Natasha & Jeremy

Real Wedding - Natasha & Jeremy - 1 March 2003

We had just completed a safari in Africa and were stopping over in Singapore on the way home. We had dinner on the waterfront at Boat Quay in Singapore when Jeremy decided to ask me to marry him after 7 years and lots of traveling together. And of course I said yes!

We wanted to get married at home in New Zealand but being based in Australia we had to organise everything by email and the internet and lots of long distance phone calls home! It took us approximately 6 months to plan the wedding.

We didn’t really have a theme but based the wedding around the location which was a beautiful log lodge in the mountains (in fact the largest log lodge in New Zealand !). We met on a ski field 7 years ago so thought it appropriate to get married on a mountain and chose Mt Lyford Lodge in North Canterbury . Over 100 guests were invited so we had a lot to get ready for our big day.

I designed our wedding stationery - I'm a graphic designer - and we had friends help us with decorating the ceremony area, laying out the river pebbles and tea light candles on the wooden tables and stringing up all the fairy lights. It was beautiful and exactly how we wanted it to be.

I wore a gown from Wendy Makin which had a rusched bodice encrusted with crystal beads, crystal beads down the back and a small train. I also had an elbow length veil also encrusted with crystal beads. It sparkled beautifully in the sunlight. I chose a lovely deep purple as our wedding colour and the bridesmaids wore deep purple gowns which were made for them specifically while the flower girls wore white tops with lilac skirts.

Jeremy wore pinstripe trousers, a modern black suit jacket and light lilac vest and the bestman and groomsman wore black suits with a deep purple tie.

We wrote our own ceremony which included humour and how we were publicly declaring what we already had together - a fabulous love and friendship. We wanted the ceremony to feel casual and fun rather than sticking to the traditional style of ceremony. We also had all our guests stand in a horseshoe shape around us rather than sit - it was so nice to feel them close to us. One of the funniest memories of the day so when the celebrant told my sister she could kiss her groom (she got our names mixed up)!

The reception was very casual and relaxed, just like us really! The food was divine and the setting perfect. We had beautiful sunset pre-dinner drinks on the balcony – a perfect setting for a romantic moment, kissing on the balcony under the starry sky. Everyone then had a fabulous time dancing all night. Having live music was one of the best decisions we made for the wedding as it really made for a great evening.

We went to Vanuatu for a wonderful sun filled honeymoon which we would definitely recommend to any other couples out there planning their honeymoons as it was great to get away together after planning such a big event.

And how is married life for the couple? Fantastic! We have just had twins - a boy and a girl - so life is busy but great. Our advice to other couples is to do your wedding your way - don't give in to anyone or any pressure.