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Honeymooners

When it comes to food for the soul, head to Coco Beach Spa where internationally trained therapists deftly perform massage, therapy and beauty treatments. Honeymooners often partake of the “With Love From Coconuts” package that includes soothing massages followed by a soak in the flowerfilled pool while sipping champagne.

No holiday is complete without great dining, and Mika’s Restaurant provides that, and more. Mike Pirics (Mika in Samoan) was a culinary genius. He sadly passed away recently, but his legacy lives on with plates of fresh, innovative island cuisine amazing guests daily. You’re welcome to join others in the main dining room or enjoy a little more privacy with a table in the sand with only the stars for company.

The actively inclined can make use of complimentary snorkel gear, go kayaking in the lagoon or the neighbouring mangroves, or try your hand at stand up paddle boarding. On Saturdays don’t miss the Samoan Culture Day activities that include story telling and demonstrations by the staff and a visit to the neighbouring village. The staff can also guide avid surfers to the best breaks; guided surf tours are available and you can hop in the boat right at the resort’s beach.

Weddings and honeymoons are a true celebration at Coconuts. Ask any of the team and they’ll tell you that “Coconuts loves Honeymooners … and Honeymooners love Coconuts”.

Let them know you’re a honeymooning couple and you’ll enjoy an island fruit plate on arrival, a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers in your room. You’ll also be gifted two hand-painted t-shirts and a hand-painted kava ceremonial cup. A special treat are the Honeymoon Ramos Fizzes, a breakfast cocktail, and a hand-woven floral head tiara.

Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa truly is what Samoa is all about … relaxation, serenity, peace, harmony and pampering.

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WEDDINGS ABROAD

You’ve no doubt seen glorious wedding photographs plastered over social media. The most recent which blew me away are shots by Charleton Churchill of James and Ashley, the first couple to exchange vows at the Mt Everest base camp in a wedding gown and tux. I’ve never seen a more breath-taking set of images. The scenery was overwhelming! It got me thinking though, about the time and effort that all three of them (and I’m sure many more) put into the planning of this adventurous wedding. In his blog he mentions how they trained for a year in preparation for the big event!

So, is a wedding abroad really all its hyped up to be? If you’re contemplating a wedding in an exotic land, then Ithere are a few things to consider in preparation.

The Legal Documentation Depending on which country you’re eyeing up to get married in, it’s always worth firing up the internet and browsing for the legalities of that country – and ensure the site is current. It would be a heart breaking tale if you tied the knot, and then found out that the marriage was void because the country’s policies were not followed. When in doubt, you can always contact the country’s embassy, and request all the information you will need.

Planning Many people have shared stories in the past about using wedding planners, or planning it themselves. So which one is right for you?

While it might be exciting to plan things yourself, take into consideration the following points.

Firstly, do you speak, or can you communicate in, the native language of the country you are visiting, and will you be comfortable contacting local suppliers?

Bryllup Hindsgavl Slot
Bryllup Holbæk
Bryllup Nørre Vosborg
Bryllup Horsens
Bryllup Hotel Hvide Hus
Bryllup i Aarhus
Aarhus bryllup
Botanisk have
Bryllup i KBH
Bryllup Nordsjælland
Bryllup Odense
Bryllup Odense S
Bryllup Roskilde
Skovpavillon Assens
Bryllup i Tilst
Bryllup Jylland
Bryllup Jyllinge
Bryllup Kahler Dining
Bryllup Karup

Perhaps take some time to visit the location you are thinking of to get an understanding of where the localities are. For example the hotels, the markets, or even the local church, should you need it.

If this is a country you’ve never visited before, and it’s not within your budget or available time frame for a pre-wedding visit, you might be best to book things through a wedding travel specialist.

Do you have the necessary budget? It might be an obvious question, but ensure you have plenty of expenditure in case you need to spend more than you were hoping. It would be tragic if you ran into any issues and didn’t have any funds in reserve to cover it.

If you were to use a wedding travel specialist, you could discuss things like insurance and other safeguards, as well as feeling secure in the knowledge that someone is doing the tedious legwork for you. While there is a cost usually for their services, these wedding travel specialist will have the professional skills to organise an incredible wedding, without you having to lift a finger. You can also check if particular resorts have their own in-house wedding planners. Both wedding travel specialist and weddign planners can assist you with the necessary legal documentation, which they will submit and file at the correct times.

The Outfit The smaller accessories of your wedding outfit will be easy to take with you. Wedding shoes, jewellery, headpieces etc can fit comfortably into your luggage. An ornate wedding dress is another story – there’s bound to be an extra cost for the excess weight. So consider your style of dress carefully if you intend to travel with it. Otherwise, an alternative could be purchasing the dress at the location. If you were visiting the locality on a recce visit, you may be able to select a dress at a shop and have it fitted. That way the dress will be waiting for you when you arrive.

