http://www.mataia.co.nz/weddings_accommodation.htm

If you are looking for a 5-star accommodation and venue with a genuine New Zealand beauty and world-class comfort, look no further than Waimana Point in Matakana. This luxury lodge offers a sauna, an indoor heated pool, a helipad, gym, 6-hole golf-chipping course and much, much more. Just one hour north of Auckland, this place is perfect for an intimate wedding or private event. We have had the pleasure of rigging one of our marquees on their beautiful grounds. Needless to say, the team didn’t want to leave, and neither will you or your guests!

http://www.waimanapoint.co.nz/

Nestled within 200 acres of unspoiled oceanfront, native bush, and wildlife, Pakiria Point Lodge is one of the best-kept secrets on New Zealand’s North Island. Just outside of Matakana, this exclusive B & B is an award-winning venue. Here at Schupepe, we are often honoured and admittedly, excited to showcase our magnificent marquees on the manicured lawns of such breath-taking venues.

www.pakiripoint.com
The Landing, for those seeking a modern, yet quaint wedding setting, provides the perfect backdrop for those couples who desire weeping willows, dove-houses, and rustic farm wagons. Just imagine the photo opportunities! A sparkling marquee set up upon the sprawling lawns will be captivating to say the least!

a href=”https://schupepe.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/the-landing.jpg”>

http://thelanding.net.nz/index.php/weddings

Schupepe has been all over New Zealand, participating in weddings both intimate and extravagant. As such, we consider ourselves fairly knowledgeable about the wedding scene in New Zealand. We would love to hear from you! If you are looking for a wedding marquee, or have an opinion about one of our blogs… Contact us today.

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St Margaret’s Café in Karaka specialises in weddings and private functions. The manicured gardens are a sprawling six acres – perfect for both intimate and larger weddings. The owner, who is also a renowned chef, will ensure that your guests dine on scrumptious food. Schupepe will ensure that your guests stay dry and comfortable under our marquees.
http://stmargaretscafe.co.nz/

Maree’s Mansion House Café Restaurant, located on Kawau Island, can comfortably seat up to 100 guests. With a Schupepe marquee – situated on the breath-taking water-front lawn, the sky is the limit. You can create the island wedding that you and your spouse-to-be have only dreamed of!
http://www.kawauisland.org.nz/weddings

Colenso House / Café in the Coromandel is quite a unique spot for a wedding. It is important to note that they do not host weddings from December through to February; however, this is an ideal location any other time of year. The sprawling lawns and lush trees make it perfect for an outdoor, marquee wedding.
http://www.colensocafe.co.nz/

Just a thirty-minute drive out of Auckland’s CBD, located in Kumeu, Provence provides seasonal food grown in their lush gardens. We’ve provided deck and lawn coverage at this particular venue and it is stunning to say the least! The Hipgroup has several beautiful venues to choose from and are renowned for providing a first-class service.
http://www.hipgroup.co.nz/

Stay tuned for our next blog featuring Wedding Venues Outside of Auckland Part II!
Contact Schupepe today for a free onsite visit!

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1. Expect Mother Nature to Turn Up, Weather She is Invited or Not!

It is always best to prepare for the worst. New Zealand is no stranger to the rain so it would be wise to hire a marquee to protect your guests from the elements. You may also want to remind your guests to come prepared with sunglasses, hats, and wraps in case it gets chilly in the evening. Favours such as jandals, travel-size bottle of sunscreen, insect repellent, and programmes that double as fans are great choices for a beach wedding.

2. Appropriate Beach Wedding Attire

Beach weddings are less formal, so a formal bridal gown with a long train may not be your best choice. There are a wide variety of bridal gowns that use light fabrics like chiffon or sheer silk. If you will be saying your I Do’s in the sand, it may be necessary to wear sandals or even go barefoot. Your marquee will have flooring, so you can put your high heels on for the reception. You may want to put your hair up for the ceremony if you are having it outside as the wind will whip it in your face.

