Tag Archive: same sex celebrant auckland

Marriage is about love – not gender.

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I’m thankful to say marriage is now a legal option in New Zealand for ‘same-sex’ couples (since 2013). I hate the way we even differentiate ‘gay’ couples with the ‘gay’ or ‘same-sex’ label. Do I go around calling myself part of a ‘heterosexual mixed-race’ couple? (My husband is a very handsome man, I’m European/American and My Darling is NZ/European/Maori). No.

Marriage is about love – not gender. Or anything else.

Very tragic to think that some countries still treat gay couples with discrimination which reminds me of how draconian our world still is. Hopeful though if we think back to the time where marriages between people of different colour and religion were also not accepted by the mainstream. But I guess, who wants to be mainstream!

This post comes in the week that I actually officiated my first ‘same-sex marriage’, having the privilege of marrying two very lovely ladies whose partnership is one of the most grounded I’ve experienced and full of lots of laughter – the ceremony was so relaxed and full of humour. And that really is something special to celebrate – particularly when they had to leave their own country (Australia who still do not allow the same human rights to everyone) and travel to New Zealand to make their union ‘official’.

The other major event which happened for me this week was the complete opposite of that happy occasion. With a very heavy heart I sadly said goodbye to my cousin. Among many many beautiful qualities he possessed he always appeared to approach everything in life with a kind loving nature and a great big smile on his face. No matter what adversity this thing called life presented to him.

My gorgeous cousin was a loving husband to his husband for over two decades. Looking back through his photos there’s one of them way back in 1994 celebrating their ‘marriage’ with a fully spectacular ceremony including the grooms dressed in top hats and big purple silk cravats – very 1990s!!

Those cravats weren’t the only brave thing about that ceremony though – for me, it is the fact that in the States and in most of the world – the early 90s were still a time of discrimination against people choosing to love differently from heterosexuals.

My cousin leaving this world is a shock to us all. And it has had me doing alot of thinking, especially that wedding photo. Even though I never thought of it this way because I don’t consider gay couples any differently, however I realise that in these times being ‘different’ is still a big thing no matter what you’re looked upon differently for.

So, I am really proud and have much admiration for my cousin and his caring husband, for celebrating their love for each other in such times, with their families and friends there to support them. I just wish he was here so I could tell him personally.

And that is what it is all about – love.

Our love is with you always cuz.

Love is…

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Do you remember these Love is… cartoons? If you’re my age or more you’ll remember them from the ’70s – they were really popular and I especially remember the cute little books they came in.

What I didn’t know until today when I googled was they were created by a New Zealand cartoonist Kim Casali (nee Grove) in the late 1960s, originating from a series of love notes that Grove drew for her future husband, Roberto Casali.

How cute is that??

It’s very sad to read that Kim stopped working on the cartoon in 1975 so she could spend more time with her beloved husband Roberto – the inspiration for Love is… who was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

From that time Casali commissioned London-based British cartoonist Bill Asprey to take over the writing and drawing of the daily cartoons for her, under her pen name. Asprey has produced the cartoon continuously since 1975. Upon her death in 1997, Casali’s son Stefano took over Minikim, the company which handles the intellectual rights.

The strip was first published in 1970, under the pen name “Kim”, and was syndicated soon after. One of her most famous drawings, “Love Is…being able to say you are sorry”, published on February 9, 1972, was marketed internationally for many years in print, on cards and on souvenirs. The beginning of the strip coincided closely with the 1970 film Love Story. The film’s signature line is “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” At the height of their popularity in the 1970s the cartoons were earning Casali £4-5 million annually. Incredible money back in the day! The strip is syndicated worldwide by Tribune Media Services.

Heartstopping Wedding

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As if wedding days aren’t heartstopping enough!

The Herald reported this story…

A Northland couple had a dramatic start to married life after the groom had to be brought back to life minutes before exchanging vows with his beloved.

Malcolm Jondahl had just finished dressing for his big day when he collapsed.

Bridesmaid Hannah Fraser, who spoke to the Herald on Sunday on behalf of Jondahl and his bride Tanya, said Jondahl had been diagnosed with heart disease, but had never collapsed before.

