Vintage Pearls and Lace Wedding {Kamahl & Paul)

An April Wedding in Auckland, New Zealand.

I adored working with Kamahl and Paul. For various reasons we had only 12 weeks to put their special day together. But it was a beautiful thing to see their family and friends rally around them to make their day happen in such a short time. One of the things I loved the most was the use of some family heirlooms, as a way to honour and include a couple of Kamahl’s close family members who had passed away. It was also very special for her to have her elderly Grandmother fly over from Australia especially for the occasion. All in all it was a beautiful day, the weather was fine and everyone enjoyed themselves. Congratulations Kamahl & Paul!

Many thanks to Sean of seancraig photography for sharing these beautiful photos of their day with us.

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Vendor Credits:

Wedding Planning, Coordination & Design: As You Wish Events Ltd
Photography: SeanCraig Photography
Wedding Venue: CityChurch Waitakere
Wedding Cake: Sweet Bites Cakes
Florists: Ruth Riding Horticouture

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© 2014 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

Little Bunnies and an Easter Egg Hunt

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We had a lot of fun putting this Easter party together.  We hope you’ll find some inspiration amongst these photos for your Easter celebrations.

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These cute little baskets were super easy to make.

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I liked the idea of having a defined child-sized entrance way. The handmade paper bunting was perfect for this.

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Sometimes an overgrown garden is a Stylist’s dream.

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Dotted along the pathway were the bunnies guarding their nests of eggs, ready for the children to visit.

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The bunnies and other characters were crafted from white cardstock and coloured paper accents.

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The pathway led to a little table that was set for a special morning tea.

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To set the party scene we hung a handmade ‘Happy Easter’ bunting banner and then set the table to match.

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Instead of serving Hot Cross Buns, we thought we’d have a go at making some Hot Cross Bun cupcakes. Oh, so yummy!

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As an additional ‘take home’ gift we put together these cute ‘little bunnies in a nest’ inside glass cupcake domes.

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Check back next week to learn how to make these lovely little baskets.

 

All the best for your Easter preparations.

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© 2014 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

Blue & Gold Awards Evening

At the end of last year I was approached by a non-profit organisation to organise their annual awards evening.  With their request for light refreshments, an ideal location with appropriate décor and a well organised programme we set to work at creating a formal occasion for all the guests to enjoy.

Event Highlights:
  • We were very pleased with how the table centrepieces came together and really liked that we could incorporate their logo into the design.
  • The mini brownie trifles in shot glasses where another favourite, not just of ours but of everyone’s – super yummy!
  • Because a number of guests had children we organised an onsite babysitting service.  Karitane babysitting service provided us with two wonderful ladies who did a fantastic job, all we had to do was organise a few activities.

 

A big thank you to Travis from Forgiven Photography for sharing with us these beautiful photos from their special occasion.

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Vendor Credits:

 

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© 2014 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

Pastels, Lace and Burlap Wedding Décor

I recently had the pleasure of working with a lovely couple to create the wedding of their dreams.  Next to co-ordinating the actual day, my next main area of responsibility was the décor.  When we first met, the couple expressed their love of the outdoors.  This was evident in their choice of reception venue, the beautiful Markovina Vineyard Estate.  They also brought along pictures of their favourite décor ideas which showed a love of softly toned flowers and the rustic look.  So from there we went about clarifying the overall style and bringing it to life.  The bride was a lover of D.I.Y so it was a truly collaborative process.

A lot of time and effort went into sourcing and creating from scratch just the right pieces for this wedding.  So much so, that part way through the design process I felt it necessary to bring in Adam, from WonderFerris, to specifically photograph all our hard work.

We really enjoyed bringing this design to life, and hope you will enjoy looking at the photos even more.

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© 2014 As You Wish Events Ltd.  Want to use this article in your E-newsletter, blog, or website? You can as long as you include this complete statement: Auckland, New Zealand – Event Planner & Designer Nadine Crozier publishes the ‘As You Wish Events’ blog filled with secrets, tips and how-tos for planning your fabulous event. Get your exclusive inspiration, tips and tricks at http://www.asyouwish.co.nz.  As You Wish Events is an event planning and design company based in Auckland, serving the Auckland region and certain areas of Northland.

