Engaged Wedding Magazine - July 2012 by Hamilton Media Limited

REAL WEDDINGS Amanda & Jonathan

YOUR WINTER TAN How to look glowing on your big day

ABSOLUTELY ADELAIDE The city with everything

07/ 2012

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DIAMONDS

The 4 C’s Explained

CAKE TOPPERS Inspiration

...your wonderful wedding on the cliff tops Just 50 minutes from Auckland’s CBD you’ll find magical Castaways. Castaways provides the ultimate wedding experience you and your guests will rave about for years to come. • Coastal cliff top ceremonies • Stunning sunset wedding receptions • Fabulous food • Award winning service • Guest accommodation • Honeymoon packages • Onsite activities Click here to download our new >online weddings pack<

Our team are available to meet with you onsite at Castaways. So contact us now and let’s start designing your wonderful wedding!

Castaways Karioitahi Beach, Waiuku, Auckland Ph 09 236 5161 Email weddings@castaways.co.nz Web www.castaways.co.nz * Specials Season at Castaways * April to November is Specials Season at Castaways. No minimum spends and no minimum numbers are required. Simply your wedding, your way.

“We want to thank you again for our absolutely amazing wedding. Some guests said it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to!” (Castaways Bride & Groom, 2011)

~ unique ~

~ memorable ~

~ affordable ~

Cover Credits: Photo by Amanda Wignell Photography www.awp.co.nz Couple: Amanda & Jonathan

Advertising Enquiries: Contact: Tim Hamilton Email: info@engaged.co.nz Phone: 021 448817 Post: PO Box 137101, Parnell Auckland 1151 Hamilton Media Limited accepts no responsibility for material provided by readers or advertisers. All material supplied is assumed to have been provided with the consent of the appropriate copyright holders Engaged is subject to copyright in its entirety. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication unless initially specified otherwise.

table of 68 INSPIRATION

YOUR WINTER TAN

BLING - THE 4 C’S engaged

contents 40

ADELAIDE AMANDA & JONATHAN 5

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Amanda Jonathan Images by Amanda Wignell Photography www.awp.co.nz

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This month we are treated to the gorgeous wedding of Amanda and Jonathan as photographed by the amazing Amanda Wignell. Amanda is one of our favourite photographers - her photos are technically exceptional and artistically stunning; the perfect combination! Enjoy!

28 January 2012 Ceremony: St Marks, Remuera Reception: Bridgewater Dress: Kate Dowman Bridesmaid Dresses: From Siza.co.nz Flowers: Best Blooms

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Tips for choosing your perfect diamond

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Right, so you’re off to look at engagement rings. You’ve heard everyone talk about the four Cs - but what on earth do they really mean? We break it down for you.

Carat Carat = weight of a diamond. Pretty simple, eh? The more carats, the larger the diamond (although, as discussed later, just because it is larger, doesn’t necessarily make it better). One carat equals 0.2 grams. Diamonds weighing less than a carat are often measured using a point unit, which is equal to one-hundredth (or 0.01) of a carat. A 75 point carat is therefore a 0.75 carat diamond, being a diamond weighing 150 milligrams. Generally the larger the carat size, the more valuable (and expensive!) the diamond will be. However, the price per carat does not increase smoothly with increasing size. Some carats are the so-called ‘magical weights’: the half carat (0.5), the three-quarter carat (0.75) and the one carat (1.0). There is not much difference between a 0.99 carat diamond and a 1.0 carat diamond, but a 1.0 carat diamond will often command a premium price. The old ‘size doesn’t matter rule’ applies: a larger carat with blemishes will be less valuable than a smaller-carat flawless white diamond.

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Colour To the average person glancing at a diamond ring, they all look the same colour. But no, in fact, diamonds range in colour from the extremely rare, completely colourless ‘white’ diamond to a light yellow, brown or grey. The colour of a diamond is graded according to the International Colour Grading Scale which starts at ‘D’ (exceptionally white) and goes through to ‘Z’ (tinted colour). The closer to ‘D’, the more valuable a diamond will be.

