This wedding was super special to me and stands out for a couple reasons. Anna and Fraser got married at Old Forest School on my five year anniversary with my husband Nick. They were even married with the same celebrant as Nick and I, Debbie Hunt! It was so special to be back at my own wedding venue celebrating Anna and Fraser. The week leading up to the wedding was filled with suspense! Anna and Fraser live in Auckland, and Covid cases were on the rise. They were able to get to Tauranga, but just before a lockdown was announced. I was so relieved for them and excited to be creative for their special day. Anna and Fraser actually decided to leave the lockdowns behind and moved to Wellington right after their wedding day! This couple were such a joy to work with and gave me lots of creative freedom with the florals. I was able to meet with Anna and Fraser a year before their wedding, this gave us plenty of time to collaborate and get to know each other. Anna is a naturopath so we made sure to include lots of herbs in the arrangements. Rosemary, mint, and oregano were some of our favourites, they smelled divine as well.

This was a super eco-conscious couple, with some requests I was more than happy to oblige. The first thing I did was eliminate all floral foam, this can add some extra challenges with stabilizing floral pieces. Instead of foam I used recycled chicken wire balled up in the bottom of vases, this created some structure I could use to keep the arrangements in place. I also foraged for eucalyptus and olive branches, where pruning helps the tree and we get some awesome foliage to work with! Where we were not able to forage I only used our amazing local growers. Supporting local and reducing the weddings carbon footprint, two of my favourite things. 

Anna and Fraser were incredibly generous and decided to donate their wedding florals to the Waipuna Hospice. This meant the day after their wedding I headed over to Old Forest School for a pack down. Nick came with me for a trip down memory lane, Couples put a lock on the gate and we found ours from 5 years prior! We put all the florals in water and were able to deliver mini-aragements to the patients and families at the hospice, a unique heartfelt way to spend our anniversary. It is so special to see the joy from Anna and Fraser’s wedding extend into our community.

This wedding gave me all the warm fuzzy feelings, such a joy to help this couple celebrate their love. 

Vendors: 

Bride: @abeetee 

Groom: @reevesfras 

Photographer: @ericajanephotographer 

Florals: @handpicked3110 

Venue: @oldforestschool 

Celebrant: @debbiehuntcelebrant 

Dress: i bought it second hand from a store that closed down 

Hair: @annarosemaney 

Makeup: @littlepugsmakeup 

Hire: @royallaboratorie 

Caterer: @elmonoloconz + grazing table was @byschraderandnew 

Music: @dj4you

Think Classic, Elegant, Timeless… the perfect way to describe what Georgia had envisioned for her wedding. Now think rustic, romantic, farm house… also what Georgia had envisioned for her wedding! When we first met, Georgia was torn between a classic or rustic vibe for her wedding to Brendon at Old Forest School in April. After a couple meetings and mood boards discussing her options, Georgia decided she wanted to look back at her wedding and have classic elegant florals that would be timeless. We found ways to incorporate the rustic vibe in the ceremony arch and reception tables, so this awesome couple could have the best of both worlds!

The color palette was cream, white, green with some soft pinks in the bouquets. To create an elegant bridal bouquet I used  trailing phalaenopsis orchids and white and antique roses. To complement these show stopping flowers I included gypsophila, anthuriums. I absolutely love working with orchids when they are in season. The structural element to phalaenopsis orchids adds such a cool juxtaposition to softer florals, a timeless choice!  The groom’s boutonniere complemented the bridal bouquet with dried and fresh florals bound with twine.   

To keep some of the rustic vibe Georgia had wanted I nestled in olive and eucalyptus among the ceremony arch.. I also mismatched glass jars with gypsophila and lisianthus to create that rustic country element in the reception space. Olive and eucalyptus are always a brilliant option to bring a bit of nature into any space. 

The photos from this wedding are incredible, and makes me wish I was there! Georgia and Brendon just make the most magical couple, their love and radiance shines through every picture. A stunning couple I’ll remember for a long time!