engaged wedding magazine

DIAMONDSCHOOSING THE BEST DIAMOND FOR YOUR BUDGET

engagedDecember 2008

REAL BRIDE Our Del’s gorgeous wedding photos

GOING VINTAGEStunning wedding

dresses

LOOK LIKE A SUPERMODEL

Airbrushed makeup tips

SPARKLE, SPARKLE All you need to know about coloured gems

Plus: Choosing your videographer, the perfect fi rst dance, Christmas diet tips, travelling to Vietnam, and great decorating ideas!

WEDDINGS AT HOMEThe most intimate venue

FAIRWAY LODGEFUNCTION & CONFERENCE CENTRE

Phone 09 443 1770 Email [email protected]

Celebrate in style and comfort at Fairway Lodge

Situated on the golf course at TakapunaFriendly professional service

Very affordable all-inclusive packagesFull bar and catering service providing

fantastic food and wineDelightfully sunny deck

From 50-150 guests

www.fairwaylodgeauckland.co.nz

The perfect venue for a memorable wedding

Cover Credits:Model: Savigne from Clyne

ManagementPhotography: Russ Flatt

Styling: Chris Lorimer, Mint ConditionMake-up: Olivia Russell using M.A.C.

Hair: Natalie ShieldsTop: A la Robe

Flower clips in hair: Natalie Chan

Notes from

the Editors...

Big news this month: Due to the popularity of Engaged, we have decided to publish the magazine monthly! This means you get more gorgeous photos and informative articles for your money... okay, the magazine will still be free for you to read, but you know what we mean!

This month’s issue contains our fi rst photo shoot, done on location at the historic, and very beautiful, Alberton House. The dresses are absolutely stunning and will hopefully give you ideas for your wedding dress.

We also have the low-down on what airbrushed makeup really is, tips on how to hold your wedding at home, some great advice on coloured gems, ideas for decorating your ceremony and reception venues, an article on how to wow your guests with your fi rst dance as a couple, information on getting married or honeymooning in Vietnam... oh, and a fabulous article about how to keep the weight off with all those tempting Christmas goodies around!

We are also very pleased to announce that one of our brides, Del, got married! Don’t forgot to check out her amazing pictures and diary, as well as reading up on how Bec and Kylie are getting on.

Tim & Deborah

Advertising Enquiries:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 09 8455925

Post:PO Box 137101, ParnellAuckland 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 initally specifi ed otherwise.

: engaged : December 2008

14GETTING MARRIED AT HOMEThe most intimate venue of all

‘TIS THE SEASONTips for curbing overindulgenceover the festive season

40

THEMING YOUR WEDDINGYour guide to creating a cohesive theme for your big day

50

THROUGH THE LENS

80BRIDE DIARYWe follow 3 brides as they prepare for their wedding day

12 44 70SPARKLE, SPARKLEYour guide to coloured gemstones

20


VIBRANT VIETNAMDelight in the wonders of Vietnam

74

AIRBRUSHINGThe secret of

flawless skin66

table of contents

COMPETITIONS & GIVEAWAYSHeaps of prizes to win!

80

46

DANCINGYour guide to preparing for your first dance

TREASURED MEMORIESTips for choosing a videographer

36

26

GOING VINTAGEBeautiful wedding dresses with a vintage feel


Specialists in customised Wedding Invitations and Stationery.

Let the team at PhotoMaxing create the perfect wedding stationery for your special day. Choose from their signature range or have a design created specifically for you. Create photo thank you cards online using their interactive website. An easy 4-step process that takes the hassle out of thank you cards and lets you complete this last task in the comfort of your own home.

Professionally printed cards at affordable prices.

www.photomaxing.co.nz

Wanaka Catering show they are about more than food!

Let them organise your wedding for you. With an excellent stable of top-notch professionals, Nichola from Wanaka Catering can arrange every aspect of your wedding from the food to the photographers and everything in between. Or why not have them help you with an extremely romantic proposal like the one pictured!

www.wanakacatering.co.nz

Page 29 : engaged : August 2008

INSPIRATION REAL LOOKS FROM REAL BRIDES

GOING GREEN50 TIPS FOR HAVING A GREEN WEDDING

From the opulence of vintage luxe to the simple savoir faire of modern elegance, we have the ideas

and inspiration to ignite your dreams


What’s New

Jeweller Ivan Cornelius has recently moved to a new showroom at 158 Jervois Rd, Herne Bay. Visit him for wonderful handcrafted jewellery, including engagement and wedding rings.

And don’t forget to check out the interview with Ivan on page 42. He tells us all about the custom design process!

www.corneliusjewellers.com

The fabulous ladies at Exquisite Weddings, Flowers at Pink and Kate Holland Design have joined forces to bring you a one-stop shop for all of your decorating needs.

The EPD Trio work together to produce a truly memorable merge of their creative strengths: decoration, planning, flowers and invitations. A perfect way to ensure your wedding planning is stress-free and your theme remains consistent!

www.exquisiteweddings.co.nzwww.flowersatpink.co.nzwww.kateholland.co.nz

Wedding Shows

February

Wallaceville House Bridal Show15 February 20092 Wallaceville Rd, Upper Huttwww.wallacevillehouse.co.nz

March

Wedding Dreams Bridal Expo29 March 2009 TSB Bank Arena, Wellingtonwww.weddingdreams.co.nz

April

Dunedin Wedding Show5 April 2009 Edgar Centre, Dunedinwww.weddingshow.co.nz

The Wedding Show19 April 2009 Aotea Centre, Aucklandwww.weddingshow.co.nz

Auckland’s Premier Wedding Expo19 April 2009 ASB Showgrounds, Aucklandwww.bridalshows.co.nz

Bride & Groom Magazine Show 24 April 2009Ellerslie Event Centre, Auckland

Wedding News from Around the World

The Goss

Orlando Bloom & Miranda Kerr

Handsome Orlando Bloom of ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Pirates of the Carribean’ fame has reportedly asked Australia supermodel Miranda Kerr to marry him. Bloom, 31, and Kerr, 25 are allegedly set to marry within the year.

Melissa Etheridge & Tammy Lynn Michaels

Singer Melissa Etheridge will wed girlfriend Tammy Lynn Michaels, provided same-sex marriage laws in the United States are not revoked. Etheridge and Michaels have twins together.

Amy Adams & Darren Le Gallo

Amy Adams, actress, is engaged to her boyfriend of six years, Darren Le Gallo. The wedding celebration is bound to be big as Amy is one of seven children!

Lindsay Lohan & Samantha Ronson

Apparently DJ Samantha Ronson has proposed to Lindsay Lohan with a US$140,000 Cartier diamond ring. The proposal took place in Cabo San Lucas.

Millie Holmes & Conner Morris

Millie Holmes is engaged to Connor Morris. You may remember Morris as the man Holmes was arrested with on drug charges.

Mark Wahlberg & Rhea Durham

The gorgeous Mark Wahlberg will marry his long-term girlfriend and mother of his three children, Rhea Durham, in August 2009. Wahlberg had earlier hinted he was finally ready to tie the knot by referring to Rhea as his "future wife".

Nelly Furtado & Demacio Castellon

Singer Nelly Furtado recently secretly married sound engineer, Demacio Castellon. Furtado met Castellon when he worked on her last album.

Rose McGowan & Robert Roriquez

Marilyn Manson’s ex, Rose McGowan, has announced that she and director Robert

Rodriquez are engaged. McGowan’s idea of a dream wedding is apparently going to an island and paying someone else to arrange the ceremony!

Kristy Hinze & Jim Clark

Twenty-eight year old Australian model Kristy Hinze is engaged to American billionaire Jim Clark, 64, despite Clark’s protestations that he would never marry again after paying out an estimated US$125 million in his last divorce!

Mel C & Thomas Starr

Posh Beckham has been asked to plan the wedding of Mel C and Thomas Starr. The wedding is planned for July 2009.


WHITE Wedding VideoSetting the standard in wedding video production

www.whitevideo.co.nz09 8343030

[email protected]

Capture the laughter, love, romance and joy, of your wedding day on video

To view examples of our work or to request a complimentary information pack please visit www.whitevideo.co.nz

capture the emotion


A lovely centrally-located historic Auckland venue for weddings, civil unions, wedding photos

and functions.

Indoor and outdoor options available.

