For our New Zealand wedding, we had a different vision: timeless elegance.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re a couple who thrives on the little joys in life. Based in London, we both have busy careers, but we always find time for the things that bring us happiness—travel, great food, and spending time with our loved ones. We share a deep appreciation for creating meaningful experiences, which naturally shaped the vision for our wedding. Above all, we love celebrating life, and our wedding was the ultimate reflection of that.
Olly is originally from Nigeria, and Mandy is from New Zealand—we met in London, a city that has become home for us both. Olly works in the shipping industry, while Mandy works in digital health recruitment. We share a deep love for travel and have been lucky enough to explore so much of the world together. But no matter where we go, our hearts are always with our families, and we cherish the opportunity to learn from and embrace each other’s cultures.
We live in central London, just a stone’s throw from Borough Market, which means we’re never far from incredible food (and an obligatory weekend stroll through the city). Our home wouldn’t be complete without our two gorgeous cats, Gus and Pedro, who rule the household. And while we may live in the heart of the city, we like to think we’ve managed to avoid the full Bridget Jones fairy tale—though we do appreciate a good glass of wine!
Above all, we’re happiest when surrounded by the people we love, celebrating life’s big and small moments, and creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, and maybe just a little bit of chaos.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Our story began on a dating app, and from the very first moment, there was an undeniable energy between us. First impressions? Olly was effortlessly charismatic, handsome with a sharp wit and an infectious grin. I was immediately drawn in. On the other hand, Mandy had a quiet confidence and an incredible ability to make even the most ordinary moments feel special. Cheesy, however, looking back, it feels like we were always meant to find each other.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
There wasn’t one grand, cinematic moment—it was a collection of small, everyday things. The way we supported each other, even in the smallest ways. And most of all, the feeling of being entirely at home in each other’s presence without saying anything. Love, for us, wasn’t about fireworks; it was about knowing, with complete certainty, that life was simply better together.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding.
We had two weddings, each intentionally different in style and feeling.
Our first was at Old Marylebone Town Hall in London, with just twelve close friends. We wanted it to feel relaxed, personal, and true to the city that brought us together. After the ceremony, we made our way through some of our favourite London spots before hosting dinner at an intimate, upscale Chinese restaurant with red and pink walls, which carried through the night. Mandy wore a simple midi dress, long gloves, and carried a sparkly handbag in place of flowers. Olly wore a light suit. It was the best night out—stylish and understated, and completely its own moment.
For our New Zealand wedding, we had a different vision: timeless elegance. We weren’t interested in trends or anything too “styled”—we wanted something that would feel as beautiful in years to come as it did on the day. Instead of over-styling, we leaned into abundance in the right places: candles, soft draping, lush florals, cascading greenery, and a sky of disco balls to shift the energy from romantic to celebratory as the day turned into night.
Rippon Vineyard was the natural choice. Perched above the vines, overlooking Lake Wanaka with mountains behind it—it already felt like a dream. The venue didn’t need much, just thoughtful layering to bring it to life. With guests coming from all corners of the world, we wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and full of meaning. It was a celebration of love, yes—but also of family, connection, and homecoming.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you?
Florals played a huge role in transforming the space. We wanted guests to feel completely enveloped in them, as if they were stepping into a dream. Our ceremony was designed with semi-circle seating, allowing our loved ones to surround us—it created a sense of intimacy and connection that made the moment feel even more meaningful.
The marquee was draped in greenery, creating an atmosphere that felt both intimate and grand. Candles flickered everywhere, adding warmth and depth to the evening. The disco balls brought just the right amount of glamour, reflecting light in the most magical way as the night went on. The combination of it all—the romance of the florals, the ambient glow of the candles, and the sparkle of the disco balls—created a setting that felt both ethereal and electric.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding journey?
If you can, invest in a planner and a stylist. It was the best decision we made. We were incredibly fortunate to have One Fine Day orchestrate everything for us. Their expertise, network, and ability to bring our vision to life were invaluable. Being based in London, planning a wedding from afar could have been overwhelming, but having a team we trusted made all the difference.
