Three Days Out: Weather Update

A brief update from us on the weather situation as we had to make a call with the caterers on our ceremony location. So according to MetService we're looking at:

Morning cloud, then fine. High of 19 degrees. Sunset at 8.50pm

Which is great news, and it means that the ceremony will be in Shorland Park. Please pack a coat/scarf just in case the wind changes. 

Here is the bus timetable for those traveling in from the city. We recommend catching the 2.28pm No.1 bus departing the railway station. This departs Courtenay Place at 2.38pm and should arrive at Shorland Park at 3.05pm.  

If you have any issues on the day please contact our M.C. Flint Rennie on 027 310 8649. Alternatively contact the Rebecca's dad Derrick on 022 606 7463.

Three beauty sleeps to go...

Update: Groomsmen

Only four big sleeps to go until the special day. We're motoring through a mega task list this week and our excitement levels are definitely building.

Unfortunately Bevan's brother Bruce Jnr has been caught up with work and family commitments leading up to the wedding and we recently changed the wedding party. We are thrilled to welcome Darren Hoshek to the party.

Darren is one of Bevan's best friends and a fellow Pink Ginners teammate. Darren is also in the midst of planning his own wedding to the lovely Joy (one of Rebecca's mates) on January 5th 2013.

Watch out for that cheeky grin!

Darren specialises in IT, masters in cricket (bowling), and perseveres with Overload training at the gym with the crew. We're so honoured that he'd take on the role of groomsman at such short notice.

Gift Registry details

We're only one week out from the wedding. We're both now officially on leave from work for the rest of the year and we had a great Christmas function with the Film Festival crew last night to celebrate a good year. 

We've had a few queries about the gift registry and just wanted to reiterate the details for these online:

NotAnotherToaster.co.nz
login username LVCGRJ
password 811982

thehomestoreonline.co.nz
Event date: 15 December 2012
Select pick-up option - The Homestore will giftwrap and deliver the gifts to us after the event.

On Not Another Toaster we've created a wishlist of activities or large items that we'd welcome contributions towards. We've booked the rental car for the trip North to the caravan at Hot Water Beach (can't wait!). And over at The Homestore we have listed a small selection of household items that we'd love.

Remember to RSVP for Yum Cha at islandbaywedding@gmail.com. Only seven beauty sleeps to go...
and we're on target x Bex and Bevan

Yum Yum Cha

The thought of seeing everyone together to celebrate our special day has to be one of the most exciting parts of this event planning. Although we know that on The Day it is going to be hard to catch up with everyone as much as we would like.

So we're putting out an open invite for everyone to join us for post wedding day Yum Cha on Sunday 16 December, from 11 am at Grand Century on Tory Street (opposite Harvey Norman). Not only is this a great chance to see you again before we head away but also a yum (slightly greasy) brunch after a big Saturday.

Jared and Ange demonstrating the art of yum cha

What is Yum Cha?
A Chinese-style morning tea which involves drinking a lot of green tea and eating a lot of dumplings. Yum cha literally means "drink tea" and the bottomless pot of tea is a refreshing drink after a night of excess. Various plates of sweet and savoury items are brought round on a cart or tray. All plates are designed to be shared by the group. 

Time?

We've booked space from 11 am and the Yum Cha is served over a couple of hours.

Cost?

It generally works out to $20 a head when the total bill is split amongst a group. We suggest putting $20 per person into the kitty when you arrive and we'll cover any surplus on the bill at the end. 

Tips

It is customary to pour tea for others before filling one's own tea cup. 
When tea drinkers tap the table with two (occasionally one) fingers of the same hand, an action known as finger kowtow, it is an expression of gratitude to the member of the party who filled their cups.

RSVP

Please let us know if you plan on attending by sending an email to islandbaywedding@gmail.com. We've booked a private space at the restaurant under the name Bevan.

The start of summer and only two weeks to go...

