Ruby & Gareth by Bethany Howarth Photography

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship…

Gareth had just returned to NZ from a year in Europe. A mutual friend invited us both to Womad festival, I remember thinking how have I never seen this guy before?

We became good friends and fell in love not long after. We’re both keen travellers so headed off to South America then moved back to Devon where i’m originally from. Randomly opening a crape stall and touring festivals. After both missing NZ (Gareth missing the surf) we decided to head back and start a family. Our lovely 2 year old Koa, who is just so much fun. We’re both really creative and love this about each other, encouraging each other with different projects. We both really enjoyed planning our wedding together, from working on the invitaions to making all the signs. It was a real combination of both our creative sides.

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 always wanted to get married on the Beach at Karekare, it’s our home and where Gareths grown up and it was a perfect reason to get my family and friends for the UK to see where we live. Everyone helped with so much, from making my dress to the cake and putting the flowers together. I didn’t really choose a style, just a few colours and carried hat through. One of my favourite hand made details was our lemon and Kawakawa tea bags as wedding favours and I loved the black tables Gareth made out of old school desks.

Tell us about your main outfits:

I thought i would just try a dress on and be like “this is the one” it really didn’t happen like that at all. I tried so many dresses from new to most Vintage wedding dress shops across London when on a trip home. Thats when between my sister and i, we decided to design and make my perfect dress. We went and spend a lot of a few meters of beaded french lace before we had a design. It was so special having her make my dress on the other side of the world and it fit perfectly and I felt amazing in it. The first piece of Gareth’s outfit we found was his floral liberty bow tie. It was so perfect for our colours and looked so good on him. the rest of the outfit was worked around that then adding vintage accessories with the leather belt and shoes. Koa had such a cute outfit, I made him a green bow tie and got him so suspenders, it all came off within about 5 minutes in to the melt down at the ceremony.

What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day?

The main thing i remember is smiling and laughing all day, my checks were so sore.so much emotions in such a short time. I thought I would be so nervous saying our vows but as soon as I was with Gareth I felt relaxed, apart from our two year old Koa having a massive melt down when we walked up the aisle, my poor Dad missed our vows because he was trying to calm him down. We choose to walk back long the beach on our own, after our photos to get a few moments as husband and wife before the madness of the reception, it was a really special moment, sitting on the beach taking it all in. Our family and friends all did really amazing speeches and then it came to my bridesmaid Tilly, who had staged a game of blind date where i had to pick out my man from behind the curtin. It was so funny and the last thing I was expecting.

Photographer: Bethany Howarth Photography | Ceremony location: KareKare Glades | Reception location: Private land, Karekare | Hire: Two Foxes & Hawke and Hyde | Flora: Lychgate Cutting Garden | Wedding dress made by brides sister Kaely Russell | Groom – Pants by Smith and Caugheys | Shirt, Industry | Bow Tie, Liberty| Bridesmaids, Evolution Clothing | Styling & Planning: Bride ( Ruby Perriton) | Rings: Brides- Vintage, Groom- Handmade himself