Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
We met online and didn’t waste any time making our first date. On this date we discovered Jeremy’s middle name is the name of my beloved pouch Leonard, this was a sign it was meant to be.
One of us with a passion for fashion, beauty and fitness and the other a fisherman, we both love a good adventure and just having fun. We are playful, loveable, and a true team. We love to cook together, dance in the kitchen and sit at the table each night for dinner with candles.
After 5 years of Jeremy putting me through all sorts of challenges like climbing cliffs to get to the best fishing spots, spending days on a boat in rough conditions at Great Barrier Island, learning the rules of rugby before the World Cup and many many more he decided I was wife material. Clearly I was up for the challenges and passed them all!
Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details…
We married at The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku. The style was clean, simple, and elegant. We didn’t want a lot going on as the Barn where the reception was is such a nice space we didn’t feel it needed a lot. Lots of candles, festoon lights, white flowers and green folliage in miss matched jars and vases along the tables.
We planned for the ceremony to be outside on a big grass area with the altar underneath trees and turkish rugs as the aisle. This changed at the last minute and was brought to an undercover area just outside the Barn as the rain was torrential!
The arch was moved in the rain and the rugs put down so was different in look and feel of what was planned but thankfully we did have a plan B! It ended up being very special and will be memorable as the rain created a feeling of adventure which is what we are about, and it means good luck so we will be one lucky in love couple!
We are foodies and love food to be shared and interactive so we chose to do table buffet dining. This was in the way of shared platters on the tables. We loved watching the guests from the bridal table passing the food around as they talked, laughed and drank.
Tell us about your main outfits:
I’m in Rue de Seine Lilly Jagger from the Moonlight Magic Collection and Jeremy is in Working Style from head to toe!
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Most memorable and unique moment would have to be the rain and the last minute change of plan. Most of the guests were bused from the city out to the venue and had to be greeted with umbrellas. Everyone had to hunker in and stay really close and tight.
We were so happy and excited we didn’t mind…all we wanted was to be marrying the person of our dreams and to have a great party with our nearest and dearest. The rain stopped for the ceremony and there was a huge clap of thunder just as we went to sign the registration which was pretty amazing!
Other amazing moments were just the two of us going into the forest for photos, in the rain, glass of champagne dress and hair getting wet, newlyweds so in love. Hair got frizzy, dress got a bit dirty and soaked but it didn’t matter, in the words of Marilyn Monroe: “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring!”
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
Enjoy every minute of being engaged, it’s such a special part of the process. Have fun planning your wedding together and make it about you as a couple with your style, but don’t make it stressful, it should be fun. Take time out together on the day/night and remember to stop, look around and take it all in.
The day goes fast so make sure you slow down. Don’t get caught up if it’s not exactly what you plan, if it rains just get amongst it, it’s meant to be that way. If the placecards aren’t where you wanted them no one will notice but you! Life isn’t perfect, if it was it would be boring! Once you’re married hold on to the feeling you had on the day as you looked each other in the eyes as you said your vows and remember that’s what it’s about.
Photographer: Bayly & Moore | Ceremony and reception location: The Hunting Lodge, Waimauku, Auckland | Celebrant: Verity George | DJ: Jarrod Phillips, Mix It DJ | Styling: The bride; Dana Johanson | Flora: The Botanist | Canapes: Al Brown | Dinner catering: The Great Catering Company | Cake: Gemma Heffernan | Bride’s hair: Louise Pilkington | Bridesmaids’ hair: Kurtis Council | Makeup: Abby Black | Wedding dress: Rue de Seine | Bride’s shoes: Sam Edelman | Earrings and rings: Zoe & Morgan | Bride’s hairpiece: Collar from mother’s wedding dress | Groom’s attire, shoes, and groomsmen’s attire: Working Style | Bridesmaids’ dresses: ZIMMERMANN