Engaged Now What ? | You & Me Collective Feature

  So you’re newly engaged and on Cloud 9!

Right now, we know it’s all a bit of a whirlwind of emotions - from where to begin planning, to budget stresses and late nights binge eating watching American wedding movies that are 100% unattainable (we recommend 27 Dresses or Mama Mia).

There are 1,000 thoughts running through your head - do I actually want that Fijian beach wedding or something extravagant? How to I announce on FB to maximise likes? Who will I pick as my bridesmaids without pissing everyone off? Will our parents go halves? We get it.

We’ve put together the perfect starter pack to ease your nerves and get you on the road to planning a kickass wedding. This makes a gorgeous gift for an engaged bestie or to treat yo’ self

Bride Business + Together Journal, Wild Hearts Mags Dameselfly Candle - Look at You Getting All Married + Shit

Whether you’re planning on tying the knot soon or a few years down the track, be sure to slow down and enjoy the sights along the way.

Here are our top 5 don’t-panic-babes-you-got-this tips:

1. Start brainstorming a date and venue. This will give you a good base and make you feel like you’ve got your shit together. People will ask you about this before you’ve barely had a chance to think about it, but it’ll help as a conversation starter to throw some ideas out there.

2. Fretting about your body shape or skin? Get stuck in to some exercise and healthy eating. It’ll help you ease the nerves and feel like you’re making progress from the get-go.

3. Go and get your nails done so you can take gorg photos of your ring. It’ll boost your confidence showing it off too, as we all know fresh nails give the impression of ‘I’ve totally got myself together’.

4. Get a good planner, such as our Bride Business to jot down all your thoughts. It’ll help you feel grounded and in control.

5. Start pinning themes and ideas. It’s the fun part, and it’ll help to get the creative juices flowing.

Finally, plan an engagement party, because pressies, but also it’s a chance to have a bit of fun and celebrate your new chapter.

Be sure to check out our next post on what to consider when planning your engagement party next month at www.youandmecollective.com

Love Me Do turns 2!

We had so much fun today celebrating Love Me Do's second year in business with an amazing high tea runway event at The Thomas Green in Gore.  Amie + Sacha pulled out all the stops to produce a birthday party to top all others complete with gorgeous real models who paraded the gowns through the crowd giving everyone a close up glimpse of the beautiful fabrics, cuts and detailing.  Sacha + Amies motto, "Love the skin you're in" was the perfect reflection for the day as the models in all their beautiful sizes showed off dresses especially chosen to accentuate their most amazing features, be it curves or signature tattoos.

We are so excited to have been invited to be a part of the celebrations, and joining with a host of other collective vendors, we were honoured to be showcased alongside Southland Celebrant Sharyn Payne, wedding photographer Fern McAulay, Framing Good photo booth's Rod + Sammi and the Love Me Do girls themselves.  We were able to share a little bit about who we are and our hopes and dreams for the collective, and whilst public speaking is definitely not a talent of mine, it was a great opportunity to connect with a lovely group of brides to be.  Sharyn entertained with a rundown of ceremony formalities and Fern gave some great tips on choosing a photographer who you really click with, as she pointed out, you spend more of your wedding day with your photographer than you do with anyone else so it really helps to like them! Amie + Sacha had some amazing giveaways and a bunch of lucky ladies went home with some epic prizes, including an engagement shoot from Fern and full bridal styling package from I Do Crew amongst many others!

Rod and Sammi captured snaps of the brides and guests with their fabulous Selfie Mirror photobooth, which added a great interactive element to the afternoon and would be a hit at any event. Fern and I got in on the action too and tested it out!

Wowed by the makeup and hair stylist talent we found today we have some exciting new additions to the Collective we will share soon!  The Thomas Green set the scene beautifully for what was an amazing afternoon and we loved every minute.

Beautiful women in gorgeous dresses with a lovely crowd to top it all off, Happy Birthday Love Me Do! Well done Sacha + Amie and your crew of amazing helpers! Looking forward to next year!

How Jenna Met Bryn...More FM Surprise Proposal

How did you meet?

I first met Bryn for the first time at the Frog 'n' Firkin bar out with some friends when I was about 23 yrs old and the week before I was about to move to Christchurch, so a good 10 years ago. My friend knew him because he went to the gym she was working at. I remember thinking 'damn he seems a really nice guy pretty good lookin' too shame I had to meet him the week before I move away'.

I moved back to Invercargill three years later  and was out  with some friends at a bar and ran into him again. I thought 'OMG its him... and hes even more better looking than I remembered'. We hung out all night, exchanged numbers, he stayed with me that night and every night since!

What did you first think of your partner?
I remember thinking he was a really nice guy with a bit of a soft side when I first met him.. Haha I did remember thinking to myself when is this guy going to stay at his own place though at one part and one night he surprised me and said he wasn't coming over that night I thought thank god.. later did i discover that i missed his mug and we were inseparable from then lol.

Tell me three things you love about your partner.

I love that he is a kind-hearted, caring person, he is laid back and relaxed which is good for me because I'm highly strung so he keeps me real when I get crazy. The love he has for our 5 month old daughter is pretty special to see.

How did the proposal happen?

Bryn entered the More FM surprise proposal recently and won so it was definitely a special day. I will never  forget.

Name three memorable experiences you’ve been through together as a couple.
memorable experiences we've had together would be buying our first home together, getting engaged and the birth of our beautiful daughter.

What are things about your partner that drives you a little crazy — things that only you could love.
3 things that drive me crazy about Bryn would be when he lets me tell a story and then I realise he isn't even listening to any of it! Or when he drops crumbs on the floor straight after I have luxed and he always leaves his wet towel from the shower on the bed.

More Fm Surprise Proposal Shout Out

Organised- More FM

Ring - Skelts Jewellers 

Florals - Ambrosia Designer Florist

Styling + Props - Something Borrowed Ltd 

Photography - Dominic Cook Photography

Videography - We the Collective

Cake - The Urban Kitchen

Music - Sam Cullen Music

Supported - Southland Wedding Collective