3. Little Extras To Make Your Beach Wedding Run Smoothly

• Have a de-sanding station somewhere handy where guests can wipe the sand from their feet!
• Make sure you have a good sound system in place as the surf can be noisy!
• Ensure that there is plenty of seating options, both inside and outside of the marquee
• There is no need to go overboard on the décor for a beach wedding, let Mother Nature work for you!

While there are limitless amounts of options for outdoor venues for your Summer Wedding, Schupepe has a limited amount of marquees available for this summer season. Contact us today for your free on-site visit.

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BUDGET FOR BEAUTY

I’m sure you have already set aside money for your hair and makeup on the actual day of your wedding, but you will probably want at least one trial before the day itself. Don’t forget that you may want a mani/pedi or a spray tan as well. If you trust your beautician, then by all means, forego the trial, but if not, you could get the services done on the day of your engagement party, bridal shower, or hen’s night.

PAYING FOR POSTAGE & PAPER GOODS

You will be surprised just how much paper goods a wedding requires. Don’t use up all of your money on save-the-dates and invitations! You will need to think about menu cards, place cards, escort cards, thank you cards and programs. You are going to need postage for many of the things above as well! Skip the fancy stamps or bulky invitations and try to keep it simple.

ACCOUNT FOR ALTERATIONS

Most wedding dresses will not fit perfectly, which means that it will require some type of alteration. You may need the gown hemmed, taken in or let out, or adding straps, etc. Most stores don’t account for alterations in the wedding gown price, so you will need to make sure you have some extra money set aside for the seamstress. It is always best to ask ahead of time and if the store charges too much for alterations, take your wedding gown somewhere else to get altered.

OUT-OF-POCKET FOR OVERTIME

The majority of your vendors are getting paid for a specific amount of time. Don’t forget that you will get charged by the hour if your wedding runs over the allotted time. The great thing about having an outdoor marquee wedding is that there are no time limits as far as the venue is concerned; however, vendors such as DJ’s, photographers, and videographers will expect to get paid for their time. It is best to be aware of these costs ahead of time and find out if they expect to get paid on the spot!

THE COST OF CLEAN-UP

Most couples focus so much on the day itself that they forget about having to clean up when it is over. If you are not renting out a full-service venue, you will need to keep this in mind. This is where your friends come in handy! Don’t be afraid to ask for help, your friends don’t want to see you cleaning up the rubbish on one of the most special days of your life.

The bottom line is that there are going to be unexpected costs for even the most well-planned wedding. Make sure you and your partner have an “other fund” to account for the little things that will pop up. Happy couples can begin their life together on a financially savvy note if they simply prepare for the unexpected.
If you are planning your outdoor marquee wedding, contact Schupepe today for your free onsite visit before all of our tents are booked out for the season!

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1. Get yourself some VEIL WEIGHTs to keep your veil from blowing around in the wind.
2. BREAK IN SHOES in advance. Put on a pair of thick socks and use your blow-dryer to blow hot air along your heel and toe. Walk around until the shoes feel comfortable.

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3. HIGH HEEL PROTECTORS will keep you from sinking into the grass and possibly twisting your ankle.
4. Even though Schupepe’s dance floors are slip resistant, it is still a good idea to use SANDPAPER to help de-slip-ify your shoes.
5. Get your seamstress to SEW YOUR BRA INTO YOUR DRESS. The last thing you want to worry about is adjusting your strapless bra during your wedding.
6. To prevent static cling, run a wire hanger over your wedding gown.
7. There is actually a perfume that doubles as insect repellent! It is called Aromaflage – completely chemical-free, but will keep away the mosquitoes during your outdoor wedding.

8. Make your wedding programs fold into a fan so that your guests can keep themselves cool during your nuptials.
9. Glass cloches or terrariums will keep the bugs away from your food while it is on display.
10. Provide drink carts filled with water and soda to keep your guests hydrated.

Remember to relax and have fun! We are lucky that New Zealand is such a beautiful country, with so many outdoor spots available to have the wedding of your dreams. Schupepe’s wedding marquees will allow you to have your wedding practically anywhere! Contact us today for your free on-site visit before all of our marquees are booked for the summer..

