Ryan + Sandi by Monique Twichel

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

Ryan and I have been together for 8 years now, We both started our own business in Whangarei after returning from living in whistler, Canada where we spent most of our time skiing. We have three furry babies and have recently built our forever home together.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We can’t recall first meeting as we both knew each other through friends in high school, However our first kiss was the summer of 2013 on the bus at RNV one night. At that time I didn’t think much of it but as the summer went on our friendship escalated.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

Ryan had planned to propose in Queenstown where we were all surprising his mum for his parents wedding anniversary, this plan never happened as NZ was put into the very first lockdown in March 2020. Little did I know he had the ring the entire time. We then forgot about our 6 year anniversary on the 12th may as I was busy getting the clinic back together for reopening. Ryan knows how much dates mean to me and the 12th has many special significant dates to us and so he planned to propose on the 12th being an easy date to remember. He asked me to take a half day on Friday 12th June 2020 to go out to the beach, take the jet ski over to a private beach for a picnic like we did in the early days of our relationship…

I was defiantly curious when I noticed the date in the calendar, As it got closer there were so many signs but I honestly thought it was all in my head and that he was messing with me. We set up the picnic on a private beach and given it was June there was not another person in site, It felt long and awkward like I was 16 on my first ever date!, We finished up the picnic and as the sun was going down I got out my camera before we were to head back, this is when Ryan jumped up and said take a photo of this. I was looking through my camera lens at the time and he was in front of me on one knee with a ring asking me to marry him!

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…

Planning the wedding was so much fun, I’m obsessed with the desert earthy tones pink, peach, orange, terracotta. So I knew I wanted something along those lines but also wanted to create a timeless simple look.  

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

Rings and photos, For me these two things you get to keep and cherish forever

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

We planned a farm wedding and ended up on Plan C moving both the ceremony and reception to the beach at 8.30am the morning of due to a tropical cyclone. We had made the call earlier in the week to move the reception to the beach and try four wheel drive guest up to the wedding spot that Ryans family had spent the last 6 months landscaping to perfection. Even though there was so many last minute changes we felt so blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones that made the day all come together. The week leading into our wedding felt crazy as this was something I had planned since I was 4 and it felt like all my planning was going out the window, The morning before the wedding I remember being at home just the two of us writing out our vows and speeches together, this was my highlight and realisation that nothing else mattered other than the fact I was marrying my best friend. 

Ceremony + Reception Location: Private Bach in Whangaumu Bay, Tutukaka coast. | Grooms getting ready venue: Down the road cottage. | Videographer: Joel at Small room visuals | Photographer: Monique Twichel | Celebrant: Jordan Jordaan | Entertainment Kurfew  | Styling: Bride | Hire: Love Club + LL hire | Marquee: Love Club | Flora: Little Leaf Florals | Catering: Amaranto | Beverages: Friends of Bride | Cake: Friend of Bride Taylor | Stationery: Designed by Bride, printed with Calders ( invitations ) hot prints ( Signs ) | Did you have a registry? Not really, Our invites had a QR code on it which took our quest to an online website where they could RSVP, all updates where there and gift ideas. | Bride Dress: Trish Peng | Groom suitsHallensteins ,Socks and belts Rodd and Gunn | Rings + all Sandis jewellery: Custom made by Gina at Dean and Dust | Shoes: Kate Spade | Personified rose cuff links:  Otaa | Confetti: Wholebride | Makeup + Skin and beauty prep: Blush Skin Clinic,  Wearing osmosis makeup| Hair: Three Hair Dressing  | Fragrance: Miss Dior – Absolutely blooming | BridesmaidShona joy