Sam and I met in Wellington when I was at uni. I moved into his flat with one of my best friends at the start of the year and had a crush on him from day one. Like all true love stories, we went out to a party, kissed, and next thing we knew, we were in a relationship. We both love change and seek out challenges. We’ve lived in five countries together, and there’s never been any Sophie’s Choice situation where one of us didn’t want a new adventure. We’re also both very determined — if we decide we want to do something, we’ll make it happen…
The proposal happened in Thailand. We had just packed up our life after living in Paris for a year and flown there to decompress and enjoy a little sunshine. On our first evening on Ko Samet, we were drinking beer and listening to our favourite hip-hop on a completely deserted beach. At sunset, he got down on one knee and popped the question. Because we have lived abroad for the past eight years, we’re having two weddings — one in New Zealand with our immediate family, and a slightly bigger one in Mallorca, as we currently live in Spain. Ironically, knowing that we have two weddings planned actually takes some of the pressure off. There’s no need for anything to be ‘perfect’, because we have another shot just around the corner. I have a website called We The People Style, which is based all around fashion and beauty, so I was surprised to discover that I wasn’t really a wedding kind of girl. My dress was a last-minute decision and nothing like I had imagined, and I got my shoes in London the day before we flew to New Zealand. For us, the magic of New Zealand is its untouched nature. I wanted to get married somewhere raw and secluded — no modern buildings — and, ideally, somewhere that wasn’t already a wedding venue. We booked online and didn’t see the location until the day before, but it was perfect. We stayed there the night before, and had an afternoon swim in the river nearby, and the next morning, we woke to sheep grazing in the grass outside. For me, marriage means being in an equal partnership, where trust and respect are paramount. We had that already, so, to be honest, married life doesn’t feel all that different. But you get a fun party and a pretty dress! 
Photography—Ana Galloway, Groom’s suit—COS, Bride’s dress—Nyika gown and veil by Charlie Brear, Ceremony location—Baton Valley,Motueka, Groom’s shoes—Dries Van Noten, Brides shoes—Manolo Blahnik, Arch—Made by the couple and groom’s father, Celebrant—Dawn Hayes, Entertainment—Fleur Jackson on violin, Special song—‘(Noone Knows Me) Like the Piano’ – by Sampha, played on violin, Cake—Baked by Olivia @bakedbyolivia, Hair & Makeup—Poppy MacPhedran, Flora—Alexandra Kalma at Flora & Forest, Bride’s ring—Anna Sheffield, Groom’s ring—Marlene Juhl Jørgensen, Catering—The couple and their families, Bride’s earrings—Maria Black