A L B E R T O N

A L B E R T O N1 8 6 3

Web: www.alberton.co.nz | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 09-846 7367

: engaged : August 2008

Del and Ben met in May 2007 and got

engaged just under a year later on April

the 25th after Ben surprised Del with

a romantic proposal at the beautiful

Umoya Lodge in Miranda, south of

Auckland. With just a fi ve month

engagement, they will be getting

married on the 19th of September

this year. Ben and Del fi rst met at the

Mission Bay playground with their then

3 year olds. They were introduced by a mutual friend: Ben was told Del was

an attractive, intelligent single girl and Del was told Ben was a potential

marathon training partner! Del left the playground telling Ben to give her a

call if he wanted to meet up for a run – that turned into a series of café and

playground meetings before moving onto drinks at Dida’s Wine Bar. Ben

is a Director of Essence Communications Limited, a specialised healthcare

communications and consultancy company and Del is Client Services

Manager with Russell Investments.

Del and Ben got married on 19 September - Congratulations!

“Wow – what an amazing day! I awoke in one of the lovely Mollies’ suites,

where my friend Mel and I had spent the night after being out for a few

drinks with Ben and my brothers. Mel, Maddy and I had a leisurely start with

breakfast at Atlas (bacon and eggs for me!) and then headed across to

Servilles to get our hair done. Then the very talented Claudia Rodrigues

came to Mollies to do my make-up over some nibbles and a glass of

bubbles of course! From then on it was all go: guests checking into their

rooms at Mollies and numerous knocks on the door, including the arrival

of the photographer and videographer. Orlando delivered the bouquets

and decorated the pillars in the foyer where we had arranged to have the

ceremony, Murray from the Chocolate Cake Company came and set up

the tiered stand of wedding cupcakes, everything went to plan ...

Mollies were exceptional with the logistics. The staff were all very professional

and friendly, just what you would expect at a world class boutique hotel.

I was just a little nervous when I descended the stairs for the ceremony in

the foyer of Mollies to the sound of Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. It was so

lovely to see family and close friends lining the room, many of them we had

not seen together for such a long time.

Delwyn & BenBride Diary


Our wedding celebrant Maxine Green did a

wonderful job of the service – it was a very personal

service and there were only a few dry eyes by the

time she had fi nished. Ben’s brother from London

was unable to come over for the wedding, so we

had arranged for a Skype connection so they could

participate from afar. And one of Ben’s musician

friends teamed up with his brother to capture the

feeling through some classic UB40 whilst we were

signing the registry and mingling with our guests

after the ceremony.

We had set aside an hour or so for a photo shoot

around Mollies whilst our guest enjoyed canapés

and bubbles. Emma Bass has quite an eye for

photography and whisked us around several

locations, capturing the essence of the venue.

After photos, we sat down for dinner, drinks, and yet

more drinks, listening to a playlist of our favourite

music that a friend had put together for us. Each

course was exquisitely cooked and presented.

Another favourite moment of ours was the live

opera performed during the break between each

course. Just superb!

The morning after our wedding, Ben and I went

for a stroll down by the water and got a much

needed coffee before joining our guests back

at Mollies for a lovely brunch. We had the rest of

that day to relax and enjoy spending time with

my family and then we packed our bags for the

honeymoon. Emma Bass very kindly put together

a slideshow of the highlights so we were able to

email these to friends and family before we even

left for honeymoon.

We fl ew to Fiji Sunday morning and got a helicopter

out to the luxurious Likuliku Lagoon Resort, a child-

free resort where we spent the next six days and

nights. Pure bliss.”Photographer: Emma Bass Photographer

Venue: MolliesDresses: Kate Dowman

Hair: ServillesMakeup: Claudia Rodrigues

Flowers: OrlandoBen’s Suit: Crane Brothers


It’s where you grew up and have many happy memories: your family home. Since you were a

young girl, you have dreamed of your dad walking you up the stairs of the balcony and marrying your beloved in front of all of your friends and family who are gathered in the beautiful garden below…

Or it’s a house at the beach with amazing views of the sea and sand. A house at the beach where you met your future husband for the first time…

Marriage is the most intimate

relationship you will have, and what could be more personal than marrying the person you love in a setting that is familiar and comforting to you?

Engaged looks at the advantages and disadvantages of getting married at home.

Choose Your Date

Unlike many of the popular wedding venues, your house will not book out months in

advance and you will be able to choose the date you want.

Getting Married at Home


You also get the venue all to yourself: there is no rushing to get out of the church before the next bride comes through or a church service starts. You don’t have set hours so you can start the ceremony and reception when you want, and, of course, end it when you want!

As well as more time at the end, you can take almost as long as you need to set the venue up before the wedding. Decoration can be done in stages, which may mean less rushing around on the day of the wedding.

The Ultimate Space

Also, unlike popular wedding venues, your own home is free to use and you will

escape having to pay venue hire fees. With full use of the facilities you can do away with the need for special transport, as your house can be used for wedding preparation, the ceremony, the reception and as a backdrop for photos.

The house is also great for any guests with children as you can set aside a place for children to have a nap/lie down.

Getting Married at Home


There are a few things to think about though...

When considering the house, look at it objectively. Do you have 120 people on your guest list, when realistically the house can only hold 70? Your idea of cosy might be your guests’ idea of crowded!

Is there a nice outdoor/indoor flow? If you intend to have the wedding outside, is there a covered area available to use if the weather is inclement?

If you are having a sit down meal, think about if there is room for everyone? Will the tables need to be set up after the ceremony and taken down before the dancing? Is there furniture that needs to be moved so that guests will fit or so that items don’t get broken?

Who is going to clean up afterwards? You and your hubby will be running off to honeymoon in a fabulous location and you sure don’t want to leave your parents to clean up the mess!! This needs to be negotiated with the caterers, or you could arrange cleaners to come in the day after (just make sure they are early, or like most parents, yours will probably begrudgingly start the clean up!).

How many bathrooms does the house have? Are these easily accessed without guests having to traipse all through the house? Do you need to

supply port-a-loos instead of, or in addition to, the existing bathrooms? Who will organise the supplies: toilet paper (a lot of it!!), hand towels, soaps and so on.

Is your house on one level so that elderly or disabled guests can easily access it? Will you have space for chairs for these guests to sit during the ceremony and reception?

Caterers

Many venues will insist you use their onsite caterers and often you are limited to either a

buffet, canapé or set menu. At home you have the choice of using one of the many brilliant and experienced caterers in New Zealand or making use of the services of friends and family.

When choosing caterers (either professional or friends) check with them that your kitchen is big enough to work in or if they will need to set up additional cooking facilities outside or in another room. Consider whether there is an area that could be set aside as a bar and whether you have sufficient refrigeration space. You may need to hire extra freezers and fridges to store drinks, food and ice.

Also check with them about crockery and cutlery requirements. If you intend to use your own check whether you have enough matching sets and

whether your parents could bear the thought of their best crystal being used and perhaps broken (accidents happen!!).

Parking

Parking can also pose a problem unless you have a lot of space or an empty section next to

your house. If cars will be parking in the street, make sure you let your neighbours know in advance so that they are not inconvenienced. If you aren’t inviting your neighbours, it is polite to let them know about the event beforehand - this will reduce the chances of them complaining about any excessive noise!

Power to You

You may need an electrician to check whether the power currently supplied to the house

will be enough to power any caterers’ equipment, refrigeration, lighting, and DJ equipment. Find out if there a form of backup power that could be used in emergencies.

Pets Allowed

Quite often our pets are our surrogate children (for now!) and an integral part of our

lives. It makes sense that, if you could, you would include your loyal dog or horse in the ceremony. What could

be cuter than your gorgeous puppy walking with you up the aisle with the rings in a bag around his neck? Or more romantic than the groom arriving on horse-back?

The majority of venues are not allowed animals on their premises due to local authority regulations, and, for the ones that do allow animals, you will often find that a change of venue can unsettle your pet, which could lead to disaster!

Pesky Pests

Speaking of pets, but this time of the unwelcome kind, if you are getting married in summer,

Let CBD make your big day stress free and memorable

with a menu tailored especially to meet your needs.

www.cbdcatering.co.nzphone 09 8469620 | [email protected]

try to have the house and gardens sprayed for bugs a week or so before the wedding. Many venues ensure this is done each year to cut down on those pesky mosquitoes!

Super Organiser?

One of the main disadvantages of getting married at home is that it

is up to you to coordinate everything. This is great if you are one of the super-organised, otherwise it may be well worth considering a wedding planner!

The wedding season is nearly upon us and whatever plans you are making, it will have to involve food of some sort. There are plenty of ways of providing food at your wedding either by using an in-house caterer at your chosen venue, a professional catering company, or getting the family to all pitch in and do their bit. Whatever you decide, you will need to do quite a lot of thinking about what you and your future partner would like to eat on the day. Don’t forget that you are generally planning your wedding day one or two years in advance, so you need to really like what you have chosen!

An at-home wedding can be a much more intimate, family-based affair and it is always nice if your catering can reflect that. If you have chosen to provide canapés here are some general tips to help you along.

