Natalie + Joshua by Hollow & Co - Together Journal

We kept the colour palette classic, soft whites and greens to create a natural, refined aesthetic.

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

As a couple, we love creating new experiences together, whether it’s travelling to a new destination, going out with friends or a simple night in watching a movie together. I currently run my own wedding content creator business, Refined Romantic, as well as work in the fashion industry doing marketing and content creation. Joshua comes from a sports background and has spent much of his life playing and travelling for rugby, which is ultimately how we met.

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

Eight years ago, on a spontaneous night out in Norwich, Norfolk, Natalie and Joshua met through a mutual friend. Joshua, originally from New Zealand, was in England for two years playing rugby, while Natalie had always called England home. Neither of them expected anything more than a fun night with friends, but that introduction turned into something more. When Joshua’s time in England came to an end, they both decided to take an exciting leap and move to Australia, where Joshua’s family are based. They haven’t looked back since.

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

It wasn’t one single moment but a collection of little things over time that made me realise Joshua was the person I wanted to spend my life with. From the start, everything with him felt effortless; we just clicked. When he had to leave England, the idea of being apart didn’t feel like an option, and that’s when I knew. Moving to Australia together was a huge leap, but it felt right. Every challenge we faced only made us stronger, and I knew we could take on anything together.

Proposal story: The proposal was thoughtful and deeply personal, making an already special Christmas even more unforgettable.

For Christmas 2023, Joshua and I flew back to England to spend time with my family and meet my newborn nephew for the first time. I’ve always loved Christmas. It’s my favourite time of year, so just being home with everyone was already incredibly meaningful.

Every year, our family has a tradition on Christmas evening: Secret Santa. To keep it fun, all the presents are wrapped in tin foil so no one knows who has who. Little did I know, Joshua had come up with a plan that would turn this Christmas into one I’d never forget.

Unbeknownst to me, he secretly swapped out my original Secret Santa gift for something far more special—the ring. When it was my turn to unwrap my present, I was expecting something small and funny, like we usually do. But as I peeled back the foil, the first thing I saw was the name Louise Jean on the box of my favourite jeweller in Noosa. I was already in shock before I’d even opened it. I instantly turned around, and there he was, Joshua, down on one knee.

Time seemed to stand still in that moment. Surrounded by my family, on my favourite night of the year, I was completely overwhelmed with happiness. It was surreal, emotional, and more perfect than I could have ever imagined. I’ll forever be grateful that I got to experience such a beautiful moment with the people I love most.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

I wanted our wedding to feel timeless, elegant, and romantic. A celebration that would never go out of style. We kept the colour palette classic, soft whites and greens to create a natural, refined aesthetic. Hydrangeas and roses were our main florals because they’re our favourites, and we incorporated a lot of candlelight to add warmth and intimacy. The dress code was black tie, which gave the day a sophisticated feel, and we focused on creating a beautiful yet relaxed atmosphere where everyone could truly enjoy themselves.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you?

The venue itself was already stunning, so we didn’t want to over-style it. Instead, we focused on complementing its natural beauty. The florals, candlelit tables, and elegant linen tablecloths all helped create a soft, romantic atmosphere without feeling overdone. The black tie dress code also contributed to the overall aesthetic, making everything feel cohesive and timeless.

Something important to us: One of the most important things for us on our wedding day was allowing our friends and family to truly experience and appreciate our cultures. With Joshua being from New Zealand and me from England, we wanted to blend our traditions in a way that felt authentic and meaningful.

Joshua is half Samoan, so we had the honour of performing the Siva Samoa, a dance that holds deep cultural significance. After the best man’s speech, our family and friends performed the Haka – a powerful and emotional moment that left everyone in awe. Joshua’s cousins also performed a traditional Samoan dance for us, and it was absolutely breathtaking.

At the same time, my English heritage was woven into the day. I wore a traditional lace wedding dress, reflecting classic English bridal style, and carried a bouquet of white roses and hydrangeas. We also followed with the traditional toasts and cake cutting, which added a meaningful touch to the celebration. The dress code for the day was black tie, which added an elegant and timeless feel to the entire event.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

Finding our venue: This is actually a really funny story – I saved our wedding venue years ago without even knowing it!

Joshua and I always knew we wanted to get married in New Zealand. Before my late Grandad passed, he told both of us to get married there, and we promised him we would. So, choosing the location was an easy decision.

We started out by deciding on the North Island since it was more accessible for our guests. But then Waiheke Island came onto our radar. We had never been, but we’d heard nothing but good things about the wineries and the landscape. Joshua found Mudbrick Vineyard and Restaurant, and as soon as we laid eyes on it, we just knew that was the one! We sent them an email, and they told us they only had one date left for February 2025, as they typically have a three-year wait for bookings. We didn’t hesitate and instantly booked it for 22.02.25.

Over the years, I had saved a lot of wedding inspiration on Instagram – everything from venue ideas to decor and details. Once we booked Mudbrick, I decided to look back through my saved posts for some inspiration. To my surprise, I found a wedding held at Mudbrick – the exact venue we had just booked. I couldn’t believe it. Without even realising it, I had saved my dream wedding years before.

The most enjoyable part was seeing everything come together, finally seeing all the little details we had spent so much time thinking about become reality. One of my biggest tips is to try not to stress over the small things. Your guests won’t notice every single detail, so focus on the things that truly matter to you. Also, if you’re considering a destination wedding, do it! It made the whole experience so special for everyone, and having our guests already in holiday mode made the celebrations even better.

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

Growing up, I always had a clear vision of what I imagined myself wearing on my wedding day. I went to a few bridal stores with my family, and while they teared up at almost every dress I tried on, nothing felt quite right. The following week, I decided to browse online at KYHA, and there it was – the one. The next day, I went to try it on by myself because I didn’t want anyone’s opinions to sway me. I had always dreamed of wearing a classic, fitted lace dress, and when I tried it on, I just knew it was exactly what I had been envisioning all along.

Joshua wore a velvet tux, and on the morning of the wedding, his nanna gave him a pair of green stone cufflinks to wear, adding a personal and meaningful touch. He completed the look with a pair of patent leather Finnion monkstrap shoes from Jimmy Choo, which perfectly complemented his tuxedo.

What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on?

The venue and photography were the two things we were most willing to invest in. Mudbrick Vineyard was a dream venue, and we knew it would provide the perfect setting for our wedding. It was also our first time visiting Waiheke Island during our wedding week, and experiencing it together for the first time, just days before our big day, made it even more special. We also prioritised having an incredible photographer and content creator instead of a traditional videographer. The raw, unfiltered clips captured our day in such a genuine way, and looking back, we’re so glad we made that choice.

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

Honestly, everything flowed so perfectly! The only decision we had to make on the spot was whether to hold the ceremony indoors or outdoors. With the weather being a little windy, we chose to move it inside, and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The space was intimate and beautiful. Afterwards, we had the cocktail hour outdoors, taking full advantage of the stunning scenic views.