New Zealand Weddings

Nikki and Aran are Beyoncé and Jay Z crazy in love. How do I know? After getting engaged on Christmas day, the two were bursting with so much love that they decided they wanted to be married as soon as possible. Ten weeks later, and in front of 65 of their closest friends and family, the duo became husband and wife at this romantic hilltop wedding. Experience all the love, thanks to Bayly & Moore, in The Vault!

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From Wonder Events…Nikki & Aran are two people crazy in love. They got engaged on Christmas Day and were SO bursting with wanting to get married that they pulled out all the stops and 10 weeks later were standing on top of a hill, on beautiful Waiheke Island celebrating their wedding with all of their loved ones. Just to add to dramatic effect there was even a wild little storm that happened perfectly on cue when all the guests were tucked up inside the marquee enjoying their meals.

We opted for a simple neutral colour palette of whites and greens down two long tables. Guest numbers were around 65 people so naturally this created an intimate setting. A light wood runner anchored the florals in a slightly more contemporary way that worked in well with the rustic Tuscan setting. Menus were printed on crisp white linen napkins which sat atop glass beaded chargers complemented by crystal glassware and rose gold cutlery. A large polystyrene N&A stood tall on the dancefloor with soft fabric draping and fairy lights a focal point of the ceiling.

Photography: Bayly & Moore | Floral Design: Blush Floral Stylist | Venue: Lavender Hill | Event Planning + Styling: Wonder Events | Furniture Hire: Arkade | Lighting + Drapery: La Lumiere

Grab your bikini and put on your sunnies, because this New Zealand engagement shoot from Celine Chhuon Photography is almost as good as a beach vacation. The black sand beach, the white sand dunes, the dramatic cliffs, and that wild and gorgeous moth vine bouquet add up to create some seriously breathtaking photos. Escape to all the pretty in The Vault!

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Bethells beach is the epitome of the natural beauty of New Zealand, it is not only surrounded by the ocean but also rocks, caves, white sand dunes and freshwater streams. Maddie and Theo wanted to incorporate this organic beauty into the details such as shells, salt and fern (National symbol), and Sarah the florist created this gorgeous wild bouquet with Moth vines.

Photography: Celine Chhuon Photography | Floral Design: Horrobin And Hodge | Wedding Dress: A La Robe | Stationery + Calligraphy: Nice Plume | Venue: Bethells Beach | Film Processing: Carmencita Film Lab

Oh my goodness—and I mean GOODness. This inspiration shoot from the geniuses at Sweet Events Photography, De Coeur A Coeur and Weddings By Paris is making me giddy. Let’s start with those insanely beautiful Rue De Seine wedding dresses (especially the beaded one!). And then there’s the gorgeous flowers, the bright white loft, the sweet cake, and the minimal yet organic decor. But that’s not all. Head to THE VAULT for all the beauty!

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The bride is in stunning Rue De Seine gowns. The Jasmine gown adorned in beautiful heavy metal hand embroidered details and the Mackenzie an understated gown with a stunning french lace bodice. Both gowns different to each other but both suiting the diversity of the venue. Their hair simple yet organic with a touch of sparkle in their eyes. Holding bouquets of Milano ruscus, grape vine tendrils, large ivy leave, ladder fern and white garden roses tied with plant dyed ribbons.

A simple table setting with handmade ceramics, white gloss cutlery, beautifully detailed glass goblets, white taper candles with a touch of ivy. All set on a soft grey satin with beautiful white french bistro chairs. Understated yet classic with its minimal organic features. The ceremony space fit for a princess. White french bistro chairs with pillar candles lining the aisle following through to a beautiful broken arch made out of ivy. Against an exposed brick wall. All details being natural and uncomplicated.

A stationery suite so simple and clean with beautiful soft grey calligraphy, an embossed silver wax seal and transparent paper to wrap the invite. The two tier cake adding texture and depth, bottom tier covered in coconut flakes adding texture and the top tier covered in silver dribble. Just as yummy as it looks.

Each detail of the shoot was thought out to follow through from one another. A cohesive shoot to showcase each element individually as well as together.

Photography: Sweet Events Photography | Cinematography: De Coeur A Coeur | Floral Design: Florrie's | Wedding Dresses: Rue De Seine | Cake: Magnolia Kitchen | Stationery: Just My Type | Makeup: Blac Cosmetics | Hair And Makeup: Estelles Makeup | Venue: The Quay Project | Ceramic Dinnerware: Claybird Ceramics | Creative Direction And Event Styling: Nicole Paris / Weddings By Paris | Ribbon: Feathers And Stone

You’ll want to sit down for this one ladies and gents. Why you ask?  Because with the help of Red Creative this couple took wedding style up a notch. With their boho-gypsy vibe and gorgeous details, every image snapped up by David St George will make you want to stop and stay awhile. See them here.

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All of the paper goods were designed by the talented bride and included marbled backgrounds and a gilt gemstone monogram. This design was incorporated throughout the wedding on bar fronts and signage.

On arrival, guests were treated to an iced wedding tea cocktail in the bar tent and then mingled on the lawn enjoying music in the relaxed lounge spaces.

