By
Wedding date 3rd March 2018
Guests: 10
How did the two of you meet?
Chris and I met when we were both retail managers of stores in the same shopping centre. He came into my store to make a purchase. He was very flirty and I thought he was cute, but nothing came of it. Months later, I was shopping in his store- not realising that he worked there and sparks flew. He gave me his number, knowing he didn’t use a mobile but he had an old one in a drawer at home. He quickly charged it when he got home, and later that night I called him. We spoke for 5 hours and the rest is history.
How long were you together before your engagement?
We had been together five and a half years. Yes, he had family and friends constantly asking when he would propose haha.
What was your favourite detail/s about the day?
The food for our outdoor lunch was one of our favourite details about the day. Good food is so important to us, and Morsel did such an incredible job of honouring all of our favourite foods. Some of the stand outs on the day included Korean Fried Chicken Bao, Roast Pork Belly and the most incredible salads. Chris is a steak man, and the sirloin was to die for.
How long did it take for you to find and how was your dress/suit shopping experience overall?
I had my heart set on a very modern, completely unembellished plain white dress, so when I tried on ‘the one’, it took me a while to allow myself to fall in love. My Q'nique dress was unlike anything I had planned. It was completely beaded from top to bottom, with a sheer top and long sleeves, and fit my body like a glove! After a little hemming and an extra sheer layer was added to the bodice ... it was a dream! I had a personalised vegan leather jacket made featuring my new last name, “Cherry”. I popped this on to surprise Chris, when having photos in the mountains and he LOVED it! I wore simple short heels for the ceremony (I didn’t want to take a tumble on the pebbles!) and swapped to cream leather boots for hiking in the mountains.
Chris knew exactly what he wanted in a suit and after one shopping trip to his favourite suit store with the boys, he had it! A deep blue suit with a Prince of Wales check was the winner. He ordered a shirt from one his favourite clothing companies, UK's Charles Tyrwhitt, complete with monogram on the cuff to finish the look.
What advice would you offer to other couples planning a Wedding?
Like always, communication with each other is key. Weddings can heighten emotions!
We learnt fairly early on not to discuss too many details with others. Everyone has an opinion, and even though others have the best intentions, it can cloud judgement and cause you to stray from choosing what’s right for ‘your wedding’. There is no must/must nots for your wedding! Do what feels right!
What were your aisle, recessional and first dance songs?
I walked down the aisle to That Home by The Cinematic Orchestra. We chose to omit the recessional song to simply celebrate with our guests instead of walking back up the aisle. With such a small guest list, this felt a bit more casual and intimate. We also didn’t have a formal first dance. We drank cocktails and boogied with our guests until 3am!
Bonnie Jenkins Photography
Sunshine Coast
Instagram | Pinterest
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Guests: 10
"We chose to walk into this marriage with eyes wide open, choosing each other, every day." Kelly & Chris
How did the two of you meet?
Chris and I met when we were both retail managers of stores in the same shopping centre. He came into my store to make a purchase. He was very flirty and I thought he was cute, but nothing came of it. Months later, I was shopping in his store- not realising that he worked there and sparks flew. He gave me his number, knowing he didn’t use a mobile but he had an old one in a drawer at home. He quickly charged it when he got home, and later that night I called him. We spoke for 5 hours and the rest is history.
How long were you together before your engagement?
We had been together five and a half years. Yes, he had family and friends constantly asking when he would propose haha.
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Tell us about the proposal:
Chris proposed on a trip to Greece. It was third time lucky for him trying to propose! He tried while we were cruising the Caldera in Santorini, however sea sickness put a swift stop to that! Second time, was in Oia – at a beautiful restaurant with a stunning view of the caldera, but there was no room for him to get down on one knee as the terrace was quite crowded. Later that night, we headed to a wine bar with just as magnificent views. He asked a waiter to take a photo of us, and at that moment, he proposed. I was blown away and very surprised, but somehow managed to say ‘yes’.
What led you to decide on your Wedding venue?
