Vintage Country Wedding On the Thames Coast

A January Wedding in Te Mata, Coromandel, New Zealand – Featured Submission by Anonymous

Arielle & Kieran's Wedding Headline Photo

I’m very excited to share with you our first featured submission. I had the privilege of sitting down with this bride during the early stages of her planning to hear her initial thoughts for their wedding and give her a few pointers for along the way. From there on she took the lead and together with her family and friends they created a stunning vintage, country wedding.

Elegance in the City of Sails {Julia & Duncan}

A September Wedding in Auckland, New Zealand

I am absolutely delighted to be able to share this wedding with you. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Julia, Duncan and Julia’s mum, Yvonne. When I met with them for the first time the only thing they had decided on was a very short planning period, so I had the privilege of helping them plan everything from scratch. With my expertise we were able to secure two premium venues and a dream team of vendors. Being that Duncan had proposed to Julia while they were traveling the world together, it seemed only natural that they would choose a travel theme as part of their special day. As I was given free reign when it came to design I was able to try some unique décor ideas, in particular the table runners and cupcake toppers, which complemented the couple perfectly.

Before we get to the photos I just want to say a big thank you to Coralee Stone Photography for sharing these with us – I trust you’ll enjoy looking at these photos as much as I did.

The Ultimate Guide to Creating Stunning Lolly Buffets

The Ultimate Guide to Stunning Lolly Buffets

Who doesn’t enjoy a sweet treat every now and then? To be honest, I probably enjoy them way more than ‘every now and then’, and when I’m faced with a stunningly put together Lolly Buffet (or Candy Buffet – depending on where you are from) the likelihood of me resisting is even smaller. But I love Lolly Buffets for more than just the sweet treats – when put together well they add to the décor of the occasion; if you’re only serving a light dessert option they help add to this part of the menu; they make for a fun and interactive party favour option; and lastly, they create an awe and wonder that brings out the inner child from even the oldest of guests.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white

But what does it mean to put a Lolly Buffet together well? What is it that makes the difference between throwing some bowls full of lollies on a table, and creating that space which inspires awe and wonder in your guests? Really it comes down to following certain steps. Steps which I’m sharing with you here today.

Before you do anything else you need to ask yourself a few questions. How many guests are you catering for? This will determine the quantity of sweets you will need. What is your colour scheme? This will help guide your sweet selection and overall design. What style are you going for? Rustic, Boho Chic, Classic, Elegant, Modern etc. And do you wish to add any design elements? These are things like glitter, crystals, and specific patterns etc. This will also help guide your overall design.

Once you have this sorted, it’s time to go sweet shopping. I suggest breaking your sweet search down into 3 categories.

Bulk Lollies:

These are the kinds that are usually sold by the packet e.g. M&Ms, Jellybeans, Milk Bottles, Liquorice Allsorts, Marshmallows, Chocolate Éclairs, Fruit Bursts etc. Quantity wise, I would recommend buying around 100g – 150g per person of this type of lollies.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - bulk lollies
Lolly Buffet, in gold mint and white - bulk lollies
Designer Sweets:

These are more likely to be sold individually or in smaller amounts. They tend to cost a little more and look rather fancy. Examples of these are Ferrero Rocher, truffles, handmade fudges etc. Of course, if you are keen, you can always have a go at making some of these yourself. Quantity wise, aim for one piece per person – give or take a few.

Lolly buffet, in gold mint and white - designer sweets
Lolly buffet, in gold mint and white - designer sweets
Display Sweets:

These can be anything you like really – it is all in the way they are packaged to match the theme. Some examples are cake-pops, Hershey’s chocolate bars, and mini bags of candyfloss. I would also be inclined to include those swirly lollipops and rock candy-pops in this category. Quantity wise, whatever you like. These are mostly used to fill in spaces on the buffet table and make it look more decorative.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - display sweets cakepops
Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - display sweets cakepops
More Shopping Hints:

Whatever sweets you choose make sure they fit in with your colour scheme – this contributes to your overall design. Also if you have favourite lollies that don’t work in with the scheme, don’t despair, consider packaging them so they do match.

