Our wine list consisted of wines that meant something, that we’d tried on date nights or visited the wineries and there was a good splash of French champagne in there too.
Lonnie ——Since the early days, there has been this feeling of a magnet between the two of us. I was 19 when we met and a bit of living happened before we got together four years ago at a friend’s BBQ. We spent the whole night hanging out, star gazing, drinking red, and he told me he loved me then. There’s just a feeling that I have when I’m around him, I can’t explain it. He sees the best in people, he sees their intentions and actions through a positive lens. He’s happy for his friends and family when they do well and makes me feel so comforted in his presence.
We both grew up rurally. I started life on a dairy farm in Golden Bay and now work in the wine industry in Marlborough. James works for his family horticulture business and on the family farm, Karetu, where we had our wedding. Family is very important to us and we love spending time with Lonnie’s kids, Maggie and Fletcher.
Our wedding was very personalised — every detail had a connection to us both. The cake was a show-stopper and used boysenberries, walnuts and lemons from the farm for the various curds and fillings. The peonies came from a family friend with a peony farm. We got married in James’s mum Jocelyn’s glorious garden and chose a clear marquee for the reception to continue the connection to the land.
Our wine list consisted of wines that meant something, that we’d tried on date nights or visited the wineries and there was a good splash of French champagne in there too.
I surprised James with a yellow sapphire stone on the inside of both of our wedding rings, because that’s the birthstone for November (our wedding month). We intend to add more stones for anniversaries and our children’s birthdays.
It was a dream to have Danelle as our wedding photographer. She lives in Auckland and as our wedding date drew closer, it became clear that she was not going to be able to leave due to last year’s lockdown. Thankfully, my bridesmaid Ana Galloway is also a very skilled and successful photographer, with a connection to both Danelle and to Simon Moore from Bayly & Moore. Simon and Ana associate-shot the wedding for Danelle who then edited the images. I feel so spoiled having had three of the best photographers in the country collaborate over our photos and we are so in love with the result.
My beautiful dress was custom-made by Anita Turner at the iconic Vinka Design, in Auckland. Unfortunately I couldn’t go for fittings due to lockdown, so we did as much as we could on Zoom and then, under Anita’s guidance, I used Sam at Pyne & Eid Tailoring here in Nelson for final alterations. Anita did as much as she could, sent the gown down to us, and then Sam did fit alterations in three days.
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Danelle Bohane, @danellebohane, Ana Galloway, @anagalloway & Simon Moore, @baylymoore / LOCATION: Karetu, James’s family farm in Appleby / BRIDE’S FIRST DRESS: Vinka Design, @vinkadesign / BRIDE’S SECOND DRESS: Rebecca Vallance Bridal, @rebeccavallancebride / GROOM’S SUIT: Cambridge & Co from Thomas’s Marlborough, @cambridge.clothing, @thomassmarlborough / VIDEOGRAPHER: Ana Galloway, @anagalloway / CELEBRANT: Paul Burton / ENTERTAINMENT: Trudi Wilson and her band, Cover Me, @trudidalewilson / MARQUEE: Truly Yours, @trulyyours_events / HIRE: Got it Covered, @gotitcoverednz; Events Co @eventsco.nz ; Premier Events Nelson, @premiereventsnelson / FLORA: Kylie Jamieson(a friend) / CATERING: Kevin Hopgood, @hopgoodsandco / RINGS: Jens Hansen, @jenshansen.co.nz / GROOM’S SHOES: RM Williams from Thomas’s Marlborough, @rmwlliams, @thomassmarlborough / BRIDE’S SHOES: Meggan Morimoto, @morimoto_aus / MAKEUP: Asher Artistry @asher.artistry / FRAGRANCE: Luna by Penhaligon’s @penhaligons_london / GROOMSMEN’S SUITS: Hired from Thomas’s Marlborough, @thomassmarlborough / BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Various designers, purchased from No4 boutique, Blenheim and Trouble and Fox, Nelson @no.4boutique, @troubleandfox
