by Johanna Osborne

We know what a worldly bunch you all are, and these days there’s nothing more fun than incorporating different flavours the world over into your wedding day, especially if they mean something to you.

So we’ve once again sourced a few of our favourite traditions and have listed them for you today. Some are funny, some are a little weird but all are kind of awesome. Enjoy!

1. It is customary in China that the husband carries his bride over burning coal when they enter their home together for the first time. It is done as a result of the belief that this will help the wife carry the baby and have a successful labour. By walking across those coals, Chinese men get a small taste of the childbirth pain women experience. Clever, we quite like this one!

2. In Congo, newlyweds are not allowed to smile during the entire ceremony in order for their marriage to be taken seriously. Can you imagine the photos?!

3. You might have noticed royal weddings in the UK do bridesmaids slightly differently. Usually, the bride’s attendants are young girls rather than her besties. At Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding in 1947, there were eight bridesmaids, most younger than the 21-year-old bride. Diana had five bridesmaids, the youngest of whom was 5. The oldest was 17. Royal bride Kate Middleton took it even younger in her 2011 wedding, inviting her husband-to-be’s goddaughter and Camilla Parker Bowles’ granddaughter, both 3, down the aisle. We love this trend, and think it makes for the cutest photos ever!

4. Another English tradition is the contest of Cheese Rolling. What exactly is it? People roll large heads of cheese down the hill and race against each other to be the first to make it to the finish line. While on one hand, this might seem like an odd and peculiar event, it is a world-wide competition since the recent winners came all the way from the US and from Japan. The name Gloucestershire comes from the hill where the event usually takes place. We think cheese rolling would be the funniest wedding entertainment ever! The lads would love it! And you’d never run out of snacks!

5. Gosh, spare a thought for those poor boys in Fiji! Want to get married? Found the girl of your dreams? In Fiji, besides asking the girl’s father for permission to marry his daughter, the husbands-to-be are also required to get a whale tooth for the father. If you have the money, then it can be done through the good old black market. If you are not rich, however, then you have only one other way: meet the largest mammal on Earth face-to-face and beg for a tooth. Good luck!!

6. Before the 1900s, a diamond engagement ring was a luxury item; in fact, engagement rings even without a diamond setting were considered extravagant. The Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave one to Mary of Burgundy in 1477, but it was not common. It was a diamond company that would change that. In the late 1800s, the diamond market was flooded when big diamond mines were found in South Africa, and that new influx of gems drove the prices down. In 1939, De Beers hired N.W. Ayer & Son as their ad agency to help them rebound from the slump in sales they’d had as a result of the South African mines. And a new wedding tradition was born: Diamond sales rose 55 percent between 1938 and 1941, and by 1948 America was introduced to the “A Diamond Is Forever” ad campaign – and a new engagement tradition swept the U.S.

7. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue … and a silver sixpence in your shoe.” It’s a Victorian rhyme listing popular wedding traditions that were thought to bring a bride good luck – and each piece of the rhyme has roots in its own superstition. For example, something old ties the bride to her family and her past, while something new is supposed to give the new couple a happy future. The bride should borrow something from a happily married wife to bring happiness, health and longevity to the newlyweds. The something blue is supposed to represent love and fidelity. And a silver sixpence in my shoe? Sure, it’s cold hard cash, but superstition suggests fortune will smile upon a bride with some small change in her slipper.

8. The superstition that it’s bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding dates back to the time when it was more common for marriages to be arranged by families -more business transaction, less love. Because it would be embarrassing for everyone involved if the groom backed out before the ceremony if he didn’t like what he saw, the pair were kept separate. How sad is that?!

9. Recently Kate and William made news for serving the top tier of their 2011 wedding at Prince George’s 2013 christening! Where did this tradition come from? It used to be that newly married couples were expected to have their first baby before their first anniversary, and as a result of that, weddings and christenings were much more tightly linked to each other than they are today – and, as it turned out, both occasions called for cake. During the 1800s when multi-tiered wedding cakes became fashionable, brides began saving the leftover top tier of the wedding cake to be used for the christening instead of buying a separate cake – to be defrosted in what many a 19th-century bride hoped would be about a year. Today, couples freeze wedding cake for sentiment. Or for consumption in Wills and Kate’s case!

