SUSI X NATHAN

calika co photography summergrove estate weddings

images by calika co
wedding day 29 June 2019
120 wedding guests

Susi + Nathan marry at Summergrove Estate amongst a fresh, modern setting with an inviting, magical vibe. They were together for 6 years before Nathan asked Susi to marry him. "Nate worked in the restaurant next to where I was waitressing. We'd talk to each other occasionally after work but it took him two months to ask me out one night for a coffee. Apparently I didn’t look too happy and he wanted to cheer me up. Things took off from there!" Susi shares.

calika co photography summergrove estate weddings

the proposal.

We were cycling through some trails around Lake Taupo, New Zealand on a 20km bike ride and half way in we came to a clearing on a cliff. It was a beautiful, photogenic view of the green valley and blue rapids below.

There was a weathered wooden bench that I figured I’d sit on and get a shot from behind. Nate was taking the photo, however everytime I tried to turn around he would say not yet not yet, until he finally asked me to look around, he was on one knee. I said yes and crash tackled him to the ground and right at that moment two cyclists came around the corner and very quickly turned around and went back down. Haha. He then showed me a video he’d pre-recorded asking my father if he could marry me. This meant everything. We were both very emotional.

the venue.

I’m a country girl at heart. Summergrove Estate had everything we wanted while not being too far away for guests to drive. The view was incredible and they had the option of a garden ceremony.

wedding theme.

We just wanted the environment around us to feel warm, inviting and magical.

favourite moments.

Seeing my dad smile. Nate crying at the alter when I walked down. My maid of honor had a go at Mandarin causing half the room to erupt in applause. My BIL tripped and a whole bunch of palm cards went flying into the air. During our first dance, the moment the beat drops in Aerosmiths – don’t want to miss a thing and the fireworks went off.

favourite detail.

All our guests mentioned they’d never seen and felt such an immense amount of pure love and happiness during our ceremony. We don’t regret asking our guests to keep phones in their pockets and just be ‘in the moment'. This is one of the best decisions we made.

what does marriage mean to you?

A commitment of two souls that believe in looking outward together in the same direction.

how was your suit/dress shopping experience?

Amazingly easy. Had a trunk show with Galia Lahav. First dress I tried on, that’s the one. I customized it to my liking. A couple trips to Melbourne for fittings and it was perfect. Nates suit was an Italian three piece wool & mohair blend by Brooks Brothers. His took several weeks to choose hahaha.

classic stories.

I nearly gave my hairdresser a stroke when she found out half way through doing my hair what event I was getting my hair done for. Apparently brides book in advance for a ‘hair trial’.... I just rocked up on my Wedding day, gave her a photo and said just do that as good as you can.

advice.

Bride & Groomzillas are overrated. Be a chill bride, you’re energy affects everything in your environment. Styling and organising your own wedding is possible! Be direct and realistic with what you want. Budget accordingly. Also make sure you’ve got the right Wedding date haha, we’ll be known as the only couple who organised all these vendors to rock up on the wrong day... we’d also sent out save the dates... with the wrong date (luckily someone reminded us when they noticed) we made all the vendors laugh... you can bet they’d never heard that happen before.