Wedding Words: “Juliet Cap”

September 14, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

What is a Juliet Cap (headdress)?

A Juliet Cap is simply a skullcap (small round cap), often set with pearls or other gems, worn by women for semiformal or bridal wear and is usually decorated with pearls or semi-precious stones.

Juliet Cap

 

Juliet Cap – Kate Moss

 

An article in Every Woman’s Encyclopaedia (London, 1910) suggested:

“For evening wear a favourite and becoming adornment for the hair is a cap made after the fashion of that worn by the hapless heroine of the world’s best known love story. Juliet caps hold their place as fashions come and go, and, although somewhat expensive trifles to buy may be made up by artistic and clever fingers at very little cost, and shaped to suit individual styles.”
 
There you have it!  The Juliet Cap!

 

Jaks

 

 

No Comments / Tags: / Posted in 2011, Hair & Beauty

Hotel on Devonport – Wedding Venue

September 11, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

 

72 Devonport Road

Tauranga

Ph: 07 578 2668

www.hotelondevonport.net.nz

Conference & Reception Manager: Kim Eldring

Email: kim@hotelondevonport.net.nz

Hotel on Devonport – Front Entrance

Hotel on Devonport typically holds up to 5 private functions a week with packages specialised to the requirements of their clients. It is a boutique style property located in downtown Tauranga. The modern function room offers the bonus of stunning views down the harbour to Mount Maunganui and beyond.

The Peninsular Room provides an elegant venue for intimate weddings of up to 80 guests for a seated dinner and up to 100 guests for cocktail functions.

Peninsular Room

Contemporary interior design in a subtle palette of neutrals provides a sophisticated and stylish back-drop for your special day. Floor to ceiling windows with sliding doors opening onto the deck provide breathtaking views of the inner harbour.

Rate: $1650 plus GST – minimum of 50 guests

  • Exclusive use of venue from 11.30am – 12 midnight. (General setup, tables, chairs, linen table cloths & napkins, crockery, cutlery, glasses, gift table, cake table & knife, microphone, sound system)
  • Facilitator on day of event
  • Catering & Beverage staff
  • Room access for florist & table decorators from 11am
  • Complimentary romance package for Bridge and Groom: Includes Accommodation in an Executive Room, a bottle of bubbles on arrival, heart chocolates, deluxe Cooked breakfast for two delivered to your room and late check out at 12.oo noon

Additional charges for extra services that can be supplied by Hotel on Devonport:

  • Catering requirements
  • Non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages
  • Accommodation for guests
  • Flowers
  • Music
  • Entertainment
  • Valance for bridal table

Room access: Access to rooms is negotiable; but florists & table decorators have access to the room from 11.00am on the day

Venue directions: A printed copy to the venue is available if required

Exclusive use: All functions are exclusive use

Set up & clean up: Is inclusive in the venue hireage

Dress code: There is no dress code for guests; but there is a formal dress code for staff

Guest coat/clothing room: There is no clock room, but the venue can hold guest clothing

Guest vacate time: Midnight

Guest RSVP: Minimum number of guests are due 7 days prior to the event. Additional guests are welcome after the meal, but only up to a maximum of 80 guests total

Parking: There is adequate parking on Devonport Road and a limited number of spaces in the building

Transport: If pre arranged, the venue may organise transport to take guests home

Available equipment: Lapel & hand held mic; sound system; projector & screen – included in venue hire cost

Outdoor seating: Is not available

Staff: Staff guest ratio is dependant on the requirements of the function. Bar staff, servers, chef are provided and included in the venue hire cost

Catering: The venue includes full catering: Entree, Main Meals & Dessert and therefore does not allow external caterers. Wedding menus may start at $50 per head with this price based on minimum of 50 guests. Wedding Sample Menu may be obtained.

Left over food: No food & drink can be taken off the premises (except for Wedding Cake or unopened bottles of wine)

Liquor: The venue provides a vast wine & beer selection; however guests may BYO, but this is subject to a corkage fee.  Full Wine & Beer List can be obtained.

