It's often a funny part in the movie.
​The couple have just said their vows and the officiant asks for the rings. The best man pats down his suit, looks shocked and confused when he realises he doesn't have them.  Everyone scurries around looking until a substitute (like a coke can tab or cheezel) is found last minute to replace the ring. Everyone is received and go on to live happily ever after.

Yes, it is funny losing a wedding ring in a movie but not so in real life. Looking after wedding rings, until the moment you cement your vows with a ring, is a big responsibility. It can cause some couples to worry about what they should do. They ask what is the correct way and what do other people do?

​Q:  Who should look after your rings? 
​A:  Anyone you wish too! 

Don't feel overwhelmed or confused when planning your wedding.  
All you need to do is  work through what you need to do one step at a time. Here is a simple list of 10 important things you need to work out with your fiancee before you get into the finer details.  If you have been married and are not officially divorced please get on to this immediately. Even if you think it may go through quickly it may not be the case. Don't assume. If you aren't  divorced you can't get legally married and it is against the law to have a "pretend" wedding. 
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1. Your Date and Time                                                                                          Set the date and time.  Think about long weekends and other big events that may be on in the area when you wish to get married. Use google to search the date and ask your local city council. Think about the time of day you wish to get married. Choose a back up date just in case and back up time in case the first options doesn't work ​​
2. Your  Budget 
Decide how much you can realistically spend. Confirm how you will be paying for your wedding and who is paying. If your parents are paying for majority of costs you may need to involve them in the decision making. Most vendors require a deposit to confirm your booking. This may be up to 50% upfront.  If you know the celebrant you want get in contact with them now to see if they are available for the date and time you wish to get married.
3.  Your Guests 
Write a list of who you would like to have at your wedding. Discuss and decide if a currently single person, will be invited to bring a plus one. Decide if guests can bring  their children. If yes, include them in your list. Keep a record of the children under 12
4. Your Style of Wedding 
You know how much money you would like to spend and the number of guests. Now thing about the style of wedding you want. Are you looking at a garden wedding with a BBQ, a wedding venue, beach ceremony, breakfast wedding, marque in a paddock or a large formal wedding?
5. Your Venue/ Location  and/or Hire Company
Most couple start searching for their Venue/location and Photographer at the same time. If you are thinking a marquee, get to your local hire places sooner rather than later. Remember to consider an option for wet weather. Unless you have your heart absolutely set on one place it is a good idea to explore a few options before paying your deposit.  Google is your best friend when looking up venues and location. Type those key words in google and browse their website. Read reviews. Venue prices vary so much and some allow you to bring your own food and alcohol and some supply it all for you.  Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details and not get confused) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. If that all looks good go and visit the venue/s early. Try and visit them in the same day or week so they are fresh indoor mind. Video the area so you can remember the size etc. Talk to the vendor about your vision for your wedding and see how they react to it. 
6. Your Photographer/Videogapher
Browse photographers websites and find a few whose style resonate with you. Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. Meet with them and see if you fit with them. You already know you like their work but it is important you feel like they gel with you both as a couple and your vision for the wedding. Ask lots of questions and let them answer. 
7. Your Celebrant
It's very well having the perfect venue and photographer but you need someone to marry you. Have you seen a celebrant recently at a wedding you have attended? Did you really like the ceremony, did they stand out for you? If the answer is yes get in contact asap.  Ask around and use google. Stalk their fb business page and read reviews. Ask for recommendations but remember Just because a celebrant was great for your cousin doesn't mean they are great for you. Make a list of the celebrants you like the look of.  if they remind you of your exe's Mum or Dad or old school teacher you didn't like - not a good idea! Remember they are in you photos and videos for ever. Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. Meet with them and see if you fit with them. You already know you like their work but it is important you feel like they gel with you both as a couple and your vision for the wedding. Ask lots of questions and let them answer. I have previously written a full article on finding the right celebrant for you here
8. Food/Alcohol/Catering/
Start talking to vendors about the number of guests and your menu you would like. Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. Meet with them and see if you fit with them. You already know you like their work but it is important you feel like they gel with you both as a couple and your vision for the wedding. Ask lots of questions and let them answer. 
9. Music/Sound System/ Lighting
Ask for recommendations and use google. Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. Meet with them and see if you fit with them. You already know you like their work but it is important you feel like they gel with you both as a couple and your vision for the wedding. Ask lots of questions and let them answer. 
10. Cake/Flowers/Transport
Ask for recommendations and use google. Enquire via email in the first instance ( so you have a record of all the details) Ask if they are available your date and for more information. Meet with them and see if you fit with them. You already know you like their work but it is important you feel like they gel with you both as a couple and your vision for the wedding. Ask lots of questions and let them answer. Even if you are having taxi vans for guests at your wedding it pays to see how many are available. ​

