Hannah & Mike
If there was ever a time to feel like you were at a party full of life, stories and things to do and see then a wedding is it – Hannah and Mike captured this joyous feeling so beautifully in their New Zealand festival wedding captured by Emily Adamson, The venue? A beachfront holiday home. The couple taking over the grounds as they wed beside the beach and celebrated under tipis as night fell.
The newlyweds tell the story of their English meeting. “Mike and Hannah met through mutual friends in London back in 2007. Hannah’s family were pretty happy when they found out Mike was a kiwi – so no worries of her living in London forever. Hannah had already been there for a year but Mike was fresh off the boat when she snapped him up. Seven years later Mike finally proposed while on holiday in France. He had been carrying the ring around for over two weeks waiting for the perfect opportunity to propose. It was the last night of their holiday in the French Riviera, in a little hillside village called Vence. After dancing in the old town square for the Bastille Day celebrations walking home through the old town Mike got down on one knee on the cobblestone street.”
The bride wore a lace dress by Rue De Seine noting “I loved the look of tea length dresses and wanted a vintage look.”
The couple married at a beach front home, noting “Wanting a relaxed vibe for the wedding found this beachfront holiday home online. Perfect being situated in Coromandel as that is where Mike is from. Beautiful pine trees and tepees to help create a mini-festival atmosphere.”
There were special moments from the beginning. “Hannah’s brother Ben, drove her to the ceremony in his Lincoln Continental. We wanted our much-loved dog, Goldie to be included in the ceremony so she came walking down the aisle with my bridesmaid.”
The bride walked down the aisle to Með suð í eyrum by Sigur Ros.
Donna Brooke officiated the ceremony, the bride remembering “We wanted the ceremony to have a relaxed informal feeling to it. Our celebrant, Donna Brooke, had a very calming presence and made us feel very calm.”
Of their photographer, Hannah shares “After seeing Emily Adamson’s work online, I contacted her on the off chance she fancied shooting a wedding very far away from Queenstown. We were so surprised and ecstatic when she said yes. Love her work.”
Under the tipis sat an abundance of handmade treasures, the newlyweds telling “Mike drew the invitations, made the table setting board, mini flags for the dessert table, drew all the table numbers. Hannah’s mother sewed all the tablecloths. Bunting all handmade by bridesmaid, Janine. All the flowers (except bridal bouquets) were done by family plus all the “aunties” made their signature dessert. Hannah’s cousin Becky made the wedding cake. Hannah & her Mum made all the chutneys (wedding favours) in honour of Hannah’s Nana (unfortunately she was too unwell to be at the wedding).”
The couple celebrated with guests under tipis from TopKata. “TopKata really went out of their way to look after us. They provided another tepee last minute and the guys who assembled them and took them down again were amazing – working well into the night to get the job done.”
For their first dance, the newlyweds chose Winter Dress by The Amazing.
Congratulations Hannah and Mike! Thank you for sharing the glorious story of your day! Thank you also to Emily Adamson for sharing today’s celebration.
Thanks for doing such a beautiful feature Polka Dot Bride, it certainly was a beautiful day that I was so lucky to capture.
Hi there Emily! Thank you for sharing this stunning day with us! x Ms Rose