Kyle got two black eyes at his stag do the weekend before the wedding. There wasn’t enough time for them to heal fully so he had to wear some heavy-duty concealer on the day!
Alexandra ——I work in communications and Kyle is an operations manager. We live in Auckland. Kyle is a really laid back guy, and it’s probably fair to say I am a little more highly strung.
We met on a dating app in 2016. I was having a browse one night over some wines with a group of my single girlfriends and happened to match with Kyle. After messaging for a few weeks, I very nearly cancelled our first date. I rang my friend Claudia about half an hour before Kyle was due to pick me up, and she reminded me, “If it goes badly, you never have to see him again!” I’m so glad I didn’t cancel.
When it came to planning our wedding, I asked Kyle what kind of vibe he wanted, and if he had a preference for a classic white wedding or some colour. He immediately said colour. That was pretty much his only contribution to the aesthetics of the day, but colour was a key concept. We wanted it to feel like a big fun dinner party rather than a super formal occasion.
Goldie Estate, with its outdoor reception area, was the perfect venue for us, and when it came to the styling, the amazing Sophia at My Waiheke immediately understood our vision.
It was non-negotiable for us both to have a live band. My mother-in-law had been at a wedding where Pat for President played and she recommended them. They were so worth it! Guests of all ages were up on the dancefloor.
We certainly had a few hiccups along the way. Like many couples, we had to postpone the wedding for a few months due to Covid. And Kyle got two black eyes at his stag do the weekend before the wedding. There wasn’t enough time for them to heal fully so he had to wear some heavy-duty concealer on the day!
I’d always had a vision of my future husband wearing a dinner jacket and bowtie on our wedding day. I think that was the influence of my dad, who believes men look best in formal suits. So Kyle had little choice about his outfit, but he and our groomsmen looked so handsome. Dad was right!
I had my outfit made by the incredibly talented Alice Hayes at Hayes Bridal. I had some idea what I wanted when I first went to see her, but she was so patient with me as I changed my mind a few times. In the end, I wore a beautiful skirt and had two different tops—a long sleeve for walking down the aisle and an off-the-shoulder for the reception.
My beautiful bridesmaids all wore styles in different colours from different labels, but made of similar fabric. They set the tone of our wedding as soon as they appeared, and they all looked stunning.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Keryn Sweeney, @kerynsweeneyweddings / BRIDE’S DRESS: Hayes Bridal, @hayesbridal / FLORA: Zoe at Wildflower Waiheke, @wildflowerwaiheke / SUITS: Frank Casey Parnell, @frankcaseyparnell / VENUE: Goldie Estate, @goldieestatenz / HAIR: Anna Maney, @annarosemaney / RINGS: Naveya & Sloane, @naveyaandsloanejewellery / BRIDE’S SHOES: Loeffler Randall, @loefflerrandall from Superette, @superettestore / VIDEOGRAPHER: The Wednesday Creatives, @thewednesdaycreatives / MAKEUP: Nessa Warne, @nessa.jaye / CELEBRANT: Renee Leonard-Stainton, @wedbyrenee / BRIDE’S EARRINGS: Graeme Thomson Antique Jeweller, @graeme_thomson_antique_jewels / STYLING: Sophia at My Waiheke, @mywaiheke / FLOWER GIRLS’ DRESSES: Chloé and Amélie, @chloe_and_amelie / STATIONERY & MENUS: Paper Darling, @paperdarlingnz / BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Sarah (green) Hansen & Gretel, @hansenandgretel; Gigi (yellow) Maggie Marilyn, @maggiemarilyn; Georgie (pink) Anna October, @anna_october_ / HIRE: My Waiheke, @mywaiheke; Flock Events, @flockevents; The Pretty Prop Shop, @theprettypropshop; Tble. Linen, @tble.linen.hire; Drape Linen, @drape.linen / REGISTRY: Mildred & Co, @mildredandco / ENTERTAINMENT: Pat For President, @pat_for_president_nz / CAKE: Lilith Waiheke Cake Studio, @lilithwaiheke
