Chelsea + Shannon by Haute Weddings - Together Journal

In that breathtaking moment, I felt an overwhelming surge of love, knowing in my heart that this was the man I wanted to spend forever with.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Shannon and I have been on this wild ride called love for nearly 7 amazing years! We’re like a match made in culinary heaven, with our shared passion for good restaurants, old wine, and our adorable fur baby, Cardi Chee. Despite our bustling corporate gigs, when the sun sets and the weekend vibes kick in, you can bet we’re either exploring Auckland’s culinary scene or whipping up cocktails and singing karaoke in the living room. It’s these simple, joyful moments together that make our love story so deliciously unforgettable.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

It was a serendipitous encounter on a October evening in Melbourne back in 2017. Neither of us had planned to venture out to town that night, but fate intervened as we were both persuaded by our friends. Our paths collided at a little bar called “Little Red Pocket,” where we found ourselves dancing and conversing into the night. As closing time approached, hunger beckoned us to a nearby 24-hour Greek restaurant named Stalactites. Famished but in good company, we indulged in late-night snacks and shared laughter until the wee hours of the morning. Before saying goodnight, Shannon mustered the courage to inquire if I would be willing to give him my number. With a smile and a nod, we exchanged numbers, marking the commencement of an extraordinary journey together. The following morning I woke up to a text from Shannon, along with a link to “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis. It was a playful yet meaningful gesture that set the tone for our romance. From that point forward, we became inseparable.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

I think this happened for us around a similar time:

Shannon: It was during Chelsea’s adventures in South America, I found myself missing her presence more than ever. We had become best friends by this point and each day only amplified how much I missed her in my life, her laughter, her warmth—she was my missing piece.

Chelsea: As my journey in South America drew to a close, Shannon reached out asking if he could pick me up from the airport upon my return. Overwhelmed with excitement, I eagerly accepted. Little did I know, I was about to step into a real-life Rom-Com scene. Standing amidst the bustling airport crowd was Shannon, holding a bouquet of flowers and a sign that read, “My beautiful Chilean.” In that breathtaking moment, I felt an overwhelming surge of love, knowing in my heart that this was the man I wanted to spend forever with.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

One day, Shannon surprised me with a call, announcing that his boss had generously gifted him a “working” trip to Queenstown. He was brimming with excitement as he suggested that we make a weekend out of it together. Initially suspicious, my doubts were quelled when Shannon mentioned I could even send a thank-you email to his boss.

As the weekend approached, I found myself incessantly questioning Shannon about what to pack for this mysterious “work trip.” However, Shannon remained tight-lipped, giving away nothing.

On June 10, 2022, we landed in Queenstown amidst Shannon’s flurry of phone calls and evident stress. Curious, I inquired about the cause, only to learn that it was related to the supposed tour operator for the work function the next day.

The morning of June 11 dawned with snowfall, setting a picturesque scene for what was about to unfold. As we prepared for the “work event,” Shannon received a call, which he took outside. Upon his return, he seemed disappointed, revealing that the tour had been cancelled due to the weather. Thinking quickly, Shannon suggested we embrace the snowy weather and take a stroll. We made our way to the Queenstown gardens, where I innocently asked Shannon to snap a photo for my Grandma. Little did I know, as I turned around, Shannon was down on one knee. Later, I discovered that the weekend getaway was never about work at all. Shannon had meticulously planned a helicopter ride for the proposal, but weather thwarted his plans. Undeterred, Shannon couldn’t bear to delay the moment he had been eagerly planning. After the magical proposal, we returned to our exquisitely decorated room, where we toasted with champagne and shared the news with our loved ones. That evening, we dined at an amazing restaurant, where Shannon finally found the chance to unwind and enjoy our newfound engagement.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.

We shared a clear vision for the mood and style of our wedding right from the start. Both of us were in sync about the vibe we wanted to create—an atmosphere that was timeless and classic, yet infused with a touch of modern elegance. It was important to us that our special day exuded sophistication while still feeling fresh and chic. Enter Dena from Willow Events, who truly became our fairy godmother in bringing our vision to life. Just 30 days after getting engaged, we met with her, and from that very first meeting, it was evident that she not only understood but also shared our vision wholeheartedly. With her expertise and creativity, she worked her magic, and boy, did she make all our dreams come true. Dena transformed our vision into reality, ensuring that every detail of our wedding reflected the timeless yet contemporary essence we had envisioned. It was truly a magical experience, and we will be forever grateful for her role in making our wedding day so unforgettable.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on? 

At the outset of our wedding planning journey, Shannon and I took the time to identify our top priorities, which guided our budget allocations. For Shannon, it was paramount to ensure that all our loved ones were present and that they were treated to an unforgettable culinary experience. Therefore, it was a no-brainer for us to splurge on exceptional food and drink. As for me, I was focused on creating lasting memories that we could cherish for a lifetime and pass down to future generations. With this in mind, I happily allocated a significant portion of our budget to securing the services of an extraordinary photographer and investing in stunning floral arrangements. These elements were essential in capturing the essence of our special day and preserving the magic for years to come. 

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

On our actual wedding day, everything went off without a hitch, and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect celebration.

However, looking back there was a moment during the week leading up to our wedding that was both scary and stressful. Just days before the big day, my sister, who also happens to be my best friend and maid of honour, unexpectedly gave birth—across the ditch in Australia! It was a whirlwind of emotions as we navigated the uncertainty and stress of the situation. Despite the initial anxiety, I’m thrilled to share that my sister welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl into the world, making her the most precious wedding gift we could have ever imagined. While it was undoubtedly a tense moment at the time, we can now look back and laugh about the unexpected twist of events, knowing that it all worked out in the end and that my niece just didn’t want to miss out on the wedding.

We adore you, Evelyn James! <3 

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?

The main outfits for our wedding were not only a reflection of our individual styles but also a testament to the special moments we shared with our loved ones during the planning process.

Shannon: As soon as we had set our wedding date, I knew exactly where I wanted to find my suit. Chels and I had envisioned both of us in ivory attire, with our bridal party dressed in contrasting black for stunning photos. We met with Sharon from Working Style, who guided us through the process of creating a custom ivory jacket. Having something uniquely tailored for our special day was a highlight for me, adding an extra touch of elegance and significance to our wedding attire.

Chelsea: One of the most memorable experiences during the wedding preparations was the weekend my mother flew over from Melbourne to join me for a whirlwind of bridal appointments. It was an unforgettable bonding moment for us, filled with excitement and anticipation. Our last stop of the weekend was at Natalie Rose Boutique, where my mother and I instantly felt at home. Natalie’s warm and welcoming demeanor made me feel like anything was possible, and together we crafted my dream gown right there in her cozy pink sanctuary. I was so enamoured with the experience of working with Natalie that I returned to her for my second look, this time accompanied by my niece and sister-in-law. Sharing such a magical moment with my new family made the experience even more special, cementing beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.