How did your story begin?

“Our story began in 2019 when Lucas’s workplace organised a Christmas pub crawl. At the same time, Hannah's flatmate (and future maid of honour) Devon convinced her to come along and join the fun. By the time she arrived at the first bar, Lucas was already a few drinks in. From the moment we met, there was an undeniable connection between us.

We parted ways at the end of 2019, knowing Lucas would soon be moving away. But every time our paths crossed, the spark between us was impossible to ignore. Eventually, Lucas asked me out on our first official date.

Fast forward five incredible years, we are now married with a beautiful one-year-old golden retriever pup!”

Was there anything you had to have or do at your wedding – something that felt totally you?

“Making sure we had plenty of amazing food and beverages – we are massive foodies, so we wanted to make sure our guests had an amazing experience. Mantells in Mount Eden definitely put on an incredible feast, and the food and drinks kept flowing throughout the day!”

What part of the day or planning felt like your best investment – in time, money, or love?

“We had just four months to plan our wedding after deciding in October to tie the knot the following February. One of the best investments we made was finding the right photographer – and Ryan Watts was incredible. He supported us with everything from on-the-day timelines to vendor recommendations and truly brought our vision to life. We felt so comfortable having him with us on the day, and his presence made the whole experience even more special.”

Did you put your own twist on any traditions, or break a few entirely?

“Since our ceremony took place at a Catholic church, we chose to share our personal vows during speeches at the reception. This made the moment at dinner feel incredibly special and intimate. It was such an amazing experience to stand up together and give a speech as husband and wife!”

What caught you off guard, in the best or most unexpected way?

“We had such a special day, but one of the standout moments came toward the end of the night. The maître d’ at Mantells approached us and said that in all his years running weddings, while every day is special, it had been a long time since he’d seen a couple as truly in love as we are. That moment will stay with us forever.”

Any advice you’d pass on to other couples just getting started?

“Savour every moment – they say it goes by fast, and it truly does. Make space throughout the day to be together, just the two of you, and soak it all in. We had a moment at sunset when our photographer took us out for photos, and it was so special to have that time together to take it all in.”