Real Weddings: A breathtakingly beautiful wedding set across the stunning New Zealand back drop

I have an absolute stunner for you today all the way from New Zealand! I’m a sucker for a destination wedding and this one is simply breathtaking! It was sent to me by Eleanor Gannon from Jel Photography and I just LOVE it! but what isn’t there to love? look at that backdrop!……..STUNNING, as are the couple Oriel and Kerry, as well as that there are lost of gorgeous home made details that have gone into the day that makes it even more personal!

Full names
Oriel Davis-Lyons & Kerry Louise Pascal

How did you meet? 
We both had been given a free ticket to a cheesy nightclub. We wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t free. We’ve been togeterh 5 and a half years.

Date of wedding
19th March 2011

Location
‘Just Paradise’ A holiday overlooking Rings Beach, Whitianga in the Coromandel

What made you decide to get married where you did?
That part of the country (the Coromandel Peninsula) has been special to us since we arrived in New Zealand five years ago. We’ve been back every year to different beaches and campsites and we knew it was the one place we had to show both families who were coming for the wedding. We found the house by chance online and we knew just from the photos that it was going to be the place.

Who was your dress by
Alma J (a small boutique)

How would you sum up your day?
t’s a cliche, but it was perfect. The weather cleared in to one of the best days of the year and everyone had a lot of fun.

Did you have a theme or colour scheme?
I love pattern, colour & textiles and didn’t want to stick to a set colour palette, so I just collect things I loved and put them all together.
What made you decide to get married where you did?
That part of the country (the Coromandel Peninsula) has been special to us since we arrived in New Zealand five years ago. We’ve been back every year to different beaches and campsites and we knew it was the one place we had to show both families who were coming for the wedding. We found the house by chance online and we knew just from the photos that it was going to be the place.

Did you have any personal touches? Or things that you did yourself?
All decorations including bunting, paper flowers, paper flags, table cloths, menues, place names, wedding cup cakes, hanging mobiles, favors (onion jam) fabric lids & tags, vases which were jars we collected for table flowers. Ribbons collected to match the vintage theme for bouquet, vase, cake and chair decoration.

How many guests?
23 close friends & family

What were your special moments/highlights?
(Oriel) Seeing Kerry in her dress for the first time after months of waiting. The after party by the pool.

Is there anything you would do differently?
No

What advice would you give any other couples?
It doesn’t have to be hugely expensive. Kerry made a lot of the decorations and we called on friends for favours. Otherwise, try and enjoy the planning as you’ll spend more time doing that than actually getting married.

What was your biggest surprise of the day?
Unfortunately (or fortunately) there were no big surprises. We’d planned everything we could and most of it happened that way.

Suppliers involved:
Food: Larry – Jamaican me Hungry
Wedding bands: Penelope Barnhill – penelopebarnhill.co.nz
Just Paradise: www.justparadise.co.nz

For more information on Jel Photography go to:
Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand
www.jelphoto.co.nz
[email protected]
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