The ceremony took place over the pool on a custom built stage. The bride wore a spectacular sequinned gown and carried an organic bouquet of tulips, dahlias, garden roses, berries, snapdragon, asparagus fern, lisianthus and beech foliage.

Guest’s were invited to participate in the ceremony by each adding a flower to an arrangement begun by Jessie, Richard and Richard’s daughter.

Following the ceremony canapés were circulated and guests were ushered across the road to McHugh’s Restaurant which had been transformed with coloured lighting, draping and tablescapes with natural linen cloths, sequinned overlays and centrepieces of floral, potted ferns, antlers, succulents, vegetables and fruit.

For dessert and dancing we transformed the house once again. Bringing it to life with lighting including festoon bulbs, chandeliers and lanterns suspended from the magnificent pohutukawa trees. Dessert was a selection of homemade treats contributed by friends and family members as well as the most impressive cheese board served with whisky.

They danced the night away under the stars by the ocean and the pool.

From The Bride…Our wedding was at my parents home, we wanted it to be comfortable and welcoming for our guests with a gypsy-bohemian vibe. Red Creative jumped on board our magic carpet, took the steering wheel and transported my parents home into another realm! They were so competent that the whole process was not only a breeze but enjoyable too. Being creatives ourselves we know the importance of trust with a client, when you have a clients trust you know you can work at your best and give the best results. This was our attitude with Red Creative, we loved their work and knew they would do an amazing job so trusted them completely. We were included in the fun parts of the process, and didn’t have to deal with the not so fun bits, so it was great!. Nothing was impossible for the Red Creative team.

Photography: David St George | Event Design: Red Creative | Floral Design: Red Creative | Reception Venue: Mchugh's Of Cheltenham | Lighting: la lumiere | Celebrant: Yogamani Marriage Celebrant | Beer: Hopscotch Beer Company | Furniture: Villa Kula | Planning: Red Creative | Tents: Raj Tent Club NZ

This is the type of wedding that makes you feel all cozy and happy inside.  A wedding that is as simply elegant as it is heartwarming with sweeter than sweet details and a bride and groom who are soooo in love, it literally radiates from every gorgeous second captured by Moving Films.  I’m talking moment after moment of pure joy from their hearts to yours.  Press play to see just what I mean.

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From Moving Films… Simple and understated, Mark and Louisa’s wedding was an intimate ceremony and celebration of their newly blended families, where Louisa’s bridesmaids were made up of her daughter, and Mark’s two daughters. Close friends and family witnessed their vows in the relaxed setting of Zen Garden at Whitford, overlooking Auckland’s Rangitoto Island, followed by a sumptuous dinner by Michelin Starred Chef, Philip Reynolds and speeches honouring the beautiful couple.

Photographer: Kate Robinson Photography | Cinematography: Moving Films | Wedding Dress: Modes | Bride's Shoes: Trousseau Bridal Shoes | Rings: Naveya And Sloane | Catering: The Difference, Philip Reynolds | Makeup: Mac | Suits: Crane Brothers | Celebrant: Libby Dykes

Take a breathtaking New Zealand beach and add in some awe-inspiring images from Caron Nicole Photography and we call that the perfect way to wrap up the week.  It’s crashing waves meets a stunning DIY bouquet meets the magical beauty skills of Philippa Mae Makeup Artist… and it’s all sitting pretty in a full gallery of lovely.  I mentioned this was the perfect way to wrap up the week, right?  See it all here.

From Caron Nicole Photography… I wanted to capture the cool tones of low tide on the beach besides the softness of a delicately flowing dress. The flowers were created by scavenging a bouquet out of what was in season in Auckland, New Zealand at that time and it just so happens that there was quite a lot of plum and deep reds. It all came together in a straight from the back garden look. We then headed down to the beach, a short walk from the garden where we enjoyed the lovely sunset. The soft and flowing dress looked absolutely amazing catching the breeze on the French Bay beach in Titirangi, New Zealand.

Photography: Caron Nicole Photography | Wedding Dress: A La Robe | Makeup Artist: Philippa Mae Makeup Artist | Venue: French Bay Yacht Club | Model Agency: Bintang Models

Valentine’s Day calls for sweets, love, and lots and lots of every shade of pink… all of which are bountiful in this beautiful inspiration shoot from Kate Grewal Photography. It’s romantic, it’s happy, it’s chic, and best of all, it’s all right here!

From the photographer… This shoot was inspired by the stunning orchards just 40 minutes west of Auckland’s central business district. The flowering trees were the perfect venue for this little inspiration shoot. We wanted to keep this shoot elegant, but incorporate a sense of whimsy. We decided that a tea length wedding dress from the lovely Primrose and Finch designed by Joanne Flemming would be the ideal accompaniment to this location. The gown’s amazing feathered detail adds a refined playfulness. Couple this with Natalie Chan millinery, and it transforms the look to an ever so slight couture. By selecting both boots for the orchard and Louboutins for the isle, we wanted our bride to be functionally fun, and fashionably forward.

A color pallet of soft pinks, white, pale yellows, and peach were chosen to establish a delicate mood amongst the flowering trees. Hints of deep burgundy and plum ground this pallet, giving depth to this pastel backdrop. With fresh fruit and beautiful light, we hope that this look will inspire brides this spring!

