Table of contents for #90 Spring 2016 in Bride & Groom

Dear Readers, Every year we receive hundreds of beautiful real weddings, and nearly all of them have one common theme. Couples want to make their wedding an amazing experience not only for themselves but especially for their guests. After all, your wedding is a rare occasion to get all your favourite people together in one place. These family and friends often play an important role in your relationship, so what better way to thank them for their love and support. On page 28 we share ideas for making your guests feel super special on your big day. As many of you gear up for your summer wedding, it’s a good idea to compile a last-minute to-do list – on page 208 we detail some must-have items. And, be prepared for…

tempting treats Cake & Co make beautiful, wholesome, modern cakes that are tailored to your specific dietary needs. Cake & Co 2/175 Ponsonby Road, Freemans Bay, Auckland Phone 09 376 3479 www.cakeandco.co.nz iced perfection Sweet Bites Cakes has a passion for creating the perfect cake for your wedding day. Sweet Bites Cakes 1/214 Universal Drive, Henderson, Auckland Phone 09 836 8806 Email info@sweetbitescakes.co.nz www.sweetbitescakes.co.nz delicious Cake Circus makes delicious, individually designed cakes for your special day. Cake Circus, Auckland Phone 021 128 4998 www.cakecircus.co.nz fun & fabulous Looking for a non-traditional wedding cake or wedding dessert idea? How about a tower of handmade meringue kisses from Lady Meringue! Fun, festive and delicious with a large variety of flavours and colours available, they can customise on request. Lady Meringue, Auckland Email…

inspire & delight Magazine Designer Clothing is there to help you celebrate those special moments in life by looking and feeling beautiful. Their passionate in-store stylists will help you select from the extensive range of exclusive and stunning special occasionwear, whatever the season, in sizes 10-26. Exquisite accessories will add that extra sparkle to complete your look. There is always something special at Magazine. Magazine Designer Clothing 4 Byron Avenue, Takapuna, 09 488 0406 879 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, 09 630 5354 74 King Street, Pukekohe, 09 239 2696 96 Maunganui Road, Mt Maunganui, 07 575 3218 17 Main Road, Tirau & Outlet, 07 883 9191 17 The Square, Palmerston North, 06 359 1390 60 Devon Street East, New Plymouth, 06 757 9877 87 Hautapu Street, Taihape Outlet, 06…

effortless style Barkers has become synonymous with combining quality materials and classic tailoring to create an effortless style. The 2016/2017 Spring/Summer suiting collection comes in Barkers signature tailored fit, featuring over 20 styles and cotton options. Look out for the launch of the premium suiting range with half canvas construction and fabric produced in a renowned English mill. www.barkersclothing.com gifts for the guys Struggling to think of gifts for your groomsmen? These fantastic personalised cufflinks, money clips and divot tools from Astra Bridal are available in four designs and a variety of colours to make gift-giving easy. Available to order online or in store. Astra Bridal Takapuna, Auckland City, Hamilton and Wellington Freephone 0800 844 544 www.astrabridal.co.nz look your best Light and fresh, elegant and romantic – visit a Frank…

www.partridgejewellers.com bespoke rings Jeweller Debra Fallowfield crafts contemporary wedding and engagement rings that are unlike any others. Solid and impeccably crafted, Debra’s pieces are made with care and intent. Always an ethical jeweller, Debra sources the majority of her gold from boutique mines on the West Coast. Diamonds and gems are fair trade, and Debra is an ambassador for Charles & Colvard moissanite, an exciting new diamond alternative. Debra Fallowfield Jeweller Phone 027 201 4835 www.debrafallowfield.com custom designed jewellery Jewellers Workshop is a family-run business that has been operating on Auckland’s High Street since 1987, specialising in bespoke jewellery design. With an emphasis on bridal jewellery, their friendly team will work with you to create a piece that is unique to you and made to last a lifetime. Jewellers Workshop…

We love your weddings! If you’d like to submit your wedding for inclusion in the magazine, simply download a ‘Real Weddings’ registration form from www.brideandgroom.co.nz Send it along with your photos (on USB is best), your story and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Readers Weddings, Bride & Groom magazine, PO Box 37 356, Parnell, Auckland 1151…