Cake cutting: The venue can provide a cake cutting service

Entertainment: Entertainers have access to electrical outlets

Dance floor: There is a dance floor which can hold up to 40 guests

Accommodation: Complimentary romance package for the bride and groom. Discounts available for guest groups with 10 or more rooms

Rehearsals: are permitted prior to the wedding day, subject to an appointment

Payments: An initial deposit equal to the room hire fee is payable. 2nd installment equal to 50% of the wedding cost is required 30 days prior to the event and the final balance is due on the day of the event. There is no applicable overtime charge. Payments do not include GST. Price packages are available in the Wedding Info Pack.

Info packs: are available and include: Venue information; Event contact; Room & accommodation details; Sample food menus; Drink selection prices; Terms & conditions

Cancellation terms: 30 days prior – no charge. 14 – 29 days prior – full deposit; 13 days or less – total function costs

Contract: Written contract & guarantee provided

13 August 2011 Amazing Race pics: decor & layout are sample; can be re-designed to suit:

Table Decor example - 13/8/11

Table Setting: "Dangerous Dame Kiri" - 13/8/11

 

Bed room - "Dangerous Dame" Amazing Race - 13/8/11

 

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in 2011, 2011 Amazing Race - Search for a Wedding Venue, Bay of Plenty, Wedding Venue

How were you proposed to competition?

May 3, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

So, here we are!

Our 3 finalists who entered the “How were you proposed to competition” to win a Day-of Wedding Planner & Soy Candle Package from The Soy Candle Company, all to the value of $1000.

It was lovely to receive your stories & photos – how romantic are these men?!

So the next part of the competition is up to our readers.  YOU get to vote for our winners & by doing so; you too may win a Soy Candle package from The Soy Candle Company valued at $50.

Here they are & here are their stories:

Finalist No 1 – Juliet & Jon

We were on holiday in Sicily in May last year when Jon suggested we took a cable car up to a little medieval town of Erice.  We spent the afternoon walking through the medieval fortress and browsing the old shops for picnic ingredients.  Once our shopping bags were full of pesto, sundried tomatoes, olives, cheese and prosciutto, Jon led the way up to the highest turret of the fortress where we were moving in and out of the clouds, and we spent the next hour or so enjoying the view over Sicily.  At one stage a newly-married couple came in and had some photos taken (we offered them a plastic cup of wine but they declined!).  We had finished eating, and were chatting away, when suddenly Jon got down on one knee, and pulled a beautiful ring out of his pocket, said some beautiful words(secret sorry) and then asked if I would marry him.  I was so overwhelmed that it took me a while to speak, but when I could I just said ‘of course I will’.

Jon & Juliet amazing "heads in the clouds" proposal in Sicily

Finalist No 2 – Hararu & Piripi

Queen’s Birthday weekend 2010, Piripi flew up from Christchurch (Burnham Military Camp),   to Whakatane and we set off to our slice of paradise, Te Araroa on the East Cape of the North Island.

We arrived at our destination settled in and it was Piripi’s idea to have an early night.  I couldn’t understand why, but we did it.

Early hours in the morning, he shook me awake and suggested that we go for a walk up the rocky paddock (picture – view from rocky paddock).  I moaned and groaned and couldn’t see sense in this ridiculous adventure.  However, he gave up asking and I felt a little guilty so I got up, not in a very happy mood, mumbling under my breath ‘who knows what’ and got changed. 

As we were getting ready his mum woke up, I asked her in a sarcastic way Do you want to come up to the rocky paddock and watch the sunrise? Her face lit up and she nodded her head in approval.

So I made my way outside, waiting.  The only person to appear was Piripi.  He told me mum decided she didn’t want to come.  I couldn’t understand this either as she looked so excited.  I almost went inside to get her.

We made our way up the steep hill facing many adventures … dodging cows plus their droppings … ensuring that we didn’t fall in potholes, or on gorse and even falling over one another.  My darling didn’t think about bringing a torch.

We finally made it to the top found ourselves the biggest and highest rock, spreading our blanket out, facing towards the East and waited for the sun to rise.  As the sun began rising I commented on how this was such a romantic moment, when it turned even more romantic. 