Our biggest advice? Delegate. Surround yourself with experts and let them do what they do best. Focus on the moments that matter, and don’t get lost in the details—on the day, none of it will matter as much as the love in the room. Stick to what you truly want, and don’t feel influenced by trends or voices that don’t reflect who you are. The most beautiful weddings are the ones that feel personal.
Tell us about your main outfits—what was unique, and is there a story?
Originally, I had planned for two dresses—one for the ceremony and a Vivienne Westwood gown for the evening. But just weeks before leaving London, I had a change of heart. I tried on the Westwood again and suddenly knew—this was the dress. There was something so effortless and timeless about it that it made me feel completely myself. In the end, going back to one dress, one wedding, felt like the perfect decision. Simplicity, after all, is its own kind of luxury.
Olly has always hated ties, and knowing a Wanaka summer would be a hot one, comfort was key. His double-breasted Scabal suit, paired with Crockett & Jones shoes, had a quiet sophistication to it—timeless, elegant, and completely his. We loved the idea of bringing a little of London designers with us—our way of blending both parts of our lives into the day.
What were the most important elements you were happy to splurge on?
Florals, without a doubt. Some see flowers as a fleeting indulgence, but for me, they were deeply personal. I wanted to honour my Nana, Sylvia, by surrounding us all in a sea of blooms—creating a space that felt alive, warm, and full of beauty. Our florist, Michele, understood the vision from the start, and what she created was nothing short of breathtaking. Rippon had never seen a transformation quite like this—greenery cascading from every corner, completely immersing the space in nature’s elegance.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight?
Strangely enough, everything ran smoothly, which, as anyone planning a wedding knows, is almost unheard of… having a planner usually means you never know. There were probably tiny hiccups along the way, but in the moment, none of it mattered.
However, there was my little personal mishap—printing my vow book upside down. After a brief moment of panic, I realised there was nothing to do but turn it around when I needed to read from it. No one noticed, and it became one of those “just roll with it” moments that made the day all the more memorable.
Our best advice? Don’t stress. No one notices the little things except you, and at the end of the day, what truly matters is the love, the laughter, and the people who came to celebrate with you.
BRIDE Mandy, @mandyhonig GROOM Olly VENUE Rippon Vineyard, Wanaka, New Zealand, @ripponvineyard PHOTOGRAPHER Ana Galloway, @anagalloway VIDEOGRAPHER Ben from Sink or Surface, @sinkorsurface CONTENT CREATION One Fine Day, @onefinedayweddings STYLIST One Fine Day, @onefinedayweddings PLANNER One Fine Day, @onefinedayweddings FLORIST Michele Coomey, @michelecoomeyfloral CELEBRANT George Konia, @georgekoniaweddingcelebrant ENTERTAINMENT Mountain Beats DJ; Cocktail Hours – Tai Forrester, @taiforrestermusic; Bride’s brother – Joey Young, @joeyyoungmusic STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Designed by the Bride; printed by Paper Darling, @paperdarlingnz HIRE Flock Events, @flockevents; Lighting & Draping – La Lumiere, @lalumiere_nz; Arch Walls – Truly Yours, @trulyyoursevents; Table Styling – Royal Laboratorie, @royallaboratorie; Candles – Revel & Light, @revelandlight; Linen – Olive Linen, @olivelinen_nz CAKE White Rabbit, @whiterabbitcakesnz CATERING Raspberry Creek, @raspberrycreek RINGS Queensmith, @queensmith_official BRIDAL DRESS Vivienne Westwood, @viviennewestwood BRIDE’S SHOE Amina Muaddi, @aminamuaddiofficial BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Queensmith, @queensmith_official MAKEUP Chrystal O’Brien, @chrystalobrienmua HAIR Claire from Beautiful Bridal Hair, @beautifulbridalhair BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Aventus for Her by Creed Fragrances, @creedfragrances SUIT Scabal, @scabal GROOM’S SHOE Crockett and Jones, @crockettandjones_official GROOM’S HAIR Ali Barbers, @alibarberswanaka GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Aventus by Creed Fragrances, @creedfragrances
