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THE PERFECT RING Choosing the right metal for your ring AWARD-WINNING Photos from Jessica Photography TANTALISING TAHITI Amazing honeymoon destination BEHIND THE SCENES Choosing your own Mr Fixit
SUMMER GLOW Tips for getting your perfect tan
nadia couture Redefining bridesmaids. nadia couture is Auckland’s premier bridesmaid shop. Timeless design, quality fabrics and meticulous craftsmanship for the bride and your bridesmaids needs. nadiacouture garments range from soft silk chiffon to elegant formal satin, available in a wide range of colours and sizes. To compliment the dresses, nadia couture has exquisite jewellery and beautiful evening bags, guaranteeing nadia remains a ‘must-see’ destination for your entire bridal party and every evening occasion.
271a Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland customerservices@nadiacouture.co.nz
Phone: 09 361 1205 www.nadiacouture.co.nz
Notes from the Editors...
Wow, the year is flying by! We’ve started seeing Christmas decorations in shops already (which either shows how quickly the year is going or how early they are putting the decorations up!).
Cover Credits: Photography: Jessica Photography www.jessicaphotography.co.nz Couple: Anna & Richard
Advertising Enquiries: Email: info@engaged.co.nz Phone: 09 8455925 Post: PO Box 137101, Parnell Auckland 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 initially specified otherwise.
For those of you with weddings in the first few months of next year, the next month or so is a critical planning stage. It is often difficult to get much planning done over the Christmas and New Year period, so make sure that you get onto things now. This month, we have some great articles including some tips on getting the perfect tan, honeymooning in Tahiti, choosing the metal for your wedding rings, as well as a beautiful photo spread from Jessica Photography. We also have a little something for the grooms out there with a Gillette prize pack up for grabs! Enjoy!
Tim & Gabrielle
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TANTALISING TAHITI
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BEHIND THE SCENES
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THE PERFECT RING
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... making your wedding dreams come true Just 50 minutes from Auckland’s CBD you’ll find magical Castaways. Castaways provides the ultimate wedding experience you and your guests will rave about for years to come. • Coastal cliff top ceremonies • Stunning sunset wedding receptions • Fabulous food • Award winning service • Guest accommodation • Honeymoon packages • Onsite activities Click here to download our new >online weddings pack<
Our team are available to meet with you onsite at Castaways. So contact us now and let’s start making your wedding dreams come true.
Castaways Karioitahi Beach, Waiuku Ph 09 236 5161 Email marie@castaways.co.nz Web www.castaways.co.nz * New & Exclusive to Castaways * Castaways is the only wedding venue in NZ to have its own “Little Black Photobooth”. Huge overseas, this is a great addition to your wedding, making it even more memorable.
“We’ve had such great feedback about our wedding at Castaways – amazing food, spectacular setting and outstanding service” (Castaways Bride, 2009)
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~ unique ~
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NEWS
BRIDAL SHOW WITH A DIFFERENCE For all of those Canterbury brides out there, head out to the Lyttel Bridal Shows coming up on 6 November and 20 November. See all the details below! (the world's smallest bridal extravanganza)
Needing information, needing ideas, inspiration, or just needing HELP then we may have the SHOW for YOU. We bring you a series of small but useful BRIDAL shows. The DATES saturday 30th OCTOBER, 6th NOVEMBER, 20th NOVEMBER 2010. From 9.30am through till about 2.30pm. Where you ask? 28 Oxford Street, LYTTELTON in the Moda Fotografica building. Oh and the fantastic bit, it's FREE. The wedding experts just want to share with you. So get your BRIDEY ARSE over to Lyttelton for a piece of what is so beautiful about PLANNING A WEDDING. While you're here get yourself some Lyttelton market goodness and some local coffee loving. Soooooo if you are planning a classic, traditional, vintage, funky, pink, orange, beachy wedding or just don't know WHERE to begin THE LYTTEL BRIDAL SHOW is a good place to start. We know all about the important stuff.....
The Lyttel Bridal Show
for other info-
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FOR THE GROOM
Win one of two Gillette prize packs!! FORGET THE FRUSTRATION OF SENSITIVE SKIN â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GET SORTED WITH GILLETTE! Inspired by the science of shaving, Gillette has a range of products designed to provide great performance on sensitive skin. Even the most inexperienced groomers will be able to incorporate these products into their shaving routine so their skin is picture perfect for the big day. With a 5-blade suspension system that adjusts to the contours of the skin, Gillette Fusion Gamer Manual (RRP $13.59) is the razor most recommended by US dermatologistsi. Gillette Fusion HydraGel Pure + Sensitive (RRP $7.99) is the perfect choice for men with sensitive skin and Gillette Series After-theShave Moisturiser (RRP $12.99) will replenish and rehydrate your skin, leaving it smooth and comfortable. We have two Gillette prize packs worth over $60 each to give away. Go here to find out how to enter.