As I was gazing at the sun I turned to look at Piripi in awe that we were together and that I was just so happy, when he somehow pulled a ring out of his pocket and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.  I didn’t have to think twice about my answer, he is the man of my dreams and I look forward to being with him for the rest of my life.

View of the Rocky Paddock in beautiful Te Araroa; & the lovely Piripi & Hararu

Finalist No 3 – Claire & Ryan

My boyfriend (now fiancé) recently proposed in a uniquely romantic manner (although this view is dependent on your love of cattle). We are both veterinarians, and Ryan’s friend is a photographer for the local newspaper. One Sunday he conned me into believing that his friend needed to take some photos of some bulls on the property of one of our clients for a story. Little did I realise that earlier in the day he had already visited the farm and done some painting! When we arrived six bulls were waiting in the yards. As he released them, each one slowly exited the race, spelling out (in bright pink spray-paint) a very important question; CLAIRE – WILL – YOU – MARRY – ME – ? -. He then dropped down on one knee with a perfect ring. I went completely red, may have teared up a little, and finally got out a YES! Perhaps this may not be a romantic proposal to some, but for two vets this was the perfect romantic proposal. As a bonus we now have photos of the whole event to remember it by (if you would like to see them).

Ryan & Claires innovative Cow Proposal!

So who do you think should win this competition?  Vote by leaving a comment under this post or leaving a comment at the link on the Blissful Bay Weddings Facebook Group page! 

Final votes close for our couples by 8.00pm next Sunday 8 May 2011 & will be announced on Monday 9 May 2011 by 8.00pm.  

And one lucky voter will also win the Soy Candle package and will also be announced on Monday 9 May by 8.00pm!

All the best to our 3 finalists! 

 

867 Comments / Tags: , , , , , , , / Posted in 2011, Soy Candles, Wedding Competition

One for the Girls courtesty of Bob Marley

March 18, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

There is no doubt that I am what you would call a ”Romantic” kind of girl, but you had that figured out already.  However, chuck a dash of ’common sense’ & ‘reality’ in there & then you’ll have me perfectly summed up!  So courtesy of BOB MARLEY – this is the best surmise I could share with you lovely ladies (the following excerpt via Romantic Gestures  newsletter March 2011):

 

Bob Marley

 

 

He’s not perfect.  You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect.  But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can.  He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break.  Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect more than he can give.  Don’t analyze.  Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there.  Love hard when there is love to be had.  Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you…

 Bob Marley sourced from www.pinterest.com

No Comments / Tags: , , / Posted in Romantic

WIN! Free “Day-of” Wedding Planner 2011

January 7, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

In light of the new year & a new season of Weddings to start later in the year, I would like to help you celebrate your Wedding by providing you with the services of a FREE Day-of Wedding Planner valued at $750!  You will also receive FREE Soy Candles from The Soy Candle Company for your Wedding up to the retail value of $250!!  This package is valued at $1000 altogether.  All you have to do is tell me: “How were you proposed to?”  The engaged couple with the most creative or interesting or of course, most romantic will be the winner!

Will you marry me?!

 

So here are a few rules:

  • Comment on this post “How you were proposed to” – to be verified with a picture of yourself & new fiance & hopefully your new engagement ring.  You may email the photo to me seperately from posting your comment; I will let you know my email address after you have posted
  • Be happy to have your Wedding & some associated photos featured as a Real Wedding article on this blog & other Social Media platforms (Facebook & Twitter) utitilised by Blissful Bay Weddings.
  • You need to be getting married within 100km of the Tauranga CBD
  • You need to be getting married any time between July 1 2011 – June 30 2012
  • Entries close 31 March 2011 – so ladies, men; start getting creative now in preparation of a super fantastic wedding proposal

If it sounds like you fit this criteria, and would love your own personal “Day-of” Wedding Planner, I would love to hear from you!

So get thinking, get writing – I can’t wait to hear from you!

9 Comments / Tags: , , , , / Posted in 2011, Social Media, Soy Candles, Tauranga, Wedding Planner

Roles & Responsibilities for Maid/Matron of Honour – MoH

January 6, 2011 by Jacqui Ranui

This is the title & position held by the bride’s chief attendant who will typically be her closest friend or sister.  An unmarried MoH is usually known as a Maid of Honour, but if the MoH is married, she is usually referred to as a Matron of Honour.

