Becky & John – A bold and joy filled wedding at the Hunting lodge

I still remember my first chat with Becky. I was on a girls' trip in Sydney, stretched out on a patch of grass in the Botanical Gardens, when we jumped on the call to dream up her and John’s wedding. Her vision was unconventional and completely personal. From the moment she said blue and burgundy, I was hooked.

Tell Me About Your Love Story! How Did You Two Meet?

We first crossed paths thanks to a mutual friend. She recruited us to join her 100km Oxfam Trail walker team. From October 2014 to March 2015, we trained for the event. We spent countless hours side by side, walking, talking, and playing games to pass the time.

During this time, we discovered just how much fun we could have together. We played I-spy in the dark, competed to spear the most leaves with our walking poles, and tried to catch pine needles drifting down from the trees above. We were always laughing together. Once the event was finished, we ventured out on a solo date day at the Velodrome in Cambridge. Again, we laughed so much!

What Was Your Vision for Your Wedding? Did You Have a Theme, a Feeling, or an Aesthetic in Mind?

Somewhere in the depths of wedding research, I stumbled upon the concept of choosing three words to describe your day. This ensures that all decisions link to this vision. Our overriding priority for the day was to feel joy. This is the word I use to describe how I feel when I am with John. I wanted it to encapsulate our experience and our guests' experience at the wedding.

Secondly, John wanted to prioritize connection with our guests. This greatly impacted the order of events for our day. I also wanted a little bit of romance thrown in.

What Role Did Flowers Play in Your Day? Were There Specific Blooms, Colors, or Arrangements That Were Meaningful to You?

Our venue, The Hunting Lodge in Waimauku, features a gorgeous big barn that’s basically a giant white canvas inside. I knew I wanted the flowers and décor to be bright and bold. They needed to bring warmth, joy, and romance to the space.

We struggled to decide on colours. I’m hopeless at making decisions, and we both had completely different favourites. In the end, we called Jade for reassurance and trusted her creative magic. She absolutely nailed it.

What Were Your Favourite Floral Moments? Any Specific Arrangements, Bouquets, or Installations That Stood Out?

Can I write a bullet point list? I loved them all so much!

• The altar waterfall feature was honestly a dream. It felt so special. We loved that Jade kindly moved it into the reception afterward so it could be enjoyed there too. It became such a gorgeous focal point.

  
  

• The table settings were just as fun. We mixed in fruit and chillies. We even had guests eating the chillies throughout the night, which only added to the laughs! Jade also wove candles among the floral arrangements, bringing a romantic glow. It was such a generous touch.

  
  

• And my bouquet! I adored the colours, which were bold, romantic, and joyful. I must mention the bounce and droopiness of it too. I told Jade I wanted to skip with joy down the aisle and have my bouquet move with me. It was exactly that, a dream!

  
  

The Journey of Planning

Planning a wedding can feel like a whirlwind. It’s a blend of excitement, stress, and joy. I remember feeling overwhelmed at times, but I also felt a rush of creativity. Each decision, from the flowers to the venue, was a piece of our love story.

I often found myself daydreaming about the day. I pictured our friends and family gathered around, laughter filling the air. The flowers would be vibrant, reflecting our personalities. I wanted every detail to resonate with our love.

The Importance of Connection

As we planned, we realised how vital connection was. We wanted our guests to feel included in our journey. This meant creating spaces for conversations, laughter, and shared moments.

We envisioned a day where everyone felt like they belonged. Our wedding was not just about us; it was about celebrating love in all its forms. We aimed to create an atmosphere where everyone could connect, share stories, and make memories.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, our wedding was a tapestry woven with love, laughter, and beautiful blooms. Each flower held a story, each arrangement a memory. I am grateful for the journey we took together.

If you’re planning your own wedding, remember to embrace the process. Let your love guide you. Choose elements that resonate with you both. And most importantly, enjoy every moment.

Vendor team

Photography: @kirstypetastonephotography

Florist: @willowandsagebotanics

Venue: @the_hunting_lodge