It is an exciting time planning a wedding. In South Canterbury we are very lucky to have some amazing vendors. Feel free to connect with me if you need some help or recommendations for wedding vendors. 
Happy Planning! 

Celebrating Love and Life with Jade Kyles -Timaru Marriage Celebrant ​

Finding the right celebrant is like finding the perfect pair of shoes!

First you have to think about what you want. You want a pair of shoes that are going to fit with what your need them for. Think about it - you are heading for a night of dancing. Are you going to squeeze your foot into a gorgeous pair of shoes two sizes too small for you? Or wear a size to big? Of course not! You will end up with blisters and pinched feet or feeling not supported and unstable.

Celebrants are like shoes - one size does NOT fit all and the quality and type vary. Some shoes are so popular they are snapped up as soon as they are on display. The same goes for popular celebrants in peak wedding season. You should book the venue, food, photographer and celebrant all at the same time as early as you can so you get the best possible choice. 

First you need to think about the style that you want. It is no point choosing a celebrant that reminds you of your mean scout leader or looks like your fiancees' ex girlfriend.  Look on their website and facebook business page. Scroll through the photos of them. Do you feel comfortable with them? Do they look positive and happy? Do they fit with you and your fiancee? Are they portraying themselves as outgoing and vibrant or more reserved and quiet? Find a celebrant that fits YOUR personality. They will be in your wedding photos forever and on your video if you have one. 

• Find one or numerous celebrants that you BOTH like the look of and that feel right
• Contact them all and see if they are available for your date. They will probably want to know when the wedding is, where it is, what time it is and how many people will likely be attending. Ask to meet them for a no obligation chat 
• Both of you visit them or skype them and talk about your wedding (try and see all of your possible celebrants in the same week or as close to each other as possible)
• Tell them about your wedding (theme, style, enactments) and tell them about YOU. A good celebrant knows how to ask the right questions to get to know the real you. Ask questions about them. How long have they been a celebrant? Are they trained? Are they experienced? Do you like the sound of their voice and do you feel confident with them?
• Take a list of questions and confirm price and the package/s they offer. Does the price include a rehearsal? Transport? 
• Most professional celebrants have a contract which is for both of your benefit . Read carefully and talk with them if there are any conditions you are not sure or happy with.
• After you have seen all the celebrants and you both know who your want,  confirm with the celebrant of choice (make sure they are still available first don't assume) Sign and send back the contract and pay the deposit to confirm your booking quickly. 
• Contact the other celebrants who you have seen and let them know you have found someone else. Chances are they pencilled in a tentative booking for your date that they someone else can have now

A good celebrant will want to accomodate what you want. Whether you are having a traditional full wedding, brunch wedding at a cafe or a dress up Halloween Wedding,  you need a celebrant that is excited about what you are doing.  

Your celebrant should be welcoming, adaptable and easy to talk to. On your big day it is them running the ceremony. They will be making sure it is all set up as planned, they will be helping to keep your nervousness at bay and delivering an amazing ceremony for you and your guests. 

Don't be afraid to shop around and connect with a few (or lots of celebrants) Find one that you both fit with, they you have confidence in. Even if you have been married seven times or this is your first - it is your special day. You need someone that has your back and that has you and your ceremony as their priority. 

​Good luck and happy planning!