Same shit, different smell? Not this wedding. No way, Jose! The fact that Asha and Dylan from issue nine had ice cream sandwiches for dessert was alone enough to set their DIY day apart. £We wanted a quirky, wedding that was really casual and fun, says Asha who spent two years imagining, creating and sourcing different bits and pieces for their day of good times, held on her parent’s property in Thames, New Zealand.
£My love of books and text obviously played a large part, and our love for food and cooking. Well me for the cooking side and Dylan for the eating side, says Asha who collected over 50 vintage books she then turned into invitations.
£Each invite instructed guests to write a message within the book… and then return it on the day to the shelves of our library for us to read through in all our years to come. I happened to find one titled Good Wives which I painted over to be Good Wife (Dylan reckoned it should still say good wives? hmm he wishes).
Along with her cheeky husband and his brother she also built everything from their marquee letter lights to their giant-sized signs. £The LOVE banner, the cooking aprons, the seedlings – if we could make it ourselves we did? that’s just what kiwis do, says Asha who, in proving her point had their guests cook their own barbecue.
Plenty of good vibes and excitement continued with one of Asha’s family’s longest standing traditions. £Table Tennis Champs! Definitely a family tradition. Every year the title is furiously contested. If you don’t believe her, just ask her about her dress.
£I love, love love my dress. I had it custom made by Sally Eagle Bridal in Wellington. I always knew I wanted a shorter dress as it needed to be practical. As I said to Sally when describing my requirements, I needed to look beautiful but I also needed to be able to play table tennis without my dress getting in the way.
It was a decision that, much like hiring legendary photographer Danelle Bohane and putting together a picnic, Asha is glad she made. £The picnic seemed like a lot of extra effort to start with but seeing Dylan’s Aunties all down on their knees surrounded by their suitcase of goodies, chowing down and exclaiming £that they feel just like kids again was awesome. Oooh and the decision to have live music – a million times better than the iPod.
Thankfully, as it turns out, she’s also happy she made the decision to marry Dylan, her one true love. £Wasn’t too bad getting to marry my best friend and DIY partner (for life now) too. I must admit? it does feel kinda special and grown up calling someone your husband.
A master of her craft, you can check out more of Danelle Bohane’s mesmerising work by clicking here, here and here. Missed out on a copy of issue nine? Grab a copy online here. Postage is FREE! Issue ten is also on sale now at selected newsagents nationally or online via Mag Nation and also happens to feature the work of a one Ms Danelle Bohane, who shoots weddings just as regularly in Australia (lucky us!) as she does New Zealand, so don’t be shy about dropping her a line Aussie brides-to-be.
CREDITS Photos Danelle Bohane Photography // Bridal gown Sally Eagle Bridal // Shoes Kate Sylvester // Hair Makawe Hair Salon // Makeup Blush Makeup // Rings Bario Neal, Walker and Hall and Debrasic // Bridesmaid dresses Kate Sylvester // Bridesmaid and groomsmen shoes Converse via Shoe Connection // Bridesmaid gifts Karen Walker // Groom and groomsmen shirts and grooms waistcoat Tarocash // Pants Hurricane Jeans // Bow tie and flower girl dress Spotlight // Grooms shoes Paolo Vandini via Ultra Shoes // Groomsmen pants Hallensteins // Groomsmen gifts Triumph & Disaster // Flowers The Green Grocer Thames // Stationery Gordon Harris and The French Art Shop // Prop and furniture hire The Vitrine, The Warehouse, The Seagull Centre Thames and Junk and Disorderly // Lighting Mr Ralph, The Seagull Centre and Logan Frost // Entertainment Simon Donald // Celebrant Mary Ann Kerr // Cinematographer Morgan Nicholson.