A four-year engagement gave Renee and Ben time to create a beautifully rustic and romantic wedding, complete with handmade elements and personal touches that tell their love story. Renee tells us more… Ben and I put a lot of time and effort into our wedding. We spent days cutting and sewing bunting, making felt-deer cake toppers and the ‘Mr & Mrs Courtman’ sign, and transforming an old window frame into a gorgeous seating plan. I tried on multiple gowns, but after talking to mum’s friend Mimi, she showed me a stunning vintage gown that she’d worn at her wedding over 20 years earlier. It was made of the most beautiful French lace, and it fit like a glove! It had a high choker neck and long sleeves, which didn’t really…

Guests travelled from all over the world to celebrate Yang and Roland’s wedding, a classically beautiful event with a hint of Chinese tradition. Yang fills us in… I grew up in East Auckland and wanted to get married somewhere familiar and filled with memories, so we chose Formosa Auckland Country Club, overlooking Cockle Bay. We stayed with our guests in villas next to the venue, which was a lovely way to spend the wedding week. Before the wedding, Roland’s parents gave me a gold bracelet with a hand-engraved phoenix and dragon, which symbolises prosperity and good fortune. We burnt incense and prayed to the ancestors for protection and their blessing. My mother had given me a red hairbrush to bring good luck. We wanted an easy-elegance theme for the wedding.…

Erina and David both grew up with the beach on their doorstep, so it was always going to be an important element in their wedding day. The couple gathered friends and family to celebrate at a beautiful vintage-inspired wedding on a secluded spot on the Coromandel. Erina tells us more… The location of our wedding meant that our guests had to stay locally over the weekend. With friends and family travelling from near and far, it was very special to have everyone together for a few days either side of the wedding. We are both relaxed and laid-back so we wanted our wedding to reflect this. The groomsmen looked dapper in white shirts, grey pants and mint-green bowties, while David wore a vest and skinny tie to stand out. Our…

Every Bride & Groom magazine subscriber will automatically go in the draw to win all of these products… Cruelty-free, vegan, and designed and tested in New Zealand, Mellow Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lip Paint offers the perfect mix of longevity, smooth texture and comfortable feel with a rich, velvety matte colour. www.mellowcosmetics.com Made in New Zealand, Savar’s luxury Travel Minis feature four of Savar’s best-selling high-performance natural skin care and plant-based hair care products, enriched with premium natural extracts and oils. www.savaronline.co.nz essie's new limited edition Bridal Collection contains six gorgeous shades with their signature fun and creative names: Passport to Happiness, Groom Service, Coming Together, Steal his Name, Mrs Always-Right and Between the Sheets (winners will receive one polish). www.essie.com Eco Tan Cacao Firming Mousse is a lightweight self-tan mousse for the…

Location: The Officers Mess www.theofficersmess.com Photographer: Lesley Walker Makeup and hair: Elizabeth Canales-Ron from Face Me Makeup www.facememakeup.com Backdrop: Nova Bloom www.novabloom.co.nz Flowers: Willoughby Road www.willoughbyroad.co.nz Model: Amanda Mitchell from 62 Models ASTRA BRIDAL Both pages: Maggie Sottero Kimberly – elegant Elodie Mikado A-line gown featuring Swarovski crystal embellishing and a deep V neckline. Takapuna, Auckland City, Hamilton and Wellington 0800 844 544 enquiries@astrabridal.co.nz www.astrabridal.co.nz Astra Bridal earrings and bracelet BEAUTY NOTES: Elizabeth used makeup from the Face Me Makeup range. Skin: Mineral Liquid Powder Foundation SPF15 in Tender Beige, Baked Mineral Powder Foundation in Linen, and Baked Blush in Plumeria Eyes: Mineral Shadow in Legendary Bronze, Naturalist Eyeshadow Quad, and Coal Liner in Very Black Eyebrows: Eyebrow Sculpt in Brunette Lips: Matte Lipstick in Angelina Earrings: Astra Bridal BRIDES…

statement shoes Don’t forget the final details of your look – your shoes! Benjamin Walk have been creating bridal shoes for over 120 years, so they know their styles and fit. Select from one of the largest ranges in New Zealand at one of the four Astra Bridal salons, or purchase online. Astra Bridal Takapuna, Auckland City, Hamilton and Wellington Freephone 0800 844 544 www.astrabridal.co.nz get your heart racing! Join the excitement, glamour and entertainment of the races at Ellerslie Racecourse! Attending a summer raceday is the perfect choice for a hen or stag party as you won’t need to plan a thing – it’s all taken care of for you. There are a number of exciting racedays on the calendar, with either shared hospitality options or your own private…

