without her I don't know how we would have been able to get from A to B with our crazy lives. She is the rock of our whole wedding and has been amazing in advocating for us and even getting more suppliers on board, including a videographer from Creative Video.

Because I am currently living in Christchurch, I spent a week in Auckland to initiate our wedding planning. Justin also flew up for a few days to help out with the decision-making. On Tuesday, we met with Melanie Kerr, our lovely, vibrant celebrant. She has provided us with options for vows, order of process, and other alternatives for the ceremony. She is very supportive and made us feel confident our ceremony will run smoothly.

We also met with our photographer Bruce Gabites. He has an incredible studio and a variety of photo albums in different options and sizes. A true professional, he is even visiting the venue prior to our wedding to check out various photo opportunities and ensure we get the best images possible for our special day. We feel totally confident in having him as our photographer and we are so excited to see the end product.

Carats Jewellery is able to custom-make pretty much anything for you. I knew what I wanted, so it only took a couple of minutes to select a ring. On the other hand, though Justin also knew what he wanted, it was very unique and he wasn't able to find it on the shelf. But Carats was able to custom design it for him - they even created a 3D image and emailed it to Justin to ensure it was what he wanted.

Working Style was an easy process - they had everything you could want for your man on your big day. It only took about five minutes to decide what we wanted for the groomsmen and the groom! Wow, did Justin scrub up well in that suit!

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Anna Schimmel is our fabulous bridal gown designer, with an exquisite range of amazing gowns and a beautiful array of fabrics for custom-made dresses. To top it all off she is the most down-to-earth, lovely person! She is creating the most beautiful gown for me. I wholeheartedly recommend her to every bride to be - she knows exactly how to make what you want and work with you and your body shape.

Trousseau Bridal has fabulous shoes for everyone's taste. They have been so helpful and even opened their doors outside of normal operating hours to fit us in.

Our bridesmaids dresses were supplied by Modes, who have a vast range of frocks. We were able to choose the style, fabric and colour, and our dresses were ordered and tailored to the girls' measurements. Four weeks later, they arrived and are beautiful - our bridesmaids are going to look stunning.

Later that week, I had a calico fitting with Anna - oh yes, she can make it that fast! A piece of advice from Anna is to wear a 'jezebel' underneath your gown. It holds everything in and makes your bust look really good - a definite investment!

On Friday, we met up with Gayle for a coffee and to gather our thoughts. By this stage I was feeling slightly overwhelmed but Gayle managed to set me straight and alleviated my anxieties.

The City Cake Company has delicious cakes in all sorts of flavours and styles! If you have no idea what you want (like me) their store is full of various options, and if these don't suit you, they also have books full of other fantastic ideas for your big day! I was blown away by the taste testing...

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Gayle and I met with Sue from Flowers at Pink - she has an eye for great detail. Because I don't know anything about flowers, Sue showed me a variety of weddings she had done, which I completely fell in love with. While I was checking out floral arrangements, Tiffany from Centrepiece mentioned she would love to be a part of our package and offered us table arrangements ranging from parasols to birdcages and vases. I couldn't believe it - it's all coming together so well.

To date, the most stressful part of the process was the invite list... what a mission that was! From my experience, it's important to ensure you invite people who are most important to you and your husband to be. There will always be people you would love to invite, but at the end of the day it is your wedding so you decide. That's the best advice I can give.

Our parents as well as Gayle, Sue and Tiffany met up at Bracu to go through decoration options, table arrangements, food and alcohol. I was apprehensive about everyone being there rather than only Justin and I, but I knew they all had great taste and knew what they were doing. Most importantly, it gave our parents some input into our big day. We came away from the venue excited and knowing our day is going to be absolutely beautiful - which made Justin and I feel great!

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After a few hiccups, we nailed down a date: 3 September, 2011! Still to go are final fittings, shopping for bridesmaid dresses and accessories, a walk-through of the day at the venue and many more details to iron out. Now we're looking forward to our hens and stag night... bring it on!