Lolly buffet, in gold mint and white - bulk candy repackaged to match the theme

Lastly, shopping at your local supermarket or at the nearest Warehouse can be a little frustrating when you are looking for specific colours – so I recommend shopping with online lolly shops such as Crazy Candies, LollyShop and Hey Hey Candy. These companies are all based in New Zealand and they organise most of their lollies by colour.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - apothacary jars
Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - apothacary jars

Now that you have purchased all the sweets it is time to design the layout of the buffet table. Let’s break this down into 3 parts also.

The Vessels:

While the fancy apothecary jars with their curvy lids look lovely, you certainly can still achieve great results without them. Hunt around to find a selection of jars, vases, glasses, trays etc. that will work with your selection of sweets and overall design. Mason jars and jam jars would work perfectly for an occasion with rustic design elements. Crystal bowls, cake stands and cut glass vases from Nana’s china cabinet or the second-hand store would work beautifully for a more elegant, classic themed. These day most hire companies stock a variety of lolly vessels too. You will also need to find scoops, spoons or tongs for the handling of the lollies. And last but not least the little lolly bags or favour boxes for your guests to fill.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - apothacary jars
Here’s a few extra tips for filling your vessels:
  • Put your larger bulk lollies, like marshmallows, into your bigger containers.
  • Show off your designer sweets by using trays or cake stands. We used photo frames with paper in them that matched our theme.
  • If the containers look too empty once you’ve put the lollies in, you can place an upside-down cup in it first to take up some of the space in the container.
Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - apothacary jars
The Placement:

The two words to remember here are levels and symmetry. When you look at the layout of your buffet table you should see 3 obvious height levels – flat (at the front of the table), medium (around the middle of the table), and tall (towards the back of the table). This can be achieved with the size of the vessels but tends to look even better when you use risers (boxes covered in paper or painted to match the theme). Symmetry is basically trying to have the right-hand side of the table mirror the left-hand side of the table.  Just keep in mind that this isn’t an exact science – if you have a play with these aspects before hand you will generally find a balance that works.

Lolly Buffet in gold mint and white - buffet layout
Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - buffet centrepiece
The Printables:

You can do everything mentioned thus far and have a nice Lolly Buffet, but I believe it is this step that will make it truly stunning. Whether you design the printables yourself or buy them it doesn’t really matter. The main thing is that they pull together your overall design, which includes your colour scheme, design elements and style.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - printable swing tags

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - printable tent cards

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - printable wrap and flat label

Oh and don’t forget the signage informing your guests of how to use this enchanting space. This will further enhance your guests’ experience.

Lolly buffet in gold mint and white - printable signage

 

I hope this guide sets you well on your way to creating your own stunning Lolly Buffet. Of course if you wish to have the pleasure of enjoying one of these without all the hard work you can always get in touch with us. As always, feel free to like and share this post with your friends.

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© 2015 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.

 

 

The Blossoming Bride – Florals for all Styles & Tastes

This month’s guest blogger is the very creative Erin Swaney from Rosebud & Willow Floral Design. Her artistic approach to floral work is sure to inspire you.

For women their wedding day is one of those days that are especially important to them and it is not often I meet a bride that is not particular about how they want their day to unfold. Even if they have no idea about flowers, you can bet they have still thought about what elements they want to incorporate into their day and type of ‘feel’ they want to capture. Wedding flowers play an important role in helping to achieve this, and more than most people realise.

Different flowers evoke different feelings and senses, and once these are identified they can really help to bring a wedding to life! As I mentioned earlier most brides already have an idea of what they want their wedding to look like. As an example, I worked on a wedding recently where the bride wanted to keep things very classic and minimal but wasn’t sure on flower choices. When I met with her, I was able to show her the best florals to achieve this. The result was gorgeous foliage table garlanding consisting of Ruscus, Berried Ivy and Deep Green Mistral and the bouquets consisted of a mix of White Avalanche Roses, and White Spray Roses with White Carnations and Crisp White Bouvardia.

RW Image 1

Other looks that are super common with brides at the moment include the Romantic Bride, the Bohemian/Rustic Bride and the Funky/Alternative Bride.

