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The Beginning….

Andrew bent down on one knee and proposed to me on a stunning Gisborne day on top of Makorori headland. He popped a massive ‘temporary’ solitaire zirconia ring on my finger, knowing I would realise for sure that it was a ‘fake’! Over the following couple of months (while our rings were being designed and made) 99% of people who saw this ring thought it was real. I had great fun with it. I let it go two months later for a much more subtle white gold and silver band, with a cluster of small diamonds representing the Southern Cross….much more me!

(Re-enactment at the exact spot where we got engaged)

We had 6 months to plan a marquee wedding in Gisborne while based in Wellington. Those 6 months went by so fast! Being creative resourceful types we used every minute of it. Once the numbers were confirmed (which took a while) and the hire gear was ordered, life got a little easier. It was now down to the many ‘small’ details.

The Invitations

We designed our own wedding invites, which required a lot of information as the ceremony and reception were held at two different locations. We needed to advise people of directions, bus departures times, parking, and camping details. We wanted a theme that reflected our love of New Zealand and the outdoors; we chose Kowhai leaf motifs and river stones in muted teals, dusky pinks, soft gold and browns.

TIP: Don’t underestimate how long this process can take (especially collating peoples addresses!)

The Dress (and the suit!)

I really wanted a dress that was made in New Zealand and after looking around, I knew - as with the rings and the invite - that I wanted to design my own dress. I found a dressmaker who was creative, patient and full of great ideas and after months of brainstorming my wedding corset and skirt it evolved into an amazing work of art. Made from ‘champagne’ and ‘latte’ silk dupion it was creative but still ‘bridal’. Andrew splashed out and had a self stripe back/chocolate suit made. This was teamed with a champagne shirt and tie... he looked hot!

The Jewellery

My jewellery was easy. A brushed gold necklace found at Bling and a few pearls were modified into earrings and a bracelet that were old worldly and romantic. I also wore my Mum’s 21st solitaire pearl ring (my ‘something old’). The bridesmaid’s bracelets were made from a black faceted glass necklace; they also wore antique style black glass earrings.

The Wedding Party

The bridesmaids wore two piece outfits from Principals. Their copper shoes were the perfect match with the halter neck tops. The groomsman’s outfits were a challenge…we didn’t want to hire suits and knew the weather would be more than warm. We found great shirts and pants in chocolate and black and beautiful latte gold ties to lighten the look.

TIP: Where possible choose groomsman all living in the same town or at least the same country!

The Flowers

The flowers were the last thing on the ‘to do’ list before leaving Wellington - it ended up being easy thanks to Manuela. Stunning wild collections of dried pods, succulents, grasses and flax were perfect for our outfits and the outdoor setting…not to mention not having to worry about wilting flowers in Gisborne summer heat!

TIP: If you want flowers don’t leave this job too late as some flowers and colours may not be available.

The Lead-up…

We arrived in Gisborne a week early to allow for Andrew’s ‘fishing missions’ with the boys! It was a crazy week but so much fun. Marquee weddings are a lot of organisation but so worth it. The amount of help and love you get from people in the lead up to the big day is really overwhelming …it’s like a week long party!

TIP: Make sure you have enough food and drink to fuel your helpers!

The Tables

Thankfully, we were able to set up the marquee in my parents amazing rural garden at Whangara two days prior to the wedding which was on a Sunday (Waitangi weekend). This was a blessing, everything (well almost) was set to go and my parents were looking pretty relaxed, the paddock around the house became a camping ground and the gardens were a hive of activity. We filled cylindrical glass vases with river stones, flax and candles (see cake photo) and placed river stones and succulent ‘clumps’ around each vase. A family friend (Letty) made amazing floral arrangements for the marquee from woven Nikau palm leaves, succulents and grasses. We put photo badges of Andrew and I and our favourite things at each place setting on the napkins. These went down a treat and were a great icebreaker for people who didn’t know each other.

TIP: You don’t need to spend ridiculous amounts on wedding favours. Get creative!

The Cake(s)!

My talented sister made the most incredible cake (the first wedding cake she has ever made!), our only requirement…‘CHOCOLATE’! Much to our surprise a ‘mini’ duck pond cake also appeared on the head table. The ducks later found their way to the dashboard of our van and became our honeymoon road trip mascots.

TIP: Don’t feed your face with chocolate whilst cutting the cake…everyone will get a photo of it!

The Atmosphere

We placed ‘firefly’ tea lights from Catherine David Design and fairy lights around the gardens and twisted fairy lights all around the marquee. We had also intended to have a single helium filled ivory/gold balloon on each table with the table number…however the balloons were delivered on the day and they didn’t float!

TIP: Nominate someone to light all the tea lights before it gets dark and make sure your helium balloons are filled with helium!

The Cars

As the bridal party arrived by helicopter and 4WD, we didn’t feel that it was necessary to go overboard with the cars. However we were lucky enough to have my Uncle escort us in his fully restored 1960 Zephyr from the ceremony at Makorori headland to the reception at my parent’s home. This was really special and it also contributed to some really fun photos!

TIP: Pack some glasses and some bubbly in the car for the photo session. It keeps the bridal party amused whilst you gaze lovingly into each others eyes for the camera, and you’ll probably be in need yourself!

