Keeping it personal
From a proposal via airplane sweets to a honeymoon in a glamping tent, everything about Charlotte and Clayton’s wedding was individual.
As told to Katherine Robinson. Photos by Lucia Zanmonti.
“I took advantage of leap year four years ago to make my proposal. On 29 February I sent Clayton to work with a bag of his favourite airplane sweets. On the back of one, I had tied a little banner saying, "Will you marry me?", says Charlotte.
Charlotte waited all day to see if Clayton had found the sweet, hoping he hadn't shared them with workmates.
“He hadn't communicated with me all day, and my parents were visiting so I had to wait for ages. Finally, he said, ‘The answer is yes!’
“I had a bottle of bubbles ready for that moment. Every leap year, we plan to do something to mark that momentous moment.”
The couple have no regrets about choosing a small wedding with 27 of their family and closest friends at Martinborough’s Colombo Vineyard. It was the middle of winter so the ceremony was in the candle-lit barrel room; and the reception in the tasting room.
“It all fell together really simply. I ended up buying an evening gown on sale from David Jones in Wellington. It was sparkly and a natural pearl colour – I loved it and could imagine wearing it again.
“I needed a fur stole and was lent one by a friend. My mother-in-law also lent me a beautiful necklace that had belonged to Clayton’s grandma.”
“Beverley at Martinborough’s Tree Top Florist made my bouquet from flowers I had gathered through friends’ gardens.
Sarah Webster of Finom, made the magnificent passionfruit, coconut and lime wedding cake – “divine and decorated with olive leaves”.
All three – Charlotte, Clayton and son Finn – walked into Colombo’s candle-lit barrel room to the tune of Bread’s I want to make it with you.
“The Barrel Room was filled with candles, love and laughter. But I did my usual power walk to the front as if I was out walking a dog! I look at the photos and laugh but I wish I had taken it in that moment.
“We had written our own vows. It was a moment of total vulnerability. Standing in front of a room full of people you love most in the world and declaring your love.”
And the advantage of a small wedding was that “in a room of 27 people I got to talk to everyone,” says Charlotte.
After the official reception, and leaving Finn with a babysitter the couple met up with their guests at Martinborough’s Cool Change, and partied on into the night. “On Monday morning, we went to Kitchener’s for bacon butties with our wedding guests. Then we had a micro honeymoon at River’s Edge Glamping at Ruakokoputuna.”
Wedding tips
You can do special and keep it simple – both things can be combined.
Slow down, breathe and take it all in and enjoy the moment.
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