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Bridal Gown Blow-Out

NIGHTMARE
So, you’ve picked the one – the wedding dress you have been dreaming of since you were a little girl – it hugged your curves in all the right places. It fit like a glove when you first tried it on. You may have over-indulged a few times at the engagement party, the bridal shower, the hen do; but who is counting? You go to put the dress on the day of the wedding and you can’t get it over your hips.
SOLUTION
Always try your wedding dress on a few days before the ceremony to make sure it still fits like a glove and not a sausage casing. In fact, try everything on. Break in your Cinderella slippers to avoid smearing the dance floor with the blood from your blistered feet.

AWOL Wedding Party Member

NIGHTMARE

Sally has been your BFF since you were wearing pigtails. She cried when you asked her to be your Maid of Honour. Although she lives a plane ride away, the two of you have remained friends. It is the day of the rehearsal dinner and Sally is stuck at the airport because of bad weather.

SOLUTION

Always ask your wedding party to arrive the day before the rehearsal dinner. If they are low on funds, it may be worth it to pay for their accommodation or make sure they have someplace to stay.

Ring-Bearer/Flower-Girl Fiasco

NIGHTMARE

So let’s say they behaved during the ceremony (sort of) and now they have stuffed their faces with wedding cake and are running around screaming like banshees during the reception.

SOLUTION

If you are going to invite children, make sure you have things for them to do. If you don’t have children yet, enlist the help of a friend who can guide you in the right direction. Get a Frozen DVD and just Let it Go.

Someone’s Nana said, plan for the worst and hope for the best. Schupepe’s wedding marquees will have you covered if it decides to rain on your big day. If you are planning to get married this summer, it would be best to enquire about our onsite visits now before we book out!

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WET WEDDING DAY WASH-OUT

From Auckland to Invercargill, summer weather reports will include a sun, a cloud, and raindrops. Four seasons in one day is not just cool lyrics in a song, it is a reality here in New Zealand. Mud is public enemy number one when it comes to outdoor weddings. Our marquees will protect your head and our installation crew will advise on the best place to set up the tent – avoiding sloped areas.

• Flooring is essential because it will protect your guests from mud and possible injury. Simply throwing a carpet over matting on the grass will not do!
• Think about mass travel and create pathways to parking and restroom areas.
• It might pay to attach smaller marquees to the main one for bathrooms, catering and photography stations, or a dressing room to redo the bride’s make-up.
• Provide guests with parasols or umbrellas (which could double as a unique wedding favour).

GONE WITH THE WIND

Our professional installation crew will ensure that your marquee will not fly away in the middle of the ceremony. We will make sure everything is secured and weighted properly. That being said, you may want to consider other things that may fly away during the event if the walls are up to allow the wind to blow through.

• Instead of having place cards set out on a table (as is generally the norm) you can attach the seating cards to your guests’ wedding favour. Another way is to write the seating arrangements on a chalkboard or funky little sign.
• In fact, avoid a lot of lightweight, paper crafts if you can
• Use fabric napkins with ring holders
• Weigh down any centrepieces such as light vases with rocks so that they don’t fall over during the reception.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Our summertime sunshine is beautiful but brutal. Thankfully, the material of our stretch tents will protect your guests from harmful UV rays. We also have removable/ roll-up walls that allow a nice breeze to circulate throughout the marquee. However, there are a few additional details that would be helpful.

• It is absolutely essential to research your location thoroughly and visit it during the exact time you will be having your wedding so you know the position of the sun on your big day. You want to take advantage of a beautiful sunset or sunrise, not be blinded by the mid-day sun– so consider having the ceremony at a specific time or make sure the windows are facing in the most opportune position.
• Set up outdoor furniture near shaded areas and provide plenty of non-alcoholic refreshments
• Not only could you give out umbrellas as guest favours, you could also provide fun sunglasses, or programmes that double as fans to help protect people from the heat.
• Depending on the time of year, it may be worthwhile to invest in air-conditioning or fans.