If you are having a buffet or plated meal, then allow for four to six canapé choices, either hot or cold. Usually each of your guests will get two to four of each.

Your wedding breakfast is one of the major aspects of your wedding day. Its time for your guests to relax together, families to meet, and your wedding to be celebrated.

Your wedding breakfast is one of the major

Ph: 03 443 4129 or 021 304 293

www.wanakacatering.co.nz

From the Expert

Nichola from Wanaka Catering gives us some great advice on providing food at your wedding


One of the trends at the moment is to not to do canapés and then the buffet or sit down meal, but to offer a wider variety by doing small plates instead. This way you’ll have more options and less fuss. With this style you can choose your favorite county and design your menu to suit. For example, Tuscan cuisine is all about simple food that involves being outside with family and friends, long tables covered in flowers and getting your guests to sit anywhere in a more relaxed, informal way. This approach highlights the unpretentious Tuscan but perfectly-done combinations of breads, soft cheeses, tomatoes, beans, olive oils and wine. Typically appearing on the menu are starters like antipasto, bread sticks, and Tuscan white bean paté on crostini. You also might find a selection of the finest olives, fruit compotes, and delicious cured meats like Tuscan ham and salami. Or in the European tradition, golden pears poached in a flavorful red wine, then knocked over the top with goat cheese and honey. Tuscan ravioli filled with grilled eggplant, spinach and a variety of cheeses would draw raves as a main course.

If a theme is not your thing then why not choose a family style meal? You can start with your canapés being served to your guests before or after your ceremony and then, when it comes time for the main event, place large platters filled with your chosen

selection of food on each of the tables for guests to share. Again this will bring your guests closer together and maybe have a little more fun.

Although a home wedding is a ‘family affair’, you want your family and friends to enjoy themselves, so it is important that you hire help if you need it.

If you are getting an outside cater to help with your day the number of guests will determine how many staff you should budget for. For example, for 100 guests allow for two bar staff and four to five front of house: they are there to make the day flow as easily as possible. It is sometimes better to have a few more hands for a shorter amount of time rather than still paying for staff to be at your venue at 3am cleaning up!


Greg Holland has been involved in the jewellery industry as a manufacturer since 1986 and still finds coloured gemstones to be the most fascinating of all precious stones. He believes that with

every conceivable colour available in some form, coloured gems really are a wondrous creation from nature.

So what should you look for when buying coloured gems? The following are Greg’s tips to help to make your buying decision easier.

Precious or Semi-Precious?Your first question to ask is whether the stone you are looking at is precious or semi-precious. Coloured gemstones can include amber, amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, emerald, garnet, jade, lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon however for the past several hundred years these gemstones have been broken

Sparkle, SparkleAll You Need to Know About Coloured Gems


down into two categories: precious and semi-precious. Today we think primarily of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and so on as “precious”, but these categories are based mainly on fashion and the composition of these two lists has changed frequently over time. This article will focus on the precious stones that are currently considered precious: the aforementioned rubies, sapphires and emeralds, as well as the lesser-known, tourmaline and tanzanite.

GradingThere is no universally accepted grading system for any gemstone other than white (colourless) diamonds. The “four Cs” (colour, cut, clarity and carat) were introduced to help the consumer understand the factors used to grade a diamond however these categories can be useful in understanding the grading of all gemstones. In diamonds, cut is the primary determinant of value as it determines that all-important degree of sparkle and brilliance in the stone. Clarity and colour are next in line.

With coloured gemstones, including coloured diamonds, it is the purity and beauty of that colour that is the primary determinant of value. Also important are physical charac-teristics such as clarity (to a lesser

extent as emeralds will always have a number of inclusions), cut, and unusual optical phenomena within the stone such as colour zoning, and asteria (star effects).

Colour and HueLike diamonds, which come in an array of colours, the colour of a gem is the result of trace elements that were present when the stone formed in the earth. As a general rule, the more intense the colour, the more valuable the stone - particularly if it is a larger stone.

So let’s run through the colours of some precious stones…

Many people think of a sapphire as being classically blue. However, depending on precisely which elements were present in its creation, a sapphire can be green, pink, yellow or even display a distinctive orange or purple hue. The only colour a sapphire may not be is red: as then it would be a ruby.

Emeralds occur in a range of hues from yellowish green to bluish green, but only gems that are medium to dark in tone are considered emerald. Light toned gems are known by the species name, green beryl.

Tanzanite can appear blue, violet, or burgundy depending on its


crystal orientation, although its most classic colour is blue-violet. Interestingly, the stone in its rough state is usually a reddish-brown colour and it only turns blue- violet when heated to 600˚C!

The many different colours of tourmaline mean that this stone can easily be mistaken for just about any other gemstone. Many stones in the Russian Crown Jewels from the 17th century once thought to be rubies are actually tourmalines. One of the most versatile of gemstones, tourmaline is available, amazingly, in every colour, from colourless to black. It can show every tone from pastel to dark, and can appear in various colours in the same stone.

Hardness When looking for coloured gems it is also important to consider their durability and appropriateness in relation to your lifestyle.

In 1822 German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs came up with a scale that measured the relative hardness of various minerals. The Mohs Scale is still in use today. For example, the diamond tops the scale with an impressively tough grading of 10, closely followed by ruby and sapphire with 9, emerald at 8 and tourmaline, for example, at 7.5. On this scale window glass scores a paltry 5 and a copper coin scrapes in at just 3.

It makes sense, therefore that diamonds and sapphires are highly suitable stones to adorn your ring with. However if you are less active (or just more disciplined!) you can consider a slightly softer gem such as tanzanite or tourmaline.

Interestingly, emerald is relatively hard but is can also be quite brittle and should still


be worn with care. A jeweller will never leave an emerald in his ultra-sonic cleaner for fear of it shattering.

Other considerationsMost natural stones are treated in some way to improve appearance and most treatments are accepted by the jewellery industry as legitimate (for example, heating, remembering that the stone first formed under extreme heat). Stones such as emerald can be oiled and again this is considered accepted practise.

The likes of beryllium treating however and fracture filling must be declared.

Synthetic Coloured GemstonesA synthetic stone shares a natural stone’s physical and optical qualities. The major difference of course is that synthetics are created in a laboratory in a matter of hours as opposed to being formed over millions of years! Modern technology now allows stones to be grown that are difficult to distinguish from their natural counterparts and are an attractive alternative to the real thing for buyers who are watching their budget.


In the case of ruby this is happening more often, although a reputable supplier won’t deal with fracture-filled stones.

Therefore it is very important to see a reputable supplier: he or she will declare any treatments that fall outside what is deemed to be normal practice. For your own assurance we would also recommend that you request an independent certificate from a registered independent appraiser. These experts are highly skilled and carry the latest technology required to fully appraise any gem and can often do this while you wait.

Bottom LineDo some research prior to shopping (this article is a great start!) and begin looking more closely at jewellery. It won’t make you an overnight professional, but it will help you become more informed before you purchase.

When looking for a gemstone always deal with a professional and experienced jeweller who offers you choice and gives open, honest advice, and never be afraid to ask questions.

If buying on online always remember what your granddad told you:

If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

What to Buy?This year it seems that pink is very hot!

Sapphire and tourmaline are also very popular and come in a range of sizes and shades of colour.

As has been explained, colour intensity and richness of colour are highly important considerations when looking at individual stones. Also important are the lack of inclusions (as, like diamonds, obvious inclusions devalue a stone) and the gem must also be well proportioned. But beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder and when choosing your perfect gemstone it very much comes down to personal taste.

You may be looking for a stone with particular significance or qualities. A sapphire, for example, is traditionally seen as the ‘guardian of love’ while rubies were commonly known as ‘tones of courage’.

With coloured gems the rule of thumb we use in purchasing our stock is simply ‘if we love it, we buy it’ because, unlike diamonds where there is a good chance of finding a very similar stone again, with coloured gems it is much

more difficult. So grab the stone you love with both hands!

: engaged : December 2008www.natalieshields.com

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who can create a flawless makeup for

you on your wedding day

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158 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, AucklandContact : 09 376 9169 or 0272 484 409

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ALL DONE IN WORKSHOP ON-SITE



alr 27-0608.indd 1 27/6/08 12:40:33 PM


Going Vintage

With beautiful detailing and classic looks, these dresses

exude the romance of an era gone by...