The Romantic Bride generally has visions of a luxe occasion with flowers and props that emphasise love. Romantic Brides are usually after blush pinks in their flowers and soft delicate, dreamy colours. This type of occasion is usually rather elaborate incorporating lots of flowers to create the ultimate wow factor and atmosphere. Florals that would usually be included in a wedding of this nature include: Roses, Lisianthus, Hydrangea, Stock, Peonies, Dahlias & Queen Annes Lace.

RW Image 2

The Rustic Bohemian Bride covers a large range of looks but all have one thing in common in that they are all after a more relaxed look and approach to their day. Brides who are after this type of look generally like more natural tones and colours and like to incorporate lots of foliage into their arrangements. Creams, Peaches, Gold and Greens are common colours to feature. Flower Crowns are so popular in this look incorporating lots of vine and leaves with a few flowers for the ultimate Bohemian look. Another item that is really trending at the moment are “all foliage bouquets”, these bouquets look amazing when done right and the way to achieve this is to incorporate different tones and textures within the bouquet and utilise a combination of berried foliage and flowering foliage. Other Florals that are regularly used to achieve this look include: Garden Roses, Hellebores, Scabiosa, Flowering Jasmine, Ivy, Berzillia Berry, Hypericum Berry, Eucalyptus, Conifer, Viburnum and many more.

RW Image 3

Our Funky/Alternative Bride is quirky and loves different, she is not your run of the mill Bride and delights in standing out. This type of Bride is probably a florists dream as we are able to use our own creative licence to produce something different and something that stands out. Funky can be in the way colour is used in an unlikely way or in the types of flowers that are used to create an alternative look. Quirky and different types of florals that would work for this type of bride could include, King & Queen Protea, Leucodendron, Sea Holly, Scabiosa Pods, Orchids, Hypericum Berry and Green Trick (Dianthus). The above mentioned combined with regular florals and foliage can create something unique and beautiful.

RW Image 4

It is important that all Brides have a chance to express what they want on their Wedding Day and it is a Florists job to help guide and advise Brides on the best way to approach and achieve what they are after. A good florist will know what is available to use in the season of each wedding and if something isn’t available, will be able to provide similar alternatives to the original ideas.

Regardless of what ‘Type’ of Bride I am working with, I always count it a privilege to be invited into the Bride & Groom’s day and to work closely with them to produce something I am proud of and that they love.

RW Image 5

Rosebud & Willow was founded by Erin Swaney at the beginning of 2015 and since then has seen swift growth. They specialise in bespoke wedding and event work, and as their name suggests they work best with natural products drawing much of their inspiration from their natural surroundings. Rosebud & Willow relish in creating gorgeous arrangements that are beautifully crafted and speak for themselves.

 

To see more of Rosebud & Willow’s work or book them for your wedding or event, check out their website or find them on any of the social media links below.

www.rosebudandwillow.co.nz

www.instagram.com/rosebudandwillow

www.facebook.com/rosebudandwillow

www.pinterest.com/rosebudandwillow

 

 

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© 2015 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.

What Should I Do With My Wedding Bouquet?

I love flowers – I feel that they bring an element of life and beauty to any setting. And it’s no surprise that one of these settings are weddings.  Whether you choose to have flowers in your décor or not, most brides will always choose to have flowers for the bridal party. Now it’s not everyday that you walk around with a bouquet of flowers in your hands, so it’s only natural that some brides will forget them and others will feel awkward holding them. So what are you supposed to do with your bouquet? Is there a right way to hold it? Where should you put it when you need your hands for something else? And at the end of the day what do you do with it then? These are just some of the questions I’ll answer today.

So your planning is complete and your wedding day has arrived. In your planning you will have determined how the bouquets are going to get to you on your wedding day – so you will either have arranged delivery with the florist or organised with your wedding planner or trustworthy friend to collect them for you. Make sure that you have your bouquets onsite with you at least 2 hours before you are due to leave for the ceremony, so that your photographer can capture some beautiful detail shots just like the one above. Also if you are having some pre-ceremony photos with your bridesmaids and parents make sure you are holding your bouquets for these too.

