The Bespoke Experience
Your Story, Your Way
Congratulations on booking the Full Story (Bespoke) Ceremony option! This is where the magic begins.
You’ve chosen a Full Story Ceremony because you want something that feels like you. You want a ceremony that sounds like a conversation with your favourite people; warm, witty, and deeply personal.
This process is designed to be as effortless as it is meaningful. To get there, we use my Planning Suite. It’s the easiest part of your wedding admin; completely self-paced, saved as you go, and focused entirely on what matters to you both.
I’m so looking forward to making this official for you.
The ceremony Script
Crafting the narrative
This is the heart of the Bespoke experience. I don’t just “fill in the blanks” I weave together a narrative that captures your unique dynamic. Whether you want your guests laughing their heads off or reaching for the tissues (or both), it all starts with the Story Starter.
Think of this as a relaxed digital date night. Grab a glass of wine, sit down together, and tell me the “how it actually happened” version of your story. Or take some time by yourself and reflect on what makes your partner truly special. This deep dive into your relationship helps me craft a ceremony that is 100% you. Take your time, enjoy the reflection, and only share what you’re happy to have mentioned on the day – this is your story, told on your terms. (Bonus: Most couples find this is a huge help for writing their vows later!)
You can “Save as Draft” and come back to it whenever inspiration strikes.
The Game Plan
Our roadmap to I do.
I’m a firm believer that the ceremony should be the easiest part of your wedding planning. To keep things breezy and organised, here is how we’ll move from “Just Booked” to “Just Married.”
- Step 1: The Deep Dive
Complete your Story Starter and Finer Details Guide whenever you’re ready. Most couples find it’s a great Sunday afternoon activity with a drink in hand. Ideally, I’d love these back about 6 weeks before we make it official. - Step 2: The Scripting
Once I have your stories, I’ll head to my writing shed to weave it all together. From here, you have two ways we can play it:- The Surprise: If you want to keep the “warm and fuzzies” (and all the lovely things your partner has shared) for the ceremony itself, I’ll keep the script under lock and key. It makes for a very special, high-emotion moment on the day.
- The Review: If you’re the kind of couple who prefers to know exactly what’s coming, I’ll send you a full draft. You can read it, sit with it, and let me know if we need to tweak the tone or add a specific shout-out.
- Step 3: The Vow Check
If you’re writing your own vows, you’ll send them to me at least two weeks before the wedding. I’ll give them a sanity check” to make sure they’re roughly the same length and vibe, and then I’ll print them onto beautiful cards so you don’t have to worry about shaky hands holding a phone. - Step 4: The Final Logistics
Just before the big day, we’ll have a quick catch-up (via Zoom, phone, or an in-person rehearsal) to run through the choreography – where people are standing, who has the rings, and making sure the music is downloaded and ready to go so you can simply relax and enjoy the moment. - Step 5: The Celebration
I’ll arrive about 30–40 minutes before the ceremony to check in with your venue, test the PA system, and calm any pre-ceremony jitters. Then, we get you married!
Helpful resources
While you’re here, these guides will help you polish the final details of your day:
The Vow Guide
If the idea of writing your own vows feels a bit daunting, take a breath—I’ve got you. Included in your Planning Suite is my Vow Guide. It’s a supportive resource filled with prompts, structures, and “non-cheesy” examples to help you write words that feel like you.
The Finer Details guide
While the Story Starter is about the heart, the Ceremony Blueprint is about the polish. This is where we nail down the technicalities so that on the day, you don’t have to think about a single thing.
A Note on the Legal Bits
Managing the paperwork.
Before we can get to the “I dos,” we have to handle the “must-dos.” Think of this as the only bit of ‘real’ paperwork. In New Zealand, you’ll need to apply for your Marriage Licence via the Department of Internal Affairs at least 3 working days before the ceremony (though I recommend doing it a month out to be safe!).
Once your digital licence arrives in your inbox, please forward it to me. I’ll take care of the rest.