Yearly Archive: 2014

Top 25 Wedding Planning Tips from Real Couples | part 1

wedding planning tips lucky in love huffington post

 

I sure know I could have used this advice in the midst of the craziness when me and My Darling were planning our wedding. These tips are absolutely priceless – so I stole them from the Huffington Post (thank you for providing such helpful advice x)! This is alot of good advice so I’m sharing in parts, here goes…

You’re a planning bride: You’re constantly looking at top wedding blogs, pinning has become your second job, and your wedding coordinator is on speed dial (or, if you don’t have one, then you feel like you’re ready to become one). But you can never fully anticipate the wedding day until (gulp) it’s finally here.

That’s why we turned to the fabulous couples we’ve featured on Style Unveiled for their best advice. They’ve walked down the aisle, they’ve said “I Do” and have partied like crazy at their receptions. Then, when all of the craziness calmed down and they returned from their honeymoons, they whispered their “best advice” to us…and we’re passing it down to you!

1. Don’t Get Too Caught Up In The Details “Take a step back and remember what is important—you are marrying the love of your life! The dresses, cake, flowers, food, and drinks will have no bearing on the success of your marriage, so don’t sweat it and always focus on keeping a realistic perspective.”—Kelly and Matthew

2. Take Your Time “Matt and I planned our wedding for sixteen months, and it really helped to keep stress levels down. We got tons of stuff done early (check this countdown calendar to stay on track) and had time to save for the things we really wanted. You only get to plan your wedding once, so make sure it is a fun time, not a stressful one!” —Claire and Matt

3. Be Present In Each Moment “On your wedding day, soak up all the love, joy and bliss! Enjoy!” —Rachelle and Pete
4. Do A First LookHaving a first look was one of the best decisions we made during our wedding planning. Our photographer and videographer collaborated and found a secluded area, away from all the madness that was going on that morning; we got a moment to see each other for the first time. It allowed us to take a deep breath, let the moment sink in, feel all the emotion we were about to feel all day. No matter what you decide, the important thing is choosing what’s right for you as a couple.” —Leah and Kevin

5. Don’t Get Caught Up In “Perfection” “This event is an expression of yourselves, but it’s not all you’ll ever be. It’s just the beginning! In fact, some of the best moments were ones we didn’t plan for at all—like a fabulous photograph of my dress train all tangled up with leaves and dirt. Sure, it was messy and not what you’re used to seeing in bridal magazines, but it was also honest and a truly joyful moment that could easily have gone south if we’d been uptight about things. Embrace the unexpected, and each others’ opinions, and don’t let an unattainable ideal sour the big picture: You’re in this together, now and for the future.” —Teresa and Ben

9/11 reunites friends after 13 years

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Most people can remember where they were and what their reactions were to the shocking tragedy. I was driving to work listening to student radio BFM and thought it was some kind of sick hoax.

I wish it were. The stories that unraveled in the days and months to follow were sorrowful. That place in time was enough and the yearly anniversaries that follow, I bury my head in the sand and try not to get caught up in the sadness and futility that is war and what results from it.

But I was home alone on the weekend and My Darling had left the Discovery channel on and when a documentary about two incredibly brave and selfless heroes of 9/11 came on I felt I had to pay respect and watch it. Frank DeMartini and Pablo Ortiz happened to be unfortunate enough to be working on the 88th floor of the North Tower or the World Trade Centre. The 75+ people they helped rescue were the fortunate ones who’s lives they saved. For an understanding of events that happened on that day you can view the recounts of the people they helped save and tributes from their families by clicking here.

It truly is a remarkable story of unity, heroism, selflessness and thankfulness which puts your average daily dissatisfaction into clear perspective and if you are in need of a dose of humility and a serving of humble pie watch it. Have your box of tissues ready. Heroes of the 88th Floor.

The way life is there is always a balance. I very much doubt you could ever positively balance what happened that day out but I wanted to share the documentary and also find something remotely happy I could take out of 9/11. And funnily enough this story popped out at me on a page of the internet today.

It is a truly amazing story of a photo of a wedding group found in the World Trade Centre debris (amongst all 1.2 million tonnes of it) and the caretaker that persevered for 13 years to hand it back to its rightful owner. After 13 years of trying the caretaker finally does more than that, through ‪#‎twitter‬ and a share from US country singer and ‪#‎TheVoice judge ‪#‎BlakeShelton‬, she reunites a survivor of the WTC with a group of old friends. You have to read the full story here– it is a facinating story.

Choosing the right Celebrant

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!

Your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life – and the start of your exciting future together. It’s important you choose a Marriage Celebrant who offers a high level of care, nurturing and positive energy.

I just tied the knot myself this year and loved every aspect so much I wanted to do it all over again! (Except for someone else, as an Independent Marriage Celebrant!) And because of my own recent wedding I know how crucial finding the right Celebrant is.

Drawing on my own experiences I can advise Brides and Grooms in a contemporary, professional and friendly way you can easily relate to. I’ll add even more value by guiding you through the obligatory legal process and helping you choose the right format and vows to make your day an outstanding one. Having a background in advertising and corporate event management I know what it takes to set the scene for a seamless event true to my clients vision.

