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...your day the Coromandel way...
Grab a cuppa or a glass of whatever takes your fancy and check out what our Coromandel wedding superstars are saying, doing & sharing ...
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When my two eldest children decided to get married, it somehow eventuated that the two weddings would only be a month apart- February 27th and March 27th! This could have been a bit of a nightmare, but instead, it was a special time my family and I will never forget.
Luckily for us, my new daughter in law, Rhiannon Walton, is a big fan of monochrome and contemporary design, and my daughter, Hayley Sullivan, had an idea to have quite a colourful palette, with some vintage styling. These two very different visions helped keep the weddings separate entities in the planning. When the weddings were first planned, I said I didn’t want to marry them, (I’m a celebrant) but my son convinced me I would have the best view of the ceremonies, and he was right. It was such a privilege to work through the ceremony planning with both couples, and knowing them so well meant that writing the script was both really emotional and really easy. I did cry through the delivery in a few places though- but I wasn’t the only one! Rhiannon and my son, Corey, tied the knot up the road on the lawn of the Kauaeranga Hall and held their reception at the Thames Racecourse. I have planned many events at the racecourse over the past seventeen years, but had always wanted to hold an event on the grandstand overlooking the beautiful Thames Firth. Rhiannon trusted in my ideas, and it turned out so much better than I dreamed. Hayley and Aaron chose to get married at our place up the Kauaeranga Valley, and we did about 10 years of landscaping in about 10 months, including mowing a paddock for guests to stay over in glamping tents. I learned how to upholster old furniture to make sitting areas in the colour schemes for both weddings, and most of these were sold to Peninsula Party Hire after the weddings, so that was great recycling! We also upcycled furniture we bought from Trade Me and marketplace for the bar and signing tables etc. The vendors for both weddings were a mix of local people I have worked with and trust, and people both bridal couples had chosen because they had a relationship with them, or they came from their own home town (Hamilton) or further afield. The weddings were Jennifer from Aroha Catering’s last events before handing over the reins after many years of catering in Thames to Kirstie, and the food was amazing. Both weddings had local Thames band, ‘ The Chunes’ play before the reception, and the lead singer, Tyla Pere, sang both brides down the aisle. If you’ve ever heard Tyla sing or the boys play, you’ll know why they played at both weddings. The band is outstanding. Hayley is quite talented at quite a few things- and we joke all the time that we would make a great wedding planning company together. She made both cakes- even though she was both a bridesmaid and a bride, and they were both beautiful and delicious. She also designed the invitations and websites for both herself and Rhiannon, and did all the calligraphy for her signage. The best advice I could give anyone planning their wedding, is to remember that almost everyone comes to your wedding prepared to have a great time, so they will ever notice if things aren’t perfect, they’re probably just too busy having fun. It also goes so fast. Faster than you can ever imagine, so just try to enjoy every moment. The best part, hands down, was welcoming my new daughter in law and son in law officially into the family. My children chose wonderful people to spend their lives with, and we couldn’t be happier. It was also wonderful to have both couples so incredibly happy with their wedding day, and say they smile every time they think of it. What could be better? Written by Kristina Walton - Well Wed With Kristina Vendors for Rhiannon and Corey's Wedding Hair: Bella Hair, Pauanui (Rhiannon’s Aunty) Make up: Make Up By Baillie Dress: Dylins Bridal Flowers: Aster And Bloom Ceremony Venue: Kauaeranga Valley Hall, Thames Reception Venue: Thames Race Course, Thames Celebrant: Well Wed With Kristina (Groom’s mum, Thames) Ceremony Music: Tyla Pere Pre Reception Band: The Chunes Reception Band: Tim Armstrong Photographer: Tiffany Curtis Photography Mobile Caravan Bar: Charlie Grace Caterers: Aroha Catering Cake: Hayley Grace Bakes (Groom's sister) Invitations: Hayley (Groom's sister) Vendors for Hayley and Aaron’s Wedding Hair: Lydia from Makawe Salon Make up: Jesse Seymour Dress: Bridal Brilliance Flowers: Vicki McWatt (Thames) Wedding Venue: Bride’s parents house (Kauaeranga Valley, Thames) Celebrant: Well Wed With Kristina (Bride’s mum, Thames) Marque: Peninsula Party Hire Honeymoon and Guest tents: Just Hitched Ceremony Music: Tyla Pere Cocktail Band: The Chunes Reception Band: Badly Stuffed Animals Photographer: Moira West Videographer: Weka Films Mobile Caravan Bar: Charlie Grace Caterers: Aroha Catering Cake: Hayley Grace Bakes (Bride) Invitations: Hayley (Bride) Comments are closed.
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