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Indian Wedding Inspiration – Te Mata Peak | Craggy Range

Ummmm… I have no idea where to start with today’s wedding. It is simply AMAZING. You will find it below in two gorgeous parts. First the Indian Sangeet Night at Mana Lodge (with photos up Te Mata peak before hand) followed by the incredible wedding at Craggy Range. Both are so beautiful, the details are out of this world, the couple is gorgeous and the venues, well the venues are insanely breathtaking. The superstar photographer behind the images is none other than the talented Heather Liddell. #legend 

Thank you so much Neha & Zoheb for sharing your unique and stunning day with us and a huge thank you to Heather Liddell, I feel very lucky to feature this wedding!

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Who Neha & Zoheb
Where Mana Lodge (Indian Night) & Craggy Range Vineyards (Wedding)
Guests 172

How did you meet?

Zoheb had moved to Fiji for work and I was living in Sydney when we met. We met when I came to visit my family in Fiji during Christmas break from Sydney. I’ve been brought up in Fiji and moved to Sydney for University, graduated and worked for 2 years there until Zoheb and I met- I moved back to Fiji for him. He came to Sydney to visit me every 2 months while we did long distance for around 1 ½ years. We’ve known each other for around 6 years now.

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In three words describe your wedding style… Simple, Elegant, Glamorous

What were your save and splurge items for your wedding?

Splurged on personalising many things such as the aisle, stationery, “throw me” petal bags, stirrers, napkins, chocolates, gift packs. & of course Flowers!!

It was too hard to save on anything. Things cost a fortune when it comes to planning your wedding!

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NOW THE WEDDING!!!…

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What did you do for your hens night?

My first trip to Waiheke. We went to Mudbrick Vineyard & Stoney Ridge. There were a bunch of us girls, everyone wore shades of pink & white flower crowns. The bridemaids wore light pink tutu with a white crop top. We did Lots of wine tasting, Made our own perfumes with natural oils, Amazing sharing Platters, and more drinking & dancing through out the night. I couldn’t have asked for a better Hens do!

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What music did you play for those special moments?

Miracle by Cold Play as our mothers entered the ceremony. | A Thousand Years by Christina Perri as the bridesmaids followed by my father and I walked down. | For our registry we had Hold Back The River by James Bay and I’m yours by Jason Mraz as we walked out. | Our first dance was Hero by Enrique Iglesias. | We had a acoustic guitarist & singer to play while all guests were having drinks & canapés. | As the bridal party entered into the reception marquee we had Klingande by Jubel played as this is Zos and I’s favourite song.

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What was the most difficult part of planning your wedding? And the most fun?

Planning everything from another country without a wedding planner. During the planning stage I had difficulties in finding a good wedding stylist/planner, as everyone who I had come across did more simple rustic weddings. Therefore I had my florist to style my wedding event and my cousin to style the Indian night, giving them concept images of exactly what I had wanted the events to look like. Hawkes Bay had limited wedding suppliers, therefore I had supplied things from overseas & also hired a few things from Auckland.

The most of fun part of the wedding was Styling the two events!

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Where will you go for your honeymoon?

We are looking at going to Africa or Europe in October!

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 CREDITS

Photographer Heather Liddell
Flowers Magdalen Hill
Venue Mana Lodge & Craggy Range
Catering
 Orton (Mana Lodge)
Hire Company I Do GlamourMardi Gras Event HireMarques Over Hawkes Bay
Stationery From India
Hair & Makeup Missy Mu (Michelle) & Mary Estelle
Cake The Pretty Little Details
Celebrant Vivienne Pearse
Brides Dress Sabyasachi Couture
Accessories & Shoes Jimmy Choo & Christian Louboutin
Bridesmaids Dresses Custom made salmon pink saree with crystal head piece
Grooms Suit & Accessories RJB DesignsChristian LouboutinHublot Watch
Rings Cartier & Partridge Jewellers pink diamond wedding bands
Transport Go Buses
Music DJ Dave

7 Romantic Wedding Readings (that wont make your guests cringe!)

Looking for wedding readings that are sweet and simple but not overly cheesy? Here are 7 romantic numbers that won’t make your guest cringe!

From Instructions For Life In The New Millennium by the 14th Dalai Lama

“Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
And that a loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
Be gentle with the earth, be gentle with one another.
When disagreements come, remember always to protect the spirit of your union.
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
So love yourselves, love one another, love all that is your life together and all else will follow.”

From The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

“I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who’s ever lived: I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”

Owlsight Marriage Ceremony by Mercedes Lackey

“This bond, this joining, is not meant to be a fetter. A joining is a partnership, not two people becoming one. Two minds cannot fuse, two souls cannot merge, two hearts cannot keep to the same time. If two are foolish enough to try this, one must overwhelm the other, and that is no love, nor is it compassion, nor responsibility.

You are two who choose to walk the same path, to bridge the differences between you with love. You must remember and respect those differences and learn to understand them, for they are part of what made you come to love in the first place. Love is patient, love is willing to compromise – love is willing to admit it is wrong.