Photography: Kate Grewal Photography | Cake: Made From Scratch | Shoes: Louboutin | Hair And Make Up: Sarah Knight Using Mac Cosmetics | Hair And Makeup: Sarah Knight Using Mac Cosmetics | Bridal Millinery: Natalie Chan Boutique | Dress Designer: Joanne Fleming Design | Model: Dominique Wisniewski | Nude Heels: Louboutin | Photography - Assistance: Caron Nicole Photography | Styling And Florals: Red Creative | Wedding Dress Boutique: Primrose And Finch

Fact: when pretty pink hues join forces with a stunningly gorgeous New Zealand setting, you can pretty much guarantee an amazing day here at SMP.  The kind of day that is rich with love-filled moments captured by Erin Summerill, fabulous details and enough pretty to leave you pinning endlessly.  That’s just the way we like to spend our Tuesdays, and you can get a head right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride & Groom… Our day was made special due to a number of things. Firstly, the date we had chosen to get married on falls in the middle of winter in New Zealand, which is normally cold and rainy, however our day was absolutely perfect – sunny and warm.

What we found really special was the opportunity to unite our families together in one place for the first time ever, we were also blessed to have members of our family travel from all over the world to be present for our big day.

Joe’s special part of the day was the moment Jess walked into view at the church and began walking down the aisle – she was stunning! Jess’s special part was also walking down the aisle, knowing that it only happens once, and how it is over in an instant. I wanted to be present in that very moment to take it all in, surrounded by our special friends and family, the smell, the visual, the sounds, walking linked with Dad for the last time, and meeting Joe to begin our life adventure together.

Photography: Erin Summerill Photography | Floral Design: Vicki Joyce | Catering: Duders Of Devonport | Grooms Attire: Dorset Suit Hire | Restaurant: Duders Of Devonport

This is the sort of classic affair that I can never get enough of.  You know the type: a gorgeous bride in a gorgeous gown (hello Anna Schimmel) meets a breathtaking Mudbrick Vineyard setting meets all kinds of beautiful florals from Wildflower to create a day that is simply mesmerizing.  It’s traditional elegance at its very best and you can see it all captured by Joanna Wickham right here.

From the Bride… From the onset I was adamant I wanted a glamorous affair to celebrate our wedding, therefore location and venue was paramount. We wanted a (close) destination wedding to ensure guests could completely relax and enjoy themselves without having a long trip home; Auckland is geographically very spread out and our friends and family would be travelling from many different pockets of the city.

Waiheke Island with its panoramic city and harbour views, gourmet food and wine and understated luxury was an obvious choice. There is something special about Waiheke which makes people relax instantly and allows the finer things in life to be celebrated. I had been to the restaurant at Mudbrick with my family many years ago and I suspected its rustic elegance would be a fitting setting. Together with our parents, James and I ventured over on the ferry to have a tour of the venue with the wedding coordinator. We immediately knew it was where we wanted our special day to take place; the gardens and decor leant itself to an element of old world glamour and combined with the calibre of the food and wine, we couldn’t achieve a more romantic backdrop.

I was in my element during all facets of the wedding process and I loved organising every detail! We wanted a wedding that was elegant and traditional but also glamorous, and I wanted it to have a touch of vintage. However, it was vital that it also reflected us as a couple. We decided on a palette of mint green, blush pink and gold as we felt this encapsulated our ideas.

Our friend Natalie created the invitations and wedding stationary based on a design I had found. I envisaged classic and elegant invites that also alluded to the glamour of the occasion. Natalie crafted not only the invites but the stunning seating plan design, favour tags, table numbers and place cards. All of these components were instrumental in allowing my overall ideasto come to life.

Anna Schimmel designed my dress for me based on our theme; a princess style dress using hand beaded French lace for the bodice and duchess satin with box pleats for the skirt. The cap sleeves and full length tulle veil were to complete my glamorous look. Her attention to detail, use of luxury fabrics, quality of design and construction resulted in a dress that exceeded our expectations and the experience was truly unforgettable. I was after a gasp inducing dress due to my love of fashion and I certainly received that!

I approached the bridesmaid dresses and styling with the concept of old Hollywood glamour. I wanted them to look like they were attending the Oscars (and not a wedding!) and used four dresses from the same Marchesa range (to ensure they worked together) as inspiration for the dressmaker. Each girl had a style that suited their body shape and personality. My absolutely amazing Maid of Honour Laura then applied beaded lace to them. We finished the look with champagne or gold shoes and a hand-made floral hair piece. We decided on a charcoal grey suit for the boys which complimented the mint green and blush pink beautifully.

For the favours, Laura made a variety of chutneys and jams which we decorated with lace and gold or mint ribbon. Very few were left over and I received countless compliments for weeks after the wedding about how delicious they were. They also worked perfectly with the rustic elegance of Mudbrick and I adored how they added to the overall look of the tables. We booked Vicki from Wildflower to do the bouquets and table arrangements. I originally wanted a pallet primarily made up of blush pink and cream roses and peonies but they were out of season. Vicki instead used David Austin roses and traditional roses for the bouquets and these blooms in addition to stock and ranunculus for the table settings. Our ideas were interpreted perfectly by our suppliers and all features of our wedding day played together flawlessly.