With all you pre-ceremony photos complete it is now time to leave for the ceremony. Remember to take your flowers with you. This may seem a little obvious but in all the excitement it is easy to forget something, and believe me it does happen. If you are worried you’re going to forget, ask a couple of people to specifically remind you (maybe even set an alarm on their phone as a backup).

You have now arrived at your ceremony venue and excitement is building as you prepare to walk down the aisle. You and your bridesmaids are all holding your bouquets – but are you holding them correctly? Yes, there is a correct way to hold your flowers. You should have a steady grip with both hands, holding the bouquet just below your waistline. But do keep your arms slightly bent, as this will reveal the curve of your waist. Of course two hands isn’t really an option if you are being escorted down the aisle, but you can still hold your bouquet in this position with one hand.

The main reason for holding the flowers lower, is so that you don’t hide the details on the bodice of your dress. But I also think it causes you to have better posture when you’re not all hunched over your bouquet of flowers and this will mean that all the photos taken of you walking down the aisle will be far more flattering.

Having walked down the aisle you now stand before the love of your life. The celebrant asks you to face each other and hold hands for the exchanging of the vows and rings. You now need your hands free from your flowers, so you simply turn to your Maid of Honour and gracefully hand her your bouquet. When it comes time to sign the register, she will need to give them back to you, so that you can take them with you and place them on the signing table while you and your groom sign. Assuming your Maid of Honour and Bestman are signing as your witnesses, she can do the same thing when they sign. By doing this you are naturally creating a more beautiful photo opportunity.

seancraig photography

Photo credit: seancraig photography

As you leave the ceremony for photos, again remember to take your bouquet with you. Incorporating your flowers into your wedding photos can turn a nice wedding photo into a stunning wedding photo. I see a lot of wedding photos, and when the bouquets are left out it often feels like the photo is unfinished. The cost of flowers and photography often represents a large portion of the wedding budget so it only makes sense that you get the most out of them.

Its party time! The MC has announced your arrival and you enter the reception ready to celebrate with your family and friends. And yes, you are still carrying your bouquet. As you are seated you look for somewhere to put your flowers. Again this is a great opportunity to make the most of your bouquets. I suggest placing the bouquets either along the front of the bridal/head table in a way that works in with the table decorations or place them on the cake or gift tables.

Later in the evening you might choose to throw your bouquet – this is something you should decide on during the wedding planning process. Some brides who wish to keep their bouquet, but still want to throw one will either throw one of the bridesmaid’s or have an extra one made up especially.

The Ruche Blog

Photo credit: The Ruche Blog

Now that your wedding day has come to end you can say farewell to your bouquet, however many brides choose to keep them. There are many lovely ways to preserve and display your wedding flowers. You can see some of these on one of our boards on Pinterest.

I hope that by having read this you can now feel confident that you know exactly what to do with your wedding bouquet.

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© 2015 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.

 

How to Avoid Giving the Worst Wedding Speech Ever

Speeches

Photo by thephotographer.co.nz

You can imagine that being in the profession that I am in, I have listened to many wedding speeches. Most have tugged on the heart strings, brought smiles to the faces of the guests and tears of joy to their eyes. But then there are those that will forever be remember for all the wrong reasons. These are the kind that simply make you want to hide under your chair or take that unnecessary trip to the bathroom. So today I’m going to share 3 keys on how to avoid giving the worst wedding speech ever.

1.  Keep it about the bride and groom. Wedding speeches are supposed to be short. 2 – 3 minutes at the most. Any longer and everyone’s eyes start to glaze over, they start checking their watches or (my pet-peev) destroying the centrepieces. So think carefully about what you are wanting to say. Cull out all the long winded back stories and your unnecessary personal opinions so you have plenty of time to get to the point, which is to honour the bride & groom and their parents. After all if it wasn’t for all of them, you wouldn’t be there.

2.  Humour is tricky. If you are going to tell a funny story about the bride or groom, please, please, please make sure other people will find it funny too. Test it out on some family and friends who are going to be brutally honest with you. It is better you hear it from them, than face an awkward silence from 100 or so guests. If you do tell a story that is proven to be funny I recommend at the end of it, draw it to some conclusion that compliments the bride or groom for their good character. This helps bring the mood back from embarrassing to warm and fuzzy.

