Me + today's wedding venue = love at first sight. Having lived in a converted wool shed myself I am particularly fond of them (ok obsessed) and I cannot think of a better place to celebrate your love story than in a beautifully rustic styled barn set amongst 650 acres of farm. Todays gorgeous couple nailed it, with every little detail leaving me either swooning or drooling (check out the tucker from Stellar Kitchen), and with the amazing Nita Meyer Photography behind the lens, the images are perfect from start to finish and really capture the laid back vibe of the day.
5 Ideas to Steal The brides block heel shoes are perfect for frolicking around in the forest and walking on wonky barn floors (no broken ankles here!) | The ceremony styling - so many fab diy ideas | The caravan bar - perfect for when you have a smaller venue and it creates some good indoor/outdoor flow | The 'advice to the bride and groom' cards are a great guest book alternative and you are bound to learn a thing or two | The Polaroid shot above, love it!
Tell us the one quality you love most about each other? 
In three words describe your wedding style... 
What were your save and splurge items for your wedding? 
In hindsight is there anything you could have gone without to save money or stress? 
Did you DIY? If so what did you do? 
What do you love most about being married? 
Where did you go for you honeymoon and why? 
Do you have any tips or tricks for engaged couples? 
Who Nick Chibnall-West (Architect) & Chelsea Chibnall-West (Graphic Designer)
When 21.02.15
Where Te Miro Woolshed
Not quite 11 years ago, we met romantically as teens on a starry winter's evening beside the Waikato river... at a Keg party!
Chelsea Nick always has a positive outlook with a "glass is half full" attitude.
Nick Her creativity and approach to new ideas, she is always willing to have a go.
Eclectic, rustic & us.
We didn't splurge on anything as everything was such great value, but we knew we wanted to put most of our budget towards a clever photographer, a great venue to set the mood, scrupmtious food and sweet tunes. This was a great combo to ensure that everyone had an epic time and everlasting memories.
We saved on decorations, styling and flowers as they were all done by us, family and friends.
In all honesty we can't imagine anything we could have gone without as everything fell into place so perfectly. From the out-set we knew we didn't want to be stressed over our wedding and just to enjoy the journey and have the best time with loved ones on the day. Having a long engagement helped, as we could secure bookings early and had a long time to plan and prioritise what was actually important to us for our wedding.
We love crafting and making so we were in our element with the wedding prep and styling.
We wanted the day to be a true representation of us so we rolled up our sleeves and got making a few months out from the big day, along with the amazing help from family and friends.
DIY...
* Invites / stationery / signage (Chelsea & Nick)
* Manuka heart sculpture (Nick)
* Bouquets / buttonholes / pot plants (Chelsea)
* Wedding Cake (Made by Nick's Mum, decorated by the Best Man's Mum)
* Venue flowers (Best Man's Mum & Aunty)
* Craft beer keg: family friends
All glasses, furniture and props were from our home, sourced or borrowed.
We love how we are an even closer partnership now and feel excited to be sharing life's adventure together side by side.
We are off to Japan in October for our Honeymoon trip to immerse ourselves in Architecture, design and food. But we had a "mini-moon" the week after the wedding, camping on Waiheke Island... beautiful weather, food, swimming and exploring - bliss!
Prioritise what is important to you as a couple and shape your wedding around that. This will allow your personalities to shine on your day. Don't get caught up in the so called wedding "dos and don'ts". Go and meet your potential vendors. We were lucky to have the most amazing people and companies working with us, they really made our wedding that much more special.
We received advice to stop and take it all in on the wedding day as it flys by. We did and it was amazing to look around and see our dream day unfolding around us and everyone having a blast.
Photographer Nita Meyer Photography | Bouquet Flowers Chelsea | Venue Flowers Best Man's Mum & Aunty | Hair Fabrik | Makeup Fiona Clare Hair & Makeup | Cake Groom's Mum and Best Man's Mum | Brides Dress & Accessories Sera Lily, Mi Piaci, Mimco | Bridesmaids Dresses & Accessories Liam by Ruby, Mimco | Grooms Suits & Accessories Barkers, Hallensteins, OTAA Melbourne | Venue Te Miro Woolshed | Catering Stellar Kitchen | Band Looking For Alaska | Invitations Bride | Bride's rings Benjamin Flynn | Groom's ring Ash Hilton
Founder and editor of P&L. Self-proclaimed shoe guru and lover of bogan chic (wtf!) Wife of a butcher, mother of 7 dogs and a cat. Bonkers.
