by Johanna Osborne

Weddings are a little like Christmas, everyone comes together and it’s a time for family, friends, sharing and caring. So it makes total sense that more and more couples are opening their hearts to a good cause and incorporating it right into their celebrations. Not only does it create goodwill and good cheer, but also helps to make an actual difference. What am I talking about? The famous and wonderful Unicef of course. Unicef is a new exhibitor at the upcoming Wellington Wedding Show on the 5th of May in the TSB Arena, and we are very excited to welcome them onboard! Today we chat to the lovely Ella Anselmi from UNICEF NZ’s Wellington office, and she fills us in all there is to know about Unicef, and how you too can make a difference on your wedding day and every other day thereafter too.

1. What can you tell us about Unicef?
“UNICEF does amazing things to transform kids’ lives around the world – we immunize half the world’s children, we work to get 67 million children without an education into school, and we protect children from violence, exploitation and AIDS. We do all of this (and more!) for one reason – because we believe every child born into this world, has the right to a childhood. Since we’re a charity, we couldn’t make any of this possible without the help of those who support us with their time and donations in New Zealand. You can find out more about what we do at www.unicef.org.nz or about the favours by clicking www.unicef.org.nz/favours.”

2. How can brides and groom incorporate Unicef into their wedding day?
“We want bride and grooms to share in our love for children! Couples who choose to buy UNICEF Wedding Favours make the best day of their life also the best day of a child’s life. Bride and grooms can say thank you to their guests with UNICEF Wedding Favours, while sending a gift of hope on their behalf so children can live healthier, happier and safer lives. Couples can give the gift of life with therapeutic food, mosquito nets or polio vaccines. “

3. Tell us more about Unicef wedding favours
“It is so easy for couples to choose UNICEF Wedding Favours for their big day. All they need to do is go to www.unicef.org.nz/favours and select the wedding favours they would like for their guest (these come in packs of 10 ranging from therapeutic food, and vaccines to mosquito nets). The couple will then receive stylish little cards for each guest to go on their table (can be used as name cards) and we will send the live-saving gifts to children who need them the most.Charity wedding favours is a new concept for New Zealand and we are very excited to see people take to the idea. For the extra keen bride and grooms we also have the UNICEF Wedding Registry. By choosing a UNICEF Wedding Registry couples receive gifts that make a lasting difference to children around the world. We have already had one Wellington couple ask their guests for UNICEF donations over gifts for themselves. What an awesome couple! There is something incredibly cool about a couple sharing their special day with friends, family and thousands of children around the world.”

We are in love with this idea – you just can’t get much more Angelina Jolie than that! We love that the favours and contribution can be adapted to suit a couple and their budget, and the overall feel-good factor at a wedding with these would be through the roof! Why not stop by their stand at the Wellington Wedding Show and see for yourself how Unicef could bring a little magic into your day. Great idea Unicef, keep up the good work! xoxo www.unicef.org.nz/favours

by Johanna Osborne

There was one thing I was sure I wanted when I was planning my wedding – and that was the entire thing on video. I knew I’d be breathless, excited and giddy – and that it would all be a blur at the end of the day. I also knew that something so special should be held on to forever, giving me the option to revisit the moments and memories whenever I liked. It was a “must-do” for us, and to this day we do not regret our decision. In fact, we have become even more grateful as time has gone on, and love the fact that we have the happiest day of our lives right at our fingertips, ready to view whenever we like.

Today we talk with Angelo Giannoutsos, Videographer at the popular Cerulean Wedding Videos, about how important it is to capture every moment of your special day forever. And as Angelo’s been to countless weddings, he knows a thing or two and he kindly shares some tips with us.

1. How long have you been doing wedding videos and where does your passion for this work come from?
“I started videoing weddings 3 years ago while on a working holiday in Santorini. I spent 5 months virtually shooting a wedding every day, then returning to the studio where we would spend much of the night editing and preparing the video for packaging and delivery the very next day. I’ve been involved in art in some fashion or another most of my adult life. This seemed to be a natural progression into another artistic stream that allows me to be creative through another medium.”

2. Do you feel you have a point of difference to your competitors?
“My aim with every wedding, no matter how unique, is to capture those special moments that spontaneously happen. When people say to me their wedding video made them both laugh and cry, for me this is the ultimate compliment.”

