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Yeah, you’ve heard it all before … lists, lists and more lists. But seriously, you only get one chance to get things right, so it pays to go over your To Do items again and again. Have you really thought of it all?

LEGALITIES Ensure you have your officiant booked and your marriage licence sorted.

ORDER Have you written up an order of the day sheet? Having a program to work with makes it easier for all your suppliers to coordinate, and for those helping out on the day to stick to schedule. Include cellphone numbers for all suppliers, assistants, the venue staff, your photographer, and of course the bride and groom.

MUSIC Have you booked your DJ and sorted your playlist out? Go through your song choices carefully. We saw a note recently about breakup songs sounding, quite often, like love songs!

READINGS Have you asked anyone to give a reading during your ceremony? Whatever you do, don’t have a dozen people standing up to have their moment. The general rule is 3 readings or songs max, and around 90 seconds each in length.

RITUALS Couples tying the knot quite often want to include some form of ritual in their ceremony. Whether it’s lighting candles together, performing a sand ceremony, sipping champagne, skulling a shot of tequilla or vodka, or breaking a glass/plate … do check that it’s okay with your venue first. Check also that your chosen ritual sits well with both the bride and groom, and parents or family. In today’s world of multi-cultural weddings, this could be an issue!

Tablescape Decorate the wooden table with geodes and gems that will stand out – think purple, rose or clear quartz and amethyst. For structure, add geometric vases and candleholders. For the platting, go with white with gold edges, paired with gold cutlery wrapped in ripped soft lilac silk ribbon. Use gold scripted ink on the name tags layered on a lilac cloth.

Indoor Tablescape The main difference with the inside setting is that it was more elaborate and formal.

Centerpiece & DIY Dare to be different and to really leave an impression on your guests. Cow skulls may seem a little too eccentric, but you can glam things up to your own liking and add your own touches. We purchased one for $50, spray painted it white with gold horns, glued on the lace and embellished it with pearls, diamantes, jewels and a sparkling earring dropping from its forehead. We made it romantic and feminine in our own way.

Food All of your guests will be eagerly awaiting dessert, so continue the theme and make it extra special for them! Go with a crowd favourite: macarons. Sprinkle some gold glitter and flakes onto them. Add berry-filled desserts for a rich contrast of reds and purples. To continue through with a casual vibe, you can’t go wrong with a high tea spread.

Lighting The daylight hours will provide that soft natural lighting, but you’ll likely be celebrating far into the night, so keep the atmosphere inviting and romantic by hanging some lights from the tree above. Tie glass candle holders to a thick rope and … here’s our key piece of advice … go with electronic or battery operated candles which should be easy to source from the local discount store. Surround your guests with a warm glow and even go with dressing the tree with fairy lights – again, source battery or solar powered so you don’t have extension leads everywhere!

After the wedding and honeymoon is over, it’s time to return to resume some semblence of normality with everyday life. After all those long nights of planning and stressing, days and evenings filled with lists, images, business cards and meetings, daily life can soon feel a little humdrum.

We can offer some advice in this regard … firstly, try never to let the honeymoon be really over. Go on regular date nights, continue to treat your partner to unexpected gifts and thank-yous, and continue to cherish each other every single day.

Secondly, do something special with your home decorating. Even if you’ve been cohabitating for a few years before the wedding, it’s still fabulous to come back from your honeymoon to new linens, fresh towels and a few extra bits and pieces dotted around what is now the marital home!

One great way to do this without breaking the bank, is to utilise homewares that you can use again at home for your wedding décor.

Ezibuy have a range of fabulous décor items that are suitable for just this purpose … and we’ve picked out some of our favourites that we think will be winners both on the wedding front and the home front!

Location Picking the perfect location, setting or venue is one of the most important parts of wedding planning. Once that’s locked in, you can plan all the finer details around it. We looked at the possibility of hosting this shoot at a beach or forest, until we realised that we would have to change our themes and colours slightly based on the location. Consider the surroundings and the lighting, we chose this location because it was stunning throughout each hour of the day!

Colours Shades of purple, ranging from deep to pastel ,and blended with soft pinks will add a feminine feel. Coupling that with crisp whites and creamy colours and touches of gold will contribute a perfect touch of contrast and highlight. The green adds a sense of vibrancy and should be present through the floral arrangements and natural surroundings so as to not overdo it. Adding touches of metallic throughout your special day will add a sophisticated and modern element.

