My Story
Everyone has unique story, and I can't wait to hear yours.
A big wedding?
Cameron and I became engaged in Fiji, shortly after finding out we were expecting our daughter, Annie. We had been together less than one year at this stage, so our friends and family joked that we were the living embodiment of the saying “when you know, you know!”
We set about planning our dream wedding after Annie was born in early 2020, in fact, I excitedly named this my “maternity leave” project. We fell in love with a beautiful venue and found a wonderful team of suppliers to deliver our perfect day. Save the dates went out to 160 close friends and family. Deposits were paid. We were both just thrilled to have set the wheels in motion for what would be a large, contemporary affair with elements of traditional interspersed with a few personal quirks.
Unexpectedly, two major curveballs came our way - Covid, and our son, Hugo! Incidentally, Hugo was due within days of our planned wedding date! Quickly, we made the necessary move to postpone our plans and update guests. Overall it probably worked out for the best, as the true extent of Covid unfolded in New Zealand and around the world, meaning many guests would not have been able to attend.
@SClementsPhotography
@SClementsPhotography
One Tuesday Afternoon...
I decided, much to my surprise, that it was important to me to complete our family with the same last name (once upon a time, I probably would have told you proudly that I wouldn’t be changing my name for marriage!). So we decided, with 10days’ notice, that we would ask our lovely Celebrant, Photographer, and two witnesses, to join us one Tuesday afternoon at a local hideaway to say “I do”.
In complete opposite style to our planned nuptials, we stripped away the inessential, and opted for a very simple, bespoke elopement. There was no aisle to walk down, no order of service. We read vows we jointly wrote to each other and celebrated with cake, bubbles, and a dance afterwards. Although I was adamant I still wanted a bouquet, ironically when the moment came, I had left it in our hotel room! Thankfully, it is still captured in the photos, but it did become quite the joke on the day!
Our families have since forgiven us, and it provided a very cool way to announce that our family was expanding. I absolutely have no regrets, and it will be fondly remembered as one of the most precious days of my life.
As you can see, I appreciate the large and traditional, as much as the intimate and distinct. I have personally dealt with curveballs, felt the true impact of Covid, and have surprised myself with my own values on weddings and marriage when it came to the crunch! I have the utmost respect for everyone’s unique journey to their chosen union and admire the diversity in each way people acknowledge love.
Everyone has a story, and I can’t wait to hear yours!