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CONGRATULATIONS!! Congratulations to Anne-Maree Cuthbert who entered last month’s competition and has won an Olay Regenerist skincare prize pack valued at over $150!!!
MORE CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Lizette Smith who entered last month’s competition has won an X-Large Premium Design Print courtesy of Pix Art!
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FEATURE
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THE PERFECT
RING
Part 2: Choosing the type of metal
Last month we looked at the sparkly part of your engagement ring, the diamond! This month, Engaged offers advice on what your ring (or rings – don’t forget those all important wedding bands!) should be made of….
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There are a number of different precious metals, with the most common being gold, white gold, platinum and titanium. So, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the difference?
Gold Traditionally, engagement and wedding rings were made from yellow gold, with silver seen as goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poorer cousin. Gold is seen as precious due to it being durable, workable, lustrous, and, perhaps most importantly, rare. First, the technical bit: As a metal, gold is reasonably soft and, accordingly, it needs to be mixed with other metals to make it stronger and more resistant to scratching and denting. Twenty-four carat gold is gold in pure form, while 18 carat gold means 18 parts gold with 6 parts coming from another metal. Gold can be mixed in varying ratios from 9 carat gold (9 parts gold, 15 parts other metal) to 22 carats (yep, you guessed it, 22 parts gold, 2 parts other metal!). It makes sense that 18 carat gold will be more expensive than 9 carat gold, as it contains more gold.
Timeless Pieces, Exquisite Design www.angeladanieljewellery.com
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Carat weight may also be noted by its metric equivalent: 375 is 12
equivalent to 9 carat (9ct) gold; 585 is 14ct; 750 is 18ct and 916 is 22ct gold. (For the maths whizzes out there 24 carat gold’s metric equivalent is 1000.) A quality piece of gold jewellery will always have a carat mark stamped on it. The advantages of a gold setting are that it provides a warm background for the more traditional diamond solitaire setting, it works well with other stones such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, and it can also be cheaper than some of the other metals.
White Gold White gold is also a very popular choice for your rings. It is comparable to yellow gold in that it comes in 9 and 18 carat, however, unlike yellow gold, white gold is usually pure gold mixed with silver and palladium. The natural colour of white gold is a light grey colour, therefore new white gold rings are usually coated with a white metal called rhodium. This makes the metal look more silver. This plating of rhodium is very white and hard, but it does wear away eventually. Jewellers recommend you have your white gold rings re-plated every 12-18 months, which may of course, add to the cost!
Platinum Although gold is valued for its rarity, there is another metal being used for wedding and engagement rings that is even scarcer: Platinum. Declared by Louis the XV to be ‘the only metal fit for a king’, platinum is an extremely strong, durable metal, which is also highly resistant to scratching or tarnish. Of course, that also makes it the most expensive option! Platinum has the advantage of being hypoallergenic, which is great news for those of you allergic to gold jewellery (which can leave black marks on the skin). And unlike white gold, platinum is naturally a white metal and therefore doesn’t need rhodium plating. 13
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Titanium Another metal gaining popularity is Titanium. Titanium is naturally silver gray in colour but can also be tinted in different colours or inlaid with gold, silver or platinum. Three times stronger than steel, uncoloured titanium is highly scratch resistant, however coloured titanium jewellery can mark and may need re-oxidising. Custom-made titanium rings can be made for approximately the same cost as a gold band. Pure titanium is 100% pure and also 100% hypoallergenic. The main problem with titanium is that some rings cannot be re-sized. If yours is one that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, make sure you think about the effects of gaining or losing weight, pregnancy, and so on. Also make sure the ring is comfortable!
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Summary So which metal is best for you? Some things make your choice easier. If you are allergic to gold, your choices will be limited to titanium or platinum. If your skin tone suits yellow gold better than the cooler tones of white gold, platinum or titanium, then your best option will be yellow gold. For others, the choice will come down to money, with platinum falling outside some peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget. The most important thing is to find a ring that you like and that suits you. In the end, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter what the ring is made of provided that you like it. Remember, you will be wearing it for the rest of your life!
Jewellery with a Conscience Last issue, Engaged reported on a subject many of you have heard of: ethical diamonds. There has, however, been less attention given to the origins and ethics attached to precious metals. The mining and production of precious metals can affect our planet in several ways. Most of our gold comes from vast, open-pit mines, which often consume extreme amounts of energy and water, create acres of waste and generate toxic chemicals. Some mines destroy wilderness areas causing untold future damage. With mines often located in developing countries, child labour may also be exploited. If this is something that you are concerned about, we recommend that you seek out a jeweller who can tell you where the metal for your rings has come from. One such jeweller is Greg Holland.
