Call us crazy, but we believe in superstition. Well, at least now we do. Of her gown by Maggie Sottero Liz tells us, “Kane’s little sister Brooke acquired the wedding dress from her dry-clearners in Sydney where she was told they were throwing it out because to the owner never collected it back. I tried it on and thought, “I look really skinny in this, this is awesome!”
Everything else it seemed, fell as easily into place. Kane’s mother just happened to be a florist, his best friend a celebrant and he himself part of a band called Smokey Feel who provided the evening’s entertainment. Liz’s parents on the other hand, conveniently owned a beautiful farm in Taikorea, New Zealand and her bridesmaids were all whizzbangs in the kitchen – helping prepare the barbecue and dessert buffet.
“A true team effort”, says Liz who was blown away by the outdoor cathedral her husband and father made atop a traditional Iris tumulus. “This served as our stage for our ceremony that was started with live music from Kane’s friends.” Their reception, held at Patsy Hehir’s Pub (a hay shed converted into an Irish pub located next to the tumulus on the farm), was a relaxed gathering with BYO finger food and drinks plus plenty of things to keep the kids, including their adorably dressed flower girls, occupied. “Kids were entertained all day and night by the bouncy castle and lolly buffet which the adults seemed to enjoy even more”, says Liz.
Their DIY day, shot by the insanely talented Madeline Druce Photography, was not only cost effective but encouraged a sense of community too, with guests invited to pitch a tent for the night via their adorable video invitation which you can check out here. “We didn’t need to spend a huge amount of money due to the fact that we had dear people around us that were delegated jobs or had specific skills that created the beauty of our day”, says Liz who even recreated Kane’s favourite childhood teddy the morning of their wedding. “… he couldn’t believe his eyes.”
CREDITS Photos Madeline Druce Photography // Bridal gown Maggie Sottero // Rings Cameron Jewellery // Grooms suit Hallensteins // Ceremony private property, New Zealand // Reception Patsy Hehir’s Pub, New Zealand // Music Smokey Feel // Celebrant Anasi’i Jerome Leota.