Mia & Eben
Our wedding was rustic, vintage, and showed off the rugged mountain scape of Wanaka, Central Otago. We held our Wanaka wedding outdoors, and decorated it with our family heirlooms. We met at Otago University in our third year and spent many Summers holidaying in the picturesque Central Otago. We graduated from University and moved to Auckland together to start our careers. A few years later we travelled the world for 18 months as backpackers. Eben proposed under the stars at high altitude, in South West China near the Tibetan mountains. We knew we would return to New Zealand to marry, where I grew up riding horses and playing outdoors, and together we spent our University holidays with friends and family. We saw the wedding as a community celebration, one in which both families took part. Details were a ‘special’ edition for us in the lead up and on the day of our wedding, after our overseas return. This included the remodelling of Grandma’s red bike by Eben and I, and restoration of Eben’s fathers 1950’s land cruiser by various family members.
Our gorgeous photographs were by Wanaka Photography and they really captured the natural surroundings of our location.
I wore my Great Grandmother’s wedding ring, and carried my Great Aunty’s handbag, both of who I knew well, as they lived until a ripe old age of just over 100 years old.
We held our ceremony at Lookout, an elevated venue with a glorious view. The lodge sits in the shadow of Mt Gold located in a secluded valley a short drive from Wanaka township. Wanaka has become a hot spot for destination weddings in New Zealand because of it’s breath taking landscape. We were able to make the venue our own, and it was well worth the bumpy, dusty ride along the dirt roads in the old Land Cruisers.
I walked down the aisle to “Even When I’m Sleeping” sang by Isla Brentwood (Original by Leonardo’s Bride).
As a Wedding Dress Designer for BLU Wedding Boutique, I felt extra pressure in designing my two wedding gowns, and three bridesmaid dresses to ‘wow’ guests. It was important to have the bridesmaids in dresses that would fit in with the natural colours of the landscape, and look stunning in the photos. For my ceremony gown I wanted a formal dress with a glamorous back, and for the reception I designed a more ‘fun’ bohemian dress to dance the night away in. My Maid of Honour assisted me in a paddock during the photoshoot to ‘let my hair down’ literally, and swap into my second gown to make the grand entrance into the reception.
Our wedding was a DIY wedding focused on a breathtaking venue, Central Otago home cooked cuisine, local wine sourced from a family friend’s vineyard, live entertainment, as well as decorations passed through generations to bring all the family together as one.
Our first dance was to Mojo’s rendition of Sweet Disposition by the Temper Trap. Guests danced the night away and celebrated under the stars.
Photography by Wanaka Photography
Ms Gingham says: Stunning location captured perfectly by a very talented photographer! I love the restored vintage bike…. such a lovely touch. Congratulations Mia and Eben!
Mia says: “I’m inspired by vintage and old Hollywood glamour with a twist. I have drawn much of my inspiration from my Great Grandmother ‘Maree Roche’ who lived until 101 years old. I knew her well, and it was special having four generations of women in my family. Maree was married in Sydney in 1929 and wore bridal attire typical of the 1920′s. She wore a long, gorgeous cap veil, and the sleek lines of a 20s style wedding dress, her bridesmaids matched. x Mia”
I believe that every girl has a dream of wearing such a glittering wedding dress, holding a wedding ceremony in a romantic place, how lucky the bride is!