3. Write it down. I can not stress this point enough. So many people think, “Nah, it’ll be right” and then they get up to give the speech and they bomb out big time. I can all most guarantee, whether you are an experience speech-maker or not, when you get up there the nerves will get you and your mind will go blank. At least if you write it down (and practice it too before the wedding day) you can read what is on your paper. To be honest I have no problem with people reading their wedding speeches, it is far better than the alternative.

So there you have it 3 things that will keep you from giving the worst wedding speech ever.

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© 2015 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.

 

Rustic Farm Wedding {Julie & Alister}

A January Wedding in Te Kopuru, Kaipara, New Zealand.

I am super excited to share this wedding with you today as it is of special significance to me. I have known Alister and his family since he was in primary school and I first met Julie when she came, from the U.S.A, to live with my family as an exchange student. Back then I would never have guessed that, 10 or so years down the track, I would have the privilege of helping them to plan their wedding. As you will no doubt be able to tell from these photos this was a very fun wedding, full of laughter – which was exactly what the couple had hoped for.

Thanks again, Julie and Alister, for allowing me to be a part of your special day. Congratulations!

A big thank you to Sharney from Grace Photography as well as various guests for allowing us to share these photos with you today.

 

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Vendor Credits:

 

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© 2015 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.

10 Things Event Planners Can Do For You

Header Image

If you follow us on Facebook you might find today’s article vaguely familiar since we ran this as a series of posts sometime last year. This time, though, we have made a few tweaks and gathered all the points together in one place. So here we go …

 

# 1 – We bring all of our experience to your special occasion. Even if you enjoy planning your own parties, you don’t necessarily know, what it is you don’t know.  With the experience of having planned and managed many events we can help you ask the right questions, find what you need and tick all the boxes to planning a fabulous event that is talked about for years to come.

#2 – A good Event Planner will work to understand the vision you have for your special occasion, as well as suggest ways to enhance it that are consistent with your wishes and budget.

#3 – This is likely to be no surprise, but an event planner helps to reduce the stress you experience when planning your special occasion. Our planning process brings a method to what otherwise could be madness. By managing your planning tasks and providing emotional support when needed, we can ease your load and increase your level of joy in the planning process considerably.

#4 – We can save you money by helping you to stay on target with your budget. We can also help you find the best deals for your special occasion as well as provide tips and advice on how to make your money go further.

#5 – There is so many beautiful design options available to brides and event hosts, that it can be difficult to know where to start and even where to stop. A good event planner will seek to understand your personal style preferences and then help you to bring together a cohesive design plan for your occasion.

#6 – Because of our experience in the industry we are able to provide you with vendor recommendations that will compliment your special occasion’s style and budget.

#7 – We lead you through the planning process.  Planning an event, especially a wedding, can be a rather daunting task. Many people try and do too much too soon, or they leave it all to the last minute. We can help set the right pace for you and your occasion and lead you through the planning process step by step, breaking it down into tasks so that everything is done in a timely manner and nothing is forgotten.

#8 – An event planner will create for you a detailed schedule for the day of your wedding or event. This will mean everyone involved will know exactly what to do and when to do it.

#9 – We make your plans become a reality.  On the day of your special occasion we make sure it all comes together nicely.  If problems arise we sort them out quickly and without causing a fuss.  This means you and your guests can sit back, relax and fully enjoy your day.

#10 – On the day of your special occasion we enable you to fully absorb every joyful moment.  Because of the relationship we have built with you throughout the planning journey you’ll know without a doubt, that everything will be taken care of to a standard that will exceed your expectations.

 

If you are interested in having us help you with your wedding or special occasion feel free to get in touch by emailing us at info@asyouwish.co.nz and we can arrange a time to chat about your planning needs.

 

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© 2015 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.

 

10 Ways to Warm Your Winter Guests

Autumn is, and Winter will soon be, upon us. But that doesn’t mean that the season for parties has come to an end. Instead a whole new world of cozy fires, comfort food and warm beverages is beginning to opening up to us. So here’s 10 ways to keep your guests warm as you party on.

