I love a good winter wedding, especially when it comes with moody skies and landscapes like this one by THE LITTLE DETAILS. How great are the vibrant florals by JOSIE CUNNINGHAM as an antidote to the gloomy skies? Given the area they got married in � Hobsonville and Kumeu in Auckland � tends to be mostly country it lent itself to a more rustic look so they took advantage of that when it came to their inspiration. To add their own flavour to a fairly traditional ceremony template they did a �unity ceremony� after the vows which involved the pastor breaking a Gingernut biscuit in half and Alice and Ben then dipped it in to a hot cup of tea and ate it. �We wanted the wedding to be light hearted and fun in parts and we really enjoy a cup of tea and Gingernut (who doesn't!) so this worked well.� How fun is that?
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL: After an afternoon of doing nothing but playing Grand Theft Auto 5 and pulling stupid faces at each other, Ben sent me to the video shop to pick a movie to watch that night. When I got back there was a note instructing me to put on warm clothes and meet him at a nearby cliff formation called �Needles Eye' which is only accessible during certain tides. When I got down there I saw that Ben had set up a candles and a picnic blanket and had changed into a fancy shirt and pants. For a second I thought it was an elaborate break up haha! Then he sat me down and started reading from his diary significant events and thoughts which he had had over the last couple of years since knowing me � including things like the exact date and time (down to the minute) of when we first held hands and had our first kiss. I asked him �Are you okay?' because he was crying so much, to which he replied �I've never been better!' By this point I had realized what was happening and was completely overwhelmed and we both just started laughing like crazy people for a while. He then said �oh I have something for you� and pulled out a lovely sapphire ring and we spent a while trying to figure out which finger it even went on. I can't even remember if I said �Yes� but I think he already knew the answer was obvious. Incidentally, the film I picked was �A Very Long Engagement' by Jean-Pierre Jeunet which was apparently the final sign for Ben to propose that particular evening.
ANY DIY OR BUDGET ELEMENTS? We tried to cut down costs by making most of the decorations ourselves. My bridesmaids were amazing � slaving away tirelessly making those stupid crepe paper puff balls, and setting up the reception details to the last pine cone. My Dad and I spent a whole day using a chainsaw to slice up Macrocarpa logs which served as table decorations at the reception which was really fun.
DESCRIBE YOUR WEDDING FLOWERS: Our beautiful friend Josie Cunningham did all the flowers for the day � including our head pieces. Ben and I envisioned bright happy flowers suitable for such a joyful day which I think she delivered perfectly. We also wanted lots of greenery because Ben and I love the outdoors and nature.
FAVOURITE DETAIL OF THE DAY: Alice: There were way to many to pick just one, but I really enjoyed the walking in song which was �Do You Realize??' by The Flaming Lips � such a fun song set the mood for the ceremony. Ben: How small the church was and how everyone was crammed in � it was so cozy and it felt like there was a �one-ness' which made it very special.
WHAT ADVISE WOULD YOU GIVE OUT TO A COUPLE PLANNING THEIR WEDDING? Ben: Making a timeline for each month up until the wedding helped us heaps with planning. And take at least ten minutes during the wedding day to be alone with your wife as the day can be overwhelming.
Alice: Don't get caught up in the idea of someone else's perfection. It's very easy to get intimidated or feel inadequate when you see all the amazing weddings out there. Thinking of the wedding as planning a massive birthday party takes the pressure off producing something �perfect' as opposed to what you really wanted. In the end, a day hanging out with all of your favorite people, and the person you are deeply in love with is already going to be so much fun, so don't even stress it.
MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT? Ben: So many, but the speeches at the reception were the part that I was worrying about because I wanted to say more than just a generic �thanks� and also it was my one chance to finally brag about Alice to a large group of people and it not be awkward. Both Alice and I spoke from the heart and it was quite an incredible feeling to share that with a group of people that love you. Also the speeches are usually the last formality of the day so after that it was finally time to let loose. Oh, and also during the ceremony the pastor brought up the Nazis in quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the mixture of bringing up a topic so horrible on a day filled with love and happiness caused the freeze and then suddenly burst out with laughter.
Alice: All the music throughout the day was phenomenal. We are very blessed to have a lot of very talented musicians as friends. We had an unplugged ceremony and during the signing, a beautiful rendition of �Silver Joy' by Damien Jurado was performed. Also had the hymn �This Is My Fathers World' sounded incredible with everyone's voices in the tiny little wooden church. Our reception had the most amazing wedding band anyone could possibly ask for, followed by a DJ set which allowed Ben and I to slow dance to Radiohead. Having friends who were so generous with their talents was overwhelming and the best wedding gift of all.
Photographer THE LITTLE DETAILS / Cake BLUEBELLS CAKERY / Florist JOSIE CUNNINGHAM / Stationery LABAN COLE / Ceremony Venue HOBSONVILLE SETTLERS CHURCH / Reception Venue KUMEU VALLEY ESTATE / Bride's gown ALMA J | Shoes OP SHOP / Jewellery BRIDE'S GRANDMOTHERS / Hair & make-up HANNAH BRONKHORST / Bridesmaids Dresses ASOS / Grooms Attire WORKING STYLE / Caterer KUMEU VALLEY ESTATE
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