Love, laughter, and happily ever after

Love, laughter, & happily ever after

Your wedding day is by far one of the most important and special days of your life. And as the reality of your new engagement sets in and the excitement starts to build, you’ll want to get started on the wedding planning process.

Marlborough Magazine has bought together some of the key players in the wedding industry. Read ahead for ideas and inspiration for local vendors who are here to help and support you throughout one of the biggest events in your life.

Wedding of Sione and Abbey, married at Oak Tree Cottage, Marlborough

Choosing your forever jewellery

GMW Jewellery owners, Gina Botham and husband Nigel have a love affair for creating beautiful jewellery of the highest quality. From their boutique Blenheim store, Gina works closely with her clients to design and handcraft the jewellery of their dreams. Gina says it is always a privilege to create bespoke pieces for her clients and her dedication for helping people to create a piece of jewellery that is perfect for them, drives her passion for the business. “Our clients generally inspire the creation. Ninety nine percent of people coming in do have some idea as to what they want to end up with, it is my job, along with the support of my amazing team, to bring that idea to life.” GMW Jewellery specialise in creating one-of-a-kind jewellery, whether it is a bespoke piece using preloved materials from a precious family heirloom, or an exceptional new piece derived from your own design concept. Their new engraving service means you can personalise your forever piece further with a special inscription. Luxury beauty for your big day

Built on more than a decade of providing the ultimate in luxury beauty treatments, Meraki Beauty Therapy offers a momentary escape from reality at the stunning Chateau Marlborough Hotel in Blenheim. Owner Amie May has a true passion for all things beauty and a particular love of all things skin-related. More than just a beauty care provider, Amie prides herself on taking her time with each client, listening to your needs (and wants!) and providing you with the ultimate pamper experience from start to finish. A visit to Meraki Beauty Therapy is a must-do in the lead up you our big day. Amie’s extensive range of beauty treatments includes skin needling, lash and brow services, cosmetic tattooing, spray tanning, facials, microdermabrasion, waxing and massage. Caci’s top tips for glowing skin on your big day

Like planning a wedding, preparing your skin for the big day requires a little bit of forethought. At Caci, they’ve helped many brides (and grooms) get their skin prepped for their big day so know a thing or two about helping you get your glow on. Top treatments • Hydradermabrasion – A deep cleanse and exfoliation with a boost of infused hydration. • Sonophoresis Skin Infusion – Treat redness and get glowing with a soundwave infusion. The team will pick the best serum infusion to leave you with a plump, dewy look. • Microneedling – An advanced rejuvenation clinically proven to help lines, wrinkles and scarring.

Wedding Feature

Woodend Gardens and Vineyards.

• Cosmetic Injectables – Treat lines and wrinkles or plump the lips, you choose! We recommend having treatment 2 months before the big day! Great results take time, and prep for your big day can start months ahead. Caci’s membership and payment plans are a great way to have consistent treatments for best results and the confidence you deserve for your big day and beyond. Book your free consultation at Caci Blenheim. A magical garden wedding venue

Choosing a wedding venue that suits the style of the occasion is particularly important. A popular choice is Woodend Gardens and Vineyards, a private rural property just five minutes north of Blenheim. Its curved driveway with blue agapanthus sets a stunning scene for the established gardens which are filled with century-old eucalyptus trees, liquidamber trees, dogwoods, flowering chestnuts, magnolias and gleditsias. A remarkable wisteria covered pergola leads to an open paved timber pavilion, providing a perfect shelter for invited guests.

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Experience a unique wedding with Helicopters Nelson.

Modern venue amongst the vines

Another fabulous local option is Ūkaipō – the Rangitāne Culture Centre. Ūkaipō offers a modern, multi-purpose venue for functions and events and is available for hire by the wider community. Architecturally designed to capture plentiful natural light and create a comfortable amibience, Ūkaipō allows for multiple function spaces for large and small groups. The main hall seats up to 200 people with formal dining facilities, plus there are two spacious fully equipped meeting rooms. The commercial kitchen and bar facilities offer flexible catering options, with the opportunity to self-cater, supply your own caterer or have your catering requirements managed by the owners. With a peaceful setting alongside a picturesque Marlborough Vineyard, with ample on-site parking and easy access, the Rangitāne Cultural Centre is a unique Marlborough venue for meetings, weddings, celebrations, and events. Wine on wheels for your wedding

Mandy and Anna are excited to offer you The Vino Van, a mobile bar at your wedding or special event. Set up to run two kegs, with a large display chiller to keep your bottles and cans cold, you supply all the drinks, they supply The Vino Van and two friendly bar staff. You will get to keep all of your leftovers meaning no inflated bar prices and no waste. Mandy and Anna will serve your drinks from The Vino Van, but that is not all they do. Their exceptional service extends to circulating throughout your event, topping up glasses, picking up empties and making sure that the space is kept tidy, making for an easier clean up in the morning. Based in Blenheim and serving the wider Marlborough area, Nelson, Kaikōura and the Marlborough Sounds, they have even travelled as far as Christchurch in the past. The Vino Van normally runs off power, however a generator works just as well for those off the grid sites – technically it can go anywhere you can drive into, it is light to move so can be manually position inside or outside.

Give your guests the stylish retro vibes The Vino Van offers – book now as spaces are starting to fill for 2023 and 2024 already. Experience the wedding of a lifetime

Established over 30 years ago, Helicopters Nelson is a well-known and respected aviation company owned and operated by a large and very passionate aviation family. Alongside tourism and commercial operations, the team specialise in creating luxury, tailored and unique helicopter tours in and around the Top of the South, offering helicopter charter services to some of the country’s most stunning remote locations. Whether you’re looking for an active adventure or a romantic escape – anything is possible with Helicopters Nelson. Experience the wedding of a lifetime with their Heli Wedding package. Enjoy an intimate ceremony in an alpine location, escape by helicopter to a remote beach for photographs, or surprise guests and land at your reception venue in style. Enjoy a unique Helipicnic with your favourite person and be dropped into areas that can’t be reached by vehicle, or if you are looking for a truly unique experience or have a dream flight in mind, Helicopters Nelson also specialise in creating bespoke itineraries for their clients. They love to make dreams come true!

Wedding Feature

Bring the drinks to your wedding with The Vino Van.

The ultimate honeymoon destination

Falcon Brae Villa is set high on a hilltop above the Motueka River with 360-degree views across the surrounding mountains, magnificent Kahurangi National Park, and river below. The modern, contemporary-designed building captures the spectacular views and offers guests complete privacy within its luxurious spaces. This award-winning residence features a large central lounge area with sunken bar, grand piano, media theatre, and a stunning collection of New Zealand and local art. Falcon Brae Villa’s private chefs offer the very best in cuisine using quality, local, sustainable produce, and when matched with local wines and the spectacular views you have an un-matched culinary experience. Explore the property’s 18km of bush walks, relax with an in-house massage, lounge beside the pool, or take aim at the golf greens, and make your honeymoon a luxurious experience to remember. Five star luxury accommodation in the heart of Blenheim

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, which is why your wedding night should be just as special. Fortunately for couple’s getting married in Marlborough, the region’s newest urban retreat combines elegant simplicity with a luxurious feel. 14th Lane is also the perfect luxury accommodation for bridal party and wedding guests visiting who want to stay in the heart of the CBD. Make the most of the luxury space and talk to the team about options the hotel can offer for pre wedding photos and a whole hotel booking for your guests to stay.