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Fine Jeweller, Greg Holland, has positioned himself, proudly, as an ethical jeweller and employs ethical standards of practice not only with his ‘No Conflict Diamond’ policy but also with his use of precious metals. Greg Holland Jewellery only uses gold and silver that has been mined responsibly in New Zealand under the close supervision of the Department of Conservation and is compliant with the Crown Minerals Act. Greg also sources recycled platinum locally from jewellers’ sweeps and industrial sources such as catalytic converters. The platinum is refined and is ‘as new’ when it is then crafted into the fine jewellery pieces that his customers wear. www.greghollandjewellery.co.nz
Cornelius Jewellers Handmade Engagement & Wedding Rings
Phone: 09 376 9169 Mobile: 0272 484 409
158 Jervois Road, Herne Bay, Auckland
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Stunning freeze dried Rose and Hydrangea petals in 25 colours and blends
Exquisite bouquets for brides and bridesmaids
Personalized petal cones
Beautiful table centerpieces
Gorgeous flower girl petal pails
Complimentary consultation and design
www.foreverpetals.co.nz
Leonie Fisher Mobile Make-up Artist
Coco a Berry invitation by design p
fishyleo@orcon.net.nz 021 389423
WEDDING STATIONERY
Save the date Invitations RSVP Menus Order of service Thank You cards and more www.cocoaberry.co.nz 021 2636 147 info@cocoaberry.co.nz
Create your own unique jewellery. Custom designs with delight. Beads for embellishment. www.beadsgloriousbeads.com 6 Kingsland Tce, Kingsland, Auckland - Phone: 09 815 1177
BEADS
JEWELLERY
CLASSES
Mob: 021 458 687 diana@outside-the-square.co.nz
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Through the Lens
Showcasing Photographic Excellence
Photograph by VisionWorks Photography
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Amy Schulz Photography VisionWorks Photography
Website: www.amyschulz.co.nz Website: Email: AmySchulzPhotography@gmail.com www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Mobile: 0211556071 Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Wellington and Nationwide Auckland
VisionWorks Photography
Website: www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Auckland
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VisionWorks Suzanne McNatty Photography - Photography by Design
Website:www.studioname.co.nz www.photographybydesign.co.nz Email: mcnatty@ihug.co.nz Website: Email: info@studioname.co.nz Mobile:09027 5990 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Phone: 123567 4567 Associate Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Southland Auckland
VisionWorks Photography Website: www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Auckland
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projectShot images VisionWorks Photography Award-winning wedding photography & video production
Website: www.studioname.co.nz
Email: info@studioname.co.nz
Website: www.projectshot.com Email: info@projectshot.com Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Mobile: 021Auckland 685 871 Auckland
VisionWorks Photography
Website: www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Auckland
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Photography byPhotography Marijke VisionWorks
Website: www.photographybym.co.nz Email: mail@photographybym.co.nz Website: www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 07 572 4085 Mobile: 021 560 509 Phone: 09 123 4567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Bay of Plenty and Nationwide Auckland
VisionWorks Greenapple Photo Photography & Video Studio Website: www.greenapple.co.nz Email: Email:info@studioname.co.nz wearegreenapple@gmail.com Website: www.studioname.co.nz Mobile:09021 5567 Mobile: 021 123 4567 Phone: 123119 4567 Auckland Auckland
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Amanda WignellPhotography Photography VisionWorks
Website: www.awp.co.nz Email: Website: www.studioname.co.nz Email:amanda@awp.co.nz info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 027021 615123 3078 Phone:09 09426 1232647 4567 Mobile: Mobile: 4567 Auckland and Northland Auckland
NZIPP Master of Photography (NZ Institute of Professional Photography)
Emma Hughes Photography VisionWorks Photography
Website:Website: www.emmahughes.co.nz www.weddingsonwaiheke.co.nz www.studioname.co.nz Email: info@studioname.co.nz Email: emma@emmahughes.co.nzPhone: Phone: 372 8729 Mobile: 021 0909 123 4567 021 051 123 3292 4567 Waiheke and Auckland Auckland Master NZ Institute of Professional Photography
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Brett Lees, Unique Visions Photography Website: www.uniquevisions.co.nz Email: brett@uniquevisions.co.nz Phone: 09 817 7014 Mobile: 0274 913 061 Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Auckland
Victoria Vincent Photography Website: www.victoriavincent.com Mobile: 021 213 5759 Wellington, Nelson, Nationwide
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Email: victoria@victoriavincent.com
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Where The Heart Is Photography
Website: www.wheretheheartis.co.nz Email: info@wheretheheartis.co.nz Phone: 07 8547933 Mobile: 021 235 7976 Auckland, Waikato, King Country & Bay of Plenty
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Vela Images
Website: www.velaimages.com Phone: 021 376 663 Auckland and Nationwide
Email: greta@velaimages.com
Jan Maree Vodanovich Photography and Art Website: www.janmareeart.co.nz Email: jan@janmareeart.co.nz Phone: 09 236 8553 Mobile: 027 281 5921 Auckland, Franklin, Hamilton
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VisionWorks Photography
Website: www.visionworks.co.nz Email: tim@visionworks.co.nz Phone: 09 845 5925 Mobile: 021 44 88 17 Auckland
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Parker Swannell Photography Email: parkerswannell@gmail.com Phone: 09 817 2678 Mobile: 021 257 5355 Auckland
New Regent Studios Website: www.photos.co.nz Email: info@photos.co.nz Phone: 03 355 4448 Mobile: 027 229 2329 Christchurch
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Jeremy Hill Photography Website: www.jeremyhill.co.nz Email: enquiries@jeremyhill.co.nz Phone: (09) 8263394 Mobile: 021 2279196 Auckland
Vicky Broadbent VisionWorks Photography
