Spring Weddings Downunder

Spring has arrived in the Southern Hemisphere and it's no wonder it's a popular choice for weddings.  There's something magical about saying your wedding vows in a springtime garden setting and charging your sparkling champagne glass in the golden sunlight.  As the weather warms up, the florals go into bloom I cant help but think that Spring is the best time of year to exchange vows - a lovely representation of new life, renewal, beauty and love.

Colours:
The colours available are exhaustive, so you can create a rainbow effect or simply choose one design so you have a flood of consistent colour to match your wedding theme. Springtime parasols can now be found adorned with silk blossoms such as gardenias and daisies.

Styling:
Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather and host your ceremony and reception outdoors in a beautiful, bloom-filled garden setting.  Pick fresh flowers for table decorations, have your bridesmaids wear blossoms from the garden in their hair and tie bows with fresh flowers into each table napkin.  Decorate your venue with bunches of mismatched blooms, paper lanterns in a rainbow of sherbert colours and paper flowers.

Favours:
Favor ideas for a springtime wedding are as plentiful as the season itself.  Miniature tin pails can be given with wheatgrass cheekily peeking from the top.  Give a packet of springtime bulbs ready to burst into life in a beautiful paper bag adorned with personalised ribbon or, simply place a card on each of the floral centrepieces letting your guests know that they are free to take home the flowers at the end of the reception as your gift to their home.  Give each of your guests a parasol to protect them from the spring sunshine. 

Flowers:
The delights of spring can be found in the range of flowers in season, including Alstromeria, Baby's Breath, Blue Bells, Carnations, Camellia, Cornflowers, Daffodils, Forget me not, Freesia, Gardenia, Roses, Iris, Jasmine, Lavender, Lilac, Australian Natives, Tropical Orchids, Peony Rose, Poppy, Queen Annes Lace, Snapdragon, Stephanotis, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Lily of the Valley, Oriental Lily and Tiger Lily.  Choose your favourite flower as your main wedding theme, whether it is a peony or a daffodil, flowers can be some of the most beautiful inspirations for your big day.

Wedding attire:
Spring weddings are the perfect time to showcase your dream bridal gown, whatever it may be. Strapless, short skirts, structured princess gowns, floral embroidery, a splash of colour in a sash or corsage, and light fabrics such as chiffon and organza all work for Spring events.  Sherbet colours in all different designs can look incredibly modern and happy for your ceremony.

Food and beverages:
An Australian springtime wedding menu could include lgrilled polenta with goat's cheese, prawn cutlets with lime, seasonal vegetable stacks, rack of spring lamb, and fresh strawberries steeped in your favourite liquor with shortbread for dessert.  Chilled soups and salads make perfect appetisers, and fish, chicken and lamb are all suitable for the main course when paired with seasonal vegetables. 

Continue your spring theme with your cake both inside and out. White chocolate, raspberry, lemon, orange and carrot are all great wedding cake flavours for Spring weddings.  Decorate your cake with blossoms, colourful polka dots, or pastel ribbons.

Drinks for spring weddings should be fresh and fruity, with citrus elements playing a key role. A lemonade bar with different flavours and colours of lemonade served from large glass jars can make an attractive feature as well as providing refreshment. For your signature cocktail choose something refreshing like white wine sangria, or Long Island Ice Tea. White, rose and sparkling wine is more popular than red during the spring season.

Invitations for spring weddings:
Your invitation sets the tone of your wedding, and what better way to announce spring weddings than with a fun, fresh design.  Look for floral designs and motifs, natural colours such as green, yellow and pink and relaxed informal fonts.

Colour schemes and patterns for spring weddings:
The traditional pastels such as lavender, pink, blue and lemon are still popular, but these can be combined with stronger colours to achieve a contemporary look.  Pale pinks and blues look wonderful with chocolate brown and lemons and deep purple compliment each other really well.  Patterns that work well at spring weddings include stripes, polka dots, gingham and plaid.  If you opt to mix patterns keep your colours simple.  Use your chosen patterns on your invitations, your cake and favours.

Decorations for spring weddings:
There are so many beautiful flowers in season in spring including gerberas, roses, lilies and tulips.  Suspended bird cages decorated with flowers, as well as brightly coloured Chinese lanterns can make a real impact.  Tall indoor trees are a very fashionable option and can be accessorised with ornamental birds and brightly coloured butterflies.

Decor Idea

Vintage silver and pewter trophies as flower vases add an element of loveliness to any wedding theme, be it vintage, modern or chic and if you rummage hard enough I bet you'll find one or two lying around at home.

New Zealand Designer - Anna Schimmel

Take note all your NZ brides ... the very talented Anna Schimmel has just released a new range of exquisite wedding gowns - the French Collection. 

Based in Auckland, Anna creates stunning bespoke wedding gowns based on exclusive collections, or individually design luxurious haute couture.
Head over to the website to swoon over these stunning gowns and other beautiful collections.

Get married in New Zealand for less

•Cut down on the guest list - The primary expense for most weddings is the reception.  Think about inviting fewer guests to save exponentially on food, beverage and rental costs.  Many New Zealand venues specialize in small, intimate wedding parties for a significantly lower cost than larger affairs of the same caliber.

•Wedding Discount Card - Websites such as Great Weddings New Zealand offer discount loyalty cards to save users significant amounts of money.  Great Weddings includes affiliated businesses for almost everything you might need, including catering, reception venues, photography, entertainment and transportation.  Flights can even be booked using this card to save you and your guests money.

•Flowers - Flowers can be costly and it's often because the desired type of bloom is not in season or needs to be shipped wo opt for flowers that are in season and readily available.  Or, for those really budget-strapped, consider scrapping the flowers altogether and carrying parasols, fans. Remember there are many beautiful wedding venues that are so stunning they don't need floral decoration.  Candles make a much more budget-friendly table centerpieces than fresh blooms.

•All-In-One - Hire one venue to provide your entire event. R ather than hiring a separate caterer, cake designer, florist, DJ and reception venue.  Many venues will provide a package that encompasses all your wedding's needs - often at a reduced price.  This is especially convenient for brides abroad, eliminating the need to communicate with so many separate clients overseas.

•Book out of Season - The busiest season for weddings in New Zealand is spring and summer - October to March.  Booking your event outside those months will mean reduced rates on venue, catering, photography, and more.  Also, purchasing wedding supplies out-of-season allows you to take advantage of sale discounts on items like clothing, jewelry, decorations, invitations, even alcohol.

•Network - Ask friends and family to help.  This might mean your bridesmaids helping assemble wedding invitations, mom creating the favors, or a family friend providing photography at a reduced cost.  Just ask. Most friends and family are happy to be included in your special day.