D to F : These are considered colourless and, to the untrained eye, will look the same once mounted in jewellery. G to J : These are considered near colourless and only a very slight colour tint will be noticeable. This tends to be the most popular colour range in New Zealand as it strikes a good balance between affordability and quality.

Colour imperfections are caused by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the diamond. Sometimes the chemicals in a diamond will result in the diamond being an intense hue such as bright yellow (Z-graded) or one of the ‘fancy’ diamonds, which include pink, blue, green, and red-hued diamonds. These diamonds can be very expensive.

K to M : These diamonds are considered faint yellow. If they are cut well, they will still look great, but some colour is likely to be noticeable to the untrained eye. If you really lust after a large diamond but have a limited budget, then this is probably the grade for you.

A colourless diamond is thought to be more valuable as it allows light to pass through the diamond better, resulting in a more sparkly diamond. However, a completely colourless diamond is hard to find, and you will find that a slight yellow, brown or grey tinge will not normally be noticeable to the naked eye.

N to Z : These will show a very noticeable yellow, brown or grey colour and aren’t very popular for wedding jewellery. 49

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Cut The cut of a diamond describes how diamond has been shaped and polished from its beginning form as a rough stone to its final gem proportions. Diamond cutting is quite an art form, with many of the common shapes of diamonds needing to be cut to mathematical guidelines to ensure the diamond will refract maximum light from outside the top of the diamond, making it sparkle. Often a jeweller will have to make a compromise when cutting a diamond: it can be cut to maximise its brilliance or its size. Cutting a diamond to maximise its sparkle usually means that the diamond will end up smaller. However, due to the relative importance of carat weight, many diamonds are often intentionally cut poorly to increase carat weight and this will greatly reduce the sparkle of the diamond. There is no quick and easy way to know if a diamond has been well cut. Instead, it will often just come down to whether you think that it sparkles like a diamond should! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to compare a number of rings to see how each of the diamonds refracts and reflects the light. The cut of a diamond is not the same as the shape of the diamond. Diamonds can also be cut into a variety of shapes, the most common of which are the following: Different cuts suit different fingers and hands better â&#x20AC;&#x201C; try on a few to see what suits you!

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Clarity Clarity is a measure of the internal defects of a diamond. Defects (called inclusions) can be caused by foreign material crystals or another diamond Clarity Scale crystal appearing in the diamond or Very, very slightly included by structural imperfections such as tiny VVS1 cracks. Whilst most inclusions do not VVS2 Very, very small inclusions affect the diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance VS1 Very slightly included or structural integrity, they can affect VS2 Very small inclusions a diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to reflect light. SI1 Slightly included Of all diamonds mined only about Small inclusions 20 percent have a clarity rating SI2 high enough for the diamond to I1 Inclusions be considered appropriate for use I2 Noticeable inclusions as a gemstone; the balance are Very noticeable inclusions relegated to industrial use. Of the I3 20 percent used as gemstones, a significant portion contains one or more visible inclusions.

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DID YOU KNOW.... The largest rough diamond ever found was the Cullinan Diamond, at 3,106.75 carats. The diamond is one of the British crown jewels. The largest cut diamond is the Golden Jubilee, a 545.67 carat, yellow-brown diamond. The largest flawless and colourless (grade D) diamond is the Centenary Diamond which weighs 273.85 carats.

ETHICAL DIAMONDS Most of you will be familiar with the movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Blood Diamondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The movie was responsible for making the public aware of the ethical issues surrounding diamond mining. Blood diamonds (also called hot diamonds, converted diamonds, conflict diamonds or war diamonds) are diamonds usually mined in African war zones. The stones were sold to finance the buying of weapons in those countries, with the warlords and unethical diamond companies profiting. In 1998 the United Nations officially recognised that the trade of blood diamonds was being used to fund war, and in 2000 the diamond industry met in Kimberley, South Africa to plan how the trade in these conflict diamonds could be stopped. The result was an agreement to adopt an international certification scheme, the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The World Diamond Council estimates that since the Kimberley process was adopted only 1% of all diamonds traded are blood diamonds. You can ensure your diamond is an ethical diamond by asking for a warranty assurance that the diamond is certified under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

