Samantha & Kevin

Samantha & Kevin,
The Boathouse at The Riverhead

Tell us about the proposal

"A couple of weeks before the long weekend, I suggested a trip to Waiheke. Kevin eagerly agreed, insisting we visit Man O' War—the one winery we had yet to explore.

On the way there, he seemed unusually restless, but I brushed it off as traffic and the exhaustion of a busy week. A small part of me wondered if he might be planning to propose, but after giving him a little hug (and a subtle pat-down), I felt nothing and quickly dismissed the thought.

When we arrived early for lunch, I suggested a stroll along the beach, but Kevin was set on exploring the winery. As we wandered near a beautiful white chapel, I noticed a couple taking photos and instinctively stepped aside to give them space—until Kevin gently held my hand and led me forward. It wasn't until later that I learned those weren't just any visitors—they were our friends, secretly arranged by Kevin to capture this moment.

As we stood in front of the serene chapel, he suddenly said something that made me turn. And there he was—down on one knee, holding a stunning ring he had designed himself. In that moment, everything else faded away. He spoke from the heart, sharing his dreams of growing old together, building a life side by side, and then, he asked if I would spend forever with him.

It was more perfect than anything I could have imagined."

What was one non-negotiable for your wedding?

"For us, one of the most important aspects of our wedding was creating a celebration that truly reflected who we are and honoured our heritage. A non-negotiable was incorporating our Chinese culture, a beautiful thread that connects our past, our families, and now, our future.

Kevin's family is from Guangzhou, China, while I grew up as a Malaysian-born Chinese. The Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony was incredibly meaningful to us—it was more than just tradition; it was a heartfelt moment of gratitude, respect, and unity, bringing our two families together as one.

Our wedding theme also carried deep significance. We chose blue and white chinoiserie vases, a nod to our shared experience growing up as Chinese kids in New Zealand—never feeling fully Kiwi or fully Chinese.

As we dated, we realised that something we both grew up with in our homes were these intricate blue and white vases, collected by our mothers and aunties. We later learned that the original blue and white pottery from China inspired the European interpretation of the craft, known as 'Chinoiserie', meaning Chinese-like. This theme felt like the perfect representation of us—an elegant blend of our cultural roots and the Western influences in our upbringing.

To make it even more special, many of the vases we used in our wedding were borrowed from our family members and friends, making them not just decorations but meaningful pieces of our shared history. Our wedding wasn't just about celebrating our love—it was about embracing the history, traditions, and shared experiences that shaped us."

What do you consider the best investment you made, and why?

"For us, the best investment was, without a doubt, the food and drinks—a reflection of our love for bringing people together. Hosting is a big part of our lives; at least once a month, we cook up a feast and welcome our friends and family into our home.

So, when planning our wedding, it was an easy decision that we wanted our guests to feel the same warmth and love we cherish in our gatherings. Food is one of the most memorable parts of any celebration, and we never want our guests to leave feeling anything less than satisfied and cared for. More importantly, we wanted them to experience little pieces of our culture through the dishes we chose.

For some of the canapés, we served Kevin's favourite Egg Tarts (Dan Tat 蛋挞) and my favourite Malaysian Kuihs, sharing the flavours of our childhoods with the people we love most. Seeing our loved ones enjoy all the food and drinks reminded us that food isn't just nourishment—it's a love language, a way to bring people together, and a lasting memory of a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and joy."

Did you include anything non-traditional in your wedding?

"In the Malaysian Chinese tradition, a bride typically wears three dresses—a white wedding gown, a traditional dress for the tea ceremony, and a coloured reception dress. While planning our wedding, I struggled to find a traditional gown in New Zealand, so I chose to wear a red Western-style wedding dress for our tea ceremony instead. Red symbolises joy, prosperity, and love in Chinese culture, and embracing this vibrant colour in a modern silhouette felt like the perfect way to honour tradition while making it uniquely my own. It was a beautiful blend of past and present, a reflection of my heritage and personal journey, and a choice that made our wedding even more special."

What is one thing that surprised you?

"One thing that truly surprised us was how quickly the day flew by. After months of meticulous planning, we felt calm and ready, but nothing could have prepared us for the whirlwind of emotions we experienced. When the day arrived, we allowed ourselves to be fully present, cherishing every heartfelt moment. Standing together during the ceremony, after six years of love and growth, we knew this was the day that meant forever to us—a realisation that brought plenty of happy tears. It was a feeling unlike any other—overwhelming, joyful, and deeply moving. Looking back, we sometimes wish we could relive it all over again, just to experience that pure happiness, love, and togetherness once more."

What wedding planning advice would you offer other couples?

"Our biggest piece of advice is to plan ahead and trust the process. Avoiding procrastination helped ease so much stress—we gave ourselves time to meet different vendors and find those who truly understood our vision. Knowing we had a wonderful team by our side allowed us to be fully present on the day, soaking in every moment without worry. Most importantly, make your wedding a reflection of the two of you. Every love story is unique, and no two weddings are the same, so don't get caught up in trends or expectations. Forget the Pinterest-perfect wedding; focus on what brings you joy. At the end of the day, your friends and family are there to celebrate you. They will have an unforgettable time simply because they're witnessing your love and sharing in the happiness of your special day."