“Our style has always been less-is-more and we extended that approach to our wedding. For us, the wedding was really all about the people and anything more than that was a bonus.”
Tim works in finance and is an avid motorsports enthusiast. I work at a creative advertising agency and I’m also a long-time model and brand ambassador for the World of Wearable Art. We live in Wellington with a darling wee Miniature Schnauzer (Denzel) and Cavoodle (Leo) – both of whom were part of the groom’s party, obviously.
We met at a work boat party on Wellington harbour, November 2014. The next day Tim sent me an email and, after a bit of charm over email, we agreed to go on a date. We were exploring the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore on Christmas Eve 2019, when Tim took me completely by surprise and proposed. Afterwards we celebrated with lunch and a bottle of vintage champagne at Pollen – a restaurant in one of the beautiful garden domes which are like enormous glass houses.
COVID-19 didn’t stop us from having our wedding – but it was close! The week before our big day Auckland went into a three-day lockdown. Thankfully it was lifted and we got married that Friday – and by the following evening Auckland had gone another week of lockdown. It was stressful but completely out of our control, so we just had to roll with it.
Our style has always been less-is-more and we extended that approach to our wedding. We didn’t want large traditional floral arrangements or any extra décor faff – we wanted to keep everything clean, modern and understated. We had very simple flora: gypsophila for the flower girls, white roses for the bridesmaid and bride, and white rose buttonholes for the father of the bride and groomsmen, and a few white stems along the reception tables.
For us, the wedding was really all about the people and anything more than that was a bonus.
pOur dear friends Elisabeth and Dayne at Zambesi were kind enough to design custom outfits for us. It was really special to be able to work with an iconic NZ brand to create our dream wedding attire. It was a collaborative process from the styling to the choice of fabrics, and the process evolved over several months. I’d always wanted a simple and elegant dress, as my style is fairly modest and understated. Tim’s suit was a similar cut to an existing Zambesi suit he owns but in a beautiful blue linen-blend fabric.
The ceremony is a moment we’ll never forget. We wrote our own vows and hadn’t shared these with each other until we read them on the day. As a couple who don’t often talk at length about what we mean to each other, it was special. While having some common interests is key to a healthy relationship, we find that having your own interests and hobbies is just as important – and for your partner to support you in those endeavours. Tim and I do lots of things together but we also do our own things, which works for us. We find married life is exactly the same as life before – except now we’re expecting a baby girl, due in October!
Location Rose & Smith / photographer Tim & Nadine / bride’s dress Elisabeth Findlay, Zambesi Suits Dayne Johnston, Zambesi / bride’s earrings A.B.Ellie / glasses Miu Miu / makeup Natalee Fisher / hair Mathias Ryder Te Moananui / bride’s fragrance My Way by Giorgio Armani / rings TORY & KO / bride’s shoes Loeffler Randall / groom shoes Doucal’s / dogs’ bowties Smackbang / celebrant Shane Kelly / planner Paula Bevege / flora Megan Parker, Wild About Flowers / catering and beverages Dale Keith, Rose & Smith, CRUMB Cakes / gifting Honeymoon wishing well / bridesmaid dresses & jumpsuit BLAK / entertainment Acoustic guitar & vocals, Carl Webley, DJ Andy Binns at Hype Entertainment
