Alex & Nick
Wedding Date: 19 July 2025
Ceremony Location: The Love Garden
Reception Location: Chesters
How did you and your partner meet?
We met while waiting in line for the bar while we were both at pub trivia night. Our tables were next to each other, we spent the evening sledging each other. We had a drink together after trivia finished and the rest, as they say, is history!
How did you or partner propose?
We were in New Zealand in February 2024, and had planned to hike the Hooker Valley Track which ends up at the base of Mt Cook. Unknown to Al, Nick was planning to propose when they reached Mt Cook and had organised a photographer to join them. The weather gods had other ideas. The mild forecast of 3 mls of rain turned into 70mls of rain, gale force winds and the weather conditions deteriorated so badly the track was closed! Nick and Brogan (photographer) desperately tried to plan a new spot for the proposal and Al got cranky because Nick was so distracted on his phone! A new spot was found on the shores of Lake Pukaki, and Al almost didn't hear Nick proposing because of how windy it was! (we think she said yes)
What was your favourite part of your ceremony?
How do we choose?! After days of grey wintery skies, we had a perfect bluebird day. We had our closest friends and family in the stunning love garden, which was so intimate and magical. Our celebrant, Ally, was incredible in how beautifully she paid tribute to our loved ones, and how she shared our love story. There were no dry eyes! Nick's grandparents, who are about to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary, were our witnesses and it was such a special moment to share with them. But our favourite moment of all was being pronounced husband and wife and sharing our first kiss as a married couple!
What did you love about your reception?
Our guests had their portraits drawn by the incredible Fay of Graced Goods, while they sipped on margaritas and espresso martinis in the chess garden. It was a perfect cocktail hour! We decided to do a champagne tower right after our ceremony and we are so glad we did - it was so much fun and such a great way to celebrate finally saying "we do!" Our VIP guest, our baby Jack who was born in January, made a brief cameo appearance during cocktail hour to the delight of everyone.
Chesters looked absolutely magical with hanging greenery and shimmering candles in our 'Midwinter Night's Dream' theme. The food by season and savour was absolutely incredible! The intimacy of Chesters and the beauty of the space really is something else, and looked better than we had ever imagined it would. We danced the night away and were both still sore for a few days afterwards from so much dancing!!
What is your advice for any future couples planning their wedding?
Lists are your friend - make a time each week to just keep going through your 'to do' list (we liked doing it over a Saturday morning coffee together). That keeps the stress very manageable and almost to a minimum. Choose vendors whose vibe aligns with yours - you spend the lead up and your big day with them and you want to be with people who just 'get' you. Our vendors were all phenomenal. The team at Terrara House are incredible and so, so willing to help with even the silliest of questions! (we know, we asked a lot of them!)
Oh - and make sure you do the pizza night on the Friday night before your wedding - best pizza ever and the perfect way to settle into your wedding weekend
DETAILS:
Photographer: Beth Fernley photography
Content Creator: Vanessa at V Wild Weddings
Celebrant: Ally Cooper
Hair & Makeup: Hair by Holly Gould; Makeup by Megan
Florist: Bear Trader
Catering: Season & Savour
Cake: Acacia Simone
Entertainment: Accent String Trio (ceremony and cocktail hour); Graced Goods - live illustrator