1. Heaters, Fireplaces & Fire Pits

I thought I would start with the most obvious of winter warmers. If we’re cold we turn on a heater or light the fire, right.  Whether you are indoors or outdoors there are so many options. Most of us will have some sort of heating system in our home, so I won’t go into this side of things. But here are some of my favourites from more of a party side.

Patio Heaters

Patio Heaters are a good choice for outdoor areas. While you can buy these at places such as Bunnings, Mitre 10 Mega, and The Warehouse you’ll find that most hire centres will have them too. These particular ones can be hired from www.insphire.co.nz

 

Dimplex Ritz Flame Effect Heater

I am loving these electric fireplaces, available for sale at www.mitre10.co.nz . Some of them look so realistic and all you have to do is plug them in and turn them on.

 

Gas Fire-pit with Fireglass

Fire-pits are becoming increasingly popular. Both wood burning and gas burning options are available. This one can be seen on www.bestplants.com . For those operating on gas there is the option of covering the pipes with Fireglass instead of the traditional fake logs or coal. You can see here how effective the fireglass looks here in this picture. Fireglass is available in New Zealand click through to www.nzfireglass.co.nz for more information.

 

2. Warm Lighting

Creating an atmosphere of warmth can also help your guests feel warm and one of the key components of this is lighting. Consider using lighting options that have a warm-toned glow (colours like yellow, gold, orange, and red). Things like warm-white fairy lights and candles do a great job of this.

Rustic Wedding

As seen on hwtm.com

3. Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate is such a great way to warm up from the inside out, and it is great for all ages.  I love the idea of setting up a Hot Chocolate drink station which guests can help themselves to. Add a few extras like flavoured marshmallows, spices and sprinkles to make it even more interesting.

Hot Chocolate Bar

As seen on discoverweddings.ru

4. Other Warm Beverages

Instead of the usual cocktails you might have on offer, mix it up a bit by trying some that are served hot. There are many great recipes out there just waiting for you to try them out.

25 Warm Winter Cocktails

As seen on mycrazygoodlife.com , click on the link for the recipes.

 

5. Active Entertainment

Keep your guests busy and active by having a variety of activities for them to do throughout your party. If they are moving they are more likely to stay warm and if they are enthralled in what is taking place they’ll have less time to think about the temperature.

 6. S’mores Bar

I love S’mores. Toasted marshmallows, chocolate and biscuits – what not to love, right? So setting up a station that has all the ingredients for guests to make their own is a great idea. Not only is it warm food, it is a great activity. So guests will be entertained and fed.

S'mores Bar

As seen on glamourandgraceblog.com

 

7. Other Warm Food

‘Tis the season for warm comfort food. Break out the slow cookers and casserole pots and start cooking those family favourites for your guests. Consider making a hearty vegetable soup or heating up some Watties canned tomato soup and serving it with fresh, warm bread. Or maybe if you’re feeling a little more adventurous have a go at cooking a roast dinner. Oh my goodness, now I’m hungry.

 8. Mini Wheat Bags

Heat up these little wheat bags in the microwave for your guests to pop in their pockets to warm up their hands.  They can also make great party favours for the guests to take home.

Cozy Hand Warmers

As seen on weddingpartyapp.com

 

9. Borrow a Blanket

Some people are going so far as to give their guests a blanket or shawl as a party favour, but if your budget doesn’t extend that far your can simply offer to loan them one. Some of our lovely local venues consist of covered in porches and if guests are unaware and don’t come prepared then this is a particularly a good idea.

Borrow a Blanket

As seen on theknot.com

 

10. Give Them Warm Treats for the Trip Home

Thinking of your guests comfort on their journey home is a way of sending your love and warmth home with them. It’s this kind of warmth that goes beyond temperature. Maybe it’s a warm chocolate brownie or beverage of some sort. Or maybe you can zap those mini wheat bags again or gift them a scarf. I’m sure with your creativity and maybe the help of Pinterest you’ll come up with the perfect idea for your guests.

Coffee and donut

As seen on weddingpartyapp.com

 

I hope this has inspired you for your cooler weather celebrations. Remember that we’d love to see your celebrations, so take some great pics and drop us a line.

Sign off

 

 

 

 

© 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.

 

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

Sign off

 

 

 

 

© 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.