Real Weddings

Gabby and Jarrod
Kauri Bay Boomrock

Photography by Erica Jane

"Jarrod and I met at his sister’s wedding. He tried to teach me how to dance. I stood on his toes and he told me I couldn't dance. We laughed and continued to dance for the rest of the night. A year later, we crossed paths again and he asked me out. On our first date, we went for a ride on his motorbike and had coffee at Kawakawa Bay. When he proposed to me, four years later, it was a total surprise. We were at Waiheke, spending time at our favourite vineyard, when he got down on one knee. We’d spent so much time on that island that it seemed the perfect spot to get engaged. As a gift to me, he had arranged for a helicopter to pick us up and fly us home - we were soaring through the air in more ways than one. Our wedding was at Kauri Bay Boomrock in Clevedon. It was the first and only venue we looked at. As soon as we walked in, we knew it was for us. It’s such a beautiful venue, surrounded by rolling hills and ocean views - it really reminded me of my rural upbringing. We didn’t want to detract from the beauty of Kauri Bay so we focused on lots of greenery and crisp white flowers with hints of gold. Each guest got a cute little cookie with our names and wedding date stamped into it. We also designed all of our wedding stationary ourselves through our business, Papier HQ. We wanted a personal and relaxed ceremony, so we served champagne and beer beforehand. As a surprise for our guests, we also booked Alfie the Caravan for cocktail hour, which served up all our favourite cocktails. It was so fun sipping on aperol spritz, rose sangria and bellinis in the summer sun. Kauri Bay Boomrock overlooks the beach where Jarrod and I had our first date, so it made total sense to choose it as our wedding venue. As we said our vows, the view from the arch was the beach we love so much."

Thanks to all the contributing vendors:

Florals: Sweet Blooms
Venue: Kauri Bay Boomrock
Photography: Erica Jane
Hair: Hair by Hannah
Makeup: Leah Loves Makeup
Dress: Georgia Young Couture
Stationery: Papier HQ