Tell us a bit about your love story

“Our story began in sunny Nelson, where I was working as a receptionist at a backpackers’ hostel and Lee, who’s Scottish, was passing through on his travels. Each night, he’d take over my shift as the night receptionist and during those handovers, a quiet connection began to grow.

I was about to leave New Zealand to travel through Europe and settle in London, but in the lead-up to my departure, Lee and I became inseparable—sharing laughter, adventures and late-night chats. After I left, we never said goodbye. We just kept talking—me from cafés and train stations across Europe and he from winding roads in New Zealand.

Then one day, Lee messaged: ‘What if, instead of London, you came to Edinburgh?’ I said yes. We moved in together the day I arrived. Seven years later, during a nostalgic trip back to New Zealand, he proposed to me at Wharariki Beach—where we had our first date. The wild waves, the wind, and that magical stretch of sand made the perfect setting. Since we met and got engaged in Aotearoa, it only felt right to get married here too. But we made sure to weave in Scottish traditions, so it really felt like both our worlds coming together.”

What was one non-negotiable for your wedding?

“We just wanted the whole day to be fun—for us and everyone there. We approached it like planning one big summer party, bringing all our favourite people from across the world together for something unforgettable.”

What do you consider the best investment you made?

“Champagne. Lots of it.”

What surprised you most about the whole experience?

“How not stressful it was! People always say wedding planning is hard, but we went in determined to have fun with it. Planning from Scotland had its challenges, but the team at Tui Hills made it so easy.”

Did you include anything non-traditional?

“We put a strong focus on blending New Zealand and Scottish cultures—so our wedding was this beautiful fusion of both. One of our favourite moments was the Ceilidh dance later in the evening. Everyone got involved, and it brought so much joy and energy to the night.”

What advice would you share with other couples?

“Have fun with it! Don’t take things too seriously—and enjoy the ride. The best part for us was simply bringing our favourite people together. The rest—the styling, the details—will fall into place. Your unique touches will shine through, and that’s what makes the day special."