Celebrating our wedding community with Crane Brothers.
Crane Brothers, in association with Together Journal, recently hosted a truly unforgettable evening in a beautiful private dining space at the iconic Gilt Brasserie, helmed by New Zealand’s esteemed chef, Josh Emett. This was the third annual celebration event hosted by Crane Brothers, and once again, Murray Crane surpassed expectations by gathering a select and influential group from the fashion-forward sector of the wedding community for an exceptional evening of connection and fine dining. The event was an opportunity to honour the incredible talent and hard work that has gone into shaping and driving New Zealand’s contemporary wedding sector.
One of the evening’s most notable highlights was Crane Brothers‘ commemoration of a significant milestone—its 25th anniversary—celebrated with a redesign of its renowned High Street flagship store. The reimagined space served as an elegant prelude to the night’s events, where guests were treated to an aperitif hour with Champagne provided by Ruinart, before leisurely making their way to Gilt Brasserie, only a short stroll away, for a luxurious fine dining experience. It was entirely fitting to begin the evening’s celebrations in such a beautifully reimagined space, taking a moment to honour Crane Brothers‘ remarkable 25-year journey and its pivotal role in elevating the wedding and occasion industries. This milestone not only reflects the brand’s enduring influence but also its commitment to shaping the intersection of sartorial elegance and special events.
The evening brought together a diverse array of designers and specialists from all corners of the wedding industry, spanning fashion, jewellery, beauty, photography, florals, and styling. It was a wonderful chance for the industry’s finest to come together, share ideas, and build stronger connections. One of the standout aspects of this year’s gathering was the notable increase in the number of young, up-and-coming wedding professionals in attendance. It was incredibly heartening to see, as the event aims not only to celebrate established figures in the sector but also to foster the growth and development of emerging talent. Supporting these fresh voices and helping them integrate into the community is essential for the continued evolution of the New Zealand wedding industry.
Much like the meticulously crafted garments Crane Brothers is known for, every detail of the evening was thoughtfully considered and executed to the highest standard. From the hand-painted menus by Claudia Elze, in Crane Brothers‘ signature hues to the extraordinary floral installations by Grace & Flora, each element reflected the essence of the brand. Inspired by the store’s refreshed colour palette, design, and new collection, the florals were conceptual works of art, seamlessly blending with the space and elevating the atmosphere to one of refined elegance.
The event had a beautiful feeling of friendship and camaraderie, offering a rare chance for everyone who is normally found behind the scenes of a wedding or occasion to enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed and elegant setting—something we all relished before diving into the impending wedding season.
To witness so many of the creative forces behind New Zealand’s most stylish and celebrated weddings gathered in one room was a truly special experience. It was a moment to reflect on the talent behind the scenes and the hard work that goes into creating stunning, seamless celebrations for couples across the country.
The ability to connect in person, nurture relationships, and cement professional bonds was invaluable. It served as a reminder that the strength of our wedding community lies not only in our shared expertise but also in the friendships and connections that sustain us. A sincere and heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who attended—we are incredibly fortunate to be part of such an inspiring, collaborative, and supportive industry where meaningful connections are at the heart of what we do. We eagerly anticipate continuing this beautiful tradition with Crane Brothers for many more years to come.
A heartfelt thank you to Murray Crane and his team for hosting such a thoughtfully curated and innovative event, and for continuously setting the benchmark while propelling the New Zealand wedding and occasion industry forward.
Learn more about Crane Brothers by visiting crane-brothers.com and @cranebrothers.
Credits and thank you to: @somedaystudios + @giltbrasserie by @joshemett + @ruinart Champagne and @ateliernash + @graceandflora.nz + @curionoir
Event imagery by @ljsstudios In-store floral shots by @togetherjournal
