We had to be married in nature, and the vineyard was perfect for this.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We both grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and were living in Sydney until recently when we came back home to do the get married, buy a house, start a business gig! Riley is a holistic facialist and founder of RE.Studio of Wellness. Max is a Product designer for Australian company Zhik. We are two people who love to keep moving, traveling, eating, dancing, surfing, connecting with people and the world to keep life full!
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Funny story, really… Riley’s boyfriend at the time introduced us at a party and led with, “This is your dream guy” …unfortunately he was right, and six months later, of trying to be friends, things fell out of place, and when we put it back together – We were inseparable! I was Max’s first “real” girlfriend, and that wasn’t surprising as it was the hardest I have had to try to turn ahead! I, on the other hand, knew there were some higher forces at play as I just knew this kid was my soulmate.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Riley knew it from day dot. I have never felt such a pull as I did with Max. This made me throw all cool girl relationship rules out the window. I told him how I felt and was determined to make things work, no matter what life threw at us. Max took a little more convincing…After ten long years of my “apprenticeship”, as Max would call it, he decided I was the one. This moment was apparently defined by watching me eat a pie followed by a corona.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
We were just about to move home from Sydney via Mexico – we had just sold our last piece of furniture, and after a big long cuddle, Max suggested we go to “the rock” to do what we did best – drink wine, eat cheese, listen to music and watch the sun go down. This was a special place for us, yet it was not too obvious for Riley to suspect a thing. As we were driving, he suggested I book at our fav restaurant and buy my favourite wine (we were aggressively saving to go to Mexico, so this splurge was welcomed!!) In true Max fashion, while he had a plan, he was so chill and tucked the ring in his jacket pocket in case the perfect moment arose. It did. We got to the rock looking out at Firelight Beach in Manly. Max had his film camera and claimed to need to use up all his film before we left. While I happily ate cheese and wine, he told me to put on his jacket and then asked me to reach for his glasses in his pocket. I felt a soft little velvet box, and Max kneed in front, taking what would be a very memorable ugly cry photo, and I threw the box at him in shock that, finally, the fateful day had come. We were listening to Conman moccasin’s “Dolphin Love” while dolphins started jumping out of the water like a bloody movie!
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
We dreamed up this wedding over many margarita-induced planning sessions in Mexico. Joy was the theme. We wanted to ensure it was the best party of our lives. Guest were asked to wear colour. We are an eccentric pair, so the whole time, we made sure whatever we decided on was fun, different and very us. We had to be married in nature, and the vineyard was perfect for this. Max was a DJ in his past life, so music was highly considered, and the playlist was formed. Florals were very ethereal with fruit and ribbons, and anything Ruth, our beautiful florist, suggested went – I felt like she jumped inside our heads and collated our two personalities and curated our dream day.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
We honestly struggled with spending for the wedding. It takes a few months to get your head around how much things cost. We were saving to travel and buy a house stupidly all in the same year, but once we let go, we both leant right on in. We both have big, beautiful families, so honestly, we were just both happy to splurge on everything to make sure we could have all our people there!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
I told max one rule. No DJing at our wedding. I walked into the reception, and the first thing I spotted was his whole set-up…in hindsight, it was what made the reception so perfect. I took his headphones and grabbed the mic, and before I knew it, I was our own private show. With all our people singing along. I remember us looking around and smiling at each other and agreeing it was the best night of our lives.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Riley wanted to give her Sydney besties the opportunity to have that classic bridal montage moment and just so happened to find her dress at Leto Bridal just before leaving the country! This proved to be tricky as measurement meetings were done via Zoom, and final fittings were done when in Sydney for my hens. Anya from Leto was an angel and made it all seamless. Max then picked up the final precious cargo while in Sydney for business. Riley lives in cowboy boots, and she put it out to the universe that she was to find her wedding boots while in Mexico. On the last day, she walked into a vintage store, and there they were. The most perfect size 36 white cowboy boots. Max being a designer (and a perfectionist!) designed and made his suit with the theme of Yacht Rock. He thrifted a very loud Alexander McQueen for the party and insisted on wearing cowboy boots that he couldn’t get off at the end of the night and proceeded to sleep with them on.
VENUE The Hunting Lodge, @the_hunting_lodge PHOTOGRAPHER Skye Carter, @_skyecarterphotographer FLORIST Ruth Fiona, @ruthfionafloral CELEBRANT Francieli Mcwilliams, @celebrant.francieli.brazilian ENTERTAINMENT Lilly Carron, @lillycarron HIRE Rent for Events, @rentforeventsnz CATERING The Hunting Lodge, @the_hunting_lodge CAKE Riley’s Aunty – Kate Wilson STATIONERY & SIGNAGE By the couple ENGAGEMENT RING Eloise Falkiner, @eloisefalkiner WEDDING RINGS Emma Pennington, @ej.jewlz JEWELLERY Vintage necklace – Family pieces BRIDAL DRESS Leto Bridal, @letobridal BRIDE’S SHOES Mi Piaci, @mi_piaci; Wedding Cowboy Boots – Thrifted PARTY DRESS House of CB, @houseofcb MAKEUP Abbie Gardiner, @ask.abbie.beauty HAIR Raven Haircutters BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Ediesis – Aesop SUIT Custom made and designed by the groom GROOM’S SHOE Thrifted vintage cowboy boots from Mexico City GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Karst – Aesop GROOM’S PARTY OUTFIT Custom made and designs by the groom GROOM’S SHIRT Vintage Alexander McQueen
