Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…
I am a freelance writer and editor and Tom has his own business ultrasound scanning cows and sheep to see if they’re pregnant.
We have been together about 9 years. We met in the pre-tinder internet dating years. It was a funny thing though, as we talked on our first date (which was a cracker) we realised we had a lot of connections and friends in common. It was kind of crazy that we’d never met before.
I brought two kids to our relationship and Tom has always been amazing with them. Loving them with all his heart and dreaming up adventures to take them on. We now have a two year old together and he wandered around our wedding with handfuls of lollipops to keep him sweet.
It’s mostly the simple things we enjoy together these days with having a little fella. Compiling lists of movies we want to watch, watching standup and listening to podcasts. It’s sharing those experiences and talking about them that makes it special. We also try and get out on our jet boat together. We used to go fishing together or boating a lot and that was cool – it’s occasional now but it’s magic when it does happen.
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 didn’t have a theme for our day, we just tried to plan with our guests in mind. It was so important to us that the food was good and that people felt they were looked after. It turned out the food was phenomenal and I have it on good authority that the craft beer selection passed muster too. It mattered most to us that our friends and family had a great time.
The ceremony was on the beach and the reception in a café so it wasn’t a fancy affair but I had my colours worked out and I slowly hired bits and bobs over time that I thought would work. I didn’t have a menu on the night because my printer ran out of ink when I was one short! My sister-inlaw Bridget and I worked it all out together from different cities and then she pulled it together on the day and I loved it so much. She did the flowers and they were stunning, the silver dollar eucalyptus table runners took her hours and hours but it was worth it.
Because my dress was gold there was that theme running through the styling. The wedding was at Easter and I had ordered a handmade gold chocolate egg for each person. There was a problem with shipping and they nearly didn’t arrive on time and I would have been very sad if they hadn’t.
Tell us about your main outfits:
Actually it was my dress that started the ball rolling with planning the wedding. We had been engaged about three years when I was doing my regular wander around the Merivale Kate Sylvester store, I spotted the gold lace dress and tried it on. It was a very simple style but the fabric was amazing. I sent a fitting room mirror selfie to my Mum and my mother in-law who advised me to buy it immediately. When I got back we decided since I had the dress we’d better plan a wedding.
I searched for shoes for a very long time and it seemed as if maybe a gold dress was a terrible idea. At the eleventh hour I found a shop in the States that was selling a nude Jimmy Choo wedge with a gold heel that they don’t make any more. I ordered them and hoped for the best and they were just right. I went for a wedge heel so I wouldn’t sink into the sand but that didn’t work at all.
What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?
I was walked up the aisle by my daughter and my son was there to meet me up the front with Tom. It was so special and I was incredibly proud to be their Mum in that moment.
Having the photos done is also a lovely memory, I had been consumed with the planning until the morning of the wedding and I felt I hadn’t seen Tom forever. It was lovely to have those moments together – and with Ana!
And the speeches. Everyone who spoke was so funny and sweet both of us just laughed and cried through the whole lot. Tom, as always, had me in hysterics with this speech. I knew how hard he worked on it and I felt overwhelmed and so lucky to be marrying him and to celebrate with all those amazing people.
Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together?
My only advice would be that being thoughtful goes along way. Trying to think about makes your partner happy whether it’s saying something nice or turning on their electric blanket for them. Things that make you feel cared for like that make life together pretty cute.
Photographer: Ana Galloway Photography Celebrant: Diane Strong Catering, ceremony and reception location: The Boatshed Mapua Entertainment: The Gypsy Pickers Hire: GK Hire, The Pretty Prop Shop Hair and makeup: Aboki Hair Nelson Wedding dress: Kate Sylvester Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo Groom’s attire: SERGIOS Bride’s wedding band: Michael Hill