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The relative clarity (and sparkle!) of a diamond will be affected by the number, size, colour, relative location, orientation, and visibility of those inclusions. Diamond clarity is rated on the International Clarity Grading Scale (shown on the right). ‘Eye-clean’ diamonds are those that do not have a visible inclusion. These are preferred and therefore are more expensive. It is possible however to hide visible inclusions under the setting in a piece of jewellery. Some imperfections will only be visible when viewed through a jeweller’s magnifying glass and again, you may find that an inclusion in your ring may not be noticeable to the naked eye.

Summary So which of the 4 Cs is the most important? This is completely subjective and depends entirely on what you want to see from the ring. If you want to have a big ‘rock’ on your finger, then the carat is going to be more important. To stick to a budget, you might have to get a diamond with more inclusions or not as good a colour. On the other hand, if you want to know that your diamond is as good a quality as possible, you will need to get a higher clarity rating and, most likely, will end up with a smaller diamond. Most people tend to compromise between the two. But in the end, you need to be happy with whatever you get as you will be wearing it for many years to come! Remember though, the diamond that you choose does not have to be the biggest or the best. Almost all of us have a limited budget to stick to and will have to compromise on one or more of the 4 Cs, whether it means getting a slightly smaller diamond or one that does not have as greater clarity or as pure a colour. However, provided that you are happy with the diamond that you choose, not only will the diamond sparkle, but so will you!

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Through the Lens

Showcasing Photographic Excellence

Photograph by VisionWorks Photography

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Vanilla Images

Website: www.vanillaimages.co.nz Email: chris@vanillaimages.co.nz Mobile: 021 023 94008 Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Auckland and Northland

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Suzanne McNatty - Photography by Design

Website: www.photographybydesign.co.nz Email: mcnatty@ihug.co.nz Mobile: 027 567 5990 Associate Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Southland

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projectShot images

Award-winning wedding photography & video production Website: www.projectshot.com

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Email: info@projectshot.com Mobile: 021 685 871 Auckland

Dilworth Photography Website: www.dilworthphotography.co.nz Email: dilworthphotography@gmail.com Phone: 027 468 1865 Auckland

Greenapple Photo & Video Studio Website: www.greenapple.co.nz Mobile: 021 119 5567 Auckland

Email: wearegreenapple@gmail.com

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Amanda Wignell Photography Website: www.awp.co.nz Email: amanda@awp.co.nz Phone: 09 426 2647 Mobile: 027 615 3078 NZIPP Master of Photography Auckland and Northland (NZ Institute of Professional Photography)

Brett Lees, Unique Visions Photography Website: www.uniquevisions.co.nz Email: brett@uniquevisions.co.nz Phone: 09 8133 519 Mobile: 0274 913 061 Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Auckland

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Jodie C Photography Website: www.jodiecphotography.co.nz

Email: info@jodiecphotography.co.nz Phone: 021 323 829 Auckland & Nationwide

Emma Hughes Photography Website: www.emmahughes.co.nz www.weddingsonwaiheke.co.nz Email: emma@emmahughes.co.nz Phone: 09 372 8729 Mobile: 021 051 3292 Waiheke and Auckland Master NZ Institute of Professional Photography

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Amy Schulz Photography

Website: www.amyschulz.co.nz Email: AmySchulzPhotography@gmail.com Mobile: 0211556071 Wellington and Nationwide

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Mike Hill Photography

Website: www.mikehillphotography.co.nz Email: info@mikehillphotography.co.nz Phone: 07 863 1180 Mobile: 021 507 537 Waihi, Nationwide & International Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography

Jan Maree Vodanovich Photography and Art Website: www.janmareeart.co.nz Email: jan@janmareeart.co.nz Phone: 09 236 8553 Mobile: 027 281 5921 Auckland, Franklin, Hamilton