Other special things…

My amazing handcraft-y Mum convinced me to wear a veil just a few days out from the wedding. She went to work and made a beautiful hair comb with a small collection of grasses and succulents and a full length veil. She also made ‘mini me’ dolls for the cars and a ring bag. Thanks Mum!

TIP: Take full advantage of any crafty friends and/or family.

The BIG DAY…

After a week of 30 degree heat and no rain the heavens decided to open up on our big day! Luckily Andrew’s late grandpa must have made a deal with someone high up and the sun came out just in time for our ceremony on the top of Makorori Headland overlooking the ocean at 4pm . Our guests tackled the steep walkway whilst Andrew and his groomsman turned up ‘James Bond’ style in a black helicopter! My three bridesmaids and I were escorted up the hill on the back of my Dad’s 4wd truck (very fitting for the ‘farm’ girls).

Our 140 guests received a much earned glass of bubbles at the top of the hill, and while they were waiting our rings were passed around everyone to fill them with love and good vibes.

TIP: When your ‘husband-to-be’ suggests mad ideas such as helicopters just go with it. On the day it’s a real buzz!

The Ceremony

We wrote our own vows which included some serious and other not so serious lines like “I will try not to fill dishes with water and leave them in the sink’ (from Andrew). I was still trying to memorise my lines in the car on the way to the headland! Our celebrant was a family friend and was great to have around when I lost it and started crying…it was inevitable really.

TIP: Try not to screw up your face whilst crying…everyone will get a photo of it!

The Photo Session

After the ceremony our guests traveled by car and bus to the reception while the wedding party endured ‘the photo session’. We had both been dreading this part of the day, however apart from the ‘wind, veil, annoying hair’ combo it was fun. Andrew’s friend Rachel was our photographer. She’s used to photographing wild animals; I’d say they’re probably better behaved! Rachel is an amazing photographer and friend. We are stoked with the photos which were taken on the headland and on Makorori Beach .

Tip: Do not underestimate the time it takes for this…especially if it is windy!

The Food

The food was prepared by a fantastic crew of people who specialise in ‘camp oven’ meals for multitudes. All the food is prepared and cooked outside in huge pots over open fire (gas). In the months leading up to the wedding we planned the menu with Paul who had some great ideas and the food was perfect. The dinner was buffet style and in true farm style we had more than enough to go around!

TIP: Remember to eat something and keep your fluids up…it’s an overwhelming day and it’s easy to forget!

The Speeches

The speeches were amazing. Andrew’s family has come from as far away as Canada and being a family of ‘talkers’ they had a lot to say! It was so heart warming and emotional listening to such special people express their happiness for you.

TIP: Don’t underestimate how long your new relatives can talk for!

The Sounds

Gorgeous friends of ours offered to DJ for us as a wedding gift. The music line up was perfect…everyone was shakin’ their booties! By this time I had removed my veil and opted for a pair of brown jandals…true Kiwi farm girl style.

The music played on until the wee hours of the morning and I believe crazy ‘cooling off’ antics went down in the swimming pool! Andrew and I were long gone by then…we traveled back to Makorori and stayed in the family bach with views to the headland upon which we were married. Andrew opted not to carry me up the 59 stairs to the bach, but he did carry me over the threshold after a very exhausting day! My lovely sister-in-law had left a wee candlelight picnic with champagne for us, which went down a treat at 2am in the morning!

TIP: The bridal party should probably take off their expensive outfits before diving in a chlorinated pool!

The First Dance

Andrew and I had great plans to learn to dance properly and then surprise everyone on the day. As it turned out we had a last minute one hour dance lesson before we left Wellington! It was enough to ease our nervousness and we learnt to do the foxtrot and picked the song ‘Moondance’. The lovely couple that gave us the crash course gave us one very important piece of advice… “Don’t worry too much, your guests will be so engrossed in seeing such a beautiful happy couple together….if you muck up, just kiss and they will love it!”...this worked a treat!

TIP:Kisses, dips and twirls delight the crowd, not to mention it distracts them from watching your feet!

The Next Day

The next day was FULL ON and I loved every minute of it (despite our decision to wear matching going away outfits given to us by my new sister in law!)…I don’t know where I got the energy, I was still so excited! We hung out with family and friends all day and opened our incredible presents with the help of my lovely bridesmaids. We had a gift registry with Nest and were VERY spoilt; we now need a new kitchen to accommodate our gifts. A few days later we departed Gisborne, I had serious post wedding blues and couldn’t believe it was all over!

TIP: Don’t wear matching outfits…everyone will forever have photos of you dressed like this!

The Honeymoon

After a day in Wellington unpacking and re-packing Andrew and I boarded the ferry and went down south for some R-and-R. A combination of luxury lodges and camping in the back of the van made for the perfect honeymoon. The weather was perfect and we had two weeks of it - tramping, swimming, fly fishing, wine tasting, and just chilling. New Zealand is the perfect honeymoon destination. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country, and heading overseas during a stunning Kiwi summer just seemed insane. Take advantage of the ‘Newly Weds’ thing, you get treated so well when people know you are on your honeymoon.

TIP: Make sure you have a good amount of time for your honeymoon and don’t delay it. It’s great to have something else to look forward to and believe me… you’ll need it!

Photography by Rachel Hale