Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
Chelsea is a graphic designer. Callum is a biomedical researcher for the University of Freiburg.
We met through the University of Auckland rock climbing club in 2010 and have been inseparable ever since – so much so that our friends even coined us ‘Chellum’. We both have a keen eye for adventure and love travelling, so it seemed natural that Callum proposed whilst we were on a secluded holiday in the snowy fjords of Norway. We currently live near the Black Forest in Germany where we spend most of our weekends and summers soaking up the diverse culture that Europe has to offer and rock climbing or hiking where possible. We are also known to enjoy the odd Netflix binge weekend and we shamelessly have a large collection of board games that we often play. We also love good food, and chilling out with friends. The main thing that works for us as a couple, is how comfortable we are with 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 were after a relaxed wedding where we could celebrate our love with those closest to us. Because we live so far away from home, we decided that we wanted to get married on Waiheke Island as we are both from Auckland but didn’t want a city wedding. We were after a venue that reflected the more adventurous side to our personalities but was also convenient for all our friends and family to attend – Waiheke was the perfect fit
Chelsea is a graphic designer, and so she had a clear vision for the style of the wedding. As soon as we had locked in Mudbrick, Chelsea created mood boards for all aesthetic components of the wedding. She wanted the weddings style to reflect the harmonious juxtaposition between both the rugged landscape of Waiheke’s untamed shore and the cultivated rustic aesthetic of the vineyard. This was achieved through the romantic colour pallet, the floaty materials of the girls dresses, and the wild yet delicate flora.
For us, a few of our favourite details included the lovely wedding invites. The ripped paper and water colours really captured the delicate, yet romantic tones that we had envisioned for our wedding. We also LOVED Leaf and Honey’s bouquets. Over all though, the day was a complete success and we were both so thrilled at how everything turned out considering most of it was planned from Germany. All our vendors were fantastic at keeping communication open and understanding the vision for our wedding.
Tell us about your main outfits:
Chelsea never tends to dress up so she wanted something that was comfortable and simple in design, yet elegant for the occasion. Ivy and Aster’s Lumiere dress was the perfect fit. The fabric is delicate, and light which was fantastic considering the stunning weather and the silver hue of the dress looked absolutely stunning as it shimmered against the rugged backdrop of Waiheke Island. Chelsea found her dress in London where she lived before moving to Germany. Callum was wearing Hugo Boss which was smart and clean. He bought his suit in Freiburg where they both currently live. There is something sentimental about wearing something on your wedding day that represents the different places you’ve lived that have helped shape who you are – like showing off and celebrating the different pieces of yourself.
Chelsea’s bridesmaids wore floaty off-the-shoulder chiffon dresses in different colours to reflect the style of the wedding and the girls individuality. Callum’s groomsmen wore grey trousers, white shirts and navy suspenders. All of the boys had individualised socks to celebrate their personality.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Our wedding was absolutely perfect! The day as a whole ran like a dream! Every moment was memorable and we are so grateful to all those who helped make the day possible! Of course every wedding day has its own little dramas – but they add to the character of the day and always make good stories later! We have a few tales of our own – like the music cutting out while Chelsea was walking down the aisle, their being a water shortage on the island so the boys showered in the sea, Chelsea stubbing her toe the night before resulting in lots of blood and of course, with any Waiheke wedding, dramas with the ferries.
After months of organisation, it’s hard to imagine everything finally coming together and whilst you can control what the wedding will look like, it’s hard to really imagine how it will make you feel – in particular I remember being nervous about the ceremony. Declaring your love for someone in front of all your friends and family sounded like a daunting task (especially if you’re like me and don’t like public speaking), but on the day, when we are up there, it’s like everyone in the world has disappeared. It is just us, standing there, together confessing our love in the moment. It is so natural and perfect – and that feeling, sums up our entire wedding.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
Our biggest advice would be that it always comes down to communication! Your partner isn’t a mind reader and if you want something, or are unhappy about something, or really happy about something then just say so – you’re on the same team after all!
Photography: Chasewild | Ceremony and Reception location: Mudbrick Vineyard | Celebrant: Barbara Bartle | Dress: Ivy and Aster Bridal dress from Heart Aflutter Bridal | Shoes: Luca Grossi | Groom’s suit: Hugo Boss | Engagement ring: Brilliant Earth | Callum’s ring: Solitaire Lechler | Chelsea’s necklace: Michael Hill | Hair and Makeup: Kaitlin Chapman | Fragrance: Comme des Garçons | Styling: Chelseaz Design | Hire: The Pretty Prop Shop | Flora: Leaf and Honey | Cake: Choc n Roll Waiheke | Stationery Designer: Chelseaz Design |
