Daniella and Paul’s story, first told in issue six, is a truly romantic tale if ever we heard one! The first scene takes place in Italy, on one of Europe’s most breathtaking stretches of coast. Paul explains, £the proposal was pretty damn unforgettable, we found ourselves on the most beautiful beach in Positano, on the Amalfi Coast, it was a postcard moment with the sun setting and just the perfect time to ask Dani to become my wife.
Although they chose to celebrate their day on an island in New Zealand, Italy had clearly left its mark. £We wanted to hand-make our bomboniere gift. We have a big backyard with lots of fruit trees so we made Limoncello? It was absolutely delicious and was definitely responsible for the table dancing at the after party! says Daniella about their first DIY success.
Not wanting all of their DIY efforts to be drunk under the table, Dani and Paul set about making something they could hold on to long after last drinks were called along with their photographs by Dan O’Day. Dani explains £We made a huge heart with 12 festoon lights set into copper and recycled timber that we scavenged from different places all over Auckland. It was so much fun to do together and it confirmed just how handy my husband-to-be was! We also made two piûñatas that were miniature copies of us? Paul didn’t click that the dress I made for my piûñata was exactly what my dress would look like in real life!
Created by Israel’s leading haute couture designer Inbal Dror, Daniella, when asked about her dress tells us, £As soon as I found this dress I fell in love with it – I was looking for something romantic and it was perfect. I loved the delicate lace in the long sleeves and the super low back. Paul clearly loved it too, telling us, £my favourite moment by far was the moment I first saw Dani about to come up the aisle, she looked so beautiful I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Their relaxed, picnic style wedding had all the ingredients to guarantee a good time – tapas, cocktails, festoon lights, great wine and hours of endless dancing. For Daniella however, it was Paul who had her heart really racing. £While I was getting ready, Paul texted me to tell me he had hidden a note inside the room we were getting ready in. He had written how excited he was that I was about to become his wife and how he just couldn’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. They were the first (of MANY!) happy tears I cried that day.
If you are keen to see more work from Dan O’Day be sure to pick up issue eight and The Real Wedding Special, both on sale now and stocked in newsagents nationally and sold online through Mag Nation. Can’t wait till your mag arrives? Click here to see Jen and Luke’s gorgeous industrial Sydney wedding photographed by the man himself!
CREDITS Photos Dan O’Day Photography // Bridal gown Inbal Dror // Flowers Wildflower Waiheke // Shoes Joie // Makeup Olga Gill // Hair Hair on Waiheke // Bridesmaids dress Lover // Grooms suit Hugo Boss // Braces LEO’s Vintage Store // Grooms shoes Joseph Tan Brogues // Groomsmen suits Zara // Bow ties W.B. Thamm Haberdashery via Etsy // Ceremony, reception and catering Casita Miro Winery, New Zealand // Styling My Waiheke // Celebrant Irene Armstrong.