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Gemma, nzgirl’s editor, has just got engaged, so she’s going to keep you posted as she plans the wedding.
If you missed the first entry click here to read all about the proposal.
At the end of my first column I said: By next month’s update we should have the venue sorted and (knowing me) I’ll have the dress all picked out.
True to form that’s exactly what I’ve done! A couple of weeks after we got engaged Paul and I set out with my mum to go for a drive and look at venues. I’ve always wanted to get married in one of those picture book little churches and good old mum knew exactly where we could find one (which was lucky, because they’re in quite short supply on the North Shore!).
As soon as we pulled up to the small white church at Silverdale I knew it was the place… luckily Paul felt the same way. I hadn’t necessarily planned on having a church ceremony and I’m little unsure as to what to expect, so I’m looking forward to meeting with the vicar at the end of the year to find out what’s involved!
With the church sorted it was time to suss the reception location. I’d just found out that morning that the restaurant we were thinking of using was closing down the following week, so we had to find an alternative. I’ve always liked the idea of getting married somewhere around Kumeu (I used to work out that way and it’s a gorgeous area) and while there are lots of dedicated wedding venues out that way, most of them have very high minimum numbers/ charges for a Saturday in the “wedding season”, which just wasn’t going to work with our tight budget.
Mum came to the rescue again and suggested the Coatesville Settlers Hall. Initially I wasn’t keen on the idea of hiring a hall as I’ve seen friends do it and know it’s heaps of hard work and requires a lot more organisation than just hiring a venue or restaurant. We decided to go have a look anyway, and I again fell in love at first sight. This isn’t your typical musty, dingy old hall. It’s been recently renovated, has a gorgeous large deck and has been landscaped beautifully. Instead of serving champagne at the church after the ceremony we’ll invite our guests to head straight to the hall where they can relax on the deck and enjoy drinks and antipasto platters, while we’ll have our photos taken in the garden area.
It was so exciting getting such a major part of the wedding sussed early on, and means we’re free to get on with all the other details. Finding a caterer is top of my list at the moment, but it’s hard to focus on when I keep getting distracted by fun things like flowers, cake and centrepieces…
So far I’ve found this whole wedding thing to be very straightforward and stress free, although for some reason I’ve already had several dreams about things going wrong. Paul thinks it’s because I’m obsessed, but I’m not really… promise!
Oh, and as for the dress? It has been purchased, but that whole process is an update in itself so you’ll have to stay tuned till next month…
Gemma
Planning a wedding yourself? Check out these helpful little books…
1: i do: classic new zealand weddings: This pretty book features images from Kiwi weddings and includes room at the back for a personal wedding record, making it a great gift. $24.99, Random House
2: Your Wedding Planner by Stevens: This book is a one-stop shop when it comes to planning a wedding. It features extensive lists and tips, along with plenty of room to record your own information. Available now from Stevens stores nationwide. $24.99, Random House
3: Wedding Etiquette by Libby Norman: This book helps with all the little traditions, expectations and practicalities associated with planning a wedding. There is also plenty of ideas and inspriration along with helpful planning lists. $19.99, New Holland
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to keep you posted as she plans the wedding.
reception location. I’d just found out that morning that the restaurant we were thinking of using was closing down the following week, so we had to find an alternative. I’ve always liked the idea of getting married somewhere around Kumeu (I used to work out that way and it’s a gorgeous area) and while there are lots of dedicated wedding venues out that way, most of them have very high minimum numbers/ charges for a Saturday in the “wedding season”, which just wasn’t going to work with our tight budget.
