Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
Our love story was a case of right person at the wrong time. We had known each other for years but the timing was never quite right, Lance says he wanted me to be his from the day we met but I was a free spirit who had other ideas.
We ended up together one night after a music festival when our stars aligned and the timing was just right. Lance is a builder and entrepreneur, I had never really found my passion until planning my own wedding, and I was strangely calm throughout the whole process. It sparked something within me and I’ve since started my own boutique elopement and micro wedding business here in Northland. If I was to describe our relationship it would be driven, bold and WILD. Lance is patient, kind and brave – he’s always on the go and there’s no stopping him when he gets an idea in his head. I am passionate, fiery and spontaneous. We are both ocean lovers, he taught me to surf and I taught him to skinny dip, most of our life together is spent with sandy feet and salt in our hair.
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…
Taupo bay is our special place it’s where we play, it’s where we are bringing up our babies, its where lance proposed, its home. There was no doubt in our minds that this is where we would become husband and wife. Our vision included an extensive grazing table, good champagne and long table family style dining under the stars. Niketta our stylist brought our bohemian luxe vision to life by weaving floral masterpieces that adorned our Tipi, creating magic with festoon lights, rugs and cushions, cane loungers and white Balinese umbrellas. We got married under a forest of 30 year old palms it was the perfect backdrop, lush greenery with beams of light coming through the canopy. We had no alter only woven lanterns hanging from the trees and rugs under our feet, we had no bridesmaids or groomsmen we love all our friends so much it would’ve been impossible to choose only a select few. Lance waited for me holding our baby boy; my girlfriend played the guitar and sang while I walked down the aisle with our three year old daughter hand in hand.
Tell us about your main outfits:
Lance wore all Barkers head to toe, linen pants and a fresh white shirt; we can’t forget that floral blazer that I’m still obsessed with. I was a bare foot Spell & the Gypsy bride with flowers in my hair, nothing else…
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
The first look was an incredible experience; I’ll never forget the look on Lances face when he first saw me in my dress. I walked out to meet him on a bridge suspended in an ancient Pohutakawa tree over the bush – I think we both liked the risk element; we are a couple of thrill seekers. We then got to have some time alone out on the cliff tops drinking champagne it was the most romantic thing ever, it was like we were on top of the world with the anticipation for the party ahead but also just revelling in the moment. The artists that came together for our wedding were all close friends, we have so many thoughtful and incredibly talented friends, it was amazing how they all came together to help in any way they could to make our day as epic as it was – I had such a sense of belonging on the day, everyone could feel the love. My photographer Nicole had captured lots of defining moments in our lives including the birth of our youngest baby so having her capture our wedding was a no brainer. We didn’t want to include any traditions that weren’t significant to us as a couple we really just wanted it to be about our love and our family and to have one hell of a party. It was a celebration of all we have achieved, an acknowledgement of what we have been through and cheers to the journey we have ahead. After our first dance we didn’t stop dancing till 4 am passing around a bottle of tequila, and of course it wouldn’t be a Wilde wedding without a skinny dip in the ocean.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
To make it about a marriage not so much the wedding, our wedding was absolutely styled to the nines and we did go all out but at the end of the day we couldn’t of cared less as long as we were holding hands surrounded by our crew. A marriage takes work; the grass is so much greener where you water it.
Photography: Nicole Jecentho | Videography: Samantha Seon | Ceremony and Reception Location: Under the Palms Taupo Bay | Celebrant: Mike Clark | Bride’s gown: Spell & the gypsy collective | Groom’s outfit: Barkers | Rings: Keoghans Showcase Jewellers | Shoes: Barkers | Jewellery: Zoe & Morgan earrings | Makeup: Ashley Sapphire Artistry | Hair: Hair by Rhi | Fragrance: Flowerbomb Midnight | Entertainment: Double shot | Styling: North Floral, Hire & Style | Planner: The Wilde Creative | Hire: North Floral, Hire & Style | Marquee: Gypsy & Co Events | Flora: North Floral, Hire & Style | Catering and beverages: provided own | Cake: Provided own – flora provided by North Floral, Hire & Style | Lighting: North Floral, Hire & Style