10. Ladies like flowers! In Russia, as well as in other Slavic countries, it is customary to give flowers as a gift on birthdays or on other holidays. However, make sure you count the number of flowers you present to that special person. An odd number is a good thing, but even number of flowers is given only for unhappy occasions like funerals. Caution prevails!

11. In Western countries, we have come to think of white color as a color of beauty, purity, life, and light, but in Eastern countries it is actually considered a sad color. If you see a woman dressed in all white in India it would mean she is a widow, since white is the only color she is allowed to wear according to traditions. Talking about colors, in Thailand, every weekday has a color assigned to it. For example, Mondays are yellow and Fridays are blue.

12. Eggs are often considered to be mysterious objects with hidden meanings, and as a result eggs are often used for various rituals. For example, in China, eggs represent fertility. So if your Chinese friends are expecting a baby, it is a good idea to present them with hard-boiled eggs dyed red. Red, in Chinese culture means joy, happiness, and good fortune. We think this is cute!

FINAL FACT: There were more than 2.1 million weddings in the U.S. in 2012, and on average each one cost $25,656, making the business of American weddings a $55 billion industry! Now that’s what we call “business”!

Sources news.nster.com, Live Science, How Stuff Works

by Johanna Osborne

There’s a little saying that I like very much and that has helped me often in life. It’s very simple; “You always have a choice, no matter what” and it’s truly a beauty in so many situations… and in particular a belief I’ve clung to ever so tightly in the last 2 months as I’ve gone through one of the most life altering decisions I’ll ever make.

Ever so true to my star sign, I’m an indecisive Libran who weighs up her options, back and forth, pro and con. What if, what that, maybe this, perhaps that. Oh, I truly don’t know how anyone puts up with me! If there was ever anyone who looked at something from every angle, then that person is me. I’m not a rush-in, snap decision type person (except when I’m shopping, then it’s all or nothing in 10 seconds flat). I like to be sure, I like control, I’m afraid of the unknown and I don’t really like change. Perhaps that’s a bit of an uncool thing to admit, as in this day and age, moving with the times and embracing change seems synonymous with achievement and youth. Maybe I’m getting old and maybe I’m not so cool, but change is not really my thing. I like my familiarity and my trusty routine, and I like knowing what to expect. But then again, even though I’m all about a nice cosy comfort zone, I guess it’s not going to set my world on fire either. Not that I have grandiose ideas of doing that either, but as the saying goes, just outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens. And I have well and truly hopped outside my comfort zone in recent times and although it’s scary as hell, I feel more alive than ever! I have realised that despite my fears and reluctance, deep down inside me lies an adventurer, an optimistic and positive spirit that likes to have fun and experience new things. Deep down inside me there is a little bit of bravery and courage.

You see, my husband, son and I are packing up our life here in Wellington and relocating, moving to Australia. How exciting, I hear you say. Oh yes it is. It sure is! But it doesn’t feel quite so exciting when suddenly there is a big red sold sign on your house and it kind of hits you, the fact you can’t undo it, and then it starts to feel very, very real. I will never forget that day coming home and sinking to the ground with a feeling of “oh my goodness, what have I done?!” My precious “choice factor” was somehow gone, my beloved mantra that gets me through …there’s no more choice when the deal is done! Utter panic, regret and moments of extreme worry passed over me like a heavy rain shower. In hindsight I guess that’s only natural as I am a sensitive person by nature, and I feel things deeply. My poor Stephen had his hands full dealing with my changing emotions, one day I was excited about moving, the next I was mourning my home and my wonderful life here. Oh what a journey. They are not wrong when they say the most stressful things in life are death, divorce, changing job and moving house. I have experienced all of these (apart from divorce, thankfully) and I must concur this statement is correct.

