Oh la la I am in love today’s wedding. So many incredible details and such an amazing story from the couple. The venues, the shoes, the dress, the bridesmaids dresses, the grooms watch, the jewellery, the chessboard guest book from their engagement party, the glass seating plan, the favours, the flowers, the brides red lippy later in the day, the place cards, the food, the STATIONERY (Tracey is a graphic designer who created her own quirky and cute stationary) the flowers, the grooms first words in his proposal (SO funny!) YEP, everything in this wedding is gorgeous! Of course when you have Captured by Keryn behind the lens you KNOW the images are going to be stunning.
Congratulations Tracey & Leck on saying I do, and enjoy your ‘babymoon’!!! And a big thank you to Captured by Keryn for sharing these beautiful images with us, it is always such an honor to feature your work xox
How did you meet and what’s your love story?
We met at the tender age of 14 and 15, at the end of a national badminton tournament. I heard sniggering behind me as I shyly gave my email address to an organiser. He was a mad tease and I was absolutely smitten. He’s been my greatest crush ever since.
What was the proposal like?
It was a lazy Saturday morning, there were white sheets, and the sun streamed through our bedroom windows while we laid there talking about our future. His palms were clammy as he placed a delightful box in front of me with the letters RDG embossed in the orange leather. He opened with “You know how I’m awesome…” and trailed off, but I’ll always remember his cheeky grin which matched his opening line.
How long were you engaged before your big day? Three years.
When did you marry?
We just knew we wanted a Saturday and the number eight in there – Chinese consider it lucky as it’s the symbol for ‘eternal’ or ‘infinite’ – so 8th November 2014 was it! It was just a happy coincidence it fell in spring and cream peonies were in season.
Where did you marry and how did you decide on the venue?
Abbeville Estate; she saw, she chose, he agreed.
What was your wedding style/theme?
The theme was no theme. We just knew we wanted our wedding to encompass us in every detail, as if we were sharing a piece of ourselves with the nearest and dearest we love. Albeit if we were to name our style in three words, they’d be relaxed, tasteful and light.
What was your wedding look?
First and foremost I had to be comfortable. Secondly the look had to be natural; no fake hair, fake nails, nor fake tan. Simply because those who know me, know I hardly bother with much makeup or fuss. And finally I envisioned the look to be whimsical; channelling both elegance and charm while still enrapturing my youth. I came to Sally with a sketch of my own, and had the ingredients in my head which consisted of two lengths chiffon, 1 part cotton lace and stir it all together with a dove-like ivory. Over the following months, she whizzed together a bespoke masterpiece we see today. Her easy-going disposition was but the cherry on the cake!
How many guests did you have? 105
Who planned and organised the wedding?
Shared efforts of bride, groom and mother and father of the bride.
What did you do to create atmosphere, relax guests and add to the mood?
The secret was live music. We had live music from the ceremony to the canapés afternoon, through to the evening dancing. It created a wonderful ambiance and we sensed this through the entire day. That plus stunning weather and punch!
How did the planning process go?
The planning all went quite smoothly really. A special moment happened when my mother and I scored 2 x Noa Noa slips in the exact same color as the girls’ Ophelia dresses at the Kirks annual sale. They were 75% off – so they were literally special. We were on top of planning well in advance so when the time came to travel to Auckland three days prior, we were at a point where we could do no more. The greatest treat was the most spontaneous one, where we decided to invite friends along to the neatest spot Freida Margolis on the very night we arrived in Auckland. What was intended as a wee tipple, turned out to be an unforgettable night! We drank, reminisced and laughed merrily into the early hours of the morning.
Tell us about your gorgeous flowers?
Sarah created such soft, feminine and magical creations for us; the bouquets and centrepiece comprised of Bowl of Cream peonies, Queen Anne’s Lace, sweetpeas, viburnum snowballs, pieris with jasmine and olive foliage, bound in ivory ribbon and pearl pins. The bridal bouquet was especially arranged with a posy holder into a teardrop form for more of a traditional stance, stemming from the Duchess’ bouquet as inspiration. The centrepiece was rustically laid on a mirror from home. But the most generous gifts from my bridesmaid’s aunt, Aunty Margi, were the stunning mint and cream orchids which were extravagantly laid out as table runners. We encouraged our guests to take them home to enjoy. The beauties have lasted for well over a month!
