Handmaid

24/02/2024

Our beautiful couple from a couple of weeks ago. ❤️

07/12/2023

Check out one of our gorgeous couple's wedding featured on the amazing Wild Hearts' blog.

At a quaint, 1910 restored colonial homestead, Natalya and Seb were wed surrounded by serene gardens shaded by majestic trees. Their venue, the timeless Springfield House, is evocative of rich history and nostalgic romance - setting the scene for this intimate wedding soiree.

19/11/2023

Loved being a part of this dream team helping to make Natalya & Seb’s wedding the bomb! ❤️

Repost from who said it best!:

At a quaint, 1910 restored colonial homestead, Natalya and Seb were wed surrounded by serene gardens shaded by majestic trees. Their venue, the timeless Springfield House, is evocative of rich history and nostalgic romance - setting the scene for this intimate wedding soiree.

Read more over on the journal via the link in bio 🤍✨🌿



Photography by | Floral by | Venue | Cake + Catering by Ruth Pretty Catering | Outdoor Games by | Outdoor Lighting by Kapiti Party Hire | Sound by | Rings by | Transport by Peka Peka Charter and Tours | Bridal Gown + Veil by . Hair & Makeup by | Bridesmaid Dresses by | Grooms Suit + Tie by

16/08/2023

We loved returning to the best kept wedding venue secret of Ngā Manu for Jamie and Kieran’s wedding! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jamie and Kieran wanted a ‘chilled out’ wedding and completely it pulled off! It had all the green, serene, natural vibes of a backyard wedding but had the glam too!

They had the awesome ‘backyard’ wedding specialists bring the vibe - with for the drinks, for the shelter, for the kai, for the dancing and games and some seating by !

Amazing photos (as always!) by
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Vendors:
Photographer:
Venue: .manu
Caterer:
Hair Stylist:
Makeup Artist:
Florist:
Live Music:
Dress: .wellington
Dress: .few
Arch, Some Seating & Games:
Caravan Bar:
Tent And Festoon Lights:

10/05/2023

Cool story. I helped style this groom’s mother’s wedding a couple of years ago. I love that when this whānau needed some celebration assistance again, that they came to me again!
This groom hired the same table (our gorgeous barley twist cake table) as a signing table that his mother used, thus linking their two celebrations. ❤️

Congratulations E & T on your gorgeous celebration and your ceremony in this sweet, tiny chapel at ❤️.

09/05/2023

This gorgeous couple's wedding featured on Together Journal and is our kind of wedding. The day reflected Shannon + Alex - their love for the ocean, vintage vibes and did away with the traditions that didn't suit them. Love that they planned their day by marching to their own (Batucada) drum. Congratulations again Team!

Click the link below to see more photo!

Vendor Team:
Ceremony + Reception Location: Worser Bay Surf Club, Worser Bay Life Saving Club
Photographer: Josiah Nevell, Josiah Nevell
Videographer: Frankly Faye, .fae
Celebrant:
Entertainment: Wellington Batucada, Wellington Batucada
Hire: Handmaid, Handmaid
Flora: Woodstock Florist Woodstock Florist
Catering + Beverages: Food Envy Catering Food Envy Catering
Stationery: Simple Statement,
Bride’s Dress: 1960s Hungarian dress from Ziggurat, Ziggurat shop
Groom”s Attire: Smoke blue cotton linen suit from Sirplus, SIRPLUS
Shirt from Savile Row Company,
Bride’s Ring: Lott Studio, Lott Studio
Groom’s Ring: Good Gold, GoodGold.nz
Bride’s Shoes: Billini, BILLINI / Groom’s Shoes: Marks and Spencer, Marks and Spencer
Hair: Miss Dom Styling, MISS DOM
Aesop, Aesop

27/04/2023

I am having some (mostly) unplugged downtime after a busy season but back next week for anyone waiting to hear from me!
Loving this meditative stone labyrinth for when the pensive mood hits!

18/11/2022

We’re been so quiet on the socials (more on that later!) but we’ve been busy and it ain’t getting any quieter as we hit the wedding season/Christmas party madness head on!

It always puts a smile on the dial to get images of our couples - with or without our hire items! Here’s a divine image of a couple from last weekend with our arch. ❤️ Congrats Lovebirds! ❤️

26/07/2022

Ah Lake Como…❤️ meets Star Wars Wedding.

If you love the venue’s look here but don’t need a lake (or can afford to go Italia for your wedding!), then check out the beautiful The Milk Station Otaki.

Lake Como is the perfect spot for an idyllic, traditional wedding… except Brooke and Brandon wanted to do things their way, taking inspiration from the Star Wars scene where Anakin and Padme got married.