The Party One of the biggest concerns for a wedding abroad are the guests. Amazing as it would be to be able to fly everyone with you on one budget, its frankly, out of reach for most couples. So compiling a guest list is essential. It might be that for the ceremony abroad, you only invite close family, and have a second celebration at home at a later date. Be sure to give invited guests plenty of notice, and even go as far as suggesting hotels in the surrounding area and providing price comparisons. It might make it easier for them to say yes!

Finally, take into consideration any holidays, either at home or at your wedding destination. A wedding during an annual fesitval sounds like fun, but you should understand that it might be difficult in terms of suppliers as well as accommodation availability.

Leave no stone unturned when planning for this day, even if you are using a wedding planner. Bounce ideas around and ask questions of them – it will give you peace of mind and help to create the perfect wedding abroad!

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ELEGANT WEDDING VENUES

From an intimate ceremony to the most lavish banquet, The Langham Auckland’s elegant venues provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding.

The Crystal Room The elegant and romantic Crystal Room is perfect for medium-sized weddings for up to 200 guests for dinner and up to 240 for cocktails. Four beautiful crystal chandeliers set a romantic tone while the private foyer creates an ideal space for pre-reception cocktails. Crystal also divides into two separate rooms and offers an elevated stage for the bridal table and a separate dance floor.

Chandelier Opulent Chandelier is perfect for more intimate weddings with stunning banquet-style seating for up to 70 guests and cocktail parties for up to 130. Sparkling chandeliers and classic furnishings create an exclusive and luxurious atmosphere. Chandelier also has its own private bar, making it ideal for receptions.

The Great Room This magnificent room is the perfect setting for a lavish wedding celebration, with seating for up to 900 guests or 1400 for cocktails, a private entrance for a grand arrival and a large pre-function room for pre-reception cocktails. The Great Room can also be divided into four smaller rooms, which when coupled with the latest technology, exquisite cuisine and distinctive service, easily sets the stage for great weddings.

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TEN EMBARASSING KISSES TO AVOID!

1. THE OVER-SNOG The one where it just goes on far, far too long. Hey, remember us? Your guests! You’re not on film now, but we’re all watching. Lessen the length for the sake of embarrassing us all (you included) … please.

2. THE BRIDGE SNOG The kiss just feels so right … but you’re 10 feet away from each other. This happened at my own wedding and the photos looked so bad. There should be no bridge. Build one and get over it. Closer together is all the rage.

3. COLOUR ME PINK There’s nothing worse than seeing smudged make-up over your partner. Or yourself for the matter. Think of the photos … tragic! Get yourself some lipstick that won’t ‘kiss off’.

4. THE PECK You’re not a bird, show some passion!

5. THE WATERFALL This refers to your eyes. Make sure you have a tissue handy and wipe away your tears (or your partner’s) before going in for the kiss. Drips falling from your mouth are not the waterfalls we want to see. Ever heard of the makeup finger sponge? Perfect to dab away those tears, lipstick and running mascara.

6. LICKETY LIZZARD This one speaks for itself. There’s no need to search for food down your partner’s throat. Remember … guests! If this is one you’re into,keep it for ‘business’ time!

7. THE SLEEVE For heaven’s sake, don’t wipe your hand across your mouth right after that first kiss! It’s kind of cute for the bride to lean in and wipe her lipstick off her groom’s cheek, but better to avoid that altogether by having the finger sponge ready or wearing that kiss-proof lippie!

8. THE HOLLYWOOD Planning on surprising your guests with the dip and full-on Hollywood snog for a laugh? Great, just follow it up with a passionate one, too.

9. THE OLD SHIFTY This refers to the eyes. If you’re an eye-open kind of kisser, make sure you’re not eye-balling your guests. Awkward!

10. THE BIG BITE Biting lips is cute – especially in Fifty Shades. But this is not Fifty Shades, it’s your wedding. Keep the biting for the cake.

Remember … the ‘Best Kiss’ is the one that has been exchanged a thousand times between the eyes before it reaches the lips.

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HONEYMOON WARDROBE

Let’s be honest, we all love an excuse to shop for clothes and, in reality, there’s no better time to purchase a completely new wardrobe than when planning your honeymoon.

From shorts and tees to lingerie and cocktail outfits, no one wants to pack up clothes they’ve worn for the past year or longer on such a special trip.

Your honeymoon of choice might be a ski lodge in Queenstown or Switzerland that offers up many long nights of sharing a red wine or two in front of a roaring log fire after a day of off-piste action. Or you may long for the warmer days and balmy nights of a getaway in the tropics perhaps Bali or Fiji – where you can swim, snorkel and sip cocktails till the wee hours.