What was one of the most memorable moments of your day?
Bride: the overflow of happiness as I entered the chapel with my father. As I glanced around all the faces and smiles of the people I love, I couldn’t help but glow and cherish all the memories in that room. It was a joy I would never forget and I fight the tears reminiscing the walk down that aisle.
Groom: the hot bath ready and waiting for us at our bronze suite (Cotter House) after the wedding and re-living all of the fresh memories from the day.
Tell us about your bridesmaids and your page boy?
We had two gorgeous bridesmaids; two souls I regard as my sisters. Their look had a touch of forties, with fanciful floaty silhouettes in duck-egg blue silk and a bright poppy print, wherein the red offered a nod to the bride and groom’s Chinese heritage. We also gifted them both a pair of jade studs as a small token for all their support and love they’ve bestowed over the years, possibly 25 years combined. We were also pleased the matron of honour’s son was excited to be our page boy and special ring bearer! His adorable gray woolen suit was sewn with love from a vintage pattern by the mother of the bride, along with his olive-green velvet cushion on which the rings were placed.
What was your wedding style/theme?
The theme was no theme. We just knew we wanted our wedding to encompass us in every detail, as if we were sharing a piece of ourselves with the nearest and dearest we love. Albeit if we were to name our style in three words, they’d be relaxed, tasteful and light.
What was your wedding look?
First and foremost I had to be comfortable. Secondly the look had to be natural; no fake hair, fake nails, nor fake tan. Simply because those who know me, know I hardly bother with much makeup or fuss. And finally I envisioned the look to be whimsical; channelling both elegance and charm while still enrapturing my youth. I came to Sally with a sketch of my own, and had the ingredients in my head which consisted of two lengths chiffon, 1 part cotton lace and stir it all together with a dove-like ivory. Over the following months, she whizzed together a bespoke masterpiece we see today. Her easy-going disposition was but the cherry on the cake!
What were the unique touches that added through your day and the special details you included?
The father of bride lathed every wooden spool that held each guests’ photograph as their name placing.
The mother of the bride sewed a blue bow on the finger loop of the wedding dress.
Guests played chess and checkers on chessboards which were signed with lovely messages from our engagement parties three years ago.
The Alfalfa character motif donned the ‘me n’ you’ menus as well as the gold foil wedding invitations designed and pressed by Alba Artisan, the bride’s budding small business.
Our wedding bands both had emeralds on the inside to represent our birth stones.
The abundance of friends and family being involved throughout the day: our friends the Dowling brother’s band came together with a dear friend Lola to sing our first song, our celebrant Blake was a close childhood friend with the Leck brothers, and co-owner of Crumpet and friend Ian made our guests a colossal batch of delicious punch.
Where did you honeymoon? Babymoon to be confirmed!
Photographer CAPTURED by Keryn | Videographer Fondeye for CAPTURED by Keryn | Getting ready Cotter House | Venue Abbeville Estate | Wedding Dress Sally Eagle Bridal | Accessories & Jewellery Grandmother’s engagement ring (something old), mother of the bride’s pearl studs (something borrowed) and Walker & Hall blue studs (something blue – from the groom) | Shoes Emmy London | Hair Face Me Make-up & Hair | Makeup Friend Kathryn Sheerer | Bridesmaid dresses Ingrid Starnes | Groom Crane Brothers & Mark Kendall Shoes | Flowers Wallflower Boutique Florist | Cake Sweet Bites Cakes | Catering Set menu with The Great Catering Co. | Transport Family owned Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q5 | Music Cellar Duo (ceremony/canapés), and The Dobros | Favours Marius Fabre Savon de Marseille 20g soaps with scents wild rose, lavender, honey and verbena. Wrapped in white doilies tied with string | Rings Robinson Designer Goldsmith, and Tory & Ko. | Kombi Kiwi Kombis ‘miss sunshine’ van | Stationery The Bride | Margi Kay of Otaika Valley Orchids, Whangarei
A note from the couple: We cannot think of a more wonderful host than Gloria Poupard Walbridge at the extraordinary Cotter House. It was an absolute pleasure being one of her guests. We will be returning for our wedding anniversaries!