1 Be involved in the planning. You may not care about the bouquets, napkins or candles, but remember that this is your day too, so think about having your say with the things that do interest you, such as transport, music, food etc. 2 Choose your groomsmen wisely. A reliable friend is a better than someone you’ve known for a long time, who is only focused on the party. 3 Wear appropriate attire. Make sure you choose a suit that not only fits you perfectly, but also fits with the style of your wedding. Consider the season, wedding theme, and how to differentiate your look from your groomsmen. 4 Think about the small things. Wear a nice pair of leather shoes and make sure they are clean and polished. Showcase…

Where to Start You have decided to take the big plunge and are now wondering how to plan the perfect wedding. Managing such a major event can seem a little daunting, so we’ve put together this planner as a guide to help you organise your big day and keep things running smoothly. While some weddings are lavish events with hundreds of guests, others are simple, intimate occasions shared with close family and a few friends. If you are planning an informal wedding you do not need to observe many of the formalities, but there are still some points of etiquette and traditions that you may find useful. Before you begin, you and your partner should sit down and discuss what you both expect from your wedding day. Communication is paramount…

Lush, relaxed and tropical was the dream for Hayley and Cameron’s big day, and Rarotonga ticked all the boxes. The couple celebrated their wedding surrounded by 50 close family and friends, and all the beauty that the island has to offer. Hayley tells us more… A destination wedding in Rarotonga was an easy decision for us as we are so fortunate to have family living on a tropical island with the ideal setting for a wedding! Cameron’s parents own a café and bar with an amazing head chef and gorgeous views – what more could you ask for? We didn’t look at anything else, as we knew from day one where we wanted our special day to be. We did a bit of DIY. My father painted our welcome sign…

On a summer’s day, Suzy and Ash were married at a vineyard outside of Christchurch, decorated with a lemonand-rustic theme. Suzy tells us more… Our wedding was a mixture of love, laughter and ridiculous amounts of happiness. I enjoyed every moment of planning, and the hours spent on the details were absolutely worth it. My mum grew flowers for the tables, my bridesmaid made the stationery, and our table settings were all hand made. On the big day we were picked up in a black London cab. My nana acted as our ring bearer, while our brothers signed the marriage certificate. Three close friends did readings and our guests were asked to do ‘I dos’ of their own. Our mothers both baked cakes for an afternoon tea table, which were…

Marina was an exchange student from Germany when she fell in love with New Zealand… and with Craig! They married in an elegant, rustic garden wedding surrounded by friends and family who helped make the day so special. Marina tells us more… Many of the elements that helped make our wedding unique were true labours of love, and most wouldn’t have been possible without help from family and friends. Our maid of honour created a scrumptious and gorgeous-looking cake, and we recently enjoyed the top tier on our first anniversary. All the succulents used in the table decorations and favours were home grown – I started planting and propagating them shortly after we got engaged and I am still growing some of them now as keepsakes. For a touch of…

High school sweethearts Jessica and Matthew tied the knot with the stunning Lake Wakatipu as a backdrop and a floral glam theme. Jessica shares their story… We had absolutely stunning weather in Queenstown after a few days of snow – in February! Our two gorgeous daughters, Lexi (4) and Quinn (1), were our flowergirls, and they led me down the aisle accompanied by my dad. Emotions ran high as my grandfather gave a beautiful reading, and Matthew and I said our personalised vows with our darling daughters at our side. Afterwards, Champagne flowed and canapés were served while guests mingled and listened to music from a singer and acoustic guitar. I love crafts, so I put all of our stationery and decorations together myself, including gifts and survival kits for…

In a modern-day love story, Anna and Craig met via an online dating site. Anna eventually coerced Craig into meeting in person, and the rest is history! The couple celebrated their wedding with an intimate picnic at Craig’s parents’ home. Anna shares the details… We wanted a relaxed summer wedding, complete with sunshine, a picnic, games, friends and family. I love the colour yellow, so we spent months collecting fabric that our mums sewed into throw pillows, which were a gift for our guests to take home. We provided picnic blankets for guests to laze on when eating their BYO picnics, and pillowcases and secondhand sheets became metres and metres of beautiful bunting. Glass jars and bottles became vases for brightly coloured artificial flowers held in place by yellow sand…