A nurse who was a guest at the wedding on a farm in remote Parakao, 45km west of Whangarei, last Saturday performed CPR as Tanya was rushed to his side, Fraser said.

“He came around as Tanya arrived. By the time the [rescue] helicopter arrived the decision had been made to [still] get married.”

Friends and family watched as Jondahl, who was lying down, exchanged vows with his sweetheart in a shortened ceremony, she said.

The Whangarei couple, aged in their 30s, then left for Whangarei Hospital by Northland Emergency Services Trust rescue helicopter.

“Tanya went to hospital in her wedding gown and their honeymoon has been spent in the coronary care unit.”

Last night he was in a satisfactory condition.

Trust pilot Russell Procter was part of the crew that flew to Jondahl’s aid. They did not know the emergency was at a wedding until they flew overhead, Procter said.

“I said [to the other pilot] ‘let’s hope it’s not the groom’. As it turned out it was.”

Tanya, who was kneeling next to her new husband, told the paramedic they “rushed through” the wedding before the helicopter arrived.

“The paramedic said words to the effect of ‘get a man while he’s down’ … they had a good old laugh.”

Jondahl was alert and the couple made it clear they wanted the estimated 100 guests to continue the celebration in their absence.

“As they left [she] said ‘just make sure everyone enjoys themselves and has a good afternoon. We’ll be okay’,” Procter said.

Despite the situation, there was a “happy feeling” on the helicopter as they made the 12 minute journey to Whangarei Hospital.

“They were married, but not the way they planned it.”

The couple later snapped a selfie in the hospital’s emergency room. In it, Tanya remains in her wedding gown and the pair smile broadly for the camera.

Fraser said they wanted to mark the occasion, despite Jondahl’s health scare.

“They took it to mark that they were married despite being in the emergency room and all that had happened and [it] shows them happy to be married.”

The couple wanted to thank the helicopter crew and Whangarei Hospital staff for their care, she said.

“They’ve been fantastic.”

They wouldn’t say if they have children, but Malcolm has posted photographs on his Facebook page describing himself as the father of a young son.

He began studying as a chef at North Tec in 2007, the same year he won Northland’s Best Pie competition with his recipe of smoked marlin and paua pie. He had previously spent two years working as a cook in Canada.

The couple hoped in future “to have the wedding and honeymoon they wanted”, but did not want to talk about Jondahl’s prognosis, Fraser said. “They are hoping that he will recover.”

Helpful Wedding Hint ♥ How to Pin Buttonholes & Corsages

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It’s not often you have to pin a buttonhole or corsage flower – until you’re involved in a wedding!

No matter how many you do, I don’t think they get any easier. As the wedding co-ordinator recently I was called on to help pin quite a few – at the last minute in the boiling afternoon heat it was quite a feat to get them positioned just right.

So you don’t get caught out here are some tips from Best Blooms in Auckland. You can also order a free Guide to Wedding Flowers.

Check out Blossom Wedding Flowers which I found has some great ideas for buttonholes and corsages and a great guide to monthly flowers for your wedding.

But my best helpful hint is to ask your florist to use magnets instead of pins – so much easier to attach to any suit or dress – and no danger of pin-pricked fingers!!

Best Wedding Band EVER!!! Maroon 5 ♥ Sugar

Now if this is actually true it would be TOTALLY AMAZING!!!

It reminded me of The Noodles who played at a wedding I worked at on the weekend who said they feel like Wedding Crashers!!

Now, you wouldn’t mind Adam Levine crashing your wedding and serenading you would you??!!

Introducing the beautiful Mr & Mrs Griffiths!!!

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CONGRATULATIONS TRACEY & HAYDEN!!With a gorgeous couple, a Wairarapa vineyard estate as the backdrop and no expense spared with attention to the country rustic chic theme this was a truly warm and wonderful day.Adding to the magical festivities was the cocktail hour on the lawn under the big tent decorated with floating white lanterns, then the dancing under the stars on the deck to The Noodles band!

Thank you to the beautiful Bride and handsome Groom and the gorgeous Mother of the Bride for letting me be a part of it all and help co-ordinate the big day for you. xx

Celebrity Weddings ♥ Cameron Diaz & Benji Madden

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Another New Year wedding was Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden! It all happened at their Beverly Hills mansion on Monday 6 January. We’re still waiting for wedding snaps – so this pic of them pecking on the lips is all we’re getting for now.

