We got engaged on top of a mountain in France during the Tour du Mont Blanc. It was magical, Joy set up her own self timer without knowing the proposal was coming so it was a great picture!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Joy – We are both number crunchers that met as freshers in Dunedin, lived through a pandemic in London and now we’re based back in our hometown of Christchurch. We’ve always loved the outdoors, especially hiking and almost all of our holidays are planned around the mountains. We got engaged in the alps and just tackled Mt Kilimanjaro for our honeymoon!
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Mikey – We met in Cumberland College in the first year of university. She was assertive and ordering me around – still is!
Joy – We met on the first day of university in our halls of residence where our rooms were opposite each other. We were actually friends for about three years until a little bit of liquid confidence helped me make the first move! He was always making me laugh and I don’t think I’ve ever stopped since.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Mikey – slowly over time, we spent a lot of time together over the years before we started dating and I always enjoyed the time we spent together.
Joy – After a couple of months of seeing each other I got a phone call late at night about a family emergency back in Christchurch. Without hesitation Mikey packed up his car and he drove me home at 7am the next morning so I could be with my family and it was from that moment on I knew I had someone special.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Mikey – We got engaged on top of a mountain in France during the Tour du Mont Blanc. It was magical, Joy set up her own self timer without knowing the proposal was coming so it was a great picture!
Joy – We were on a 10 day hike through France, Italy and Switzerland when I suggested we get a self timer at the top of this beautiful ridge. Unbeknownst to me, Mikey had the ring in his pocket and was struggling to get it out of the case he’d hidden it in. About 5 self-timers later he dropped to one knee and the rest is history! The added bonus was that we managed to get one epic photo in the process.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Joy – I knew straight away that I wanted a dress that was unique and unlike anything I’d seen before and then like fate Hera posted a sneak peak into their Avant Garde collection with Le Lilac front and centre. I instantly booked a flight to Auckland with my Mum, sister and friend and once I tried her on there was no going back, it was a lilac dream! The hardest part was keeping it a secret from everyone for so long. It’s the second best decision I made that day!
VENUE The Great Hall, Christchurch, @artscentrechch PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER George and Jane, @georgeandjane__ ENTERTAINMENT (Ceremony) Caitlin Music, @caitlinmusicc ENTERTAINMENT (Reception) Corner Sounds Band, @cornersoundsband PLANNER Soiree Studio, @soireestudio___ HIRE Loula Hire, @loulahire CATERING Moveable Feasts, @moveablefeastsnz BEVERAGES Vine to Table, @vinetotable_nz SIGNAGE The Signery, @thesignerynz CEREMONY DRESS Hera Couture, @heracouture RECEPTION DRESS Shona Joy, @shonajoy SUIT & CUFFLINKS Sergios, @sergios.menswear BRIDE’S RING Londong Diamonds, @londondiamondsofficial GROOM’S RING Walker and Hall, @walkerandhall BRIDE’S SHOES Aldo Shoes, @aldo_shoes GROOM’S SHOES Andrea Biani Shop, @andreabianishop BRIDE EARRINGS Moira Hughes, @moirahughescouture MAKEUP Stacey Banfield , @staceybanfield_ HAIR Alex Hannah Hair Styling, @alexhannahhairstyling