No matter what style of honeymoon you’ve set your heart on, and whatever the destination, we’ve discovered the ease of replenishing a wardrobe at Ezibuy!

The selection is amazing, the quality great and the prices are incredible! Thus, over the next few issues, we’’ll bring you our picks of what’s on offer at Ezibuy – from lingerie and swimwear, through summer and winter, and even onto the home front and gift giving!

Happy shopping – simply click on an image and go directly to that featured product on the Ezibuy website!

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ON TIME … EVERY TIME

Corporate Cabs provides both dressed and undressed bridal and wedding car hire. They have a group of drivers who have been specifically trained in bridal work who take great pleasure in providing a reliable, professional and fun service for the bridal party.

Whether it be calming the nerves of the bride or assisting with both planned and unplanned last minute events, they do it with a smile and considerable pride.

Their extensive fleet of wedding cars enables them to supply multiple matching vehicles, so no matter how many you need they will be able to help.

They can be booked by the hour for your special occasion, and they’re the best when it comes to picking up relatives and friends arriving at the airport. They also provide a tour service so that you can treat your guests to something truly special, whether that is a city highlights trip or a long distance out of town tour.

A Corporate Cab and professional driver is the perfect way to tour wineries, enjoy a chauffered shopping trip with the girls, or enjoy a round of golf with the lads. Tours are available on a hourly or daily basis.

When you need more than just a taxi company, we’d highly recommend Corporate Cabs! Contact any of their locations in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown or Dunedin for a quote on your wedding car service.

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MEET ERIN MARMONT

Born and bred in Howick, Auckland, Erin left New Zealand in 1996 to go on her big O.E.

While offshore, Erin had the pleasure of living in places as: Port Douglas, Perth, Melbourne, Queenstown, London and of working aboard superyachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Some ten years later, she returned home to settle in Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore.

Erin’s passion has always been in in the Events arena and, since returning home, she has successfully established herself as an Event Manager. This has involved organising expos, shows, functions, weddings and much more.

After taking time out to enjoy being a mum to Kobi and Arlo, her two sons, she started back part-time as an Events and Promotions Manager for the Outboard Boating Club in Orakei – a role that just happens to tie in nicely with weddings … I couldn’t have asked for two better jobs!

Erin has proven to be a popular marriage celebrant with her unique style of personalised ceremonies. Those in the industry often hear her couples and their guests raving about how ‘amazing’ and ‘memorable’ they are.

To get an idea of Erin’s style, pop along to her website, Facebook or Instagram pages.

Turn to the next page to read her take on that all important first kiss as husband and wife.

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MAKING THINGS UNIQUE

The Wine Box Before your big day, gather a wooden box, a bottle of wine and two glasses. Write love notes to each other. Seal your letter without letting your betrothed read what you’ve written. During the ceremony, place the love notes inside the wooden box with the wine and glasses. Take turns hammering the box shut. Agree to keep the box sealed until a special anniversary, or at least until you hit a rough patch … then, break open the box, pour the wine, read the letters, and remember what it’s all about!

Tying the Knot Keen boaties, or those who love spending time on the water, can use this nautical symbolism to represent what you know and love. The knot is called the “true lovers’ knot” – the strongest there is; it will not break, and will only become stronger when under pressure. The rope itself will likely break before the knot comes undone. Your celebrant should present the rope during the ceremony, before the vows are said, and the couple would tie their nautical knot together. The finished knot symbolises your future, and how your love and marriage will continue to be strong, despite any trials life may throw your way. This knot could be framed and placed on the wall at home as a reminder of the strength of your love and commitment in marriage.

Toast If you often set aside time at the end of your day to enjoy a cold beer, then it might be appropriate then to clink bottles at the end of the ceremony and share your first beersies together. Similarly, you might be wine connoisseurs, in which case you might like to open a bottle of your favourite wine to toast each other with. If you’re a couple known for your celebrations, perhaps you’ll want shake up a magnum of champagne at the end of the ceremony and pop it in celebration. Another idea is to include the whole audience in offering a toast. You would toast each other as husband and wife, the audience would turn to the person next to them clink glasses and say cheers and then all raise their glasses in a toast to the happy couple.

Candle Lighting There are many ways you can shine the light of love on your ceremony. It might be appropriate to recognise loved ones who couldn’t be there by lighting a candle of remembrance, acknowledging that while not there, they are not forgotten. I utilise an enclosed lantern for this purpose, so that the candle can be lit outside or inside. Candles can also be used to represent the unity that marriage brings, and are a great way of incorporating family into the ceremony and honouring them. Mums could come forward and light taper candles, one representing each family. Then the couple would take each lit candle and together light the Unity candle, symbolising their love and commitment to walk together on the same path in marriage; two families and two separate earlier paths becoming one.

