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5 Wedding traditions that are being turned on their head

Weddings have been around for centuries, with various customs and traditions involved in the union of two people in holy matrimony. Many religions and cultures have different traditions and customs that fill their wedding day. However, the turn of the century bred a new modern era of weddings, leaving many of these traditions behind and replacing them with fresh ideas.First Look PhotosIn many cultures, the groom isn't allowed to see the bride on the wedding day until they walk down the aisle, wh...

First dance tips

The first dance is the first time you and your newly wedded spouse will be invited up by name for a dance in front of all your friends and family. For some, turning it up on the dancefloor comes naturally, whether it's due to earlier dance experience or just being gifted when it comes to the ballroom. However, for those with two left feet, performing a highly anticipated dance in front of everyone can be nerve-racking, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few things to consider that will help w...

5 ways to Have a Truly Child-friendly wedding

So, you’re having a big wedding and creating a wedding guest list with you and your partner’s closest family and friends together for your special day. One important group is the children, whether nieces and nephews or the kids of your close friends; for many engaged couples, it’s essential to include them in the celebration. However, with a long period from the ceremony to the end of the reception, keeping the kids occupied is crucial to ensure both them and their parents have a great tim...

5 Tips to the perfect Pre-Ceremony

The sun is shining, and your guests are arriving, eager to celebrate your special day. Like many couples, you likely want to create a magical experience for your guests from the moment they arrive at the wedding venue. But who considers the pre-ceremony? It's often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the rest of your special day.A well-thought-out pre-ceremony can build excitement and anticipation as guests wait for you to say, "I do." Here are five tips to help you n...

Choosing the dining experience of your wedding: The pros and cons of the wedding buffet

There are so many choices for the dining experience of your wedding; From the style of service to the dishes served, your choices set the tone for your big day. A well-executed dining plan ensures your guests leave raving about your wedding for years to come. One of the most popular options is the wedding buffet—but is it right for you? Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this timeless choice.What is a Wedding Buffet:The wedding buffet is a timeless classic, allowing your guests to overindu...

5 Ways to stay subtly sober at your wedding

Your wedding day can be hectic, filled with nerves leading up to the ceremony, through the formalities, and to the first dance. As you mingle, you may find yourself sharing a few alcoholic beverages with your wedding party and socialising during this time. Unlike your guests, however, there are formalities that you may be nervous about and want to feel your best to handle.While your guests likely won’t care whether or not you’re drinking, it’s sometimes nice to give the impression of enjoy...

Five small additions to elevate the food service at your wedding

Food isn’t just sustenance, its an experience. It plays an important role at your wedding, it sets the tone, creates memories, and indulges your guests in luxury. When its executed flawlessly, your guests will rave about the food for weeks or even months after the big day. Beyond the main meal, small, thoughtful touches can transform your food service into something unique and unforgettable. Here are five simple yet effective additions to elevate the culinary experience on your wedding day....

Newly Engaged? A simple guide on planning your wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of decisions to be made. You’ll no doubt know this already, but it’s easy to get caught up in a fantasy world where nothing will get in the way of you and your dream wedding.Setting some short-term goals will help to turn your wedding fantasy into a wedding reality.If you really want to kick off your wedding planning with a bang, it’s good to get the big stuff out of the way as early as possible. Here’s our guide on planning your wedding...

Minimalist wedding ideas that prove less is more

Minimalism has become a developing trend in many areas of our lives. From the way we eat to the way we live, many of us are ‘cutting back’ and choosing to enjoy life’s small pleasures. When it comes to wedding planning, these days, a little goes a long way. For that reason, we thought now is a good time to put out our top minimalist wedding ideas.Minimalism pounced onto the scene a few years ago when the new way of living helped us declutter our homes and thus, our minds. Enter Marie Kondo...

Proven simple ways to save on wedding costs that will surprise you and delight you

In the midst of wedding hype, it may seem like a total buzzkill to have the ‘money talk’. The trick is to turn this niggly conversation into a much-needed brainstorming session. Together you can come up with all sorts of ways to save on wedding costs and make sure you don’t blow your wedding budget.We know the financial logistics aren’t exactly the most exciting part about planning a wedding. But budgets are the reality for most wedding couples.We have good news!There are big savings to ...

Why this premium Auckland wedding venue always exceeds expectations

We are spoilt for choice these days when it comes to wedding venues but, even so, not all venues are created equal. If you are looking for that premium Auckland wedding venue that ticks all the boxes – let us show you what we can offer.Often we find that when a venue excels in one area, they lack in another. And so begins a long journey of compromise while you weigh up what is most important to you on your wedding day.But what if there was a venue that excelled in every area? One whose testimo...

