A few weeks later, on a rainy day at a beach up north, he painted my nails under the guise of some birthday pampering and asked me to marry him. We are “people people” who make an effort to invest time in our friends and family, so the most important part of our wedding was our loved ones and everything from the location to the food was planned around them. We didn’t want to include wedding traditions that weren’t significant to us, like a wedding cake, but we did place importance on spending as much time together as possible. Before the ceremony, we had our ‘first look’, hopped into an old car to drive around Auckland, and got tattoos. My dad has been unwell my entire life and from a very young age I had accepted that he might not make it to my wedding, so to have him walk me down the aisle was pretty special. Asher’s wedding ring was made from a pounamu necklace his dad had been given, which was crafted by a jeweller into a ring that looked as though it had been discovered in the Titanic wreckage. We held our reception at Red Rabbit Coffee Company. The owners are good friends of ours and kindly gave us use of their epic, brick-interior café for the entire day so we could throw our party. We owe them so much. Six months before we got engaged, we decided to go on a break which eventually led to a break up. It was one of the best things that ever happened to our relationship because, although it was only a month, that time apart confirmed to us that we never wanted to be apart again. Asher is the most creative, talented and humble person I know, and his mind goes to places I couldn’t even imagine. He loves sharing his ideas and dreams with those around him and I love that he doesn’t change who he is for different crowds. We are raw and honest with each other and some of our best conversations have come out of disagreements, because that is where we see the best in each other.
Photography – Bayly & Moore | Bride’s Dress – Grace Loves Lace | Groom’s Attire – Ben Sherman | Flora & Styling – Hawke & Hyde | Bridesmaid’s Dresses – Show Me Your Mumu | Groomsmen’s Attire – Topman | Bride’s Makeup – Leonie Wood | Bridesmaid’s Makeup – Chloe Mitchell | Hair – Lipstick & Co | Shoes – Missguided | Bride’s Ring – Heidi Gibson | Groom’s Ring – Amber Stone | Ceremony Location – The Upper Room, Newmarket | Celebrant – Bruce Pilbrow | Special Song – ‘River’ by Leon Bridges | Reception Location – Red Rabbit | Food – Food Truck Garage | Cheesecake – Amanda Pilbrow | Entertainment – DJ Jacob Binnie