Glamour magazine reports the pair, who have been dating since May, are thought to have got engaged just before Christmas. The 35-year-old rocker and 42-year-old actress tied the knot in a Jewish ceremony just after sunset – with around 130 guests including bridesmaids Drew Barrymore and Nicole Richie (married to Benji’s twin Joel and reportedly the matchmaker of the bride and groom). Nicole and Joel’s son Sparrow was the ringbearer who apparently dropped the ring and had the groom and his father the best man down on their knees searching for it, with the guests in fits of laughter.

Reports have emerged that Cameron delivered a touching speech to her new husband and explained why he was ‘The One’ in front of family and friends at the reception. “I waited because I didn’t want to settle, now I got the best man ever. My special man. He’s mine.” the blonde beauty said with a big smile!

Amazing that they managed to organise a wedding in just one month – of course they had the help of a celebrity wedding planner – but still impressive!

Maybe because they have known each other for years, their romance was very short – and the quick engagement was apparently a result of Cameron’s wish to have children pretty soon – Benji is a traditional guy apprently and wanted to do things the ‘right’ way so popped the question. Listen out for the pitter patter of little feet soon then!

 

She Said 'YES'… what next??

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When I was driving up for the wedding rehearsal for my first marriage ceremony I noticed this very cool engagement announcement on the side of a barn!!! I thought it was a really good omen.

Plus it reminded me to share what happens after you or your bride or groom says “YES”!!!

So what next??

Make the announcement: If possible, tell both sets of folks in person. If your parents don’t live nearby, put in a special phone call. Then start telling everyone – or take out a classified ad in the Herald.

Delve into dreams: Sit down with your fiancé and talk ideas. Think about the style you’d like, whether it’s a beach bash, silver service in a ballroom or a ceremony on a mountaintop. No talk of money. Yet.

Rough out the timing: While you don’t have to set a firm date now, it’s smart to have an idea of what month or season you want to marry in. Then you’ll know how long you have to get things organized. Because your wedding’s size determines where you’ll hold the party, how much it will cost (prices usually rise per guest) and whether travel will be involved.

Create a guest list: Thiis one of the most important things to do. So make your list; your fiancé and both families should do the same. You can, and likely will, cut later, but this first number will be your base.

Now talk $: It’s rare these days that the bride’s parents pick up the whole bill, so decide on your bottom line. Find out from both sets of parents if or how much they can contribute.

Get organised: Buy a notebook and separate it into sections for each budget category. This way you can write down the amount you want to spend on the item and then note your expenditures. As you near your limits, you can start to figure out ways to cut costs.

Find Your Venue

Ceremony who and where: Find a Marriage Celebrant to officiate and a ceremony site —it may be your hometown, or for convenience a place that’s in between your homes and your parents’. And then there’s the destination wedding; just make sure that everyone you really want to join you and your groom can afford to travel and is able to make it.

The reception venue: Think again about those wedding dreams, and see how they mesh with reality. Perhaps you envision an outdoor garden. Fine, but what if you can’t find just the right place or the weather is an issue? Maybe there’s a quaint hotel with a pretty courtyard that would suit. Some couples find holiday homes in their area to rent. Search the internet, ask friends and family for ideas. Then start scheduling visits.

Hire Your Vendors

Photographer and videographer: The best ones usually book weddings many months in advance, so get on this one early. Get recommendations from friends, then research what kinds of shots you’d like to see—formal portraits and dancing shots or a candid, journalistic format. Always meet in person and ask to see other wedding albums the pro has done. Try not to go with a large studio – they sometimes interchange people so you may end up with a photographer you didn’t meet who turns out to be a disaster.

Tip: Not sure what kind of album you want? Look for photographers with a looser style and many package choices on offer. You don’t have to make up your mind right away. After the wedding, you may even want to get creative and make your own album – there are loads of online photo book options.

Tip: It’s likely everyone will be going snap-happy with their cellphones. To avoid ending up with 300 nearly identical shots, give guests a few ideas (print up a card to place on each table). Suggest one photo of each couple at the table, some goofy dance pics and a surprise shot of their choice—all to be shared later. Candid photos by friends can be really cool and much more meaningful.