The maids and I got ready at a holiday home overlooking Oneroa Beach which provided a beautiful back drop for Jo to capture the day. A vintage cream Daimler transported us to Mudbrick for the ceremony amongst the wind and rain but nothing was going to dampen my excitement!

We wanted to make our ceremony as personal and entertaining as we could but also ensuring we didn’t lose any of the formality or sincerity of a traditional service. We used a pin I found on Pinterest as inspiration and wrote our own vows as a series of promises; some comical and some serious. They highlighted our differences (movie genre preferences for example!) but also our genuine love and care for each other. We selected the poem ‘I Carry Your Heart with My Heart’ by E. E. Cummings and a reading from ‘The House on Pooh Corner’ by A. A. Milne as Winnie the Pooh was a childhood favourite of mine. Our celebrant Kim was integral in helping create a personal service and we were so grateful for her contribution to our magical day. James has since said that his favourite part of the day was our first look at each other and I would agree. I cannot express the overwehlming delight and excitement I felt walking down the aisle to marry him.

The grounds at Mudbrick were so stunning that there was no need to venture for photos off site. And the wind and rain had generated the most captivating light! The weather made for lots of laughs and allowed all of our personalities to shine through. Jo did a breath taking job with the photography and the images are an honest portrayal of our enchanting wedding day. The sheer joy written on the faces of our dearest family and friends confirmed that James’ and our love for each other is palpable.

Photography: Joanna Wickham | Floral Design: Wildflower | Wedding Dress: Anna Schimmel | Cake: The Cake Parlour | Invitations: Natalie Morrell | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Make-Up: Freckles And Blush | Hair: Amelia Rush | Grooms Attire: Exclusive Suit Hire | Celebrant: Kim Jewel Elliott | Wedding Venue: Mudbrick Vineyard | Bridesmaid Hair Pieces: Emici Bridal | Candle And Votive Hire: Centrepiece | Favours: Laura Garshaw | Transport: First Class Classics

I spend my day dreaming. Dreaming of the most perfect details, of the sweetest love stories, and dreaming of the celebrations that bring them all together. So when I come across a wedding like this one from Sutherland Kovach Studio – a wedding I swear is prettier than I could even dream up – I make sure to cozy up real close. And when its all topped off with a Jenny Packham gown that just happens to be too pretty for words – we’re left with a wedding that’s being filed under my favorites for sure. See so much more here.

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From Sutherland Kovach Studio… Rebecca and Mat decided to fly to Rebecca’s hometown of Auckland, New Zealand for a summery wedding in December at the gorgeous Mantells of Mt Eden. They chose to do a first look before the actual ceremony to maximize their time with their photographers and their guests. Mat waited for Rebecca on a secluded beach, with an amazing view of Auckland’s renowned Rangitoto Island.  At the wedding venue guests mingled to sweet sounds of jazz music and sipped on special concoctions of sentimental cocktail mixes. Rebecca and Mat put a lot of thought and time into creating a wedding with details that everyone could interact with on the day. A gorgeous time capsule in the form of a vintage suitcase was created to hold a recipe for longevity and rekindling when it is opened. Guests were encouraged to write special messages at the reception and Mat and Rebecca exchanged love letters along with their vows which went into the time capsule along with their favourite wines and other treasured memories of their journey so far. 

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Wedding Photography: Sutherland Kovach Studio | Wedding Venue: Mantells Mt Eden in Auckland, New Zealand | Event Planning + Design: Bride+ Groom | Wedding Stationery: Bride+ Groom | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin

As much as I tend to be a neutral-palette kind of girl, this bold, bright + undeniably beautiful Markovina Vineyard Estate wedding has me smiling from ear-to-ear! This sweet couple made family and tradition the running theme throughout their big day while adding in gorgeous florals + decor from Leaf & Honey. Kate Robinson captured the event so artfully, making sure each colorful detail was documented for the bride and groom for years to come. Click here for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Shirantha and I are both originally from Sri Lanka and have many extended family and close friends in our lives, so when it came to planning our special day, we knew it would be a big task with an even bigger guest list! Our goal was to incorporate our Sri Lankan culture and traditions with our own current style and tastes. We had always wanted an outdoor garden ceremony, and we found the perfect location that could accommodate our large numbers at Markovina Vineyard Estate in Kumeu, Auckland. The expansive, landscaped grounds were ideal for our traditional Sri Lankan wedding, called a Poruwa ceremony.

We decided to have our wedding photos taken in the morning, before the actual ceremony, so we could spend the most amount of time with our guests at the wedding. We were blessed to come across the amazing Kate Robinson, whose photographic eye captured every detail with intimacy and style. She arranged a “first look,” where Shirantha and I got to see each other for the first time. It was very important for us that we felt comfortable in front of our photographer, as we wanted this experience to be fun and natural. Kate was the absolute perfect choice!