Chris and I nearly booked a wedding in our home town Perth. We would have had a much larger wedding with all the usual trimmings, but just before we started booking details in, we spoke and shared our concerns that the wedding we were planning, wasn’t ‘us’. We accidentally forgot about what we wanted and were trying to please others, so we googled until we found Wanaka. Chris grew up in the hills in Perth, so a wedding surrounded by mountains and nature, grabbed our attention and we were hooked.
Chris proposed on a trip to Greece. It was third time lucky for him trying to propose! He tried while we were cruising the Caldera in Santorini, however sea sickness put a swift stop to that! Second time, was in Oia – at a beautiful restaurant with a stunning view of the caldera, but there was no room for him to get down on one knee as the terrace was quite crowded. Later that night, we headed to a wine bar with just as magnificent views. He asked a waiter to take a photo of us, and at that moment, he proposed. I was blown away and very surprised, but somehow managed to say ‘yes’.
What led you to decide on your Wedding venue?
Chris and I nearly booked a wedding in our home town Perth. We would have had a much larger wedding with all the usual trimmings, but just before we started booking details in, we spoke and shared our concerns that the wedding we were planning, wasn’t ‘us’. We accidentally forgot about what we wanted and were trying to please others, so we googled until we found Wanaka. Chris grew up in the hills in Perth, so a wedding surrounded by mountains and nature, grabbed our attention and we were hooked.
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What was the inspiration behind your Wedding theme?
We wanted a simple, elegant wedding with styling that allowed the natural surroundings to shine. I discussed styles with my planner in detail so she understood the look we were after, but ultimately left it in her hands to create. The end result was perfect.
Your most favourite moment/s of the day:
The views throughout the day, astounded us! Eating lunch with family and friends overlooking Lake Wanaka was definitely a ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
We decided to hire a helicopter to take just Chris and I, along with our photographers, up into the mountains for photos after the long lunch. I'm so glad we had time to ourselves to explore and hike the area. Our photographers Bonnie and Dave were great, allowing us to just have fun, dance, and joke as they captured photos.
We came away from the big day realising we had really succeeded in creating a day that celebrated us as a couple.
We wanted a simple, elegant wedding with styling that allowed the natural surroundings to shine. I discussed styles with my planner in detail so she understood the look we were after, but ultimately left it in her hands to create. The end result was perfect.
Your most favourite moment/s of the day:
The views throughout the day, astounded us! Eating lunch with family and friends overlooking Lake Wanaka was definitely a ‘pinch yourself’ moment.
We decided to hire a helicopter to take just Chris and I, along with our photographers, up into the mountains for photos after the long lunch. I'm so glad we had time to ourselves to explore and hike the area. Our photographers Bonnie and Dave were great, allowing us to just have fun, dance, and joke as they captured photos.
We came away from the big day realising we had really succeeded in creating a day that celebrated us as a couple.
The food for our outdoor lunch was one of our favourite details about the day. Good food is so important to us, and Morsel did such an incredible job of honouring all of our favourite foods. Some of the stand outs on the day included Korean Fried Chicken Bao, Roast Pork Belly and the most incredible salads. Chris is a steak man, and the sirloin was to die for.
How long did it take for you to find and how was your dress/suit shopping experience overall?
I had my heart set on a very modern, completely unembellished plain white dress, so when I tried on ‘the one’, it took me a while to allow myself to fall in love. My Q'nique dress was unlike anything I had planned. It was completely beaded from top to bottom, with a sheer top and long sleeves, and fit my body like a glove! After a little hemming and an extra sheer layer was added to the bodice ... it was a dream! I had a personalised vegan leather jacket made featuring my new last name, “Cherry”. I popped this on to surprise Chris, when having photos in the mountains and he LOVED it! I wore simple short heels for the ceremony (I didn’t want to take a tumble on the pebbles!) and swapped to cream leather boots for hiking in the mountains.
Chris knew exactly what he wanted in a suit and after one shopping trip to his favourite suit store with the boys, he had it! A deep blue suit with a Prince of Wales check was the winner. He ordered a shirt from one his favourite clothing companies, UK's Charles Tyrwhitt, complete with monogram on the cuff to finish the look.
