Wellington Wedding By Kate Macpherson

Oh Kate MacPherson how we've missed you on the pages of Magnolia Rouge!! It's so lovely to have you back with this beautiful wedding of Jess & Jake's. Sudbury Fields sounds like it was the perfect location for this couple to hold their wedding. Set on a ridge overlooking a valley, it boasts breathtaking views � especially of the sunset. Nothing about this wedding was just �because'; it was all planned or in place because it held special meaning to the couple. The entire ceremony was written so that every word meant something to them personally. �We wanted to take a risk and put our passions on display in every element of our wedding. To be surrounded by everyone that loves us as we became husband and wife was such a special moment!� Jess loved planning the wedding so much she ended up starting her own wedding blog� you can check it out here.

How did you meet? Jake and I started going out when we were just 18 so I guess you could say we are high school sweethearts. I didn't meet him at high school though he literally swept me off me feet... a mutual friend introduced us to each other we found out that we both did dancing. He asked me if I would be interested in doing a Latin American dance class with him. I turned up to the hall expecting to see a whole class but to my surprise it was a private lesson... and the teacher was Jake! (He forgot to mention he was a professional). We stepped on each other's toes, we laughed, we rotated, we passed, we twirled and then, finally, we dipped... and we have been dancing around each other ever since!

Tell us about your proposal: On my birthday, Jake had planned the most perfect day. We drove over to the Wairarapa where he spoiled me by taking me to my favourite cafe. His mum passed away when we were 18, so we went down to visit her at the cemetery. He asked me if I would like to open my birthday present while we were there. He proceeded to give me a beautifully wrapped present......at this point, I had no idea about his intentions as the box was clearly not ring shaped. It was a large big box with a huge ribbon around it, filled with tissue paper. Then I saw it�.that little blue Tiffany & Co box looking back at me. I was so shocked and over whelmed I don't even remember him asking me "the question". It wasn't until I was looking down at him on one knee paincky and flustered asking "You're going to say yes right?" My brain was having trouble processing all the information, and I was getting all emotional. I finally said: Oh my gosh! Yes, yes, yes! And just like that threw myself into his arms. Then the tears started coming while he was trying to put the ring on my shaking hand. I was so excited and happy. It was such a wonderful rush of emotions and it was even more special that we got to share it with Jake's mum, Sue. That night I had arranged a birthday dinner and drinks with a few friends. Jake had rearranged the invites to be a mini engagement party with our closest friends and family. Of course everyone was waiting in anticipation of our arrival. I walked in and put my hand in the air showing off my engagement ring which caused a huge cheer of applause!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress: I was one of those newly engaged people who went out and brought lots of wedding magazines. I found the perfect wedding dress in a photographer's ad. I ended up calling the photographer to see if I could contact the bride to see where she got it from... he said "Oh no need, the designer is Alex Perry!" Of course it is! I knew it would be way over our budget. So I decided to get the dress made. A few of my friends highly recommended Bobby Lee Design. I took along a picture with me and Bobby understood exactly what I wanted and was so easy to work with. The dress was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted...something classic and simple. I loved the woven detail on the bodice, the floaty bottom and how it moved when I walked. I truly felt like a princess!

Describe your wedding flowers: My bouquet was filled with different white flowers hydrangea, lisianthus, and white David Austin roses with a touch of dusty pink roses. The bridesmaid had a smaller posy of the same flowers and the venue had varieties of these flowers scattered throughout in various sized vases.

Favourite detail of the day: Weddings are all about sharing that special day with the people you love. For our wedding this included a very special person who had passed away, Jake's mum, Sue. We really wanted to include her on our wedding day and decided to do "Sue's Dessert Table" dedicated to her recipes. She was an amazing baker. We had her hand written recipes framed and her masterpieces produced for everyone to enjoy. We thought this would be the perfect way to remember Sue on our special day. Her own personal touch and something she would have liked to do if she was still with us today.

What advise would you give out to a couple planning their wedding? Don't rush! Jake and I were engaged for 2 years before we got married and it really helped to keep stress levels down while planning the wedding. We got tons of stuff done early and had time to save for the things we really wanted. You only get to plan your wedding once, so make sure it is a fun time, not a stressful one!

Most memorable moment? There were so many, but I would have to say Jake singing me down the aisle! He had kept everything a surprise. I had no idea what song I was going to walk down the aisle to. To walk towards him singing me down the aisle was a heart stopper...The emotion and excitement when I first locked eyes with him was more powerful than anything I had felt before.