Website:Website: www.vickybroadbent.co.nz broadbent@xtra.co.nz www.studioname.co.nzEmail: Email: info@studioname.co.nz Phone: 09 123 4567 Phone: Mobile:021 021633 123404 4567 Qualified Member NZ Institute of Professional Photography Coromandel and Auckland Auckland
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REAL BRIDES
AWARD-WINNING This month we are pleased to be able to showcase images from Jessica Higueras of Jessica Photography. With her passion and dedication to photography, Jessica is already making a name for herself as one of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top up-and-coming photographers. Specialising in wedding photography, Jessicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innate talents were officially recognized when she won a Kodak silver merit award in 2006, the year she started her business. A reflection of her dedication to originality, beauty and perfection, Jessica has won awards every year since, including four Kodak gold awards in 2009. Enjoy!
www.jessicaphotography.co.nz
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- Made to Measure - From $500 - Free delivery - Wide Selection - High Quality Click below to visit us now!
www.donnazuri.com Are you looking for a professional hairdresser and makeup artist who can come to you on your wedding day? With over 10 years in the industry, Natalie is working extensively in Fashion, Advertising and Film, as well as creating stunning results for bridal parties. Natalie's work is both versatile and innovative, offering her customers the complete package without compromise. Please go to my website www.natalieshields.com to view my work and prices.
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Photos courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme
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Tantalising
TAHITI
Located only five hours from Auckland, French Polynesia is a honeymooners’ paradise. Imagine crystal-clear waters, delicious French food, a laid back ‘island-style’ approach to life...sigh, heaven! 71
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Consisting of several groups of islands, French Polynesia’s main island is Tahiti. Papeete Faa International Airport is located on Tahiti and this is the first stop for travellers heading to French Polynesia’s outer islands, including its most popular and well-known islands, Moorea and Bora Bora. Moorea is approximately 17km from Tahiti and can be reached by either a 10 minute flight or a 25-30 minute ferry ride. From the airport or ferry terminal you have several options to get to your hotel: pre-arranged hotel pick-up, taxi, or ‘Le Truck’, French Polynesia’s very effective and efficient ‘bus’ service. Once at your hotel, we recommend hiring a car, scooter or bicycle to explore the island. Now for the hard part...describing just how beautiful your accommodation in Moorea can be. From a simple bungalow to a world-class resort, you are never far from the sound of the sea or the sight of the palm trees. The pinnacle of accommodation on Moorea though has to be the over-water bungalow. We stayed at the stunning Sheraton Moorea in one of their overwater bungalows. The layout is exceptional, from the king-sized bed and spacious sitting area to the claw-footed bath tub, ceiling fans, and fridge. But what makes these bungalows truly special is two factors: firstly, the glass panel in the floor from which you can watch the tropical fish swim lazily beneath you and, secondly but just as importantly, the deck. The deck is split-level, with the bottom deck grazing the surface of the sparkling lagoon water. Snorkels and masks are provided so you can gently step off this deck to join those fish! Difficult as it is to drag yourself away from your hotel room, it is well worth it so you don’t miss the other sights Moorea has to offer. Aside from snorkeling, diving, fishing, and trips in glass
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bottom boats, no visit is complete without a trip up to the Belvedere Lookout or to ‘The Jus de Fruits de Moorea’. From the lookout, you can truly appreciate the spectacular scenery of Moorea: its jagged volcanic peaks, lush vegetation and emerald coloured waters. The ‘Jus de Fruits de Moorea’ is a fruit factory taking advantage of the myriad of tropical fruit available on the island and serving it with or without alcohol! Another highly recommended activity is a visit to one of the local churches. The downside about these beautiful islands? The cost! French Polynesia is not the cheapest place to holiday in, so make sure you check your costs and budget before going. Some of the resorts and islands can be a bit pricey (as they have a captive market). However, it is not all doom and gloom. While it is slightly more expensive that you might be used to, it is not prohibitively so (for example a coffee is just over NZ$5 and a beer at a hotel is just over $6). Some of the resorts offer fully-inclusive packages (including all meals), which can be a good way of keeping costs in check. It is also a case of picking where you stay there are package detals out there that give you flights and 5 night’s accommodation for as little as $1300 per person. However, if you decide to go to a more exclusive resort with one of the beautiful over-water bungalows, prices can rise to as much as $600 per night/ per person. There is quite a wide range in between though, so make sure that you check out a variety of travel agents to see what they can offer. 77
FOOD Being French, you generally can’t go wrong with the food on these beautiful islands. Here are some of our suggestions.... Make sure you get up early enough to walk or drive to the local bakery and pick up some croissants and perhaps a baguette for lunch. Te Honu Iti claims to be the best restaurant on Moorea. The food is fantastic (and pricey!). Ask for seat by the water so you can watch the stingrays being fed. The shrimp in curry sauce is an old favourite at Le Mahogany, Moorea - and so it should be! Take in a cultural show and buffet at one of the resorts. On the main island of Papeete, a meal at one of the ‘roulottes’ is a must. Roulottes are ‘rolling food trucks’ that set up on the waterfront in Papeete. A wide range of food is available and it’s one of the cheaper eating options in French Polynesia. Lastly, don’t forget to try the national dish called Poisson Cru, a divine mix of raw fresh tuna, coconut, cucumber and citrus.