Wedding weather disasters can be avoided when you plan ahead. If you are thinking of having your wedding outdoors; hiring a marquee is not only a necessity for comfort but it is also a great way to add some elegance to New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape. Our experienced staff at Schupepe will not let the unpredictable weather in the land of the long white (storm) cloud ruin your wedding day.

Hurry! Contact Schupepe today to hire your summer wedding marquee before we book out!

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1. Sapporo Snow Festival

This festival, held every year over seven days in February, is one of Japan’s largest winter events. More than 2 million people come to see the spectacular ice sculptures and frozen art in Odori Park and Susukino. You can witness the crowning of a new Susukino Queen of Ice during a live beauty contest!

2. Whitefish Winter Carnival

Held in Whitefish, Montana, this is a yearly event filled with a wide variety of winter sports, street and ski parades, and even the annual Penguin Plunge – a dip into the freezing Whitefish Lake. National Geographic has hailed this Carnival one of the top winter events around the world. If you are dying to see how much your body can take before hypothermia takes over, head out to the states in early February for this famous event.

3. Quebec Winter Carnival

No list of winter festivals would be complete without Canada making the list. They have loads of winter events that are quite popular, but this one seems to be the crème de la crème. This festival includes a winter-themed amusement park, snow sled slides, snow rafting and skiing. Generally held in February, artists from around the globe compete – making spectacular snow sculptures.

4. Dartmouth Winter Carnival

This event, which initially began in 1910 as a field day for students, has quickly become one of the most popular festivals in New England. Ice-skating parties and horse-drawn sleigh rides are just some of the traditions that folks around the world have come to enjoy. There are human dogsled races and characters competing in a 3K skiing race wearing nothing but pajamas or capes! It is indeed – a sight to behold.

5. Fur Rendezvous

This 10-day celebration held in late February in North America’s coldest state – Alaska – is an amazing event. There will be reindeer. Yes, actual reindeer! There is a famous frostbite footrace, along with snowshoe softball and sled dog races. The Fur Rendezvous in Alaska has been named the largest winter festival in North America!

While we may not get any snow in Auckland, we still know how to throw a good winter festival! The students at Auckland University did a great job with Winterfest this year. There was incredible carnival food, games, acrobatics, and an awesome set by P Money. Schupepe was happy to provide the marquees for the festival. It was a tricky rig because the location is considered “historic” and as such, we were not allowed to peg into the ground or tie off guy-ropes to any structures, buildings, walls, or poles. This meant we had to hire in a hiab-truck and bring in 12 x 1 tonne concrete weights in order to tie the tent/ropes effectively. We love thinking outside of the box. Our crew did a great job and the event went off without a hitch!

Start planning your festival as early as possible! Contact us today.

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1. Say I Do – Anywhere you Choose

You can basically choose your view – perhaps your parents have incredible sea views, or there is an open field in your hometown that holds special memories – your options are limitless. Our flexible marquees can be manipulated to fit in any space and can be installed anywhere. Even if you chose to go the traditional route, many established wedding venues will allow the use of marquees onsite.

2. Personalise your Very Own Blank Canvas

Every marquee wedding that Schupepe has been a part of has been completely unique, intimate, and incredibly personal – as weddings should be. You don’t have to work with existing décor – you get to specifically choose your own colours and themes. Schupepe has a multitude of interior hire options available, but we are happy to outsource anything that we don’t have available to suit your individual tastes. Set venues will ensure that you use their catering services and will have menus that cannot be customised. Basically, with a marquee wedding, you have complete control over every detail.

3. Absolutely NO RESTRICTIONS

This means absolutely no restrictions when it comes to a season, limited time-frames, and the number of guests. While marquees are generally associated with summer/spring weddings, Schupepe has hosted quite a lot of beautiful winter/fall weddings. Our marquees are completely weather proof and we provide heating solutions that guarantee the comfort of your guests. With a marquee, you can choose a vineyard, paddock, beach, or field where neighbours cannot be disturbed – so there will be no forced finishing times. If you must invite Uncle Ted and your ten cousins, marquees allow you the freedom to do so. In fact, we have a handy size and accommodation guide to help you.

