Lucy —— We’re originally from New Zealand but have been living in New York City since 2018.
We met 10 years ago in Wellington at the gym where I worked part time during university. Declan was one of the members. We started taking a couple of the same finance papers and we’d catch up for coffees after tutorials. We both work in finance (as of June, for the same company) so figured that when we received our green cards, NYC made the most sense to move to.
We’ve had the most incredible five years here. We got engaged in August 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. We were both working from home and together 24/7, so Declan had his work cut out trying to orchestrate a proposal without me suspecting anything. It was a mission to get the ring but when he finally did, he organised a picnic in the park, overlooking the Manhattan skyline. With friends hiding in the bushes to capture the moment and bring the champagne, Declan finally proposed.
The venue itself, Rippon Hall in Wanaka, was absolutely beautiful, with a breathtaking view out to the lake. We incorporated pinks, champagnes and whites with a bit of greenery. So many people told us to choose our top three wedding priorities, great advice that helped us to budget. Photography and music were the most important things. Before we even booked the venue, we ensured that our photographer and DJ were available. We both love music and felt it was so important for the ambience and the reception. We had Sweet Mix Kids, a DJ duo from Auckland, who were absolutely amazing. And of course Jonny Scott surpassed our expectations and captured our day beautifully.
It was a very wet summer and forecast to rain the 10 days leading up to our wedding. We had to practice our ceremony indoors the day before. Luckily, we ended up with stunning weather – some people even got sunburnt.
I wore a gown from a NYC designer, Sarah Seven. I had received some great advice from a friend that on your wedding day you want to wear something that looks and feels like an elevated version of you. Ultimately, you want to be comfortable in your dress and look like yourself on your wedding day, which was my ultimate barometer. I tried on a lot of dresses, even getting stuck in one that I needed to be helped out of! The dress I chose was more on the simple side so I was able to have fun with accessories. Declan opted for a black tux with a shawl lapel made by a tailor in New York.
LOCATION Rippon Hall, @ripponhall PHOTOGRAPHER Jonny Scott Photo, @jonnyscottphoto CELEBRANT Liv Thompson @signedwithliv RINGS Lauren B Jewelry, @laurenbjewelry; Brian Gavin Diamonds, @briangavindiamonds BRIDE’S GOWN Sarah Seven, @sarahseven BRIDE’S SHOES Harlo, @harloau BRIDE’S VEIL Jules Veils BRIDE’S EARRINGS Éclatant, @eclatant.us BRIDE’S GLOVES Kerry Parker, @kerryparkerofficial BRIDE’S NECKLACE Family heirloom MAKEUP Olivia Sellman HAIR Joicy Bridal Hair, @joicy.bridalhair GROOM’S SUIT Alan David, @alandavidcustomsuits GROOM’S SHOES To Boot, @tobootnewyork CUFFLINKS Mont Blanc, @montblanc FRAGRANCE Gucci Guilt, @gucci; Peony and Blush Suede and Orange Blossom by Jo Malone, @jomalonelondon VIDEOGRAPHER Mark at Jonny Scott Photo, @jonnyscottphoto ENTERTAINMENT Sweet Mix Kids, @sweetmixkids STYLING & FLORALS All Bunched Up Florals, @allbunchedup_ CATERING Aspiring Catering, @aspiringcatering CAKE Sophie Roseanna Cakes, @sophieroseannacakes STATIONERY The Signery, @thesignerynz
