HELENE RAVLICH: WEDDINGS IN A NEW WORLD

PONSONBY PARK

The past year was one which we could never have planned for - and the pandemic’s impact on the wedding and events industry has been monumental. Couples, along with event planners, designers, and vendors worldwide have faced countless challenges, but now is the time to reschedule, research and rejoice in the possibilities that 2021 and beyond brings.

Setting the Scene

It has often been said that any truly memorable event starts with the space. Not only is it the first thing your guests will see when they arrive, but the atmosphere you also choose will be a direct reflection of what you like and love. It will also serve as the backdrop for many of your wedding photos, so you really want to choose a space that you’ll love to look at for years to come.

Season is also a significant consideration. If you’re looking for hot, sunny days and an outdoor location you really have to plan in advance, especially if you’re looking to secure an in-demand wedding venue on popular weekends. You can save a substantial amount by having an off-peak or winter wedding, just make sure the venue you select has a great indoor vibe, or that you have a rainy day plan in place if not.

If you’re in the market for a special venue for your big day, there is a beautiful selection of local destinations on offer that can be dressed whatever your aesthetic. Auckland Museum bills itself as “the city’s most prestigious venue”, and you have to admit that it does make quite the impressive backdrop! With its striking neo-classical architecture and majestic columns, the Museum provides an elegant scene in which to set your wedding ceremony and reception, and superb photo opportunities are a given. You can hold your wedding

within the splendour of the marbled grand foyer with its dramatic columns and spectacular stained-glass ceiling soaring three floors above. Or wow your guests in the Event Centre, with its stunning copper dome and breathtaking 360-degree views across the city.

Located in the heart of Mount Eden village inside a building once used by the Auckland telephone exchange, Mantell’s really is something special. And despite it making such an architectural statement, it is surprisingly easy to tailor to your personal style and it works at any time of year. The interior, with its high ceilings and chandeliers, is just one of its many charms – there’s also the beautiful outdoor courtyard, reminiscent of a villa in Tuscany with its hidden corners, carefully considered landscaping and fireplace.

Masquerade balls, weddings, private parties, conferences, art exhibitions, awards dinners, markets, bar mitzvahs, and fashion shows – it’s safe to say that at Ponsonby Central’s Sapphire Room, they’ve seen it all. With its high ceilings and air of industrial chic, it is a venue that can be dressed for any occasion, whether small and intimate, or stylish and grand. The perfect venue for an intimate urban wedding, the recycled wooden floors give The Sapphire Room the feel of a cool urban loft, and you can choose from one or two rooms depending on the size of your guest list. The main area is divided by giant barn-style sliding doors into two significantly sized rooms, with one featuring a huge kitchen bench that doubles as a bar complete with bar stools. There is also a hidden room which can serve as a cloakroom, hair and makeup room, as a place to tuck away any technical equipment, or as a quiet retreat away from the party. Ponsonby favourite, Orphans Kitchen, is another great wedding venue which I hadn’t previously known was available as such until I started asking around. And I’ve heard only amazing things. A truly unique space – the restaurant is inside a narrow Victorian villa built in 1912 – it has white-washed walls, long rustic macrocarpa dining tables and a winding stairway to the second story, making it perfectly suited to those who are after an intimate city wedding with style. As well as truly inspired cuisine, they have three separate dining spaces to choose from: a private dining room, courtyard and main dining room.

The Fare

It’s the simple things that mattered to us in 2020 after staying at home became the new norm for so many. All we wanted to do is go to a restaurant where we can order off a menu after struggling to choose between multiple entrees that all sound delicious. If nothing else, we just wanted cocktails mixed to perfection by someone other than ourselves!

Keep in mind that our support for the restaurant and hospitality industry is paramount now more than ever; so if you’re considering an event at a restaurant, book it now to support the establishment when it needs it most. If you’re working with a local restaurant or caterer, take that support a step further by ordering takeout if offered, or arranging a tasting at home for the whole wedding party. Maybe even host a welcome dinner or reception at a favourite restaurant of yours – they will appreciate the gesture and you’ll be able to pick from your faves.

Ingrid Starnes A minimal gown and mismatched bridal party are trends that aren’t going to go away in a hurry, and your choice of dress is another way to support local. Whether you let your bridal party pick their own dresses, or prompt them on a specific colour or style that you love, the end result will be something elegant, and treasured for years to come.

