Northland brides becoming more savvy, says wedding planner

Couples have moved on from elaborate plans to focusing on what matters most to them - family, budgeting and fun. Photo / 123rf

Couples getting ready for their big day have become more conscious about what matters most to them, a Northland wedding planner says.

Kylie Springford of Cheers Weddings and Events is planning for a bumper summer with plenty of weddings and other events planned in what she hopes will be a season without major hiccups.

From the closure of the Brynderwyns to a worldwide pandemic, tsunamis and a cyclone, the last few years haven’t exactly been kind to those wanting to plan their special day.

But Springford said the result of that has been couples considering more about what matters most to them.

From more intimate ceremonies to eloping altogether, how a wedding looks has changed in recent years.

Five years ago there was a lot of talk about the “DIY wedding”, but Springford said that term doesn’t apply as much any more.

“I think brides are choosing to do things that really suit them and suit their family, their guests, and them personally.

And I think that’s where they’re saving a bit of money and doing it their way rather than worrying about the norms.

“Our [couples] are getting really savvy in terms of who they invite and what they’re spending money on.”

She said couples were choosing to simplify things and focus more on the experience and loved ones.

Springford put that shift down to Covid-19’s influence on the mindset of many clients.

“It made them really think about how they wanted to spend their time and who they wanted to spend it with.

“Obviously people right now haven’t got a lot of money as well so that forces you to go ‘well how are we going to do this?’ and I don’t doubt the couples are doing more stuff themselves.

“But I think it’s a little savvier than that, it’s more about what they’re choosing to do and how they’re choosing the day to look.”

Kylie’s top tips for wedding planning

Have a plan B

It’s impossible to forecast the weather in Northland and despite the wish to have the “perfect day”, that doesn’t always pan out in the climate here, Springford said.

“It’s probably one of the first things when I first meet clients that I say ‘we need to talk about this’.”

“I think a lot of brides can get caught up in the perfect day, but the thing is that it will still be perfect. It’s what you make of it.”

List the must-haves

Compromise is key when it comes to wedding planning and Springford said it can make the process easier if you think about what the non-negotiables are.

“It’s a good way to create a list and then you’ve got somewhere to start.”

Keep your mindset positive

If bad weather comes or the food is 15 minutes late, that’s not a major in the grand scheme of things, Springford said.

“They [guests] won’t know any different,” she said.

“If it looks a little different on the day than you imagined, as long as you and your person still had an amazing day then that’s job done.”

Brodie Stone is an education and general news reporter at the Advocate. Brodie has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.