Our first date was at a golfing range. I loved that Reece suggested something different, not the usual drink and dinner.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Reece and I live in Sydney with our 2 girls. I’m an artist and work part-time as a Creative Lead at an ad agency. Reece has a boutique real estate agency.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
We got engaged on my birthday in the Whitsundays. It was totally unexpected as we were holidaying with family. So, on the morning of my birthday, Reece told me that we were all going fishing. A little random, but anyway, off we went out fishing at White Haven beach and unbeknown to me it was a big set-up. He hired a helicopter to take the two of us for a trip out to the Reef and then as we came back to the beach there was ‘Marry Me’ written across the white sands.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
We chose Wanaka, New Zealand because it was a place that was both special to us. I’m Kiwi and first introduced my family to Reece in Wanaka on a ski trip. After a week on the slopes and enjoying the Cardrona pub, he had fallen in love with the place too.
Once choosing Wanaka in winter and Rippon Hall as our reception venue, the feel of the wedding came from that. We wanted everything to compliment the beauty of NZ in wintertime, and Rippon Hall’s stunning interiors.
From the reception to the bridal party, it was about creating a relaxed, no-fuss but still refined and elegant feel to the wedding. Lots of cream and natural tones to match the Wanaka landscape. The venue is so stunning with the lake and mountain views, open fire, natural materials, and high ceilings.
We keep the styling minimal with a ‘less is more’ approach. But adding additional lighting to the space to amplify the reception mood. The chapel was its own style and we loved it.
At the end of the day, our vision was about the wedding being special. So when we could, instead of buying new or hiring it, we looked to things that meant something to us and would become a treasured memory.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Reece wore a beautiful custom-made navy P Johnson suit, cream tie and shirt, and RM William boots. As for my dress, L’eto created a custom long-sleeve piece in the most beautiful ivory-coloured silk.
I loved the veil we created. My mum had kept my grandmother’s 85-year-old wedding veil made of beautiful handmade fabric flowers. When she brought it over from New Zealand to show me, I knew we had to incorporate it somehow. The veil was so fragile it would disintegrate as you touched it. So, the team at L’eto carefully took off each individual flower and delicately attached them to a new veil. It was spectacular – and most importantly – so special.
CEREMONY: St Columba’s Anglican Church / RECEPTION: Rippon Hall, @ripponhall / PHOTOGRAPHER: Emily Adamson Photography, @emily_adamson / CELEBRANT: Reverend Damon Plimmer / ENTERTAINMENT: Entertainment Solutions; The Lover Krish x Vinci / STYLING & HIRE: Hayley & Co, @hayley_and_co / CHAIRS: Truly Yours, @trulyyours_events / RECEPTION FLOWERS & PETAL CONFETTI: Blooms by the Workroom, @bloomsbytheworkroom / BRIDAL PARTY FLOWERS: Groom’s Mother / CATERING & BEVERAGES: Artisan Catering, @artisan_catering / CAKE: Cherry Blossom Cakes, @cherryblossomcakes / REGISTRY: David Jones, @davidjonesstore / BESPOKE TABLE NAPKINS: Claire Stapleton, @byclairestapleton / ACCOMMODATION (Bridal Party): Release, @releasewanaka / WEDDING DRESS: L’eto Bridal, @letobridal / SUIT: P.Johnson, @pjohnsontailors / WEDDING BAND: Bottega Veneta / ENGAGEMENT RING: Anne Schofield Antiques, @anneschofieldantiques / BRIDE’S SHOES: Dior, @dior / GROOM’S SHOES: RM Williams, @rmwilliams / EARRINGS: Enesea Jewellery, @eneseajewellery / HAIR & MAKEUP: SKP Makeup, @skpmakeup_hair / WEDDING PLANNER: Together Journal
