Brooke: Cassandra has an infectious laugh and knows how to make me smile. She has strong family values and comes from a family consisting almost entirely of women! Her background is hospitality, but her passion and one big love is working with canines.
Cassandra: Brooke is a patient, strong-minded, grounded person with a massive heart. She has a passion for plants, indoor and out, and all things vintage. During the first lockdown, she took a giant leap of faith and decided to become a veterinarian. We are currently living in Palmerston North while Brooke studies. We met in 2015 after Brooke arrived home from a six-month stint in America. I was managing a café and she got a job there. I’d make her a coffee every day with cute love notes handwritten on the bottom. I asked Brooke to marry me on a weekend trip to Tauranga over champagne and eggs benedict in bed. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. We bought each other an engagement ring that we could afford, with a plan to find our ‘forever ring’ at a later date. I was lucky enough to design Brooke’s forever ring myself, and brought all the elements she loves (Art Deco, colour, uniqueness) together.
We wanted our ceremony to be fun and relaxed with a boho feel. We both have a love of décor and thrifting so tracked down crystal wine glasses from second-hand stores and refurbished cane furniture which now sits proudly in our home.
We wanted our ceremony to be fun and relaxed with a boho feel. We both have a love of décor and thrifting so tracked down crystal wine glasses from second-hand stores and refurbished cane furniture which now sits proudly in our home.
Brooke wanted a non-traditional dress that was easy to wear. The vintage look and feel of her Shona Joy dress was perfect. She accessorised with a felt hat and dried floral arrangement, finished with her great nan’s pin. Mine was an off-the-shoulder dress with a classic silhouette and train. We chose not to wear veils and instead chose hair pieces that mirrored our personalities.
We decided against a bridal party so it was important to us to have our family members each play a special part in the wedding. My eldest sister married us. She had wanted to become a celebrant for a while and what better way to start off a new career? Towards the end of the night, we snuck away to a spot on the property where no one could see us and watched everything happening below — the people we love the most, laughing, dancing, singing and having a great time.
Being a same-sex couple comes with its own set of adversities. Having to assess a place ahead of time as to whether it’s appropriate to hold hands or not can get you down. But we are strong as a couple and believe that love is love no matter who you are. For us, being married is all about being a team and creating a life that feeds both souls. But we are fresh into the marriage game so maybe ask us again in 30 years…
Photography: Zanda Markitane | Videography: TouchWood | Location: Private family property | Brooke’s dress: Shona Joy Wedding Edit | Cassandra’s first dress: Alamour The Label | Cassandra’s second dress: Pretty Lavish UK | Brooke’s ring: Custom-made by Harry Maddox Jewellery, Katikati | Cassandra’s ring: Family heirloom | Brooke’s shoes: Billini Shoes | Cassandra’s shoes: Verali Shoes | Reception shoes: Vans New Zealand | Alterations: White Silk Bridal Couture | Brooke’s fragrance: Gabrielle by Chanel | Cassandra’s fragrance: Ambree by Narciso Rodriguez | Earrings (both): The Silver Collective | Brooke’s hat: Glassons | Brooke’s hat pin: DIY dried flowers and great-nana’s pin | Makeup: Lissy Adrianna Hair and Makeup | Hair: Brandi Reign Hair | Flora: Mothers of the bride | Photobooth: Let’s Take A Selfie | Outdoor games: My Little Monkeys Bouncy Castle & Soft Play Hire | Hire: L.L Wedding and Event Hire | Marquee: Hirepool Tauranga | Catering and Beverages: Kenny John’s Food Truck | Cake topper: Handcrafted by a friend, The Luxe Agenda | Card box: Paper Darling NZ