DJ or Musicians: Arrange to hear musicians perform before you book them. Make sure they agree to stick to the playlist you give them. Find out how they will dress and how many breaks they will take. Hiring a DJ is usually less expensive than a live band, but not always.

Flowers and décor theming: Once you have your reception venue booked, you can decide on table arrangements and other decorations. A hotel ballroom might be a relatively blank slate, whereas a museum may need little more than simple centerpieces. If you can buy fresh stems at a local farm, ask a talented friend to help put together bouquets and centerpieces. Or ask your florist to incorporate tons of greenery to make fewer flowers look like a lot more. There are so many vibrant props available now – you may not even need the expense of flowers.

Caterer: You want to know how dishes will taste and look and how flexible the caterer is with menus and prices. Don’t be afraid to bargain; you can cut costs by limiting the number and kinds of hors d’oeuvres served at cocktail hour.

Cake Maker: As with your caterer – make an appointment to taste test. Bring along lots of photo references you’ve found on Pinterest or magazines. Cakes are a bigger cost than you think so make sure you find the right cake baker for you.

Choose Your Bridal Party
When naming your attendants, follow these tips:
Explain to prospective bridesmaids, groomsmen, ushers etc what the role requires, like planning the shower and paying for their attire.
Tell each person they will need to commit a certain amount of time and energy—and if they can’t, it’s fine to decline.
Choose as many or as few people as you want – although the more people the more help you will have throughout the process and on your big day. It makes a huge difference.
Give your closest friend or relative the key positions.
Include your partners relatives; it’s a diplomatic move that can only strengthen family relations – or in my case ruin them as they were unbelievably unreliable and not really into it which completely backfired! Choose wisely!

Choose ‘The Dress’

Erase emotion: If you were the girl who pinned towels in her hair to play bride, you may need extra help with this step. Pulling the emotion out of the event and remaining level-headed as you shop for your dress will help you stay within the bounds of both budget and practicality. If it helps, bring your mum and an honest friend along with you.

Know what kind of shopper you are: Some brides relish the hunt for the ideal dress, and happily book a number of appointments at bridal salons. They like having a salesperson who offers ideas and selects gown styles for them. Others would really love to just slip into a store (a department store, a specialty boutique, a secondhand shop) and find their dress hanging there on the rack. Both ways are possible. Decide which kind of shopper you are, and work accordingly. Online dress buying is an option – just make sure you use a site that has been recommended to you and get your dress measurements accurate – it can be cost effective or go horribly wrong.

Don’t second-guess yourself: Think you’ve found The One? Then you probably have. Look no further—and relax.

Tip: It’s not strictly necessary to know wedding place and time details before you shop. Start shopping whenever you feel pumped—and don’t forget to have your guy buy or rent formalwear for himself and his groomsmen.

Budget Management

No matter what your wedding budget may be, here’s a rough idea of how much is typically spent in each category. Keep in mind that the numbers are not hard and fast. Some couples may, for example, choose to spend more on photography and less on flowers. It’s up to you! The average cost of a New Zealand wedding is around $30,000 for a wedding held in a cost-effective venue with 100 guests.

  • Reception: 40%
  • Honeymoon: 14.5%
  • Photography and videography: 10.5%
  • Wedding attire: 7%
  • Engagement rings and wedding bands: 6%
  • Flowers: 5%
  • Music: 5%
  • Invitations: 2%
  • Miscellaneous: 10%

Smart Saving Tips

Wedding budgets have a way of expanding like a balloon. Keep yours from popping (and give yourself some wiggle room for those unexpected expenses or must-haves) by reining in spending. Here, six smart saving tips:

1) Borrow. Did you totally love the tiara your sister wore? Borrow it for your ensemble! You can borrow jewelry (just like the stars do at Oscar time) and other accessories, honeymoon luggage (no reason to splurge on new suitcases if your parents have good stuff), vases for centerpieces (if you’re doing these yourself) and so on.

2) Use people’s DIY skils. If your aunt is a sewing whiz, she can create a veil or even do alterations on your dress. A skilled artist can create wonderful personalized invitations. A crafty friend can come up with a fun favor. An avid scrapbooker can put together an album for you. Just tell them this is their gift to you.

