Keep the lines open during wedding planning

A sense of humour is a must when you plan your wedding. That advice comes from many a couple who have experienced the highs and lows of wedding planning. As well as finding the funny side of events leading up to your big day – keeping the lines of communication open...

Changing or keeping your name?

Sometimes the trigger for changing a name is ensuring all the family, including the children, end up with the same last name. For some people they get around this by giving their children both parent’s surnames (either hyphenated or not) or by having one surname as a...

Legal Bits & Bobs

It is important to get the legalities out of the way in plenty of time before your wedding ceremony. There are two ways to get married or have a civil union in New Zealand. Either by a registered marriage celebrant (and you can choose): When and where you’ll get...

Balancing the Budget

It’s not that romantic, but one of the first items on the wedding plan needs to be setting a budget and deciding who is going to pay. An average New Zealand wedding costs between $25,000-$35,000. However, small budget weddings can be as personal and special as large...

Happily Ever After begins with great planning

So you’re taking the plunge and getting married. Whether you’re a traditionalist and want a big white wedding with all the trimmings, or have a small intimate wedding in mind — the Beacon wedding planner has advice, tips and information to help. For most people,...