3. Why should a couple video their wedding?
“Because of advancements in technology, wedding videos are now for many couples a necessary and affordable way to capture and document one of the most important days of their life. Your entire day is captured right down to the last detail, all set to music and words said on the day. This is a gift not only for you to enjoy now but also for the future generations to come.”

4. Some expert advice/tips for making a great wedding video?
“We Kiwis are usually more conservative than our European counterparts. We don’t easily display a lot of affection towards one another in public. Be brave and don’t be afraid to touch, hold or kiss your new husband or wife numerous times throughout your day. Your family and friends will love being witness to it and it all helps in the making of a great wedding video!”

5. Any other information/details you would like us to share with our lovely brides and grooms?
“Cerulean Weddings is a small company that offers a comprehensive range of services to their clients. Based in Wellington we offer innovation, enthusiasm and creativity, with unfailing customer service and expertise in video production. We use only the latest, top of the line equipment for all of our video production.”

Angelo Giannoutsos; 027 305 0533

www.ceruleanweddingvideos.com

There are moments in life where a picture – or better yet many moving pictures – tell the story far better than words could. This is one of those moments. See for yourself the excitement, the hustle and bustle, the sheer talent of our exhibitors and the awe in the faces of our many brides and grooms – all captured on film by the super talented Jono Tucker. Yes, THIS is the Wellington Wedding Show and it is fantastic! Come join us on the 5th of May in the TSB Arena for more of this!

Spring Wedding Show from Jono Tucker Films on Vimeo.

by Johanna Osborne

We are very excited to announce that well known and much loved designer jewellery brand Miglio is now one of our exhibitors at the upcoming Wedding Show on the 5th May at Wellington’s TSB Arena. Miglio was established in 1991 in South Africa and since being launched globally in 2003, it has quickly become recognised as one of the most desirable brands of costume jewellery in the world. We just love their beautiful baubles and have a wee chat below to Rachel Steinmetz, NZ Designer/Director about this hot new product.

1. Who is your main clientele?
“Jewellery is an expression of individual style and few collections say it better than Miglio. My Clientele is extremely varied. Miglio truly has pieces for all styles and budgets.”

2. What sort of look/style would you recommend for a bride and her bridal party?
“For the Bride to be, Miglio has those exquisite statement pieces to enhance her look for that special day. You just have to see it and try it to appreciate its beauty. My favourite style for a bride at the moment is directly inspired by old Hollywood and the look which is vastly seen on today’s red carpet. Big chandelier earrings, nothing around the neck and plenty of bling on the wrist. Pearls and crystals are always a big hit for a wedding day. Why not take a traditional set of family pearls and individualize them by adding one of Miglio’s stunning SWAROVSKI crystal enhancers. These enhancers can be clipped on and off of any necklace or chain, making it an item you will wear more than once, I assure you. Miglio also has many stunning combinations and colours so brides and bridesmaids can complement each other perfectly. Miglio pieces are also the perfect gift for your bridal party. They make lovely surprises and keepsakes to look back on and treasure forever.”

3. What makes Miglio so popular and special?
“Miglio is a uniquely versatile range of jewellery which has endless possibilities. Each piece of Miglio jewellery is hand crafted from the highest quality jeweller’s grade metal, which is both nickel and lead free. Our jewellery features natural materials such as semi precious stones, shells, fresh water peals and is enhanced with SWAROVSKI crystals. The versatility of this range also makes Miglio great value for money.”

4. What else can you tell us about Miglio?
“2013 is already an exciting year for Miglio with the release of Italian leather handbags, designer belts with interchangeable buckles and the launch of the much anticipated MIGLIO MAN collection. The Miglio Man collection features cufflinks and matching belts, which are a perfect choice for a wedding day.”
 

5. Where can we buy your product?
“Miglio is a direct selling company, so the Jewellery can only be purchased though an approved Miglio Consultant. Parties are an ideal way to buy and an opportunity for the hostess to receive plenty of incentives and rewards. Alternatively Rachel has a permanent display set up in her home, where viewing is more than welcome. If you are interested or simply want to find out more, please contact Rachel at [email protected] or 021559386

Don’t forget to stop by Miglio’s beautiful stand at the Wellington Wedding Show on the 5th of May at the TSB Arena!

by Johanna Osborne

Our personal perspective and unique perception have such a profound effect on us in so many ways, and often we don’t even realise it! It is why we think some things are great and others are not. Our perspective is responsible for the slant or angle with which we view life, and whilst we like to think that we are all in one way or another on the same page, often that’s not the case at all. What goes on inside our heads and hearts is so unique, and everyone is so different in how they view life.