To me selling my beloved house symbolised the end of my time here, which has been all about friends, family, a great neighbourhood, a good school and a beautiful, happy, easy and convenient life. It’s where I’ve spent the first years of my son’s life and made the best friendships I could ever wish for. It’s a lot to give up. And for what? The unknown is a scary old fellow, and he’s not nearly as alluring as that lovely chap familiarity, who has a warm embrace and hot cup of chocolate in his hand. Which route to take?

I’m pleased to report I was able to lift myself out of that temporary madness I experienced, in large thanks to my supportive and ever so tolerant husband, my darling Mum and my encouraging friends. “It’s time to get excited Johanna!”, “Life is about new experiences and opening our eyes, living in different places, seeing the world and meeting new people”, “Don’t resist change, embrace it”…. And so the sage pearls of advice sunk in, and as I digested these nuggets I realised they were in fact very true. I don’t think I will regret moving as much as I will not having done it in years down the track. It also empowered me to think back to when my parents relocated to NZ in 1986, all the way from Germany, not knowing the English language very well and creating a whole new life here with 2 children in tow. They did not have it easy and faced many, many challenges. It makes me proud to see what they achieved as a couple and how well they settled us in here. It wasn’t easy for them, but are there regrets? No. A sense of achievement? Most definitely. It’s also encouraging for me to see our elderly uncle who at 80 years old has recently moved to a different city, and on the phone he told me “Gosh Johanna, you just have to do these things in life. You will love it.” If an 80 year old man can successfully move, then so can I.

This was certainly not a snap decision, it was a carefully considered move and every step planned and thought out. The last leap, the bungy jump off the edge was what rocked my world one last time, but I think somehow it’s made me stronger, it’s enforced that I do want this, and that I do think I can do it. More than that, I think we can do it well, as a couple, as a family.

Speaking to others that have had similar experiences, they have told me that it’s a very empowering time for a husband and wife, as you rely more heavily on each other and it strengthens your bond and connection. You become each other’s “person” all over again. I think it’s a wonderful adventure to embark on with my family, and one that will bring many challenges, but hopefully also rewards and joyful moments. And I guess it’s true, that is what life is all about. Pushing ourselves, taking a chance, a risk and experiencing new things. Exploring a new city, making a new home. It’s scary but it’s empowering. We’ve got each other. And that’s a lot!

Of course, I will always hold my time with the first lady, our glorious capital city Wellington, very dear and will always come back (often!) to visit my friends and family. All the most important things in my life have all taken place here – I grew up here from the age of 9, met and fell in love with my now husband, got married here (at the Boatshed!), spent my honeymoon night here (at the Amora!), gave birth to my son here, celebrated many happy occasions with friends and family here- basically for us Wellington will always be very precious for it has been the scene of many milestones and amazing moments. That sort of emotion will always connect you to somewhere, for life.

And not only that, I will now be your very first Wellington Wedding show team member coming at you live from Brisbane. I may live across the ditch but my fingers remains firmly in the pie here, I won’t leave you guys, I love you too much! MR&MRS is our pride and joy and I will continue to write for our precious magazine, our blog and our Facebook page.

So here is my first chapter of my adventure. I will keep you posted on the trials and tribulations, hurdles and adventures that we encounter from here on in. I expect there will be a few more stories to tell. Let the adventures begin!

xoxo

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

by guest contributor Jennifer Barnett at Paperswan Bride

1. Budget
How heart wrenching would it be to find your dream dress only to realise that it’s half your wedding budget blown. Don’t be afraid to tell the sales consultant or designer your price range and check whether alterations are included. If you are on a very tight budget look out for sample sales as this is a great place to find a bargain. There are fabulous wedding dresses in all price ranges these days so your perfect dress is out there whatever your budget.

