At a quaint, 1910 restored colonial homestead, Natalya and Seb were wed surrounded by serene gardens shaded by majestic trees. Their venue, the timeless Springfield House, is evocative of rich history and nostalgic romance – setting the scene for this intimate wedding soiree.
Whimsical flower installations framed their garden ceremony, finished with simple wooden chairs – a scene that felt beautifully organic in the enchanted surrounds. Tables were arranged throughout the space, draped in crisp white linens and modern place settings contrasted with muted wildflowers. As night fell, guests danced the night away under a blanket of festoon lights and glistening stars.
Artistically capturing every detail of this countryside celebration was Patina Photo.
How did you meet and how long have you been together?
We met and started dating during our final year of college which was 10 years ago now!
Tell us a little bit about the proposal and your engagement?
Seb is an expert at last minute planning so naturally, the details of the engagement were planned in a matter of days for a pre-booked weekend getaway to Lake Taupō. As soon as we arrived at the cozy accommodation overlooking the Lake, Seb pulls out chairs, blankets and drinks and gets on one knee! Despite taking 8 years to pop the question, it came as a complete surprise to me which was the absolute best part.
Why did you choose your destination?
We both grew up in Wellington and have moved away so naturally, the Wellington region was our desired location. Having family and friends locally meant travel was easily organised and inexpensive. The largest risk was gambling on Wellington weather which, fortunately, was perfect in between the 2023 Cyclones.
What was your favourite detail from the day?
We loved having many of our friends and family contribute towards the day. Amongst the guests, we had friends be our celebrant, MC, DJ as well as help with floral arrangements and the all important wedding car (a beautiful 1980’s conferrable BMW). It made the entire day feel so intimate and full of love!
Did you have a stand out vendor from your Wedding?
All our vendors were incredible and amazing to work with Ruth Pretty Catering was a stand-out, having run the day flawlessly and catering the venue to suit our vision!
Tell us about your wedding style. What influenced your planning for the day?
Our goal was to have an intimate, laid-back wedding with our closest family and friends. One thing that we both envisioned was a space that felt like we were hosting a dinner party in our own garden, Ruth Pretty’s house created just that! Following the theme came the outdoor festoon lights, lawn games, live music, garden bar and dance floor.
What was your favourite moment from the day?
Everyones speeches and our vows! The calibre and humour of the speeches exceeded our expectations. Neither Seb nor I are normally ones to express our emotions through words, but our vows ended up being one of our favourite moments from the day.
What does marriage mean to you?
Sharing a lifetime of commitments with your best friend!
Advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Try not to get fixated on the small details and traditions, there are no rules to what a wedding should or shouldn’t be! It comes down to how you want to spend the day celebrating you both with the people you love most.
Don’t spend the day stuck on things that haven’t gone perfectly, not everything can go exactly to plan and naturally, little things get missed or have to be changed. Your guests are just happy to witness you both make a promise on your big day!
|| VENDOR CREDITS ||
Photography by Patina Photo | Floral by Love Stomp Floral | Venue Ruth Pretty Catering | Cake + Catering by Ruth Pretty Catering | Outdoor Games by Handmaid | Outdoor Lighting by Kapiti Party Hire | Sound by DJ 4 U | Rings by The Village Goldsmith | Transport by Peka Peka Charter and Tours | Bridal Gown + Veil by Brooke Tyson Ritual .| Hair & Makeup by Alana Muha | Bridesmaid Dresses by Mina | Grooms Suit + Tie by Working Style
