Jasmine + Georgia by Auburn Photography - Together Journal

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Georgia works in emergency management, while I work in project management. With high-pressure careers, we both relish the slower rhythms of life. Our recent move from Wellington to Hawke’s Bay has immersed us in a community that we’ve grown to adore. We like to spend our time outside and with our friends and family, often travelling around the country to be close to them.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met on Bumble and had our first date at a well-known Courtney Place bar… We felt an immediate connection but decided to be friends before making things official. It was during a holiday in Martinborough that we realised we were definitely more than friends. Georgia’s first impression of me was “beautiful, stylish, and exuded a bubbly and fun energy”. My initial impression about Georgia was that she was incredibly witty and clever. I loved that we were both from smaller towns and I was excited to be the one to introduce her to life in Wellington.

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

I knew straight away. I felt so comfortable with her, and when we got together in Martinborough, I just thought, “I’m going to marry this girl, and it’s the only thing I want to do in my life”. Before wet met, Georgia hadn’t thought marriage was something she would ever do, and she didn’t feel there was a single light-bulb moment when she realised that this was what she wanted. Instead, Georgia said it was like every single moment was another step and eventually, she realised she was seeing life in a whole different way. 10 months into our relationship, she had already bought a ring.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

I sensed something was up with Georgia as she found herself at a loss for words, something that rarely happens. On a starry Christmas Eve night, by the fireplace in Georgia’s childhood home, Georgia proposed to me. Typical of Georgia, she proposed with a cheeky line and between laughter and tears, we agreed to spend the rest of our lives together.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.

Our vision was inspired by the essence of the Mediterranean – a place Georgia and I lust after. We envisioned warm summer evenings filled with the embrace of family and friends, with a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. This vision infused every aspect, from our choice of cuisine to the styling of the venue. We also wanted it to feel distinctly gay without compromising on style and relying on obvious symbols like rainbow flags. We sought a balance between flamboyance and elegance, right down our dress code for our guests, which we described as a “camp cocktail”.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

We definitely splurged on flowers! We admired Horrobin&Hodge’s stunning work at Rose and Smith on Instagram, we were determined to have her creations grace our wedding, regardless of the cost. Meeting Sarah in person only solidified our decision – her visionary approach and undeniable talent reassured us that we were making the right choice. We trusted her completely to bring our floral dreams to life, and she exceeded all expectations.

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

Just as we were getting into the perfect party vibe after our first dance, someone tripped on a cord, completely killing the DJ’s setup. What made it truly memorable was how seamlessly Erika Flash, our drag queen, stepped in. Without missing a beat, she began belting out “Get This Party Started on a Saturday Night” in true musical theatre style. It turned what could have been an awkward hiccup into an iconic moment that added an extra layer of spirit and spontaneity to the day!

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?

We went into dress shopping, each with a specific dress in mind, but both walked away with something totally different. Georgia’s mum and aunties attended both our fittings, it was incredibly special for me to have them there because they’re my family and when I put on my dress, they all cried – I knew it was the one.

We saw each other’s dresses for the first time when walking down the aisle (possibly the only time in our relationship we’ve managed to keep anything secret from each other).

My accessories were very floral-themed, whereas Georgia’s featured foliage. Georgia wore her mum’s earrings, which were ferns made of pearls, that she wore on her wedding day in 1986.