By 
Ben and I are your classic workplace romance cliché – we officially met at our mid-year work drinks over bubbles. Working in the same department, our desks were only metres apart in the office and remained that way for most of our relationship. We’ve always felt totally at ease with each other and bonded over our shared love of wine, travel and coffee. If you can work, live and travel together, and always do it with a smile, then you’ve clearly found your match.
Ben proposed in the Caribbean in 2017 on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We both love to explore different parts of the world together and I’d always wanted to go to Aruba to swim with the pink flamingos. It was such a unique and picturesque place to get engaged and celebrate our love together.
Kauri Bay Boomrock was the very first venue we looked at and we knew it was perfect for us. They catered for everything – from the perfect views to the cosy bad weather option. We decided on a late summer wedding, hoping for a beautiful calm day.
A year before our wedding I fell in love with the beautiful custom wedding gowns by Pallas Couture during a trip to Sydney. It is such an incredible experience having a gown designed just for you. I worked with the incredible team at Pallas to design a dreamy, whimsical dress full of French lace and with layers of blush silk tulle. The strapless boned corset bodice fit like a glove and featured hand-beaded lace applique and tulle detailing which flowed into a fishtail silhouette. Paired with a full-length veil and Jimmy Choos, it truly was my dream dress.
I’ve always loved the look of acrylic and we wanted to bring it through consistently, beginning with our thick etched acrylic invites which were a bit of a challenge to create. The acrylic touches carried through to our gold mirror signage on the day.
We kept our reception tables simple with pops of gold, glass plates and masses of candles. Our vision was a unique modern aesthetic using soft golds to suit the late summer season. I’d describe our theme as contemporary, romantic and elegant. With such a stunning view and venue, we wanted to enhance the natural beauty around us with lots and lots of modern romantic florals and deep green foliage. The blush roses and creamy orchids were everywhere from our soft gold frame ceremony arch to the hanging installations over the tables.
During the reception, our photographer took us up the hill above the venue for our sunset photographs. It was incredible to take a moment together and reflect on the day as we heard the laughter of our guests as they enjoyed the evening below us. We couldn’t have asked for better weather and loved the way our guests could sit back and enjoy the band, hit off at the tee or play lawn games while they enjoyed the beautiful food and views. We have no regrets when we look back on our wedding day. It was perfect and overwhelming, filled with happiness and love. We couldn’t have wanted for anything more.
THE DETAILS
BRIDE’S GOWN Pallas Couture, Australia. BRIDE’S SHOES Jimmy Choo. BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Steven Khalil. HAIR Shontal Healey. MAKEUP Amber Carroll. RINGS Dean & Dust. BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE By Johnny, Country Road. GROOM AND GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE Barkers, Florsheim Shoes. VENUE AND CATERING Kauri Bay Boomrock, Clevedon, Auckland. FLORIST Naomi Saffer from Leaf & Honey. CAKE Bluebells Cakery. CELEBRANT Melanie Kerr. MUSIC Two Many Chiefs. STATIONERY AND SIGNAGE Sketch and Etch. CALLIGRAPHY Inkberry Calligraphy. VIDEOGRAPHY Dirk Willem Fourie. HIRE LL Wedding and Event Hire, Royal Laboratorie, Vintage and Style.
