I think I just realised that he was the person to match my inner child.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
I, Gabby, have a makeup business based in the Waikato. My partner, Kale, is a robotics engineer and Google ads specialist. We met and were engaged after a year. We both love working (haha) and hanging out with nieces and nephews, going for walks with the dog, and spending time bettering ourselves.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met on a night out years ago, and both went on to date other people, then reconnected one day after Kale told himself he might as well “aim as high as he could” and sent me a message.
My first impression of him was one of scepticism, haha, and his of me was one of “Worthiness of pursuit and maximum effort.”
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
I think I just realised that he was the person to match my inner child.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
It was entirely logical and non-romantic, which suited us perfectly. The hardest part was choosing a night we were both free!
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
Because of my work, this was definitely the photos. It was so important to me to have a photographer who specialised in beautiful portrait shots yet still mixed in a fashion element.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
My uncle spoke at the wedding to introduce us and speak over us before the celebrant took over for the legalities. We were mistakenly dubbed a ship name of Gail, which seemed to roll off the tongue when trying to say Gabrielle and Kale. This resulted in a few of us having the giggles, which was just the best way to spend the ceremony!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I walked down the aisle to some love soundboards playing by @soulbird.nz. This was a beautiful, grounding way to enter into the massive life event before us. I walked down in my Brooke Tyson ritual dress, fitted so perfectly by her. My second dress was custom-made by Australian designer Khirzad Femme, who I have adored for years and who makes some of the most incredible creations. I was thrilled to be able to don two looks, two characters for the day. Kales’s custom three-piece velvet suit from RJB Design in Auckland was a highlight for him.
LOCATION Private property – Ngarua, Waikato PHOTOGRAPHER Sapphire Studios, @sapphirestudios___ FLORIST Le Fleur, @chloelefleur CELEBRANT Margaret Pratt CATERING Cream Eatery, @creameatery HIRE Lucy’s, @lucyseventhire SIGNAGE & STATIONERY With Love, @withlove_ltd RINGS Family Jeweler WEDDING DRESS Brooke Tyson Ritual, @brooketysonritual BRIDE’S SHOE Asos, @asos ACCESSORIES Post Primadonna, @post.primadonna MAKEUP Gabrielle Houghton, @gabriellehoughtonmua HAIR Hannah Stechman Hair, @hannstech_hair AFTER PARTY DRESS Khirzad Femme, @khirzadfemme SUIT RJB Design, @rjbdesign GROOM’S SHOE Dr Martens, @drmartensofficial BRIDESMAID DRESS Aje, @_aje_ BRIDESMAIDS MAKEUP Makeup by Kendal, @makeupby_kendal; Anna Clausen Makeup, @annaclausenmakeup BRIDESMAIDS HAIR Hannah Stechman Hair, @hannstech_hair; Zahra Kennedy, @hairbyzahrajade GROOMSMEN SUIT Dorset Suits, @dorsetsuits