Adding to the unique experience I will bring to your wedding as your Marriage Celebrant, I have been lucky enough to enrich friends and family weddings through the honour of acting as MC, wedding planner and coordinator. (I also ran naughty but nice hen party entertainment to get the girls giggling before the big day – you can view video testimonials from blushing brides here: Rave Reviews

Get in touch to book a time for us to meet and find out more – there is no obligation. Sometimes you just ‘know’ when you find the right Celebrant to represent your partnership and love for each other, like me and my husband did. However it’s sensible you meet a few celebrants to make sure whoever you choose is a good fit for you and your day. If you live in the Auckland area or are being married in Auckland, I would love to hear from you.

As an Independent Marriage Celebrant I will help the Bride and Groom tailor your marriage ceremony true to your personalities and will do my very best to ensure we create your dream marriage union and a truly memorable wedding day. I look forward to hearing from you!

Much happiness
Kimberly
Independent Marriage Celebrant
Auckland, Matakana & Waiheke Weddings

#NOTABADLOVESTORY

I knew this JT song, but I hadn’t actually ever seen the video up until recently. It’s based on a cute story #HaveYouSeenThisCouple inspired by a love story set on a New York train, where a man proposed to his girlfriend using a Justin Timberlake song. The clip turned viral and helped It’s Not a Bad Thing in the charts and spurred a new social media campaign where JT asked fans to use the hashtag #NOTABADLOVESTORY and share their own happily ever after stories… take a look!

Little things

Gosh, last week I shared some unbelievably humongous gestures of love and devotion. Straight after I posted I was reminded – when I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and saw that My Darling had plugged my electric toothbrush into the charger so it was super-energised – that its not just the big things – it is the little everyday things that count.

And the little things about the person you love that make everyday special.

 

Love & devotion

My Darling reads the Herald newspaper everyday, in every imaginable place, on his iPhone. It drives me crazy sometimes. Except when he sends me interesting human interest tidbits like this…

Devoted widower to rejoin wife

Love and devotion Rocky and Julita AbalsamoLove and devotion - Rocky AbalsamoA man who sat at his wife’s grave for almost 20 years through storms, heatwaves and howling winds from dawn to dusk has died.

Rocky Abalsamo will now be reunited with his beloved wife, Julita, who died in 1993 after 45 years of marriage. He will be buried on her left, the side he walked alongside her when she was alive, the Boston Globe reported.

He only left Julita’s grave site when St Joseph Cemetery in West Roxbury, Boston, was closed. Then he would sprinkle crumbs across the plot so chipmunks would keep her company when he could not.

Rocky, who was 97 when he died, rose to prominence in 1990 when his vigil became known. He told the Boston Globe “She is part of me, so here I am whole. Being here makes me feel better. Not good, but better. I do it for Julita, and for myself.”

He sat beside his wife’s grave in a blue beach chair, calling out, “I am here”, when he sat down. On her birthday each year he would toast her with a glass of cider. Every night he left, Rocky would rub his finger on her name on the red granite stone. The ritual left an indelible mark.

He always carried a photograph of his wife. On the back of the image, Julita had written: “Today the sky smiles to me. I see you. You look at me. Today I believe in God. With all my love, Julita.”

The couple met in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1937 and married a year later. They followed their children to the US in 1971.

As Rocky’s story became widely known, he began to receive visitors at the grave who would bring him meals and gifts.

What an incredible bond. When I googled to find some more photos of the couple I stumbled on a hysterically titled site Confessions of a Funeral Director which the story was featured in as well. I thought the post Hippos Kill More People than Sharks and other Useless Death Data was the best… and this one I found… we all know the beautiful Ryan Gosling movie the Notebook (sadly James Garner who played the loving and devoted husband died last month)…

The real Notebook

The Real NotebookKenny and Helen Felumlee were introduced when they were teenagers – by Kenny’s ex-girlfriend. After dating for two years, the couple decided to get married. Immediately. Even though Kenny was only two days shy of his 21st birthday – the legal age for men in Ohio at the time – the pair drove to Kentucky to elope. They married on February 20, 1944, and spent the next 70 years together.

The couple raised eight children with Helen staying at home while Kenny worked for the railroad as a car inspector, ran a automobile repair place, and even carried mail for the town of Nashport. Helen was known for sending personalized greeting cards for any and every event, causing her family to joke that she “kept Hallmark in business.”

Once all their children had left home, the Felumlees travelled around the United States by bus. They preferred that mode of transportation so they could see everything along the way.

According to their children Kenny and Helen never spent a night apart even preferring to share a bunk bed rather than sleeping in separate beds on a trip. When Kenny became too ill to sleep in the bedroom, Helen slept on the floor nearby so they could stay together.

Helen Felumlee died on April 12, 2014 at the age of 92. Kenny Felumlee died 15 hours later on April 13, 2014 at the age of 93.

I’m sure there are millions more stories like this of unconditional love and devotion. I hope yours is one of them. I know mine is.