So what are the responsibilities of this highly distinguished role.  Please refer the the list below for various details & tasks an MoH may handle on the lead up of the Wedding Day:

• Share the bride’s excitement and joy of the wedding

• Help choose dresses at the brides request (and pay for her own attire including dress, shoes, jewellery and other accessories)

• Help with any other details of planning and preparing for the wedding (as required by the bride)

• Throw a bridal shower and bachelorette party (if the bride desires one) for the bride

• Purchase shower gift

• Attend all pre-wedding parties (per invitation)

• Purchase wedding gift or wedding gift basket

• Help bride with any last minute details from the wedding check list

• Stay by the bride’s side at the ceremony site to assist with any preparation details

• Precede the bride down the aisle during the ceremony, hold the groom’s ring, the bride’s bouquet, fold back the bride’s veil and straighten the train as needed.

• Stand in the receiving line next to the bride immediately following the ceremony. Sign the marriage license as an official witness

• Sit to the bride’s left during dinner at the reception. Attend to any details to help the bride, accompanying her to the washroom, bustling the train and taking part in special dances with the bridal party

• Attend gift opening party

Remember, as the bride’s right-hand lady, confidant & friend, you may reassure how beautiful she looks on the day, how fortunate her husband-to-be is that he is marrying the most wonderful woman in the world, and that YOU are not only her MoH on the day, but a life long friend that will always be counted upon to off-load, love & listen whenever she may need you.

Above all else; laugh, relax, cry & enjoy the day together!

Maid of Honour & Bride

For further information on this subject, please refer to the following article - The Matron of Honour Duties & Responsibilities – via Miller’s Bridal Accessories

 

No Comments / Tags: , , , , / Posted in MoH

The Borne Naked handbag liner Challenge

October 31, 2010 by Jacqui Ranui

Just when I mistakenly thought there was possibly nothing else I needed to add to my handbag – The Borne Naked handbag liner arrived in the post!

Somewhat dubious about the function or necessity of a bag liner – I wasn’t too sure if I would indeed continue using the bag liner, dismissing it as sort of a “bag-in-another-bag”.  However, the arrival of gorgeous box containing the Borne Naked bag liner, wrapped in tissue & pink organza bows qualified the enclosed item with a credibility deserving of a trial. 

 

I also doubted how this bag liner (the size of your common over-night  toilet bag) could possibly hold ALL the very necessary contents my hand bag usually held.  The handbags I usually use are often dubbed by others as a “grown-up nappy bag”, due to their size and all the crazy items I carry.

 So as I held up my new Borne Naked bag liner; with a frown on my face,  I believed I was about to undertake a near impossible task – that is – to transfer my all important hand bag contents into the Borne Naked bag liner.

Let me give you a rundown of what I had in my ‘old’ hand bag at the time.

  1. Camera
  2. Notebook
  3. 2x scented soy candles
  4. Bank Statement
  5. Black leather wallet
  6. Hands-free phone ear piece
  7. Kleenex Pocket Pack Tissues
  8. Work ID swipe card
  9. 1x biodegradable plastic bag/rubbish
  10. Cheque book
  11. 2x lipsticks
  12. 2x lipglosses
  13. USB flash drive
  14. 3x business card holders with my business cards
  15. Gold watch that needs to be battery replaced
  16. Packet of i-profen
  17. Cell phone charger
  18. Camera charger
  19. Wedding Planner script from my Rotorua TV Shoot
  20. 2x pairs of sunglasses
  21. Black Hair Comb
  22. 1x pair black lace fingerless gloves
  23. Fav black nail polish
  24. Shopping List
  25. Fav perfume
  26. 2x Rialto movie tickets
  27. Spearmint Extra Gum
  28. Lip liner
  29. Bits of rubbish: Receipts, gum wrappers, throatie wrappers
  30. 10x Get Ready, Get Thru fridge magnets
  31. Black wool jacket button

My hand bag before the Borne Naked bag liner:

Now, do you see my dilemma?  What to do?

