RENEE + ISAAC by Samantha Donaldson

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship:

We met at work in Auckland in 2012 and quickly became inseparable.

Since then we have back-packed across the world and moved to London together. We’ve grown up together and love nothing more than experiencing new things and laughing (mainly at ourselves).

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:

Once we decided we would have the wedding in Auckland, we wanted to find a venue that captured the unique beauty of New Zealand – in particular, as we had many friends travelling from overseas to attend (some visiting New Zealand for the first time). We loved Kauri Bay Boomrock in Clevedon as we could celebrate outside and the ceremony was complimented by a stunning panoramic view across the Hauraki Gulf. We chose to pay homage to Isaac’s Samoan heritage through Pacifika florals as well as Isaac and the groomsmen wearing custom-made lava lava.

Tell us about your main outfits:

Renee: I never had a firm idea of how I wanted to look on my wedding day before we got engaged. The first time I visited a wedding dress boutique I was uncharacteristically lost for words as the lovely woman lobbed well-meaning queries at me like “what kind of bride do you envisage yourself being?” and “what is your preferred shade of white?”. While I dithered and hoped these queries were rhetorical (they were not) I started to blindly select dresses from the racks in the hopes of distracting her with my energy and exuberance. Luckily for me, my dress made its way into my hands that day and as soon as I tried it on for the first time I knew it was the one because I felt just like me, but better.

Tell us about your main outfits:

Isaac: My main concern on the day was not to melt in the heat of a New Zealand summer so I chose to give a nod to my Samoan heritage and wear a lava lava along with the more customary shirt and blazer. I initially told my groomsmen that they were welcome to change into chinos after the wedding ceremony but they all refused when they discovered what Samoans have known for generations – once you know the freedom and comfort of a lava lava there is no turning back.

What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day:

We had the best day, it was everything we could have ever hoped for. When the lights came on (at the pre-agreed curfew) and we had to finish dancing we were gutted because we could have continued to celebrate all through the night. Looking around a room that is filled with all of your favourite people is surreal and slightly over-whelming, in the best possible way. Our wedding felt like the perfect culmination of our relationship and the immense love we have for our family and friends.

Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together:

Weddings are amazingly significant, romantic and fun but what is even better is waking up the next morning and realising you are husband and wife. Take time to enjoy the process of planning the celebration but if things get stressful just remind yourself that you have an entire lifetime together to look forward to.

Venue & Catering: Kauri Bay Boomrock | Photographer: Samantha Donaldson | Entertainment: Two Many Chiefs | Flora: Floral Stylist | Cake: Albertines Kitchen | Bride’s Dress: Monique Huillier from The Wedding Club | Groom and Groomsmen’s lava lava: Custom-made| Groom’s jacket: Purchased in London | Ring/s: Purchased in London | Bride’s Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bride’s Veil & Headpiece: The Wedding Club | Makeup: Serenity Makeup | Hair: Boutique Bride | Fragrance: Chanel | Bridesmaids Dresses: Celine Rita | Bridesman Suit: Reiss