Planning Your Dream Wedding: Insights from New Zealand Wedding Planners, One Fine Day.
For over 20 years, here at Helen Rodrigues Bridal, we have been trusted by our brides to bring the world’s leading bridal designers to them but the gown is just one part of your bridal journey, and our dedication goes far beyond the dress. We’re passionate about sharing the wealth of knowledge we’ve gained from guiding countless brides through their wedding journeys and collaborating with trusted wedding professionals. We recently connected with New Zealand wedding planners, One Fine Day, to give you their expert advice for crafting your perfect wedding day.
About One Fine Day
Renowned for their ability to transform visions into breathtaking realities, One Fine Day specialises in creating unforgettable moments that perfectly reflect each couple’s unique love story. From intimate gatherings to grand affairs, their highly experienced team is dedicated to bringing dreams to life with meticulous attention to detail and boundless creative flair. Their passion and dedication have earned them a reputation as one of the most sought-after wedding planning teams in New Zealand.
What advice would you give to couples in the early stages of wedding planning?
This is some advice we give to couples just starting their wedding planning journey:
1. Start with Your Story: Before diving into details, take a moment to reflect on what makes your relationship special. Think about your favourite shared experiences, places, and things that represent your journey together. This will help you create a wedding that genuinely reflects you as a couple.
2. Set a Budget and Prioritise: Establishing a budget early on is crucial! Figure out what’s most important to you—whether it’s the venue, food, or entertainment—and allocate your funds accordingly. Remember, it’s your day, so spend where it matters most to you!
3. Choose Your Venue Wisely: The venue sets the tone for your entire celebration. Consider locations that resonate with your style, whether it’s a dreamy beachfront location, a chic city rooftop, or a stunning garden with a snow-capped mountain backdrop. The right venue can inspire your overall theme and decor choices.
4. Personalise Your Details: Small touches can make a big impact! Incorporate personal elements like beautiful custom signage, meaningful quotes, or family traditions These details add layers of meaning and help tell your love story throughout the celebration.
5. Communicate as a Team: Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but teamwork makes it fun! Regularly check in with each other, share ideas, and make decisions together. This journey is a celebration of your love, so keep the communication open and enjoy the process. Giving yourselves enough time to plan and pay for everything also reduces stress levels significantly!
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Break Tradition: If there are traditions that don’t resonate with you, feel free to ditch them. This is your day, so create a celebration that feels authentic to your relationship. Whether it’s opting for a unique ceremony or a fun twist on the reception, embrace what feels right for you.
7. Seek Help When Needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out for help, whether it’s from friends, family, or a wedding planner. Having someone to bounce ideas off or manage logistics can lighten the load and allow you to enjoy the process.
Remember, at the end of the day, your wedding is about the act of marriage and celebrating your love in a way that feels true to you. So have fun, stay flexible, roll with the challenges and embrace the joy of the journey!
How did you find your way into wedding planning? What was the initial spark that inspired you to start your business?
I am that friend who is always the go-to for organising parties and making sure every detail is on point, from the playlist to the perfect florals. But the real spark came when I planned my own wedding in Phuket, Thailand nearly 25 years ago. I was totally swept up in the joy, the details, and the magic of watching everything and everyone we loved come together for such a special day.
From there, I jumped into the events and wedding world, learning everything from project management to flower arranging and falling more in love with the industry along the way. Having a wedding and events business felt like a natural step because I wanted to turn my passion and skill set into something bigger—helping couples create their own dream day, stress-free and incredible!
What sets your services apart for couples? How do you blend creativity and organisation to deliver a unique experience for your clients? Are there any signature services you offer that stand out?
Our focus is on making our couples’ love stories the heart of the day. We pride ourselves on blending creativity with excellent organisation to deliver something truly one-of-a-kind. We take the time to understand your personality and wedding dreams, then we weave all of those details into a seamless, unforgettable event that feels uniquely you.
We thrive on balancing imaginative ideas with flawless execution. Whether it’s adding creative, personal touches like custom decor or ensuring the logistics flow smoothly, we are all about the perfect mix of magic, logistics and management.
We handle everything behind the scenes so you can focus on what matters— celebrating! We also love curating those fun, unexpected memorable moments that leave guests talking, from interactive guestbooks to bespoke cocktail stations that get everyone involved in the joy of the occasion.
What trends or styles are you currently loving in the wedding world?
We are absolutely loving the trend towards personalisation and authenticity in weddings right now! Couples are embracing their unique love stories more than ever, and it’s refreshing to see them move away from cookie-cutter templates. Sustainability is a big theme, from using locally sourced flowers to eco-conscious catering, couples are making choices that are kind to the planet. We are loving incorporating unique table layouts that are more intimate and less formal, and mixing up the format with long lunches, and festival vibes. The focus is very much on the joyfulness of the occasion and a fun guest experience as opposed to formal traditions.
What are some of your favourite New Zealand wedding venues and locations?
New Zealand is a treasure trove of stunning wedding locations and One Fine Day is very fortunate to have some of the very best exclusive and iconic venues in our portfolio including:
1. Andersons Cove: For a truly unique exclusive beachfront experience, Andersons Cove is a hidden gem. It truly has it all: absolute beach frontage, romantic cottage gardens, gentle pastoral scenes and a spectacular clifftop outlook. It’s perfect for those seeking a serene, romantic and exclusive atmosphere.
2. Bella Luce: Queenstown’s very own slice of Italy, is among the dreamy event locations that open their gates for a select number of special celebrations each year. The property offers its stunning grounds to marry and place your dream marquee to dine and dance the night away. A truly unique and magical venue.
