We wanted it to feel like a beautiful garden party with a warm and intimate atmosphere.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We absolutely love to travel together and explore new places, and have been really fortunate to have visited some amazing spots over our 12 years together. Mountains, fly-fishing rivers, rugged coastline and visiting National Parks for hiking are all right up our alley. That shared sense of curiosity and willingness for adventure and exploring new places has been a constant thread through our whole relationship. Actually, it was last August on holiday in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where we went for a hike around Jenny Lake in the Grand Teton National Park, and Tom got down on one knee. It was magic – couldn’t have dreamt up anything better!
We’ve lived in Bondi together for almost our entire relationship and have a great group of friends here. So weekends are usually spent walking along the coast, swimming, surfing, and having a sundowner on the beach with friends. We also love spending time up the coast in South West Rocks whenever we get the chance – it’s magic there.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
The old-fashioned way! By complete chance at a dress-up party in Sydney over 12 years ago. We both thought the other was funny and charming 😉 The rest is history.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
Everything played a part in telling our story, and who we are as a couple, so each styling decision was really personal and something that felt true to us and our life together. With the farm as a pretty spectacular setting, we wanted it to feel like a beautiful garden party with a warm and intimate atmosphere, plus a great dance floor was non-negotiable. We pulled in styling elements that represented our life in Bondi and beyond: shell menu designs; our travels and the places that matter most to us through the choice of table names (Big Sur, Orange, Kuratau, Ohutu, Whidbey Island, Lake Tahoe, Taastrup, and more); custom his and hers cocktails and wedding cakes; nostalgic memories captured through playlists made up of our favourite songs; and plenty of ‘hygge’ through endless candles. We also made custom hats, which we handed out on the dance floor – fun!
The florals were also a big part of what created the mood, and played a part in making everything feel warm and personal. I wanted the arrangements to weave in textures and colours we loved, and that felt familiar… little markers of something – or somewhere- special to us. For the ceremony, I wanted it to look like the flowers and greenery were growing out of the ground, and that same feeling carried through in the beautiful wildflower-inspired arrangements throughout the marquee and surrounds. Aila captured the feeling we wanted to create, magically. My mum also created such beautiful flower crowns for our gorgeous flower girls to wear when walking down the aisle – made up of greenery and Jasmine (one of our favourite scents from both NZ and Bondi).
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
We had the most stunning venue in the farm itself. It was a classic Hawke’s Bay summer’s day, and the light hitting the hills created so much of the magic. My Dad and brother worked endlessly to make everything look so amazing on the farm for us on the day; we were so grateful. The garden was also looking so beautiful which mum worked tirelessly on, and our florals were a lovely extension of that.. Combined with the amazing marquee, we couldn’t have imagined anything more perfect, honestly!
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Oh my gosh, it was so much fun. We had the best time just knowing we were getting our family and friends together for a big party to celebrate our love story. It was fun making all of those big and little decisions that told our story… we had so many moments where we reminisced over past experiences and moments in time together; it all felt super special. My only advice would be to not take the decision-making too seriously – stay true to you as a couple, and just know whatever you choose, it will be amazing! However it plays out on the day (which inevitably will be slightly different to how you planned) makes it even more special and personal.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
All of our vendors were seriously amazing. Truly. We were so lucky. Ruby captured absolute magic through her photos; we felt so lucky to have her there with us, capturing our day. We were blown away by her talent! Likewise, Aila (Hands in The Dirt) is such a wonderful talent. She and her mum arrived with a van full of flowers and bees buzzing in and around them – it was so special.
Our marquee and furniture pieces from Flagship were also so beautiful – Ted, Gin and the team were just incredible. The oyster bar was also such a hit (thanks to Ortons for the beyond delicious Bluff Oysters)! We also need to mention the best band probably ever – My Dad’s Mixtape. They were phenomenal and had every guest up and dancing under the giant disco ball we had, making our dancefloor dreams come true!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I loved what we both wore. When I tried my dress on, it just felt right and felt like me… and I knew Tom would love it, too. It felt comfortable and classic… with a twist, and the train made it feel feminine and classy. Tom looked so handsome in his P. Jonson tuxedo. I gave him cuff links the morning of our wedding, which were from Ralph Lauren in Aspen, where we visited on the same holiday we got engaged, so that felt meaningful and pretty special.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
Amazing food, wine, and music were top of our list. We were happy to spend a little more on those elements because we knew they’d be what everyone experienced together, and what would really bring the day to life. We just wanted it to be a beautiful, fun and delicious celebration – and it was. We were over the moon with all of it.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Oh my goodness. There were so many moments throughout the day that I will hold as forever treasures. Walking towards my Tom, who was grinning ear to ear at me down the end of the aisle, was a feeling I will never – ever – be able to put into words. I’m so grateful for the love we have together, and it felt beyond special to be recognising that in such a meaningful way.