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GETTING MARRIED IN TAHITI JUST GOT EASIER! • Getting married in French Polynesia has become a lot easier recently, with numerous changes to the marriage laws. Previously, you had to be resident for 30 days prior to the wedding - this requirement has now been done away with and visitors can now get married in a romantic Tahitian ceremony as long as they also go through a civil ceremony which must be conducted at a local city hall. • A number of documents are required to be submitted to the city where the wedding is to take place, including your birth certificates, birth certificates
for any children. All documents must be translated into French. Everything must be filed at least a month and 10 days prior to when you wish to get married. • Non-French speakers may find it helpful to enlist the services of a specialist wedding planner. • Please ensure this information is correct at the time of your application by making enquiries with the local Town Hall. You should also check www. nzembassy.com and www.dia.govt. nz .
FAST FACTS CURRENCY: 1 New Zealand Dollar = approximately 65 Pacific Francs (XPF) LANGUAGE: French and Tahitian, with English being spoken and understood in tourist areas TIME ZONE: Tahiti is 22 hours beind New Zealand FLIGHT TIME: Approximately 5-6 hours flight time direct from Auckland to Tahiti
AIRPORT The international airport for Tahiti is Papeete Faa Airport (PPT). FLIGHTS Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui fly direct from Auckland to Papeete. Flights to Papeete from Wellington and Christchurch are via Auckland. Air Tahiti Nui is a partner of Qantas. If you want to earn frequent flyer points you may be able to do so by booking through Qantas (please check before booking). 79
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FEATURE
BEHIND THE
SCENES
Inevitably,
something wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite go to plan on your wedding day. The weather may turn for the worse, the kitchen might run out of ice, a guest might get a little tipsy... whatever happens, there needs to be someone to help sort things out and leave the bride and groom to enjoy their special day. Who is the best person to do this? We examine various options for having someone to look after all of those little things
that crop up on your wedding day.
Bridesmaid, Groomsman, MC This role often falls on the bridesmaid, groomsman or MC. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. First, they are more likely to know the people at the wedding and may find it easier to organise people because of this. They are also free! However, just
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because they are great friends of yours doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be any good at dealing with potential disasters. This type of role ideally is done by someone who has experience at dealing with all manner of situations that may crop up at a typical weddings. You also don’t necessarily want your friends having to ‘work’ on your wedding day - wouldn’t you rather that they were able to enjoy the day and focus their energy on celebrating your amazing day with you?
to the day, many planners hire themselves out as “wedding day directors”. This means that, on the day itself, they take a lead role in overseeing the day and are the go-to person in the event that something goes awry. They have the advantage of being experienced at dealing with these types of situations on a regular basis and are unlikely to be flustered in the event that things don’t go according to plan.
Wedding Planner / Wedding Day Director
Besides wedding planners, there are other people who can assist on your day. Businesses such as Kudos Security Management (see our interview with them on the next page) offer services to assist at weddings and other events (see the interview on the next page). Essentially, whatever needs doing, they’ll do. They also have the benefit of being able to supply multiple people who are all professionally-trained. They may not have the same intimate knowledge of your event that your wedding planner would, but they do have plenty of experience at dealing with issues arising at weddings.
Other professionals
If you have be using a wedding planner to assist with the planning of your wedding, chances are that they will be there on the day itself to ensure that everything runs to plan. With wedding planners, there is an advantage that they have a good insight into what is supposed to happen on the day and when things are supposed to happen. Even if you have not used a wedding planner in the lead up
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MR FIXIT When Mark from Kudos Security Management got in touch to tell me about their service, I was a bit skeptical. Firstly, although us Kiwis can be a bit rowdy, I would have thought that most weddings didn’t need their own security men to keep things on the straight and narrow. However, once Mark gave me a run down on the full scope of their unique service and how it all ties into weddings, everything became much clearer.