Ring Warming This is simply an opportunity for your guests to offer their love and well wishes to your marriage. Very early in the proceedings, the rings will be passed around and each guest will hold the rings and offer their silent wishes. In essence, the rings are warmed by the loving energy and support of your family and friends that you then wear for a lifetime.

There are some wonderful ways you can create and craft your ceremony with meaning. Look for ways that reflect your relationship and who you are as a couple in your ceremony.

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FUSION CEREMONIES

As a marriage celebrant, I am increasingly asked to prepare a ceremony that reflects cultural traditions. Weddings are often a fusion of cultures, with ceremonies that are individual celebrations that reflect the ethnicities and cultural and religious beliefs of both bride and groom, merging historic family traditions of cultural significance with a modern twist.

The ancient tea ceremony is a great example of a fusion element in ceremonies. Cross-cultural couples and second or third generation Chinese are merging this tradition within their western ceremonies. The Chinese tea ceremony shows a great level of love and respect to family. It serves to introduce the new couple formally to all family members and to express thanks and respect. The sweet tea symbolises sweetness, harmony, togetherness and the wish of bringing children into the family. The tea ceremony could take place at the conclusion of the western ceremony for all of the guests to witness, with a brief explanation of what it represents.

Couples often like to add a small cultural element or identity within their ceremonies. This can be included as a welcome in their language at the beginning of their ceremony such as “Huang Ying” or “Haere Mai Eng a Iwi Haere Mai Mauria Mai Te Aroha”.

Similarly, their families may have a Christian or religious identity and want to begin or end the ceremony with an opening or closing prayer or blessing in their native language.

At one wedding, I was asked to include some Hindi traditions within a western ceremony as the bride’s cultural background was Hindu while the groom was from Melbourne. Rather than a traditional Hindi wedding, they decided to break tradition and create a hybrid ceremony that was based on their values.

A few of the Hindu wedding traditions they included are:

1. Garland Exchange – Exchanging garlands presented from family, symbolising the spirit of partnership

2. Mangalphera – Circling a fire four times. The fire represents enlightenment happiness and knowledge. As they encircled the fire I read out four values : To be respectful and keep true to your beliefs; To strive for success whilst being mindful of the needs of others; For love and eternal dedication to one another; To liberate each other from pain and suffering with a marriage filled with love and happiness.

3. Seven Steps – They take seven steps representing their seven vows in marriage : May this couple be blessed with an abundance of resources and comforts; May this couple grow together in strength and complement one another; May this couple be blessed with prosperity and wealth; May this couple acquire knowledge and happiness; May this couple be blessed with a happy family life; May this couple live in perfect harmony; May this couple remain the best of friends.

4. Mangalsutra – A sacred necklace that is tied around the bride’s neck symbolising the inseparable bond between husband and wife.

The golden rule for ceremonies is that there are no rules. The key to a fusion weddings going off without a hitch is to make sure the ceremony reflects what makes the two of you unique and to make it fun.

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YOUR CELEBRANT AND YOUR VOWS

Your wedding vows are the focus of your entire wedding ceremony – they’re an affirmation of your relationship and a declaration of the promises you make to your partner. Writing your vows can also be one of the most difficult parts of wedding planning.

If you’re not naturally gifted with words, it can be impossible to articulate your feelings without coming across like a bad romance novel. Don’t worry – writing your own vows doesn’t have to be as difficult as you thought.

Brainstorm with Your Partner Like every other major aspect of wedding planning, writing your vows should begin with a discussion with your partner. Grab a pen and paper and jot down some ideas. Talk about the principles and ideals that have guided your relationship, and the promises you want to make to each other. Write down all your ideas – even if they seem silly, cliché or soppy.

Writing the vows Go over everything you’ve written down and pull passages and fragments to incorporate into your vows. You could do this together, or separately, keeping your vows secret until the wedding day. Your vows don’t have to be a work of art. All that matters is that you’re sincere – and that you don’t waffle on for pages! You can express a lot with a few well-chosen phrases.

Ask your celebrant to look over your vows and help you express your ideas. They can fix clumsy wording and suggest alternative phrases to make your vows truly beautiful.

Exchanging Vows Most couples read them aloud during their wedding ceremony. When you declare your vows to each other in the presence of your friends and family, you’re making your commitment public and official. Ensure you give your celebrant a copy before the ceremony. It’s not recommended that you memorise your vows – with all the emotion of the day you’re liable to forget them! You’re better of reading them.

Writing your own wedding vows can be a tough creative challenge, especially if you’re not good at expressing yourself in words. But when you’re standing before your family and friends and looking into the eyes of your partner, you’ll be glad you took the time to create vows that reflect your own ideals and relationship.

And remember, your celebrant has good experience with this aspect and will be more than willing to help you!