I take my hat off to today's couple Kim & Gareth for their impressive diy efforts. Not only did they create some spectacular homemade favours and signage, but they really thought outside the box when it came saving money (from electrical wheels to bargain chairs and tables!). The result is a beautiful kid friendly wedding (in love with their little man Mason and his matching bowtie to go with his dad Gareth's suit, so cute!), that was all about family, friends, and 'stuff they like'. Brad & Claudia from THE WOODS PHOTOGRAPHY captured the whole day perfectly (including a breathtaking Nelson night sky), you guys seriously are the cat's pyjamas.
5 Ideas to steal 1. It's pretty easy to make your own outdoor games (you will find tutorials and inspiration on Pinterest), and they will keep your guests entertained while you are away getting photos. 2. The couple gave their guests homemade cider and fudge, doubling as a great treat on the day and/or a take home favour (if you have enough self-control that is!) 3. Hiring seats and tables from a local hall, club or school is usually a much cheaper option, sometimes free (or you could offer a donation). 4. Rather than a sit down meal, food trucks can save a lot of money (including hiring plates and cutlery!), are super fun and yummy and are perfect for a couple getting married at an alternative or remote venue. 5. Have your cake cutting after the ceremony to combine a special moment with and extra nibble for the guests (will go perfectly with bubbles!).
Who Gareth & Kim Rosser (Bidlake)
Where Lancewood Villa, Upper Moutere, Tasman/Nelson
Guests 120
We lived in adjoining terrace houses in Scarborough, England. We initially didn't like each other but after spending time with mutual friends we found a lot of common interests, became friends and eventually got together.
Eclectic, Vintage, Summer Fair (We called it our 'stuff we like' wedding! It was especially aimed at being fun for our guests and child friendly).
Gareth had an intense paint ball game and a craft brewery drinking session at a local home brewery/man cave bar.
Kim had a kayaking morning in the Able Tasman, a girly lunch and a girls' night at home with drinks and games.
Down the aisle - 'Heartbeats' by José González, Walking out - 'Budapest' by George Ezra, First dance - 'Ain't no Sunshine' by Bill Withers. We had an acoustic guitar player during the ceremony and games session and an old school band for the barn dance.
Save Made our own outdoor games, cider to drink and this was used as a favor along with my famous homemade fudge. Gareth's ring was sterling silver so cost $50! I bought as many items as I could to use and then either keep, hire or resell after (this saved hugely on hiring costs), I wrote on the chalk boards myself after making them all with my dad, I got the cable reels tables for free and white washed the tops. I used seats and tables from a local hall that were so cheap to hire and bench seats from a school for free, ($1 a chair, $4 a table!) A lovely friend made the cake. Getting food trucks saved a lot of money rather than a sit down meal, (it was also a lot of fun and saved on hiring plates and cutlery!)
Splurge Gareth's suit - we had a 60s suit from Gareth's Gramps, who recently passed away, turned into modern pants and a vest. Not cheap but worth it! We had a large wedding party too so it cost a bit to dress 5 bridesmaids, 3 groomsmen, 2 flower girls and a page boy. My ring was platinum so that cost a lot too. We paid for the accommodation that came with the venue so our close family could stay the night to look after our baby and we could stay in the yurt.
Challenges It was very challenging trying to juggle a baby, building a house and the very handmade nature of this wedding.
I found the day of set up very stressful as it was hard organizing all of our family and friends who generously offered their time. They didn't really know the vision behind it all and obviously we couldn't do it all ourselves so had to rely on their efforts (luckily they were amazing and it all came together). Also one food truck pulled out the day before the event which meant I had to try to find more food items. Our food vendors were amazing and stepped up to save the day!
Most fun I loved trying to find the vintage items that would make our wedding unique and coming up with ideas that represented us. It was fun finding the games, making things with my family and friends, and creating little details for our guests to enjoy as we wanted everyone to be busy and entertained throughout the day.
We made as much as possible! We made cushions from vintage linen, Kim's Dad made many games, we painted the signs, the chalk boards where upcycled and Kim wrote on them, we also made other wooden features such as the lemonade stand, photo stand and driftwood arch. We made the favors which were 'Kim's famous fudge' and 'Gareth's homemade cider'. A stamp was made of our logo (G+K) that we used on everything including the bags used for popcorn and crackling, and the cutlery packs for the food trucks. Kim sewed our son Mason's bow tie from Gareth's suit fabric, and Gareth made the large wine barrel copper champagne buckets. We also made kids activity packs for the day.
If you have an ability to make things that can be used or sold after then make the most of that rather than hiring everything. Food trucks were awesome and cost effective. I gave each member of the wedding party money to get what they needed and if it cost more they had to make the difference. (I was not worried about them having different dresses, shoes, pants or shirts as we wanted everyone to be comfortable but in the same colour theme). If friends or family have skills to offer then use them!
Our baby was only 4 months old so we did a camper van convoy with special wedding guests from abroad around the South Island. For our first anniversary we are planning to go away together for the first time after having our son.
CREDITS
Photographer The Woods Photography
Planner/Stylist GK Events Hire
Venue Lancewood Villa
Flowers Perfect Style
Catering Streat Kitchen, Pizza de Cielo, Sisters Cake Tin
Hire Company Got it Covered, GK Events Hire
Stationery & Signage Renee Edwards, GK Events Hire
Hair & Makeup Poppy Makeup Artist, Hair, Heart & Soul
Cake Helen Kersten, Cakes for all Occasions
Celebrant Ron Schepers
Brides Dress, Accessories & Shoes Davis Bridal
Grooms Suit Altered by Nelson Tailors Menswear
Rings Paul Harris Jewellers
Music Phil Mair, The Boulder Bank Band