Necklace, capelet, top and skirt all by A la RobeShoes by Charlotte Bedogni

: engaged : August 2008Dress by Vinka Brides

: engaged : August 2008Dress by Caroline ChurchRosette by Natalie Chan

: engaged : August 2008Top and skirt by Liz Mitchell

Pendant by Chaumet from Hartfi eld

: engaged : August 2008Dress by Anna Schimmel


Dress by Teresa LimNecklace and Bracelet from Vinka Brides

Shoes by Charlotte Bedogni


Dress by Teresa LimNecklace and Bracelet from Vinka Brides

: engaged : August 2008Dress by Caroline ChurchRosette by Natalie Chan


“I want a woman wearing Caroline Church to look and feel like the most beautiful woman in

the world”

Ready-to-wear and made-to-measure dresses for brides, bridesmaids, and guests.

1/1 Cross Street, Newton, Auckland(09) 377 2680 | [email protected]

Tuesday-Friday 11-5, Saturday 10-3, or by appointment.

Also available at selected boutiques throughout New Zealand.

www.carolinechurch.co.nz

Credits

Photography: Russ FlattStyling: Chris LorimerMake-up: Olivia Russell using M.A.C.Hair: Natalie ShieldsModel: Savigne from Clyne ManagementLocation: Alberton

Treasured Memories...Tips for Choosing Your Videographer


Once upon a time, you automatically hired a professional photographer but didn’t even consider having a professional videographer. Now, however, it is extremely common for people to have both a photographer and videographer, ensuring that

your whole day is captured for you to re-live years from now. We contacted two well-known videographers, Jolyon from White Wedding Video and Adrian from AFPNZ, to ask them what people should consider when choosing a videographer.

With so many people having their own video cameras, the first question has to be why should people hire a professional videographer? In essence, the answer is the same as why people hire professional photographers – you will get a better product, created with flair and an eye for detail.

Adrian from AFPNZ notes that in the early days of videography, brides often chose family members to do a point and shoot video for them that was supplied on tape and had not been edited. Most of this footage was segments of things that took place during the day, with poor sound quality and lots of shake. As the digital revolution has accelerated, professional videographers have come on the scene with better cameras and sound equipment and the editing capabilities to add music, titling and effects. Also if you hire a professional they are not going to get bored, wander off for a drink, run out of tape, have their battery go flat etc... The old adage of a picture says a thousand words has now been updated as Brides are realising that a video speaks volumes.

So, when getting in touch with a videographer, what should you look for? Jolyon from White considers that you should think about what your initial impression

is when you make your first contact. Does the company seem professional and respond to your questions quickly? If not, then the video company is probably not professional, and it may just be a weekend hobby or part -time job for them. Be aware that this may mean that the total service and end product might not be of a high standard.

Adrian from AFPNZ adds that you should look at their passion for their work first, people skills and friendliness second (the videographer is often the only person that will be with the bride and groom from start to finish), and then their equipment (such as whether they use standard definition or high definition). He also recommends considering using a company that offers both video and photos, as they will be used to working with one another and may end up being able to provide a cheaper combined package.

With technology moving so quickly these days (and a lot of jargon being thrown around in relation to video technology), it is difficult to know what to look for on the ‘tech’ side. However, Jolyon from White suggests not to be fooled by ‘techno speak’ such as HDV DVCam Mpeg 2 Mpeg 4 3CCD etc. Trust your eye with the quality you see in the demos that companies send to you or that you see at the company’s premises. If what you see and hear looks and sounds good, then it is!

Having said this, if you have just splashed out on a 50 inch high-definition flat screen TV (or if it is on your gift registry list!), it might

be worth checking to see if your video will take advantage of this new technology.

However, far more important than the technology side of it, is the skill of the videographer. This is where it is imperative that you look at a number of videos that have been created by a videographer. This way you will have a good sense of their style and the videoes will indicate the level of editing that they do.

Adrian from AFPNZ notes that you should look to see if the videographer just points and shoots, pans and zooms? Or do they create a romantic movie of the day’s events? When did you last go to a movies and find that it was shot from a tripod with pan and zoom?... Probably never!

Jolyon from White adds that you need to think about the style of video you want: whether you want a video company who will ‘direct’ you in front of the camera, or are you looking for a more natural and unobtrusive style? Be aware that wedding video company’s editing styles vary tremendously. Some companies use a lot of editing techniques which may date very quickly while others use techniques which are timeless and classic.

This also begs the question as to whether you should choose a package that includes two video cameras at your wedding. AFPNZ has two cameras at each of its weddings, one on tripod at wide angle capturing all the sound and ambience of the day’s events and the other camera operator has a Steadicam constantly moving in smooth

motion capturing all the movement and motion of the day. Jolyon from White, who offers both one and two camera packages, notes that the use of multiple cameras does not guarantee you a better video. If a video company is professional and is trained in the special nature of wedding videography, then they know how to work incredibly hard on the day to capture all of the special moments that happen. He suggests that if the company does offer two or more cameras, ensure that they have an operator for each camera as he considers that a ‘static’ (unmanned) camera doesn’t provide much benefit as it cannot react to what is unfolding during the day, change camera angles or adjust sound and picture quality if necessary. So rather than the number of cameras, the quality of the final product is more important.

Once the day is over, how long can you expect it to take to get your treasured memories on video? This is something that you should confirm when you book your videographer. A lot of time can go into the post-production of the video and the length of time it takes to receive your masterpiece will often depend on the extent to which they edit your video, as well as the length of time they were there on the day. From two to six weeks is a common timeframe.

We would like to thank the following for their assistance with this article:

Jolyon and Sue from White Wedding Videowww.whitevideo.co.nz

Adrian and Faith from AFPNZwww.afpnz.com

Are you planning a December - February wedding?

Are you up for an adventure and the chance to share your wedding with the rest of New Zealand?

If so, Cream Media would like to speak to you. We are making a show following New Zealand couples preparing for their big day.

We are interested in all sorts of weddings: themed weddings, unusual locations, adventure weddings as well as more traditional weddings.

Email: [email protected] with your name, address and phone numbers for us to call you back. Please include some details about yourself including your wedding date and a photo of you and your fiancée.

Weddings TV showWeddings TV show


You’ve slogged it out in the gym, eaten salads for lunch every day, denied yourself that second piece of cake and generally been so dedicated to making sure you fit your wedding dress and look stunning on the day... so how do you keep that discipline up over the Christmas season? Here are Engaged’s tips:

Don’t forget to have a healthy breakfast every day. Breakfast fills you up 1. and stops you reaching for those mid-morning muffins!

If you know you are going to party that night, try to have a healthy lunch 2. - you need those nutrients to combat the damage done by alcohol and late nights! Plus a healthy lunch may balance out any indulgent snacks you have that night (don’t make that an excuse though!).

Focus on the good. Celebrate the fresh flavours of in-season fruit and 3. vegetables and eat more of these wonderful foods. This will fill you up and make you less likely to stray towards sugary or fatty snacks.

Reduce serving sizes. Put less on your plate, chew it slowly and enjoy each 4. mouthful. This gives your brain time to let your stomach know it’s full!

‘Tis the Season...Tips for curbing overindulgence over the festive season


Don’t stand too close to the food. That way, if you do need to nibble, you 5. will get some exercise walking to the table!

Try to avoid high fat nuts like peanuts. Go for protein like low-fat turkey 6. or ham or high-fibre snacks like vegetables and hummus as this may help keep you feeing fuller for longer.

Recognise and avoid your ‘danger’ foods, the ones you just know you will 7. over-indulge in if you get half the chance!

Have a big glass of water before you get to the party (or at least as your 8. first drink when you get there). This will fill you up and quench your thirst, hopefully meaning the first alcoholic drink goes down a bit slower!

Alternating a glass of water with each alcoholic drink is a great way to limit 9. the number of alcoholic drinks you have, and it has the added bonus of re-hydrating you and protecting you against hangovers the next morning (no guarantees here, it will all depend on how much you drink!).

Speaking of alcohol, watch those portion sizes. Alcohol contains a lot 10. of kilojoules (and no nutrients) and it is quite easy to drink away half your daily kJ allowance!

Choose diet mixers if you are going to drink spirits. Often the mixers will 11. have higher kilojoules than the alcohol.

Cut down on caffeine. Whilst a cup or two may help suppress appetite, 12. too much caffeine may have the opposite effect.

Exercise when you can: walk during your lunch hour, take the stairs when 13. you can, or, best of all, dance that weight off instead of standing around the snack table!

If you do over-indulge, don’t beat yourself up or stray from the good habits 14. you have established for yourself. Remind yourself how well you have done and pat yourself on the back. Then put the indulgence behind you and keep going!

Treat yourself when you have been good. A long soak in the bath or a 15. pedicure or manicure is a wonderful treat and helps with that pre-wedding pampering!


Although he has been involved in the jewellery business for

over 30 years in both the UK and in New Zealand, it is only recently that Ivan Cornelius has moved to his boutique showroom on Jervois Road, Herne Bay. Specialising in hand-crafted one-off designs, we caught up with Ivan at his new store.

