Ana and Pete’s wedding was a dreamy fusion of dried florals, fluttering fantails, friends and family. Set in Nelson (home to both Ana and Pete) on a fine Autumn day, everything came together in beautiful chaos, marking both the couple’s union to each other and their powerful collaboration to pull off the perfect day.
The proposal happened after Ana received a call from local jeweller Benjamin Black about a rare 3-carat dark sapphire for her to look at.. Being a wedding photographer herself Ana had formed many relationships with other wedding vendors, doing various photo shoots for businesses around Nelson, in particular, Lainee Hermsen Bridal Design and Benjamin Black Goldsmiths. Naturally, she asked for a store credit as payment as she knew it would come in handy one day. This led to arranging part of her own engagement ring “accidentally-on-purpose.” She revealed this to Pete and the two celebrated with a bottle of bubbles that night. Over the next few months, Pete and Benjamin Black worked together to create the perfect ring design.
Both taking the reins on decisions for wedding plans, Ana says Pete’s number one request was having an Autumn wedding. The colour palette lent itself to warm Autumn colours and the pair did a lot of impressive DIY when it came to styling. They worked together to produce beautiful floral arrangements by collecting and drying proteas, roses, beach grasses, gum tree branches, hydrangeas and toitois, using them to decorate the space. These homemade touches, along with the delicious catering from Viva la Vaca and the beautiful images captured by photographer Sophie Isabella, were all part of the magic of the day.
In the still of the evening, once everyone had gone home, Ana and Pete held each other on the dancefloor “I wish I remember what song was playing. We looked around the room, a beautiful chaotic mess of belonging, wine glasses, bouquets, jackets and toi toi. The after math from the most amazing day of our lives. I had tears of happiness rolling down my face. This is the moment we’ll never forget.”
What does marriage mean to you? Marriage is a ceremony of commitment, it unifies a relationship, it is a promise to support each other in this lifelong journey together. It is about making decisions that work for both of us. Something that really stands out for me is that Pete decided to take my last name. I was keen to keep my last name and it was important to Pete that when we can kids we all share the same last name so he decided to take mine. I love that the expectations of marriage are being thrown out the door, allowing us to make these incredible partnerships a true reflection of ourselves and our values and what we hold close to our hearts.
This stunning wedding is featured in our 2019 Wild Hearts Magazine – an annual journal for the wild & creative soul – full of inspiration and beauty. You can get your copy here.
|| CREDITS ||
Photographer: Sophie Isabella Photo | Flora: Flora and Forest (Bouquets) & Jill Hebberd (Styling and Reception) | Bridal Gown: Lainee Hermsen Bridal | Makeup Raevin Long | Hair Fox Stevens | Bridesmaids: Leave Her Wilder & Kilt | Grooms Suit: Barkers | Groomsmen Suits: Hallensteins | Cake: Little Bare | Ceremony Venue: Maitai Valley | Reception Venue: Fairfield House | Hire: Ofee Weddings & Events, Got it Covered, GK Events, and Premier Events Nelson | Signage: Chalkd | Celebrant: Annie Leather | Rings: Benjamin Black & Anna Nalder | Catering: Viva La Vaca
