By 
Aaron and I met through a mutual friend in 2012. I was living at The Sentinel in Takapuna which had incredible views. It was a great place to entertain and we always enjoyed having people around for a few drinks. Aaron came over one night when I was essentially on a date with another guy! Conversation between us flowed endlessly and effortlessly and from that point on we spoke every day. Not keen on the prospect of a relationship at the time, we were great friends to begin with. I finally came to my senses and gave in, realising we had more than just an amazing friendship. Since then we have been inseparable.
The proposal took place in Rome, Italy on Aaron’s work incentive trip. We were left to “take a few moments” while on a privately organised group tour of the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican. Sitting down to relieve my heeled feet, I looked up to see Aaron on bended knee beginning to tell me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.
It was only when he pulled a pink box out of his blazer that I realised what was happening. My eyes began to well up as he opened it and asked me to marry him. The beautiful surroundings, Aaron’s lovely words, the sight of the most perfect ring and our friends on the tour smiling at us filled my eyes with joyful tears. It was a true fairy tale.
My mum suggested Bishop Selwyn for our ceremony venue. Although not greatly religious, Aaron and I loved the idea of getting married in a church, especially one as beautiful as the Holy Trinity.
We loved the outlook of the chapel and wanted the feel of winter all around us. We didn’t need flowers or elaborate décor – it was all about us at the altar, Reverend Dianne and the large cross and beautiful bare trees we looked out on through the oversized windows. The beautiful floral arrangements from Joie de Vivre featured the renaissance roses I adore and incorporated my love of dark and moody vibes with soft and pretty. I initially wanted pure black bouquets, but we added lots of soft pink flowers to soften the look and create a whimsical effect.
Aaron and I had previously been to a wedding at The Northern Club and fell in love with it. We had to have our reception there! It is simply stunning. It has that old world, timeless elegance that feels warm and inviting. The chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows made it feel grand and opulent. We embraced the season in our reception décor with our use of real exposed willow branches which we covered in silver and white glitter to mimic frost.
I loved walking the length of the Holy Trinity Cathedral on the way to the chapel, arms linked with my mum, veil over my head and listening to the main organ play loudly. I’ve never felt anything quite like it before – I was incredibly nervous, excited, emotional, full of joy and tearful. It was surreal. Our ultimate highlight of the day was being pronounced husband and wife, though we will always remember the moment we walked into our reception at the Northern Club to Etta James’ ‘At Last’. We were almost crying with joy at seeing all of our family and friends’ smiling faces.
THE DETAILS
BRIDE’S GOWN Zavana Bridal from Jessica Bridal. BRIDE’S SHOES AND ACCESSORIES Badgley Mischka, Astra Bridal. HAIR AND MAKEUP Rouge and Scout. RINGS Angela Daniel Jewellery. BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE ASOS, AliExpress. GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE Jaiss. CEREMONY Bishop Selwyn Chapel, Holy Trinity Cathedral. RECEPTION AND CATERING The Northern Club. CELEBRANT Reverend Diane Miller-Keeley. FLORIST Joie de Vivre Florists. CAKE Sweet Bites Cakes. MUSIC DJ Ray from Auckland DJ Service. STATIONERY AND SIGNAGE Minted, Sharp Signs, The Warehouse