Ask the expert: Choosing bridal flowers to suit your style

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 08:53:00 +1200

Kelly Amundsen of Auckland’s Flowers by Blush reveals her tips for choosing big day blooms:

Imagine yourself looking back on your wedding photos in 20 years’ time. Choose flowers that will reflect your own unique style and personality, and make sure the blooms you want are in season because that affects their availability and price.
Your gown often dictates your bouquet in terms of form, texture and colour. The bridesmaid dresses also play a big part because they introduce more colours, which can be used as a theme for dressing the venue.

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Design your flowers to complement your venue – for example, soft, pretty flowers such as freesias, hydrangeas and sweet peas suit a garden wedding. Contemporary, structured flowers such as calla lilies are perfect for an urban occasion.
A florist will usually dress the venue with various accessories such as antique urns or modern perspex cases to set the scene.

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If you’re doing your own flowers, keep it simple – less is more. Bouquets and centrepieces are the most important, but consider accessorising your venue with elegant candles, glassware or mirrors.
Popular blooms include freesias, hydrangeas, roses and peonies. More than half of our brides set a white theme with the bouquets. Wired poses and gathered, hand-tied bouquets are also in demand.

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A great way to connect the bride and groom is to partner up their bouquet and buttonhole – we’ll usually finish the stems with a ribbon that complements the bridal gown. They’re also great for the groomsmen and dad.
A buttonhole should be the same size, or smaller than, your groom's suit lapel.

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Book a florist six months in advance. It’s best to make an appointment with a florist after your bridal party’s attire has been chosen. During your first consultation, discuss your budget so your florist can suggest arrangements that fit.
After the wedding day, have your bouquet freeze-dried as soon as you can. There are companies throughout New Zealand that can do this for you.

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Kate Dowman Bridal Sale and Christchurch Showroom

Tue, 31 May 2011 08:53:00 +1200

KATE DOWMAN BRIDE BAG A COUTURE BARGAIN SALE

Saturday June 18, 2011, 9.00am - 3.00pm

Sunday, June 19, 2011, 10.00am - 2.00pm

Kate Dowman Bride, 526 Manukau Road, Epsom

Phone: 09 623 3955 or email sales@katedowmancouture.co.nz

Kate Dowman Signature Range ex-samples, ex-Fashion Week gowns, one-of-a-kind samples, nothing over $2,000!

No charge for trying on gowns, no appointment necessary. Cash, eftpos or credit card accepted, no cheques.

KATE DOWMAN BRIDE TO OPEN IN-HOUSE SHOWROOM IN BURNSIDE, CHRISTCHURCH, END OF JULY 2011

Over the past 15 years, Kate Dowman Bride in Epsom, Auckland, has built an enviable brand and reputation for creating stunning New Zealand-made gowns that stand out from the crowd.

Each gown is designed by Kate and handcrafted by her expert couturiers in Auckland. Her current collection showcases different looks from romantic vintage to classical beauty and modern-day princess, - perfect for any style of wedding.

As a passionate born and bred South Islander, opening her in-house showroom in Burnside is the next step towards supplying her ready-to-wear gowns to the South Island, particulary Christchurch, Kate's hometown.

For an consultation appointment to view Kate's collection of gowns in Christchurch, or in Auckland, please email her directly through her website.

"After personally living through the earthquakes, it has made my decision to extend my business to Christchurch more important than ever," Kate says. "I feel there has never been a better time to create something from nothing, and going home to Christchurch has been a sad but humbling reminder of what was, what is, and what must and will be - our future in our great city."

The Wellington Wedding Show

Tue, 17 May 2011 12:35:00 +1200

What a weekend! Thanks to everyone who came to see us at the Wellington Wedding Show - it was a blast. It's always inspiring to meet so many creative people and encounter so many beautiful ideas under one roof!

Read on for some of our snaps from the day...

Brand manager Cathy with the New Zealand Weddings stand:

Gorgeous gowns from Astra Bridal:

Arrangements from Black Rose Florist:

Inspire Photography:

Multicoloured accessories from Parasoul:

Amy Schultz Photography:

Taking snaps in the photobooth:

Incredible confections from Tempt:

Paula and Angela - the ladies behind the show!