After much sorting & prioritising of my REAL essentials, I was surprisingly delighted how easy it actually was to fit everything I needed into the Borne Naked bag liner.  These contents now consist of:

  1. My business card holder
  2. A blister pack of 10 i-profen
  3. A de-odorised plastic  bag
  4. A pocket pack of Kleenex tissues
  5. My fav lippy
  6. My leather wallet
  7. My cell phone
  8. A pack of Extra gum
  9. A hair comb
  10. Cheque book
  11. Work entry ID swipe card
  12. My fav lip gloss
  13. A lip conditioner
  14. 2x sunglasses
  15. My fav perfume
  16. A chuppa chup lollipop (an emergency pacifier for my 2 year old)
  17. My fav nail polish
  18. A hair tie
  19. A pair of earrings
  20. USB flash drive
  21. Ball point pen

Is that a GASP I hear?!  Are you as surprised as I was that so many of my ‘essential’ contents can be held by the Borne Naked bag liner?  And believe it or not, there is still oodles of space for additional items if I need to add any.  You might think that with so many contents in the Borne Naked bag liner that it might be a bit cluttered.  I kid you not, this is not the case!  As the Borne Naked bag liner has 3 internal compartments, there is a place for everything, and I find any item in the liner straight away.

 

Within a couple of days of use, I was totally in love with my Borne Naked bag liner.  And although I pride myself as being fairly well organised, I often wonder how I ever survived without a Borne Naked bag liner.  In my excitement I spent the first couple of weeks stopping any random passerby to take a peek into my wonderfully organised and tidy hand bag.  Comments have ranged from: “Jaks, this so looks like your kind of hand bag – this is awesome”, to “Where can I get me one of these please?”  Feedback has been so positive.  These are totally going to make an easy pick for future gifts for my girlfriends!

My hand bag NOW!

 

 

The convenience of being able to transfer the Borne Naked bag liner from one hand bag to another is fantastic.  I always know that I am going to have ALL my essentials in whatever hand bag I choose to take out with me for the day.  And I have even dared to invest in a much smaller hand bag!

I have had my Borne Naked bag liner for a month now and I am ecstatic!  Call me corny, but I love products that make me, as a busy working mum, all the more organised.

So, thank you Borne Naked, I have found my Happy Place!

If you are interested in a Borne Naked bag liner, check their website www.BorneNaked.com

8 Comments / Tags: , / Posted in 2010, Borne Naked, New Zealand

Save the Date Wedding Invitations

June 13, 2010 by Jacqui Ranui

A number of people have asked me about “Save the Date” wedding invitations.  What are they?  When should we send them?  Do they replace a normal wedding invitation?  And what should be included in a “Save the Date” wedding invitation?

Since this is such a common inquiry, AND I happen to be creating one right now for one of my wedding clients, I thought I’d take 5 minutes to shed some light on the wedding “Save the Date”.

Save the Date!

Simply, a “Save the Date” wedding invitation just lets your guests know your wedding date in advance; actual wedding invitations follow later and are sent closer to the wedding date.  They are also usually less formal than the wedding invitation.

“Save the Dates” are fantastic for out-of-town guests as it allows them advance preparation should they need to plan and travel to your wedding.  “Save the Dates” can be sent out about 3-5 months before the wedding day, however, many choose to send out their “Save the Dates” as soon as they know when their wedding date will be.

There are a number of “Save the Date” ideas:

  • Postcards
  • Electronic Calendar Appointments; for example, Outlook or Google Calendars
  • Paper copies
  • Magnets or Stickers -  Vistaprint is a great website that allows you to create and design your own prints on magnets & postcards – check them out – I have used them myself & they are totally affordable!
  • Photos
  • Online invitations such Facebook Events; You Tube; Smilebox; & Evite – I totally appreciate the convinence of using FREE online media as they are instant to recipients and great for recording RSVP’s of your guests.  I have used all of the above to create event invitations and they are very successful!
  • Stay on Theme – where possible.  If you know where you are getting married and what colours or themes you plan on executing for your wedding day, it is a great idea to stick with that for your “Save the Date” invites, as they are usually the first visual aid to your preparations that will be distributed.  Examples I have heard of for themed weddings are: Invitations written on Jandels for Beach Weddings; Printed CD cover invitations that are sent with a music CD of the couples favourite songs … ideas are endless & what a fun & unique way to let people know you are getting married.