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Backyard Studio

Web: www.backyardstudio.co.nz Phone: 021 143 7289 Christchurch

Email: info@backyardstudio.co.nz

New Regent Studios Website: www.photos.co.nz Email: info@photos.co.nz Phone: 03 355 4448 Mobile: 027 229 2329 Christchurch

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Jessica Photography

Website: www.jessicaphotography.co.nz Email: info@jessicaphotography.co.nz Phone: 09 537 5533 Mobile: 027 658 8831 Auckland Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography

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VisionWorks Photography

Website: www.visionworks.co.nz Email: tim@visionworks.co.nz Phone: 09 845 5925 Mobile: 021 44 88 17 Auckland

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Jeremy Hill Photography Website: www.jeremyhill.co.nz Email: enquiries@jeremyhill.co.nz Phone: (09) 8263394 Mobile: 021 2279196 Auckland

Vicky Broadbent Website: www.vickybroadbent.co.nz Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography

Email: broadbent@xtra.co.nz Phone: 021 633 404 Coromandel and Auckland

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The Summer Glow

Tips for getting a lovely Summer glow

Right, with winter upon us you are in hibernation mode and your skin is slowly but surely turning a dull pasty white. You really want to have a gorgeous tan to show off on your wedding day, but the question is how will you achieve it? Apart from doing it the natural way (out in the sunshine!), there are generally three options: the at-home DIY tan, a professional spray tan or the dreaded sunbed. So which is the best for you?

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Do-it-Youself Tan There are a number of types of self-tanners including instant bronzers, tanning lotions and sprays, and the combined moisturiser/tanning creams. Bronzers produce an immediate glow that can be easily removed with soap and water. These products are essentially a form of make-up as the tint only lasts until you wash it off. Like make-up they can rub off – and you definitely don’t want your ‘tan’ rubbing off against your beautiful wedding dress! Tanning lotions and sprays work a little differently and are perhaps the most effective. These lotions contain DHA (DiHydroxyAcetone) a colourless sugar that reacts with the amino acids in your skin producing a bronzed effect. The tanned look lasts about five to seven days from the initial application, but it is often recommended you top-up every 3-4 days to keep your glow. Finally, in this category are the moisturiser and tanning lotion combinations. These work the same way as the straight tanning creams, but produce a lighter tan. Designed to be used daily, this method is probably best for those new to self-tanning or those with very fair skin, as you can more easily control the colour.

Professional Spray Tans If you don’t feel confident applying your own self-tanner, you can have your tan professionally applied at a salon or even at home. These tans are applied in an enclosed booth by a professional technician using an airbrush or spray gun. Generally spray tans take up to 24 hours to fully develop, although most contain some form of bronzer so that you will leave the salon or

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Here Comes the Bride

spa looking instantly tanned. This instant bronzer helps the operator to determine which areas of skin have had tan applied and will come off in your first shower after the application. Your tan will last 4-10 days, depending on your skin condition and after-care. Vivianne Bryant from Bare Waxing shares her tips for the perfect spray tan: *

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always, always have at least one practice tan, preferable about ten days before the wedding so that there is plenty of time for it to wear off before the wedding-day tan. The sooner the better! Make sure the therapist who does the tanning is experienced and has previously performed many spray tans on different body shapes and sizes. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to ask the manager of the salon how much experience they have in spray tanning.

If you are planning a summer wedding, start getting yourself ready to look your most gorgeous best now! We can work with you to develop a course of treatments leading up to the event, make-up on the day, and also pre-wedding bridal party bookings. And another great idea for a Hens Party why not have a spa party - talk to us about booking one of our spas for exclusive use for some serious pampering!

Assuming you are happy with your practice tan, make sure you are able to book the same therapist again (and that they use the same colour each time).

