Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
We were both born in Sri Lanka and raised in New Zealand. We’re lucky enough to call two amazing countries our homes!!
Minura is an electrical engineer and I’m a secondary school teacher. Minura and I met each other at a Buddhist temple we went to when we were 16. We were good friends before he asked me out. Our three years of friendship allowed us to get to know each other well. He brings calm, reason and logic into my life and that was what made me fall in love with him. Our mutual love for comedy (an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is our Chicken Soup for the Soul), Uber Eats and sleeping in on Saturday mornings are the staples in our relationship. We make each other happy, and laugh, though he will deny that my jokes are funny if you ask him, and I don’t think either of us can imagine our lives without each other.
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…
We both wanted our wedding to intimate and my mum and dad suggested Mudbrick on Waiheke Island. It only took one visit and a meeting with our amazing Weddings Manager to know that Mudbrick would be our venue. Mudbrick had the rustic feel that we were looking for, and it was surrounded by beautiful greenery and lavender. We also loved the ceremony space at The Lodge at Mudbrick, it was incredibly peaceful and calming. The spectacular sea views from The Lodge were an added bonus. We stuck to pastel tones for our wedding and we chose our outfit colours and flowers around a pastel colour palette. We wanted wildflowers for our bouquets, arch, and reception decorations and the amazing team from Flower Gallery bought our vision to life on the day. One of the most special moments for Minura and I during our wedding was the lighting of an oil lamp which in Sri Lankan culture represents prosperity for the future.
Tell us about your main outfits:
It was important for me that I wear a traditional Sri Lankan saree, called the Kandyan, and a wedding dress to represent both the South Asian and Western cultures I grew up in. My saree was made by a very close family friend who also made the very first dress I wore as a toddler. For my dress, I love anything bohemian so Rue de Seine was the natural choice. I was able to pick my dress in one visit. I absolutely adored both my saree and dress! It took awhile for Minura to decide on the colour and cut of his suit. That was until we found out about Devonche. Devonche custom designed and hand stitched both Minura’s and his groomsmen’s suits. The suits came out exactly how Minura envisioned, and they fit perfectly.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Our wedding was a team effort. My parents travelled around the Netherlands to find the perfect saree materials, my aunts took me to final appointments and put the final touches on my saree, our siblings and their partners helped organise the seating chart and other wedding details, and our bridal party who spent our wedding week keeping us calm and making us laugh. We were surrounded by an incredible support system that made our day all the more special. During the speeches my parents surprised us with a clip of my grandmother giving her blessings, as she wasn’t able to be attend the wedding. It was a beautiful surprise and meant a lot to Minura and I.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
Always tell each other how you feel. Treat each other with respect, even during disagreements. Sometimes your partner may not always know the right thing to say but remember that they’re probably trying their hardest and that they love you. A little appreciation goes a long way too. If all else fails, there’s nothing that an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine can’t fix…
Photography: Sonja Read, Trilby and Lace | Second shooter: Nicole Paton | Ceremony location: The Lodge at Mudbrick | Reception location: Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard | Celebrant: Tony Sears | Bride’s gown: Rue De Seine | Groom’s suit: Devonche | Rings: Naveya and Sloane| Bride and Bridesmaid’s shoes: Novo Shoes| Groom and Groomsmen’s shoes: Hallenstein Brothers| Makeup: Amy Crawford, The Beauty Spot| Hair: Makeup Station | Bridesmaid’s outfits: BLAK | Groomsmen’s outfits: Devonche | Entertainment: The Playlist Project | Flora: Flower Gallery, Waiheke Island | Catering and Beverages: Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard | Cake: Bluebells Cakery
