It's no secret that we love ourselves some backyard nuptials here at SMP - and this darling New Zealand affair has us shouting from the rooftops as loud as we can. It's one big giant bundle of whimsical goodness, all wrapped up in a stunning backdrop, sweeter than sweet details and an explosion of rich, colorful hues. Add to all of that lovely some devastatingly gorgeous photographs by Vela Images and the cutest pup you ever did see and well. We're done for. Click here for more.
New Zealand Wedding by Vela Images
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From the Bride... Blaire and I got engaged two years ago on an anniversary weekend away in Christchurch. He proposed to me in a tree in the Botanical gardens with my mother's yellow diamond engagement ring. My vision was generally to make the wedding fun for all involved, not too traditional and a little whimsical. I wanted to keep our costs as low as I could and allow the bridal party to show their personality — the girls picked their own dresses and shoes, and there was one outfit I hadn't seen until the wedding day! We were married at the groom's parents home in their back yard with stunning country views in Tauranga, New Zealand on November 26th, 2011, at the beginning of the New Zealand summer.
The special detail that made our wedding unique I think were the efforts of friends and family with the food being forefront in my mind, obviously, being in the food industry! The menu was designed to reflect the casual atmosphere I wanted for our wedding with tapas-style dishes floating around by wait staff over the course of the evening and a dessert table to follow. I grew most of the produce and where I couldn't, it was sourced locally. A cousin hunted our venison, my father sourced the crayfish and snapper and between me, my girlfriends and my mother-in-law, we made all the desserts for the table. All of the food was handed out from large market-style cane baskets and served in biodegradable wooden bamboo boats.
One other unique point was the inclusions of moustaches. We have always loved moustaches, and in New Zealand the month of November is known as "Movember," which is a popular nationwide charity concept to help raise money and awareness for prostate cancer. Men are encouraged to grow moustaches for the month of November and people are encouraged to sponsor them. The money raised from sponsorship in that month then goes to a prostate cancer charity. We encouraged our male guests to grow moustaches for charity and the wedding, and we had stick on moustaches at the wedding reception for those who didn't grow moustaches or who wanted to dress up. And we also had a few other quirky moustache details like printed napkins, a whiskey decanter gift for the groom with a moustache motif, etc. My best memory from the day was walking down the aisle. It sounds like a cliche I know, but when I got to the start and saw my husband everything else just melted away and I couldn't take my eyes of him, I virtually ran up the aisle, much to my celebrant's annoyance!
Wedding Photography: Greta Kenyon of Vela Images / Second Shooter: Claire Price / Wedding Venue: The Groom's Parents' Home in Tauranga, New Zealand / Wedding Styling: On My Hand Vintage Prop Hire / Flowers: Briar Rose / Wedding Dress: Fiorenza via Tutta Bella / Hair: Myra Shakesby of Lynx Hair Direction (07 575 5346) / Makeup: Amanda Powell (A Close Friend) / Groom's Suit: Rembrandt