Sam and I are both entrepreneurs. I’m the retail director of Elle + Riley Cashmere. Sam works across menswear lifestyle brand Asuwere and leading tech startup, Whip Around. We share a son, our miniature schnauzer George, whom we both absolutely adore.
We met eight years ago and I knew the very first time we kissed that I would marry him one day. Sam moved to London six months later. We reunited when I moved to the UK that year and after an eventful trip to Glastonbury with some friends, we decided to make our relationship official while watching the most beautiful sunset on Worthy Farm.
Sam proposed a week into the first lockdown. We were walking our dogs on Omaha Beach when he popped the question. He said it was the only time he’s ever been nervous in his life, and he played football in front of 90,000 people when he played for New Zealand. We dreamed of getting married in Italy but Covid-19 had other plans. We didn’t want to wait until we could travel again so decided to recreate our vision here in New Zealand.
Our friends offered us their beautiful home and its Italian feel matched our theme perfectly. We planned our wedding in five and a half months, and kept things intimate with just 60 guests and no bridal party. My mum is very creative and helped us to create the perfect al fresco dining experience. We wanted little touches of Italy everywhere. We had bespoke tablecloths made with a green damask print and used miniature bottles of limoncello for name cards. They were designed to be keepsakes but many of our guests drank theirs on the night! Frankie and the team at Black Pineapple created bespoke Italian cocktails and a local Italian couple served homemade pasta, which was incredible.
I saw my Emilia Wickstead wedding dress online before we even decided on a venue. I knew even without trying it on that it was going to be the one. I had to have it made in London without any fittings but I can’t imagine myself having worn anything else. It was perfect. The Simon James team kindly let me borrow a pair of gorgeous Jessica McCormack Gypset crescent moon earrings which complemented my dress. After the ceremony, I got changed into a black sequinned Georgia Alice mini dress. It was the ultimate party dress and I loved having the chance to wear two talented New Zealand designers on my wedding day. Sam chose a classic tuxedo from Crane Brothers and looked so handsome in a velvet bow tie.
We wanted the wedding to be formal so that our guests looked as glam as we did. Seeing each other for photographs before the ceremony was a highlight: the rest of the day was so manic that it was really special to have that time alone together. Married life is the best. Having a teammate by your side forever is something incredibly special.
photography Anna Kidman / location Private property in Ti Point, Auckland / groom’s suit Crane Brothers / bride’s dress Emilia Wickstead / videographer Dirk for Danelle Bohane / bride’s sunglasses Celine & earrings Jessica McCormack earrings from Simon James Design / groom’s fragrance Aventus by Creed from World Beauty / bride’s fragrance Fracas by Robert Piguet from World Beauty / celebrant Swami Yogamani Saraswati / registry The Lovely Registry / flora Miss Botanicals / groom’s watch Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra from Partridges / hair & makeup @leisa.w.hairandmakeup / bride’s shoes Amina Muaddi sourced by Gabriel Waller / groom’s shoes Working Style / bride’s second dress Georgia Alice / entertainment Friend, @gusthemus27 / hire Flock Events / catering Amaranto Pasta & Cucina / drinks Black Pineapple / cake Bluebells Cakery
