As attendees of our Christchurch fair last year, Rosa and Guy pulled key vendors to plan and create their perfect wedding day. With the family home as the setting, this wedding boasted classic styling and elegance, filled to the brim with sentiment and story. This was a romantic celebration spilling with classic sophistication and ethereal styling.
Ornate detailing of the Edwardian family villa complimented the opulent decor of the day beautifully. Exquisite floral arrangements, incorporated a muted palette of pastel blues, blush pinks and white offering the perfect compliment to the surrounding gardens.
This ethereal wedding was beautifully captured by George and Jane Photography
How did you meet and how long have you been together?
We actually bumped into each other about eight years ago during a fun night out in town with friends. It was one of those instant connections you hear about, and since then, it’s been quite the adventure. From watching each other graduate university to growing in our careers, buying and renovating our first home, and adding our fluffy dog Bowie to the mix, we’ve been through a lot.
Tell us a little bit about the proposal and your engagement?
Guy, who loves to plan a good surprise, decided to pop the question with a New Year’s proposal. Just a week before Christmas, he went into full planning mode. He even got my best friend Ivana involved in picking out the ring. On New Year’s Eve, as the sun was setting at my family’s bach in Marlborough Sounds, he asked me to marry him on the jetty, and the rest is history! We celebrated well into the night, kicking off an amazing year of engagement bliss.
Tell us about your wedding style. What influenced your planning for the day?
Our wedding was all about bringing that garden party vibe to life, especially since we were having the ceremony at my family home. We wanted it to feel elegant and beautiful yet young and fun. The venue influenced the style, with lots of pastel flowers, summery colours, and we even had Bridgerton-style music being performed by a string quartet. And since we were surrounded by such natural beauty, we let the venue do most of the talking.
Why did you choose your destination?
There’s something really special about getting married where you grew up. Plus, being at home made everything feel so personal. The ceremony out on the lawn, with all the gorgeous gardens around us, it was just perfect.
What was your favourite detail from the day?
Our aisle song was such a special moment. We had our friend Holly Evans, who’s an opera singer, sing “Ave Maria” (the Beyoncé version). It was pure magic walking down the aisle to her voice, with a string quartet backing her up.
Did you have a stand out vendor from your Wedding?
Two vendors truly stood out for us on our wedding day: Alex from The Flower Press and Sirena from George and Jane Photography.
Alex’s meticulous attention to detail brought our floral vision to life, adorning the marquee reception with breathtaking florals. Her warm demeanor and calm presence were invaluable throughout the process – especially when there were vans of flowers arriving in 32 degree heat!
Similarly, Sirena’s amazing eye for detail ensured our memories were captured in stunning photographs. She ensured every moment was pictured perfectly and her artistic flare brought such beauty to life. Her seamless integration into our day made the experience truly unforgettable.
What was your favourite moment from the day?
Following the ceremony and all the congratulations from guests, we snuck away with our bridal party to a quiet spot in the garden. Just us, some bubbly, and a moment to take it all in. The girls all hugged and the boys couldn’t stop smiling, it was so special to be there in that moment with the people who mattered the most to us.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage, to us, is all about sealing the deal on our love story. It’s not like it changes things day to day – we’ve been together for eight years, after all – but it’s this beautiful affirmation of our commitment to each other. It’s promising to keep growing together, making memories, and always having each other’s backs.
Advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Let your personality shine through in every little detail – the day is about you and what you represent as a couple. We had our dog as our ring bearer! Don’t forget to soak up the love with your nearest and dearest – those moments are what it’s all about. Pinterest is your wedding planning BFF. Have a board for everything and it will be a game-changer when you’re trying to explain your vision to vendors.
|| VENDOR CREDITS ||
PHOTOGRAPHY George + Jane Photography | EVENT PLANNING + STYLING The Bride + Mother of the Bride | FLORAL The Flower Press | CAKE Full time Tart | VENUE Family’s Private Residence | MARQUEE Hyde Park Hire | FURNITURE + LINEN Hayley the Hirer | WHITE FEATURE WALL Loula Hire | DANCE FLOOR Truly Yours Events | RINGS Partridge Jewellers | CATERING White Tie Catering | BRIDAL GOWN Hera Couture via Paper Swan Bridal | HAIR Tuscany Hamel | MAKEUP Kasia Stanicich | VEIL Trish Peng | BRIDESMAIDS Kate Sylvester | GROOMS SUIT, TIE + GROOMSMEN SUITS Sergios