2. Support Party
Do not underestimate the importance of taking the right people with you when shopping for your wedding dress. First things first, don’t take too many supporters especially to the first appointment as it can be daunting enough without 6 other people’s opinions in the mix. Two or three people at the most is a good number, Mothers are great as they always have your best interest in mind and won’t be afraid to tell you if something doesn’t look good. A close friend or sister (someone closer to your age) is also helpful as they will know your personal style. Don’t feel pressured to bring an entourage of bridesmaids, aunties and cousins, instead bring them to the final appointment once you’ve found your dress so they still feel involved in the process.

3. Underwear
Plain and simple, wear a strapless bra and well supporting underwear, they don’t need to be spanx or Bridget Jones knickers but full briefs that hold everything in and ideally in nude or white. Having the right underwear can drastically change the appearance of your figure so why wouldn’t you want to look your best?

4. Be Prepared
To make the most out of your appointment do your research beforehand. Are there any specific designers and styles that you want to try? Do you like lace, satin or tulle? Think about silhouettes you like to wear normally, the body parts you want to show off and the ones you want to hide! What is your personal style, are you classic and sophisticated or playful and girly? Keeping these things in mind will help you stop feeling overwhelmed when faced with so many options.

5. Under Pressure
Don’t feel pressured into buying on the spot unless you really feel you’ve found ‘the one’! This is probably the biggest clothing purchase you’ll ever make so go away and think about it for a few days before handing over your credit card.

6. Open Your Mind
Been open minded is really important as it is easy to have preconceived ideas about what will and won’t suit your figure. Wedding dresses are built differently from everyday clothes so even if you wouldn’t normally wear something strapless, a strapless wedding dress will fit quite differently from a boob tube you once bought from a high street shop. Sometimes a dress won’t have much ‘hanger appeal’, but once on a body will take on a different shape and look. Let the sales consultant guide you to dresses they think will suit, they are the experts so let them do their thing!

7. Photos
You may assume that most shops won’t allow you take photos but don’t be afraid to ask as the worst they can say is no. If they do let you then this is a perfect way to remember your favourite dresses. The camera doesn’t lie!

8. Timeframe
Depending on your requirements it’s ideal to start looking for your wedding dress around 6-9 months prior to your wedding date. By this time you will probably have your venue confirmed and have an idea of colours and themes. Most designers require around 6 months turnaround time although will do it faster. But be aware there may be a ‘rush’ charge.

9. Book An Appointment
Although some stores do accept walk ins, to ensure you get the best possible service try to book an appointment ahead of time. Having an appointment means you’ll receive the full allotted time and you’ll be able to try on a good selection of gowns. The alternative is that you turn up unannounced and they are busy and can only see you for half an hour. You leave unhappy and unable to try on many dresses.

10. ‘The One’
As with houses and men, once you’ve found ‘the one’ then stop looking!

92 Upland Road

Email: [email protected]

by Johanna Osborne

In the age where everyone strives to make their wedding unique and different, marriage vows are of course one of the first things to no longer be standard and predictable. These days it’s about personalised, extraordinary, loving and sometimes witty exchanges of promises between a couple and we have to say, we love it.

The exchange of vows is a far cry from the yawn-stifling snore fest it used to be in days gone by, and guests no longer have the urge to check their watches to see if champagne o-clock is finally approaching. These days the ceremony rivals the speeches in terms of emotion and hilarity. This is a huge part of a wedding and should not be underrated! In fact, it’s something to seriously look forward to as a guest, from seeing the bride walking down the aisle in her dazzling gown, to the look on the groom’s face, the emotion in the eyes of friends and family and of course the all important declaration of love. We LIVE for this stuff!

There is nothing more touching than a couple who has taken the time to compile what can only be described as the most personal letter they will ever write and bravely read aloud (or recite!) in front of a mass of friends and family. It takes serious courage to do that, but it’s worth it. The emotional feel good factor from the audience alone will be through the roof and their support (after all, everyone wants you to deliver your lines successfully!) a huge source of adrenalin and confidence all in one – and of course your groom/bride will never forget your moving words and promises for as long as you both shall live.

I’m an old fashioned girl myself and my vows were as traditional as they come, but I’ve since seen and heard some of the most beautiful vows at ceremonies and wanted to share my favourites with you today.

