Today I’m joined by Gemma, who shares how she and Josh planned their beautiful, uniquely-them celebration: a private family ceremony on a hilltop, then a relaxed reception at their family beach property in Taupō Bay. All pulled together in six months while working full-time and parenting their four-year-old.
🎟️ Tickets for The Kiwi Wedding Podcast LIVE Event (August 31st in Auckland) are on sale now! We’ll have delicious treats, champagne towers, goodie bags, and an incredible lineup of speakers, including makeup artist Kate Solley, dress designer Trish Peng, and Astrid Braid wedding planner from PS. I Love You. Brides, couples, and vendors alike - come along for a beautiful morning.
GRAB YOUR TICKET FOR THE KIWI WEDDING PODCAST LIVE!
We chat about:
💜 How they met at a Fashion Week after-party, built a life together, and decided to get married.
💜 The sentimental Bali proposal in Uluwatu with their son there - lots of tears, a hidden ring, and a celebratory dinner at Mason.
💜 Choosing a six-month engagement and keeping planning simple, focused and “them”.
💜 Why they split the day: an intimate ceremony with 15 close family, then a bigger reception later.
💜 The ceremony feels: sunshine, a family-friend celebrant, their son standing with them, and the “can’t-put-it-into-words” moments.
💜 Gemma’s bridal look: a Trish Peng mini (from an unreleased collection), picked quickly and confidently because it felt like her.
💜 Why they kept it small and removed tradition responsibilities when it came to their bridal party.
💜A late-in-the-piece giant tiramisu.
💜 Budgeting and how they saved by using their property and paying as they went.
💜 Inspiration without copy-paste: Pinterest/TikTok for ideas, then tailoring details to fit their style.
💜 Post-wedding: more “post-holiday” than blues; a mini staycation now and a family Bali trip later.
...and so much more!
🎧 Listen in for a masterclass on shaping a celebration around your life, your family and your favourite place, and why a private ceremony + big party can be the perfect combo.
Below you can find the handles for all G & J’s incredible vendors. Be sure to check out some photos on IG at @thekiwiweddingpodcast + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at @lydiarachelphoto
Vendors:
Photographer: @liamsoulphoto
Dress and Scarf: @trishpeng
Shoes: @eleanorlouiseco
Celebrant: James Braddock
Makeup Artist: @claudialouismarie
Hair: @the_hair_box_nz
Food: @the_wayward_italian