Nakita and Kane planned two weddings less than three months apart so that their friends in Perth and family in New Zealand could celebrate with them. Home in Aotearoa the nature-loving couple found the dreamiest spot to say ‘I do’ and planned a meaningful and relaxed wedding that captured the essence of their love. Nakita shares their story…

We wanted our wedding to be held somewhere lush, sacred, and quintessentially Kiwi. Thanks to some local scouting from my cousin and a close friend, we discovered Riwaka Resurgence — it felt instantly magical. Surrounded by ferns and flowing spring water, it was everything we’d dreamed of and more.

We reached out to the Department of Conservation, who helped us secure the blessing of the local Iwi, a gesture that meant so much to us. Kane’s best friend’s father officiated the ceremony, and the whole event had a deeply grounded, soulful energy. Just like in Perth, we included a handfasting ritual, using different cords to reflect the distinctive essence of each setting. It was a grounding, symbolic moment that tied both experiences together — quite literally.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the NZ wedding was my dress. I’d always adored the pleated sleeves and flowing skirt of my mum’s 1970s wedding gown. With her blessing, my friend Hayley reimagined it — updating the bodice but preserving the original sleeves and skirt. We even used lace from the dress to create a delicate hairpiece. My dad walking me up the aisle while wearing my mum’s dress is a moment I’ll never forget.

To complete the vintage vibe, I arrived in my bright orange 1978 Datsun Sunny, unintentionally echoing the burnt orange of Kane’s blazer. That happy accident tied the colour palette of both our weddings together beautifully.

Both our Perth and Nelson celebrations ended with casual, fun receptions — grazing tables, pizzas, sliders and drinks flowing freely. No assigned seats, no long speeches, just connection and celebration.

Our two weddings were reflections of who we are: laid-back, nature-loving, a little unconventional, and deeply in love.

Paul, our officiant, delivered a heartfelt and hilarious speech that resonated deeply due to his role as a second father to Kane. His speech included long-running inside jokes with a skateboard and doorknob. The doorknob joke stemmed from Paul's past teasing about Kane's spending habits, culminating in Kane's triumphant text, "I did it — I finally own my own door knobs," upon buying his Perth home. Paul also reminisced about Kane's skateboarding days, including an unsuccessful attempt to teach me, and Kane's habit of leaving belongings at Paul's house.

During our photo session, we were tempted to jump into the spring water for a spontaneous shot. But the water is sacred so not meant for swimming, so I took off my heels and climbed over rocks for some of the most breathtaking images.