Parnell Ponsonby Remuera Takapuna Albany 71

www.formespa.co.nz engaged

* When it comes to tanning your face there is nothing worse than an orange head! Normally a light spray over the face area is more than adequate as you can always use bronzers to increase the colour if need be. When it comes to the face, less is more. *

It is really important that in the first 6-12 hours that you do as little as possible to ‘disrupt’ the tan that is actively developing. This includes things like going without a bra if possible (underwires have a nasty habit of rubbing on the skin and causing a white line where the tan should be – not good if you have a strapless dress!), and wearing loose-fitting clothes and open toed shoes. Oh, and don’t get caught in the rain, entertain the thought of a soak in the spa pool, or try and work up too much of a sweat in those hours after the tanning treatment.

* The ideal time for booking a tan is as close as possible to the event, while leaving enough time for the tan to develop fully. For example, if you are having a Saturday wedding, you should be looking to have your spray tan on the Thursday, or Friday morning at the latest.“

Sunbeds Sunbeds or tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) from fluorescent or quartz lamps to simulate the sun. Tanning occurs when the skin produces pigment to protect itself from the UV rays. The beds may be the traditional ‘lay-flat’ beds or a stand-up booth. On its website the Cancer Society of New Zealand states that ‘research has shown that the concentration of UV in sunbeds

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Engaged Tips for a Great Tan • If you have not used a particular brand of self-tanner before, do a small spot test first. • Always have a practice run at least a week before the big day. • Wax or shave 24 hours prior to your tan. If you shave just before your tan, the colour could settle into your pores, leaving you with a speckled effect. • Exfoliate prior to tanning. This gets rid of any dead skin cells and reduces the chances of your tan flaking off or pooling on drier areas of skin. • Don’t use deodorant, perfume or other moisturiser while tanning – these can interfere with the tan processing. • Don’t put clothes on straight away. Allow the tan to dry before dressing and when choosing your clothes, aim for loose, dark clothes that will not rub against your tan (yep, girls, it may be best to go bra-less for a while!). Also think about your shoes – knee-high boots and socks will only rub against your tan. • Avoid contact with water for the first 2 hours and don’t shower for at least six hours. Avoid baths, saunas, spas or swimming. • Apply moisturiser daily (before your tan and from the day after your tan). This helps keep the skin supple and reduces the risk of the tan flaking off.

Tanning Pills You may have also heard about tanning pills. These pills contain canthaxanthin, which is most commonly used as a colour additive in some foods. The FDA has approved the use of canthaxanthin in food products because only small amounts of it are necessary in food. However much larger quantities are used in tanning pills. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA as there is some evidence of side effects such as damage to the skin, digestive problems, hepatitis, and canthaxanthin retinopathy (where yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye) – scary stuff!

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is 3-8 times stronger than the midday summer sun’, and that the effects of this concentrated exposure can include ‘increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma, aging of the skin, damage to the eyes, suppression of your immune system and little, if any, protection against sun damage in subsequent sun exposure’. Sunbeds are particularly dangerous if you have skin that is fair or that does not tan easily, you have a lot of freckles or moles, you are under 18 years of age, you have been treated for skin cancer previously, you are taking drugs or medicines, you have had a sunbed session or have been sunbathing in the last 48 hours or you have abnormal or discoloured patches on your skin. As you can see, the dangers of ‘sunbedding’ can far outweigh the advantages of obtaining a tan. If, however, you feel that sunbeds are the only option for you, you should make sure that you start with short sessions, always use protective googles and avoid any creams designed to speed up the tanning process. You should also check with your doctor whether you should avoid sunbeds due to your skin type and any medication you are on. Current Australia/New Zealand Standards for the solaria industry provide that tanning salons should: • Provide a consent form outlining the risks for customers to read and sign. • Complete a skin assessment of all customers. • Have a signed parental consent form for all customers who are under 18 years of age. • Ban people under 15 years of age from using the solarium. • Ban people with very fair skin from using the solarium. • Train staff in carrying out skin checks and implementing the Standards. • Not promote a solarium as a ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ way to tan.

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• Provide protective eye goggles. • Maintain strict hygiene and maintenance controls. To ensure you are using a ‘safe’ tanning salon, make sure they provide this information and advice.

