I wanted ivory, black, silver, and deep green to create a refined but understated palette, something regal yet personal.
NIC —— We met almost five years ago. Looking back, it feels like it was meant to happen. I was living in a somewhat infamous party flat in Ponsonby when Hamish walked through the door one night as a mate of one of my flatmates. To me, Hamish was effortlessly cool, deeply kind, and had this way of floating through life without a care in the world. It was so refreshing and exactly what I needed, even if I didn’t realise it at the time. Hamish, on the other hand, says he just thought I was sexy and way out of his league!
As a couple, we love snow sports, gig-going, family, wine-tasting, camping and time-wasting with our chihuahua, Juicy. For Hamish, love grew in the small, everyday moments. He says he found himself racing home from work, knowing he’d walk through the always-open side door of my flat to see me, and no matter what we were doing — making dinner, watching TV, heading out for drinks — he didn’t want to step back into the real world without me.
Planning a wedding was a journey. I had never imagined myself as the kind of person who would have one. We debated whether to elope or throw a big celebration, and landed somewhere in the middle: an intimate, elegant winter wedding in Central Otago, a place that has always felt like home. The dramatic snowy mountains guided our vision, blending the wild, rugged landscapes with the warmth and intimacy of a candlelit reception. I wanted ivory, black, silver, and deep green to create a refined but understated palette, something regal yet personal.
The biggest splurge was the venue. Overlooking Lake Wānaka, Ruby Island, and Mount Aspiring National Park, Rippon was breathtaking. We had no wet weather contingency, just blind optimism. The forecast predicted rain all week, and when we arrived for our rehearsal, the wind was so intense that everyone’s hair was wrapped around their faces, and voices disappeared into the chaos. I spent the night before the wedding awake, devastated that my dream outdoor ceremony wouldn’t happen. On the day, I left the decision up to Hamish and my maid of honour, and they wisely moved everything. Inside, it was warm, intimate, and exactly the atmosphere we had envisioned.
My dress journey was unexpectedly sentimental. My mum had her wedding gown designed by Vinka Lucas in 1991, and while I originally thought I had found a dress in Australia, a visit to Vinka Design changed everything. I worked with Anita Turner to create a completely bespoke duchess silk satin gown with a structured bustier bodice, a cinched waist, and sculptural sleeves made of textured silk, tied with satin ribbons. The two-tier Azalea veil, trimmed with vintage French cotton lace, was the perfect finishing touch. Hamish wore a custom-tailored Rembrandt suit, ensuring the perfect fit.
Looking back, everything about the day was perfectly imperfect. From the pre-wedding chaos to our completely uncoordinated, underprepared first dance, a bridesmaid accidentally walking down the aisle with her heels on the wrong feet, and Hamish forgetting to brush his teeth — it was exactly how we wanted to start our married life together.
PHOTOGRAPHER Emily Adamson, @emily_adamson CEREMONY LOCATION Rippon Hall, @ripponhall CELEBRANT Angela Sanders, @weddingswithangelasanders BRIDE Nicola , @_nicolagalt GROOM Hamish , @_hamishgalt BRIDE’ DRESS & VEIL Vinka Design, @vinkadesign BRIDE’S SHOES Sam Edelman, @sam_edelman GROOM’S CUSTOM SUIT & SHIRT Barkers, @barkersclothing GROOM’S SHOES Duke + Dexter, @dukedexter ENGAGEMENT RING Timmermans Jewellers, @timmermansjewellers BRIDE’S MAKEUP Becca Stevens, @beccastevensmakeup WEDDING BANDS Four Words, @fourwordsnz RECEPTION LOCATION The Venue, @thevenuewanaka STYLIST & STATIONERY Bowden Studio, @bowden__studio PLANNER Sonya at Wānaka Wedding Hire, @wanakaweddinghire FLORIST The Green Room, @thegreenroomflowerco ENTERTAINMENT Mountain Beats, @mountainbeatsdjco CATERING Cheese Table & Cake, @bowden__studio DINNER Big Fig, @bigfigwanaka BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Paris Georgia, @paris__georgia BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Kat The Label, @kat_thelabel BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE YSL Libre, @ysl GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Curionoir, @curionoir MAID OF HONOUR’S OUTFIT Shona Joy, @shonajoy BRIDESMAIDS’ OUTFITS Meshki, @meshki; Lioness, @lioness_official HIRE Sonya at Wānaka Wedding Hire, @wanakaweddinghire; Wānaka Marquee & Party Hire, @wanakamarqueepartyhire