01/07/2022

Gorgeous setup by one of our lovely clients in the weekend! Featuring one of our and our rattan screen and some other goodies! ❤️

25/03/2022

I absolutely adore this image of our gorgie couple and Ms Sadie Swoonworthy!!

Image by
Caravan bar by
Hire by
Florals by
Makeup by
Hair by Amber
Celebrant .celebrant

16/03/2022

I’m loving reminiscing of one of our amazing weddings last year. A beautiful image of these two cool cucumbers, just like, effortlessly getting married and stuff! ❤️

Repost• We absolutely adored Georgie and Chris' wedding and have sooo much of it we want to share. I mean how effortlessly cool are they! ⁠
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Their incredible vendors:⁠
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Dress ⁠
Makeup ⁠
Suit
Furniture & Props ⁠
Caravan and Decor ⁠
Food ⁠
Music

14/03/2022

A beautiful backyard marquee set up for a beautiful wedding featuring the inimitable Sadie Swoon - Caravan Bar] and the incredible arch flowers from our talented friends at Love Stomp Floral design

It was forecast to rain but the sun shone and the drinks flowed to a fun group of happy peeps who were delighted to be out celebrating our gorgeous couple.

Yay for weddings being able to happen peak-Covid, yay for fresh air and sunshine 🌞, yay for live music 🎶 and yay for love 💕and caravan bars🍾🍸!

Awesome vendors involved on the day:
Caravan bar - Sadie Swoon - Caravan Bar]
Hire items -
Florals - Florist / gift shop /weddings]
Food deliciousness -
Celebrant - .celebrant
Makeup -
Photographer - (but not of this quick snap!)

02/03/2022

Look at this gorgeous couple! ❤️❤️❤️
A weather bomb could not dampen their love or amazing wedding last month. And if anything, it could have been a metaphor for their future together - to weather any storm together! ❤️😉

The slippery weather and mud did however provide Sadie with quite the adventure but she was determined to get into position and do her thing come hail or shine. She had to stay onsite a bit longer than usual but once the mud dried, got home safe and sound to a good scrub!

Thank you for having us L & J and congratulations once again! ❤️❤️

14/12/2021

Dear Handmaidies/Friends

Y'all know it's serious when a FB post starts off as a letter!

Some of you will have noticed that Handmaid HQ shows we're 'fully booked' until June 2022. Things are on hold here as unfortunately, my family and I have been going through a tough journey since October. I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and have a long enough journey ahead of me with a raft of treatments in the plan. It starts with surgery in two days' time - eek!

I am the face and heart of Handmaid and Sadie Swoon. I have wonderful helpers to help me for styling and Sadie but I do everything else behind the scenes. I pour love and care in every single one of my clients - big or small - to help with their celebrations. I see that role as a total privilege and never take it for granted.

And it's because of that care that I know that in order for me to focus 100% on my children, my recovery and to get over this mountain that I can't continue to operate Handmaid in the same way. I am utterly determined to look back and see this as an awful glitch in my life, but to get there, I first need to recover from major surgery and begin chemo etc. It has been a heartbreaking decision for me to step back for now.

I started this business almost six years ago with a passion to help people to become the celebrators and to celebrate all the good, bad and in-between in their lives! I believe life is too short NOT to take time to collect our loved ones around and be together for those moments in life. The irony is not lost on me, that here I am now, facing the spectre of immortality (albeit I will shoo the little s**t away ASAP!)!

CURRENT CLIENTS
To my beautiful clients who have booked in with us, paid deposits and signed agreements (for Sadie), do not worry. We have your back!

Firstly, we are putting plans in place for your event. You won't have me at the bar or about for your event, but I have a team of absolute Queens (and my own King) who have stepped in to make things happen for your wedding. Most have worked for me in the past and know how we do things Handmaid-styles. I have been working on the background to make this seamless. One Queen worked for me on Saturday and said her motto is "WWCD" - what would Charlotte do? So I'll be there in spririt!

I'm also sorry I haven't been as responsive as I usually am (had a few things going on...) but you'll hear from me soon-ish as your date come closer.

PAST CLIENTS
Oh my gosh, I have LOVED working with each and every one of you. I'm often asked if I've ever had a Bridezilla (sexist much?) and can say hand on heart, I've NEVER had a "bride- or groomzilla" experience and feel nothing but connection and love for you all.

I truly feel blessed to have been a part of your life celebrations. Many of you have become friends over the years and I love seeing your lives unfold and your babies appear/grow over the 'Gram!

Can you please do us a favour? If you haven't already - would you take the time to write a review for us on our Sadie Swoon and Handmaid Google pages to help us to stay relevant when we're back up and running properly?

