Tash + Rob by Cassandra Ladru - Together Journal

From that trip onwards, our relationship only grew until it became clear we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We live in sunny Mount Maunganui with our Cavoodle Sunny. We are both self-employed, so we spend a lot of our time running our separate businesses. Rob owns a nutrition business called Mitchells Nutrition, and I (Tash) have a photography business called Tastefully Studios (I also shoot weddings). Together we love travelling, outdoor adventures, or just hanging out at our home with our dog or entertaining friends

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met through work. Rob had just started his business, so he called me about my business’s social media marketing services. He also sent me some of his product to try, so I would post about it on my Instagram page – Tastefullytash. Our professional relationship became less professional when we ran into each other at a mutual friend’s birthday. Rob asked me on a date and I said yes. I was impressed by his chivalry and he said later that he was impressed by my legs haha.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

Our first big trip together to the South Island was when I think we both properly fell in love. We slept in Rob’s trucks for weeks, camping off the grid in the Catlins. We surfed, we explored small towns, we hung out with friends and spoke for hours in the car. We didn’t shower for days and we really got to know each other. The highlight was spending New Year together in a paddock under the stars. From that trip onwards, our relationship only grew until it became clear we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

Yes, it was on my 29th birthday. We were staying at an off-the-grid cabin on a farm. It was sunset, and Rob had gone to “check the water temperature” of the outdoor bath. He called me over to check; then, in his gumboots, he dropped down on one knee. I was so excited and said, of course, said, yes. We called our parents and had a bottle of champagne which Rob had hidden in his bag

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

As a wedding photographer, I always think investing in your photographer and your venue are the best vendors to splurge on.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

Yes! The first was that we forgot to organise transport for the bridesmaids to get to our photo spot. Rob and I left with the photographers and just hoped the girls would get there. Halfway through our first look, an ATV rocked up at pace with all three bridesmaids – my MOH driving. It was iconic.

Also, during our wedding week, I celebrated my 30th birthday. Mum and Dad had been tasked with driving up the cake. On the drive to the venue, Mum got a fright and accidentally squashed the whole front of the cake. They ended up googling Coromandel cake makers and found a random local lady who used to make cakes. They went to her house, and she repaired the cake so well you couldn’t see where it had been squashed. They didn’t tell me all of this until after the wedding

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story? The history of the ceremony dress…

My dress was designed by Trish Peng. It was a 3 piece which consisted of a bodysuit, a mini skirt and the main long train. I worked with Trish on choosing a lace I liked to be used on one of her existing designs. I paired the dress with a long cathedral-style veil. Trish brought my vision to life and allowed me to have the dramatic wedding dress look I wanted while creating a mini dress that felt very “me.”