Talk us through the process of designing and making a ring.At the initial meeting with the couple, we talk about what they have in mind for their engagement or wedding rings. I find that most people have a general idea of what they want, either from a design they have sketched themselves or from popular magazines. We discuss any weaknesses in the design and I can suggest small alterations or improvements (including those that will affect the price!).

Choosing a diamond is the most important part of the process, so I show them a sample box with the different sizes, cuts and

shapes of diamonds in it and we go through their preferences.

Once the size and style has been established, I will contact my diamond suppliers to let them know what we need and will go through their lists, selecting stones that may be appropriate. The dealers know me well enough by now to know not to send me sub-standard stones as I will just send them back!

After I get the stones and the couple have

chosen one I can make up a wax model of the ring, with the diamond mounted on it, so the client can try it on and see what it looks like on her hand.

When they are happy, I will then make the ring for them. I use bars of gold and manufacture the ring from scratch. The settings and band are made to fit each stone perfectly. This is the difference between my jewellery and mass-produced rings: my rings are handmade, not hand- assembled.

Romancing theStone


The couple normally have their ring within ten days of the first meeting.

How accurate is the old saying that an engagement ring should cost two months’ salary?This is a hard one to answer, as two months’ salary can vary a lot from person to person! I usually say that about one month’s salary is ideal, but of course this will depend on individual circumstances.

Generally men and women are concerned about different things: the woman wants the biggest and best diamond for her money, whilst the husband is a little more concerned about the budget! I try to work with both members of the couple and won’t normally get the biggest diamond, as I much prefer to get a diamond that is good quality for money, ie that has the best sparkle!

How did you get into the industry? I learned my trade in England with a Jewish family with a long history of dealing with antique jewellery. Past commissions in England include a necklace for Princess Grace of Monaco and the Duchess of York’s wedding necklace.

Has the current credit crunch affected the price of diamonds and what people are buying?I find that customers still have the same amount of money to spend, but they are getting less for that money: because diamonds are bought in US Dollars, the price of diamonds has gone up. However the exchange rate has a flip side: New Zealand jewellery is now more competitive.

What sort of design is most popular?I do a range of styles from classical to popular. I never push a client into a

particular style: it has to suit their lifestyle and taste.

Do you have a favourite metal to work with?18 carat gold or 18 carat platinum.

What is the most unusual item in your stock range?I make a range of birds and insects from 18c gold and brilliant cut diamonds. The detail in them makes them very lifelike.

How often do you recommend people get their rings ‘serviced’?Once a year is good. You will find that claws get bent and so on, and it can be a lot more manageable to fix these things regularly.

Last words: What would you say are the biggest advantages of dealing with a jeweller direct.That’s the biggest advantage - you are dealing direct with the jeweller! You can communicate openly and candidly with me about what you want and get it without having to go back and forward through a middle man or woman. I also value my reputation highly, so I take no short cuts when designing a piece of jewellery or selecting a diamond. I like customers to be able to walk away happy, with a ‘wow factor’ ring. Your wedding or engagement ring is very symbolic and it must be fantastic for a couple to know that they have been involved in the design process and have a ring that is unique to them.

Ivan Cornelius of Cornelius Jewellers is now at 158 Jervois Road, Herne Bay.



Rebecca and Phil are one of the

couples Engaged is following in

the lead up to their wedding.

Both Australian, Phil and Bec

have decided to have their wedding

in Australia, where the majority of their families and friends

are located. Bec, 30, is an Environmental Manager and Phil,

29, is a Project Engineer (Construction). They met through a

mutual work colleague and have been together almost 4 years

(although both admit to admiring each other from a far before

they met!!). Phil proposed to Bec during a weekend away in

Wellington in September last year: Phil popped the question by

organising a surprise 5-star hotel room (Bec had booked them

into a backpackers), a bunch of fl owers, champagne, a card

with “will you marry me” and, of course, the ring. Rebecca and

Phil have decided that they want to try to plan a sustainable

wedding. As you will see, this has presented a number of

challenges...

“A quick trip back to Melbourne for the Labour Day long

weekend resulted in us being able to sort out many outstanding

wedding preparation requirements.

We bumped into a friend of a friend who is planning her wedding

for early next year. She had already gone through all the trials

of making her own invitations. She was able to give heaps of

hints on fi nding the cheapest paper supplies. She shopped

around and just went to a normal stationary warehouse to stock

up on tracing paper to use as opaque paper – certain grade

thicknesses were required to be able to run through a normal

printer. One supplier had the cheapest matt background, while

another had the cheapest shiny pearl paper and envelopes.

Rebecca & Phil

Bride Diary


For someone to share all of this advice saved us heaps of time for

which we are very grateful. As Sunday was our only free day that

suited us for sussing out the paper suppliers she told us one that was

open (why aren’t more places open on Sundays?!) and we had a

look. We were overwhelmed by ideas that they had made up. We

had been struggling with a colour theme for the invitations that we

would want refl ected through the entire wedding day, but did like

ribbons and gum leaves. We came across an example of an invite

that suited us perfectly, so we pretty much just copied it.

It was great to have my engineer partner there to help with all the

measurements so we minimised the amount of paper we bought

(and therefore waste) but still allowed for some wastage in case we

make mistakes.

The invite will be a booklet style, with different tabs for transport,

gifts, accommodation, and wedding venue. This was because we

wanted to highlight our intentions for a green wedding. The transport

page will highlight public transport and car pooling options to get to

our venue. The gifts page will advise that we would like donations

to charity (there are various options for setting up a gift registry with

charity websites such as www.justgive.org). The accommodation

page will advise that cabins by the river are available at the same

location as the wedding. We have pre-booked thirty cabins with the

hope that friends and family from both sides will share cabins with

like-minded people. This is just another way for people to get to

know each other and of keeping our carbon footprint down.

We also had another look at the venue. It is very small as renovations

did not occur which would have widened it out on one side. It is tricky

trying to come up with contingency plans for wet weather when

the venue is small. Also some guests will be seated on the outside

deck, so trying to make all guests feel part of the one party will be a

challenge: for example, we need to think about where to set up the

MC so everyone can see and so on. We had another run through of

the menu and wine options as a sanity check, and the night before

tried a few different sparkling white wines to see which we preferred

for the welcome drink as guests arrive for the ceremony. We agreed

and booked all that in with the caterer.

Now we just have the celebrant to decide on - we have a couple

lined up to talk to so will let you know how that goes in next month’s

diary....”.

Step, two, three...

All eyes are on you, your palms are sweating, you pray that you don’t trip… no, it’s not your speech, it’s

your first dance as man and wife.

Often the first dance at a wedding is forgotten in the frenzy of booking

the right florist, photographer and venue. You’ve made sure that your dress is stunning, that the groomsmen and bridesmaids’ outfits coordinate with the cake and table decorations, that your vows and wedding speech sum up how you feel about your new husband or wife and you have even chosen the music for your first dance, but how confident do you feel about dancing in front of all of your guests?

We spoke with Mike and Gillian of Steptacular Dance, Michael and

Sonia of Stepz Dance Studio and Jenny Conners of Let’s Dance Studio and they provided their tips for impressing your friends and family with your moves on the dance floor.

First thing to remember: there is no • “one size fits all” when it comes to dancing. Each couple and person is individual and each have different levels of extroversion (or introversion!), talent, experience, fears and abilities. They also may have different physical characteristics to take into account. Everyone needs to start somewhere and you shouldn’t be shy if you have never danced before. This is where a good dance coach comes in: he or she can recognise what you need to know to make that first spin around the dance floor feel, if not effortless, at least manageable.

Wedding Couples

Learn to dance your first dance with a professional

teacher atLet’s Dance Studio

We will choreograph to your music for the size of the

dance floor

You will look great!

2a Torrens Rd, East TamakiPhone: (09) 2733744 Mobile 027 273 3742

www.letsdancestudio.co.nz

Choose a song that means something • to you, but make sure it is something that has a steady beat and is easy to hear. Whilst you two may have fallen in love over ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, it certainly isn’t the easiest to dance to!

The song you choose will determine • the dance you do. The song may work best with a Rumba, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Jive, Mambo or Viennese Waltz. Alternatively, if you and your future husband or wife are experts at a particular style of dance, it may be better to choose that style and then pick a song to match. Most modern music chosen these days comes down to a Foxtrot rhythm which is easy and the basics, enough to move around a room, can be picked up in an hour.

It will depend on the couple, what • they want to achieve and how much they put in to it as to how many lessons they need. Our advice here? Don't leave it to the week before the wedding to find out. Start looking at it three months before the wedding or more and plan from there.