Summary Our most important tips? Remove the anxiety factor and enjoy a couple of practice tans, either spray on or DIY and you are sure to look fabulously (and naturally) bronzed on your wedding day. Don’t forget self-tans and professional tans don’t provide sunscreen, so lather on the SPF if you venture out into the sun. Make sure you avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 2pm, which is when the sun is the hottest. And remember, pale is beautiful too!

quality . convenience . customer care Bare Waxing - for all your pre-wedding grooming and pampering. We provide…. • • • •

Expert waxing services (for the bride and the groom) Spray tanning that will have you looking naturally bronzed and gorgeous Luxury organic facials to leave your skin and body radiant and rejuvenated Spa pedicures and manicures

We can also cater for group bookings. Just give us a call or check out our website at www.barewaxing.co.nz

www.barewaxing.co.nz

12775 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes . Phone: 09 528 0800 engaged 41 Crummer Road, Grey Lynn. Phone: 09 360 0939

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Absolutely

ADELAIDE

honeymoon is all about relaxing after your wedding, spending your first days as a married couple together and treating yourselves - decadence is the name of the game! The good thing is that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to look too far to find the perfect place to indulge! Just across the Tasman is a place that has it all - great beaches, amazing countryside, vineyards, fantastic food Adelaide has it all.

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Getting there is pretty easy - with non-stop flights from Auckland to Adelaide with both Air New Zealand and Qantas. Another option though is to take your time getting there - fly into Melbourne and then drive along the Great Ocean Road over the next few days, discovering the Limestone Coast and Kangaroo Island along the way. Once in Adelaide, it is extremely easy to get around - in fact, it has been nicknamed the ‘20 minute city’ as because of all of the places you can get to within 20 minutes of the city centre. Getting around the city centre is also pretty easy the layout of the city is quite like Christchurch and, if you get a bit tired, you can always hop on one of the free trams.

Once there, what is there to do? Quick answer: heaps! A quick twenty minute tram ride gets you to the suburb of Glenelg, Adelaide’s beach destination. As well as being able to laze on the beach, there are loads of cafes and shops lining the boulevard. During the summer, Adelaide has a similar temperature to Auckland, although it is a lot less humid so is much more pleasant. Having said that, this last summer temperatures did hit 40 degrees so if you are heading over there in the peak of summer, take your togs!

Food Adelaide Central Market is a great place to start for your culinary tour of the city. Filled with the freshest fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, this vibrant market is full of noise, colour and outrageous personalities. Once you’ve sated your appetite, head down to Rundle

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Mall. This mall is the perfect place to let your shopaholic tendencies run wild. It is filled with international and national flagship stores and boutiques, speciality shops, cafes and even buskers. If your budget isn’t quite up to paying full price, you should visit Harbour Town, just fifteen minutes for the city centre. It is there that you’ll find loads of designer outlet stores.

Wine Once you have done central Adelaide, it is time to head out to the Barossa. An hour away, it is one of the world’s great wine regions, acclaimed for the vineyards, food and culture. Let’s start with the food - head to the Farmer’s Market, held on Saturday mornings in the historic Vintners Sheds near Angaston. Here you’ll find some of the freshest home-grown produce - make sure you take the opportunity to sample as much as possible as you’ll find some amazing food on offer. The other reason for heading to the Barossa - wine. There is a multitude of amazing wineries - if you are into sampling some delicious vintages, this is the place for you! Given the shear number that you might want to visit, we would recommend taking a wine tour departing from Adelaide so that you don’t have to drive. Or even better, you can stay at one of the many great B&Bs at the Barossa itself - this will give you the opportunity to take your time and make the most of what this region has to offer. All in all, Adelaide is a great place to visit for your honeymoon. It isn’t too far away, is easy to get around, has amazing food and wine, shopping and even some beaches thrown in for good measure. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too!

