CUSTOMISE YOUR PLANNER

Expedited Planning

If you’re eloping or have decided on a ‘pop-up’ approach or have a short lead time to your special day (weeks or a month, for example), there won’t be so much for you to plan.

Some key things to think about - all at once - are:

 Applying for your wedding licence and securing a celebrant.

 Deciding where to hold the ceremony and, if appropriate, booking the venue.

 Deciding about whether you’re having guests - and then inviting them.

 Buying your wedding out ts.

 Determining whether you’re having a reception and where you plan to hold it.

Planning For A More Traditional Wedding Or Union

In the year leading up to your more traditional wedding or union, think about contingencies in case the weather turns nasty, an accident happens, or some other mishap occurs.

12 Months To Go

 Settle on the size and type of wedding, the number of guests, and your budget.

 Pick the date.

 Reserve a venue.

 Meet a photographer with your ideas and budget, and book them in.

 Meet and book a celebrant or o ciant.

 Start drafting your guest list.

11 Months To Go

 Pick your wedding party.

 Begin shopping for clothes.

 Start searching for your orist, band, and caterer, if appropriate.

10 Months To Go

 Finalise your guest list and send out your ‘save the date’ invites.

 Visit your florist with your ideas and budget, and book them in.

 Book your band or DJ

 Visit your rental company to determine the list of things you’ll need to hire and book them.

Take A Break

Take a break for a few months and let things consolidate. Catch up with yourself. Go back over your plans and see if there’s anything you want to change.

5 Months To Go

 Select and purchase invitations.

 Start planning your honeymoon and, if relevant, check your passports are up-to-date.

 Order jeweller y & hair accessories.

 Book accommodation near the venue for you and your partner before your special day and for your wedding night. Book accommodation for your wedding party, if relevant.

 Arrange transportation on the day for your guests and the bridal party.

 Start designing the event schedule for your wedding day.

4 Months To Go

 Select and order the cake.

 Decide on the hen’s do and stag night party and book them.

 Purchase wedding shoes and accessories. Have a dress fitting.

 Schedule your hair and make-up trials.

3 Months To Go

 Sort out your wedding licence.

 Send out invitations.

 Finalise the menu and flowers.

 Purchase gifts for your wedding party and favours for your guests.

 Purchase the rings if you haven’t already.

 Send your event schedule to the venue.

 Make a list of people giving toasts.

 Book spa treatments.

2 Months To Go

 Meet the photographer.

 Review playlist with the band or DJ.

 Touch base with the venue, caterer, hire company, florist, and any other relevant vendors to confirm arrangements and answer any last-minute questions.

 Have the hen’s do & stag night party.

1 Months To Go

 Enter RSVPs into your spreadsheet of guests. Phone people who are yet to respond.

 Send out as many final payments as you can.

 Do a seating plan for the reception.

 Write your vows, if this is something you’ve decided to do.

 Have your makeup and hair trial.

2 Weeks To Go

 Give directions to drivers of transport for the wedding day.

 Pack for your honeymoon.

 Send your event schedule to the wedding party.

1 Week To Go

 Delegate small wedding day tasks.

 Pick up your dress (if you don’t already have it).

 Confirm arrival times with venue, together with guest list and seating plan.

 Send the final guest list to the cater.

24 HOURS TO GO

 Check you have everything you need for tomorrow.

 Relax with the wedding party.

WEDDING DAY

Have a wonderful day with your partner – it’s all about you two.

Give yourself an ample amount of time to test and consider beauty looks by scheduling makeup and hair style trials three to six months before your wedding day. You’ll want to think about hair and make-up options for the bride, any bridesmaids, and the mothers of the couple.

Professional makeup artists are trained in contouring the face, accentuating your best features, and using products that give perfect coverage to last all day - only lipstick will need to be touched up. The aim is for you to glow in your wedding photos.

Jenna, Sam, and Hannah (all featured) have favoured mobile hair and make-up options – people who can travel to where they are in the morning. This avoids travel and stress. If you’ve chosen Brackenridge Country Retreat and Spa as your wedding venue, the on-site spa o ers bridal make-up packages.

Prior to the big day, you might want to visit the Brackenridge Country Retreat and Spa in Martinborough or Serene Beauty Therapy in Carterton for waxing, eye enhancements, manicure and pedicure, body tanning, a facial, or even a massage to help you ease away any worries leading up to your day.

Or you may choose a less-costly approach to make-up and skin care. If so, visit Life Pharmacy in Masterton (or online) for make-up, nails and lashes, perfumes, skin care, and hair care options. If you’ve decided on a bit more of a lift, Paige Gray Appearance Medicine holds Wednesday clinics in Lansdowne, o ering muscle relaxants, microdermabrasion, derma llers, and more.

The key to feeling great on the day, however, is to have your hair styled and your face decorated to suit your personality, the weather, and your dress.

Grooms Grooming

If grooms want to glow as much as any bride, then a hair and make-up specialist on the day (just for them) is a good idea.

Grooms, you can prepare for the day with a great haircut. General advice for on the day itself is to use hairspray rather than gel or wax (if you style your hair, that is). This maintains structure without looking stiff or shiny.

You might want to get some advice about your skin and hands, and it’s best to make a conscious choice about what to do with your beard or moustache. Wayward hair from all sorts of places can be trimmed away.

Just like the bride, you might decide on a body wax, tan, pedicure, and relaxing massage. Why not get the works? And on the day, don’t forget to smell good.

I don't do the traditional thing - I'm here to capture those raw, unposed, in-between moments. The moments that'll help you to relive your day for many years to come auburnphotography.co.nz