Shorter is often better! Remember • that the less time the song plays for, the less room for mistakes.

Work out how you will start and end • the dance and at what stage in the night the dance is to take place. Don’t forget to let your photographer, videographer and wedding party know so they don’t miss it.

dancestudio

www.stepz.co.nzE-mail: [email protected]

Phone: 09 575 3993Mobile: 021 904 666

Fully choreographed

As simple or as stunning as you like.

Dance to the music of your choice or we can help you

select something, be it a Rumba, Tango or a

traditional Bridal Waltz.

Let your first few steps together be in perfect harmony


Try to find out the size of the dance floor at your venue. This avoids any last minute • panics because you don’t have enough room to do the leap from ‘Dirty Dancing’!

Never forget that only one of you can lead at a time. Whilst this may not apply • throughout your married life, it is definitely relevant here as you don’t want to step on each other’s toes!

Once you have the steps taught to you practice, practice, practice. And then • practice some more. Some dance companies have regular practice nights.

You may also need to think about clothing. We know that most of you are glamorous • and well-groomed, but often you will never have danced (in front of everyone) wearing a full wedding dress, high heels, styled hair and long fingernails. Your dance coach should be able to give you pointers on avoiding accidents!

Lastly, don’t worry if you do make a mistake on the night. Your guests probably • won’t notice and neither will you if you simply enjoy being in the arms of your new husband or wife.

For costs, please contact one of our advertisers who will only be too happy to help. They won’t suggest unnecessary lessons, just enough to meet your needs and to make sure you stun everyone with your dance skills on the night!

Simple. Stylish. Stunning.

Specialists in centrepiece design and table styling, A Touch of Class ensures your

wedding portrays an image of sophistication, elegance and style.

Centrepiece Hire & Design

Table Linen & Chair Covers

Guest Stationery & Favours

DIY Hire or Full Design & Set Up

www.atouchofclass.co.nz

Touch of ClassAFUNCTION ACCESSORY HIRE AND DESIGN LIMITED


The first and second issues of Engaged discussed how your flowers and cake could make a fantastic visual impact at

your wedding and how they could represent different moods and ideas, such as romantic or wild and funky. Both of those articles depended on one underlying premise: that you knew what the theme of your wedding was.

In reality, we should have started our inaugural copy of Engaged with this article. It is where you should start before you choose any (yes, any!) of the elements of your wedding. By carefully selecting the theme of your wedding, the choices you make for your wedding dress, bridesmaids’ dresses, suits, flowers, cakes, decorations, and even your venue, will all be more cohesive. And that means a more stunning wedding.

We all want a wedding that will reflect our own personalities and passions (and that will amaze and impress our guests!), but where do we start?

First things first

A good place to start is to look online and in wedding and fashion magazines for any ideas that you like. Copy them or cut them out and save them to a collage board or in a folder. Sooner or later a theme will start to emerge. It may be colours, a certain style such as vintage lace, or even an animal like a butterfly.

You can also have a brainstorming session with your fiancé: are you mad surfers, love jazz, in love with vintage Bentleys? Find out what your passions and common interests are. These things make you unique and should be reflected in the look and feel of your wedding.

Take your inspiration from…

The setting: shells scattered on tables, candles and sand in hurricane lamps, dried starfish for a beach wedding; tea parties, soft pastels and flowers for a garden wedding…

The season: think soft greens, garden weddings, and floral motifs for spring; icy blues, winter whites and log fires for winter…

The music: rock ‘n’ roll with bouffant hairdos and full skirts; jazz in the park with understated glamour and a relaxed vibe…

The colours: black and white; a touch of red; pastel palettes…

The era: 1920s glamour with flapper dresses and vintage cars; 1950s disco….

The word: lace, pearls and tea parties for a vintage theme; swing bands, white gloves, diamond tiaras and movie themes for glamour….

The culture: play up your cultural customs with a red and yellow themed Asian wedding; beautiful saris instead of bridesmaids’ dresses for an Indian wedding….

The point of difference: showcase your individual style by basing your wedding theme on something personal to you such as your love of a particular country, food, or the place you met….

This goes with that

Next go back to your theme board or book. What fits and what doesn’t? Once you have decided, you can start to bring together all of the elements that make up your theme. Take your vision with you when selecting dresses, suits and the venue and choosing the menu style and content. Carry the theme onto your invitations, flowers and cake.

Take your time to think about how your wedding style can be reflected in the decorations as often you find that it is the decorations that tie everything together.

Second things first

Don’t forget to budget for your decorations. Most of you know that you need to budget and to negotiate items on that budget so that you can afford to make your wedding day everything you dreamed of. The big items are entered first: the dress, the venue, the food, the wine, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the suits, the flowers, the cake, the beauty treatments… but often many of us forget to budget for the decorative touches that you need to make your wedding really stand out from the crowd.

It is important you do your homework: be realistic by breaking down the costs a little and adding them up to get your decoration budget. For example, a chair cover might cost $7.50 per chair. If you have 80 guests, then chair covers

Some tips from Red Creative:

Don’t make the wedding something you are not. Be true to yourself.

Take your theme through to setting, stationary, cuisine, cake, centrepieces, party favours and attire. Make it meaningful.

Don’t try to make your venue something it is not. For example, for a beachside setting think relaxed, organic, simple and unfussy.

Obey the rule of three. Limit elements to no more than three choices. This streamlines your choices and creates a composed and balanced look.

Group design elements. Decorative objects have more effect when grouped together.

Invest in linen. Use linen instead of paper, and make sure linen is pressed on the tables to ensure it is not creased.

Eliminate the unnecessary. If you can’t afford to do it well, don’t do it at all!

alone may cost $600. Then if you think about the simple bunch of flowers that you buy for $45 for Mothers’ Day, it is reasonable to assume floral centrepieces which require more expertise and labour may cost $75 each.

Nicky Malcolm from Décor-atif suggests that 5% of your budget is a good place to start. If that sounds a lot, remember that you spend a lot time at your reception venue looking at those decorations!

Getting help

New Zealanders have a great pride in being able to do-it-themselves, therefore wedding decorators are fairly new in this country. However, their popularity is growing as couples realise the time and effort required to find the perfect decorative touches for their wedding. A wedding decorator can do all this for you and often in half the time. They have the knowledge of what is available and a database of great suppliers on top of a creative streak that many of us do not have.

To give your decorator the best chance of creating the wedding of your dreams, it is best to approach the decorator with a general theme in mind and be open to their suggestions. He or she may be able to suggest alternatives, often at a cheaper price!


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Bouquets

Buttonaires

Corsages

Rose Petal Confetti

Décor

DIY Bridal Flowers

Vase hire

Packages from $180

Wedding Flower Specialist

DIY Bridal Flowers

Packages from $180

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Freephone 0508 FLOWERSPhone 09 360 0953 Mobile 027 5505 767

Kingsland, Auckland Centralmeghann@metro�lowers.co.nzConsultations by appointment only

www.metro�lowers.co.nz


Through the Lens

Showcasing Photographic Excellence

Photograph by VisionWorks Photography

: engaged : December 2008engaged

Website: www.hotshots.co.nz Email: [email protected]: 09 425 9417 Mobile: 021 425 941 Nationwide

HOTSHOTS CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FINE ART


David Kerr Photography

Rob Driessen PhotographyWebsite: www.rdphotography.co.nz Email: [email protected]

Phone: 04 479 7769 Wellington

Website: www.thewedding.co.nz Email: [email protected] Phone: 0800 21 SNAP (7627) Mobile: 021 398748

Auckland

Master NZ Institute of Professional Photography


Website: www.uniquevisions.co.nz Email: [email protected]: 09 817 7014 Mobile: 0274 913 061 Auckland

Brett Lees, Unique Visions Photography

Qualifi ed Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography

engaged

Website: www.WeddingPhotography.co.nz Email: [email protected]: 021 623 207Nelson, Top of South Island

John-Paul Pochin


Website: www.lizmarchphotography.co.nz Email: [email protected]: 09 8109 056

Auckland

Liz March Photography

Qualifi ed Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography

Email: [email protected]: 07 572 4085 Mobile: 021 560 509

Bay of Plenty and Nationwide

Photography by Marijke


Russ FlattWebsite: www.russfl att.com Email: russ@russfl att.comMobile: 021 997886Auckland

: engaged : October 2008

Website: www.visionworks.co.nz Email: [email protected]: 09 845 5925 Mobile: 021 44 88 17

Auckland

VisionWorks Photography


The Secret of Flawless Skin....

Ever wondered how supermodels and celebs look so flawless? Their little secret is airbrushing – not just digital

airbrushing (used for magazine covers) but airbrushed makeup. We spoke to Andrea Baker of Airbrushed Angels to find out what airbrushed makeup is, and how you too can look like a supermodel!

