Leticia + Duncan by Hope Patterson

We also drew a lot of inspiration from the Italian, alfresco summer style.

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

Duncan works in visual merchandising and studies Law, and I’m currently studying Interior Design. We’re both super creative and love anything design-related, from interiors to fashion and everything in between. I have a background in marketing and social media management, and I’ve always been really into art, digital design, and hands-on creative work.

Duncan’s a natural creative too, with a big love for fashion and styling, and he’s also really good with hair. He actually did my hair on our wedding day, which was so special and the perfect way to spend the morning – he has cut and styled my hair since we started dating, so why would he not do it on the big day!

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

Funnily enough we actually met at work, and even funnier I actually interviewed Duncan for the role. At first, Duncan was super shy and had his head down getting work done, and then after a few months, we discovered we shared the same sense of humour and became good workmates. We built a great friendship that was purely platonic, and after I went through a tough time personally, I noticed him putting in the extra effort to cheer me up, from bringing me coffee to work and sweet little notes and pick me ups, which sparked my mind to think he may have a little crush.

From the moment we started hanging out, it was clear we both liked each other, so the crush was definitely reciprocated! We could talk for hours, laugh until our stomachs hurt, and find ourselves in fits over just about anything. We became the best of friends and fell so deeply in love, and it’s been the same ever since.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Duncan and I wanted our wedding day to really reflect who we are, super relaxed, fun, and free from all the serious, formal traditions that can come with weddings. Our vision from the start was simply intimacy. We kept things super small and intimate, surrounded by just our closest family and friends, so it felt personal and easygoing. We also drew a lot of inspiration from Italian, alfresco summer style, aiming for a vibe that was chic and timeless but still relaxed. Every detail, from the decor to the atmosphere, was about creating a day that felt like us. More than a theme, it was about creating a space where everyone felt connected, like we had gathered our most loved people around one table to witness the beginning of our marriage. The design simply held that atmosphere.

The florals were intentionally restrained. Nothing sculptural or dramatic, just something gentle and nostalgic. We wanted it to feel timeless and elegant, and not styled for the sake of styling. Every detail was chosen to shape a feeling, not to impress.

In terms of location, we knew we wanted our wedding to be in Tauranga. After countless weekend trips escaping the hustle and bustle of Auckland, Tauranga grew a special place in our hearts, so it only made sense. We both love the sunshine, the beach and summer, so it all aligned perfectly.

For our colour palette, we opted for ivory whites and deep brown with hints of soft green. My bridesmaids wore deep brown, and brown was also found throughout the stationery and table decor. We wanted to add colour, but still keep the decor timeless.

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).

For our reception, we opted for one long table; we wanted it to feel like one big family/friends dinner, avoiding a bridal party table that felt more formal. It worked perfectly, we sat in the middle of the table, making it easy to walk around and chat to everyone in between courses. We had lights hanging criss-crossed over the table, adding to the alfresco Italian style we dreamt of. The table was scattered with candles and baby breath flowers, which worked perfectly in contrast with the deep brown napkins and brown lace trim name tags.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

I’ve always loved looking at wedding design and styling, so I knew I would enjoy designing our very own wedding. At the moment we sat down and started planning the style and vision we had for our day, we were immediately on the same page with an overflow of ideas. Duncan was great at pulling ideas together, and I took the time to make them a reality. I would mock up designs of invitations, name cards, etc. We created our wedding website, which reflected the neutral colours and browns, reflecting the chic, relaxing vibe we were after. Anything you can think of, design-wise, was done all ourselves, from florals, signage and stationery, etc.

In terms of advice, I would say delegating is super important. As much as I loved creating and designing our day, the countless hours of sewing signs, creating florals, gluing, cutting and designing became overwhelming on top of the busyness of everyday life – especially since we were planning our wedding in a 6-month timeline. Asking for help is hard, but I learned that the people we love really do love to help and support us on our special day. We really couldn’t have done it without our friends and family!