E:
So despite your name, you aren’t just focused on providing security services?
KSM: No, our role is much wider than that. I’d say that we are a cross between a wedding day director, a security firm, hired labour, general dogsbodies and general doers of what needs to be done! When it comes to weddings, security is only a small part of what we do. Our staff are able to assist with all aspects of your day - from parking cars, being doormen, even going and fetching ice from the nearest service station. Essentially, whatever needs doing, we’ll do. E:
So you are the “Mr Fixit” for someone’s wedding day: the people who you go to when you just need things done (it sort of sounds like something out of a bad action movie, doesn’t it!)?
KSM: That’s right. We are there to help any way that we can and
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ensure that your day runs smoothly. It could be as simple as having people directing traffic, to chauffeuring the bridal party. We have even had a situation where one of the guests got a flat tyre a couple of kilometres from the venue - we went and picked up the guest and took them to the venue. While the ceremony was on, we changed the tyre and delivered the car to the venue. E:
How long have you been assisting with weddings?
KSM: We have be working at weddings for a few years now. We started off offering more of a security focus, but then realised that people wanted a far wider range of services. As all of our staff are professionally-trained, we have the ability to offer a high calibre of experienced staff who can manage multiple aspects of your day. E:
Do you need to be rich and famous to hire a firm like yourselves?
KSM: No, not at all. There are many different options for using our services and we are very reasonably priced. E:
How many of your people would you generally supply for a wedding?
KSM: It would depend upon the size of the wedding and its location, as well as what services the client would like provided. It might be just one person, or could be a whole team. E:
What makes you different from hiring general labour?
KSM: First and foremost, experience. All of our staff a highly experienced. They also truly care about the success of your
day. Our staff are all shareholders in our company - this means that they have a vested interest in ensuring that you are one hundred percent happy with our service.
Our staff are also immaculately presented and take a huge amount of pride from providing an almost invisible service - if we do our job well, the bride and groom won’t know about any of the behind-the-scenes issues until after the wedding day (if at all!).
You can find out more about Mark and his team at www.kudossecurity.co.nz
Beautiful jewellery for your wedding... www.beadsgloriousbeads.com
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The Summer Glow
Tips for getting a lovely Summer glow
Right, so youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been hibernating over winter and your skin has turned to a dully pasty white. You really want to have a gorgeous tan to show off on your wedding day, but the question is how will you achieve it? Apart from doing it the natural way (out in the sunshine!), there are generally three options: the at-home DIY tan, a professional spray tan or the dreaded sunbed. So which is the best for you?
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Do-it-Youself Tan There are a number of types of self-tanners including instant bronzers, tanning lotions and sprays, and the combined moisturiser/tanning creams. Bronzers produce an immediate glow that can be easily removed with soap and water. These products are essentially a form of make-up as the tint only lasts until you wash it off. Like make-up they can rub off – and you definitely don’t want your ‘tan’ rubbing off against your beautiful wedding dress! Tanning lotions and sprays work a little differently and are perhaps the most effective. These lotions contain DHA (DiHydroxyAcetone) a colourless sugar that reacts with the amino acids in your skin producing a bronzed effect. The tanned look lasts about five to seven days from the initial application, but it is often recommended you top-up every 3-4 days to keep your glow. Finally, in this category are the moisturiser and tanning lotion combinations. These work the same way as the straight tanning creams, but produce a lighter tan. Designed to be used daily, this method is probably best for those new to self-tanning or those with very fair skin, as you can more easily control the colour.
Professional Spray Tans If you don’t feel confident applying your own self-tanner, you can have your tan professionally applied at a salon or even at home. These tans are applied in an enclosed booth by a professional technician using an airbrush or spray gun. Generally spray tans take up to 24 hours to fully develop, although most contain some form of bronzer so that you will leave the salon or
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spa looking instantly tanned. This instant bronzer helps the operator to determine which areas of skin have had tan applied and will come off in your first shower after the application. Your tan will last 4-10 days, depending on your skin condition and after-care. Vivianne Bryant from Bare Waxing shares her tips for the perfect spray tan: *
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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always, always have at least one practice tan, preferable about ten days before the wedding so that there is plenty of time for it to wear off before the wedding-day tan. The sooner the better! Make sure the therapist who does the tanning is experienced and has previously performed many spray tans on different body shapes and sizes. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid to ask the manager of the salon how much experience they have in spray tanning.
If you are planning a summer wedding, start getting yourself ready to look your most gorgeous best now! We can work with you to develop a course of treatments leading up to the event, make-up on the day, and also pre-wedding bridal party bookings. And another great idea for a Hens Party why not have a spa party - talk to us about booking one of our spas for exclusive use for some serious pampering!
Assuming you are happy with your practice tan, make sure you are able to book the same therapist again (and that they use the same colour each time).
