Seumas and Alana are two very normal, happy kiwi’s living in Wellington New Zealand. They love walking together, cooking together (especially with wine), snowboarding together and doing up their caravan on the front lawn of the house they bought together in June 2019…
Seumas is currently training to be a Police officer which suits his calm, dependable nature. Alana is a designer with experience in set, exhibition and architectural design. Their shared love of doing, making and tinkering has made for some unique dinner conversations. Alana is a total sucker for Seumas, head over heels in love since day 3 (when he made up for day 1), and Seumas loves to love Alana. They’re the best version of themselves when they’re together; a couple of young kids with an old love.
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…
The theme of our day was ‘just us’.
Our day started like any other with a morning walk and breakfast, we even got ready together and set up the living room of our Air BnB into a short aisle for me to walk down using 5 bloom vases put together by our amazing florist. After our sun soaked 1pm ceremony on the balcony (shout out to Mat, our Air BnB host for agreeing to be a witness!) we headed out for our location photo-shoot with Erin from Acron Photography. Erin had photographed two of Alana’s friends’ weddings. We both loved Erins, easy going personality and adventurous style. She also has that uncanny knack for capturing authentic moments. Thank you Erin! Your talent and work deserves to shared.
Our first location was the windy Aramoana Beach for some frolicking amongst the sand dunes (Seumas was a natural) then up up up to the top of Mt Cargil, just before the rain arrived! We then headed back to our accomodation where we made a dinner consisting of all (and I mean all!) our favourite foods which we ate in front of the french doors watching the rain pour down outside. The next morning, we rang our friends and family (who didn’t even know we were all engaged!) to break the news. The best kept secret of 2019.
Back home in Wellington 3 weeks later we hosted a BBQ at our house for friends and family. Seumas’ Dad played the bagpipes and Alana’s mum got her revenge during the speeches. It was everything we hoped it would be, and more!
Tell us about your main outfits:
Green was always Seumas’ colour! His outfit consisted of many traditional, family pieces. The Campbell of Breadalbane kilt, a gift for his 21st birthday, was matched with his grandfather’s hand made 100 year old Argyll jacket. The distinct pale green and textured yellow fleck of the jacket made finding a waistcoat to match near impossible! After several weekends rummaging through (what felt like) every fabric store in Wellington we finally settled on a soft pastel green to complement the unique jacket. Seumas finished off his outfit with a crisp white shirt, charcoal grey socks & traditional accessories: sporran (front satchel) and sgian dubh (knife strapped to leg).
Alana wore her favourite black dress that she bought in Melbourne over 5 years ago. It has pockets! Which proved handy for storing her vows. She matched her fav black dress with her beloved pair of black RM Williams ‘Yearlings’ boots. The all black outfit was complemented by the best accessory, her incredible bouquet which was crafted by the (extremely!) talented Joelene of Estelle flowers Dunedin. Alana’s is obsessed with flowers and had a simple request; ‘I’m just after the biggest bouquet you’ve ever made’ – it boy was it! (hand cramp and all!) the bouquet really was the star of the show (well, after the Kilt of course).
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Every part of our wedding/elopement was memorable! Being just the 2 of us meant we were able to be fully present every step of the way. That, and Mat’s phone ringing just as the ceremony began! But seeing as there was no one watching, we just started again…
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
The best part is when you realise that ‘my life’ has become ‘our life’.
Seumas: “Let’s do life together.”
Alana: “Ok”
Photographer: Acorn Photography and Cinema | Flora: Estelle Flowers | Bride’s dress: Leonard St | Brides Boots: RM Williams | Groom’s kilt – Campbell of Breadalbane tartan with Grandfathers handmade jacket | Celebrant: Timothy Bishop | Bride’s ring: Village Goldsmiths | Makeup: Loren Russell Makeup Artist | Ceremony location Air BnB in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, New Zealand