A Red Tractor Picnic Style Party

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Earlier this month we had the pleasure of planning a Red Tractor themed birthday party for a young fellow who was turning 4 years old.  Because his family were still on their camping holiday we arranged for the party to take place at the camp ground they were staying at.  Because of this and the uncertainty around the number of guests attending we opted for more of a picnic style set up.  So very early on the Saturday morning we loaded up the van and ventured north for a fun outdoor party.

Party Highlights:
  • The location was amazing.  When we arrived at the camping ground we found this amazing Willow tree growing right next to the family’s camp site.  The way it draped down created the perfect space for the party.
  • The red gingham picnic blankets and tablecloths contrasted perfectly with the greenery.
  • Our pocket shaped bunting was another of our décor favourites.
  • In keeping with the theme, milk seemed like a good choice of beverage along with flavour changing straws – very popular.
  • And our ‘Pigs in the Mud’ dessert cups had to be a favourite of ours among the food – so cute.

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Party Décor:

Using some electric fence standards and the bunting, we created a walkway/entrance to the party space under the tree.  We laid out the red gingham picnic blankets that we had made and set up the various tables.  To complement the red gingham we added hessian and artificial grass as table covers, placemats and accents on the bunting, as well as chalkboard signs.  Lastly to complete the look we designed a Red Tractor printable range to use as cupcake toppers; bottle wraps; swing tags; buffet labels; bunting; and the ‘Happy Birthday’ banner.

Party Entertainment:

For the party fun and games we started off with some tractor racing.  We made some little tractors out of cardboard.  The children could step inside of these and hold onto them while having running races against each other.  Later we had a treasure hunt of sorts, which we called ‘The Farmyard Round-Up’.  We hid a whole lot of small toy farm animals in a nearby area, which the children had to hunt out.  The child who found the most toys won the game.  Lastly we finished the party with Story time – when we read the book ‘Pigs Might Fly’ by Brett Avison.

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Party Favours:

For the party favours we went for a more build your own option.  Each child could pick up a little hessian draw string bag, and fill it with two scoops of ‘Sheep Poo’ (also known as chocolate coated raisins), a balloon and two farm themed stickers.  Each hessian bag had a thank you swing tag attached to it.

The Party Food:

As always, we do our best to have the food match the theme.  This time our menu consisted of the following:

  • Mini Mince Pies
  • Shoestring Haystack (fries)
  • Mixed Picks (Picks with cheese & pineapple)
  • Kettle corn
  • Tractor Tyre Cake pops
  • Pigs in the Mud (chocolate mousse with little piggy sugar decorations)
  • Cupcakes
  • Milk with flavour changing straws plus Pink Lemonade.  Usually we only provide one flavoured beverage, but due to the hot weather and outdoor venue arrangements were made to add a second one.

We set the buffet table using mini straw bales, purchased from the Warehouse, an artificial grass table runner and wood slices.  The buffet labels from our Red Tractor party printables collection then tied everything together nicely.  Last but not least was the delightful birthday cake made by the birthday boy’s aunty.

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Summing Up:

All in all, it was another successful party.  This picnic style set up worked perfectly for both the outdoor setting and the uncertain number of guests.  The décor looking stunning in the outdoor environment and all the guests enjoyed themselves.

If you have any questions or comments regarding how we put this theme together or if you would like us to create a party for you then please contact us either via email or through the comments section below.

 

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Vendor Credits:
  • ‘Red Tractor’ Party Printables: As You Wish Events Ltd
  • Décor & Styling: As You Wish Events Ltd
  • Catering: As You Wish Events Ltd
  • Photography: As You Wish Events Ltd
  • Mini Straw Bales: The Warehouse
  • Flavour Changing Straws: Pak’n’Save

A Simply Beautiful Wedding {Melissa & Dwane}

A September Wedding in Kumeu, New Zealand 

When I first met Melissa and Dwane, they expressed their desire for a simple wedding in which they could relax and celebrate their love with family and friends – and together we worked to create just that.  The beautiful Markovina Vineyard Estate, in Kumeu, set the scene for this delightful occasion.  It’s outdoor beauty indoors, was only enhanced by the stunning contrast of a navy, white and powder blue colour scheme along with heart and diamante accents.  Melissa and Dwane, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you and I am thrilled that your wedding day exceeded your expectations.