Ai r b r u s h e d makeup has

been around for a p p r o x i m a t e l y 80 years, but only recently has the technology evolved enough so that the process can be used on a regular basis and by regular people. The technology used is much like that used for spray painting

cars; but on a much smaller scale.

The airbrush equipment consists of a small compressor attached

to a hose, which in turn is attached to a well of colour (for example, foundation or blush). The colour well is attached to a small airbrush the

size of a pen. The compressor drives air through the hose and ‘pushes’ it through the colour receptacle, creating a fine mist which comes out the small hole in the airbrush.

The makeup used is silicone-based,

making it heat- proof, rain-proof, tear-proof and, best of all, snog- proof!

Airbrushed makeup is applied gradually so that coverage ranges from ultra sheer to more comprehensive. This makes it ideal for disguising rosacea, acne, strawberry birthmarks and other skin imperfections. What’s more, airbrushing can be used for covering tattoos. A derma colour is applied (like concealer) and then airbrushed makeup is applied over the top to even the skin tone.

Airbrushed makeup is a more unique and newer form of makeup than traditional methods, and therefore it can be a little more expensive. You also need to make sure your makeup artist is experienced with the equipment and technique, as they need to know how to use the spray gun expertly and have a solid background in makeup application in order to know where best to place the makeup.

Costs range from $80 for a pre-trial application and up to $120 for wedding day makeup. Airbrushed Angels come to your house or hotel and, living by their mantra that the most important thing is making the bride look and feel beautiful, are happy to assist the bride by providing a hairdressing service and to help the bride with dressing and veil fitting. They also offer advice on hair and beauty care and pampering, and, if my interview with Andrea is anything to go by, a healthy dose of both comedy and care!

www.airbrushedangels.co.nz


www.barewaxing.co.nz

quality . convenience . customer care

127 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes . Phone: 09 528 0800 Email: [email protected]

ESCAPE and prepare for the best day of your life—

At ESCAPE we understand how important it is to look and feel your best on this very special day and that is why all our bridal packages have been structured with this in mind.

ESCAPE has combined the absolute latest and advanced technologies in skin treatment systems to get your skin glowing with radiance softness and even tones.

The essential grooming services such as waxing, manicures, pedicures, eyebrow shaping and tinting are all the essential must haves for a bride to be to make you feel confident and fresh on your big day.

Planning a wedding can be stressful—everything needs to be PERFECT !!

Why not relax, de-stress and unwind with your bridal “team” and pamper yourselves in our function room. Let us serve you champagne, lunch & nibbles whilst our dedicated therapists whisk you away for your treatments.

To ensure you all leave feeling great and looking fabulous everyone in the bridal party will receive a complimentary makeover with the world’s Number 1 Mineral Makeup of the Stars. A good chance for you to get a feel of it before the BIG DAY.

We also offer a mobile makeup artist service to make getting ready that little bit easier and fun.

LEVEL 1, 87 HURSTMERE ROAD, TAKAPUNAPHONE 09 486 1231

www.escapespa.co.nz


BEADS • JEWELLERY • CLASSES

Create your own unique jewellery.Custom designs with delight.

Beads for embellishment.www.beadsgloriousbeads.com

6 Kingsland Tce, Kingsland, AucklandPhone: 09 815 1177

BEADS JEWELLERY CLASSES

Create your own unique jewellery.Custom designs with delight.

Beads for embellishment.

www.beadsgloriousbeads.com

6 Kingsland Tce, Kingsland, Auckland - Phone: 09 815 1177

The Wedding Dance for the Bride and Groom.

Steptacular Dance Tel: 09 813 1101 Mob: 021 375 996Email: [email protected]

Your Day, Your Way.

[email protected]: 021 458 687

Krystina Te Kanawa

027 467 9580 | [email protected]

Hair & Make-up Artist

Qualified & Experienced

Affordable prices!

Weddings, Balls, TV, Film, Print

(Contracted to TVNZ and Maori TV)

Leonie SmythMobile Make-up Artist

[email protected] 389423


Kylie & Hooksy

Bride Diary

Kylie and Hooksy met 18,000kms from home on a hot summers day in London at the NZ Food & Wine Festival (complete with their favourite NZ culinary delights and the sounds of Dave Dobbyn in the background). Six

years later, after much travelling, moving back home, buying a

dog and a house together, Hooksy popped the big question on

their favourite west coast beach, Muriwai. Kylie is a marketing

manager with Goodman Fielder and Hoosky has his own business

as a builder.

“We managed to fi nally fi nd a location that meets the island feel

of Rarotonga but overcomes the expense of having a relatively

big wedding overseas.... Waiheke Island! Hooksy really surprised

me: almost every night after work he was on the ‘net looking at

wedding venues on the island. He found one place which we

particularly liked the look of called The Dunes in Onetangi. The

next day I called them up and they were so lovely! They arranged

to give us complimentary ferry tickets and collect us from the

ferry terminal for when we wanted to come over and have a look

around. This was so refreshing after our disinterested wedding

co-ordinator in Rarotonga; we felt really special, amazing how it

really is that easy to make someone’s day!

We decided to go that weekend as we really were starting to run

out of time. The wedding was going to be in June if Rarotonga


worked out but now that New Zealand was an option we needed

to get it arranged this summer. I just didn’t want to wait another

whole year and a half as it seemed like ages away! So we only now

had 5-6 months to get everything sorted.

The weather was a bit ominous but we decided to go to Waiheke

anyway, so we boarded the ferry with a very excited Paddy (the

dog) in tow. Everything went very smoothly and we arrived at the

venue without any hassle and the friendly taxi driver even tried to

book his band to play on our big night... we decided to wait and

see on that one, let’s get the venue sorted fi rst, we decided.

The Dunes really did look every bit like the picture on their website

and we just knew straight away that it was the right place for us. It

was beautifully set with a gorgeous patio out front overlooking the

water. Inside, the room was a good size, just right for 90 people, with

a beautiful garden out the back that had a stunning outdoor fi re-

place. It is a good back-up plan if it does rain on the day. Claire,

the co-ordinator we met, was so lovely and full of great ideas for us

on how to dress the inside room.

So it was decided we loved the venue and it was free on the 5th of

March! But ... there was one small hiccup….excited about getting

the venue sorted we thought we would now get onto the next

thing, which was arranging accommodation for us and our guests.

There are two good sized hotel / apartments in Onetangi and we

went to those fi rst... both were completely booked for the night of

our wedding! Gutted, we had to think fast and went about fi nding

the dates they were free: the 12th of March was the next available

date. Thankfully The Dunes was free too. We didn’t fi nd this out until

Monday, the wait was agonising!

We also got a chance while we were there to scope out places to

get married on Onetangi beach: fi nding the best way for me to get

down the bank without falling over that it is! So it is all starting to fall

into place, now we just have to tackle the next things on the list... fi rst

things, fi rst the dress!”


Need Advice?

My parents don’t really like my boyfriend and I am scared about how they will react when we tell them we’re engaged. How do I handle this?If you think their reaction is going to be bad, it is probably best to tell them alone so your future husband doesn’t get unintentionally hurt by your parents’ reaction. This also gives them time to digest and get used to the fact that you are getting married before they (hopefully) congratulate the two of you.

I think it is kind of bad manners to have a gift registry – I just don’t like to seem greedy, asking for so many things! Do we have to have one? No, you don’t. But a gift registry definitely helps the guests choose something for you that you actually want. Don’t be shy asking for what you would like and/or need – it’s much better than ending up with 17 toasters!!

I always heard that an engagement ring should cost two months’ salary. Is this true? There are no strict rules when it comes to buying your engagement ring, except that you should choose a ring that you love AND that is within your budget. Check out our articles on rings in the August and October issues of Engaged so you know what to look forward to get the best ring for your money.

Is it ok to have two chief bridesmaids/matrons of honour? I have two best friends and I don’t want to upset one of them.You sure can! If you have more than one chief bridesmaid, you or they may choose to split the jobs that you need them to do for you. For example, one may plan the hens’ night, while the other may help you with the invitations. Of course, they might jointly do everything you need doing – and a job shared is always completed quicker!