Only TWO WEEKS TO GO! How did that happen?

The Shorland Park band rotunda

All of the RSVPs are in. We've made it through November, a couple of hens dos/stag dos (our friends Joy and Hosh are also  getting married very soon), and now we're on the day by day countdown. And we've filled in the marriage registration, so it is all very official now.

Our venue for the ceremony is Shorland Park, Island Bay and we're keeping fingers crossed for a beautiful day in the Bay for the 15 December. 

If the Wellington weather decides to throw a wobbly then our wet weather venue for the ceremony is the Island Bay Community Centre,  137 The Parade, Island Bay. The reception will still be held at the Island Bay Surf Club in the evening.

The Island Bay Community Centre is tucked behind the main shops on The Parade, Island Bay

Click through for the Google Map location. More about the community centre can be found here on their Facebook page. There is very limited parking down the driveway so we ask that you park on The Parade if the venue has to be used. The No.1 bus also stops close by.

We will communicate closer to the time if we're moving to the backup venue (via text or phone, and a blog post here). More weather updates to come.

Only 13 days to go... 

Shake It Baby (RSVPs closing soon)

Those RSVP cards are starting to fill the letterbox and we're really enjoying the responses coming in. We have to admit though... we had no idea that the song request option would present such a dilemma for so many! Doesn't everyone have a go-to dance song when they want to get their boogie on? Go on, write it down.

Some song and comment highlights received so far...
Acceptable in the 80s - Calvin Harris
Take On Me - A-ha
Robyn (loving this artist, especially this song) 
Brown Eyed Girl AND Wind Beneath My Wings (good to see multiple options coming in)
I'll Dance If Others Are (...if anyone knows the artist for this song let me know, ta) ;)
Gangnam Style (YES! Someone requested it. You better practice your dance moves for this one.)
"Outstanding invitations!" (hey thanks!)
"When I saw the card a little happy tear sprouted in my eye" <3

Some further clarification required for these ones...
"80's Pop!" - exactly which 80s Pop song dear Huia?
"Pretty much everything" - well you are going to have to dance all night then...
"have tequila shots with me!"

So don't be shy, we're all going to have fun dancing to ALL the songs from the late night playlist. Thanks for all the messages as well. We are getting really excited about seeing all of you lovely people very soon.

Only 34 days to go... 
xx Bevan and Rebecca

Meet the Groomsmen

The invites are in the post and we're already enjoying your responses as they are received.

At this stage in the event planning Bevan is working on details for the groomsmen. In this post we want to introduce you to the two charming young men who'll play an important part in the wedding: Bruce and Jesse.

Bruce and Jesse are Bevan’s younger brothers.  

As you can imagine, these guys got up to a lot of mischief in their childhoods. But they’re all proper grownups now.

Middle brother, Bruce, enjoys video games and beer. He’s a dairy farm manager in Pio Pio. Bruce’s partner is Kelly. They have a lovely girl, Claudia, and an energetic little boy, Jacob.

Awww.. little Bruce

Younger brother, Jesse, enjoys golf and beer. He’s a project manager at Indeserve in Auckland.  Jesse’s partner is Michelle. They live in a lovely house in the boys’ hometown of Manurewa and are the parents of darlings Alicia and Casey.

Too cute... baby Jesse

Bevan was an assertive older brother to Bruce and Jesse when they were kids. But they’ve forgiven him and are honoured to be his groomsmen. 

Only 48 days to go...

We love Island Bay, Wellington

Island Bay, c.1905, postcard form the Wellington City Library collection

We're putting together our lovely invitations at the moment with the assistance of pro designer Rose Miller. We can't wait for you to receive your special envelopes (about another week away).  

In pulling the material together we wanted to give you a glimpse of Island Bay, our chosen location for the celebrations. We love the area - we've both spent a lot of time running around the south coast (half marathon training), having fish 'n' chips in the park (rewards for  half marathon training), catching the odd film at Empire Cinema, and visiting our dear friend Huia. 

