With Aucklanders celebrating Gay Pride this week and the big Pride Party tonight it’s only fitting to share some beautiful and fun photos of same-sex weddings!
Thanks to Huffington Post Weddings. You can see more by clicking here.
Getting wedding gifts is awesome! Writing thank-you notes—slightly less-fun. But your guests/gift-givers will love receiving them! (And your Celebrant too!! Facebook reviews are better though!)
You can make it fun though by choosing some cool stationery, cards or postcards that you can include your wedding day theming and photos from your big day. I found this cool site zazzle.co.nz which has loads of template designs to choose from.
And the Knot have got you covered with fool-proof tips and a cheat sheet of thank-you note wording.
You can’t put it off any longer. The last slice of cake has been eaten—you’ve even unpacked your honeymoon suitcases. It’s time to tackle those wedding thank-you notes. The task of writing a personal wedding thank-you note to 100-plus guests is definitely daunting, but doable.
Your guests may have a year to send a wedding gift, but you don’t have that kind of time. For all gifts received before the wedding, thank-you notes should be sent within two weeks of their arrival. For all gifts received on or after your wedding, you have three months to show your gratitude with a thank-you card. We’ve got a complete wedding thank-you note survival guide—think of it as a friendly handhold for every step of the way—from wedding thank-you etiquette to how to write a thank-you note.
♥ Start Early
Wedding thank-you note prep starts months before you unwrap that first gift. Remember that guest list your whole family weighed in on? Do yourself a favor and make a copy of it. Add a column for gifts and wedding thank-you notes. This allows you to keep a record of what you’ve received (and from whom) while logging your note progress as you go. Who doesn’t love checking something off a list? It’s easy to think you’ve already sent a thank-you for your wedding gift when you’re penning so many notes—trust us. Best of all, you won’t have to hunt for your cousin’s mailing address.
♥ Stock Up
This is the fun part of thank-you note writing! Invest in some stationery that represents you as a couple, or pick up some simple white or ecru note cards. Thank-you notes never go out of style (and there are sure to be many gift-giving occasions thrown in your honor) so stock up shortly after you’re engaged. If you decide to personalize the notes, opt for first names only—it’s bad form to use your married monogram or shared last initial until your wedding is official. If you’ve chosen a wedding motif, like a maple leaf or geometric crest, consider using it in your social stationery too. A good roller ball pen will do wonders for penmanship. Stick with blue or black ink and make sure it won’t smear or bleed through your note cards. Lastly, buy a roll of Forever stamps, so you’re not hunting down postage every time you lick an envelope.
♥ Set Up Shop
Designate a “writing station” in your home—you’ll be more likely to pen wedding thank-you notes if you have a comfortable place to sit and all your supplies at the ready. If you don’t have a desk, keep your note cards near a table or hard surface. A glass of wine and some Spotify can really sweeten the deal.
♥ Get Down to Business
The rules dictate that every wedding gift deserves a thank-you note. Between saying “yes” and “I do,” you’ll be doing a lot of note writing. Wedding planning takes a lot of time—we get it—but we recommend penning notes as soon as wedding gifts start to arrive. This may mean before the wedding. And long after.
Don’t attempt to get them all done in one sitting. Instead, set aside 30 minutes every night to tackle your wedding thank-you note list. And remember the wedding gifts you’ve received were intended for you both. Regardless of who’s penning the thank-you notes, sign both of your names—unless, of course, you’re thanking your bestie for a lacy number received at your bachelorette party. To establish equality, divvy up the list and share the responsibility. Some couples divide the list down the middle, while others prefer to write notes to their extended family who may not know their future spouse as well. Do whatever works best for you.
♥ Pen the Perfect Note
Personalize your wedding thank-you note to reflect your relationship with the addressee and the gift they gave. You’ll never remember which vase Aunt Carol gave you, so use specifics: “the Waterford Lismore vase from our registry.” If you’ve been gifted money for your wedding, explain how you plan to use it, like we’re saving for our first house or we can’t wait to indulge at the spa on our honeymoon. Their presence was present too—don’t forget to thank your gift giver for attending your wedding and for thinking of you at this special time.