Local designer Adrian Hailwood of the Hailwood label says that lately, “a lot of brides are looking to a more pared back silhouette as opposed to more traditional styles which maybe involve a lot of French lace or heavy Duchess silk satins. The old phrase ‘less is more’ definitely applies to the modern bride, who is stepping away from Cinderella white, and opting for shades like liquid black and silver.” Oscar-nominated actress and New York it-girl, Chloë Sevigny, is definitely on board when it comes to breaking from the norm, marrying last year in a black, long-sleeved, midi-length bodycon dress with matching tights and ankle boots. Hailwood’s satin gown is a perfect example of an elegant gown with a twist, and a definite favourite silhouette for many a bride.

Another local designer who creates truly unique and unabashedly chic bride and bridesmaid dresses is Ingrid Starnes, via her recently launched Ceremony collection. “We have been making special pieces for friends and family now for as far back as the label began, so it was a natural progression for us to venture into ceremony,” she says. “The Ceremony collection has evolved and taken inspiration from many of my favourite Ingrid Starnes pieces including the themes, icons and artworks that help to bring all of the collections together. Our new approach is to send samples out to be tried at home; we then make each piece to order. It means we can offer them at something closer to the ‘off-therack’ than custom pricing, but with the made to order touch.”

And for the groom it doesn’t get much better than a visit to premium menswear store Working Style, who have produced custom suits for grooms for over 30 years. Their process is careful and considered, and you know you’ll have a suit to be loved for a lifetime.

Hailwood’s Satin Gown

A highly respected artist and educator for over twenty years, Amber Carroll is one of New Zealand’s top makeup artists and is renowned for her intuitive approach to helping clients feel beautiful in their own skin. A Ponsonby resident, her love affair with the art of makeup began in Australia in 1998, when she studied with renowned global makeup talent, Richard Sharah. Consistently inspired by the work of international artists and forever expanding upon her knowledge of the industry, over the years she has definitely developed a beauty language all her own.

With over 20 years of industry experience and having worked on hundreds of weddings and with women with very different skin tones and personal styles, Amber is well versed in finding the perfect makeup look - and hair, if required – for your wedding day. The end goal is to look like the best version of you. Talking to a professional will definitely help when it comes to deciding what approach you would like to take and what works with your dress and venue, too.

When asked what some makeup trends she has seen coming through for 2021 and beyond for a more modern wedding look she says: “I see a less contoured and stylised, and more softer makeup coming through for brides for 2021. Full fluffy brows that are not too painted on or large looking (try a brow lamination treatment for this effect), and more natural sets of lashes for really opening up the eyes. Eye liner with a beautifully contoured socket and a pretty soft pink lip is always a classic, totally timeless look that never dates.”

She says that it’s essential that brides “pick a look that suits them, have realistic expectations and remember the maintenance and upkeep needed after your makeup artist has left for the day. Heavier looks require more attention, especially if you’re out in the elements. Pick something you can maintain, or a bridesmaid who is perhaps good with makeup and can check on the makeup do touch ups for you.” She adds that first and foremost, see a facialist in advance, start on some serious skincare and get your skin in truly great shape. “This always is the best base for amazing makeup!”

The Ring

Nick Nielson is both the designer and owner of Polished Diamonds, which opened on Ponsonby Road four years ago. He is a great person to consult with when you’re ready to create your rings and he says that even with the tumultuous times over the past year, “I can’t say that styles, budgets, or specifically what people are looking for has changed. What I do believe is there are more Kiwis currently getting engaged, due to a lot of factors. A lot of 20-30-somethings traditionally would be going on a long trip or living abroad for a while, but haven’t done so and are considering other options like an earlier engagement. Also, I believe we have been through a very difficult time and are re-evaluating what is important to us, and what we want in our lives. Mix this with lockdowns and being with someone 24/7 for weeks on end, and you have a lot of people thinking ‘if we can get through this, we can get through anything’.”

He says that the desire for custom made engagement and wedding rings is stronger than ever, “as the current generation of people getting engaged have grown up with the world at their fingertips, therefore tend to aim for originality and something they’ve had a part in creating. This is why more and more people are coming to shops like Polished Diamonds, where they can create a custom engagement ring and know it’s a design that won’t just be sold again, three hours later to someone else.”

When it comes to trends, antique and art deco looks are still very popular, with an old world feel but not the look of a local flea market find. “Recently we have been adding a specific finishing element called mill-graining,” explains Nick. “This is when little accent beads similar to vintage jewellery can make a modern ring have a vintage feel without looking like it came out of your grandmothers drawer.” He says that the biggest thing he tries to get across to new clients is that you don’t have to be a designer or jewellery expert to get a custom made ring. “You can come to me with any idea, concept, picture, drawing, and have a conversation about what you want,” he says.

“It’s then my job, as the expert, to create you a truly amazing ring.” (HELENE RAVLICH)  PN