We embraced understated, simple elegance.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We live in sunny Papamoa with our much-loved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Wilbur, and are patiently awaiting the arrival of our first baby. We love slow mornings with beach walks, Jazz’s crepes, and finding the perfect quiet cafe for coffee. Jazz is a UX researcher and has a soft spot for thrifting, interior design, and likes to unwind with yoga. Charlie is a self-employed barrister, but you’ll otherwise find him on his bike — either racing or adventuring down new roads. He’s also become fond of tending to his chilli plants and has grand plans to create a thriving veggie patch for our family.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first met in an Irish pub on a night out with mutual friends. It was one of those fleeting introductions and it took another two years – and the intervention of a pandemic – to bring us back together. On our first date, we shared spicy margaritas, a swim and a kiss beneath the full moon — after that, we were pretty much inseparable.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We imagined a day that felt relaxed and deeply us — nothing extravagant or choreographed, just a simple, heartfelt celebration of our love. We kept some core wedding elements but pared things back to make sure the day truly felt ours. To keep things authentic, we decided to skip the first dance — it just didn’t feel like us. And instead of a traditional cake, we swapped it for NYC style chocolate chunk cookies, because, in our opinion, they’re far superior. We didn’t choose a set theme or palette; instead, we embraced understated, simple elegance, letting the beautiful venue speak for itself.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
We kept things simple — glittering candles and cascading, playful floral arrangements that felt natural and effortless.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
We kept coming back to what felt important and authentic to us, not just what’s expected or traditional. We set a clear budget early on, guided by the belief that we didn’t want to spend a house deposit on one day. That meant being thoughtful and deliberate about every choice. Choosing experienced vendors took a weight off our shoulders — we could hand over much of the organising and simply enjoy the lead-up, knowing we were in good hands.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Carla was truly exceptional. She brought an infectious energy and warmth that set the perfect tone for our day. A true professional, she led a beautiful, heartfelt ceremony, then quietly slipped into the background to keep everything flowing seamlessly. We were especially grateful for her gentle (and swift!) rescue when a well-hydrated grandmother went off piste during speeches — a moment we’ll never forget!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
Charlie: While studying, I worked at the Wellington Working Style store which gave me a real appreciation for good tailoring. Bringing my vision to life with my old boss felt like coming full circle. I wear a tie every day for work, so for the wedding, I wanted something a little different — a beautiful silk ribbon-style tie, handmade just for the occasion.
Jazz: I’ve always known I wanted an understated, elegant look. Not being a fan of pure white, I chose a softer champagne palette instead. I hand-dyed my lace veil with tea — a nerve-wracking process, but it turned out even more beautiful than I’d hoped.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Jazz: My engagement ring was designed around a beautiful green sapphire we chose together, sourced by the wonderful Alexandra Dodds. It also includes a wee champagne diamond, tying in with the soft colours of my wedding look.
Charlie: My ring echoes Jazz’s, with a smaller green sapphire set into an elongated signet.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
Good food has always been something we love sharing — especially with loved ones. Choosing a venue with a great menu was important to us; we wanted to make sure everyone was happily fed. Ada Restaurant put together an amazing seasonal sharing menu. It felt like one big family dinner — exactly what we had hoped for.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Charlie: There’s something so special about having all your loved ones together in one place. When we shared the news that we were expecting our first baby, the room erupted — it was such a beautiful and unforgettable moment.
LOCATION & CATERING Ada Restaurant at the Convent Hotel, @ada_akl PHOTOGRAPHER Keryn Sweeney,
@kerynsweeneyphotographer BRIDE’S MAIN DRESS Shona Joy, @shonajoy GROOM’S SUIT & DINNER SHIRT Working Style, @workingstylenz BRIDE’S WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS Alexandra Dodds, @alexandra.dodds GROOM’S WEDDING RING Metal and Dust, @metalanddust__ BRIDE’S GOLD CHAIN BRACELET From Jazz’s nana BRIDE’S EARRINGS Bianc bianc.com.au, @bianc_jewellery GROOM’S GOLD SIGNET RING From Charlie’s great grandmother GROOM’S WATCH Citizen, @citizenwatchus BRIDE’S SHOES Mode Sportif, @modesportif GROOM’S SHOES Sparrods & Co, @sparrodsandco GROOM’S TIE Handmade by Corina Snow from The Bridal House, @thebridalhousenz LACE VEIL zoeymadeCN, @zoeymadebridalveil; Dyed by Jazz using tea to match her dress BRIDAL ALTERATIONS Toni of I Sew 4 U, @isew4ualterations MAKEUP & HAIR Alexandra Stanworth-Brown @_beautybyalexandra BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Curionoir Diaphanous, @curionoir GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Curionoir Opia, @curionoir FLORIST & HIRE Ruth Fiona Floral, @ruthfionafloral CELEBRANT Carla Rotondo, @the_love_celebrant CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES The Cookie Collective,
@thecookiecollectivenz GIFT REGISTRY Paper Plane, @paperplanestore