The reception hall, with its leafy vines growing along the ceiling, continued my love of rustic beauty. This was also reflected in the beautiful flowers by Leaf and Honey, who perfectly captured the look I had wanted. Our table names were taken after Shirantha’s job as a geologist, each one a different mineral or gemstone. I fell in love with an elephant tealight candle-holder that I found online, which reminded me of Sri Lanka, and I knew we had to have them as our guest favours. After the passing of my father the year before, Shirantha and I wanted to pay special tribute to him in the form of a slideshow of old photos and video clips. This was followed by our first dance to “The Way You Look Tonight,” which was dedicated to my dad, a lover of Frank Sinatra. As is tradition, I later changed into a red sari that Shirantha’s family had gifted to me, symbolizing his promise to take care of, and provide for me from now on. I chose to wear the traditional Sri Lankan jewelry and headdress, which included my mother’s and grandmother’s necklaces.

“Live, Laugh, Love” was the motto of our wedding, and that is what we wanted to celebrate that day, the beauty of loving, laughing and living each day to the fullest with close friends and family alongside. We wanted to create a day of color and fun, where people could come together and celebrate, reminisce and enjoy. It was our way of thanking the people in our lives that have helped us the most, as we took the next steps on our new journey together as husband and wife.

Wedding Photography: Kate Robinson Photography / Wedding Venue: Markovina Vineyard Estate in Kumeu, Auckland, New Zealand / Floral + Event Design: Leaf & Honey / Officiant: Yolande Elias / Wedding Invitations: Graphic Affair Ltd. / Wedding Dress: Asiri Salgoda / Bride’s Shoes: Iris Gift / Hair: Jules Armishaw / Makeup: Amber Carroll / Rings: Angela Daniel

White weddings get me every time. They scream chic and exude elegance – and for me, that’s my end all be all. I surrender to weddings like this one by Kate Robinson Photography, and I’m not ashamed whatsoever to admit that fact. And then there is this couple. So completely in love, so incredibly adorable and so obviously having the best day of their lives – when you add in those cuties that’s when I throw my hands up and wave my white flag, because I’m a officially done. It’s just too good. See it all here!

From the Bride… Mike and I met during our last year of school and quickly became close friends. It wasn’t until a few years later during university in Otago when we  lived together with friends that we finally got together. After uni, we moved to Auckland, which we quickly made our new home and after an awesome six years together, Mike proposed a couple of days after Christmas while we were on holiday in central Otago with an amazing day full of surprises — we were both beyond excited.

We made a rule early-on as we were planning that there was to be no stress — it was all going to be super fun and nice and relaxed, and (surprisingly) it was! We wanted everything to have a classic, chic feel and chose to stick with mostly white and champagne tones. We got to work with some amazing vendors during the process who made us feel totally at ease with all of the planning. The Wharf was the perfect venue for us and had everything that we were looking for – an beautiful venue, amazing food, awesome people and several different spaces so we were able to have both the ceremony and reception there, which was ideal for us. We chose Kate Robinson as our photographer and after spending the day with Kate at our engagement session, we became even MORE excited about our big day. My french lace, chiffon and dupioni silk dress was designed and custom-made by the amazing Jane Yeh. Our four-tier chocolate and lemon cake was made by Jenny from Heavens Cake’s and was amazing – Jenny even decorated two of the cake tiers with an exact copy of the lace from my dress. Susan from Orlando arranged all of our beautiful flowers for our bouquets and throughout the venue. We went with a total overload of white hydrangeas everywhere and a few metalina roses scattered throughout, which matched the bridesmaids dresses perfectly.

We had about 80 of our 110 guests travel from out-of-town to come to the wedding, so family and friends played the most important part in our day. We were married in front of our parents’ and grandparents’ old wedding photos, and I wore my mum’s veil and had a ruby from her engagement ring designed into my wedding band with the help of the awesome team at Carats, who also designed Mike’s ring. We attached photos of my nana, grandma and Mike’s late grandparents to my bouquet as a special little memory, and we wrapped my bouquet and Mike and his dad’s buttonholes in their family tartan. After the ceremony, while we were off for our photos, all of our guests enjoyed a harbor cruise, which was a great way for those from out of town to get to see Auckland. Our reception at The Wharf was lovely and the food was fantastic! We had personalized candles made in the USA as our wedding favors in the seven yummiest flavors we could dream up, including peanut butter cookie and caramel dark chocolate raspberry truffle, which was so much fun. We topped the night off with some serious dancing and a lovely surprise from our band, Bringing in the Band, who specially learned to play our first dance song for us.

Our favorite part of the day (aside from seeing each other at the altar, of course!) would have to have been having all of our favorite people in the whole wide world all in the same room at the same time. It sounds so cliché, but its true and is such an overwhelming feeling! We wish we could of locked them in there and re-played the day in super slow motion – it went so fast! Our advice to anyone planning a wedding would just be to make sure the day is reflective of you as a couple and everything that you love and that is meaningful to you both (even if no one else knows!). Most importantly HAVE FUN and enjoy every moment of the planning and, of course, the big day.

Wedding Photography: Kate Robinson Photography / Wedding Venue: The Wharf in Auckland, New Zealand / Floral Design: Orlando / Officiant: Melanie Kerr / Wedding Cake: For Heaven’s Cake / Wedding Stationery: Alison Owen Design / Wedding Dress: Jane Yeh / Bride’s Shoes: Guess / Bride’s Accessories: Natalie Chan / Bride’s Hair Accessories: MDB Weddings & Events / Hair: Charlotte Zieleman + Chloe Evison / Makeup: Olivia Russell / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Hera Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Frank Casey / Rings: Carats Jewellery

If you are looking to add a little sparkle to your Tuesday morning, this is just the shoot to turn to. Because it sparkles and then some, and we get to see every pretty bit of it thanks to the seriously fun images by Jel Photography. Imagine a land where antlers and glitter stand side by side and confetti falls from the sky – and you get this gallery of images that will surely add dazzle to your day! See it all here!