Not sure what to write in a wedding thank-you card? Suffering from writer’s block? We’ve got a few sample wedding thank-you notes to help.
A Wedding Gift Not From the Registry
Mention the wedding gift received and how you plan to use it.
Dear Brittany and John
Thank you so much for the crystal wine goblets. We now have a complete set—and you know how we love our wine! Adam and I are looking forward to your next visit, when we can enjoy a drink together. Thank you again for thinking of us!
All the best, Lauren and Adam
A Cash Wedding Gift
Avoid mentioning the amount of money given (a word like generous will do the trick), but do share how you plan to use it.
Dear Aunt Edna and Uncle Tom
Adam and I are so grateful for your generous gift. We’re one step closer to the bathroom remodel we plan to start this spring. It was so wonderful to have you celebrate alongside us at the wedding—thanks for making the trip. Looking forward to seeing you in Florida for Thanksgiving.
Much love, Lauren and Adam
A Group Wedding Gift
Send each member of the “group” an individual thank-you.
Dear Charlie
Thank you for the awesome backyard fire pit. We were counting down the days until our wedding, now we can count down until summer! We are so lucky to have such thoughtful friends. S’mores soon? Thanks again for thinking of us and celebrating this happy time in our lives.
Much love, Lauren and Adam
A Wedding Gift From Someone You Don’t Know
Acknowledge you’re strangers, but mention you look forward to meeting. Bonus points if you can connect them to a relative or friend.
Dear Mr. Brown
Thank you for the lovely crystal vase. It’s perfect for our entryway—I will nudge Adam to keep it filled with flowers. My Dad has spoken so fondly of you over the years. Adam and I look forward to meeting you at the wedding in a few weeks. Thank you for your kindness and for sharing in this exciting time in our lives.
Sincerely, Lauren and Adam
A Wedding Gift You Don’t Like
Focus the note around your general appreciation, not the wedding gift.
Dear Susan and Tom
Thank you for the colorful fluorescent lava lamps—so retro and fun! Every time we look at them we will think of you and remember this special time in our lives. Many thanks for sharing in our joy on our wedding day.
Fondly, Lauren and Adam
It’s always awesome to be part of a beautiful wedding day like Emily and Simon’s.
And it’s extra special when your Bride and Groom let you know how happy they were with their ceremony!
Thank you Mr and Mrs Rihari, it means a lot to me!
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Rihari! Emily and Simon were married in the stunning tropical hideaway Landsendt on a super sunny summers day.
Our beautiful Bride looked like a fairytale princess as she floated down the aisle toward her Prince Charming who was waiting at the altar (not too nervously!).
Someone who almost stole the show from Mum and Dad was their cute son complete with bow tie and suspenders! Followed by their two little girls in pretty tulle dresses.
Here are a few photos (which I photobombed of course!).
The Groom told me their wedding day coincides with Chinese New Year and is very auspicious – and I am sure this cute family will most definitely live happily ever after!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue — and Google Glass, too.
Ok, wedding photography and videography are becoming super hi-tech – we’ve seen drones, go-pros, microphones galore… and now Google Glasses!!!
They’ll capture your walk down the aisle and everything else from a very unique perspective! Not a bad idea given that your wedding day is all a blur, especially that nervous walk down the aisle!
Somehow I don’t think these are going to become a sought after wedding fashion accessory!
Saying that, there is a video taken by a Celebrant who wore Google Glasses – now that would be quite cool!
Lucky in Love ♥ Marriage Celebrant, Auckland ♥ Kimberly Sanders
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I conducted a wedding yesterday at a secret tropical garden hideaway – all on our back doorstep. Located in the Waitakeres, you don’t have to jump on a plane to get there.
The gardens are set up with multiple private areas all with a private bar and if the weather doesn’t work out, they have massive marquees.
