Samantha & Bowan
Samantha and Bowan wanted their wedding day to reflect them as a couple – relaxed yet traditional, happy and full of love. Samantha shares the details from their beautiful summer celebration… and their honeymoon in French Polynesia!
We decided to get our main photos taken before the ceremony, so that once we were married, we could just enjoy being present and celebrating with our nearest and dearest. Bowan has spent many summers in Mangawhai growing up, it’s his happy place, so it was important to us to have our ‘first look’ and our bridal party photos taken there.
Our bridesmaids wore custom made dresses from The Stockroom. Three different colours, each choosing a slightly different style. Bowan is not a suit and tie type of guy, so him and the boys wore chinos and white linen shirts with bow ties that screamed fun and class while pulling in the three bridesmaid colours.
We wanted our special day to reflect us - relaxed yet traditional, happy and full of love. When we initially started venue hunting, we knew we were after the ‘barn’ look – it set the relaxed vibe we were after. We had our eyes on a few, but our hearts set on one: The Stables, Matakana. It was beyond perfect.
For our reception, we chose bright greenery with pops of clean white florals and wooden accents to tie everything together and continue the relaxed feel. Festoon lights hung above the guests’ tables and the outdoor area and small flickering candles mirrored them. We kept things traditional with the structure of our wedding day and once the formalities were over, our incredible four-piece band had everyone singing and dancing all night long.
We had the most incredible day and we wouldn’t change a single thing – it was everything we dreamed of and more.
Photographer: Lavara Photography
Bridesmaids’ dresses: The Stockroom
Twig and Twine /The Stables, Matakana / Auckland Wedding Films / Sarah Joseph Couture / Tarocash / Three Wise Men / Otaa / Makeup by Meags / Inspired Hair / Gary Pointon / Light It Up
Honeymoon in French Polynesia
Samantha and Bowan were the lucky winners of our 2018 Bride & Groom Show Door Prize - a romantic honeymoon at Sofitel Moorea La Ora Beach Resort and Manava Suite Resort Tahiti, thanks to Travel Associates. Samantha tells us about their trip of a lifetime…
‘Bo and I wanted to get in touch to say a HUGE thank you – we had the most incredible honeymoon and we are so ridiculously grateful for such a beautiful start to our married life together!
We extended the honeymoon we won by an extra five days in Bora Bora... because, why not?! While we were in Moorea we spent some serious time relaxing in our overwater bungalow, swimming and snorkelling in the lagoon checking out the beautiful sea life at our doorstep! We also got out and about doing an ATV Quad Bike tour through the mountains, a shark and stingray dive + lagoon tour, and even swam with a dolphin! We had the most incredible time and didn't take it for granted for one second!
Thank you again, we will be forever grateful!’
