Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship:
Caleb & I met 6 years ago out the back of one of the local New Plymouth bars (not the most romantic of settings). I was still studying in Auckland and over the following few months we spent a lot of time messaging back and forth, before we managed to have our first date.
Caleb is a rugby playing Chartered Accountant and the GM of his family fishing company and I am a physiotherapist at the local hospital. We live in New Plymouth with our dog Albus and both enjoy the outdoors and spending time with our family and friends. We work really well together as a team, Caleb is the organiser and takes care of the finances and I am the practical level head in the relationship.
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details:
We were married Waitangi weekend at Wai-iti Beach retreat which is about 40 minutes north of New Plymouth. It was a special place for both of us as this is where Caleb proposed to me, after a summer weekend at the beach. One of Caleb’s groomsmen owns a marquee business called Marquee & Co and they collaborate with the beach retreat which offers accommodation and the beautiful clear marquee set beside native bush. We decided to include in our budget accommodation for the weekend for all our friends and family which made for the best weekend.
We are both pretty relaxed people and wanted our day to reflect that which is why the beach setting suited us perfectly. We wrote our own vows and were super lucky that the Taranaki weather allowed us to get married overlooking the cliffs and beach. We were also very fortunate that Karena, Caleb’s Mum ,owns The Dinner Table and she was able to take care of all the styling details.
Tell us about your main outfits:
My dress was from Bluebelle Bridal in Wellington. It was a classic off the shoulder and I wore a Hera Couture Veil which fell from the back of my dress. I had my earrings all sorted and Caleb surprised me the morning of our wedding with a gift of long pearl earrings. I loved them and swapped my original choice, last minute.
The boys wore suits from Barkers, with black chinos and tan jackets and Caleb wore a black bow tie, so he had a small point of difference. The bridesmaids dresses were from Shona Joy and all fitted with our contemporary beach style.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day:
We hadn’t planned on having a first dance but had requested the song “September” as the first to get the party started. Caleb and I danced together for about 30secs and then all the tables cleared and we had 120 people joining us on the dance floor. This is a memory we will never forget
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together:
Make sure you enjoy every moment as it goes by in a flash. We took time for some sunset photos by ourselves which was perfect. Prioritise what is important for you and if things don’t go according to plan, just take a deep breath and take in all the surrounding love.
Ceremony and Reception location: Wai-Iti Beach in conjunction with @marqueeandco / Photographer: @the_virtue / Celebrant: @kyliemareecelebrant / Entertainment: @superbadnz / Styling & Planning: @thedinnertable / Hire: @llhire and @marqueeandco / Marquee: @marqueeandco / Flora: @petalandprickle / Catering + Beverages: @social_kitchen, @publiccatering and @liquorlandfitzroy / Dessert: @the_unbakedbakery / Groom’s Attire: @barkersclothing / Bride’s Gown: @bluebellbridal / Rings: @dalgleishdiamond / Shoes: Kingsway / Makeup: @jarhnamakeupartist / Hair: @blackbirdsociety1 / Groomsmen Attire: @barkersclothing / Bridesmaid Dresses: @shonajoy_
