Man O’ War Waiheke Wedding // Sam and John

06/04/2023

THE SLIDESHOW

Sam & John

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In the heart of Waiheke Island, amongst the vineyards of Man O’ War, Sam and John celebrated their wedding which perfectly mirrored their personalities and had a focus on the intimate island setting of Waiheke. 
Their wedding reflected their joint love for simplicity and sophistication. Sam, in a white satin gown from Hayes Bridal, captured her elegance. The dress, chosen for its minimal yet modern design, highlighted Sam’s natural beauty and perfectly matched the carefully selected sage-coloured bridesmaids’ dresses by Bec and Bridge. John and his groomsmen looked handsome in tailored black suits from Crane Brothers, and for the ceremony, John wore a traditional Korowai, symbolising his deep-rooted connection and love for his family and heritage.
Sam and John’s much-loved dog Hemi, a delightful blue Staffy, was an important part of the celebration it was evident that he was a very special member of their family, sitting proudly for family photos when the time came.
The wedding was a blend of island charm and New Zealand beauty. Wildflower Waiheke created stunning bouquets and table arrangements, incorporating delicate blooms in white, sage and a little yellow. The reception was set outside under a grove of native trees, framed by glowing festoon lights, showcasing their shared vision of a relaxed, summery and vibrant celebration.
For Sam and John, this day was about capturing the essence of everything that means the most to them – laughter, joy​ and the connection with their family and friends. As the sun set, the night came alive on the dance floor with Sam rocking her second look, a nod to 80’s glamour – I could’ve sworn a young Demi Moore was her twin – and John in a white tuxedo jacket who looked much like a celebrity himself. It was evident that Sam and John’s wedding was not just an event, it was a celebration of their journey together and it marked the start of this new chapter as a married couple.

SUPER 8 FILM

Sam & John

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THE GALLERY

Describe your perfect weekend away

We fell in love in Sydney so it holds a special place for us. We love a weekend back there at our fav boutique hotel, early morning coffee and Bronte – Bondi walk. Little shopping then cocktails with friends.

Tell us about the proposal?

The proposal happened in Sydney within 2 hours of landing. We were at The Paramount hotel in our robes with a cocktail in hand. It was very intimate and just perfect! Biggest surprise and we were just over the moon. Spent the night celebrating in manly with friends.

Share your top 3 tips for planning a wedding

– Before you get into planning, decide together what are the 2-3 things that are most important to you when it comes to your wedding day.
– Start planning as early as possible, as you can change your mind on many things. Spreadsheets are the go!
– Remember it’s your day, do what you want and don’t worry too much about pleasing everyone else

MY PHILOSOPHY

I SEEK THE STORIES THAT WEAVE US TOGETHER, THE UNSCRIPTED MOMENTS, INFUSED WITH A HINT OF NOSTALGIA TO REMEMBER HOW IT ALL FELT.

Throughout our lives, we experience connection, learning, different cultures, good food and wine, music, sorrow, love … and it’s beautiful. It’s all these little things that when bought together create the tapestry of our lives and our memories.

If you’re planning a wedding or would love some beautiful photos of you and the people most special to you, I'd love to hear from you.

"We didn't realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun"