Paige & Chris

WRITTEN IN THE SKIES

Marry Me. 
It was Sunday the 20th of November 2016. Chris had told me his grandparents were travelling up from Geraldton to spend the day with us. Chris had organised for us to have lunch together and then after decided it would be nice to spend the afternoon on the Rockingham foreshore having some drinks. It was such a beautiful day therefore the beach and restaurants were full of people. After we had arrived we walked along the foreshore and stopped to decide where to go to first. As we were discussing where to go I had noticed Chris’s pop was filming us and in that moment I thought it was strange but didn’t think to much into it. Soon after Chris’s nan came up to me and told me to look up into the sky. It was then I saw a little plane and behind it was a banner which said “ Will you be my Mrs Agnew”? In that moment I thought to myself this couldn’t be me as I looked around to see if anyone else was getting engaged! It wasn’t until I saw Chris down on one knee with a ring and say “Lets do this babe” I knew that it was us. There were people screaming and cheering us all over the beach, it was a pretty amazing moment and one I will never forget. 

The Day.
Chris and I were Married on the 24th of March 2018 and we were married on my parents private property. Our wedding date was the exact date that we celebrated our engagement with our friends and family the year prior. Our decision to get married on my parents property was simply because it was a sentimental, special place that Chris and I both loved. 

Inspiration.
I did all the planning and organising of our wedding day. We knew from the beginning how we wanted it to be. It was an intimate, relaxed bohemian style celebration with our closest friends and family members. It was important that our day was exactly about who we were. 

I couldn’t help but be inspired by wedding magazines such as Hello May and Together Journal. 

Expectation and Reality.
We knew our wedding day would be one of the best days of our lives. It was filled with so much laughter and love. Having all of our closest friends and family members there to celebrate with us was so special and made our day so memorable. I think what surprised me the most is how quickly the day went by. There is so much happening throughout the whole day it really is so important to stop and soak it all in. 

From One Bride to Another.
It can be challenging at times but try not forget what the day is all about. Weddings are about you and your love so remind yourself of that and most importantly have fun throughout the planning process. It is such a magical day that goes by way to quickly, live in the moment and cherish every second. 

Best Bit.
This is a hard one as there were so many moments throughout the day that were so special but if I could go back to just one it would be our ceremony and the moment my dad walked me down the aisle to my soon to be husband. Chris and I hadn’t seen each other for the week leading up to the wedding so it was a super special moment for us to see one another, one moment that I could live over and over again. 
 

xxx 

Gemma & Alex

LOVE GROWS ON

Marry Me.

We were on a month long road trip around the West Coast of the U.S after living there for a year. We were travelling in a van and the whole trip was centered around exploring as many national parks as we could cram into 30 days. We got up early one morning to hike up Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, which is known as one of America’s deadliest hikes because of the sheer drop-offs either side of the walking track. The views are magnificent from the top and it was here that Alex asked me to marry him.

It took me by complete surprise! He had told me to turn around to look out from a rock - we were making short videos of the trip, so I was focused on what he was asking me to do, while taking in the views.  Then all of a sudden I heard, “Jemzie!” and turned around to find Alex on one knee. He secretly organised friends to video and take photos which I couldn’t be more grateful for, it was one of the best moments ever.

The Day.
We got married on 17 March 2018 in a small farming community called Rangiwahia in northern Manawatu, on Alex’s family farm which was established more than 100 years ago. We had our ceremony in the Ian McKean Pinetum, a beautiful, unique and sentimental place that is a collection of more than 300 different types of conifer trees that were planted by his grandfather. We knew from the moment we were engaged that we would get married on the farm and it was so special to have our friends and family experience the pinetum. We held our reception in the cosy, vintage Rangiwahia Hall.

The Details.
I ended up sourcing different kinds of flowers from four different locations, including friends and families’ gardens. My mother-in-law had the most amazing collection of vases, antique candle holders and decorations that I just chose what I liked and with the help of very talented friends, and locally foraged greenery, we transformed the hall into a wildly colourful, natural space that felt very in tune with who Alex and I are. The tables were rustic slabs of timber from under the hall’s stage and the seats were old pews from a nearby town hall. I had a friend make hand-poured soy wax candles in mix-matched glass jars that I’d spent months searching for in different second hand shops. Festoon lights adorned the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the hall and when the candles were lit it felt like a magical, cosy and vintage dinner party. It all came together perfectly and looked even better than I could have ever imagined!

 
Inspiration.
I was never keen on having a set theme as there were so many different decorations, colours and flowers I wanted to use. I made a decision to just include what ever I liked and wanted, hoping it would all tie in together as a rustic, eclectic mix.

