Ex-pats, James and Michelle, flew in from the UK to be married at Peppers Martinborough Hotel. 

James' mother Kate who is Welington based, contacted me mid 2008.  We chatted and as a result, James and Michelle engaged me as their celebrant.  I sent them a questionnaire based on the chat we would have if we were sharing a coffee.  Photos and a thoughtful response gave me enough material for the first draft.  We kept in touch and worked together to create a ceremony they both loved.  They said I had really succeeded in capturing the essence of their love and their special togetherness.  I felt delighted to know they were so happy with my work.  Their ceremony.  Just for them.  I loved writing for them. 

We did not meet till they flew home for Christmas and last minute wedding arrangements. I felt I already knew them well and it was great to sit down with them on the deck at Seagulls to put the finishing touches to their ceremony and to discuss arrangements for their wedding day.  

I led James and Michelle through a rehearsal the day before their wedding.  Parents were included and the wedding party were all there too.  We decided where in the tranquil garden at Peppers Martinborough Hotel the ceremony would be and where they would stand for optimum comfort and photos.  It was important to consider the well-being of the guests too, especially in the promised heat which was going to scorch Martinborough the next day. 

I touched on special techniques which enhance the ceremony for everyone watching and ensure even more wonderful photos.  Michelle's Dad, Ian, practised walking his beautiful daughter in her wedding heels down the stairs and across the lawn.  Bridesmaid Heather became familiar with a few extras she could do to ensure the bride arrived by her groom's side even more relaxed and smiling.  A bridesmaid loves to feel she has a real role to play.

The wedding day was glorious.  The rose garden with its lovely old trees provided an idyllic setting.  Dappled shade and sunshine.  Guests were welcomed by the wonderfully discrete, efficient Peppers Martinborough hotel staff serving iced fruit juice and water. 

Renowned piper, Peter Menzies, from the City of Wellington Pipe Band, piped Michelle and her father down the elegant old staircase to the garden. 

Photographer Esther Bunning captured the special moments in her inimitable way.  Her photographs are always breathtakingly beautiful.  The ceremony ended with a toast to the newly weds.

A totally smooth, relaxed, enjoyable day.  A big thank you to the totally professional team which ensured such a beautiful happy occasion.
 

Sean and Jessica were married at Old St Pauls,  no longer a parish church, but still consecrated and a well-loved venue for weddings. 

I officiated and David Trott played the organ and grand piano in his inimitable way.  Bells tolled as Jessica and her beautiful bridal party arrived. 

A group of Japanese tourists ambushed the bride as she descended from her car. Jess smilingly obliged with lots of “lucky” photos. Jess Dewsnap captured those special moments too and many divine photographs of the ceremony inside the church.  Photographs inside St Pauls are enhanced by the glowing interior of native timbers and stunning stained glass windows.

Hamish and Alyssa were married on the smooth green lawn with a backdrop of gorgeous white standard roses at Brackenridge Country Estate. 

Set on 14.5 hectares of golden farmland, Brackenridge is an oasis of tranquility.  Cool verandahs and comfortable seating around wooden tables offered welcome shade for us all.  Iced drinks welcomed us and were replenished throughout the afternoon. 

I wrote the ceremony especially for Southland farmer Hamish and his lovely school teacher bride.  I did not actually meet Hamish till the rehearsal but I felt I knew him so well!  He and Alyssa had worked together on each draft of their ceremony when I sent it to them and I appreciated their thoughtful input.  

It was a fun wedding, serious where required, with a touch of the Irish to acknowledge the bride’s Irish bloodline! The whole day was wonderful, hassle free and exceeded all expectations.

All credit to Kathy and her Brackenridge staff for smooth, unobtrusive hospitality.  So professional, so good.  Exquisite catering by Jan and her team from Providore, contracted caterers to Brackenridge – always superb. You can experience that too - order a picnic hamper or grab a coffee and something yummy at their store, Providore, on Jellicoe Street.  

Brackenridge is a marvellous venue for a wedding.  All 120 guests were from out-of-town.  The whole Martinborough experience was new to them.  Many guests stayed in the luxurious cottages and apartments on the Brackenridge estate, others in nearby Martinborough, just 5 minutes drive away.  The spa and pool facilities at Brackenridge are to die for!  In-house and casual guests are welcomed and pampered.  There is a fully equipped gym and lap pool too. 

Host families hired adjoining holiday homes in Martinborough itself and celebrated with a Southland farming style barbecue the next day.  Southland hospitality at its best.  What a great weekend, memorable for all the right reasons.
 

We celebrated the opening of our boutique wedding venue Seagulls at Pauatahanui in fine style. So much planning and preparation and then… Our first bride came smiling through the door! 

Anna and John were the perfect lovematch, so beautiful and happy, surrounded by an intimate group of family and very special friends. I even named named their gorgeous toddler baby Tom at the same time!

What a special, sharing occasion it all was. Families from off-shore and various parts of New Zealand, many of them meeting little Tom for the first time.  

Champagne and freshly squeezed orange juice was served with mouthwatering canapés. Dinner followed at Shed 5  for a larger group of friends.

A grey day but the view over the beautiful Pauatahanui Inlet and surrounding hills was still a spectacular backdrop for the photos. Renowned wildlife photographer Jo Moore captured some special moments. 

A perfect day. Weddings do not have to be large to be moving and special.  In fact this wedding reflects the trend towards smaller, more intimate weddings and celebrations with which I have been involved over recent months..