Mathew and Jane met in Palmerston North while studying in 2002. It took them a few months to get to know each other and from a friendship came the sparks of a budding romance.
The couple moved to Mathew’s home town of Tauranga in 2005 and from there they decided to do the big OE, visiting many countries. “I did think that being in the world’s most romantic city of Paris on Valentine’s Day ’09, might prompt Mat to propose, but with Mat knowing this would not surprise me he decided not to” Jane says.
In fact, Mathew held off until the following January where he proposed at the family bach near Wai-iti with a beautiful ring he had designed himself. “The bach is one my family has been going to since I was eight years old. He proposed at sunset and had his camera ready to catch my reaction. It was a huge surprise and very romantic!”
Mathew and Jane set the date for 11 March 2011 and both knew from day one that the wedding was going to be held in Taranaki where Jane is from.
With a lot of planning and sleepless nights the day finally arrived. Jane and her bridesmaids started the morning by enjoying a lovely breakfast at her Mums house and then had hair and make-up done. They travelled up to Barton Estate for the ceremony in a Pontiac, Buick and a Cadillac Convertible supplied by family friends.
The bride wore a strapless pearl coloured dress with pearl beaded detailing through the front by Brides on Devonport in Tauranga. “I tried on five dresses but as soon as I tried this one on, I knew it was the one”! Jane’s five bridesmaids each wore a different style overlayed in charcoal chiffon, made by a family friend. The flowers were purchased from a Hydrangea Farm and put together into bouquets by the girls. “My day was made so much easier having five bridesmaids to run around and keep me calm, they were amazing”!
As the guests arrived in buses, Jane and the fabulous five were upstairs peeking through the blinds from the room they were getting ready in. “It was so cool seeing everyone before they saw me and how beautiful they all looked”!
The bride, her five bridesmaids, four flowergirls and two paige boys, walked down the aisle to Bernard Fanning’s ‘watch over me’ sung by Mathew’s friend while another played the guitar. In front of 120 guests in the garden at Barton Estate and overlooking the New Plymouth district, the couple became man and wife and was officiated by Nicky Bryan.
While guests were taken back to the New Plymouth Race Course by bus to enjoy champagne and nibbles, the wedding party went to a nearby field for their photo shoot. “We all had so much fun on the shoot and to top it off we had amazing weather so we had a picnic in the field together with champagne”.
The reception was held in the La Mer Lounge at the Race Course with a shabby chic theme. The team at Le Dejeuner Caterers created a buffet style menu which Jane and Mathew planned carefully with Lee. “Dessert was my favourite, with beautifully hand made tarts in five different flavours”. The couple had two wedding cakes, a lollie cake and a two layered cake, one chocolate, the other fruit which they cut just after the speeches.
DJ HepsFX got the party started and the dancing continued all night, “we were glad to retreat to the gorgeous Nice Hotel. We had no idea we were staying there for two nights thanks to Mum and Dad! It was such a great way to end a magnificent day”.
But the surprises didn’t end there. Six weeks later the couple found out they were having a honeymoon baby!
Congratulations!!
Photographer: One Black Sheep Photography. Venue: Barton Estate and New Plymouth Race Course La Mer Lounge. Wedding Attire: Brides on Devonport in Tauranga and a family friend. Make-up: LA Makeup. Flower Bouquets: DIY and Hydrangea Farm. Transport: Friends classic cars. Music: DJ HepsFX. Cake: Family friend. Catering: Le Dejeuner. Hire: Theatre Lamp and Lighting. Accommodation: Nice Hotel and Best Suites