Décor & Texture A traditional wooden table adds a charmingly rustic, relaxed countryside elegance and allows for an intimate gathering that isn’t overly formal. Set against it lightly washed lavender fabrics for a soft, romantic feel. For a hippy, casual feel that really welcomes your guests, go with an elaborately patterned rug at the base, then layer it with fur rugs, sequins and tasseled throws, a range of cushions inspired by Moroccan prints, thickly stitched accessories and metallic gold ottomans. Find inspiration from the heart of Morocco and bring it into the 21st century.

Florals Ask your florist for a blooming, elaborate arrangement that will speak for itself – leafy greens and succulents with pastel pink roses and lavender sprigs dotted throughout. Pay attention to detail and serve your guests a soft purple beverage in crystal glassware, with fresh lavender sprigs for a thoughtful touch.

Allow the floral arrangements to be unstructured and messy. You want an effortless, natural, organic-looking and free-flowing arrangement that will steal the show.

Invitations As relaxed as this wedding theme is, you really want to draw your guests in with that luxe element. We recommend gold foiled and laser cut invitations, a favourite amongst the most stylish and modern couples. Featured in this shoot was an elaborately detailed gated card with a personal monogram laser cut into the foldout, and held together by a sweet lotus flower sticker. For a less over-the-top invite, perhaps opt for a floral framed laser cut design that has a more bohemian feel.

Makeup You’ll be outdoors so keep it light and natural. For the base of your face, think dewy and luminous skin, kept glowing with highlight or strobing. Top it with a baby pink or peach blush paired with rose gold or copper colored eyeshadow. Keep the lips light and matte with a nude and neutral colour.

Hair Have your hair loose and free – think effortlessly natural hair-down waves or go with natural braids wrapped with real lavender sprigs and delicately adorned with handmade flower crowns or pearl and crystal embellished head wear that will really make a statement.

Wedding Dress The Nicole Spose gown with the lace backing, features a subtly embellished bodice with an illusion neckline, beaded floral embroidery, and delicate lace appliqués that cascade into a tulle skirt – it’s perfect for the bride who wants to really make a statement.

The Sottero and Midgley gown is a chic lace wedding dress, accented with spaghetti straps, demure illusion back and V-neckline. Finished with delicate pearl buttons this one is for the bride who wants something soft and light.

The long-sleeved Maggie Sottero gown classic sheath wedding dress features embellished illusion lace over jersey, a feminine sweetheart neckline and long sleeves with hand-placed lace appliques. Great for the bride who wants a boho meets elegant look.

With so much talk about ‘unplugged’ weddings and using wedding hashtags, it can get confusing for guests to know when it is appropriate to take photos on their phones or cameras at a wedding, so here it is …

DO – BEFORE the ceremony By all means, go ahead. It is entirely appropriate to take photos with other guests or of the venue and surrounds.

DON’T – DURING the ceremony In fact, from the time your butt is in that seat, on that hay bale or in mid-air (if you are standing) it is time to put that camera or phone away and let the professionals do their job.

DO – DURING cocktail hour Once the bride, groom and bridal party are off doing their photo shoot, you can whip out your camera and starting clicking away at all the fun antics going on.

DO & DON’T – DURING the reception There are some times when taking photos is absolutely fine, like when you have just sat down and you want to snap a pic of that cute favour box or entree, or when you witness your grandma on the dance floor with moves you seriously didn’t know she had.

There are also times you should keep that camera tucked away, such as during the formal parts of the evening – i.e. cake cutting, during the speeches etc.

FINAL NOTE:

You should probably check in with the happy couple BEFORE the wedding day to see what their thoughts are on pictures being posted to social media. Some couples don’t like any photos up whatsoever, some like to wait until they can put their own up and others are checking in on the way to the ceremony to see who has already uploaded and hashtagged everyone is different!

A talented team of industry experts and renowned stylists, with wedding dress designs by Maggie Sottero and Nicole Spose, have brought to life a beautifully styled shoot set amongst alluring lavender fields.

Influences & Inspiration As you’ll find with your wedding, you’ll start off with an idea but you will soon witness it beautifully morphing into something beyond your wildest expectations and often so different, in a good way, to how you originally wanted it to be.

We initially had our hearts set on darker and moodier look – think rich plums and velvet reds, set in an enchanting forest with that wild, untamed spirit of the boho couple. Our ideas were constantly changing but, at the heart of it all, we wanted to create something that wasn’t a copy of something that’s been done before. We took inspiration from images we had seen online and ran free with it, letting it take a life of its own.

It organically moved towards more earthy tones and we found ourselves then wanting to achieve a more feminine, fairy tale theme with the incorporation of our stylist’s own individual touch. She defines her personal style as boho and hippy – and soon realised it’s hard to separate yourself from it all – just as you will find it hard to not bring into your wedding day you and your partner’s own personality and lovable quirks. You want to make the experience personal and you want to have a connection with it. You have to make the day well and truly yours.