There will be hard times; you must face them as bound warriors do, side by side, not using the weapon of your knowledge to tear at each other.There will be sadness as well as joy, and you must support one another through the grief and sorrow. There will be pain – but pain shared is pain halved, as joy shared is joy doubled, and you each must sacrifice your own comfort to share the pain of the other. And yet, you must do all this and manage to keep each other from wrong actions, for a joining means that you also pledge to help another at all times.You must lead each other by example. Guide and be willing to be guided.

Being joined does not mean that you accept what is truly wrong; being joined means that you must strive that you both remain in the light and the right.You must not pledge yourselves thinking that you can change each other. That is rankest folly, and disrespectful, for no one has the right to change another. You must not pledge yourselves thinking that there will be no strife between you. That is fantasy, for you are two and not one, and there will inevitably come conflict, and it will be up to you to resolve.

You must not pledge yourselves thinking that all will be well from this moment on. You must come to this joining fully ready, fully committed, and fully respectful of one another.”

From Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

“I have for the first time found what I can truly love – I have found you.
You are my sympathy – my better self – my good angel;
I am bound to you with a strong attachment.
I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart;
it leans to you, draws you to my center and spring of life, wraps my existence about you
– and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.”

On Marriage by Kahlil Gibran

“You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.”

Why Marriage by Mari Nichols-Haining

“Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body…
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won’t hold them against me,
Who loves me when I’m unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me…
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone I feel blessed to hold…
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship…
Marriages do not fail, people fail
Knowing this,
Together we create our marriage…
Because of this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.”

by E.E Cummings

“i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)”

Our other company Something Blue makes beautiful vow books you could also write your readings in.

2022 Trend Alert | Wedding Magazine Albums (DIY or BUY)

There’s a new trend that’s sure to tick all the boxes for wedding planning couples this year – wedding magazine albums (or ‘wedding zines’ for those in the know), and your wedding photos have never looked cooler!

An alternative to the traditional photo album, wedding magazine albums are just starting to take the wedding world by storm, and we have a feeling this trend is going to last.

Wedding Magazine Albums

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The Coffee Table Book

A relative newcomer to the NZ scene, ‘Fresh Prints‘ is the work of photographer David Le, and his ‘zines are very very cool (so cool that you’ll definitely want to order the 3 x pack and order them for your in-laws too).

A special feature of the magazines is the ability to include your own love story on the first page, making you feel like you really have made the pages of a glossy. If you’ve ever dreamed of being on the front cover of a magazine, this is for you!

David Le – Fresh Prints

David Le says:

With my past background being design and printing, I’ve been searching for the last few years, trying out different companies, paper and printing techniques and now I’ve finally found the sweet spot of quality and affordability.

We all love the quality and feel of high-end wedding albums but sometimes they just don’t fit the budget, we also love flipping through wedding magazines for style and inspiration and some people’s goal is to get their very own wedding featured in them.

Bow and Arbour

Bow & Arbour offer the zines from $1250 AU, The Coffee Table Book from $650-$2200 AU and David Le for $750 (for 1) or $980 (for 3).

If you’re up for the challenge with a little time on your hands (and have a basic idea of photoshop) you can even download a Magazine Template to DIY it.

Postpartum Skincare (while Breastfeeding): My Top 3 Recommendations

After making countless changes to my skincare, lifestyle and nutritional choices during pregnancy, there were a few things I was looking forward to. After careful monitoring of everything I put into my body, it was time for wine, hollandaise and custard squares (mmmmmmmm….), and getting back into F45 postpartum, to make up for the aforementioned!

Postpartum Skincare

Unfortunately, when it came to my postpartum skincare, it wasn’t as simple as returning to my pre-pregnancy indulgences. After having to quit some of my favourite skincare products cold-turkey during pregnancy (not to mention anti-wrinkle injections), it actually came as quite a surprise to realise that breastfeeding demands just as much consideration for choosing products.

Having set aside my overnight retinol repair for almost a year, I couldn’t wait to get back into it (accelerating skin renewal and reducing the appearance of skin ageing – yes please). However, no sooner had I picked it back up and mentioned it to my dermalogica guru Luci, did she remind me that actually retinol is a nursing no-go. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed. Having experienced some pregnancy pigmentation, as well as generally looking like I’d aged nine years in as many months, the least I could do with was some really good skincare. After a good chat to Luci, we settled on a postpartum skincare program that was friendly to both me and baby.

I’m not going to lie, I still miss retinol. Also known as Vitamin A, it’s the most sought after ingredient in the treatment of aging skin, it’s the holy grail of anti-ageing without injectables. However, Vitamin C comes close, and is one of the three key staples of my skincare regime:

Vitamin C & Biolumin C Serum

For treating dark spots and general skin-tone issues while pregnant or breastfeeding Vitamin C is an effective ingredient that can also take the place of retinoids, with properties that boost collagen production, also working as an antioxidant to help fight sun damage. Dermalogica’s answer to this skin saviour, and one of my fav Vit C products is biolumin C serum which exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation and can reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

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Sunscreen

It almost goes without saying, but there’s no skincare regime which is complete without sunscreen – every. single. day. It is especially important to use Vitamin C in conjunction with sunscreen, and applying topical vitamin C as well may help protect the skin from harmful rays too. Keeping out of direct sunlight as much as possible will help keep skin issues at bay while pregnant or breastfeeding, but there’s no substitute for good sunscreen to prevent hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and discolouration.

