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38 <strong>Style</strong> | Weddings<br />
Kiwi wedding snapshot<br />
If there’s anyone paying close attention to what’s happening in weddings right now – literally<br />
and figuratively – it’s the photographers. We caught up with two of the South Island’s best, Luisa<br />
Apanui and Charlotte Kiri Cretney, for an update on the industry, and some expert advice.<br />
Interview Josie Steenhart<br />
How has the South Island wedding<br />
industry changed since the pandemic<br />
started, and where is it sitting now?<br />
Luisa: From what I’ve experienced, the<br />
South Island wedding industry went from<br />
crazy busy pre-Covid to ghost town and<br />
is now coming back with a big wedding<br />
boom for next season.<br />
I’m getting a lot of enquiries and<br />
bookings from domestic and overseas<br />
couples, so the upcoming season<br />
is looking very busy with a touch<br />
of unpredictability.<br />
Couples book with shorter notice<br />
now and often plan their wedding within<br />
months instead of years.<br />
Finally, we can welcome back<br />
international visitors and we can celebrate<br />
the weddings that had been postponed<br />
for more than two years.It’s definitely<br />
going to be an interesting time for our<br />
industry and I can’t wait for my first big<br />
wedding of the season in mid-<strong>September</strong>.<br />
What are a few things you would<br />
recommend couples getting married<br />
this coming season should be doing/<br />
thinking about?<br />
Luisa: Lock everything in way in advance<br />
to avoid disappointment.<br />
Most vendors are already booked out for<br />
the season, so get in quickly.<br />
Mid-week dates and intimate weddings<br />
are still booming and it’s<br />
a great alternative if you don’t want<br />
to celebrate with a whole bunch<br />
of people.<br />
A smaller wedding can lead to<br />
a bigger honeymoon!<br />
Focus on what’s important to you and<br />
plan accordingly. The sky’s the limit when<br />
it comes to weddings and the things you<br />
can do on your special day, it doesn’t<br />
need to be traditional if that’s not your<br />
vibe. Create your special day that looks<br />
and feels true to you.<br />
Charlotte: Book all your vendors as soon<br />
as you pick a wedding date, don’t wait.<br />
A lot of vendors have limited availability<br />
heading into 2023/2024 because of the<br />
hold-ups of the past two years now<br />
everyone is wanting to get married, which<br />
is amazing but means choices may be<br />
more limited – start on your major nonnegotiable<br />
vendors and work backwards<br />
from there.<br />
If you have a particular photographer in<br />
mind, check what dates they’re available<br />
before you book your venue date so you<br />
don’t miss out. 2024 seems like it will be a<br />
very popular/bumper year to get married<br />
with borders being opened to worldwide<br />
travel again.
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