My name is Emma (Em) Newman and I am a Wedding Planner! I provide co-ordination of weddings including Same Sex weddings, renewal of vows and civil unions throughout New Zealand but primarily in the South Island.

I married Alix in March 2002 and we had a wonderful day and this cemented my desire to become a wedding planner to help other couples and families enjoy their wedding day as much as we did.

I understand the importance of sharing the love between two people with family and friends. I have an eye for detail, excellent organisational skills, and a passion for weddings and hosting a great day.

After 16 years of being lucky enough to plan weddings big and small throughout the South Island the one thing I love the most is hearing how stress-free the day and the planning process was when people engaged me to help.

I see myself as being like a “Wedding Executive Assistant” to a couple and their family.

I get asked all the time, as you would expect,

“Well what do you as a planner do?” It would be too long to list and for each wedding that list is slightly different. Suffice to say I will lend a hand to anything during the lead up and on the day and I do roll my sleeves up and get things done. I am your MC’s wingman, I make sure the band and buses are on time, the generator is working, the bathrooms clean, the run-sheet is kept in mind and there are tissues available! Leading up to the wedding I organise meetings and write up notes and keep all your suppliers informed. I am also very mindful of keeping you well informed with prompt and clear communication and administration.

This is what you engage me to do and I take this role very seriously too and I think I provide quite a bespoke high end level of support in doing this.

I also understand how a wedding can bring out the best and worst in people and I have been able to manage situations so that all parties are kept happy. Sensitive support at key times can be crucial and I like to think I can provide this too.