Jordan + Owen by Hollow & Co - Together Journal

The colour palette of creams, greens, and black accents tied everything together beautifully.

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

We’re both originally from opposite sides of the world. I’m from Canada, and Owen is from New Zealand. Yet somehow, through a twist of fate (and some very good karma), we met and built a life together here in Auckland. We’ve been together just over five years, navigating everything from the pandemic and cross-continental family holidays to career changes, promotions, and adopting two extremely spoiled cats named Moose and Maple (Canadian-themed, of course!). Our love has grown through it all; it’s playful, steady, and full of admiration for one another.

I work in marketing and Owen works in banking, so our day jobs are very different. But they both keep us curious and challenged in the best ways. Outside of work, we share a love for exploring new places, especially where the food is good and the culture is rich. We got engaged in Bali at a sacred temple deep in the jungle, just the two of us – it felt completely surreal and wildly romantic, like something out of a dream.

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

We met in May 2020 on a dating app – both of us had only downloaded it a few days earlier. I’m not much of a texter, so I asked for his phone number and after a glass (or two) of wine, I called Owen that night, and we ended up talking for over two hours!

Our first date was a walk around Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, and things flowed from there. I thought he was kind, thoughtful, and genuine; someone who really listened and made me feel at ease. He says I was full of energy and warmth, and he felt something special from the start.

While I was the first to call, Owen was the first one to send morning texts, surprise flowers, and say “I love you” first, just metres from where we’d eventually get married. Looking back, it all felt a bit like fate. That one phone call led to a completely full life.

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

There wasn’t one big moment. It was a series of small, perfect pieces falling into place. From the start, our values, priorities, and communication just aligned. We supported each other fully and complemented one another in all the right ways – we’re opposites, but in a way that balances and strengthens us.

Even early on, we talked about the future. The world felt uncertain in 2020, but our connection never was. Within two years, we’d moved in together and bought our first home, and it all felt natural. It wasn’t grand gestures that made us certain, but the quiet, everyday moments, how we handled challenges together, how we made space for each other to grow. How we laughed, supported, and showed up, again and again.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

We envisioned a refined, poised, and romantic day. The venue, with its Tuscan-style charm, set the perfect backdrop for an understated and timeless celebration. We kept the design simple, with orchids as the main floral focus, placed on each table surrounded by soft candlelight. The colour palette of creams, greens, and black accents tied everything together beautifully. We wanted our guests to feel relaxed and loved, with the atmosphere reflecting the intimacy and joy we felt. The combination of the stunning venue and styling touches created an unforgettable experience for everyone.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The floral centrepieces were a standout for us; large, elegant white orchids on each table, surrounded by many candles that created a soft, romantic glow. It was simple but stunning. Everything else came together beautifully, too.

The venue itself was key to our vision. Its layout and architecture were exactly what we had imagined, with plenty of space for an intimate atmosphere with our closest people. The design and natural beauty of the venue added an extra layer of magic to the day.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Trying on dresses was definitely a highlight for me; I went through about 65 before finding the one! It became a fun ritual with the girls, followed by long lunches and lots of laughs. Owen’s favourite part was going to dance lessons and practising our first dance before the big day.

Our top tip: be super clear on what’s in the wedding budget vs. what’s not. For example, I bought my second dress early and didn’t include it in the shared budget; it helped keep priorities right and allowed us to focus our budget on what mattered most. And make sure you’re both aligned on what matters most so you can focus your energy (and money!) where it counts.

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

I wanted something timeless, elegant, and a little different from your typical one-fabric white gown. After trying on around 65 dresses, I finally chose one that ticked all the boxes. It was a sparkly tulle and lace ball gown with a structured corset that felt dramatic, romantic, and so me. Once it arrived, I knew I wanted to make a few custom changes, and the alterations team worked their absolute magic. We added a new corset, altered the waistline, and reworked the straps. The final result was a completely unique gown that I felt incredible in.

Owen wore a black custom-tailored tux with a silk lapel made just for him by Crane Brothers. It was classic, sharp, and fit him perfectly. He looked incredible. We’re so happy that he went down the owning and custom route as he can now wear his tuxedo to future events and relive the memories.

What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

For us, photography was a top priority. We knew the day would go by in a blur, and we wanted someone who could capture all the emotion, energy, and li[le moments in a timeless way. Our photographer absolutely delivered. Those images are something we’ll treasure forever. Florals were another area we were happy to invest in. We wanted the day to feel lush, elegant, and romantic, and the florals completely transformed the space. They brought the whole vision to life and added that extra bit of magic.

We envisioned a full wedding weekend, giving us the time and space to truly connect with the people we love most. We stayed in a beautiful, spacious house large enough to host our entire bridal party, which made the lead up to the big day feel even more special. The night before the wedding, we held an intimate welcome dinner with 25 of our closest family and friends. It was heartfelt, joyful, and set the perfect tone for the celebrations to come.

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

We didn’t end up doing the first dance we’d practised for months! At the moment, we were so caught up in everything that it didn’t feel right. Instead, we had a beautiful, impromptu first dance moment with my dad and Owen that turned out to be even more special and personal.

Honestly, we were incredibly lucky to have the most amazing wedding planner. If anything else had gone wrong, we genuinely wouldn’t have known and that in itself made the day so relaxed and enjoyable.