I wanted our wedding to have the formality of a special occasion, but with the relaxed feel of a family gathering. I’m obsessed with simple classic style where nothing unnecessary is added.
Alex – I’m a little obsessed with business, and have been buying and building a group of health and nutrition brands (Sportsfuel, Nothing Naughty, Vitally) over the last few years with my best man, Rob. Lauren was a nurse when we met, but our love of travel made it difficult for her to maintain a permanent position so she left nursing to help with the businesses. She has a real passion for yoga and health and is looking to complete her yoga teacher training next year.
Lauren– We met through Tinder around 7 years ago. Not the most romantic way to meet, but we just clicked immediately. I moved in with Alex within two months. I knew he was the guy for me pretty early on, as I couldn’t see a future without him in it. Alex– I’d never felt so at ease with anyone before Lauren. She’s the most supportive, positive, happy person I know. I kept waiting for what I assumed was our initial “honeymoon phase” to end and reality to set in, but that never happened.
Lauren – We were in London for a few months in 2019, and the whole trip, I was pretty sure that we’d be getting engaged. We went travelling all over the place, yet still no proposal. Finally on our last trip away, at Buda Castle, which is on a hill overlooking the city lights of Budapest, Alex got down on one knee and surprised me with a ring.
I wanted our wedding to have the formality of a special occasion, but with the relaxed feel of a family gathering. I’m obsessed with simple classic style where nothing unnecessary is added. Our venue overlooking Lake Taupō was so fabulous that I didn’t want to overbear it, so I asked Kelly from Blush to keep the florals and styling simple. She did the most incredible job. I was surprisingly relaxed all day, except for first thing in the morning when my lovely bridesmaids came in and I immediately started crying as I hadn’t had any sleep.
I really wanted Alex and the guys to wear tuxedos. I don’t think they really appreciated this choice on a sunny February day, but I wanted the whole style of our wedding and our outfits to be completely timeless. I think it was worth a few complaints from the groomsmen! I was always keen to keep my wedding outfit incredibly simple and I found the perfect dress at Kenny and Harlow. My favourite thing about it was that it was two outfits in one, with a detachable skirt made from the most incredible raw Italian silk tulle that could be removed to create a classic column evening dress. As a blazer girl through and through, I wanted a contemporary Bianca Jagger look, and found the perfect off- white cotton blazer at Maggie Marilyn.
It was really important to me that I wore quality locally-made pieces as we have such incredible designers and makers in New Zealand. I was also very lucky to have been gifted a gorgeous string of pearls from Alex on the morning of our wedding day, and they absolutely completed the look.
videographer & photographer Stephan & Nakita / venue & catering Kinloch Manor & Villas / groom’s tuxedo Working Style / bride’s gown Kenny and Harlow / flora & styling Blush / rings Naveya & Sloane / bride’s shoes Paciotti / bride’s bag Georgia Jay / makeup Alice Drury / hair Laura Armstrong at White Salon, Cambridge / bridesmaids’ headbands Keren Wolf / celebrant Kate Paine at One Celebrant / bride’s fragrance La Tulipe by Byredo / bride’s blazer Maggie Marilyn / groomsmen’s tuxedos Dorset Suit Hire / bridesmaids’ dresses Silk Laundry / bridesmaids’ shoes James Smith, Max / cake Baked With Love, Taupō / registry The Lovely Registry / entertainment Spectrum
