The garden really became the theme for our day.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are sheep, beef and deer farmers in a small farming community called Waiwhare in Hawke’s Bay, NZ. We both work full time on the farm as well as running a modest campground on our property that boundaries the Tūtaekurī River. We love the land and being outdoors! We love exploring the native New Zealand bush when tramping or hunting. We love spending time at Willie’s family bach in Māhia and going fishing and diving. We love socialising with family and friends and especially love hosting people at our beautiful home – Waiwhenua.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first met when I was working for Willie’s parents on the family farm back in 2017. Willie had been shepherding on another farm before moving home at the beginning of the 2017 summer. We ended up flatting together along with his brother, Robbie in a cottage on the farm. I thought Willie was good looking and funny but also thought there’s no way – he’s the boss’ son. And Willie thought I was loud and not that attractive in my farm gear!
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Willie did a ski trip to Canada for a couple of months, and I relocated to Christchurch for a new job. The time apart made me realise how much Willie meant to me.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding.
We got married at home in the garden – this is such a beautiful venue that we didn’t want to take away from that. Both Willie and I are not flashy people, and the idea of a big white wedding wasn’t our style, so we kept things simple but unique, not too formal and very FUN on our wedding day. We both love to have a good time, so it was a no-brainer to have the wedding on a Friday and a big day after on Saturday. We hired glamping tents from Nomadic Tents so guests could have a hassle-free stay for the whole weekend – it felt like a mini festival!
The TopKata tipi marquee added to the festival vibe and was nestled perfectly in the back garden. I had a vision of what it may look like, but it blew me away how cool it was once it was in place!
We are foodies and have the ambition to be self-sufficient at home, so we provided our own meat to the catering company for the wedding food. We are so lucky we can do this and it was special to share with friends and family. Good food was a must for our wedding day!
The garden really became the theme for our day. The boys wore simple forest green blazers, which complemented the surroundings, and the bridesmaids wore simple ivory dresses, which made the flowers in the garden a pop of colour. My beautiful mum, Jacque, planted hydrangeas in pots, which we then used to line the isle – this was probably my favourite feature of the ceremony.
We had wine barrels, bar leaners, couches and beanbags scattered across the lawns which I think gave a warm welcome to family friends who could relax, enjoy a drink and catch up with one another. We had a Polaroid camera floating around for the day and night, which captured candid moments between friends and family – also some hilariously inappropriate moments! I have now created an album with these photos, which provides good entertainment as a coffee table book.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you?
The TopKata tipi marquee worked harmoniously with the Nomadic tents and somehow suited the old early 1900s homestead with her garden full of mature trees and beautiful flowers. By keeping other styling elements minimalistic, I think we were able to champion the big items.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
I personally enjoyed getting stuck into the gardens – planning where different plants should go and then getting to see it all come together months later. Willie is the third generation at Waiwhenua, so it was super important for us to welcome his family back to their home and also to host a wedding that felt like us. It was so cool to see all the different elements come together a few days before the wedding – I was relieved that it all appeared to be cohesive!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I loved my wedding dress! Brooke did such an amazing job. It was kind of like two dresses in one. The sheer overdress was something I knew would be a statement for the ceremony, and then the double-lined silk slip dress underneath was something fun for the reception onwards. I hope it’s a timeless look! The veil was a last-minute thing as I wasn’t sold on having a big veil, but once I put it on with my dress, hair and make-up done, it was a done deal. The veil was borrowed from my bridesmaid, Bianca. Willie wanted something stylish but casual and to be comfortable. We felt that the forest green blazer and brown pants fitted nicely with the garden wedding theme, and being a practical farmer, he will wear these again!
What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on?
Photography was our number one, closely followed by food, the band and a great bar!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
With my brother by my side walking up the aisle towards Willie, I couldn’t help but laugh a little because there was a big dog poo right behind where our celebrant, Sophie, was standing. Throughout the entire formal part of the ceremony, I could see and faintly smell the doggy poo, and so could the front row of guests! Embarrassing but funny now!
BRIDE Ainsley Harte, @ainsleyharte GROOM Willie Hill, @wilbur_hill_ LOCATION Their home – Waiwhenua Farm PHOTOGRAPHER & CONTENT CREATOR David Le Design & Photography, @davidle_nz FLORIST Bride’s bouquet – Pompom Florals, @pompom_florals; Pressed Cake Flowers – Botanics by Kate, @botanicsbykate CELEBRANT Sophie Hansen, @sophiethecelebrant ENTERTAINMENT Band – Dirty Secrets HIRE Flock Events, @flockevents MARQUE HIRE TopKata, @topkatatents CATERING The Food Co. CAKE Made by the couple’s neighbour Christen Lane; decorated by their friend, Sarah Stannett STATIONERY Invites – Just My Type, @justmytype_nz SIGNAGE Bride’s God-Mother, Bibs RINGS Couple’s good friend – Frost Jewellery, @frost.jewellery BRIDAL DRESS Brooke Tyson Ritual, @brooketysonritual BRIDE’S SHOE Sol Sana, @solsanathelabel MAKEUP Micki Michau, @micki_makeupetc HAIR Aleisha Woolley, @hair_by_leisha BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Honeysuckle & Davana – Jo Malone London, @jomalonelondon SUIT Rodd and Gunn, @roddandgunn GROOM’S SHOE R.M. Williams, @rmwilliams GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Dylan Blue Pour Homme – Versace, @versace BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Dissh, @dissh GROOMSMEN SUIT Rodd and Gunn, @roddandgunn GUEST ACCOMMODATION Nomadic Tents NZ, @nomadic_nz