What information should be included in your Save the Date invitations?  Remembering that you will still be sending out official Wedding invites, there is no need to include more than what you may know at the time you send them out.  Many people do not know for sure where their wedding venue will be at this time, so adding the location is impossible.  Feel free to add as much information as you like – but below are the usual basics you would include:

  • Couples names
  • Wedding Date
  • Location (if known)
  • Link to your Wedding Website – if you have one.  A wedding website is a fantastic idea as you can keep updating it with your wedding details.  Guests that use the internet can also be kept informed of all your preparations and the finer details of your wedding by referring to your website.  The Knot has free wedding websites available if you become a member (also free) – go on, check them out!
  • Any other details that you would like to include that you feel apply to your wedding day; however, DO NOT include a Gift Registry with your Save the Date invite as it is not really appropriate considering bringing a gift is usually not compulsary.

So there you have it!  Your “Save the Date” wedding invitation!  Easy peasy!

Jacqui

1 Comment / Tags: , , , , , , , / Posted in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, Save the Date, Tauranga, The Knot, Wedding, Wedding Invitations, Wedding Planner, Wedding Songs

Salon One ‘Turns It On’ for Tauranga After 5’s Mini-Wedding Expo

April 12, 2010 by Jacqui Ranui

Last month I had the pleasure of attending a mid-week After 5’s Mini Wedding Expo event hosted by Salon One – The Cove in Tauranga.

 

Salon One – Fraser Cove, Tauranga

This ‘cutting-edge’ Salon boasts a team of 9 super-friendly, experienced Hair & Beauty Therapists.

Their services cater beautifully to the modern bride, groom & bridal party; with Salon One being a one-stop shop for all you wedding beauty needs.  You will be amazed at the services & packages that can be tailor-made to your budget & requirements of your special day.  Their services include:

  • Hair removal
  • Eye Treatments
  • Make-up
  • Spray Tanning
  • Paraffin
  • Hands
  • Eye Lash Extensions
  • GO30 nails
  • Feet
  • Massage
  • Facials
  • Cosmetic Tattooing
  • IPL
  • Teeth Whitening

 

What I thought was particularly cool is that, your bridal experience with Salon One can begin as early as your Hen’s night.  You can get your girls together to enjoy a fun evening of wedding hair & make-up trials whilst sipping on wine, enjoying a few nibbles & having a few laughs with the Salon One Team.

 

After 5’s mini-wedding expo

The evening started at 5.30pm and I was greeted by the lovely Ang, Salon One’s Owner who kindly showed me to an office where I could relieve myself of hauling my monstrous handbag/bag of tricks.  She continued to show me around the surprisingly large premises of the Salon.  I was then introduced to Salon One’s wonderful new manager Chris Hamilton.  Chris spoke to me of her experience, which is not short of extensive; her 30 years in Hair & Beauty included time catering to the beauty needs of brides & grooms on the romantic Destinations Wedding Island of Vanuatu.  She also shared with me her desire to cater more to clients planning a wedding in the Bay of Plenty & Salon One plans on organising another Mini Wedding Expo later in the year to offer prospective brides & grooms the opportunity to see for themselves the extensive range of services & packages the salon has to offer.

While perusing the Salon & donning a glass of white wine offered to me on my arrival, I was impressed with the Space the Salon utilises.  Salon One is large enough to host a Hair-dressing Salon, adjoining Make-up Salon & additional rooms for massage & treatments known as the Beauty Rooms.  The Beauty rooms have adjoining doors that can be opened up to create one large room; very handy for a bridal party wanting to indulge simultaneously for a massage. 

The clean & modern internal surroundings of the Salon are aesthetically pleasing, with its high mono-pitched ceiling; black, white & chrome coloured furniture & fittings; and plentiful glass windows & doors.  This corner Salon situated at right end of Fraser Cove, Tauranga is definately a touch of class while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere at the same time.  I imagined the laughs and fun times that can be had here with a bustling crowd.  True to my estimations, once the crowds arrived for the mini-wedding expo, I was not left disappointed.