Expectation and Reality.
I knew it was going to be one of the best days of our lives, having all of our family and friends come to Rangiwahia, a significant and important place for us both. It’s hard to put the day into words, it was so filled with love, laughter and positive vibes as the most important people in our lives came together and met one another as we celebrated our marriage. It felt so wholesome.

 I was surprised by the large flock of sheep we stumbled across as we were driving to have a sunset photo shoot, but Alex and I looked at each other, cracked up laughing and knew this serendipitous moment was not one to pass up. The photo of us with the sheep is one of my favourite photos because it is so unique and was not planned.

From One Bride to Another.
It’s easy to say in hindsight, but try to not to stress! We organised almost every element of the wedding, which had its ups and downs, but if you’re taking on a DIY wedding, try to enjoy every moment! Involve friends and family, but don’t let their opinions put you off if they don’t see what you’re envisioning - it’s your day after all and almost anything is possible (within reason, and budget, in most cases).

Best Bit.
That’s a tough one - I think I would pause time during the ceremony so I could soak in seeing everyone there before us, sitting on picnic blankets and hay bales in the pinetum. I remember walking down the aisle with dad saying hello to everyone as I hadn’t seen some of our guests in months if not years. There are so many moments like that during the day and evening that I would love to relive them all.

 xxx

Lauren & Shailan

GOLDEN LOVE

Marry Me.
Shailan and I were heading to London for Xmas with his family. For me this was my first time meeting them face to face. We had of course been on face time a lot. It was a freeing Boxing Day in London and Shailan and I had already planned to go into London for a nice dinner just the two of us. So off we went on the train. We got to the tower bridge and got a few photos, lucky for us it was a clear but cold evening. We wondered around looking for places to eat. Well at least that’s what I thought we were doing. Shailan was actually searching for somewhere to propose. I kept making suggestions and he was fob them off. We then found this wee arcade with a huge Xmas tree and lights everywhere. I then spotted a red phone box and I suggested we go take a selfie in there. We took a few photos and then next minute Shailan said he needed to tie is shoe lace so got out my phone and took another selfie. As you do. Then I turned around and Shailan was on one knee asking me to marry him. It was a very surreal moment. I think I was in shock. I said yes of course. Then he took me up to top of the Shard and we celebrated with bubbles and then headed to a beautiful restaurant looking over the Tower of London for dinner where we called our family with the news. It was so special to be able to share it with all our family and close friends. A holiday I will never forget. 

The Day.
Shailan and I got married on April 4^th 2018 at The officers Mess, Devonport. We fell in love with the venue and backdrop. Considering 95% of our guest were from out of Auckland we thought it would be an ideal place to show off Auckland. We were super lucky and had a beautiful warm sunny day and an even better sunset.

The Details. 
I did all the planning and organising myself but wanted something classic, easy and timeless. We didn’t want a big fuss, but wanted people to just enjoy the day with us. I chose the white and gold theme with the greenery as I felt it was timeless and classic just how i wanted. We had fairy lights to help create a intimate/romantic setting.
Shailan and I had such a special day with our friends and family. It was intimate and beautiful. I wouldn’t change anything and I wish I could go back and do it all again.

Inspiration.
Shailan was bought up in the UK with both his parents moving to the UK from India.
Although we didn’t have a traditional Indian wedding we included a Hindu blessing into our ceremony. It was extra special to be able to share/mix a different culture into our day. Something that was so special and important to us and something we will also be grateful for.

Expectation and Reality.
Everyone told me the day would fly by and to make sure Shailan and I took 5mins to ourselves to just take the whole moment in. For me the day went at a great pace, I remember all the fun and laughter. Shailan and I did sit on the deck while our guests were seated for dinner and it was the first time we had both just stopped and taken in the day, we even shared a wee slow dance as our singer Josh Leys was just finishing for dinner.

From One Bride to Another.
Plan plan and plan. Be super organised and have a budget for everything. Shailan and I had a spreadsheet for every bit we spent and in the end our budget covered us for all 4days of events not just the wedding. Also shop around, don’t buy the first thing you see. Do online research, 98% of the time you’ll find it cheaper or something very similar for cheaper.

Best Bit.
I wish that we had videoed the speeches. They were incredible and I would love to go back to that moment often. I wish that we recorded the speeches so we could one day show our kids too. Also I would love to see myself walking up the aisle! I would love to see it from Shailan’s view. He was really struggling to hold himself together.

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 xxx

Erin & Dan

BOHEMIAN BLISS