I use the trx ‘pure light’ broad spectrum spf 50 every morning with pure bright serum, and if I’m spending more than a couple of hours out and about, I like to top up with spf 50 solar defence booster. The trx range is one I’ve been using daily for a number of years, and is a particular favourite as I have been able to continue it throughout both pregnancy and breastfeeding. When there’s so much you have to change, having some continuity is great.

Phyto

Keeping my list of postpartum skincare favourites to a top 3 is hard, so this may be considered cheating, but the range of phyto products by dermalogica just keeps getting better. In October 2016 phyto replenish oil was launched and became a firm favourite, even more-so now, as it’s another product I’ve been able to continue using. In my first phyto replenish oil review of I wrote:

A millennial’s dream, taking a three-phase approach to heal, nourish and protect the skin, and being the easiest skincare oil to incorporate in your skincare regime, its blend of Camellia, Tamanu, Orchid Flower and Chia Seed oil work together to diminish the look of lines, hydrate, moisturise and protect against pollution (did you know skin is susceptible to pollution)?

The phyto range is now three products strong, and while the original oil is still my favourite, the newcoming phyto-nature firming serum is a brilliant arrival for those of us who are serious about anti-ageing skincare but want or need to avoid retinols – with the help of Hyaluronic Acid it is clinically proven to minimise fine lines and wrinkles.

 

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Beyond Products…

While I’m a total product-junkie, I also take care of my skin the old-fashioned ways too.

Hydration is key. Dehydrated skin causes premature ageing, as well as uneven, textured and acne prone skin. Of course, as well as this, your baby receives everything you put both into (and on to) your body, so staying hydrated is good for your baby and your milk supply too. Especially in the early days when I was feeding every three hours, I tried to drink a whole pump bottle with each feed.

Proper cleansing. It doesn’t matter how good your skincare if you don’t cleanse properly. Even if you’re using a good cleanser, if you’re only taking a few seconds to wash your face, you’re not giving your cleanser a chance to work properly, and your other skincare products won’t be able to penetrate your skin effectively. In the evenings, I always double-cleanse, and I use Skin Sonic at least once a day, which also helps to boost collagen production.

Rest! Tired mama = tired skin! Broken overnight sleep and exhausting days wreak havoc on all areas of your body.  Red eyes, dark circles under the eyes, and pale skin, are indicative of both sleep deprivation and looking fatigued.

Overnight, your body builds the collagen that’s so essential for anti-ageing.  Lack of sleep also prevents your skin’s ability to repair, such as from sun damage and pollution. If you’re break-out prone, sleep deprivation can also lead to outbreaks of acne and eczema, as sleep deprivation increases general inflammation of the body. It’s easier said than done, but taking as much time as possible to rest if not sleep, is your best defence against just about literally everything, including your skin.

It won’t matter how well you’re taking care of your skin if you’re not taking care of yourself. If you’ve taken the time to read this article, chances are you’re already prioritising a little rest time, so keep it up and your skin will thank you too.

 

22 Gorgeous Perspex / Acrylic Wedding Signs To DIY or BUY!

Modern Wedding Trend Alert: Acrylic Wedding Signs, Seating Charts, Stationery & more

Acrylic, also known as Plexiglas, Acrylite, Lucite, and Perspex (the last is common in NZ) is a lightweight glass alternative that can take your wedding signage, stationery and styling from boring to booyah! Equally perfect for a luxe modern wedding look, acrylic decor also pairs beautifully with pampas grass or boho macrame decor to soften bohemian vibes.

Whether you want to buy or get crafty and diy, below is a little inspiration here for every style. To source perspex or acrylic in NZ or Aus, you can either shop for smaller bits and bobs at places like Warehouse Stationery or Storage Box – or head straight to your local sign writing companies who will either be able to cut you some to size or point you in the direction of someone who can! Enjoy these ideas and all the best with wedding planning xox

acrylic wedding sign with greenery at a modern wedding

by MV Creative Maison

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Brushed Acrylic Wedding Welcome Sign by Mulberry Market Design

Find Your Seat by SweetNCCollective 

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Acrylic Seating Charts by Woodland Designs 

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Wedding Signs by Rich Design Co

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Romantic wedding signage by Nomad Styling (pressed flowers between two sheets)

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by MV Creative Maison

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by Pacific Engagements

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Welcome to Our Wedding by Z Create Design

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Wedding Cocktail Sign by Wonder Love Press Co

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Rustic Wedding Trends Meets Modern Acrylic by MV Creative Maison

acrylic wedding welcome sign

by Louie & Lefty

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wedding card box by Save The Date Designs Co.

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Neon Sign & Wedding Decor by Ashdown & Bee

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Calligraphy Wedding Invitations by Calligraphy With Style

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Wedding Table Numbers by Jack & Ginger

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NZ Made Escort Cards – but could DIY with a steady hand. By Inkberry Calligraphy

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Wedding Table Numbers by Z Create Design

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