The crowds easily reached up to about 30 people including staff at any one time comfortably.  Guests got to enjoy the evening activities with wine & nibbles (catered by Lemongrass Catering Company); and availing themselves of a pampering by hair & beauty technicians.  As I walked through the Salon, I watched on intently as professional hair technicians busied themselves with ‘hair-ups’ & styling, whipping up stunning hair designs for both long & short hair in a matter of minutes.  Make-up artist Sam transformed guests with the range of Jane Iredale make-up cosmetics sold at the Salon.  Lucky guests also received massages & treatments in the Beauty Room.   And, if you are one that prefers to watch your technician mix hair colours, then you will be most pleased that this Salon hosts a large ‘kitchen’ area viewable for these preparations.

Check out the evening out for yourself:

Salon One’s After 5 Event

 But this is certainly not where it ends.  The delicious nibbles made available to the punters that evening were provided by personal chef & caterer Belinda Lombard of Lemongrass Catering Company limited.  Specialising as a personal chef & caterer for corporate functions, weddings, themed events, cake decorating & adult & children’s parties; Belinda provided an array of truly tasty & delicious finger food to tantalise our tongues.  Belinda has spent 18 years as a Chef, with 15 years of experience overseas & 5 years in New Zealand.  And although she is a busy mum of 2 pre-school children, she still runs her business successfully & ensures she cooks great dishes for the family.

 Belinda provided delectable morsels for our tasting pleasure which was a superb introduction to what remarkable menu’s she could provide for your wedding reception. 

Lemongrass Catering goodies!

Lemongrass Catering Company Picture Board:

  1. King Prawn & Chorizo Skewers with Paprika and Lime Aioli
  2. B.L.T Pesto Stacks
  3. Belinda Lombard
  4. Whitebait & Prawn Fritters with Tartar Dressing & Pink Peppercorns
  5. Thai Pork San Choy in Cucumber Cups
  6. Belinda cooks!
  7. Haloumi Cheese with Tomato Chutney on Sour Dough Crosini
  8. Lemongrass Catering Promo Info

 

In summary – the food catered by Lemongrass Catering Company was delicious, timely & well presented.  It was such a pleasure meeting with Belinda & I can guarantee that she will leave you & your guests very happy customers.

 I also had the pleasure of meeting a few of our lovely local Wedding Industry Vendors

 

Debbie – Brides on Devonport; Aaron – Aaron Lang Photography; Christine – Christine Grant Wedding Celebrant

Left to right: Debbie Maguigan ‘Brides on Devonport’ – 2 years experience in Bridal Wear Design; Aaron Lang ‘Aaron Lang Photography’ – 10 years photography experience;  Christine Grant – Registered Marriage Celebrant with 9 years experience. 

 And last but not least, were the fantastic wee goodie bags packed with a variety of hair, face & nail products; chocolates & discount vouchers – kindly provided by Salon One that we all got to take home with us at the end of the evening – Who doesn’t love taking home some wee freebies that we can play around with at home?

 

Salon One Goodie Bag

So if you haven’t yet shortlisted your Hair & Makeup specialists & are still considering a Caterer; I tell you now, you will not go wrong leaving these aspects of your Wedding Day to Salon One & Lemongrass Catering Company.

1 Comment / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , / Posted in Caterer, Hair & Beauty, Marriage Celebrant, New Zealand, Photography, Tauranga, Wedding, Wedding Dress Design, Wedding Professionals

Time keeps on ticking …

March 18, 2010 by Jacqui Ranui

Sometimes I feel like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland – so much to do, so little time – and perhaps I am chasing my own tail.  Granted, I have a number of projects on the go & it can get a little daunting. 

The problem with me is that due to being a little impatient at times, I have had the tendancy to set tight timeframes to a task at hand & end up feeling very unsatisfied at the quality of my work when I have not allocated enough time to get it done in … so, I have decided not to set such tight constraints for myself.  The psychology involved around this train-of-thought has been astounding!  Once I took the pressure off myself, I was actually managing to complete my tasks to a high enough standard that keeps me & those around me happy.

