Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your
relationship…
We are LB + LG (Little Boyfriend + Little Girlfriend) (Matthew + Sophie)
LB owns Parrotdog Brewery with two other Matts in Lyall Bay, Wellington. And me, LG, I usually work in Costume as a Milliner for film but lately have had the pleasure of being a Mum to our two-year-old son, George.
We love beer and humor, George and our dog Louie. We also love house plants – like, our little place looks like Jumanji… but the air just feels fresher, ya know?? Our relationship moved at breakneck speed – although, we did attend the same high school so have known of each other for a while but didn’t rub shoulders until age twenty-nine. From there we’d had a baby and gotten engaged all within a year.
Our wee boy George surprised us all and came five weeks early, complete with a massive 200gm tumor (haemangioendothelioma) attached to his liver. He was very cute and very sick, and we were unsure of how much time we’d have with him. On life support and in critical heart failure he fought so hard to stay and we fought equally hard to keep him here. For two months we sat by his incubator holding his tiny hand and playing George Harrison because that’s what he would’ve heard when he was in my tummy. We are so lucky to still have him here with us. It’s unbelievable really. LB proposed on the eve of his second major operation in an attempt to remove the tumor, we’d be side by side no matter the outcome.
Seeing how amazingly caring and gracious my Matt was during that heartbreaking time was so special and I
feel like we experienced more in that two months than most couples do in a lifetime. We love our Georgie so
dearly and he’s been with us through, pretty much, all of our relationship.
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 had our ceremony at my beautiful family church – where my parents were actually married forty years earlier. My great, great Grandfather donated the wood to build the church plus all my deceased relatives are
buried in the small graveyard next door. A significant part of my childhood and now a part of our new little family’s future.
It is quite a miniature church, about 60 people maximum capacity, so our 150 guests were tightly squeezed in and bursting out the door, the aisle filled after I made my way down it. Such a wonderful view from up at the
front. I am extremely introverted and my biggest worry about our wedding was all eyes being on us. I can honestly say that I have never felt so at ease and proud standing by my LB.
Our reception was at Spring Grove Drill Hall – a corrugated iron shed with bird doodoo on the rafters in the middle of a lush green paddock. A blank canvas. We kept it simple, a few big wreaths lashed with deep pink Manuka flower and posy troughs on the tables. We had mustard linen napkins and I made mustard linen heart swans for in front of us lovebirds – that was definitely my favorite touch. Also, we have three classic Volkswagens who were decorated accordingly to match their personalities.
Tell us about your main outfits:
LG – I wore a Miss Crabb (R.I.P) World Record dress, Jasmin Sparrow earrings, Intentionally Blank woven leather mules and I made two headpieces; a heart shaped leather pillbox with a veil for the church and an
enamel and wire floral comb for the reception – I literally let my hair down that evening. In LB’s brother’s speech he compared me to a Disney Princess, I did feel like a real life Mini Mouse in my heart shaped hat. I was so happy with my dress, I felt lovely and comfy.
LB – Shivers he looked handsome in his navy Zambesi suit, soft white linen shirt, vintage skinny black leather tie and R.M. Williams boots. Such a dish.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
Our delightful Korean Priest, Fr. Andrew was just amazing – he suited LB and I to a tee. We were quite worried at the practice the night before, he was literally all over the show! He’d start a sentence and finish it with
blahs. (In Fr. Andrews gorgeous broken English… “we are gathered here today, brah brah brah…) BUT the next day he was nothing but perfection, he had the whole church and LB and I giggling away. Such a fun and
funny ceremony, we couldn’t have wished for better.
There were other very memorable parts. I’m not sure I can exactly explain the fascinating “performance” LB and his two brothers did. Well, I really enjoyed it and may have even fallen more deeply in love with my boy. It involved a human sized plaster of Paris egg and to be honest, I thought it was quite tame. It definitely could’ve been worse that’s for sure. Those Croatian relatives had some horrified facials going on but mostly our guests were very understanding of the demonstrative rebirth and welcoming of their new sister into the family. All were gob smacked, in a good way.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
Cherish every moment together. We never ever imagined a start like we had with our Georgie – that kind of thing happens to other people not us! Support each other. What an amazing treasure it is to meet your match, I can’t believe how much I’ve blossomed these last few years, my boys bring out the best (and worst) in me. Love, laugh – haha I was actually so close to accidentally writing “live, laugh, love”. Maybe I’ll have to get one of those giant mugs. …Love dearly, talk and listen, cuddle and giggle, grow and nurture each other together in life.
Photography: Sarah Ryland | Bridal Gown: Miss Crabb | Grooms Attire: Zambesi | Ceremony Location: St Josephs Church, Nelson | Flowers: Dirt Floral | Hire: Got it Covered | Catering: Jaks Island | Celebrant: Fr Andrew Kim |Beverages: Parrotdog | Brides wedding ring: Welfe | Groom wedding ring: Jasmin Sparrow | Brides shoes: Intentionally Blank | Brides earrings: Jasmin Sparrow | Make-up: Asher Artistry | Hair: Renaissance Hair
