It took me approximately 35 minutes to decide on a featured image for today's post. Why? Because EVERY photo is THAT GOOD. With Lilli Waters from I GOT YOU BABE behind the lens, and bride Aleisha McNiece from in front of it (also kitting out the entire shindig with her hireable goodies), you just know it is going to be one of those weddings that will not only rock your world, but also inspire Kiwi couples to return home to say 'I do'!.
I could go on and on about how cool this couple is, how amazing their family farm venue is, and how talented the bride is (yes, she can style YOUR wedding!), but I think I will let you explore for yourself. Enjoy! xox
Who Aleisha McNiece & Simon Roulston (Rolly)
Where Aleisha's family farm. Tikokino. Hawke's Bay
Guests 68
We meet in 2006 when we were both at University in Wellington. We met on the dance floor of a very notorious Courtney Place bar. He took me for dinner a few days later and pretty much moved in together straight away.
In three words describe your wedding style...Organic. Simple. Intentional.
The Wedding Song by Angus and Julia Stone
Signing Flowers in her hair by The Lumineeers
Processional Home by Edward Sharpe
I saved on my dress! On a winter weekender with a few girlfriends we went vintage shopping in the Mornington Peninsula (Victoria). The girls found a beautiful white skirt and begged me to try it on. I paid the $35 and it was bundled into a brown paper bag. I loved it!
Our wedding was the catalyst for the hire arm of Lucy Chase so a splurge would have to be buying almost everything (tables, chairs, lights etc). It was more a business expense than a wedding expense but still a pretty significant splurge!
Aside from that we honestly were pretty realistic with our spending. I do not believe money is what makes a wedding stand out but I also know you get what you pay for. We invested in quality suppliers but went without some of the details we didn't care for. We paid for lots upfront and as we went as didn't want a huge invoice at the end. We had 2 years so it certainly helped ease the financial pressure.
I planned the wedding from Melbourne so that came with its challenges. As soon as I met Jade (from Orton Tailored Cuisine) I felt so much more at ease knowing we were in such professional hands. Jade listened to all our crazy ideas and willingly obliged to my edible flower, ice cream sandwiches and sans marquee requests.
I initially struggled with the lack of hire pieces available in Hawkes Bay hence why we made the investment in purchasing the pieces to set up the business post wedding. That part of the journey was stressful but not something all brides need to go through! We were very lucky as a whole and loved the wedding planning journey. Actually the guest list was a nightmare... I think that a pretty common stress!
The most fun would have to be the whole creative and styling process. Pulling my own wedding together after doing it for countless couples before me was a real treat. I loved collating a pinterest board and sourcing pieces.
My absolute favourite was shopping for my flowergirls. I loved choosing the 6 different dresses from Tea Princess and seeing their excitement in the build up to the wedding.
Oh where do I start...?!
The flowers were my Mum's baby. I had mentioned about my dreams of growing all our own wildflowers for the wedding. I was not a fan of many local wholesale options and was against buying imported flowers. With me being based in Melbourne, mum took it upon herself to grow 800 plants from seed and then dug them into the forrest floor to appear as if they had just grown there. Her dedication blew my mind.
We foraged a little more the day before the wedding for cut flowers and then I did the arranging for the table floral the night before. I found it very calming and had looked forward to it for so long. We skipped all the buttonhole/posy business and I rustled up the leftovers for my own bouquet.
We stripped all the bark from the redwoods (from the farm) to make the supports for the festoons and also for the kids tipi. The kids tipi turned out to be a rather simple project with only one drop cloth and some lights from Typo.
There was no-where I could find a nice linen so bought it by the meter and made them ourselves. Perfect Thank you gift too!
I poured all the jasmine scented candles in the small amber medicine jars.
The place cards were reflective of our simple invitations. I printed them at home on watercolour paper and we wrote little love letters on the back of each one before wrapping in transparent paper and popping in a few pieces of gold leaf.
Try not to overthink things to much and do it your way. Find that stable of trusted vendors who listen to your ideas. Decide your priorities and invest in those. Let things go. Towards the end we crossed off half of our to-do list deciding those things didn't really matter.
I get a bit sad with everyone buying all the crap of Alibaba and it ending up in the landfill. I think just go without those little details rather than buy cheap. Less is more.
CREDITS
Photographer Lilli Waters from I got you Babe
Planner/Stylist Lucy Chase
Flowers Lucy Chase
Venue Brides Family Farm Catering Orton Tailored Cuisine
Hire Company Lucy Chase
Stationery & Signage Lucy Chase
Hair & Makeup Suzanne Hardy Hair & Makeup
Celebrant Libby Coates (Wellington based)
Brides Gown Dress from Vintage store. Top by Kerry Lord (friend)
Brides Veil d.i.y
Bride Hairpiece Bo & Luca
Brides Shoes Mollini
Flowergirls Dresses Tea Princess
Grooms Suit Country Road
Grooms Tie Vintage from Father of the Brides wardrobe
Grooms Shoes RM Williams
Grooms Watch Komono
Rings Artemer Jewelry Design
Music Siamese Charades