One such example comes to mind when in 2007 my husband and I visited Rarotonga on one of our honeymoons. (Yes we were young, carefree and very greedy!). We spent a few blissfully relaxing days on the very low-key mainland. The pace of life was slow and it was very conducive to relaxation in its purest form. It was pretty amazing how simple life is there, how basic the (few) shops are and how modestly the locals live. It was totally and utterly different to the wealth and abundance of everything we have here in our country, and served as a healthy reminder that it’s possible to live in much more simplistic way. After a few indulgent days on the mainland, we then caught a small plane to the island of Aitutaki to enjoy the second part of our holiday. We realised then that everything we had heard was true. Aitutaki was not the chosen venue for a Survivor season for nothing – it was totally and utterly quiet. Well, apart from the locals demonstrating about us landing in an aeroplane on a sacred Sunday, a completely unthinkable thing in a very religious community. But even their protest was a quiet, peaceful one. We immediately felt ashamed and sorry to cause upset to these obviously good people. We had no idea that this was even an issue and felt very sorry. The island of Aitutaki itself was as both as beautiful and basic as you can get. Far, far more primitive than anything we had seen in Rarotonga. By comparison it made Rarotonga look advanced! But that did not detract from the stunning beaches and untouched land. If anything, it made everything that much better.

Leaving our fancy-pants resort was a bit of a surprise. We rented a 4WD jeep and toured the island in 15 minutes flat, over and over again. It was fascinating. The houses on the island were very basic, sometimes with no doors or window panes. Furniture was sparse and consisted mainly of mattresses on the floor. The school bus was a big open truck with kids piled on top. There were roosters everywhere, live ones, and those that had already succumbed to a ruthless plucking, ready for the pot. There were cell phones, but the big brick kind from the 90s. The local shop sold only SPF 60 sunscreen, and when we asked for a lower SPF (back in the days where the pursuit of a good tan superseded any anti-wrinkle and, heaven forbid, skin cancer worries) we were told “You white fellas burn so easily, you need the high SPF”. And so that was that. It was either that or no SPF at all. It was how it was. No beating round the bush, just plain simple truth in front of us everywhere we looked. It all made my sheltered life painfully obvious, and highlighted a need to see and experience more of the world.

All in all it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. It was all such an eye opener for us, this pampered couple who had until very recently been consumed with pressing issues such as whether our wedding reception needed an ice sculpture and if gold covered chocolate hearts were an appropriate favour for guests. It all made us painfully aware that we have far more than we really need. But it wasn’t really a matter of poverty and hardship in this case, yes these people had very little, but they were the happiest folk I’ve ever seen anywhere. They had food, they had a home and most importantly – they had family. We saw relaxed, smiling, singing, joyful and thankful folk. There was no need to feel sorry for them. Anyone would think they had won Lotto, but their equivalent of striking it rich clearly has nothing to do with money.

At dinner that night back in our resort we make conversation with our lovely waiter and asked what brings him to Aitutaki. His response “I used to live in Rarotonga, but the pace of life was too fast and busy. It was much too stressful for me. It’s much more relaxing here.” And really that was the very definition of perspective. To us, Rarotonga was slow, and Aitutaki at an almost stand-still, both places simple to the point of being from a different era. Yet to this young man, that’s all he knew and he felt simple little Rarotonga was too fast paced for him. He knew no different.

It really does come down to what you compare things to. It’s possible to be extremely happy with only the minimum in life, and it appears that sometimes those that have the least are the most satisfied. It’s not always about having the best, getting more or climbing up, but rather about sitting still and being thankful. This is a lesson in every aspect of life, and one that can apply when getting caught up in the frantic planning of your wedding day and your future in general. Ultimately your wedding is about the man you are about to marry , surrounded by the family and friends you love, and the extras are just a bonus. Sometimes all it takes is a shift in perspective and a comparison to something different to make you realise where and what you really are.

A warm welcome to Aitutaki!

Road closure

One of the many giant crabs that peeked out from under rocks

The famous Trader Jack's!