From Jel Photography… This photo shoot was held in a vacant office space here in Auckland, New Zealand. Our starting point for inspiration were the colors pink, yellow and gold and the words alternative, fresh, pops of color, light and fun. Mel, the stylist, sourced some amazing items such as a gold piñata and a faux dear head. We also had feather eyelashes and handmade hair accessories, and our models had lots of fun breaking open the piñata!

Photography: Eleanor of Jel Photography / Photo Shoot Location: A Vacant Office Space in Auckland, New Zealand / Styling, Props, Floral + Event Design: Mel of All The Frills / Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: Karla of Bluebells Cakery / Wedding Dress + Hair Accessories: Sarah of The Little White Dress / Hair + Makeup: Michele of Makeup By Michele

Rustic meets blush-filled beauty in this next little number, and it is making my heart sing the prettiest of songs this morning! I can already tell you that you’ll want to cozy up with gallery of this gorgeous gala because there were too many oh-my-gosh-these-are-gorgeous images from the lens of Lavara Photography to possibly post. It’s enough to make this blogger want to squeal with glee, and after poring over these pretty pictures I do believe you’ll feel the same way!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… We were engaged in Cornwall Park and loved the photo opportunities, so we made sure that we could squeeze it into the plans somewhere.We had an amazing engagement shoot in Cornwall Park, which we themed around our first kiss on a swing. We used the props and bits and pieces from our engagement party to create the look of the shoot and with a little bit of ingenuity, Cole was able to attach a rope swing to the tree. Our engagement ended up having a bit of a French country theme, and it was hard to overlook our vintage and little bit retro tendencies. This, along with a trip to Wellington, inspired the vintage tea cups. We managed to find one for each of our guests which they took home as favors filled with sweet treats.

Our wedding theme evolved around our first names, the alliteration was too hard to ignore! C&C with a little navy is where it all began. We had booked Mantells on the Water as our reception venue and wanted to mirror the playful sophistication in our photos. The newly developed Wynard Quarter provided the perfect back drop for this. With our unique surroundings (piano included!) and Lavara’s natural creative flair, the individual personalities and quirkiness of our bridal party were captured.

Wedding Photography: Lavara Photography / Ceremony: Memorial Steps at Cornwall Park in Auckland, New Zealand / Reception: Mantells on the Water in Westhaven, Auckland, New Zealand / Floral Design: Roses Florist / Wedding Dress: Made by Robyn Pascoe (07 576 3371) / Hair: Suzy Lee Hair and Makeup (suzyleefx@gmail.com) / Makeup: Angela Stewart (angela.s.stewart@hotmail.com)

Billy Idol hit the nail on the head with his lyrics: “It’s a nice day for a white wedding”. Indeed. In our SMP books, it’s always a nice day for just such a wedding. Erin Lovich crafted an affair so timeless, so elegant and monochromatic in the most beautiful of ways with blooms by Cartier for Flowers and enough soft light filled images by Kate MacPherson to make this the poster child for wedding done so, so right. We’re cheering from behind our computer screens for this baby. See more of the day right here.

Click here for the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Matias proposed in a tiny French restaurant in Saint Tropez. It’s one of those moments you dream of, but can never prepare yourself for. The world stops, and it’s just you and the person you love more than anything in the world.  We were married a year later.

Matias and I are doctors in Melbourne. Work, combined with obsession for detail, ridiculous expectations and an overseas wedding meant I needed some guidance.  In stepped one of my best friends and wedding planner, Erin Lovich, to realise my vision. She was perfect in everyday.  We have been friends for ten years and she instantly understood what I wanted … We collated images, inspiration and ideas.  Our concept… Sophisticated Elegance.  A palette of neutral whites and creams combined with leafy greens, with a hint of luxury. An occasion filled with allure, romance and beauty. Our wedding was a day filled with love, passion and delight. It was the beginning of the rest of my life with a man who couldn’t be more perfect.

From Erin Lovich… Annaliesa & Matias wanted a perfectly crafted and timeless day. Sophisticated elegance was the theme…timeless beauty, all built around a palette of neutral creams and whites. They were married at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Auckland and the reception followed at the historic Northern Club.

The Cathedral was adorned with large over the top ‘couture’ style tulle bows, paving the way for a gorgeous bride to make her walk down the aisle. Annaliesa was beautiful, appearing effortlessly demure and wearing Vera Wang adorned with an elaborate custom made veil with lace. Her appearance and the love between the couple so obvious as she reached the altar which set the tone for the seamless celebration that followed. Bridesmaids stood alongside, so fitting in simple cream with Groomsmen in classic suits. Every detail was laboured over, of course with the best intentions.