It is a beautiful suburb of Wellington that has a history from pre-European settlement. 

The island in the bay is the point from which the legendary Maori chief Kupe sighted the giant octopus Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, which he pursued across Cook Strait. The area was was home to several pa, including Te Mupunga Kainga, today represented with a pou in Shorland Park. In the late 19th century Italian fishermen settled in the area. In 1905 the Wellington tramline was extended to Island Bay boosting the local population. 
 

The view from our reception venue, the Island Bay Surf Club, will look a lot like Rita Angus' famous painting Boats, Island Bay (1968).  

The surrounding area is a Marine Reserve

Taputeranga Marine Reserve is an 840 hectare area extending approximately 2.3 km off Wellington’s south coast. The Island Bay Surf Club is home base for the Marine Education Centre, which hosts open days every Sunday at the orange Bait House on the Siren Rocks.

The Memorial Rotunda is where our ceremony will take place

The Rotunda was erected in 1930 by the residents "to gratefully commemorate the services rendered to their King and country by those who enlisted from the Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Happy Valley districts".

Sunshine on the rotunda, just as we picture it for 15 December

Other tidbits (thanks Wikipedia)

• A Buddhist monastery is located on the western hills of Island Bay, with the golden Stupa visible from much of the suburb.
• Roads, many named after rivers, mainly in Great Britain.

The Wellington City Council have a great website with heritage information about the suburbs around Wellington. Here is the link for Island Bay if you'd like to read more.

Island Bay, ~1900-1920, postcard from the Wellington City Council Library

Only 65 days to go...

Meet the Ladies in Waiting

Meet Sarah and Lizzie! Two very important characters in the events for our Island Bay Wedding on the 15 December: Rebecca's Ladies in Waiting. 

On a shopping trip to Palmy earlier in the year Bex used her Bride-to-be position of power to make the ladies try on half the store. 

Sarah is Rebecca's one and only sister, who lives in Wellington (just down the road from us). She's a super creative talent with a passion for fine clothing and shoes. Which means she has a lot of great ideas for the day, and a lot of good connections in Wellington. At this stage she is still under the impression that she'll have a say in her outfit, hair + makeup for the Big Day. Mwahahaha.

Rebecca and Sarah, Wanganui circa 1988

Sarah is a national red-head treasure

Lizzie is Rebecca's long-time friend starting way back in 4th form at high school (Palmerston North Girls' High represent). Together Lizzie and Rebecca held fast in their dream to never get married and have kids. Lizzie is a little upset that Rebecca's broken that pact some 16 years later... and that she is being made to wear a dress and makeup and will probably have to give a speech. Keep an eye on this one: she apparently has a tendency to cry at weddings.

If anyone needs rescuing at the party then we have a bridesmaid with the skills (and her partner Shane will be on hand too). This is bad-ass Lizzie in Swift Water Rescue mode. 

Lizzie is also a cocktails (tasting) expert, handy for Hens Dos! 

Rebecca's lovely Ladies in Waiting are putting plans in place at the moment for an afternoon of fun on Saturday 17th November. They'll be sending out invitations very shortly.

xx Bex and Bevan 
(only two months and 18 days to go)

Staying in the Capital – a bit of a treat

Come and stay at the Museum Hotel if you want to treat yourself when you’re in town for the wedding. We’ve negotiated a special rate with the Museum Hotel for our guests. The Museum Hotel is one of the best hotels in town (they are a Film Festival sponsor and we host international filmmakers there).

Rebecca and the ladies will be staying there on the night before the wedding. (So you’ll be close to the action!)

Premier Studio

Premier Studio Bathroom

It’s a bit of a luxury and there are cheaper options in town but if you are keen on a treat while staying in town then we think the Museum Hotel is a great option (and the Hippopotamus restaurant serves delicious French-inspired cuisine).