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What resources did you find helped you the most during your Wedding planning?
Having our wedding overseas, we really relied on our wedding planner to help with the venue and vendors. Our photographer Bonnie was also a wealth of knowledge. Although she is from Queensland, she had photographed many weddings in New Zealand and could recommend locations, as well as help with the timeline.
What does marriage mean to you?
We don’t believe in soul mates, or that we are fated to be. Marriage is about compromises, inside jokes, and the decision to commit to one another. It’s hard work, perseverance, and most of all love. We chose to walk into this marriage with eyes wide open, choosing each other, every day.
Any classic stories you want to share from the day?
We had such a ball at Gin and Raspberry for our after party. Chris’s family love to sing Jimmy Barnes and John Denver’s Country Road any chance they get. So of course, after a few cocktails, these songs came out, and the family was belting out these tunes. I was nearly in tears from fits of laughter. I don’t think the venue knew what hit them! I can’t thank G&R enough for being so accommodating!
Having our wedding overseas, we really relied on our wedding planner to help with the venue and vendors. Our photographer Bonnie was also a wealth of knowledge. Although she is from Queensland, she had photographed many weddings in New Zealand and could recommend locations, as well as help with the timeline.
What does marriage mean to you?
We don’t believe in soul mates, or that we are fated to be. Marriage is about compromises, inside jokes, and the decision to commit to one another. It’s hard work, perseverance, and most of all love. We chose to walk into this marriage with eyes wide open, choosing each other, every day.
Any classic stories you want to share from the day?
We had such a ball at Gin and Raspberry for our after party. Chris’s family love to sing Jimmy Barnes and John Denver’s Country Road any chance they get. So of course, after a few cocktails, these songs came out, and the family was belting out these tunes. I was nearly in tears from fits of laughter. I don’t think the venue knew what hit them! I can’t thank G&R enough for being so accommodating!
Like always, communication with each other is key. Weddings can heighten emotions!
We learnt fairly early on not to discuss too many details with others. Everyone has an opinion, and even though others have the best intentions, it can cloud judgement and cause you to stray from choosing what’s right for ‘your wedding’. There is no must/must nots for your wedding! Do what feels right!
What were your aisle, recessional and first dance songs?
I walked down the aisle to That Home by The Cinematic Orchestra. We chose to omit the recessional song to simply celebrate with our guests instead of walking back up the aisle. With such a small guest list, this felt a bit more casual and intimate. We also didn’t have a formal first dance. We drank cocktails and boogied with our guests until 3am!
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Any stand out vendors for the day? Someone that went above and beyond?
Bonnie and Dave, our photographers were stand outs, in every way possible. They drove us around, in their own rental car the day before for pre-wedding photos, with multiple locations organised. Neither Chris nor I are comfortable having photos taken, but they put us at ease. There was no awkward posing, just chatting away and laughing while they snapped away. The photos from our wedding and the day prior blew us away!
Bonnie and Dave, our photographers were stand outs, in every way possible. They drove us around, in their own rental car the day before for pre-wedding photos, with multiple locations organised. Neither Chris nor I are comfortable having photos taken, but they put us at ease. There was no awkward posing, just chatting away and laughing while they snapped away. The photos from our wedding and the day prior blew us away!
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Bonnie Jenkins Photography
Sunshine Coast
Instagram | Pinterest
Ceremony & Reception location & catering: Glendhu Bay, Wanaka
After party location: @ginandraspberry
Celebrant: @donna.fleming
Styling, flora and Planning: @fantailwed
Catering (Reception): @morsel_honestfoodco
Cake: @peppermintkitchen
Wedding Dress @qniquebridal from @bridalbyaubreyrose
Veil- Bridal by Aubrey Rose @bridalbyaubreyrose
Makeup @silversixpencebeauty
Hair- @thekingdomhair
Bridesmaid dresses- @shonajoy_ from Coco and Lola @cocoandlola
Suit- Si by @studioitaliatailoring
Shirt- @charlestyrwhitt
