Sophie: Cam and I got engaged nine months after we met. There were never any questions for us. We just knew straight away that we were for life.
We’re both creatives. Cam runs a videography business and has recently published the second edition of his own publication, Hunters Journal, and I’m a wedding photographer. We both work from home in Christchurch, which means we spend a lot of time together. I help him with his projects and he helps me with mine.
About six months into our relationship, I told Cam that if he was ever to propose, I’d love a Layla Kaisi Collection ring, then told Layla exactly what I wanted should Cam ever reach out to her, which he did pretty shortly after that. The question was popped in front of a campfire at a back-country hut in Canterbury. Cam couldn’t get many words out, but it was such a special moment. I’ll never forget that night.
We chose to marry in Queenstown as it was one of the places we spent a lot of time getting to know each other, early on in our relationship. We had a lakeside ceremony at gorgeous Moke Lake followed by a reception at Sherwood. Our styling mixed a cool modern vibe with wild, old- world charm. We hired a fantastic lineup of vendors who we completely trusted and kind of left them to their own devices. Giving them space to just do their thing made everyone’s lives easier, and because there wasn’t a strict plan, there wasn’t any room for disappointment.
Early on in our planning, my best friend Sarah designed an illustration of a hand holding a rose, which became our wedding motif. Cam and I both have this tattooed, based our moodboard around it, and had a neon sign made of it, and had roses everywhere. I also wore a leather jacket with it handprinted on it. We had our outfits custom-made. Cam wore a velvet blazer with a white shirt, beige pants and leather boots — no tie or anything too formal as that’s just not him. I adore all the pieces I was lucky enough to have Brooke at Brooke Tyson Ritual create for me. Working with her to create my gold gown was a real highlight and I felt like such a star in the lace jumpsuit she made for the reception. Cam and I are both so glad we had first-look photos taken before the ceremony. It was the most beautiful experience and from that moment on, it felt like we were tackling the day together.
When planning your wedding, remember that there are no rules. We didn’t cut the cake, but we ate it. There was no first dance, but we danced. We got married young because life is unpredictable and short and we want to give it our best shot together. Cam summed it up in his speech: “We’re young and dumb, so we may as well be young and dumb together”.
Videography: Marcus Skin | Photography: Barefoot & Bearded | Bride’s ceremony gown & kimono, & reception jumpsuit: Brooke Tyson Ritual | Groom’s blazer: Charlie Woods | Groom’s shirt: Barkers | Groom’s shoes: Rodd & Gunn | Flora: The Vase Flora & Foliage | Bride’s jacket: Gypset Style & Hire | Bride’s shoes: Chaos & Harmony | Ceremony location: Moke Lake, Queenstown | Reception venue: Sherwood | Bride’s rings: Layla Kaisi Collection | Groom’s ring: Meadowlark | Bride’s earring and necklace: Zoe & Morgan | Additional jewellery: Stolen Girlfriends Club | Makeup: Jess Henty | Décor & styling assistance: Gypset Style & Hire | Illustrations: Sarah Jones Creative | Styling: Under the Wild Stars | Bridesmaids’ dresses: Leave Her Wilder & Sisters the Label | Grazing table: Lavish Grazing Co | Catering & beverages: Sherwood
