Sinead + Joe by Kate Alexandra Photography - Together Journal

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

Joseph and I have been together six years. We met at the local Night and Day – it was the end of a big night in town and we were both getting something to eat/drink before heading home.

I was eating my Jimmies mince and cheese pie waiting for my taxi outside when I felt someone staring at me; well I thought it was me, but he has now admitted in his vows I was holding one of his favourite foods in hand. “You and the pie caught my eye instantly.” I asked Joseph if he wanted a bite as a laugh, we then got talking and shared a taxi home.

I asked for his number but little did I know it was the wrong number – apparently accidental.

So I tracked him down on Facebook and the rest is history from there.

We have now built two beautiful homes together. We have the coolest pooch named Kobe who we love hanging out and exploring around with.. We have been through quite a lot as a couple, but it wouldn’t make us the strong husband and wife we are today. Joseph is care free and he takes life as it comes, as with me I like plans- I’m a bit OCD and like to be super organised, but Joe brings out my carefree side. When I’m with him I feel like nothing else really matters and it’s a pretty awesome feeling. If you meet Joseph & I you would think we are complete opposites but yet we share the same core values and our hearts are identical.

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:

Our day was perfect in every way we imagined.

Joseph and I were not meant to get married until Feb 2021 but during covid we did not know what was going to happen and thought why wait?.. So we decided to move the wedding forward to 27th November 2020.

We started planning just after lockdown in May 2020.

One thing we did have booked was our photographer Kate. I found her before we even got engaged. Her photos caught my eye instantly while I was scrolling through Instagram and I knew if I ever was to get married she’s who I wanted to capture my special day.

We originally had a big venue here in Dunedin booked with about 140 guests. We decided to cut the list in half and get married at the most cool venue in Bobs cove / Queenstown called Wikki Wikki. It really was perfect as it included a gorgeous ceremony and reception setting as well as accommodation.

I really wanted to elope but Joseph still wanted a big wedding so we compromised and met in the middle. We changed our sit down meal to a walk n fork food truck (Everyone is still raving about the Mac n Cheese & Pork belly by Truck Norris ) We decided not to have a bridal party, as to us it did not matter where people were standing – everyone in that room we loved. Cutting our guest list was one of the hardest things we have had to do but we had to remember it was our day.

Some of our favourite details were the outdoor furniture & rugs, as well as the plants set up around the area. They gave the venue a relaxed, chilled vibe. Our caravan bar had flamingos on it and also gave the venue a fun funky look, which was something unique. We wanted people to feel like they could be themselves -that they were there to enjoy the day, have fun and relax.

Tell us about your main outfits:

My wedding dress was just beautiful and allegiant and so me.

It was right after we came out of lockdown.

I did have them extra lockdown kilos and thought maybe now is not the right time, as I was not feeling good about my body, but my mum talked me into trying on some dresses.

I was scrolling around on instagram as you do and came across a little bridal studio in Hawea called Novia Brides. We were heading that way to see some friends there and my parents also live up that way. I was so nervous but Sandy made me feel comfortable as ever, and picked out some dresses she thought would suit my body shape as I did not even know where to start. She put a dress on me and I instantly knew it was the one. Every dress I tried on after just did not compare.I felt like every girl should in their wedding dress.

After coming back from the heli my dress got wet from the snow and made it quite heavy. I went into my room to freshen up and saw my dress that I was going to wear the next day for our bbq hanging up and decided to put it on, it was just so much lighter and I got so many compliments- like omg you have a second dress!? Little did they know I didn’t. I’d just spontaneously put it on and it worked.. it was perfect.

Joseph’s outfit was perfect for our day. He is all about comfort. He had a pair of Jean Chinos, a nice crisp white linen shirt and a relaxed blazer. Everything we purchased down to his shoes and belt was from Rodd and Gunn in Queenstown. They were super helpful and he looked very handsome. I also found him the coolest bow tie from Hallensteins that he rocked.

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

Reading our vows to each other was one of the best moments as Joseph doesn’t speak in public, so to hear him get up and speak from the heart was awesome!! Joseph also picked all the music so I had no idea what I was walking down the aisle to, or what our first dance was so when I heard each song it was a nice surprise for me. It also gave him a good part in planning because let’s be honest, us brides want everything so perfect we can tend to take over without realising.

The helicopter flight into the mountains is an experience we will both never forget. Standing on the mountain top as husband and wife, my veil blowing in the wind and just looking out over the water was such a nice, intimate feeling as on the wedding day things can go so fast and you don’t have time to take it all in, so always make sure you take time together even if it is just 5 minutes.