5 Maid of honour duties that all chief bridesmaids should know

Being asked to be the maid of honour is exciting and a huge privilege. You’ve not only been picked for this role because you’re a great friend, but you also possess the right traits to live up to the responsibility. After all, there are many maid of honour duties that you’ll need to tick off in the coming months of your bestie’s engagement.So what are they?Maid of honour duties are many and varied and largely depend on the bride’s wishes. From organising the hen’s party to a speech a...

Five wedding favours your guests will love

As you approach your wedding, time seems to tick by faster and faster. All the big jobs should be out of the way and the finer details will be slowly coming together. If there’s one thing that is notoriously left to the last minute, it’s wedding favours.If you’ve been to your fair share of weddings before, you’ll no doubt have been given all sorts of wedding favours. Some edible, some lasting, and some just plain junk. To avoid the latter, don’t leave it too late to think of a great id...

Unique wedding ideas that capture those magical moments

In today’s world of semi-disconnect, it is easy for us to loose touch with one another and miss the connectedness, sense of belonging and acceptance you get from family. That love of family in-part, plays a large role in the types of weddings we see here at Markovina. The day is less about a simple exchange of vows, and more to do with coming together to celebrate all that the bride and groom are. And of course, family plays a huge part in that celebration. Culture, connectedness and...

How to juggle wedding planning at Christmas

How to juggle wedding planning at Christmas without feeling overwhelmedIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and, for many of us, it’s the busiest time of the year. Between the Christmas shopping and social engagements, it’s a wonder we have time for anything else. So how do you go about wedding planning at Christmas without feeling overwhelmed?As summer is the most popular wedding season here in New Zealand, Christmas happens to fall right in those final moments of wedding planning ...

Wedding ideas that won’t blow your budget

We all want our wedding to be special and unforgettable. So how do you wow your guests and make your special day stand out above the rest? The truth is, it’s the smallest things that can have the biggest impact. Your guests know what to expect from a typical wedding, so add the unexpected and take their experience to a new level. It doesn’t have to blow your budget; some ideas don’t have to cost anything at all. Here are some suggestions that will make your wedding a day to remem...

Ten ways to honour lost loved ones at your wedding

Honouring lost loved ones is an important element of your wedding day and should not be overlooked. Whether it’s raising a glass in their memory or including their photo in your decorations, there are many ways to show that they are in your thoughts. Dealing with this topic is a very personal matter so think about whether you’d like to keep it subtle or make a statement. To help you decide what’s most appropriate, consider whether they were someone who preferred to stay out ...

Groomsman Favour Ideas

The bond between the groom and his groomsmen is a strong one. It’s not unusual for these guys to have grown up together, seen other girlfriends come and go, and supported each other through tough times. That’s why when it comes to your special day, a special gift is in order to say thanks. We’ve made a list of the top 10 of the best wedding favours ideas for your wolf-pack. ...

Courtyard Renovations

In August 2024 we closed for 2 weeks to celebrate the end of the long 2023/2024 wedding season. This gave the team a chance to reflect and relax, and also for us to do some exciting renovations to our courtyard.We are pleased to showcase our new outdoor bar, which is made from Otago schist to match the entrance courtyard and fire pits, which were renovated in 2023.Check out the time lapse video below....

Mele & Jone

Wedding Day: 29th December 2020We love Markovina Estate, from meeting at their local church to their special day, Jone and Mele fell in love. After six years together they tied the knot at our estate, incorporating their traditional culture and a live stream to ensure their family abroad could also enjoy this momentous occasion.Their guest also loved Markovina Estate and will remember their special day forever....

Courtney & Steven

Wedding Day: 24th January 2020Courtney and Steven created a classic dream wedding surrounded by 100 of their closest friends and family earlier this year at Markovina Estate. ...

Something Special - Jacob & Sarah

Wedding Day: 20th March 2020Wedding before lockdown, Sarah and Jacob’s wedding was the Friday before New Zealand went in to our first lock-down back in March.They still had a fantastic day surrounded by their family and friends, with their ceremony in our Fireplace Area....

DIY Wedding decor advice

If you’re planning to DIY your wedding décor, you’re in for a lot of fun… but a lot of hard work as well. DIY wedding décor can be incredibly rewarding but with the help of some handy tips and tricks, you can really nail this element of your wedding.Good DIYs are both creative and unique. If you love to craft and create, you’ll be naturally inclined to add a little DIY here and there on your wedding day.One thing is certain when you DIY your wedding décor, you’re creating something ...