Parnell Ponsonby Remuera Takapuna Albany 89
www.formespa.co.nz engaged
* When it comes to tanning your face there is nothing worse than an orange head! Normally a light spray over the face area is more than adequate as you can always use bronzers to increase the colour if need be. When it comes to the face, less is more. *
It is really important that in the first 6-12 hours that you do as little as possible to ‘disrupt’ the tan that is actively developing. This includes things like going without a bra if possible (underwires have a nasty habit of rubbing on the skin and causing a white line where the tan should be – not good if you have a strapless dress!), and wearing loose-fitting clothes and open toed shoes. Oh, and don’t get caught in the rain, entertain the thought of a soak in the spa pool, or try and work up too much of a sweat in those hours after the tanning treatment.
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The ideal time for booking a tan is as close as possible to the event, while leaving enough time for the tan to develop fully. For example, if you are having a Saturday wedding, you should be looking to have your spray tan on the Thursday, or Friday morning at the latest.“
Sunbeds Sunbeds or tanning beds emit ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) from fluorescent or quartz lamps to simulate the sun. Tanning occurs when the skin produces pigment to protect itself from the UV rays. The beds may be the traditional ‘lay-flat’ beds or a stand-up booth. On its website the Cancer Society of New Zealand states that ‘research has shown that the concentration of UV in sunbeds
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Engaged Tips for a Great Tan • If you have not used a particular brand of self-tanner before, do a small spot test first. • Always have a practice run at least a week before the big day. • Wax or shave 24 hours prior to your tan. If you shave just before your tan, the colour could settle into your pores, leaving you with a speckled effect. • Exfoliate prior to tanning. This gets rid of any dead skin cells and reduces the chances of your tan flaking off or pooling on drier areas of skin. • Don’t use deodorant, perfume or other moisturiser while tanning – these can interfere with the tan processing. • Don’t put clothes on straight away. Allow the tan to dry before dressing and when choosing your clothes, aim for loose, dark clothes that will not rub against your tan (yep, girls, it may be best to go bra-less for a while!). Also think about your shoes – knee-high boots and socks will only rub against your tan. • Avoid contact with water for the first 2 hours and don’t shower for at least six hours. Avoid baths, saunas, spas or swimming. • Apply moisturiser daily (before your tan and from the day after your tan). This helps keep the skin supple and reduces the risk of the tan flaking off.
Tanning Pills You may have also heard about tanning pills. These pills contain canthaxanthin, which is most commonly used as a colour additive in some foods. The FDA has approved the use of canthaxanthin in food products because only small amounts of it are necessary in food. However much larger quantities are used in tanning pills. Tanning pills are not approved by the FDA as there is some evidence of side effects such as damage to the skin, digestive problems, hepatitis, and canthaxanthin retinopathy (where yellow deposits form in the retina of the eye) – scary stuff!
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is 3-8 times stronger than the midday summer sun’, and that the effects of this concentrated exposure can include ‘increased risk of skin cancer and melanoma, aging of the skin, damage to the eyes, suppression of your immune system and little, if any, protection against sun damage in subsequent sun exposure’. Sunbeds are particularly dangerous if you have skin that is fair or that does not tan easily, you have a lot of freckles or moles, you are under 18 years of age, you have been treated for skin cancer previously, you are taking drugs or medicines, you have had a sunbed session or have been sunbathing in the last 48 hours or you have abnormal or discoloured patches on your skin. As you can see, the dangers of ‘sunbedding’ can far outweigh the advantages of obtaining a tan. If, however, you feel that sunbeds are the only option for you, you should make sure that you start with short sessions, always use protective googles and avoid any creams designed to speed up the tanning process. You should also check with your doctor whether you should avoid sunbeds due to your skin type and any medication you are on. Current Australia/New Zealand Standards for the solaria industry provide that tanning salons should: • Provide a consent form outlining the risks for customers to read and sign. • Complete a skin assessment of all customers. • Have a signed parental consent form for all customers who are under 18 years of age. • Ban people under 15 years of age from using the solarium. • Ban people with very fair skin from using the solarium. • Train staff in carrying out skin checks and implementing the Standards. • Not promote a solarium as a ‘safe’ or ‘healthy’ way to tan.
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• Provide protective eye goggles. • Maintain strict hygiene and maintenance controls. To ensure you are using a ‘safe’ tanning salon, make sure they provide this information and advice.