3) Create a signature drink. If you’re tempted to save by having a cash bar, stop! Instead, cut down on liquor costs by offering one signature drink (like pitchers of a gourmet martini) along with beer, soda and juices. Another idea: Find out if your venue will allow you to bring your own wine – this can save a little bit.

4) Limit the limos. It’s nice to pull up to the ceremony location in a sleek limo or classic car, but consider skipping the rides elsewhere to save money. Instead have your brother or a cousin chauffeur you and your new hubby to the reception.

5) Don’t go flower mad. There are plenty of ways to keep your bill from blooming: Buy flowers wholesale and give them to a florist to work with or create centerpieces that use candles and just a few beautiful blooms. A profusion of blooms looks lush and lovely, but you can get the same effect with fewer flowers than you think or ditch the flowers altogether and go with something unique.

6) Avoid impulse buying. Got everything on your list? Then stop shopping. If you’ve already bought your bridesmaids lovely shawls, and you see pretty handbags that would match…and sparkly earrings…put them down.

Taming Your Guest List

When you pay a caterer by the head, every guest is a $ka-ching$ on the total bill. Here are some ways to keep the list under control:
Don’t invite the whole office—either just ask your boss and your closest friends at work or no one at all.
Don’t dig into your old address book for blasts from the past; stick to those people you see regularly and who have met both of you.
Rein in parents. They can invite their friends, but only the ones who know you too.

Sending Your Invitations

Your invitations should be sent out six to eight weeks before the big day, so work backward from there to be sure you order in time. The basic invite announces the hosts of the wedding (whether that’s the two of you, your parents or a combination) and the place and time of the ceremony. It may include a card that gives the dress code, reception details, accommodation options, gift registry info and rsvp details. Get a sample of the invite before deciding to use it— and proofread!

Wedding-Day Beauty Regime

It’s easy to become so caught up in the planning that you forget one simple thing: you! So start now to create and stick to a self-care plan.

Exercise regularly and keep to a healthy diet. Even a 30-minute walk several times a week can be enough to keep you feeling energetic. To prevent fatigue, take a multivitamin everyday, especially if you’re skipping meals. Bring healthy snacks—almonds, a banana—along with you when you go shopping or to work.

Get plenty of sleep. Most brides-to-be find themselves having alot of late nights, but try your best not to skimp on sleep; not getting enough contributes to lowered immunity, and you don’t want to get sick now. Plus, well-rested gals always look their best.

Meet with a hairstylist. If you want to maintain your current cut and/or color, tell your regular hairstylist, and be sure you’re not due for an appointment the week before your big day (you should ideally have your hair cut and colored a couple of weeks prior). If this stylist will do your hair for the wedding, see her for a practice session or two to try a couple of hairdos. (If you’re wearing a headpiece or tiara, bring it along.)

Practice makeup. Smith & Caughey and Farmers beauty counters will give you a makeover; you usually have to book in and pay a fee redeemable against product.

I hope this helps get you on your way and keep you on track to a beautiful and stress-free wedding!

LadyHawke & Kiwi Comedian to marry today in Masterton!

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Well, it all happens in Masterton! Who would have thought! I’m actually event managing a wedding day down there next weekend haha!

Congratulations to this cute couple Ladyhawke & Madeleine Sami. I saw them on a flight to Wellington once actually and they looked like they were having a lot of fun together.

Remember Ladyhawke? We haven’t heard from her in a while, she did those catchy tracks My Delerium and Paris is Burning (cool videos too).

And most recently Madeleine Sami, NZ comedian and actor did those hilarious ads for Kleenex Flushable Wipes (personally I love them):

(she’s not the only one, even Tom Hardy and Bob Geldof are in on it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYhIb28Fo8U)

Up to 200 people are thought to have been invited to the celebration, which is being held in the town where Ladyhawke, real name Pip Brown, was born and raised.

Given the couple’s affiliation with the arts, it is expected that a number of the country’s musicians and actors will be there.

Over the years, the couple – particularly Brown – have been quite private about their relationship, but have a home together in Los Angeles.

The ceremony is thought to be going ahead at Te Parae Homestead wedding and private function centre.

The couple can look forward to a stunning day today, with the forecast in Masterton being sunshine all day with a high of 28C.