Many thanks to Bruce Millar of The Photographer.co.nz for sharing with us these beautiful photos of Melissa & Dwane’s day.

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Vendor Credits:

Wedding Planning, Coordination & Design: As You Wish Events Ltd
Photography: The Photographer
Wedding Venue & Catering: The Markovina Vineyard Estate
DJ: Disco Tech
Wedding Cake: Sweet Bites Cakes
Florists: Bethany Gardens

 

VeggieTales Pirate Party

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As promised in last weeks post, today is all about the remaining details of my son’s VeggieTales Pirate Party.  I had so much fun putting this party together.  A lot of effort was made to have as many of the party details match scenes from ‘The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything’ movie – needless to say, I lost count of the number of times I watched the movie and my son still comes out with an ‘Arrrgh’ at the most random of times.  But that is all just part of the fun.

Party Highlights:
  • The theming of the food was definitely a highlight for me, in particular the little fish and chips boat dishes.
  • I thought I would have a go at making the birthday cake as well as all the modelled chocolate figurines.  I was pretty pleased with how it turned out even though there were moments of great frustration.  Let’s just say I have a new found appreciation for those who do this for a living.
  • The recycled pallet furniture and the barrels did a really good job of setting the party scene.
  • The way I managed to dress the soft toy, Larry, to look like his character, Elliot, from the movie.
  • Lastly, I loved the little treasure chest favour boxes.

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Party Décor:

The furniture played a big part in setting the party scene.  With help from my husband, we used some old shipping pallets to make bench seats for the children to sit on, and for the ‘lemonade stand’ style food table.  We also hired some barrels from First Scene prop hire.  These came in handy for displaying the favours, as well as adding to the décor.  At either end of the children’s table we constructed two ship masts and then hung bunting from one to the other.  The bunting was from the As You Wish Events ‘Simply Nautical’ printables collection.  From this collection also came the ‘Happy Birthday’ banner, bottle wraps, cupcake wrappers and toppers, toothpick flags, buffet labels and the fish and chips boat dishes.  The overall look was finished off with a tea stained tablecloth, hessian runner and a few themed props for the centrepiece.

Party Favours:

To help set the atmosphere, as each guest arrived they were given a spotted bandanna to wear, just like Elliot’s. I had managed to find the perfect fabric for this at Geoff’s Emporium in Dominion Rd.  In addition to this each guest received their own little treasure chest, which I had found on Trade Me.  Each one held a small bag of gold chocolate coins, a Veggie Pirates bookmark and a Veggie Pirates sticker.  The bookmarks and stickers were among the free printables on the Veggie Pirate website.

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Party Entertainment:

For this party we decided to keep the entertainment rather simple.  We set up a colouring-in station with pictures download from the Veggie Pirates website.  We also had a barrel of fish which could be caught by a magnetic fishing line.  Lastly we finished off the party by watching the ‘Veggie Tales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything’ movie.

The Party Food:

As mentioned earlier, we worked really hard to make all the food connect to some part of the movie. As a result this is what we had on the menu:

  • Fish Bites and Chips with tomato sauce served in the boat dishes
  • Evil Cheese Curls – aka ETA Cruncheese Corn Snacks
  • Fudge Cupcakes with themed cupcake toppers
  • Rocks of Malabar Sundaes – aka Vanilla Ice cream, coloured with blue food colouring and rocks made from modelling chocolate.
  • Cannonball Munchkins – these were from Dunkin Donuts
  • Pirate Pea Cakepops
Veggie Pirates - Page 047Summing Up:

Because the weather wasn’t great we had to squeeze all the guests into our smallish house – but I wouldn’t have changed this as I think there is something special about entertaining guests at home, and no one seemed to mind.  There were enough places to sit, plenty of food for everyone and the hush that came over the children as they ate, said to me “Job well done!”