Floral For their relaxed beach wedding, Erina and David chose loose bouquets featuring blooms in pastel shades, which perfectly blended with the soft colours of the sea, sand and sky. The beautiful florals carried through to a breathtaking ceremony arch, and inside the venue, clusters of fragrant stems sat in mismatching crystal glassware. Props Wooden signs were painted with blackboard paint, guiding guests to the beach ceremony and reception on a hilltop overlooking Opito Bay. Picture frames were made into chalkboards displaying playful messages, old-fashioned games, props and furniture added to the vintage theme, and snuggly rugs provided comfort for guests as the evening cooled. Table Inside the beautiful white reception marquee, wooden chairs were teamed with banquet tables adorned with vintage glassware, treasured doilies and elegant black napkins tied…

Ethereal Elegance Winter weddings aren’t always about deep, rich colours. Pastel spring tones can be a stunning contrast to the bright but icy-cool backdrop, as shown in this styled shoot by The Heirloom... Bare vines crawling over white-grey walls, aged heavy timber and wrought iron garden elements all combine to make the perfect backdrop for this wintry shoot. The walled garden creates an intimate atmosphere, warmed by a roaring outdoor fireplace adorned with a stunning wreath made from branches and blossoms. This is the focal point at the end of a banquet-style table of soft blue-grey muslin draped over crisp white linen, embellished with lush floral arrangements. Antique mercury glass vases and silky, silver foil calligraphy add a touch of glamour.’ The dream team… The Heirloom The Heirloom offers boutique…

VINKA DESIGN Kate – gorgeous gown with a long-line beaded lace bodice highlighted with beaded three-dimensional lace flowers and layers of delicate hailstone tulle. Level 1, 242 Queen Street, Auckland 09 300 3047 info@vinkabrides.com www.vinkadesign.co.nz ROBYN CLIFFE Grace – elegant heavily beaded sheath gown featuring lace and tulle detailing on the neckline. Cnr Edgeware and Colombo Street | Edgeware Village | St Albans, Christchurch | 03 366 1111 info@robyncliffe.co.nz | www.robyncliffe.co.nz BERNADETTE THOMAS Both pages: Romantic 1920s-inspired silk-satin slip gown featuring a soft hailstone net and vintage lace overlay, adorned with diamantes. 26a Uxbridge Street, Renwick, Marlborough 03 572 8504 bernadettethomasbridal@hotmail.com www.bernadettethomasbridal.co.nz SHARLAY BRIDAL Gorgeous strapless lace top with an illusion bodice, worn with a flowing soft peach skirt. Mt Eden, Auckland 09 623 2832 info@sharlay.co.nz www.sharlay.co.nz ASTRA BRIDAL Sottero…

Couture gowns make women feel beautiful, and John Zimmermann is certainly a master of couture. Tucked away in his Mt Eden boutique, Zimmermann works tirelessly to create spectacular and unique pieces that are classic yet contemporary. Bride & Groom magazine has proudly featured his couture designs in our pages for many years, and now we share with you a glimpse into his world… Tell us how you started in the fashion industry. I studied textiles and fashion at AUT in the late 1980s and early ’90s. My first fashion job was as a designer for NZ Wedding Centre, followed by eight years as a cutter/technologist/assistant for Patrick Steel Couture. I started John Zimmermann Couture in 1993, part-time from my home studio, developing into a full-time operation from my Mt Eden…

Kelly and Adam spent their 18-month engagement creating gorgeous handmade details for their rustic wedding. It was made even more special as Kelly was the winner of Bride & Groom magazine’s Jessica Bridal gown competition, and she looked stunning in the lace Charlotte gown she chose. Kelly tells us more about their day… Having always had an interest in DIY, we decided to make the majority of our wedding decorations and accessories ourselves, including building a cupcake stand for 80 cupcakes, a ceremony arch and wishing well, plus sewing 50m of bunting, making our fairy light curtain and my veil and hair clip, among other crafts. My bridesmaids and I even made the bouquets and buttonholes. We wanted our wedding day to be a representation of us through handmade and…