From The Knot – real life vows by Laine & Shane
Groom & Bride

“I promise to be your lover, companion and friend,
Your partner in parenthood,
Your ally in conflict,
Your greatest fan and your toughest adversary.
Your comrade in adventure,
Your student and your teacher,
Your consolation in disappointment,
Your accomplice in mischief.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things.”

From Dream Destination Weddings

“I (Name) affirm my love to you, (name) as I invite you to share my life. You are the most beautiful, smart and generous person I have ever known and I promise always to respect you and love you.
With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together.
I take you (name) to be my lawful wife/husband to have from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

From Dream Destination Weddings

“Many people spend their lives searching for their soul mate, their one true love. Some people are lucky to find the person they can truly call the better half of themselves, while others spend the rest of their lives searching and never finding. I am happy to count myself among the lucky ones because I found you. I love you (name), I know you are the only one for me, my one true love. I am happy and I am grateful that you came into my life. And now that I have found you, I shall never let you go. I promise you (name), that I shall hold you and cherish you, and give you my heart, that I shall support you and care for you. Faithfully, I shall always stand steadfast by your side with your hand in mine, regardless of what life would bring us. I take you now as my wife/husband and I shall remain so for the rest of my life.”

From Offbeat Bride
Bride and groom mixed and matched their thoughts to create the same vows

“I am proud to take you as my husband/wife.
For all the time we have been together, there has always been the kind of mutual understanding which is only shared when there is true love.
You have helped me triumph over challenges presented,
Encouraged my personal growth and boosted my self-esteem.
You have helped me become the person I am today,
And with your help, I will be a better person tomorrow than I was yesterday.
I vow to trust and value your opinions, and stand by your actions.
I pledge to always treat you as my best friend and equal.
I will ask for help when I need it, and offer help to you always.
Let us be friends and lovers, and grow old disgracefully together.

 
From Offbeat Bride
Adventurous bride’s vows

“I promise today to be your navigator, best friend, and wife; honor, love, and cherish you through all of life’s adventures. I swear to always and forever be your confidant and you mine. I vow to grow old with you and to keep the kid in you alive. I take you today to be my co-captain of team Mulligan.”

From About.Com Weddings
Love You Without Reservation

 
“(Name), today I take you for my (wife/husband). I promise to love you without reservation, comfort you in times of distress, encourage you to achieve all of your goals, laugh with you and cry with you, grow with you in mind, and spirit, always be open and honest with you, and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”

Best Friend

“(Name), today I take you to be my (husband/wife). Together we will create a home, becoming a part of one another. I vow to help create a life that we can cherish, inspiring your love for me and mine for you. I vow to be honest, caring and truthful, to love you as you are and not as I want you to be, and to grow old by your side as your love and best friend.”

The Best Person I Can Be

 
“(Name), from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were the one with whom I wanted to share my life. Your beauty, heart, and mind inspire me to be the best person I can be. I promise to love you for eternity, respecting you, honoring you, being faithful to you, and sharing my life with you. This is my solemn vow.”

by Johanna Osborne

As many of our blushing brides get closer to their wedding date, few things are of course more important than the big day itself. Well apart from the honeymoon of course. And it’s so easy to get swept up in your dream to look glorious in your big white dress, that you might forget that you need to put – almost – as much thought into your honeymoon attire. Yes, honeymoons are for relaxing and letting go, but no one wants to look frizzy haired and pasty skinned in their holiday snaps. We’ve compiled our favourite list of honeymoon must-haves to make your holiday easy breezy and totally gorgeous. In every way!

1. Tan. Trust me, there is no way around this. Of course the actual sun is so yesterday, and it’s all about the faux. Whether you head to a glorious boutique like Salute and get sprayed by a professional, or buy a top shelf product and do it yourself, you must try and get a bit of colour on your bod before you depart. Unless you are heading to the ski slopes that is! Wish I’d taken my own advice, I’ve just been on a sunny holiday and my legs look so milky white in all my photos I am almost blinded looking at them! If only vampire legs were in fashion.