I thought good to mention too: Since our wedding was entirely outdoors, there was definitely a bit of stress leading up to the day, especially with all the rain warnings and heavy downpours happening around the country. We had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding, and while there was an indoor option, the space just wasn’t ideal. Then, come the big day, it turned out to be the clearest, sunniest day, absolutely perfect. We couldn’t believe it. The rain didn’t show up until the next day, which made the day feel even more surreal.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our catering was literally insane. We worked with Ivana from Sicula Italian Food, and they were incredible in every sense. The wood-fired pizzas were to die for, all dishes were beautifully prepared and so deeply comforting in a sense that it just aligned perfectly with the atmosphere we wanted to create. We all got to share a meal together, rather than it feel like a plate of food. But beyond the food, Ivana and her team were actually just incredible. They went above and beyond the whole evening; they actually became one of the biggest supports to us that day and allowed us to be fully present with our friends and family without worrying about any details.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

For my dress, my mum and sister came up from Wellington for a day of dress shopping. I knew I would be picky when it came to finding a dress. I had a vision in mind and knew I wouldn’t settle for just any dress. I wanted my dress to be simple yet sculptured. I loved the look of soft ivory dresses, simple with no extravagant embellishments, etc. It was the last appointment of the day, it’s fair to say I was becoming concerned I may be setting myself on a long journey of finding my dream dress after trying on countless dresses all day.

We walked into Jessica Couture Bridal, and after trying on the very first dress. I was sold, I loved the sculptural elements, the long train and the way the fabric draped at my waist. I made some minor tweaks to the dress to make it my own. Like rounding out the sharpness in the boning at the top of the dress, and moving the fabric up. All to soften the style and align with my style and vision. I tied the dress with a lace trim mantilla veil, a veil I’d always dreamt of. I loved the contrast of the simple fabric found in the dress and the lace veil.

I also added straps that I had tucked away during the day, and pulled out in the evening for extra support. As well as a chiffon neck tie as a second look.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

When I first saw the inspiration for Leticia’s ring, I just knew it was hers. It was nothing like her Pinterest board or anything she had ever shown me before, but I just had a vision for a ring that symbolised our story, relationship and captured “us” in a ring. I wanted the design to have a real, organic, timeless, soft and unique look to it. The pear-shaped diamond symbolises a drop of water from the ocean, where we spent most of our time falling in love with each other. The curved band created an element of softness, almost like it had been refined through years of salty ocean water washing over it and smoothing its surface rather than by hand. The diamond is also encrusted into the band, which gives the illusion that it naturally just grew there. I also wanted the wedding band to follow the irregular shape of the engagement ring and curve where it felt fit.  

For my own ring, I wanted it to echo that same organic sentiment, but in a way that felt grounded and strong. The band is more structured and rugged in form, but carries a textured finish, a quiet nod to the same raw, natural inspiration. Different in shape, but connected in story. It’s perfect, and I think our rings complement each other so perfectly.

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?).

Having our wedding in Tauranga was definitely a must for us, although it wasn’t overly far to travel, having your wedding away from home always has its extra expenses. When it came to photography, we knew we wanted Hope to capture our special day; in fact, it was the very first decision we locked in. Hope is a friend of ours, so it made the day feel so relaxed and fun. She is extremely talented and understood our vision and exceeded all our expectations. Our friend Chloe was on camcorder duties, and one of my bridesmaids, Tanaka and friend Zoe captured behind-the-scenes phone footage – having our close friends woven into the details of our day made everything feel that much more special.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

It feels impossible to pick one moment, but if I had to narrow it down, I would say seeing Duncan while walking down the aisle would top the list. We were both so in the moment, and all my nerves washed away as soon as I saw him, with tears streaming down his cheeks, might I add. It was such a surreal moment, something we will both treasure forever.

Another really special moment was the dance floor. After our first dance, everyone jumped in and danced the night away. It was amazing seeing everyone completely let loose. From friends to parents to grandparents, everyone joined in and had such a great time. The energy was contagious, and it felt so special to share that joy with all the people we love.

To add one more, after the ceremony, we headed to Omokoroa Golf Course for our bridal party photos. While the boys took their groomsman shots, the girls hopped in the golf cart, driving around and having a blast. When it was the girls’ turn to take their photos, off the boys went on the golf cart! We love these little, playful moments that became such special memories and made the day even more special.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married to each other is such an honour, a dream filled with so much fun and everyday joy. For us as Christians, marriage is a sacred, lifelong covenant ordained by God, uniting us as “one-flesh” in a lifelong union.

Being married feels grounding. It’s the quiet, daily choice to remain, to build, to grow, to return to one another, no matter the season. It feels less like a single milestone and more like stepping into something enduring.

For us, marriage is sacred in its simplicity. Partnership. Prayer. Showing up with intention.

Our rituals are small but consistent: slow mornings, intentional conversation when we get home from work, dinners at the table, and trips to the beach when we need to reset. Moments that bring us back to gratitude, back to the beauty in slow living, and back to each other’s presence. Nothing elaborate. Just choosing one another, again and again.