(My Darling – you know I have issues with graveyards though! xxx)

Keep calm and hire a wedding planner

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As you know my career is event co-ordination and party planning. So I thought it would be a cake walk planning my own wedding. But even for someone with a high level of corporate skills – don’t be fooled – planning your own wedding is a highly charged emotional rollercoaster! The sensible thing to do is to hire a wedding planner. I believe they can be hired for minimal charge nowadays and will end up saving you $$$ in the long run. They will stop you from becoming bridezilla (which is inevitable), by making decision making easy, recommending the best suppliers and keeping your wedding party under control (which I desperately needed on my big day).

I read this fantastic article in M2 Women today by Kellie Stevenson and it reminded me of exactly what major effort is involved in making your big day perfect. Have a read it is hysterically funny and true to life…
The Best Laid Plans? With the likes of Pinterest sprouting ‘easy’ ways to plan and create the perfect wedding, Kellie thought she had it covered, that is until what is involved in the rigmarole of wedding planning became apparent…

I am getting married and have decided that planning a wedding is hard. Wouldn’t it be great if there were people who actually did all that for you for a pre-arranged sum of money? People who planned weddings for a living? Unfortunately, my inability to work out what such professionals could possibly be called, couple with my innate need to make life difficult, means that I have decided to take on the undertaking myself.

There are so many moving parts, things I hadn’t considered and have not a skerrick of interest in. For instance, I had no idea what the difference is between satin and grosgrain ribbon (although grosgraine sounds like a raging STD mixed with a terrible headache). Raffia and hemp twine. Same? Different? Bothered? I don’t know, but I am tempted to hang myself with either or both if confronted by too many more of these decisions. I had no an inkling that your font choice could impact the quality of your nuptials and that using something like Comic Sans says, clearly as yelling from the roof tops, my wedding is a farce and I am an empty shell posing as a bride.

Apparently, a theme for the day is of the utmost importance. If you believe Pinterest, and by God who wouldn’t, it seems more important than the choice of say…groom. There are so many to choose from, relaxed meets classic rustic meets bucolic urban Mexican swing dance, it’s all there for the uninitiated to blunder through.

The theme du jour seems to be retro/vintage, laden with preserving jars, gingham bunting and all that hessian. I never thought to draw correlation between heavy sacking and a wedding but apparently, it’s what all the cool kids are doing. According to the wedding magazines (full of models that look like child brides and lots and lots of hessian) it’s all about being timeless. A mental image of me in a mildewing bridal gown swooning around a cobweb-filled room, Miss Havisham style.

Anyway we took this theme thing on board but have decided that the only thing we can find that ties all the elements of the day together is that we are getting married. We have decided on a wedding-themed wedding.

The wedding magazines, along with making you feel chunky make it all look so easy, they lull you into a false sense of security that all you need is a mason jar, four tea lights and an old typewriter.

But what you really need is… a wedding planner!

 

 

 

You're terrible Muriel

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1nO2LO8FkM]

Remember Muriel’s Wedding? Skip to about 3minutes into this clip – it’s hilarious!

I found myself sitting in front of the tv the other night watching the first half hour of this movie that made Toni Collette and Rachel Griffiths stars, before I remembered there was a lot more misery before Muriel’s wedding and had to walk away. If you have never seen it though you have to – even if it’s just for the crazy 80s/90s hair and outfits – but the gist is Muriel finds life in Porpoise Spit, Australia dull and spends her days alone in her room listening to Abba music and dreaming of her wedding day. Slight problem, Muriel has never had a date. Then she steals some money to go on a tropical vacation, meets a wacky friend, changes her name to Mariel, and turns her world upside down.

In the first few scenes though there was a nasty one where one of the bridesmaids is “having it off” in the broom cupboard – with the groom! It made me think of a great idea for a blog – Worst Wedding Guests Ever!

Along with that example above, here are a few more: bridal party doesn’t perform their duties, guest thinks wedding is a piss up and gets so wasted ignoring bride and groom, toast that sounds more like a threat than a well-wish, wedding-crashers… you get the idea. Let’s hope none of those things happen on your wedding day or the next wedding you attend!

Movies can make a marriage better

Reading an old copy of Good Health yesterday I came across this little article…

Forget intimate dinners – sitting down to a ‘chick flick’ together could be the key to a lasting relationship.

A recent study found that newlyweds who watched and later discussed five romantic movies a month halved their risk of splitting up after three years.

It’s been proven that discussing what on-screen partners get up to forces couples to take a closer look at their own behaviour in the relationship.

Since I’m all for alternative therapies and self empowerment I thought this was really interesting and had a look at the University of Rochester website: couples-research.com

Now, the trick will be just to get My Darling to agree to watching a chick flick!!!

Certain days begin beneath a blanket…

During these cold, blustery days we need to snuggle up under a fluffy blankie with a cup of hot chocolate and a good girlie story…
This one is bound to put a little sparkle back into your day, read this…

angeladanieljewellery

 

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and then visit… https://www.facebook.com/angeladanielj

Thanks to the lovely ladies at Angela Daniel Jewellery for providing me with the artwork for this fabulous ad.

If you haven’t already, visit their beautiful showrooms to see their stunning collection of engagement rings.