Guests dined on beautiful food and wine…the menu and wine list hand picked with the help of Annaliesa’s parents. Guests arrived to the sound of an upbeat Jazz trio with rows of buxus hedge in pots draped with tulle, decorating the old world style hallways of the Northern Club. Flowers were gorgeous and lush, generous blooms gathered simply in round vases to adorn large long tables of 20. It appeared as effortless beauty. Votives were scattered amoungst every surface to create a romantic atmosphere full of glamour. An elegant suite of stationery set the tone, firstly with letterpress invitations abundantly wrapped in satin ribbon and continuing right down to the menus at each place setting individually printed with guests names. The formalities of the evening concluded with everyone dancing the night away in a room lit up in purple while the DJ’s played timeless hits that had the dance floor rocking. Just when the clock struck twelve, it was home time…but not without a piece of the elaborate wedding cake, individually packaged in tiny boxes embellised with bows. The day was over, but not without memories, every moment captured brillantly by photographer Kate MacPherson.

Wedding Photography: Kate MacPherson Photographer / Wedding Coordination & Styling: Erin Lovich / Floral Design: Cartier for Flowers / Wedding Ceremony Venue: St. Patrick’s Cathedral / Wedding Reception Venue: The Northern Club / Wedding Stationery Design: Cottonwood Studio / Letterpress Printing: Magpie Press / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Wedding Cake: Judit Meron of Artisan Cakes / Bridesmaid Dresses: Anne Barlow

Well, hello you.  Aren’t you just the prettiest garden wedding I ever did see?  I just want to put you in my pocket and keep you forever and ever.  Seriously though, how completely gorgeous is this Auckland wedding?  Couldn’t you just fall over from sheer joy after seeing the beyond dreamy images by Sutherland Kovach.  Every inch of the lovely tented (and me, oh, my what a tent) beauty is just pure perfection.  You must check out all the details from this fantastic 50s-inspired fete in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…As soon as Dave saw pictures of All Souls Church in Clevedon, NZ, we had a location for our day. The area holds a lot of my family history & nearby is our family beach house where I spent many happy hours as a child. We held our reception in a marquee next to our beach house, on my great aunt and uncle’s beach front lawn. We currently live in Australia, so planning was done here & in a couple of trips I took home.  I got most decorations sent to New Zealand where possible, but we still had full suitcases on the way over. My brother & sister visited me a week before in Brisbane for our respective hen’s and buck’s parties & helped me make the tissue paper rounds & pom poms that hung in the marquee.

The theme was 1950’s inspired. There were a lot of DIY touches: tealight holders trimmed with lace, my Dad’s handmade sign, my grandmother’s shortbread, biscuits from family recipes baked by my aunt, the cake made by Dave’s cousin in Australia, flown over & iced here! I also learned some calligraphy & collected old Australian and New Zealand stamps for the invitations. The hanging pictures, brooch on my garter, preserving jars, cake knife, horseshoes, and collection of cake stands & tea cups are all collected family treasures from here and there.

I anticipated rain knowing how unpredictable the weather in Auckland can be. So when it did, it didn’t worry us. Thankfully there was a small break in the weather to get some outdoor shots on Duder’s Regional Park which used to be owned by family. I’d gotten access to drive onto the park by the council, but Dave almost talked me out of it out due to the rain. But having pictures on the track to the bay my granddad used to take me fishing is so special, so I am glad we didn’t skip it.Thanks to the rain, our photographers discovered the vintage décor inside the historic family homestead. Jasmine & Hannah worked so hard & were so fun to be around, they really made our day. I wish that we’d gotten them to stay longer to do a photo booth for guests. I found Sutherland Kovach via Style Me Pretty, when looking for New Zealand photographers with a style like that you would find on SMP. Jackpot!

We had a great day, it went too fast, but it was filled with so much love and laughter.

Wedding Photography: Sutherland Kovach / Wedding Cinematography: Michael Phillips (Brother-in-law To Be) / Flowers: Pauline Melles / Ceremony Location: All Soul’s Church / Reception Location: Duder’s Beach / Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas / Programs/Print: Rifle Paper / Bride’s Shoes: Diana Ferrari / Wedding Dress: Henry Roth / Bride’s Jewelry: Dana Daisy’s / Veil: The Bride / Bride’s Cardigan: Forever New / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaid Shoes: Nina Shoes / Marquee: Intents Events / Wedding Day Director: RSVP Events / Wine: Turanga Creek / Make-up: Carolyn Haslett / Hair: Carlos Elias of d+m hair design / Band: Beatmobiles

We have a lot of gorgeous weddings that come through our doors. Beach weddings, city soirées, lovely country affairs – we see them all and on Wednesdays we get to share the prettiness with you. Today we are opening up the Style Me Pretty vaults and giving you a sampling of weddings that had us at hello. And believe me, this line up is crazy gorgeous so be sure to set aside some time to check out the full wedding gallery for each of these affairs. It’s a total must.

And speaking of gorgeous beach weddings that had us at hello, this New Zealand beauty did just that. We have nothing short of heart pitter-pattering, insta-love for this yellow-infused stunner. Jel Photography manned the camera helm and produced one fabulous image after another. Lucky you, they are all camping out in the full gallery and just waiting for your click!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Our Waiheke island wedding was a magical day in a stunning place despite the rain! The ceremony was held on my grandfather’s lawn overlooking Onetangi Beach with 100 friends and family watching on. This was followed by a reception at Mudbrick Vineyard where we made an entrance on a bike and danced in to the morning. Everything was perfect and just as we had imagined. Our favourite part of the day was being able to spend it with all our family and friends – many of who had travelled from overseas. This was the first time ever that my entire family had been together in one place – this was very special.

