Rosalind: I’m a visual arts teacher at a girls’ school in Christchurch, Jack works at his family vineyard and winery. We are both creative people who like having other projects outside of our careers.
Jack sews and builds things; I paint and cook. We’re both into food, wine and spoiling our bichon x maltese x shih tzu, Percy. We met in our last year of high school. We were in classes together. We didn’t talk much but had a bit of a pash at farm parties. We both went to Massey University in Wellington where we built a pretty solid friendship before getting together a couple of years later.
After two years together, we decided to break up on good terms. We were both so driven and unfortunately our next steps in life were not compatible. Jack started a fashion label in Dunedin, and I went overseas to look at lots of art, then returned to become a teacher. We got back together after three years apart. That experience made us really put our relationship first and not take anything for granted.
Jack: I had been planning on proposing for a while but the first lockdown killed any exciting opportunity. So on our first holiday after the lockdown, I proposed to Rosalind on the edge of Lake Tekapo. We had some pink bubbles, went ice skating and visited the hot pools. The ring that I proposed with was my grandmother’s.
The winery garden is the only place we really considered getting married, as it’s literally on our doorstep and such a special place that my family have created. It has a lovely view of the hills so we didn’t feel much need to style the space. We painted some old bench seats black, chucked some fairy lights up in the trees and used lots of fresh flowers that Rosalind’s parents gathered around the peninsula the day before the wedding.
Rosalind: When I started looking at wedding dresses, I knew it was going to be hard to find something that felt like me and I honestly found the experience really daunting. But when I looked at Ingrid Starnes’ ceremony collection online, I knew it would likely be the closest thing to something I would feel confident and comfortable in. I finished the look with pastel blue ‘Together’ heels by Chaos & Harmony and big freshwater pearl earrings by Mars. My veil was my mum’s when she got married, which was later worn by my auntie, too.
Jack: I wore a YSL shirt that I got in an op shop and a suit that I made myself. Percy also wore a little ring pouch on his collar that I made from the same fabric as the suit, as he was the ring bearer. We’re pretty chuffed with how we pulled our wedding together on a small budget, thanks to the kindness of family and friends, all within eight months of being engaged. It was so worth it and we wouldn’t change a thing!
photographer Kate Alexandra / bride’s outfit Ingrid Starnes ‘Floretta’ dress / groom’s suit Jack Hill / earrings Mars / necklace Meadowlark / location The Boneline Winery / wedding rings Made by Groom’s cousin, 1234 Jewellery / celebrant Steffan Kraberger / groom’s shoes Dr Martens / bride’s shoes Chaos & Harmony / makeup & hair Tessa Taylor / engagement ring Family possession originally made by Kennett Crafted Jewels / bridesmaids’ & groomsmen’s attire Own attire / flora Bride’s mum, Maree / chairs & lights Happy Hire / wine glasses Vino Fino / marquee Party Warehouse / catering Neighbour, Kate / cake Cakes by Anna / dj Friend, Finlay Wall
