The whole week leading up to the wedding it didn’t stop raining, and that continued on the day. We only had one option, and that was to embrace it. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. The rain made it unforgettable!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Ella — We live on a farm in North Canterbury and find life pretty relaxing. We wanted our wedding to reflect us as a couple so that we and everyone around could feel at ease on the day.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met in our final year of high school before heading off to Wellington for three fun years of University. It wasn’t until our second year that things started to get a little more serious, and the rest has been history.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
About 5 years into our relationship we packed our bags and headed to Europe on a one-way ticket. The first 6 months of our two years there were spent living on top of one another in a pretty small ford transit camper. About as wide as a bed and not much longer either. We look back and laugh at this experience as being the make-it-or-break-it period of our relationship. Living in such close quarters really lets you experience the best but also the worst in one another. Luckily for us, the best times definitely outweighed the worst. We had the time of our lives. But you probably won’t see us spending longer in a campervan anytime soon.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
It was while we were living out in Port Levy on a farm Ben was working on that we first started discussing the idea of getting engaged. Ben tried to be sneaky and met his mum Annie in town one afternoon to meet a jeweller and have a browse at some rings. His Granny had passed away a few years earlier leaving some jewellery in Annie’s care including her engagement ring which Annie then kindly offered to pass on between Ben and his siblings. Ben took a few photos of different ring styles for future reference before they headed out for a bite to eat.
This is where it all started to unravel. Ben’s never been flash at locking his phone screen and without realising it, his pocket started sending the photos, directly to me. I was sitting at home working away and must admit got quite the shock when the photos started coming through as from what I knew Ben had shot to town for a dentist appointment. He finally answered my fourth phone call curious as to what the big panic was in trying to reach him. I told him to check his sent folder, and he realised what had happened, there were a few swear words, before a lot of laughter and finally a “So what do you reckon?” The beauty of it though was that it allowed us to design the engagement ring from here together which was an awesome experience for both of us.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
We wanted our day to be super relaxed, just like us!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Ben’s Dad promised me that it never rains in February, so we would be safe for the wedding. I think he jinxed it as the whole week leading up to the wedding it didn’t stop raining, and that continued on the day. We only had one option, and that was to embrace it. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. The rain made it unforgettable!
Ceremony & Reception Location: Groom’s Family Farm, Waiau, New Zealand / Photographer: Meg Elizabeth, @megelizabethweddings / Celebrant: Family Friend / Entertainment: The Fillets, @the_fillets / Marquee: Flagship Events, @flagship_events / Flora: Flora Grow, @floragrow.co.nz / Catering + Beverages Food by Fire, @basefoodbyfire / Cake: Bride’s Mother / Bride’s Dress: Paris Georgia, @paris__georgia / Groom’s Suit Working Style, @workingstylenz / Bride’s Engagement Ring: Filigree, @filigreefinejewels / Bride’s Wedding Band: Jessica McCormack, @jessica_mccormack / Groom’s Ring Petersons Jewellers, @petersensjewellersmerivale / Bride’s Earrings Jasmin Sparrow, @jasminsparrowjewellery / Makeup: Kerri Paterson, @kerripatersonmakeup / Hair: Olivia Gray, @o.l.i.v.i.a.g.r.a.y / Bridesmaid Dresses: Seed, @seedheritage / Shoes Zara, @zara
