Sophie + Jason imagined a “unique/quirky/magical DIY wedding” where their personalities could shine through in even the smallest of details. Sophie spent hours upon hours researching ideas, collecting decor pieces + selecting the vendors for their day. And she and Jason lucked out by having friends + family pitch in with painting, baking + building custom furniture pieces to help bring their unique vision to life. But, perhaps, they were luckiest of all by having stylist, Claire, of One Lovely Day (who happens to be Sophie’s super-talented godmother) along for the ride. Claire and her design team were key in bringing the all the details – big + small – to life in the prettiest way + executing a day that these two, and all of their guests, will remember forever. Below, Sophie tells us more about their vision + venues:
The ceremony venue was in Tairua where Jason and I first met and where Jason proposed. The ceremony took place where Jason’s two sisters got married and where my dad passed away (I had a photo of him and my twin and I on my bouquet, so he was with me the whole time), the stunning Taiura beach south end. The wedding reception venue was our dream property/home just out of Tairua, which made our wedding that much more special and a real blank canvas to work with. We have now made it into an event venue “The Hay & Wood”.
Such a great story which helped create the prettiest of days! Thanks so much to Nordica Photography for the stunning captures!
Major love for Sophie’s Grace Loves Lace dress!
Our Musical Choices
The garden rose-filled bouquets featured wild greenery accents and the prettiest peach + pink hues.
Our Favorite Memory
Surprisingly the wedding photos with just Jason & I. We both hardly ever take or have our photos taken but Nordica Photography made it so easy and not staged. We just enjoyed hanging out together.
We’re completely obsessed with the reception space Sophie + Claire created! Soph says, We achieved the look by using bee hives from my husbands family bee/honey business, apple crates, beer crates, pallets, etc. And made the furniture pieces from scratch.
Guests grabbed a delicious catered dinner from Picnic Box + snagged a seat in one of the many cozy lounges scattered around the venue.
Our Advice
Gosh that’s hard….. Just remember it’s you & your partners day, make sure it’s what you want & who cares what others think. Our wedding was very different to anything our friends & families had heard of & everyone had an opinion on things, but in the end it was everything we wanted & everyone was blown away. A few more things, be organised as much as you try to stick to a budget you will either go over or sacrifice things you may love, as Jason said “We are only going to do this once”, so don’t stress to much about going over a bit as it will all work out in the end.
Featured in This Wedding
Grace Loves Lace
Nordica Photography
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Florals: One Lovely Day // Bridesmaid Dresses: Xenia & Showpo // Hair Stylist: Sharne Wright & Pip Burr // Makeup Artist: Sharne Wright & Pip Burr // Catering: Picnic Box // Cake: Carol Donaldson // Desserts: Kapiti Ice Cream, Bluebells Cakery, Rocket Kitchen, Devonport Chocolate, Bennetts of Mangawhai, Macarons Fiona, Petal Cupcakes & Bride and Lucy // Furniture Rentals: Sophie Hayward & Lucy Dickinson of One Lovely Day // Music: Aimee Hadrup + Rodi Kirk // Officiant: Rekha Percival // ceremony: The Hay & Wood // stylist: One Lovely Day // flower styling: helped by family & friends // bouquets: helped by family & friends // hair wreaths: Tairua Flowers // button holes: Tairua Flowers // groomsmen suits: Oxford AU // lighting: La Lumiere // bar: One Little Wagon – Carol Donaldson // photo booth: Photokombie // marquee: Schupepe Tents // wedding favours: Cotton // stationery: Sophie Hayward & Lucy Dickinson of One Lovely Day // props: Sophie Hayward & Lucy Dickinson of One Lovely Day // manicure: Sea Escape Tairua // wedding bands: Culet Jewellery // ceremony singer: Alya Jade // apple crates: Seeka