Sadie Swoon -https://g.page/r/CZ40mXlJgnsCEAg/review and/or Handmaid - https://g.page/r/CZ40mXlJgnsCEAg/review

FUTURE CLIENTS
We have always taken huge pride In our customer service and customer journey with both our general hire and our stying and Sadie Swoon clients. I have felt awful to turn so many over you down over the past weeks - it's completely counter-intuitive when I've always been building this business.

I thank you deeply for your kindness and understanding and hope we'll be back in action for your future events before long!

EVERYONE!
If you made it this far, thanks for persevering! And thank you for all the support over the past years of business.

With love and deep gratitude
Charlotte xx

07/12/2021

This special gal had a gorgeous enchanted 30th organised by her partner at a Te Horo bach! ❤️

Always LOVE to see where our hire items get to when we’re not attending an event! ❤️

22/11/2021

Let’s talk about Friday night…

After a long wait for the 2021 (after it was scuppered not once but thrice by Covid), it finally happened (albeit virtually).

And we doggone went and won a thing! 🏆 We are delighted to have won our industry category for 2021 in Kāpiti/Horowhenua. Yay us!

The second pic is me crossing live to accept the award (yes my eyes are closed!) and say my thank yous crossing live over to the MC who did an awesome job with some challenging tech!

So thanks to me Ma & Pa, without whom I wouldn’t have been born or more importantly, had help with the kids many times… thanks to my kids for inspiring me to ditch being a legal 🦅 and cross the rubicon into being an wedding and event gal… huge thanks to my awesome friends (who happen to be staff) past & present - & ❤️… and a massive thanks to my most amazing, supportive, wonderful hubby without whom this business would not exist.

*Amen, curtsy, high 5 and kowtow and graceful exit to the sound of applause!*

22/11/2021

Let’s talk about Friday night…

After a long wait for the 2021 (after it was scuppered not once but thrice by Covid), it finally happened (albeit virtually).

And we doggone went and won a thing! 🏆 We are delighted to have won our industry category for 2021 in Kāpiti/Horowhenua. Yay us!

The second pic is me crossing live to accept the award and say my thank yous crossing live over to the MC who did an awesome job with some challenging tech!

So thanks to me Ma & Pa, without whom I wouldn’t have been born or more importantly, had help with the kids many times… thanks to my kids for inspiring me to ditch being a legal 🦅 and cross the rubicon into being an wedding and event gal… huge thanks to my awesome friends (who happen to be staff) past & present - & ❤️… and a massive thanks to my most amazing, supportive, wonderful hubby without whom this business would not exist.

*Amen, curtsy, high 5 and kowtow and graceful exit to the sound of applause!*

15/10/2021

Friday afternoon vibes…

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
Rachel Carson

My happy place. Proper warmth of the sun, fingers in the soil, a bevy of children (mine included) laughing next door and taking time to lie under the cherry tree full of blossom. Sigh.

13/10/2021

This Raumati treasure. 🥰 If you don’t know the absolutely gorgeous Trina at Paperdoll you should remedy that ASAP!

Trina owns Paperdoll in Raumati Beach and has a talent for finding the right clothes for your shape and sparkles as she works! Her clientele love her!!

With hubby Bede, Trina also owns in the mall and Holy Smoke also at Raumati Beach. Between them they have all your summer wear - special event clothes - colourful patterns - lil’ whimsy - fun ‘n funky boutique clothes sorted. Get out and support local peeps!!

Side note: I first met Trina when I was heavily pregnant, new to Kāpiti and barely knew a soul when I locked my keys in our (pre-kids) adventuring van at the Raumati Beach shops on a rainy day. I took shelter in her shop to call and wait for help and I never forgot her kindness. Years later we met on a wedding photoshoot with Holy Smoke] dressing the menfolk. Yep, did I say a local treasure?

07/10/2021

Thank you Nigel at Coast Access Radio for inviting me onto the show this morning to chat about Handmaid and Sadie Swoon - Caravan Bar!

28/09/2021

Hands up if you like... Cocktails? Coffee? Passion(fruit)? And things looking sauve but being easy? Pick me, pick me, pick me! 🙋‍♀️

Our friends at Good George Brewing are offering our Handmaid & Sadie Swoon - Caravan Bar clients an exclusive 10% off on a box of 6 x bottles of their yummo cocktails - Discount Code: Handmaid

Neat Small Batch Crafted Cocktails of Espresso Martini or Passionfruit Martini are crafted in NZ. Each drink takes 30 seconds to make. Yep, 30 seconds...

The Espresso Martini is made with cold press with bold coffee notes and a hint of chocolate. The Passionfruit Martini includes real passionfruit with a touch of vanilla. Both are combined with small batched vodka.

