WEDDINGSNeed help?Weddings are a big deal! Are you planning your special day?
THE PLANNINGThe BudgetThere is so much to do and organise.
And it doesn't need to all be expensive. There are many resources available to help you
plan on a budget.
The year leading up to getting married is already one of decisions and planning; what if you set your budget and just got started. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to look for great deals and get super organised - without having to wait. There are wonderful ideas online to help you even if you want a big wedding but have a tiny budget. Everyone has a different way of approaching projects (such as a wedding). How you find the answers often depends on time and money - we know that - but don't be afraid to bargain . After all, it is your day, and your money. Sometimes, there will be a particular item/s that you just don't feel you can compromise on. Maybe it is the dress, perhaps the rings or the honeymoon. This can call for some creative ideas to keep other costs down, and allow you to have those expensive items you really desire.
The IdeasThere are so many ways to make your day special to you, and your friends and family. A unique, personalised wedding will make the day yours, and further enhance your happy memories (without becoming tacky)! There really are thousands of ideas, and they don't have to be just your ideas that bring create the celebration of your dreams. Everything In One PlaceIf you are looking for ideas, then it can be helpful to find a place that has a large selection of all the different products. This will save you time, and sometimes money if they offer discounts for larger orders, and / or free delivery.You will also be able to get a number of items that follow your "theme" all at once, so you can be sure it all matches. I found
Where Shall We Get Married?Where you get married is about the vision of the engaged couple. Sure, we all take into account our families and friends, but the final decision is about the dream...You can tie the knot almost anywhere! Your local church, or the family garden are still popular, but increasingly, so is an intimate ceremony in an exotic, overseas location. Warmer weather is often part of the dream. Perhaps it is friendly Fiji in the South Pacific, the beauty of Hawaii, or the mystery of Carribean weddings. If you dream of getting married against a backdrop of blue skies, endless azure seas, a warm sea breeze and the gentle sound of waves meeting sand. Ancient romantic myth, gorgeous weather and warm island hospitality will combine to make a wedding in Cyprus your perfect choice. Wherever you choose, unless you are a regular visitor to the area, or have some close personal contacts in the region, you will probably need to seek the services of a professional. If you think organizing a wedding is already a huge task; then try organizing a wedding from another country! New Zealand WeddingsWe think New Zealand is a fantastic place!It is a great place to live, AND a great place to get married! Whether you are dreaming of a beach wedding, a winter wonderland or a classic country church with green rolling hills around you - New Zealand has it all! For visitors and Kiwis - whatever your hearts desire - NZ has a place for you. And once again, the power of the internet will help with your planning and choices from wherever you are... Here are some good NZ local websites to get you started: www.weddings.co.nz Cambridge, Waikato, NZ, Weddings We live in the gorgeous countryside of Cambridge, Waikato, New Zealand. The scenery around here is so beautiful it is easy to find a setting that inspires romance. So when we find good local Wedding information we have included it under the heading CAMBRIDGE in each of the sections to follow. THE WEDDING VENUEThe Venue you choose incorporates so many aspects of your planning. You will need somewhere to actually get married, plus somewhere for your photographs and the reception. It may be that one Venue is able to cater for all of these needs, or you may need to travel between 2 or 3 different places to meet your needs. Practicality, budget and beauty all play a role in choosing your Wedding Venue!
CAMBRIDGE THE RINGS"The Rings" usually start the journey to a Wedding. There is the engagement ring - usually just for her - but tradition does not dictate all anymore - so if he wants one then so be it! I am not so good on the "rules" so it might be best to check out some further information on this subject . I have heard of tattooed rings for engaged couples... Then there are the wedding bands and rings - for him and her. Again, this has a lot to do with your own tastes, but it is always worth getting some further advice so you can be confident of your choice. After all they are an investment in a lifetime.
THE DRESSFinding "the dress" you want takes a lot of time and thought. Whether you are looking for a cheap dress, beach dresses or a designer dress, it feels so good to get the one you really want. There are also many options (especially on the internet) for gowns that may have been hard to find in the past, for example, plus size gowns. And if you want to get a good discount - start looking; you will be amazed what you can find, particularly outside of the traditional time of the year to get married. Another great way to have a dress that is totally unique, and can be a cost effective way (depending on your choice of materials) is to design your own wedding dress. Being able to make and / or design your own creation is a truly beautiful way of preparing for your new life. Don't settle for something you aren't happy with. The Perfect FitIf you want to look perfect on your big day, and you want your dress to fit perfectly, it can be a good idea to get a little extra helpThe GroomWe can't forget the groom either! Your man will also want to look his best on the day!
If he decides to wear a suit, then a great way to personalise his look is a unique (still stylish) tie.
If you are planning to be in Australia between now and your Wedding Day - then it is well worth checking out Bentex suits. HAIR AND MAKEUPAs a Bride you do not want to have to worry about you or your bridesmaids wedding hairstyles on your special day. Remember the bride is the main focus of everyone there and most of them will be taking your picture. It is helpful to know your own hair, and what you would like to do with it. This way whether you have someone else do it, or do it yourself, you will get the best result that you love!THE INVITATIONSIf you need cheap wedding invitations, then you probably want them to only cost you a little, without them actually looking cheap. Have a look at these ideas if you are going to make your own invitations. It is also possible to find free printable invitations online. These can give you a good starting point with layout and wording. Add some good looking paper... and voila! you have created your invites! If you prefer to get them professionally designed and printed, you may be able to secure a good price by ordering early.
