We wanted a timeless, romantic and personal wedding.
Izzy —— Hayden and I are farmers in Canterbury. We run a 500 hectare, family-owned mixed farming operation in Rakaia and Pendarves. Hayden manages the farm’s daily operations and I do the accounts and admin, as well as working for an irrigation scheme. Hayden is from Canterbury and I’m originally from Brisbane. We met in 2009 when Hayden was 15 and I was 13, when we were both on holiday. My friends and I decided to leave our cellphone numbers at the skate park in the hope that some cute boys might come across them, and Hayden and his friends did!
Hayden proposed in February 2021 when we were away for our 10-year anniversary. I’d been hinting that it was the perfect time to propose and had booked a road trip. We share email accounts so I knew Hayden was planning a ring. The whole trip, I was on edge waiting for him to pop the question. He finally proposed at the place where we first met.
Rather than following trends, we wanted a timeless, romantic and personal wedding, a relaxed environment that complemented our stunning natural surroundings and brought our romantic, whimsical vision to life. In typical New Zealand style, we had all four seasons on our wedding day, which could have made things very stressful. It was fantastic to have such a talented, skilful and experienced photography team with us, who quickly adapted. Our ceremony was supposed to take place at an outdoor amphitheatre but the rain ended up being a blessing in disguise as we had a much more intimate ceremony in The Rippon Hall, where the sparkling draped fairy lights created a beautiful atmosphere.
My gown was created by the team at Hera Couture. I didn’t have a set style in mind when I starting looking, but I wanted short sleeves, which proved quite difficult to find in ready-to-wear, so I decided to go down the bespoke path. My gown is based on Hera’s Franklyn design, with custom organza puff sleeves which were intricately pleated to match the sweetheart neckline. The original skirt was also replaced with pleated organza, which pairs with the statement bow at the back (my favourite feature).
I’d left organising a veil to the last minute but was lucky enough to get an appointment with Harriett Falvey a month before the wedding. She created my custom cathedral veil with delicate embroidered lace flowers, arranged to match my wildflower bouquet, along with our initials and wedding date hand embroidered. Harriett also embroidered these features into a small bow veil I wore during the dancing.
Hayden wanted to stick with the classic groom look so we chose a Rembrandt Jackman tuxedo, paired with a marcella weave shirt with black stud buttons to differ from the groomsmen, and an R.M. Williams belt to bring a little bit of country to the look.
PHOTOGRAPHER Ana Galloway, @anagalloway LOCATION The Rippon Hall, @ripponhall BRIDE’S GOWN Hera Couture, @heracouture VEIL Harriett Falvey, @harriettfalvey BRIDE’S SHOES Forever Soles, @foreversoles BAG Prada, @prada BRIDE’S GETTING READY OUTFIT Givoni, @givoni.australia BRIDESMAIDS’ GETTING READY OUTFITS Wallace Cotton, @wallacecotton GROOM & GROOMSMEN’S OUTFITS Rembrandt, @rembrandt1946 GROOM’S SHOES 3 Wise Men, @_3wisemen GROOM’S ACCESSORIES R.M. Williams (belt), @rmwilliams WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS Naveya & Sloane, @naveyaandsloanejewellery STYLIST & PARTIAL PLANNING One Fine Day, @onefinedayweddings FLORIST The Green Room Flower Company, @thegreenroomflowerco CELEBRANT Siobháin the Celebrant, @siobhainthecelebrant JEWELLERY Swarovski, @swarovski BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Sì by Giorgio Armani, @armanibeauty STATIONERY The Armarie Room, @thearmarieroom STATIONERY ILLUSTRATIONS Georgina Stokes (Maid of Honour) GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Y by Yves Saint Laurent, @yslbeauty BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE RUBY, @rubytakessnaps; Marle, @__marle; Caitlin Crisp, @caitlincrisp MAKEUP Juliet Henry of JET Makeup Artist, @jetmakeupartist HAIR Ingrid Resia of Ingrid Hair & Makeup, @ingrid.hairmakeup
