Pania & Andy

Outside, under a huge oak tree and surrounded by family, friends, and incredible food, Pania and Andy threw a relaxed and rustic wedding in the middle of Summer. Wanting their guests to have a wonderful day, they kept formalities to a minimum and ensured the drinks were flowing! Phoebe Powell captured the day.

The bride and groom met at work, and a little while later we find them holidaying in New Zealand, visiting Pania’s family and preparing to hike the Queen Charlotte track. She remembers, ”Andy being Andy decided we were going for a morning hike up Mt Vernon in the township where my parents lived. Dad was coming, then he wasn’t, then he was and then he wasn’t. Apparently, Andy was proposing, +then he wasn’t, then he was, then he wasn’t. He showered, shaved and put a shirt on for the walk. Impatient me was waiting, tapping my toe! His explanation of taking so long to get ready was in case he wanted to take selfies up the top! Red faced, sweaty and out of breath, the two of us finally made it with a beautiful gusty view from where we stood on South Island looking to the north – spectacular view. He proposed and said a wonderfully romantic heartfelt speech – I said yes! On cloud nine, basically skipping down the hill we bumped into Dad who had changed his mind and was chasing us up the hill!”

After a bad experience with a scam site, the bride found her dream dress on Etsy at RenzRagz. She shares, ”I decided to go away from white and the traditional bride get up that really wasn’t me. I decided sparkles were fun and didn’t find anyone else in all the magazines and blogs wearing silver so thought why not?! This dress gave me the butterfly feeling that I had only hoped for. I felt amazing! My beautiful aunty gave me a hanky that my great uncle had given to her. It came in handy when I mentioned my beloved Granny in my speech!” The groom wore a custom made three piece suit from Singapore.

The bride got dressed with her beloved family, sharing that it was one of her fondest memories. She says, ”Getting ready with both my Mum and my stepmum, both women are such strong characters and are very close to my heart.” She says of her bridal party, ”My two beautiful nieces threw rose petals – and took it VERY seriously and did a beautiful job!”

Wanting a relaxed and fun ceremony, the couple were thrilled with the setup at Collingwood Children’s Farm. They tell, ”We wanted the ceremony to be “just us”, chilled tunes, champagne flowing and after a short ceremony we had the speeches within ten minutes under the tree. Uncle Lawrence was the MC, Dad spoke plus Andy and I. It was over rather quickly with lots of laughs and speech nerves minimised! My darling beautiful father walked me down the aisle with Liv & Mia a smidge in front of us. We walked down the aisle to ‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson.”

Keen to put their own spin on things with food and wine choice, Pania and Andy discovered the Farm Cafe. They remember, ”We were trying to decide where to get married, Singapore and Italy venues for eloping were put in the ‘too hard’ basket. Then a friend told us about the farm and what a venue! Food, BYO wine and very chilled vibes, we couldn’t have asked for a better venue for us.”

Clear on what they wanted for their wedding celebrations, the couple wanted a relaxed day with a focus on food, wine and no stress! The bride tells, ”One of the biggest must haves was to choose my own wine. Dad’s sparkling was a must! And we really really wanted a cheese tower!” Speaking of her gorgeous wedding flowers, Pania shares, ”I really wanted Australian natives and Maria from Urban Bunch captured it perfectly!”

Thrilled with all of their chosen vendors, the newlyweds were especially impressed by their band The Whiskey Gypsies, saying, ”They were terrific! Photographer Phoebe Powell was also absolutely terrific! So chilled, accommodating and put up with us!”

Thank you to our beautiful bride and groom for sharing your wedding day, and congratulations! Thank you also to photographer Phoebe Powell for sharing your images!