Summary Our most important tips? Remove the anxiety factor and enjoy a couple of practice tans, either spray on or DIY and you are sure to look fabulously (and naturally) bronzed on your wedding day. Don’t forget self-tans and professional tans don’t provide sunscreen, so lather on the SPF if you venture out into the sun. Make sure you avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 2pm, which is when the sun is the hottest. And remember, pale is beautiful too!
quality . convenience . customer care Bare Waxing - for all your pre-wedding grooming and pampering. We provide…. • • • •
Expert waxing services (for the bride and the groom) Spray tanning that will have you looking naturally bronzed and gorgeous Luxury organic facials to leave your skin and body radiant and rejuvenated Spa pedicures and manicures
We can also cater for group bookings. Just give us a call or check out our website at www.barewaxing.co.nz
www.barewaxing.co.nz
12793 Apirana Ave, Glen Innes . Phone: 09 528 0800 engaged 41 Crummer Road, Grey Lynn. Phone: 09 360 0939
The Checklist Engaged to 9 months before Task
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Announce your engagement, including notices in the newspaper Organise for your families to meet, if they haven’t done so already Choose your bridesmaids, groomsmen, MC, flower girls, page boys Discuss the type of wedding you want, including budget Compile a draft guest list (this will help determine venue size) Choose venues for the ceremony and reception Set the date and time for the wedding Choose and book the following: • Photographer • Videographer • Entertainment • Caterer • Florist • Transport • Wedding Co-ordinator • Celebrant Start thinking about your dress (you may need to book a dressmaker) Consider purchasing wedding insurance to cover those things that are out of your control which may result in the wedding being postponed or cancelled Have an engagement party
9 months before Task
Order your wedding dress Choose your accessories: veil, jewellery, underwear, shoes and so on Choose the attire for the rest of the wedding party as applicable: • Groom • Bridesmaids • Groomsmen • Flower girls • Page boys Select stationery including: • Invitations
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Task
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• Thank you cards/notes • Place name cards • RSVP cards • Seating plan • Envelopes Book a calligrapher Send out save-the-date cards Contact rental companies to hire equipment, marquees, tables, etc Organise gift registry Start thinking about your honeymoon
6 months before Task
Order bridesmaids’ dresses Order/book the groom’s and groomsmen’s suits Help your mother and mother-in-law with their outfits Discuss your beauty regime with your beauty therapist Book in for marriage preparation course if needed Decide on and order your wedding cake Book your accommodation for the wedding night Investigate accommodation options for out of town guests Choose and purchase your wedding rings Make any honeymoon reservations
4 months before Task
Book hairdresser and make-up artist Order favours Discuss menu options with caterer/venue, including wine selection Organise entertainment if you are having children at the reception Speak with the celebrant or minister and decide on an order of service, responsibilities, speech making, readings, etc. Set your rehearsal date Let people know if they will be making a speech, doing a reading, etc Purchase wedding gifts for each other and the wedding party Organise time off work for your honeymoon Renew passports if necessary!
2 months before Task
Post invitations Write your vows Have your hair and makeup trials (remember to take your veil etc)
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Organise dancing lessons for the first dance Organise your hen’s and buck’s nights with the wedding party Confirm: • Flowers with florist – do they fit with the theme, colours, dresses • Menu with caterer • Accommodation for yourselves and your guests Organise any legal work, for example, pre-nuptial agreements, wills
1 month before Task
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Apply for your marriage licence Confirm and finalise final guest numbers Make a seating plan (allow time for disagreements!) Have your dress fittings Organise bridal party’s final fittings (including accessories) Confirm groom’s and groomsmen’s outfits are ready Write your speech Confirm honeymoon accommodation and flight bookings Organise a house-sitter for while you are on honeymoon
2 weeks before Task
Confirm with everyone that you have booked for your wedding, advise final numbers and provide a emergency contact number to: • Venue • Caterer • Celebrant/Minister • Photographer • Videographer • Entertainment • Florist • Cake maker • Stationery • Car hire company • Hairdresser • Makeup artist • Favours • Hire company Make a list of everything that needs to be set up and/or taken to the ceremony and reception Have your final dress fitting including accessories. Take your chief bridesmaid so she knows how to how to attach your train etc.
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Make sure the bridesmaids have their dresses, footwear and accessories Have your final haircut and colour before the wedding Make sure the groom has his hair cut Finalise seating plan for reception Write place cards Practise walking around in your wedding shoes Have hen’s night and buck’s night
1 week before Task
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Pick up your wedding dress and hang it in a safe place Wedding rehearsal (you may like to give the bridal party their gifts then) Pick up hire items, including groom’s and groomsmen’s attire Confirm honeymoon arrangements Pack for honeymoon Have your engagement ring professionally cleaned Pack an emergency kit for the day Final check on arrangements and plan for the day: • Who has the rings? • Have you paid entertainers etc ahead of time or do you need to take money? • Who is taking the gifts home after the wedding? • Who is dry-cleaning your dress the next day? • Who is returning the suits? • Make sure the bridal party are aware of their roles • Give a list of important contacts to a trusted family member or friend (can be the chief bridesmaid or the mother of the bride)
The day before Task
Relax and spend some quality time on your own! Present each other with gifts and remind each other why you love the other Give wedding bands to the best man and/or chief bridesmaid to hold during the ceremony
The big day Enjoy yourself!
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Next Issue out 1 December
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