Wedding Tips with Jade - Planning Your Day
Your Wedding day planning can take a life of it's own and before you know it it can be become a big ball of stress and be no fun. Here are the legal links, information and tips that may help you in the planning process.
How to get married in New Zealand Applying for a Marriage Licence Online
How to get married in New Zealand Applying for a Marriage Licence Online
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 some of the big 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 have been preciously married and aren't divorced you can't get legally married and it is against the law to have a "pretend" wedding. Get your divorce paper work sorted out quickly. |
1. Your Date and Time
Choose a back up date just in case and a 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 majority of costs you may need to involve them in the decision making for photographer, location, food etc. 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 years old
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 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.
Choose a back up date just in case and a 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 majority of costs you may need to involve them in the decision making for photographer, location, food etc. 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 years old
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 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
Its 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 personal and 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 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. Talk to vendors about your vision. 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. Talk to vendors about your vision. 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.
Whatever you decide make sure you are celebrating YOUR Wedding day YOUR way
Happy Planning ♡
Jade Kyles - Timaru Celebrant
Its 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 personal and 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 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. Talk to vendors about your vision. 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. Talk to vendors about your vision. 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.
Whatever you decide make sure you are celebrating YOUR Wedding day YOUR way
Happy Planning ♡
Jade Kyles - Timaru Celebrant