Sign me up! Order online at www.goodgeorge.co.nz Discount Code: Handmaid

(And of course if you want these to be served in Sadie Swoon - Caravan Bar just holler!)

09/09/2021

In case you missed the newspaper article and our announcement on Facebook…

We’re over the moon to be named a Finalist in two categories at the year’s Kāpiti and Horowhenua Electra Business & Innovation Awards.

We are Finalists in the Hospitality and in the Small Business categories and in damn fine company too! The Awards night has been postponed (thanks Covid) so we now need to wait until November…😬.

Thanks to everyone for their support over the past few years as we’ve developed our Handmaid & Sadie Swoon brands and we can’t wait to get back to Level 1 ASAP pretty please . 🙏🏼 🤞🏽

30/08/2021

Always a bit weird reading and seeing yourself in the news… 😳!

Handmaid is a finalist for the Electra Business and Innovation Awards.

10/08/2021

We’re bloody excited to be finalists in two categories of the Electra Business Awards for Kāpiti & Horowhenua! We’re up for the Hospitality category & Small Business award. Eeek!

Super stoked to be representing Mamas creating businesses around lifestyle, balance and values!

Now to find something by to wear for the awards night...! 😬

🎺The much-awaited finalist's announcement! 🎺

Manufacturing, Production and Processing, sponsored by Steel-It Framing
- Imagination
- Speedy Signs & EmbroidMe Kapiti-Porirua

Hospitality, Entertainment and Tourism, sponsored by Air Chathams
- Handmaid
- Prime Performance

Professional and Business Services, or Technology, sponsored by Graphic Press & Packaging
- Foxx and Filly Home Staging and Interior Design
- Leith Consulting
- Tall Poppy Real Estate

Not for Profit, Community and Public Services, sponsored by Kapinua NZ
- Horowhenua New Zealand Trust
- Kapiti Youth Support
- Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club

Retail, sponsored by New World
- We Love Local
- Paulas Home and Living
- The Hair Studio Kapiti

New/Emerging Award, sponsored by Kapiti Coast Chamber of Commerce
- We Love Local
- Leith Consulting
- The Hair Studio Kapiti

Small Business Award, sponsored by New Zealand Media & Entertainment
- Foxx and Filly Home Staging and Interior Design
- Handmaid
- The Hair Studio Kapiti

Kāpiti Top Shop, sponsored by Vodafone Business
- Relish Cafe - Waikanae
- Kapiti Youth Support
- STIHL SHOP Kapiti
- Seriously Pickled
- Paulas Home and Living

Horowhenua Top Shop, sponsored by Vodafone Business
- Steeds Pharmacy
- New World
- Photo and Framed

Get your tickets now to the biggest Kāpiti and Horowhenua business event of the year!
http://ow.ly/zgKG50FMZZo@

09/08/2021

OMG...this! Just one of our glowing hire couples who got married back in April at stunning in Otaki Forks... 💥!

That light! Who else is in love with this picture?

📸 by

06/08/2021

We are harking back to summer days and this BOSS couple who had a heck of a year with COVID disrupting their first wedding and causing it to be postponed. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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A lot happened in between the first wedding date and the day it happened and throughout everything, these two were so grounded and thoughtful about everything. I am sooooo happy the wedding day still came happened because it was an amazing celebration of their gorgeous relationship!⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The images are beautiful - by . Check out our Journal showing their story in images on the website and who their amazing vendors were:
https://cutt.ly/sQmPoPA
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01/08/2021

This gladdens my heart. Bulbs are a-pop pop popping out of the ground left, right and centre! A few have made it up and out. Can't wait to see the new double bloom daffis come up soon. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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30/06/2021

Wahoooo! Sadie got jealous of the new Handmaid website so she got a new one too! Same domain, different design. Check it out at www.sadieswoon.nz!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Now I would be lying just a teeny bit if I said I was sad to see the web development side of things go! It's been a mammoth project getting these new sites up and running, growing the branding and paving the way to go onwards and upwards! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I now can't wait to focus more on fab new content to help with awesome events coming up, to work closely with our clients for the next season and show you what's new in the inventory! Watch this space!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thanks for your patience everyone and a massive thank you too to all the incredible, professional photographers who have graciously allowed me to use their images. Deep respect and a low kowtow to you all. Cover image here by the amazing - how awesome is that? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

15/06/2021

OK, so I’m rather later in reposting this from ! Better late than never and we’ve been mentioned for some of the things we do to try to help you to be the celebrators while treading lightly on Mama Earth!
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Totally coincidental but fitting that it is Earth Day, we have a new series on how to be more eco friendly with your wedding (and event) planning, every teeny tiny little bit counts! 💚

Thanks to for the wisdom!
Featuring a bunch of awesome wedding peeps too!