Today's unique wedding is like a bunch of colorful flowers, simply looking at these bright and cheerful images will put a smile on your dial! Held across three venues, Robyn & Caleb's focus for the day was people and community, making their guests feel as welcome and included as possible through 'speed mating' and other unique activities that look like a whole lot of fun! Utilising the talents of friends and family and making the most of public Christchurch venues adds a really unique and personal element to today's clever DIY love story. Captured by favies PATINA PHOTOGRAPHY, there is loads of inspiration here for creative brides who want to want a beautiful yet quirky day. Enjoy xox
How did you meet? 
What music did you play for those special moments? 
What were the save and splurge items for your wedding? 
Tell us about your unique guest games! 
Did you DIY? 
What was the most difficult part of planning your wedding? And the most fun? 
Do you have any money saving tips for engaged couples? 
Who Caleb & Robyn
Where Christchurch
Locations Ceremony at Millstream Lawn (Mona vale Gardens) | Reception/afternoon tea was in the staff room/library of Robyn's old primary school, Hillview Christian School | Pot luck dessert and dance night at South West Baptist- Caleb's Church
Guests Family and friends, we wanted an opportunity to thank the numerous people who have made invaluable contributions to our lives, the attendance was approx. 150. We also wanted everyone to have the opportunity to make the reception hence the afternoon tea rather than evening event (allowing families with young children to be present.) Our view for our wedding day was we wanted to honour God and honour the people who have played a part in our lives so the evening potluck dessert provided us the opportunity to spend more quality time with our guests once the formalities of the ceremony and reception were complete.
We met at a bible study that Robyn was leading out of a cafe in Christchurch. A mutual friend brought Caleb along, it was love at first sight! (Not quite) Caleb took another couple of months to whip up the courage to ask Robyn on a date.
In three words describe your wedding style... Colourful, People-centered, Inclusive
Aisle song 'Holy Wedding Day' by City Harmonic
Processional 'Must Have Done Something Right' by Relient K
First dance 'Uptown Girl' by Billy Joel, Caleb's brother found it on the spot! We weren't expecting to do a first dance.
Splurge Photography- We wanted to remember our day particularly the people attending and all of those little moments of emotion we may have missed. We got that and so much more, we were stoked with the job that Michelle and James from Patina Photography did.
Save As much as humanly possible, we wanted to allow all of our friends an family to have an opportunity to be involved in the wedding- this for us was a representation of how life is all about teamwork (it takes a village to raise a child) we were blessed with incredible generosity in return.
To get people mixing with each other at the reception we got everyone in 2 rotating big circles ((creating a speed "mating" (i.e. becoming mates) process)) achieved by giving each pair a card with 3 questions on it, at the dessert evening again people got into 2 big circles and everyone did the 'Gay Gordon' (the dance). We also had a snazziest shirt competition for the guys and most handsome hat competition for the girls to ensure people's attire was colourful and fun and as a symbol of our shared love for competition.
This wedding had DIY in its DNA!
From the wedding cake to the DJ the whole day was a combination of diligent planning and the hard work of friends and family.
- Stationary design by one of Caleb's groomsmen Josh
- Caleb's Aunty made the wedding cake and then drove it all the way from Te Puke to Christchurch - mammoth effort!!!!
- Layout of venues plus signage by Robyn's friend Irenie
- Trophies for the 2 competitions by one of Caleb groomsmen Sam
- Set up on the day at the 3 venues by lots of family and friends
- Decorations for ceremony and reception (e.g. aisle flower boxes, hand-made bunting plus, photo booth, photo display and so much more!!!) by Robyn's Mum, Dad and Sister
- Bridal party (bow ties, girls belts and jewelry) by Robyn's mum
- The BBQ boys (sausage cookers) were Caleb's Cousins and Uncle
- Serving platter pieces of wood cut and prepped by Caleb's cousin
And lots of other things too some of which are mentioned under savings...
The hardest part was distance. Caleb was in Christchurch while Robyn had taken a job in Palmerston North, so we had to organise things apart from one another over FaceTime plus google docs.
The most fun was seeing it all come together and knowing the loving hands behind it were those of our family and friends. Subsequently on the day it was a joy spending time with our guests and seeing them enjoying each other's company.
1) Borrow. It is amazing how people love getting on board with weddings, lending time, talents and possessions you find the best helpers in all sorts of places. People can't help if they don't know. We were fortunate to have family and friends who were excited to get on board.
2) Be organised and do lots of research planning things and booking well in advance allows you the best options at the cheapest prices avoiding the disappointment of missing out.
3) Make a budget and stick to it.
4) Google docs was great for lists, lists and more lists, as well as schedules which we could email out to our volunteers.
5) Flowers are expensive, but you can get greenery to bulk up your arrangements from all over the place, no need to pay for that on top of flowers! (Check what flowers are in season too).
CREDITS
Photographer Patina Photography
Catering Subway, Countdown, Sweet As, Cashmere Cuisine
Hire Companies Wine Barrel & Retro bike from Without a Hitch | Big Games from HiJinks | Continental Event Catering
Stationery Printing Freedom Print & Design
Celebrant Daryl Judd
Accessories Sherrington Jewellers
Shoes Atticus Shoes
Bridesmaids Dresses Pagani
Grooms Suit & Accessories Hallensteins & Barkers, Braces from NZ Ties
Rings Sherrington Jewellers
Bubbles Party Shop
Wedding Cake Penny Carey
