THE LOVE STORY
"Tom and I met at the University of Canterbury where we were both studying law. I had seen him at a bar then low key stalked him and found him on Tinder (see also - Mastermind by Taylor Swift)!
We ended up doing long distance over the summer as we were working in different locations, then Tom moved to Auckland after Uni so we did two and a half years long distance before I also moved to Auckland."
THE PROPOSAL
"Tom proposed on the day we settled on our home in Christchurch (it was also his 30th birthday).
We had just finished moving in, it was an incredibly hot autumn day so we were having a beer on the deck.
Tom wanted to get a photo of us and I said I would do it on my phone because I could do self timer with my watch and it would be nice and easy. Tom insisted on taking one on his phone and I kept going on about how much better my technology set up was because I could do it on my watch. Looking back I am mortified!
But the proposal itself was beautiful, we’d been together for almost 8 years at that point so I was very ready to be engaged."
THE WEDDING
"Our wedding was in Twizel at the Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat.
I’m originally from Winton down in Southland, and Tom is from Christchurch so it was a nice midway point for our families. My parents also have a holiday house there so we’ve spent many years as a couple visiting Twizel and have always loved it.
It rained the entire day with a brief reprieve during photos and after the ceremony but other than the morning stress of the weather, it was perfect.
Our ceremony was informal and we were lucky to have our beautiful friend be our celebrant.
We both love gin so we set up a gin bar and bought a bunch of different mixers and garnishes that came from either our garden or our parents' gardens.
We also had the greatest live band play after the ceremony then after dinner. Our first dance was an Abba mashup, which was very fun and funny to do."
THE BRIDESMAIDS
"Lucy, Holly and Chanelle were my three lovely bridesmaids.
Lucy was my maid of honour, who I’ve known since I was 13. We went to school briefly together and really solidified our bond during university where we flatted together. Lucy is the most selfless friend you could possibly have and was a very calming presence throughout the day. She also had hidden her speech up her dress for the entire day and I had no idea so I lost it when she pulled it out from nowhere.
Chanelle is the partner of Tom’s best man, James, and that’s how we originally met. Chanelle lights up any room she is in. She is the wittiest person I know and we were also fortunate that she doubled as our MC. She’s an amazing friend and I felt really fortunate to have her stand beside me on our special day.
Last but certainly not least, Holly! I met Holly in late 2019 and we quickly became friends but we became inseparable during the pandemic. Holly and her husband Sean and Tom and I were in the same bubble. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through the Auckland lockdown without Holly. We share really similar values and morals and I know I can go to Holly with anything and she’ll be a listening ear.
I value my friendships with these three gals so so much and I feel so lucky to have found them.
On the day itself the weather was so bad that they were doing sunshine dances, instructing other friends to send in their dance videos and this will be a core memory for me from the morning of. They also got me a bracelet with my new initials on it which was lovely!"
THE DRESSES
"I knew I wanted green for their dresses but that was about it. I was happy for them all to choose their own styles but they all loved the Golden Hour Dress and looked 10/10 in it too! They also found a hack and reversed it for the reception!"
BRIDESMAIDS WEAR GOLDEN HOUR DRESS IN MOSS PLAIN VISCOSE
THE VENDORS
@jesshowzen.photography
@mtcookretreat
@heracouture
@charlottewoodleymakeup
@floral_harvest_
