New Zealand Country Wedding

Today’s wedding brings us all the way to New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, where Greta Kenyon of Vela Images captured this absolutely gorgeous couple and their rustic French-inspired wedding. Their reception table is everything we dream a Provencal family-style dinner would be, and then some. Read on for some great words of wisdom from the bride, Danielle!

From the bride, Danielle: The inspiration for our wedding came from the season and size of our guest list. The rich depth of Autumn hues and an intimate guest list ensued into a warm, personal feel with no theme or conformity nor the formalities you’d expect on a wedding day.

My most memorable moment was watching my husband do his best not to well up as my Father walked me down the path towards him, and for the Luke, “the seriously memorable great times had with our small gathering of guests, dancing barefoot on the deck, under the stars with the city lights in the distance.”

My advice for other brides: Leave your gown until last. Do the research however don’t make the final decision until closer to D-Day. It’s imperative you feel a million dollars therefore don’t let anyone dilute how very important this small yet vital detail is for your beautiful moment. Don’t feel the pressure to conform or be uniform. It’s your day and there’s no right or wrong way to do this.

Enjoy allowing your creative side run riot in expressing your personalities in the styling of the day; savor and enjoy the precious moments between just the two of you that go unnoticed by everyone else and have absolutely no regrets, as it all goes by so fast. Most of all, trust your instinct and plan what feels right for the two of you as often what the day is truly about, can get so lost amidst the sea of planning. It’s about the purpose of the day and not the performance.

Wedding Location: Bay of Plenty, New Zealand / Wedding Photographer: Greta Kenyon of Vela Images / Wedding Venue and Flowers: French Country House / Wedding Dress and Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Robyn Pascoe / Bride’s Jewelry: Michal Negrin / Groom’s and Groomsmen Suits: Working Style / Makeup: Chrissy of Fairy Fingers / Hair: Natalia of Scotts (Mount Maunagnui) / Wedding Stationery: Ruby & Willow / Celebrant: Aaron Bloomfield