Natalie & Joshua

Natalie and Joshua’s love story, spanning eight years and two continents, culminated in a breathtaking wedding at a Waiheke vineyard that beautifully blended their New Zealand and English cultures. Embracing their diverse traditions, the couple created a romantic and elegant atmosphere as they celebrated their love amidst the stunning backdrop, candlelight and classic colour palette. Natalie shares details from their stunning day…

We wanted a wedding day that was timeless, romantic, and elegant that beautifully blended their New Zealand and English cultures. I love the idea of creating a celebration that felt classic and sophisticated, something that would never go out of style. For the decor, we chose to fill the space with candles to create a warm, intimate ambience. Hydrangeas and roses are our favourite blooms, so I made sure to incorporate them throughout the day. I kept the colour palette to classic whites and soft greens, which were perfect for bringing the romantic atmosphere we envisioned to life. The dress code for the day was black tie, which added an elegant and timeless feel to the entire event.

One of the most important things for us on our wedding day was allowing our friends and family to truly experience and appreciate our cultures. As Joshua is from New Zealand and I am from England, we wanted to blend our traditions in a way that felt authentic and meaningful. We incorporated several meaningful cultural and family traditions into our wedding day. Joshua, being of Samoan heritage, wanted to honour his roots, so we included a traditional Siva Samoa dance, which we performed as a way to celebrate and connect with his culture. After the best man’s speech, our family and friends performed a Haka, and Joshua’s cousins also performed a traditional Samoan dance, which was absolutely breathtaking.

Joshua wore a velvet tux, and on the morning of the wedding, his Nanna gave him a pair of green stone cufflinks to wear, adding a personal and meaningful touch. He completed the look with a pair of patent leather shoes from Jimmy Choo, which perfectly complemented his tuxedo.

On my side, I wanted to incorporate elements of my English heritage. I wore a traditional lace wedding dress, reflecting classic English bridal style, and carried a bouquet of white roses and hydrangeas. We also followed with the traditional toasts and cake cutting, which added a meaningful touch to the celebration.

I knew I wanted to change my look for the evening, but at the same time, I didn’t want to take my dress off. I had always envisioned wearing sleeves for the ceremony, so I kept them on for that part of the day and then removed them for the reception to switch up my look. As someone who works in fashion, I wanted a designer pair of shoes to wear again to other events. I chose a pair of Prada leather slingbacks, and honestly, they were so comfortable — I ended up wearing them all night.

I had three bridesmaids and a flower girl, and I wanted them to feel comfortable and confident in their dresses, so I let each of my bridesmaids choose their favourite style from Shona Joy. I selected the colour sage, as it perfectly complemented the theme and venue, creating a cohesive and elegant look for the day.

With the weather being a little windy, we moved the ceremony inside, and it turned out to be the perfect decision. The space was intimate and beautiful. Afterwards, we had the cocktail hour outdoors, taking full advantage of the stunning scenic views.

Joshua is a huge music lover, so it was important to us that the songs played during the ceremony held real meaning. We carefully chose two songs for the aisle, each with lyrics that resonated with us.

The bridal party and groomsmen walked into an acoustic version of Fall by Justin Bieber, setting a beautifully intimate tone. When it was my turn, my father and I walked to I Was Made for Loving You by Tori Kelly and Ed Sheeran - a song that felt personal and meaningful to us.

The ceremony felt especially meaningful to us. Standing there together, surrounded by all our loved ones — many of whom had travelled from across the world — was truly overwhelming in the best way. Seeing so many important people in one place, all there to celebrate with us, was a feeling we’ll never forget. We handpicked our celebrant, who has a connection to New Zealand and Samoan heritage, and we wrote our own personalised vows, which made the moment truly special.

The reception space was designed to evoke an elegant and timeless ambience. We kept the colour palette classic with whites and greens, incorporating my favourite flowers - hydrangeas and roses throughout. The stationery was minimal and refined, while candlelight added warmth to the space. Subtle textures, like ribbon-accented table numbers and French linen tablecloths, added a thoughtful touch without feeling overdone. Since the venue already had so much character, we focused on complementing its natural beauty rather than overwhelming it with decor.

Mudbrick is renowned not only for its award-winning wines but also for its exceptional cuisine. Rather than a set menu, our guests were able to choose their meals on the day, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.

Some of the most memorable moments were the traditional dances, the haka, and the heartfelt speeches. After the best man’s speech, our family and friends performed the haka — a powerful moment that left everyone in awe. The reception was electric, especially when Joshua’s cousins surprised us with a traditional Samoan dance, followed by our Siva Samoa performance.

Our live band and DJ kept the atmosphere lively all night, ensuring everyone was on the dance floor. The mix of live music and DJ sets created the perfect balance, and seeing our friends and family enjoying themselves made the night even more unforgettable.