1. Photo by J&P Photography from Kimberley and Duncan's wedding 2. Photo by Jonathan Suckling from Kate and Phillip's wedding 3. Photo by Perspectives Photography from Laura and Andreas' wedding 4. Photo by Coraliebee Photography from Kimberlee and Matthew's wedding 5. Photo by Joanna Wickham from Dallas and Richard's wedding 6. Photo by Melanie Cooper from Joyana and Reuben's wedding 7. Photo by Ivelina Velkova from Lina and Sam's wedding 8. Photo by Kate Little from Emily and Neale's wedding 9. Photo by Jake Thomas from Renee and Andrew's wedding 10. Photo by Danelle Bohane from Alexia and Peter's wedding 11. Photo by Danelle Bohane from Ria and Andrew's wedding 12. Photo by Lavara Photography from Eva and Cameron's wedding 13. Photo by Amanda Thomas from Libby and Dan's wedding…

capture memories Your wedding day can be so busy, it becomes a blur. Let MDF capture the tender loving moments, the happy tears, the laughs, and the serious times to create a beautiful memory for you to share over and over again. MDF Videoing Specialists Phone 027 385 3466 www.mdfvideos.co.nz relive your day Deerlight Media are a videography company with a passion for cinematography and storytelling. They capture your wedding with short films that are fun without being cheesy, in a classic, cinematic style. Deerlight will help you create memories that will stand the test of time. www.deerlight.org Wedding TIP: On your wedding day, everything will take longer than you think, from getting your hair done to driving to the venue. Set a day-of schedule that leaves extra time to…

With a shared love of the South Pacific islands, Alexia and Peter combined their culture and heritage with everything Fiji has to offer in a lavish Greek Orthodox celebration. Alexia shares their story… Our culture and traditions are very important to us, and choosing to have a destination wedding meant that we were risking losing all of that. When we became aware of a little Greek Orthodox church in Fiji we thought that this could be the way to unite all of our ideas. Our choice of venue for our reception allowed us to bring in the island/beach wedding experience, giving us the best of both worlds. Coaches picked up our guests and took them to our little church, a 40-minute ride on the back roads, giving them the opportunity…

Josie and Robbie were married in a beautiful garden ceremony before celebrating at a barn reception surrounded by all of their loved ones, including some very special flowergirls! Josie shares all the unique details from their magical day… With the help of some amazing family members, we spent a year making all sorts of bits and pieces to personalise our wedding. I made my veil, our stationery, the welcome signs, and collected knick-knacks to decorate the tables. My dad spent hours painting little plastic animals in gold and foraging in the forest to find the perfect wood for our wedding arch, and my mum made 500 metres of bunting! Rob’s cousin made our incredible cake. The day before our wedding it was all hands on deck to put up the…

A beautiful garden in springtime was the perfect setting for Melissa and Michael’s wedding. And many thoughtful touches made the day truly unique. Melissa fills us in on the details… Our theme was to be classic and simple with a touch of rustic and vintage. The boys wore black suits, white shirts and navy ties, while the girls were gorgeous in navy full-length dresses with a touch of lace and beading. Michael stood out with a black tie and boutonniere, and I wore a full lace gown and handmade floral headpiece. I wanted to include colour, and did so with the flowers in white, peach, apricot and orange. I carried a wild and informal bouquet with trailing greenery. I knew it was going to be an emotional day without my…

Sanacha and Luvern wanted a classic and timeless feel to their wedding and incorporated silver, nude and white elements to give it a glamorous and glitzy edge. Sanacha tells us more… We had a beautiful ceremony set-up that overlooked the water. I wanted to do something a little different with the wedding procession, so our grandmothers walked down the aisle with our mums, which was very special for all of us. My favourite moment of the day was walking down the aisle and seeing my handsome groom waiting for me. It’s a feeling that I can only describe as magical – everything and everyone faded away, and in those moments it was just the two of us. After the ceremony, guests were offered Champagne and appetizers in the games room,…

After living and working in Australia, Zoe and Fraser moved home to New Zealand to get married. A thunderstorm threatened to put a dampener on their big day, but the couple didn’t let it bother them and celebrated with loved ones in style. Zoe fills us in… Our plans to get married in the beautiful gardens of Bridgewater Country Estate had to quickly change to under a gazebo. While we were initially heartbroken, all this disappeared as the wedding ceremony began and all that was important was that our two families were to become one. Fraser wanted to wear a navy suit so we decided to tie this into the rest of the wedding with navy bridesmaid and flowergirl dresses, and pops of blue flowers. My gown was a modern…