Help for your BIG day

Organising your BIG day can be daunting, help is at hand at the Tauranga Wedding show. Photo/Alana Dresner Photography PHOTO/ ALANA DRESNER PHOTOGRAPHY

Weddings can be as complicated or as simple as you want to make them. One easy way to make it a positive and enjoyable task is to head along to the Tauranga Wedding Show.

From venues, celebrants, photography, videography, wedding gowns to event planners, hair and beauty, caterers and flowers, everything you will possibly need is at the show.

Organiser Rochelle Free says once you've set the date, you need to book your venue and depending upon availability, you may have to book up to a year in advance.

"I don't think there's a magic timeframe for planning, it all depends on what you want, and who you want working with you - be it a photographer, celebrant or florist," she says.

"I've arranged a wedding in three weeks before it happened, so it can be done. You just can't be too fussy or keep changing your mind when it's such a tight timeframe."

Like fashion, themes, colours and styles of weddings go in and out of popularity. Rochelle says while vintage is still big, it is starting to move on. "Woodland themes are popular and, of course, the classic look with white, blush pink and other soft colours is always popular. Navy is very big at the moment," she says.

Something couples often don't think of when they plan a wedding is "who is setting up the venue?'' and she recommends getting a stylist/decorator to help with the job as it is often too stressful to leave to family and friends.

"Then everything is stress free so you, your family and friends can all relax and enjoy the day," she says.

"Attending a wedding show is where you're going to meet suppliers who can guide you if you need help and offer alternative ideas. You get to see their work up close and talk to them. Whatever they are doing for you on your special day, you need to know that they will do their utmost to deliver, and the best way to connect is by meeting face to face.

Attending a wedding show is fun! It's such a positive and happy day."

the fine print
What: Tauranga Wedding Show
Where: ASB Arena
When: 22 May