I am the mother-of-the-bride. I don’t want to ‘butt in’ but I always want to make sure my daughter gets all the help she needs. What should I be doing for her in the lead up to, and on, the big day?You are definitely one of the most important people in the wedding party – this is one time your daughter needs all the love and support you can give her. Practically, you should help your daughter choose her dress and accessories, help choose the bridesmaids’ dresses, choose your own dress and, if possible, make sure it coordinates with the bridesmaids’ dresses and the mother-of-the groom’s outfit, help address and send the wedding invitations, help with the guest list and seating plan, and generally help your daughter with any other thing she may need help with (just ask!). Quite often the bride and bridesmaids will stay with you or at least be with you on the morning of the wedding getting ready. Make sure the girls all have a good breakfast and lunch (plenty of water, not too much champagne!!). At the ceremony, you should be the last person to enter and be seated in the church (besides the bride, the bride’s father and the bridesmaids of course!) and you should occupy a seat at the parents’ table. Keep the lines of communication open with your daughter, so you make sure you are not stepping on her toes. The big decisions should be made by her and her future husband, but your advice is generally always welcome!

Our guest list is out of control! How do we cut it back so we stay within budget?This is one you probably need to work on with your fiancé and your two families. Start with the whole list in front of you and set some rules. For examples, you may decide not to invite any distant relatives, co-workers or children. Make sure you are consistent and don’t allow ‘just one little exception’ or you could put people’s noses out of joint!

Our church has two aisles. Which one should we walk down?Your minister will probably advise you to walk into the church using one aisle, and out using the other. This way the guests all get a close up of you and your fabulous dress!!

If you have any questions you would like answered, please email us at [email protected].

Colourful people, amazing scenery, bustling markets, great

shopping deals – Vietnam has it all. Whether you want a relaxing holiday on the beach or a shopping holiday in a bustling city, Vietnam has something for everyone.

The two common ports of entry are either Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon

as most of the locals still call it) or Hanoi. We chose the latter as our itinerary had us progressing down the country. So we arrived into Hanoi not quite knowing what to expect. We had arranged with our hotel to be picked up from the airport - we highly recommend doing this as many of the smaller hotels have very similar names and getting your taxi driver to arrive at the correct one can be a bit of a challenge.

While Hanoi has a more modern part to it, we spent the majority

of our time in the Old Quarter. This myriad of streets is always bustling, with old-fashioned shops, street vendors and thousands of motorbikes swarming past! The French influence is plain to see in the architecture and is quite a contrast to many other parts of Asia.

Having done plenty of wandering around the street markets, we

headed off to Halong Bay. Halong Bay, designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, consists of over 3000 islands in the Gulf of Tonkin. The views are breathtaking, as these giant islands Vibrant Vietnam


rise out of the sea. A boat cruise is a must and many people opt to sleep for a night on the boat (rather than staying at Halong City) to get the full experience.

A bit of a back-track and we headed down to Hoi An. This town half-way

down Vietnam is famous for its tailors (there are hundreds of them). Plan to stay

for at least a few days and you can get almost any piece of clothing tailor-made for you. While the quality of the fabrics may not be up to the standard of top quality clothes that you buy here, we found most of the clothes reasonably well made – and with shirts costing us $18, trousers $28 and suits from $250, we couldn’t complain! We came away

from Hoi An with a whole new suitcase of clothes – the perfect way to start your married life!

As well as the tailors, Hoi An also has a great atmosphere. It has

quaint French-inspired streets with really interesting shops, as well as amazing restaurants. Speaking of food, Vietnam

has some of the most tantalising food around. Invariably, the ingredients are extremely fresh and the food is generally really flavoursome without being too spicy. What’s more, it (and the beer) is really cheap, so you can afford to treat yourself to banquet-style meals without blowing the budget.


Next port of call, Nha Trang. If a vibrant beach scene is what you are after, Nha Trang is for you. This beach-resort town is a great place if you want to lounge

around at beach-front bars sipping cocktails. It is more touristy than many other parts of Vietnam, but because of this, has most of the amenities that you would want.

After having our quota of sun, surf and beach-side cocktails, we hopped on a plane and headed down to Ho Chi Minh City. Speaking of getting around, to go between

cities you have three options – bus, train or plane. We travelled from Hanoi to Hoi An on an overnight train. While not for everyone, the cabins (four bunks to a cabin) were perfectly adequate and the train journey gave us a real insight into the country-side of Vietnam that you would not otherwise see. Buses are cheap and plentiful, however, the driving style in Vietnam can leave you a bit white-knuckled. If you are travelling a reasonably long distance, plane is probably the best way to go – flights are often as cheap as the trains and take a lot less time.

Right, back to the itinerary. Ho Chi Minh City is the cosmopolitan side of Vietnam. High-end boutiques, trendy restaurants and nightclubs have popped up and are

revealing the more Westernised side of the city. However, there is still plenty of history to be seen, with many temples, churches and palaces to visit. While some people think that Ho Chi Minh City doesn’t have the character of the rest of Vietnam, give it a few days and you will undoubtedly fall for its subtle charms.

So there you have it – Vietnam has it all. Whether you want your honeymoon to be spent relaxing on a beach sipping cheap cocktails, searching through bustling

markets, visiting historic temples or shopping in boutique stores, Vietnam is the place where you can do it all.

The laws of Vietnam do not have any provision for recognising marriages between two foreigners in Vietnam, unless those foreigners have lived in Vietnam for a long time and both have valid residence permits.

If you are marrying a Vietnamese national or both of you have lived in Vietnam for the required period and have the required residence permits, you will need to produce a marriage registration form, copy of your passport/permanent or temporary residence card/identity card (for Vietnamese nationals), personal resume and certificates that neither of you have a mental disease. Documents should be accompanied by translations if necessary. Contact Vietnamese authorities for more details on these documents, fees and where and when documents are to be lodged. A translator’s assistance will be valuable if you do not speak Vietnamese.

Please ensure this information is correct at the time of your application by making enquiries with Vietnamese authorities. You should also check www.nzembassy.com and www.dia.govt.nz .

GETTING MARRIED IN

VIETNAM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides advice on the security risks of travelling to certain countries. Before

making travel arrangements, we suggest you check with www.safetravel.govt.nz.

Travel insurance is always recommended and you should check the details of your policy to ensure it covers your destination.

The main international airport for Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City (SGN).

Air New Zealand flies from Auckland via Hong Hong. Flights from Wellington and Christchurch are via Auckland and Hong

Kong.

Qantas flies from Auckland and Christchurch via Sydney, and from

Wellington via Melbourne.

Cathay flies from Auckland only via Hong Kong, while Singapore Airlines flies from Auckland and Christchurch

via Singapore, and from Wellington via Christchurch and Singapore.

CURRENCY:1 New Zealand Dollar = approximately 9,300-12,300 Vietnamese Dong (VND)

LANGUAGE:Vietnamese, with English being spoken and understood in most tourist areas

TIME ZONE: Vietnam is 6 hours beind New

Zealand

FLIGHT TIME:Approximately 13-14 hours flight time from

Auckland to Ho Chi Minh City


Beads Glorious Beads have generously donated one $150 voucher to be used at their store or on their website. Use the voucher to make up your own jewellery, or they can make it for you according to your vision.

www.beadsgloriousbeads.com

The team at PhotoMaxing have supplied us with an awesome prize pack: 32 greeting cards designed yourself using their interactive website (RRP $96.80). Use the prize and PhotoMaxing’s easy to follow 4-step process to create personalised photo thank you cards.

www.photomaxing.co.nz

We have one each of the following products to give away, courtesy of La’Bella Hair Design, Orewa, ph 09 426 9963: Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo 400ml and Tigi Bed Head Dumb Blonde Reconstructor 150ml for After Highlights Damaged or Chemically Treated Hair and Tigi Bed Head Cocky Thickening Paste for Fuller Looking Hair 150ml. RRP $32.95 (each product).

Competitions & Giveaways


To be in the draw for these great prizes is easy! We will be drawing the prizes on 28 December 2008 and everyone who is subscribed to receive our email newsletter at the time is automatically in the draw...

If you are already signed up, you don’t need to do anything - you are in the draw! If you haven’t signed up yet, go to www.engaged.co.nz and enter your name and email address to receive our email newsletter - it’s as simple as that!

How to Enter

WINNERS!Well, you’re all winners really, but here’s who won the competitions from the

October issue of Engaged!

One of Six Three-Packs of evolu Body Bars

Heather Blackwell, Letitia Dewe, Stephanie Creagh, Jacky, Angela Gard, Jasmine

One of Three Fresh Ink Packs

Steph Oliver, Zack Green, Tokhuor

One of Ten $50 Gift Vouchers from Sage Restaruant

Sally Crook, Rochelle Weston, Melanie Sutcliffe, Renee Ellis, April Kennedy, Jared Heaton, Clare Calis,

Aimee Breddy, Karley Johns, Margaret Cootes

Made of Honour Prize Pack

Ally Crouchley

* You must be subscribed on 28 December 2008 to be automatically entered into the draw. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Next Issue out 1 January

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engaged wedding magazine

Documents

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