Our aim was to create an elegant yet vibrant festival that captured the essence of who we are.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re an unexpected pair—one of us is a Brand Manager, while the other runs his own construction company. At first glance, our careers might seem worlds apart—one focuses on building brands, the other on building homes—but together, we’re constructing a life we truly cherish.
We balance each other perfectly: Tom brings a steady, thoughtful presence, while I inject spontaneity and warmth into our everyday moments. We treasure the simple pleasures of life, whether it’s enjoying a quiet Sunday morning, taking a stroll along the beach after a long day, or sharing meals with family and friends. Our relationship flows with a natural rhythm. We both share a passion for exploration, whether close to home or far away, always seeking new experiences that enrich our lives together.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first crossed paths at a flat party in Dunedin while studying at the University of Otago in 2013. It was one of those nights where nothing extraordinary seemed likely to happen—just the usual student chaos, loud music, and a crowd of familiar faces—but fate had other plans.
Finding ourselves outside in the biting cold of a mid-winter Dunedin night, we struck up a conversation that felt effortless and genuine. Hours slipped by as we chatted, seemingly oblivious to the lively party continuing behind us. There was an undeniable spark, a connection that felt both surprising and deeply real.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
While our connection felt natural from the very beginning, we truly recognised we were meant for each other during our first trip together. At ages 19 and 20, we set off to visit Tom’s brother Ben in Australia. The trip was filled with sunny beach days, lots of laughter and never ending conversation.
It was during those idyllic moments—sitting side by side, that we felt an undeniable certainty: we had both found our person. Reflecting on that trip, we see it as the first of many adventures that would shape our journey together.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Tom popped the question halfway through our three-month adventure in Europe in 2022. We had just arrived in Hvar, Croatia and spent the day visiting family before settling into a family member’s stunning off-grid beach house in Veprinova. After a blissful afternoon swimming off the rocks, we made our way back to the house. Eager to celebrate being back in Croatia, Tom decided to put together a platter. He even found a tablecloth to add a touch of charm to the plastic table. In a funny twist, his Croatian skills weren’t quite up to par, and he ended up with what looked like a tablecloth for ants!
I was still salty from the ocean, wearing my bikini and sarong, while Tom, oddly enough, had put on a shirt. He suggested we open a bottle of champagne as the sun dipped below the horizon. Then, with the sunset painting the sky, he revealed a ring and asked me to marry him. Naturally, I said yes, and we spent the rest of the night under a blanket of stars, toasting to our future and the life we were building together.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
Initially, we envisioned exchanging vows along the stunning Dalmatian coastline. However, considering our loved ones, we decided to bring our dream celebration closer to home in New Zealand. Our aim was to create an elegant yet vibrant festival that captured the essence of who we are.
With many friends and family travelling from around the world to be with us, we wanted to cultivate an environment where everyone could truly relax and celebrate together. Our vision was to strike a balance between refined elegance and laid-back charm—a beautiful ceremony and dinner on the first day, followed by a more casual, festival-style gathering on the beach the next.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
For us, music and photography were non-negotiable splurges. Capturing the essence of our wedding day was incredibly important; we wanted to ensure every special moment—from candid laughter to heartfelt exchanges—was beautifully documented. It mattered to us that these memories reflect the joy and love we experienced, preserving the spirit of our special day for years to come.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Oh, there were definitely plenty of laughable moments on our wedding day! One particularly memorable aspect was booking our venue when it was merely a slab of concrete. While it posed some challenges, it also added a unique charm to our celebration.
We also had a hilarious experience when our catering team arrived hours late, racing into the venue just as we were wrapping up our photos—right before we were about to sit down to eat! It created quite a comical scene that we couldn’t help but chuckle about later. And then there were my wedding shoes! I ordered them just a week before the big day, only for them to get stuck in customs. A few members of the wedding party had to make a mad dash to the depot to rescue them the day before the wedding!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Together, our outfits told a story of simplicity and romance, celebrating the joy of our special day while embracing meaningful details connecting us to our loved ones. I worked with Lulu Jackson to design a timeless yet comfortable dress for both the ceremony and dinner. My mum, Marica, had a gold horseshoe and heart charm sewn into the fabric for good luck, while my veil was a cherished piece from Tom’s mother, Nicky, who lovingly embroidered our initials within little hearts. In a delightful last-minute decision, I also asked Lulu to create a playful two-piece for the reception, allowing me to change into something fun that I could wear again after the wedding. This choice captured our desire for style and practicality, letting me dance the night away. Tom looked effortlessly polished in a perfectly tailored suit that reflected his relaxed nature, complemented by a silk bow tie and a pocket square made from the offcuts of my wedding dress, lovingly sewn by my mother Marica.
LOCATION Claybank, Taiharuru, New Zealand PHOTOGRAPHER Lovers By Ruby Jayne, @loversbyrubyjayne VIDEOGRAPHER Revel In White, @revelinwhite STYLIST & PLANNER By the Bride FLORIST Parlour Events, @parlourevents_ CELEBRANT Kendal De Besten, @bbykendaxx ENTERTAINMENT DJ – Kid Ku (Shaun Corlett), @kidku; Bagpipes – Chad Charteris (Groom’s Father); Guitarist – Amanda Elvin (family); Wedding Singer – Rhy Vaitupu (friend)
CAKE Neat Cakes, @neat.cakes STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Jens Nice Designs, @JennsNiceDesigns; Matchboxes designed by Lucia RINGS Handmade in Mt Maunganui – Mayo Jewellery, @mayojewellery ENGAGEMENT RING Naveya and Sloane, @naveyaandsloanejewellery BRIDE’S SHOE Jacquemus, @jacquemus BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Gold Snake Chain – Gift from the groom; Earrings – Given by the bride’s grandmother; Rings – Gifts from the bride’s mother; Veil – From the groom’s mother HAIR ROSETTE Made by the bride’s mother WEDDING DRESS & PARTY OUTFIT Lulu Jackson Bridal, @lulujacksonbridal MAKEUP Shona Stevenson Makeup Artistry, @shonastevensonmakeup HAIR Sarah J Hair & Makeup, @_sarahjhairandmakeup BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Tobacco Night – Curio Noir, @curionoir GROOM’S SHOE Dr Martens, @drmartensnewzealand GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Casio; Gold Chain Necklace – Gift from the bride; Pocket Square – Made by the bride’s mother SUIT Working Style, @workingstylenz GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Tobacco Night – Curio Noir, @curionoir BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Harris Tapper, @harris_tapper; Georgia Alice, @georgiaaliceofficial; Ruby, @rubytakessnaps; Shona Joy, @shonajoy; Asos, @asos BRIDESMAIDS’ MAKEUP Shona Stevenson Makeup Artistry, @shonastevensonmakeup BRIDESMAIDS’ HAIR Sarah J Hair & Makeup, @_sarahjhairandmakeup GROOMSMEN SHOE Dr Martens, @drmartensnewzealand GROOMSMEN SUIT Barkers, @barkersclothing