In the lead up to our ceremony, having my sisters, mum, and Laura (maid of honour) help me get ready.. I also took a few minutes to myself before the ceremony just to focus on what we were about to do, and reflect on our time together as a couple. That’s when the emotions really kicked in. Followed by standing with my Dad, linking arms, just moments before walking down the aisle… it was just really special.
After the ceremony, we had about an hour to ourselves out on the farm just for us, while we had photos taken, and it was during that time that everything started to sink in. Just the two of us, feeling excited and so happy, looking back at the marquee and all of our loved ones, was honestly one of my favourite moments of the whole day.
One super fun moment at the reception was when Mum had rewritten the lyrics to the song Wagon Wheel to tell the story of our love. Some of our family hopped up to form a band, and our nieces and nephews handed out the lyrics wearing cowboy hats so everyone could sing along, which they did, wholeheartedly. It was honestly the best.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
It’s our greatest adventure yet. It means a commitment to supporting each other through the ups and downs, meeting each other at every dream, and building a life together that we’re excited about and proud of. It means facing our fears and worries as a team. It’s trust, laughter, patience, and partnership, being teammates in every sense. And it’s being supportive, brave, and willing to dive into new experiences headfirst, together. It’s honestly the best.
LOCATION Private Family Farm BRIDE Rikke, @rikkesspacestylist GROOM Tom PHOTOGRAPHER Ruby Jayne, @loversbyrubyjayne STYLIST & PLANNER By the bride, Rikke, @rikkesspacestylist COORDINATOR Ortons, @ortonshawkesbay FLORIST Aila from Hands In The Dirt, @handsinthedirt_ MC, CELEBRANT & BROADCASTER Megan Banks, @meganbanksmedia ENTERTAINMENT Band – My Dad’s Mixtape, @mydadsmixtape HIRE Furniture: Antique Wooden Bars, Oyster Bar, Outdoor Beanbags, Dancefloor, Lighting & Disco Ball (Fairy Lights) – Flagship, @flagship_events; Table, Chairs, Outdoor Lounge Set Ups & Umbrellas – Flock Events, @flockevents; Glassware & Napkins – Ortons, @ortonshawkesbay; Social Hire, @socialhirenz; Table Linens – TBLE Linen, @tble__linen__hire; Disco Ball & Other Lights – Sight & Sound Services MARQUEE Flagship, @flagship_events CATERING Ortons, @ortonshawkesbay CAKE Orange flavoured cake – Made by the bride’s sister-in-law, Emma; Traditional Danish wedding cake ‘Kransekage’ – Created by bride’s mum, Birgit STATIONERY Table names, seating chart/cards, place cards and invitations – Designed by the bride’s sister-in-law, Emma, @artypants.nz; Shell Menus – Windmill Press, @windmillpress SIGNAGE Made by the bride’s sister-in-law, Emma RINGS Sarah & Sebastian, @sarahandsebastian BRIDE’S DRESS Margot, @maison_margot_official via Love Marie, @lovemariebridalboutique BRIDE’S SHOES Satin Bridal Heels – Bared Footwear, @baredfootwear BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Lucy Folk, @lucy_folk; Two-tier Lace Veil – Love Marie, @lovemariebridalboutique HAIR & MAKEUP Joanna Luhrs, @jo_my_god BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE ‘Vikasa’ – Tulita, @tulita.co GROOM’S TUXEDO P. Johnson, @pjohnsonworld BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Cufflinks – Gift from Rikke, Ralph Lauren, @ralphlauren MAID OF HONOUR’S DRESS Paris Georgia, @paris__georgia FLOWER GIRLS’ DRESSES Made via a designer on Etsy RING BEARERS/BOOTS OUTFITS From a variety of places BRIDE’S GETTING READY OUTFIT/ROBE Le Rose, @lerose_online; Camisole & Satin Shorts – Kat The Label, @kat_thelabel GIFTS Bangle for bride’s mom – Lucy Folk, @lucy_folk; Watermelon Pip Earrings for Bride’s sisters, maid of honor & a couple of close friends – Lucy Folk, @lucy_folk