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The Checklist Engaged to 9 months before Task

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Announce your engagement, including notices in the newspaper Organise for your families to meet, if they haven’t done so already Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, MC, flower girls, page boys Discuss the type of wedding you want, including budget Compile a draft guest list (this will help determine venue size) Choose venues for the ceremony and reception Set the date and time for the wedding Choose and book the following: • Photographer • Videographer • Entertainment • Caterer • Florist • Transport • Wedding Co-ordinator • Celebrant Start thinking about your dress (you may need to book a dressmaker) Consider purchasing wedding insurance to cover those things that are out of your control which may result in the wedding being postponed or cancelled Have an engagement party

9 months before Task

Order your wedding dress Choose your accessories: veil, jewellery, underwear, shoes and so on Choose the attire for the rest of the wedding party as applicable: • Groom • Bridesmaids • Groomsmen • Flower girls • Page boys Select stationery including: • Invitations

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Task

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• Thank you cards/notes • Place name cards • RSVP cards • Seating plan • Envelopes Book a calligrapher Send out save-the-date cards Contact rental companies to hire equipment, marquees, tables, etc Organise gift registry Start thinking about your honeymoon

6 months before Task

Order bridesmaids’ dresses Order/book the groom’s and groomsmen’s suits Help your mother and mother-in-law with their outfits Discuss your beauty regime with your beauty therapist Book in for marriage preparation course if needed Decide on and order your wedding cake Book your accommodation for the wedding night Investigate accommodation options for out of town guests Choose and purchase your wedding rings Make any honeymoon reservations

4 months before Task

Book hairdresser and make-up artist Order favours Discuss menu options with caterer/venue, including wine selection Organise entertainment if you are having children at the reception Speak with the celebrant or minister and decide on an order of service, responsibilities, speech making, readings, etc. Set your rehearsal date Let people know if they will be making a speech, doing a reading, etc Purchase wedding gifts for each other and the wedding party Organise time off work for your honeymoon Renew passports if necessary!

2 months before Task

Post invitations Write your vows Have your hair and makeup trials (remember to take your veil etc)

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Organise dancing lessons for the first dance Organise your hen’s and buck’s nights with the wedding party Confirm: • Flowers with florist – do they fit with the theme, colours, dresses • Menu with caterer • Accommodation for yourselves and your guests Organise any legal work, for example, pre-nuptial agreements, wills

1 month before Task

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Apply for your marriage licence Confirm and finalise final guest numbers Make a seating plan (allow time for disagreements!) Have your dress fittings Organise bridal party’s final fittings (including accessories) Confirm groom’s and groomsmen’s outfits are ready Write your speech Confirm honeymoon accommodation and flight bookings Organise a house-sitter for while you are on honeymoon

2 weeks before Task

Confirm with everyone that you have booked for your wedding, advise final numbers and provide a emergency contact number to: • Venue • Caterer • Celebrant/Minister • Photographer • Videographer • Entertainment • Florist • Cake maker • Stationery • Car hire company • Hairdresser • Makeup artist • Favours • Hire company Make a list of everything that needs to be set up and/or taken to the ceremony and reception Have your final dress fitting including accessories. Take your chief bridesmaid so she knows how to how to attach your train etc.

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Make sure the bridesmaids have their dresses, footwear and accessories Have your final haircut and colour before the wedding Make sure the groom has his hair cut Finalise seating plan for reception Write place cards Practise walking around in your wedding shoes Have hen’s night and buck’s night

1 week before Task

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Notes

Done

Pick up your wedding dress and hang it in a safe place Wedding rehearsal (you may like to give the bridal party their gifts then) Pick up hire items, including groom’s and groomsmen’s attire Confirm honeymoon arrangements Pack for honeymoon Have your engagement ring professionally cleaned Pack an emergency kit for the day Final check on arrangements and plan for the day: • Who has the rings? • Have you paid entertainers etc ahead of time or do you need to take money? • Who is taking the gifts home after the wedding? • Who is dry-cleaning your dress the next day? • Who is returning the suits? • Make sure the bridal party are aware of their roles • Give a list of important contacts to a trusted family member or friend (can be the chief bridesmaid or the mother of the bride)

The day before Task

Relax and spend some quality time on your own! Present each other with gifts and remind each other why you love the other Give wedding bands to the best man and/or chief bridesmaid to hold during the ceremony

The big day Enjoy yourself!

engaged