Our vision was to have a wedding that didn’t require a huge amount of work to set up or decorate, we wanted a venue that had a stunning setting and would give our kiwi / overseas guests a true taste of the incredible Tuscan dream.
I think we knew from the beginning that we were each other’s ‘people’. But after living abroad for several years, travelling Europe and building our first home, we realised that it was all meant to be.
I have always wanted to wear a classical, timeless wedding dress. When I first put on my dress at Hera Couture, I knew it was the one. It felt like something I would love for the rest of my life.
I knew he was the one when he took me out dancing – there’s no arguing with those hips of his, he’s got the moves and I couldn’t keep away after that!
At midnight as our guests were leaving, we had had a grand total of 102mm of rain, simply unheard of in a single day in November! But one thing was for certain, no one let the rain dampen their spirits and we all had a great night on the dance floor in our gumboots.
We wanted a very romantic, intimate setting for the wedding. I wanted other couples in the room to feel transported to a candle-lit wonderland straight out of Pinterest and I think we achieved that.
I was so drawn to his natural ability to connect with people and make everyone feel included and seen. He also makes me laugh like no other which I love about him!
Our lovely celebrant Jacqui pronounced us married and was about to say “Jarryd, you may now kiss the bride”, but we were kissing already. In that moment, Jarryd and I were both besotted with each other and just could not help ourselves.
This moody botanical shoot takes inspiration from sculptural florals and an industrial character-filled venue.
Next thing I know, he’s in the bathroom with my big wedding dress on the floor, carefully pouring cold water on it — the funniest sight! His hard work paid off and the blood came out completely. I’m very pleased this one happened at the end of the night!
We were both back in New Zealand the following April, and it was around then I started to make plans to propose; first consulting my Mum on the size of the diamond I had picked out, to which I was promptly told it wasn’t quite big enough!
One moment that we are still laughing about was the conga line that formed to Tipsy by J-Kwon. Seeing family and friends of all ages doing the conga to a hip hop song was an absolute highlight.