In all fairness though, I have been swamped & I am hoping that the numerous tasks I have started will be complete soon before the next run of tasks are put in front of me.  Particularly my ‘Under 10k Wedding Budgets’ … which are still in limbo awaiting some tweaked prices from some of my vendors.  For those wonderful vendors that have submitted their costs, 3 claps for you, you are wonderful.

So what have I been doing with my time?

Let’s see:

  • I run & own Blissful Bay Weddings from home – which entails a lot of networking with vendors in the wedding industry, setting up contacts, pricing & planning for wedding couples, regular social media networking etc; I’m sure those of you that have their own businesses will know what this entails.  Current projects on the go: Under 10k Wedding Budgets; Wedding Proposal Blogs; Wedding Expo & Industry write-ups for vendors in the Bay of Plenty;
  • I work 2-3 days per week for Environment Bay of Plenty;
  • My hubby & I have a small cattle business on our property, granted, I do not do any of the physical stuff, I just take care of the paperwork, again, this too can be time-consuming, especially at tax time;
  • We have 4 children: 16yrs, 12yrs, 10yrs & 21mths, all very active & enjoy sports – enough said (perhaps this should have gone on the top of the list as my largest task);
  • I am the Secretary for the 2012 Jamieson Family Reunion & on the following Sub-committees for the reunion: ICT; Events; Finance & Registrations.  This includes me setting up & maintaining our Website & FB Fan Page – check it out if you like : Jamieson Family Reunion ;
  • I am the Treasurer of the Pyes Pa School Whanau Group & within this group I usually have a number of tasks allocated to me post Group meetings, every 6 weeks, over & above maintaining the groups Finances;
  • Then there is of course our spiritual needs to consider – VIP;
  • House Reno & Housework: our 140yr old villa that we relocated 2 years ago from Waiuku is Work In Progress.  If I were to have one ‘superficial’ wish, it would be to win a Landscaper.  Bar the vege garden & a couple of decorative gardens around the house, our house still looks like a ‘house in the middle of a paddock’.  We have a new kitchen & bathroom installed; all new plumbing & wiring; the bedrooms carpeted &  the remaining Kauri floors re-sanded & polyurethaned – so that is huge task complete.  But the whole interior was also re-gibed and still needs to be plastered & painted – we have about 75% to complete, & will have to install the new light fittings after that.  Not to mention the sash windows that still to be sanded & oiled & a couple of doors to replace & paint.  We also need a new driveway, garage with sleep out/office (so I can relocate from my 2m x 4m office space).  These things take time I know, but did I mention that I have a wee problem with patience … 
  • And, I come from a large extended family.  It seems that I am the advocate for all things Events, which usually means I am often the one organising everything from family dinners/potlucks to Whanau Days, Sports Days & Family Reunions.  My sister-in-law & my mother have a frequently used saying: “If you want something done, give it to a busy person … give it to Jacqui” …

It is no wonder that I have 3 diaries with comprehensive lists: A work diary; an at home task & business diary; and a spiritual & family diary.  This might sound rather full-on, but it works for me.  But, like a budget, it’s not going to work unless you stick to it.

But amongst all this busyness, we still need to take time for our family & friends individually; whether it is to take time out to visit & have a cup of tea with mum & mum-in-law; popping out for coffee or lunch with sisters, family & in-laws; a few drinks & nibbles out with the girlfriends; family days or movie nights; & of course, some strategically set aside time for ‘date nights’ with the hubby.  These people are the ones we do ALL of the above for.  If our schedule becomes so busy that it chokes out this all important time with our loved ones, what was the point? 

I hope you have a little more insight on what I get up to.  We require different ‘hats’ for different tasks, & the ‘hat’ I love wearing is my Wedding ‘veil’ so to speak – it is a passion & I have enjoyed the ride so far.  So please be sure to continue following along my Blog – & I hope I can share with you some valuable if not, helpful information.

Jacqui

4 Comments / Tags: , , , / Posted in New Zealand, Social Media, Wedding, Wedding Planner, Weddings under 10k

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