Vendor Credits:

VeggieTales Pirate Party Invitations

At the end of August it was my son’s 3rd Birthday – I can’t believe it has been 3 years already, they grow up so fast.  Being super fans of the VeggieTales cartoons and anything nautical we decided to use the VeggieTales movie ‘The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything’ as his birthday party theme.  The first thing to do was send out the invitations.  I was discussing ideas of how to do this with my husband, when he mentioned how cool it would be to replicate the Help-Seeker from the movie.  If you haven’t seen the movie, at the beginning the princess sends out this golden mechanical ball in order to find heroes and bring them back, to help her rescue her brother who had been taken captive.

So off I went in search of the materials I needed.  At the local $ value store I found some plastic world globes and paper jack-o-lanterns that had an LED light in them.  I striped down the globes and cut a whole in each end (one end for looking into and the other end to fit the LED light from jack-o-lantern into).  I then cut a slit in the top and bottom to slide a piece of transparent plastic through which held the actual wording for the invitation.  I then painted them to look like Help-Seekers, and finished them off with some braid.  We then packaged them up in boxes for delivery.

Veggie Pirate Party Invitation

Photos by Adam Ferris Photography

Everyone enjoyed receiving their invitations and it created an expectation and a sense of excitement for the party.  Check back next week or subscribe to my posts for more about the party – what we did for décor, food and games.

Pure Elegance with Gold & Pearls {Sashi & Alvin}

An April Wedding in Auckland, New Zealand.

This wedding was truly an elegant occasion.  Although the rain clouds lingered on that Thursday afternoon, they could not dampen the happiness of this beautiful couple.  Everything came together nicely and the smiles on their faces said it all.  Congratulations, Sashi and Alvin we wish you all the love in the world as you build a life together.

A big thank you to Jo from Joanna Wickham Photography for sharing with us these beautiful photos from their special day.

The finishing touches

Bridal BouquetHair piece, buttonhole and church

Ring bearer and Aisle decorSt Mary's Garden and Flower girl Bridesmaid and posieBridal Party at Cornwall ParkBride on the Kauri Steps at Cornwall ParkBride and Groom on the Kauri Steps and among the nearby treesTwin Oaks DriveBride and Groom on Twin Oaks DriveReception DecorThe Wedding CakeReception Decor at The Heritage Hotel Grand Tea RoomAt the end of the day

Vendor Credits:

Wedding Planning, Coordination & Design: As You Wish Events Ltd
Photography: Joanna Wickham Photography
Ceremony Venue: St Marys, Parnell, Auckland
Reception Venue & Catering: The Grand Tea Room, at The Heritage Hotel Auckland
Wedding Cake: Sweet Bite Cakes
Florists: Bethany Gardens and Orlando Flowers (Reception Table Centrepieces)

 

1950s/Greased Lightning Theme Party

For the last 4 years I have had the privilege of arranging the theming for an annual scrapbooking camp held at Totara Springs just out of Matamata.  This year the theme was ‘Greased Lightning’.  For most of the weekend the theming stretched only as far a name tags, room labels and work table decorations, but on the Saturday night for dinner we went all out.   While the campers donned their full circle skirts, cats eye glasses, tight black leather pants and pink wigs I set to giving the dinning room an overhaul.

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Party Décor Favourites:
  • I loved working with the Pink, Turquoise and Purple colour scheme.  They added the necessary pop of colour among all the black and white checks.
  • The ice cream soda centrepieces were another favourite.  I wanted to incorporate the neon lights we tend associate with 1950s so I filled the tall cone vases with acrylic ice and ran a strand of battery operated lights through them.
  • Lastly, the final touches of the theme coloured chocolate gems (similar to Smarties and M&Ms) as a self serve favour bag and the ‘Grease’ movie trivia card really finished it all off perfectly.

If you have any questions or comments regarding how we put this theme together or if you would like us to create a party for you then please contact us either via email or through the comments section below.