In the end, we unexpectedly but pleasantly ended up with a boho meets soft purple with that much-needed elegant touch brought in by the gold accents.

Hard to comtemplate sweltering summer days in the midst of winter, but it is around the corner – promise! Many happy couples opt for summer for the big day as it generally guarantees finer weather, but that finer weather soon presents its own set of issues!

HAIR & MAKEUP Foundation that cakes in the humidity, hair that frizzles and curls, sweat running down your forehead or, worse, under your armpits! Consider an updo to keep long hair off your neck. If your hair is prone to frizz in humidity, talk to your hair salon about products specifically for this purpose. Your makeup can be spritzed to help keep the face cooler, and a little dusting of translucent powder will help to clear up any shine! Do talk to your makeup artist and let them know you’ll be in the heat! Minimal is usually best in the height of summer. Consider a matte foundation, and carry a few face blotting sheets in your purse. Wedding

KEEP IT LIGHT While the bride is likely to be in white, do give consideration to the guys and the bridesmaids. Steer away from black or dark colours such as navy. It’s far better to go with creams, a soft beige, or even a little pastel! Keep frocks at summer length, too … forget the full skirts and long sleeves! Perhaps also consider swapping blooms for parasols for your maids!

A PLACE TO SHELTER Rain or shine, a marquee or small tent of some description, preferably with comfortable seating, is a good idea for both the bridal party and guests to escape to!

Here are a few tips to guide you:

• If you have a wedding website include this on your RSVP page so it can’t be missed.

• Include a sentence or two on your guest information card that goes out with your invitations.

• Add a special request to your order of service.

• Ask your celebrant or minister to mention it before the start of the ceremony.

• Add it in to your MC notes as a reminder for the start of the reception.

Once guests have had a few drinks it’s easy to forget that little request about not posting on Facebook.

There are many examples of how you can word these requests; Google ‘unplugged weddings’. Below is an example:

“Welcome, family and friends to Jane & Tom’s Wedding. We invite you to enjoy the ceremony and be truly present at this special time. Please, turn off your cell phones and put down your cameras. The official photographer will capture the moments to follow. So sit back and relax; we will be under way shortly.”

If you choose not to have an unplugged wedding, it’s still a great idea to ask your celebrant or minister to remind the guests that you have an official photographer capturing the day for you. Remind them to be considerate about taking photos around your official photographer. I’ve seen wedding guests sidle up behind the official photographer, only to capture the same image that the professional has spent time setting up – then seeing it posted on Facebook.

Is it a good thing to have lots of people snapping away during the course of your day capturing moments the official photographer may have missed, or are we over-documenting weddings? I’ll leave that up to you, but do take a moment to consider having an unplugged wedding. When you gaze at your guest as a proud new Mrs, wouldn’t you rather see them than their camera?

SOS STATION Plan for an SOS Station somewhere close to hand. Stock it with face mists, bug spray, sun block, straw hats or parasols and chilled bottled water. If you’re out on the grass, consider some slip on sandals (thongs/jandals) for those who forget and turn up in high heels. An alternative is to have various sizes of No Sink Heels available for female guests. Lightweight handheld fans are another brilliant idea that your guests will thank you for!

HYDRATE OFTEN Guests and the wedding couple should remember this rule. The heat and excitement has seen many a bride and groom feel lightheaded after standing at the altar for any given length of time. It’s even more important if alcohol is being consumed outdoors in the heat …. the rule is generally one large glass of water in between each alcoholic drink.

EYE CARE Who says you can’t wear sunnies on your wedding day? Forget them …. look for a pair that matches your outfit in colour and style, or go for something funky that ties in with the theme of your event. There’s nothing worse than those photos coming back and you’re squinting in the vast majority of them! Your eyes will shine all the more in your indoor shots if you haven’t developed a headache from over exposure to the sun!

KISSABLE LIPS Apart from your lipstick for colour touch-ups, add a lip balm with SPF into your purse, and ensure there’s one tucked into the groom’s suit pocket. Might be a great idea to buy a few spare – hand them out to the other bridal party members, and leave a few at your SOS station.

HEEL WOES So you want a little added height, but you don’t want to be tottering around on the lawn in stilettos? Consider wedges! Height and balance … and additional support through a long day of standing.

SPRITZ SOLUTION Before the wedding, keep your bouquets in a cool room or even the refrigerator. Keep a water spritzing bottle handy and spray them throughout the day to keep them hydrated.