2. Sparkle. Yes glitter is very 1999 but a bit of tan enhancing shimmer works wonders. We have discovered the most amazing product – Sugar Baby Little Spray of Sunshine Tan Enhancing Shimmer Oil. It’s a lovely product you can quickly put on as you are about to head out the door to frolick with you lover. It gives a lovely shimmer and makes your legs look great.

3. Eyelashes! Yes make up should be minimal if you are going somewhere hot, but doe-eyes are never out of style. In our humble opinion, Diorshow is simply the best mascara we have ever come across, and it even comes in waterproof if you’d rather not risk panda eyes by the pool. And of course there’s also divine lash extensions. Lush Lashes can have you looking like you are made up beautifully all honeymoon long, without even so much as touching a wand at all! Wow!

4. Kaftans and cover-ups. Invest in a few gorgeous pieces. Not feeling exposed by the pool and being fashionable is worth a lot. If you feel good you will look good!

5. Water and fruit. No one should even think about dieting at a time as exciting as this, but drinking tons of water and eating lot of fruit will have you feeling light as a feather. Not a bad way to start the day, especially if you’ve had a few too many glasses of bubbles in your bure the night before. It’s all about cleansing your system, keeping hydrated and putting wonderful vitamins in your body. The more colourful your bowl of fruit the more antioxidants await!

6. Jewellery. A bit of jewellery (in addition to your brand new sparkler on your left hand) is gorgeous, even when it’s hot hot hot. Think gorgeous beachy necklaces and dangly sparkly earrings. But watch out. Some metals literally can react with your skin and cause rashes in the sun. Try to go for light, natural beads and good quality metals, just like our friend Elle here.

7. Hair. Oh my. If you are blonde and even if you don’t have a problem back home with your hair tone, take some silver shampoo with you. The sun and sea can really play havoc with your hair and no one wants to look like a yellow haired troll on the most romantic holiday of their life! Most hair types can use some protection on vacation, and you can get sunscreen for hair, just like for your skin. And of course pack a hair treatment too, you will be thankful you did!

8. And that brings us to our next point – skin! Sunscreen is critical. Your face should never see the sun without a very high SPF (we love Neutrogena Sport Face SPF 70- even if you sweat it doesn’t come off!) and a wide brimmed hat. Look after that pretty face of yours, after all no one wants a Rudolph nose at dinner.

9. Perfume. It’s not very practical to lug a giant bottle of perfume on holiday, but there’s just no substitute for smelling nice. I usually get little samples of my favourites to take with me or invest in a small perfume oil from the Body Shop.

10. Bright colours. If there is ever a time to shine it’s on your honeymoon. Be bold, be brave and wear colour! Nothing ignites your mood more than a bright gorgeous jovial dress, top or cover up.

11. Speaking of colour, it can also be injected into another all important honeymoon wardrobe staple – your chemise! This is the time for luxury, gorgeousness and elegance. For Every Minute have it covered with their divine range – there’s something for everyone. From stunning jewel-toned nightware to classic cream and black, we love it all.

12. Moisturiser. Take a great full body moisturiser like Cocoa Butter from the Body Shop to keep your skin hydrated.

13. Skin care! Don’t neglect your regime on holiday. There is nothing that you won’t find covered by the amazing, natural and effective Antipodes range.

14. Shellac baby! We recommend a Shellac mani-pedi to tide you over – you won’t have to worry for 2-3 weeks and have stunning nails on holiday. We love The Finishing Touch for exceptional service and quality.

15. Insect repellent. Always take some. No one wants a niggly naggy mozzie buzzing around while catching up on beauty sleep.

15. Camera. Take your camera, take a spare battery and snap the hell out of this holiday. Even if you hate your picture being taken, this is a once in a lifetime holiday and chance to document your happiest moments. Don’t be afraid to ask strangers to take a pic of the 2 of you. These are most likely the photos you will go back to over and over again.