Tips & Articles

Having been involved with many weddings over the last 12 years, weddings are never far from my mind. There never seems to be enough information about preparing for the big day so to help here are a few hints and ideas.

• Early Planning is never early enough
• You can never be too organized
• Have fun and take assistance when offered
• Its fun and don’t forget learn to delegate
• Simple is elegant

After the engagement celebrations are over, get together with family members who will be sharing the financial responsibility and decide upon a budget. At this time it may not be decided who pays for what but you can all at least have a brain storming evening deciding on who wishes to have an organizing part of your great day. In the past the bride’s parents paid for the wedding. However we are now in the 21st century and both sets of parents along with the engaged couple share the costs.

• What type of wedding do you want?
• Number – making up a guest list follows this
• Make up a budget
• Select a church of your choice or you may decide to be married at the reception venue
• Book a celebrant or minister
• Discuss the reception – This is where a wedding Coordinator can assist – today all venues have a wedding coordinator so don’t forget accept assistance where you can.
• Decide upon a hotel, restaurant, a function center, a hall, in a marquee, parents back garden, or even on a boat
• Take the following into account, Capacity of venue, Time restraints, Wedding or Colour Theme, Catering and Beverage, Hire Equipment, Entertainment, Flowers.
• Most of the mentioned suppliers all have wedding coordinators – do advise them of what you need and leave them to co ordinate.
• Once you like a venue don’t leave it too long to make a firm booking, especially if you have chosen the busy wedding season.

Leave the reception to the Wedding Coordinator. Its time for you to have fun organizing and researching and to help you with this don’t forget to visit The Wellington Wedding Show

Flowers, theming and all
the added pretty things make for a special day.

One of the nicest bouquets I have come across was one of the first weddings I had the pleasure of organizing. The bridal couple had a passion for roses and when invitations were sent out the bridal couple requested that guests bring along a favourite colored homegrown rose, the bridal bouquet was one of the simplest and nicest that I have come across, the fragrance of the bouquet was amazing I can still smell the sweetness of those beautiful roses.

Wellington is so lucky to have a number of talented florists and themers to select from. Make an appointment with a couple so you are able to compare their styles and this assists with comparing costs. Make sure the flowers you have selected are in season at the time of your wedding. Look through wedding magazines for some inspiration and ideas. Take along samples of dress fabrics as well as any information you may have about the theme of the wedding. It is important to be specific about your requirements this way no surprises will arise.

Bouquets, Buttonholes, corsages and any additional requirements need to be selected, and confirmed with your florist prior to your wedding day. Don’t forget to ask whether the flowers will be delivered and if they require to be set up – who job does this belong to. Church and Venue flowers including table arrangements, this is something that you need to check with your selected venue/s as this may be included in your package. Don’t forget move your church flowers to your reception venue. The head table can have the bridal parties bouquets placed along the front of the table, this again helps the budget.

Take a few weeks and think about what you want your flowers and theming to look like. Time pays of if you want your final result to ooz style.