I felt so excited about this venue, I was trying to think of celebrations I could hold there for myself!
In addition to weddings, it would make a great space for a corporate event and they are also open to the public for garden tours and funeral services.
Check out their website: www.landsendt.co.nz
You may not think you’re the kind of girl to wear a veil (like I did) but wait til you try one on with your dress! You feel all that much more princessy!!
The veiling of the bride has origins in the idea that she’s vulnerable to enchantment, so she must be hidden from evil spirits. The Romans veiled brides in flame-colored veils to actually scare off those spirits.
And in an arranged marriage, there is always the threat that the groom, who is perhaps seeing the bride for the first time, won’t like what he sees!
If you’re religious, the veil is a sign of humility and respect before God during your ceremony.
The Victorians turned that reverence into a status symbol. During Victorian times, when archaic customs were formally incorporated into proper weddings, the weight, length and quality of the veil was a sign of the bride’s status. Royal brides had the longest veils and the longest trains (think Princess Di).
Nowadays the tradition is more of a finishing touch in wedding fashion. It’s the icing on the cake, so to speak, that pulls together the hair and the dress.
Just keep in mind if you’re getting married outdoors and it’s windy your veil is likely to be annoyingly flapping in the wind slightly distracting you from your handsome Groom and your marriage ceremony. (Like mine did, I wish I’d have taken a moment to take it off my head like my sensible Bride yesterday stopped and did!)
Safer options to style it up on your big day are a tiara (it doesn’t have to be massive and gaudy) or flowers – fabric, crystal or real.
Or you could simply have a beautiful hairstyle. Whatever you choose, I am sure there will be alcoholic spirits only on your special day!
How many of you have enjoyed the hilarious Carpool Karaoke with British comedian James Corden (well known for that great movie about unlikely opera singer Paul Potts) – his recent Carpool Karaoke with Adele (rapping) broke the one million viewer mark – or something incredible like that.
My favourites are probably the Jason Derulo or the second Justin Bieber one – but the one where James tries on wedding dresses with Iggy is priceless.
I think everyone needs to bring their own James Corden to wedding dress fittings!
Lucky in Love ♥ Marriage Celebrant, Auckland ♥ Kimberly Sanders
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I heard the ad for this today…and thought I have to tell you what a cool Valentine’s Date Night it is! Me and My Darling went a few years ago. The Adopt a Star gift you get is awesome too. If you go, get to the observatory early though so you don’t miss out on the treats!
Want to impress on Valentine’s Day? Give your date the stars with a romantic evening at Stardome.
Grab a ticket and take all the credit for a memorable Valentine’s night.
We’ve turned up the romance with a night sky show that pays tribute to the most romantic celestial objects.
Tickets also include bubbles on arrival and canapes to be enjoyed before the show, while exploring the Space Gallery and Exhibits (hand-holding is encouraged).
You’ll also be treated to a Rush Munro‘s ice cream and a gift box that includes a bottle of bubbles, two champagne flutes, chocolate and an Adopt a Star pack!
If you’re my age or older you’ll remember the wedding of the century – Princess Diana and her meringue dress (forget Prince Charles, it was all about the dress) with mutton leg sleeves!
According to the trashy book I just read ‘Wedding Babylon: Confessions of a Wedding Planner’ the iconic dress became world famous accidentally. Vogue magazine faked an article about wedding dresses, asking loads of designers to send in sketches for a target audience of young country brides – not the most popular girl of the moment.
Apparently off the back of this Elizabeth and David Emmanuel stole the job from some of the bigger names.
The craziest thing was not that we all thought it was the most amazing wedding gown (of the time) – but the over-the-top 25 foot train which the bridesmaids must have had a lot trouble arranging.
And then Brides for almost the next decade all brides wanted to be a Princess and meringue dresses and stupid puffy sleeves were seen everywhere!
Lucky in Love ♥ Marriage Celebrant, Auckland ♥ Kimberly Sanders
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