3. The Crown: The Crown, aptly named by its location on the Crown Range outside Queenstown is a jewel to behold. The landscaped property offers three distinct terraced locations for weddings and events of various sizes. Each unique in their own right, they all offer spectacular scenery and views across the Wakatipu district over Lake Hayes and Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountain ranges. The 360-degree views make this arguably one of the most scenic venues in the district with easy access and flat surfaces ready to host a marquee wedding or event in this piece of paradise.
4. Oakwood Estate: This luxurious property, nestled in the picturesque hills of Lower Shotover in Queenstown and spanning twelve acres, is the ultimate venue for a private function or wedding. The area is known for its natural beauty, with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and nearby mountain ranges. The property provides a private, peaceful and secluded atmosphere for guests to enjoy.
5. Kopuwai Delta: This magical property is situated on a glacier-formed terrace overlooking the Clutha river, at the delta where it runs into Lake Dunstan in the Cromwell basin of Central Otago. Under a wide starry sky, you’ll see mountains in every direction and enjoy the four seasons and their colours with snow-capped mountains all around.
6. Te Mata House: located in Havelock North, this beautiful venue is one of Hawke’s Bay’s treasures. Walk down an aisle lined with crabapple trees, wed under the wisteria pergola, or pledge your love in a lavender field. Te Mata house is a magnificent private residence rich in history and beauty and is available for a limited number of very special weddings each year.
7. Richmond Estate: an exclusive and luxurious venue located in the heart of the Wairarapa. This magnificent 12-acre property dates back to the 1800s and features a breathtakingly beautiful Italianate Renaissance garden. There is something to discover around every corner. whether you're dreaming of an intimate gathering, a glamorous party or a grand celebration, Richmond Estate’s resplendent Victorian home and enchanting gardens provide the perfect backdrop for your special day.
8. Waiheke Island: This gorgeous island, 1/2 an hour by ferry from Auckland, has an array of fabulous wedding venues. With its stunning beaches, vineyards, and breathtaking views, it’s the perfect backdrop for a romantic outdoor ceremony. Plus, the sunsets are out of this world!
Each of these locations has its own magic, allowing couples to create a day that truly reflects their love story against the stunning backdrop of New Zealand.
How would you describe your design philosophy? What inspires your aesthetic choices, and how do you ensure the weddings you plan reflect the individuality of each couple?
Our design philosophy is all about storytelling through style. We believe that every couple has their own unique vibe, and the wedding should be a reflection of that— whether it’s bold and glamorous, cozy and intimate, or something totally out-of-the-box. We draw inspiration from the couple themselves, their personalities, favourite colours, places, and even little details like how they met. It’s like curating a love story that you can see, feel, and experience in every aspect of the day.
When it comes to aesthetic choices, we are inspired by everything from nature to fashion trends, but we never follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we collaborate closely with the couple, guiding them to make choices that resonate with who they are, not just what’s popular. We want all of our weddings to be elegant and timeless so that our couples can look back in 50 years time and still love every element of their special day. We mix creativity with intention, making sure every detail, from florals to table settings, feels personal and thoughtful.
Ultimately, we want the wedding to feel like them—something guests walk into and say, “This is SO them!” Whether that’s adding fun personal touches or going all-out elegant, we make sure the day feels true to the couple’s style, not just Pinterest perfect.
Is there anything you wish to see less of in the wedding industry?
Weddings are about love and connection, not just staging the perfect shot. I’d love to see more couples focus on what feels true to them, rather than following trends just because they’re popular. Whilst we embrace traditions, it is time to let go of some of the unnecessary formalities. Gone are the days where every wedding has to follow the same timeline or traditions. We love seeing couples make the day their own by ditching outdated customs that don’t resonate with them.
We also think couples should avoid the pressure and expense of gifting wedding favours. If they are included they should be thoughtful and personal as very often couples spend money on generic trinkets that guests end up leaving behind. Instead, we’d love to see more focus on experiential favours—like creating a fun memory with a photo booth or a late-night snack station—something that guests will really enjoy and remember.
Ultimately, we’d love to see weddings become less about following trends and more about celebrating individuality. Weddings that are full of personal touches, creative and playful elements and a reflection of what truly matters to the couple—that’s what makes a wedding One Fine Day!
What do you think makes a wedding unforgettable for both the couple and their guests?
An unforgettable wedding is all about creating genuine connections and memorable experiences. Some key elements that can make the day truly special for both the couple and their guests include: personal touches: Infusing the wedding with personal elements—like custom vows, unique decor, or sentimental details—makes the celebration feel meaningful. When guests see these touches, they feel a deeper connection to the couple's love story; interactive experiences: engaging guests in unique ways, such as DIY stations, fun photo booths, or interactive entertainment, keeps the energy high and ensures everyone has a blast.
These moments create shared memories that guests will cherish long after the wedding; thoughtful guest comfort: ensuring your guests feel comfortable and taken care of goes a long way. From providing cozy lounge areas to offering late-night snacks, these small gestures can enhance the overall experience and make guests feel valued; memorable moments: planning a few surprise elements or special performances can make the day unforgettable; flow and timing: a well-planned timeline ensures that the day runs smoothly and guests aren’t left waiting around. Keeping the energy flowing and events moving allows everyone to enjoy each moment without feeling rushed or bored.
At the end of the day, an unforgettable wedding is about the love and joy shared among everyone present. By focusing on meaningful connections, fun experiences, and a personalised touch, couples can create a celebration that resonates deeply with both themselves and their guests.
Find out more about One Fine Day HERE.
