Katie + Ashton by Jonny Scott - Together Journal

We envisioned a timeless, elegant atmosphere for our wedding

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

Ashton works in marketing, and I (Katie) work in sales. We met over ten years ago in our university hall, and the rest is history! We both share a love for travel and have explored over 25 countries together. In August 2022, we moved to London and came back home for our wedding in February 2024. It was the perfect time to catch up and celebrate with friends and family since we hadn’t been home in over a year and a half. We’re passionate about the outdoors, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.

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

We met when we were 18, fresh into uni during the first few weeks of living in Cumberland College. Ashton was on the same floor as my good friend.

Ashton: From the moment I met Katie, I thought she was bold, outspoken, funny, and courageous. We met at a university hop—I was dressed as an astronaut, and Katie was a cat. We hit it off straight away.

Katie: I actually thought his first name was Russell because the hall had accidentally put his last name on his door. My first impression of Ashton was that he was a real looker, hilarious, the life of the party, very kind, and lots of fun.

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

Ashton: I first realised this was the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with when I saw how much of a better person I was after being around Katie. Even my friends and family noticed a difference in how I approached different situations and how my whole attitude had changed while spending time with her. Another big factor was how much she had pushed me to be the best version of myself, whether it was exercising or hitting the books at uni. Katie has an amazing drive that I still aspire to and try to match. To this day, this is still very hard to do!

Katie: I fell for Ashton quickly in our first year together. I knew he was the one because he always had me laughing, never failed to make me smile, and we just had so much in common. We love going on adventures and exploring new places, and we’ll head to the beach any chance we get. He’s truly my best friend—we just click and really enjoy each other’s company. My love language is quality time, so I guess that’s why I realised so soon.

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

Ashton proposed in January 2022 after we had been together for nine years. We had just spent NYE in Wanaka with friends and had a trip planned to Queenstown. Ashton surprised me with a helicopter ride over Queenstown, landing on the top of a couple of mountains. Being a nervous flyer, it’s safe to say there were two very nervous people on that flight! We landed on Vanguard Peak, where Ashton took me for a walk, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. It was the easiest yes ever! We celebrated with a wine tour he had arranged for that afternoon.

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

We envisioned a timeless, elegant atmosphere for our wedding, drawing inspiration from minimalist designs that we’d still love for decades to come. Our palette of whites and greens, with white-stemmed roses, kept the styling simple to let the venue’s breathtaking scenery stand out. 

Getting married at Poderi Crisci on Waiheke Island felt like finding a hidden slice of Italy right here in New Zealand. As Italy is our favourite destination, discovering this beautiful location in our own backyard felt like it was meant to be.

Poderi Crisci’s off-the-beaten-track location and its reputation for having the best food on the island made it all the more special. The stunning surroundings and inviting atmosphere created an unforgettable backdrop for our dream wedding.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

The top elements we were happy to splurge on were entertainment, food, and alcohol. We wanted our friends and family to have the best time, and a live band really sets the scene and gets the dance floor thriving!

We chose Poderi Crisci for its stellar reputation among locals for having the best food on the island, and it certainly lived up to that!

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

The morning brought a couple of on-and-off showers that were expected to clear up by midday. With our early start at 1:30 pm, there was a brief light shower during the ceremony. We were both thinking, “Please stop,” and thankfully, it passed really quickly with only a few drops. The rest of the afternoon and evening were filled with beautiful sunshine. Looking back, it was perfect—as rain on your wedding day is considered good luck in Italian culture, we had the best of both worlds!

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

Ashton: I chose a classic tuxedo. To set myself apart from my groomsmen, I opted for a satin lapel, which I was really happy with. Coincidentally, my suit was made in Italy, adding to the Italian vibe of the day! 

I’m grateful we went with black suits, white shirts, and black bow ties, a suggestion from Katie. This timeless palette looked sharp and complemented the atmosphere of our day.

Katie: After getting engaged, I initially planned to find a dress overseas since Ashton and I were moving to London soon. However, my mum and bridesmaids suggested we try on dresses in Auckland to share the experience. While we found a couple we loved, I still hoped to find something abroad. Then, Kenny & Harlow had a last-minute opening, and my mum and I decided to check it out. Megan designed the perfect bespoke dress for me—a minimalist silk gown with an old Hollywood glam vibe that perfectly reflected my style. I couldn’t say no!

In addition to my main gown, I wore a custom dress I designed and had made in Turkey—a European keepsake from our time in London. I wanted a fun party dress for the night, and it complemented the day beautifully.