4. Sticking to a Budget

Regardless of your particular price range, marquee weddings allow you the flexibility to work within any budget. In fact, a lot of people choose to cut down costs by doing their own decorating or incorporating help from family and friends. Put your hard-earned money to better use – whether you want an incredible DJ, or exquisite food, an overflowing, unlimited bar – the choice is yours.

5. Break Away from Tired Traditions

If you desperately want to do your own thing – a marquee wedding is definitely the way to go. The only thing that all marquee weddings have in common is that they showcase New Zealand’s breathtaking landscape. Instead of your guests dancing the night away under harsh, fluorescent lights, they will be illuminated by the stars in the night sky, with fairy lights gently twinkling in the background. Have a look through our gallery at some of the photos – absolutely stunning and each one personal and unique.

Contact Schupepe today for a free consultation.

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1. First things, first – The Budget!

Obviously, the size of your budget will be the determining factor in the type of Christmas party that you organise. This is the first order of business so that you can plan accordingly. To be on the safe side, you will want to assume that everyone will be attending. Decisions will need to be made as to whether guests will be contributing to the ticket price. You will also want to put some money aside, as unexpected costs can occur at any time for any size event.

2. Think outside the box… forget the box… think outside.

Whether you are hosting a party for 20 or 2,000, it is absolutely essential to get the basics right. Venue sourcing should be the first thing on your list. The great thing about hiring a marquee for your corporate event is that you can have your party practically anywhere. You will not have to worry about furniture, lighting, or flooring as our interior hire options provide you with everything you need for a successful event.

3. Tone – the cornerstone of any event!

Will this be an informal, once-a-year celebration where the employees go a little wild or will it be a formal affair where clients and associates are invited? Perhaps presentations and award ceremonies will be involved? Regardless, if you choose a Schupepe tent to cover your event, we can ensure flexibility – altering the mood with clever lighting and stage flooring. It is also important to note that some corporate offices choose to have less formal Christmas parties – as everyone is desperate to get away from the office atmosphere. Industrial offices tend to prefer more formal events – giving everyone a chance to dress up. The most important thing is to create an environment that does not resemble work.

4. A unique theme pulls everything together.

A memorable Christmas party is an entirely themed event – and the options are endless. Once you have selected an appropriate theme, it is easier to make decisions concerning food, entertainment, and décor. Adding a bit of competition to the mix is always a crowd pleaser. Quizzes, murder mystery games, and casino evenings are very popular these days. If you would like something more upscale, wine tasting is always a safe bet! Schupepe Tents has a wide variety of interior options and a long list of trusted vendors to supply anything that we do not have in stock.

5. Eat, drink, and be merry!

You should start thinking about catering approximately two to three months before the event and choose a menu that is affordable and will appeal to various tastes. Incorporate the theme where possible, but also allow for vegetarian options and other dietary requirements. Depending on the tone and size of the event, you will need to decide if a buffet or a three-course sit-down meal is more appropriate. No party is complete without alcohol, but of course it is imperative to make responsible and cost-effective decisions. A general rule of thumb is to allow two drinks per guest for the first hour of the event and then one drink per hour thereafter. Don’t forget soft drinks, juice, and water – not everyone plans on getting sloshed at the annual Christmas party!

6. The Wow Factor – essentials for entertainment…

The difference between a ho-hum party and an all-out bash is the element of fun. Nothing says epic festive fail like an empty dance floor. Hire a DJ, musician, or live band – schupepe tents can supply the stage, dance floor, and lighting. We have truss rigs that are perfect for tolerating heavy sound equipment and large lighting rigs – ensuring your event is not only spectacular but safe! Give your employees something to talk about other than work and provide them with fodder for water-cooler talk for years to come.

Start planning this year’s epic festive event. A marquee is to an adult what bouncy castles are to children! Tents symbolize both fun and elegance. Contact us today and allow us to help you create a memorable holiday event for your staff and clientele.

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