It is worth having a look at Invitation WordingOnce you have chosen your colour and style, you will need to think about the invitation wording. How you word the invites can make the difference between a cheap invitation, and elegance and sophistication. There is a lot of great information out there, and most professionals who specialise in printing will have some worthwhile feedback to help you get your invites just right.
Don't be afraid to ask for other opinions (everyone loves to give their opinion on a wedding!) but keep in mind that professionals will be more objective than family and friends. Ultimately you will want something unique and personalised to you. Gift Register & WebsiteHaving a Gift Register is pretty much expected these days. We have usually been living out of our parents homes for quite a while before getting married, and we are already set up in a home. Guests find it really helpful to be guided, and most of us like to buy something practical as a gift, or something that the couple truly want (or both). Another recent trend is to have your information available online. Many options are springing up that allow you easily set up a wedding website. It can serve many purposes including;Gift Register / Posting of Photos / RSVP / Planning and much more. And don't forget those guests who are travelling a long distance to be with you, or who are unable to be there on the day. Shipping long distance has never been easier. You can often find special gifts online, and have them shipped all in one go.
If you know someone getting married in New Zealand, you may like to have a look at this wonderful gift site, Bestow. They have gorgeous gifts and flowers...delivered New Zealand Wide (wouldn't that make your life easier, and make someone's day too?).
THE CAKEHave you thought about cake designs and the centrepiece?
Perhaps you or someone you know may want to There are many innovative, creative ideas for cakes. Layers of white icing with a little bride and groom on top are not the norm anymore! If you do an internet image search for wedding cake pictures, there will be literally thousands of ideas! Colour, shape, decorations, even the flavour is totally up to you (yes in NZ we spell it colour and flavour...). Cakes are definitely another way to personalise your wedding. Don't forget to shop around for wedding cake prices. The cost and quality can vary greatly.
CAMBRIDGE THE FLOWERSFlowers are such an important part, and we all want them to look beautiful. But they can become expensive really quickly. Not all of us have the talent to arrange flowers to look amazing.
So, if you are on a budget, don't be afraid to get help to create wonderful floral arrangements. You, too, can make beautiful flower arrangements (with a little training). Good floral arrangements make you, the bridal party, the ceremony and the reception look gorgeous! Have a look at these great Wedding Flowers and Reception Ideas. Another idea you might consider is using elegant silk flowers. Then you will have them to treasure forever; use at your childrens' christenings; for your wedding anniversaries; and special family occasions.
THE VOWSWho is writing the vows? What message do you want them to convey to each other? and to your guests? Are you both romantics, or is the romance less important than the commitment you wish to profess? Perhaps you want funny wedding vows to show your shared love of the fun in life? Whatever you are looking for, sometimes it is just a good idea to get some help and inspiration... THE PHOTOGRAPHYPhotographs are your lasting reminder of your special day. They are also an investment in your life together. Once you have children (and eventually grandchildren...) your wedding photos will be a treasure for them too. Because this is a once in a lifetime event, it is really important to get your photos right! Spend some time and learn about what you can expect from your wedding photographer and your photos. I found this great website that is specifically about the photography of your special day, and it is well worth a look... The Brides Guide to Wedding Photography.
CAMBRIDGE
THE RECEPTIONThe Reception is your time to relax and enjoy a meal and the celebration with your new husband / wife, and your closest family and friends. There is so much to learn from planning a reception - but most of us have never done it before - and don't plan to do it again! Don't let all the planning stress you out! There is so much to remember from the wedding toasts to security to stop those wedding crashers... Learn from the experience of others, and make your reception an enjoyable experience.
CAMBRIDGE
THE FOODThe Menu for your Reception will reflect the style and atmosphere you want for your Big Day. A Champagne breakfast?Finger food?A three course meal?A buffet? The choice of will somewhat be dictated by the Venue, the time of the day... and again, your budget. Once you have chosen where you wish to have your Reception, then the choice of caterer may have already been decided for you, as many Venues work only with in-house or approved Caterers. If you still need to find an independent Caterer then it is recommended to not only get quotes, but also make time to do some taste testing and visit another function they are catering. A good caterer will get on with the job so you can relax and enjoy your guests with confidence.
CAMBRIDGE THE HONEYMOON!And don’t forget the honeymoon! Fiji? The Carribean? Jamaica? Europe? It all has to be planned and paid for. And who wants to get back from their honeymoon to face a pile of bills?
Lingerie
If you want to look fantastic on your first night you really should invest in some gorgeous new lingerie. There is fantastic lingerie available online throughout the world. Gone are the days of secretly going down to the local store, and hoping no-one sees you! If you are in Have a look, you just might be tempted! THE MEMORIESOnce your special day is over you will have some wonderful memories.Traditionally the way to remember your big day has been with photos, and an album. In the past few years, adding a disposable camera to your guests tables, or getting a video taken, have also become ways of capturing the day. Now many people choose to create their own websites, to upload their photos for all the guests, family and friends to see. Another great innovation that is truly both environmentally friendly, and international, is the ability for others to upload their photos to your unique website too - simply and easily. The Wedding Lens is an online company that offers the ability to create your own online Wedding Album. You set it up so your guests can both view and use the album. Essentially it is providing you with Free Online Photo Albums.
WHY WAIT?Don’t leave everything to the last minute, or wait another year to get married because you don’t have the money right now. If you know how much money you have. And how much it will cost you. By the time it is "the Day!", you could have it all paid off. If you get a personal loan, and plan ahead, you could have it all paid off by the time the big day comes. ABACUS FINANCE can help with a
ABACUS FINANCE: HELPING MAKE YOUR SPECIAL DAY GREAT!
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