We wanted to have a fairly relaxed wedding overlooking the sea as both of us love to spend time in the stunning NZ outdoors. Lemon was the colour theme which was used throughout the wedding from the bridesmaids dresses to the handmade lemon candles as favours. We also used fresh lemons to brighten up the wedding ceremony and my mother-in-law made us our delicious lemon wedding cake.

We tried to do as many personal touches and involve our family in as many ways as possible as we felt this was a huge part of what our wedding was about. Aaron had my younger brother as a groomsman and my Grandad signed our register. On my flowers I had a vintage dragonfly brooch which my late grandfather had given to my mum as my “something old”. We used wine barrells to decorate the wedding ceremony reception which were from Casita Miro vineyard where Aaron had recently carried out a renovation for work and made our entrance to our wedding reception on an old push bike as Aaron is a keen rider and this tied in with the images on our invitations and stationary.

Wedding Photography: Jel Photography / Ceremony Location: Private Residence / Wedding Invitations: Bride + Sister of the Groom / Bride’s Shoes: Wittner / Wedding Dress: The White One from Jane Yeh / Jewelry: Shell Shock / Groom’s Suit: Working Style / Hair + Make-up: Nikki Paton from Stephen Marr / Reception Location: Mudbrick Vineyard

Be prepared to have some serious wedding venue envy!  Sutherland Kovach Studio sent us this gem all the way from New Zealand with stunning views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.  The whole affair has a casual, backyard feel to it but still shines with elegance.  I love the wild, garden party arrangements and handcrafted details made out of vintage paper.  Stay a little longer in wedding paradise by visiting the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

From Sutherland Kovach Studio… Amy and Matt got married on New Year’s Eve on Waiheke Island in New Zealand.  Matt is from the UK and Amy is a New Zealander, and they met while crewing yachts in Europe.  Most of their wedding was organised over e-mail as the yacht they were on sailed around the world.  They chose Waiheke Island as it’s a short boat ride from Auckland and would make a great holiday destination for their guests, many of whom were also travelling great distances to celebrate with them.

Their ceremony and reception were held at Mudbrick Vineyard, a truly beautiful venue overlooking Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf.  The bridal party got ready and had some of their pictures taken at the stunning Delamore Lodge.

The flowers were done by Waiheke florist Wildflower, following Amy’s (very brief) brief of ‘just picked’. Amy and her stepmother folded over a hundred paper cranes to hold each placecard at the tables, and the orders of service were printed onto vintage papers.  Family wedding pictures spanning the generations were displayed throughout the dining room.

Guests toasted the bride & groom and partied into 2011 with the aid of the local Chocolate Fish Band.

Wedding Photography: Sutherland Kovach Studio / Wedding Ceremony & Reception Venue: Mudbrick Vineyard / Pre-Ceremony Preparations & Photos: Delamore Lodge / Flowers: Wildflower / Bride’s Dress: Macy’s / Bride’s Shoes: Sergio Rossi / Groom’s Suit: Dolce & Gabbana / Wedding Band: Chocolate Fish

This goes out to all the fellas. We know there are about two of you out there and for all the rest, your lovely ladies will take notes. Yes, yes we know the wedding dress is uber important but so too is the wedding day attire of your hubby to be. So today we are bringing you some serious groom style that is screaming dapper from the rooftops and the best part? Most of these stylish threads where found at second hand and vintage stores. Looking hot while not breaking the bank is super duper in our books.  Photographed by Sutherland Kovach Studio, with florals and styling by Me, Myself and I, this will surely get your inspiration wheels a turning. Check out the gallery for more fashion for your dude.

{click here for more dapper threads}

There are some fabulous alternatives to the traditional black suit for grooms and we at Sutherland Kovach Studio wanted to explore them, with a vintage twist. It was our aim to show that a stylish and distinctive outfit is totally possible on a budget and most of the clothes were found at charity and retro shops. Annie, our florist, created the beautiful boutonnieres from vintage buttons and autumn leaves.

Photography and Design: Sutherland Kovach Studio / Flowers and Design: Annie Oxborough at Me, Myself and I / Venue: Auckland Domain, Auckland, New Zealand / Clothes: Sourced from Salvation Army stores, Mrs Jones, and Hallensteins

We have had an absolutely absurd amount of posts go up today! The wedding was just so pretty and the bride was sweet enough to share so many details, I wanted to make sure that we got it all in. Here is a last look at the beautifully photographed, by the wonderfully talented Lauri Levenfeld, New Zealand wedding…

From the bride…

At the reception and dinner, we wanted to showcase the very best NZ and Waiheke Island ingredients and highlight produce from the winery’s vegetable garden.  We served the Mudbrick’s own award winning Rose, Chardonnay and Syrah, as well as a special wine from Anna’s family vineyard in honor of Anna’s late brother Kiet who planted the grapes as a boy.