Booking details and room rates:

GROUP NAME: Island Bay Wedding

GROUP CONFIRMATION NUMBER: 63160

Recommended rooms: Premier Studios or 1 Bedroom Suite (other options available on request)

To book, use the Group Name when booking directly with the hotel:

Hotel + 64 4 802 8900

NZ 0800 994 335

Or email Jessie, groups@museumhotel.co.nz

Premier Studio King bed, kitchenette, separate shower & bath	Room only rate: $239 (incl GST)
One Bedroom Suite                                                  King bed, lounge with kitchenette, separate shower & bath	Room only rate: $259 (incl GST)

One Bedroom Suite

One Bedroom Suite Bathroom

Special details: complimentary access to the hotel gym, lap pool, spa pool, sauna, guest computers, internet and printer in the hotel lobby.  Daily complimentary newspapers are available on request, except on Sundays.

Extras: Breakfast Fully Cooked or Continental at $20.00 per extra person in room or served in Hippopotamus Restaurant. Parking is $20 per day and is valet service.

Getting to the venue from the hotel:

Catch the No.1 (Island Bay) bus to the end of the line (Shorland Park). The bus stop (on Courtenay Place) is only 330m walk from the hotel. The No.1 bus leaves every 20 minutes. (Google Map Place link here)

Alternatives 

For cheaper accommodation options we also recommend the Quality Hotel on Cuba Street. It’s centrally located and rates are around $160 for twin rooms. Contact them at: info@cqwellington.com or Free Ph 0800 888 5 999

http://www.hotelwellington.co.nz/

Five Months To Go!

Things have slowed down in the wedding planning department. Bevan and I have reached that time of the year when work gets pretty busy. (Check out the Film Festival programme announced here - Wellington starts in two weeks).

We're finalising a caterer at the moment: this is the fun and challenging part! Deciding on the food so far out, and ensuring a company that gets the vibe we're going for. Whoever we go with, it will be delicious…

Next we'll be posting about accommodation recommendations in the city for anyone keen to get booking well in advance. 

In the meantime, how amazing does this cake look?! (Care of Sweetapolita.com)

So many fabulous potential wedding cakes out there. How to choose?

X

Rebecca and Bevan

Save the Date!

Our gorgeous Save the Date postcards are ready for the mailbox! We're really chuffed with the personal illustrations from Stephen Templer and fab design work by Rose Miller (Kraftwork). 

The beautiful fantail is Bevan's favourite.

Our Shorland Park rotunda (and that Wellington breeze) are a favourite of mine...


These great drawings are a hint of the lovely things to come x

Decisions, Decisions

On Sunday we attended The Wellington Wedding Show together with our friends Joy & Hosh who are also on the wedding planning mission. They're getting married exactly three weeks after us (Jan 5th 2013). 

The Show was a big improvement on the 2011 event (and we were better prepared with key suppliers that we wanted to meet and specific ideas to check out). Bevan was enthusiastic about meeting the helpful staff at the many suit hire and tailor stands. Plus we had the delight of hopping in the back grey 1963 Bentley. Now that would be a great ride to and from the ceremony...

For us, the key aim of the day was to meet potential caterers (and cake suppliers) and we were happy to come away with the details for at least three companies that we'll be following up with.

After the show Joy and I headed over to Brides on Thorndon for an exhaustive couple of hours trying on plenty of beautiful dresses. The glass of bubbles helped the experience! No dress decision for me yet but an overwhelming number of options to keep dreaming of.

We Have Been Busy

We Have A Date!
Yes, the planning is now underway and we're excited to be working towards 15 December 2012 for our big day. We're finalising the guest list and Save-The-Date cards 
- Bex


We Have A Photographer!
Venue and photographer done. Bex has been so busy - Bevan


Helena Sofia Photography will capture the day on film. We like her style. Check her work out here: http://www.helenasofia.com/