Wedding & Stress!

YAY Lena!! good to see you back, hope the moe went well and you had a nice chrissy and new year. Hope the planning goes well...

Lena, I'm in the same boat kinda... we'd tentatively picked April 22nd as our date ! Still nothing definite planned, and things have stalled *again* because things might suddenly be happening with the house (planning on selling it, long story!). We want to have it here at home, but that might change (we have a reeeeeeeeally nice garden). The biggest cost for us would be catering, but my mum has offered to chip in (would do that myself too, but mum was horrified at the idea!). I'm going to do the invites myself, and not planning to spend much on my dress - hoping to get a friends mum to help me make it. The only other things on top of that would be the celebrant, the licence, and possibly any alcohol that you might want to provide. Oh wait, the cake ! LOL Another thing I reckon I'd be able to pull of doing myself - although if I *did* pay for a more professional one, make sure you tell them that it's just for a birthday or anniversary or something, NOT for a wedding LOL Same for catering, it's "not a wedding"

Good luck !

I second Trish's reccomondation, excellent site with heaps of other brides on the discussion forums. I personally had a more formal affair with the big outdoor ceremony and a sit down meal, but it was still fun and a big party afterwards. As far as stressing, I was pretty calm, but I was incredibly organised.

welcome back Lena! Congratulations on setting the date!

Welcome back Lena - was good to meet you and thanks heaps for the clothes!

We had a pretty laid back wedding one year and 2 weeks ago! Beach ceremony with a family friend marriage celebrant (all free) just had to pay for the license. Mum made my dress and BM's dresses - cheapest way would be to buy normal dresses/outfits not specific wedding ones and hire boys clothes. Ceremony was in the community hall (cheap!), friend was the DJ (cheap again). I made all the invitations and stuff for on the tables. Most expensive would have been alcohol and catering. Family/friends can make the cake. Oh and you dont necessarily have to have a sit down dinner, could just be nibbles or something. ANyway, I ramble, jsut a few ideas from our wedding. nzweddingplanner is great like others said. And CONGRATS on setting a date. Just remember there are no rules anymore, its your day, ignore what the paretns say cos they will have a great time on the day anyway.

been on NZwedding planner already!! Done a guest list and for family and CLOSE friends its at 125 - was planning on 70!! Hopefully they wont all come HAHA.

Thanks for all your advice! U might get lots of PM's for advice!!

The move went well, I am now milking cows (and smell horrible all day!) trying to settle in AND plan a wedding... I'm nuts...

Aimee - Was good to meet you too, hope those clothes come in handy for Hannah and any others that might come along
Our plan for the wedding is a huge party - Dad picking up the alcohol tab (and Guests are BYO'ing), and really only have marquee, dress and license fees (and no doubt alot of other things!)

Anaa - We can help each other

I will keep you all updated!

At the end of the day as long as both of you are there, you have a celebrant or similar, the licence and are clothed that is all that matters. Don't stress about all the little things and the wedding will be a breeze