Our biggest priority was simple: get everyone we love together and throw one hell of a party.
We’re high school sweethearts who met back in 2012 through our shared love of athletics. We started dating a week after meeting, and 13 years on, we’re still going strong. I work as a medical radiation technologist and Pilates instructor, while James is in operations at an agritech company.
We live on James’ family farm in rural Cambridge, where we built our dream home in 2020. It’s the kind of place made for long lunches, spontaneous dinner parties, and the occasional wild weekend with friends. Life is busy, but we love the calm, community-centred pace of our town. The real star of the household, though, is Otis — our three-year-old golden retriever, ring bearer, and all-round MVP of the wedding.
Film above by Grey Area Productions @greyareaproduction
When it came to the wedding, our biggest priority was simple: get everyone we love together and throw one hell of a party. The celebration spanned three days. Friends stayed in teepees, and the whole experience felt like a beautiful, joy-fuelled festival. Our wedding was never just about us — it was our way of thanking everyone who has helped shape our relationship over the years. There was no question about the location.
We got married at home, in a spot we look out over every day. The emotional connection to the property made it feel incredibly special, and there was absolutely no way we were going to put all that time and effort into a day that ended at midnight. Both nights ran until 4am — and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. Visually, it was everything we’d imagined — simple, elevated styling that reflected the aesthetic of our home. From the marquee to the florals, everything was executed to perfection. We promised ourselves early on that we’d enjoy the process just as much as the day itself, and we really did.
Our best advice? Decide your non-negotiables early and build everything else around them. My dress journey took me to Sydney, where I found exactly what I’d pictured wearing. My amazing alterationist in New Zealand helped bring the look to life — she even made a matching scarf from the excess hem fabric, so I could change up my look throughout the day. Only my best friend and maid of honour had seen the dress beforehand, so it was a total surprise for my mum, sisters and bridesmaids on the day, which made the moment even more special. James wore a dark navy suit with a black silk lapel and a treasured clover pin that once belonged to his late grandad. I loved that his look stood apart from the groomsmen — it felt like the perfect blend of sharp and sentimental.
We splurged where it counted: food, alcohol and entertainment. No Biggie absolutely nailed it — the food was incredible, and the staff were just as memorable. We batched 700 of our favourite cocktails (gummy bear sours, classic margs and espresso martinis), which the bar
team shook and poured for quick service. Music was another non-negotiable — we had a local string band for the welcome drinks, a phenomenal band post-dinner, and a DJ with a saxophonist to close out the night. An absolute highlight.
LOCATION Monarch Farm (private residence), Cambridge PHOTOGRAPHER Ash Muir , @ashmuirphoto VIDEOGRAPHER Grey Area Productions, @greyareaproduction BRIDE Laura @laura___hunt BRIDE’S MAIN OUTFIT The Ivory Room Bridal, @theivoryroombridal ALTERATIONS Alison Blain Designer, @alisonblaindesigner BRIDE’S SHOES & FRAGRANCE Gucci, @gucci BRIDE’S EARRINGS Lola Knight, @lolaknightofficial BRIDE’S VEIL Kyha Studios, @kyhastudios GROOM’S MAIN OUTFIT, TIE & POCKET SQUARE Working Style, @workingstylenz GROOM’S SHOES Hermes, @hermes GROOM’S WATCH Rolex, @rolex GROOM’S CUFFLINKS Man & Bear, @manandbear_ GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Tom Ford, @tomford WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS The Diamond Shop, @thediamondshop BRIDE’S PARTY SHOES Jimmy Choo, @jimmychoo GROOM’S PARTY OUTFIT Anika Tailor Bali, @anikatailor FLORIST Floralcentric, @floralcentric BRIDESMAIDS’ OUTFITS Anika Tailor Bali, @anikatailor BRIDESMAIDS’ MAKEUP Hunter Lily @hunterlilyrandlemua GROOMSMEN’S SUITS & TIES Working Style, @workingstylenz GROOMSMEN’S SHOES 3 Wise Men, @_3wisemen BRIDE’S PARTY OUTFIT Alison Blain Designer, @alisonblaindesigner STYLIST & PLANNER One Fine Day, @onefinedayweddings MAKEUP Hannah Vassallo, @hannahvassallo_makeup BRIDE’S HAIR Hannah Carter of Dede & Daph, @dededaph GROOM’S HAIR Boar and Blade, @boar_and_blade FURNITURE Flock Events, @flockevents GUEST TEEPEES Nomadic, @nomadic_nz MARQUEE HIRE Twelve Tables, @twelve_tables TABLEWARE Royal Laboratorie, @royallaboratorie CATERING No Biggie Food, @nobiggie.food DJ & SAXOPHONE Lewis McCallum, @epicsaxguynz BAND DDT Entertainment, @ddt_entertainment_nz STRINGS Stella Strings, @stellastringsnz CAKE Flour Cakery, @flour_cakery STATIONERY & SIGNAGE By the bride & groom
