Love Stories | Madlie & Co.

Rach & Rob

13.03.2020

Auckland, New Zealand

Tell us a little about yourselves and what is unique about you and your relationship?

Rach - As our guests would've heard in the speeches (lol) it’s been quite the journey for us to get to our wedding day. We have known each other since I was 18 and Rob was 22. Timing was never quite right for us in the past but we always found our way back to each other and now our life together couldn't be more perfect. We are best friends and compliment each other so well. We both have the same values and want the same things from life, and we both push each other to become a better person every day. We are also lucky to share a lot of the same interests which means we get a lot of variety in our relationship. We play and coach Underwater Hockey together, we’ve both taken up surfing, we love the beach and spending time outdoors and with friends.

Talk us through your special day.

Describe the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details.

It took us a while to get sorted for our day as we initially wanted to get married down in Wanaka but then decided to do it in Auckland, but with Covid our original plans had to change. However, we ended up organising the most perfect and wonderful day. We wanted a really fun and relaxed day for ourselves, our guests and all our vendors too. So we went for a 'walk and fork' style instead of a sit down meal, cocktails, a fun and easy ceremony, and a set up that meant people could dance the night away. Rachel's mum, Aunty and Godmum were the styling committee, along with Mel from The Event Refinery and we couldn't have done it without them. Some of our favourite details were the fairy lights on the dancefloor, the dried flower bouquets, the dress change! We both enjoyed creating our bridesmaid and groomsmen gift boxes too. Also, the church was absolutely stunning! When it was filled with 150 of our favourite people it was perfect. The photos of everyone in the church are priceless.

What were some of the most memorable moments from the day?

The ceremony was absolutely awesome, Josh did such a great job of making everyone feel welcome and relaxed in the church, we got so many compliments afterwards of how wonderful it was. We initially were going to do our photos after the ceremony but in the end decided to do them beforehand and for us this was perfect. Rach loved seeing Rob as 'just us' for the first time, it made the day so special and reminded her that even though she was a little nervous, she didn't need to be as she was marrying the love of her life on the most perfect day.

The first look was a very special moment for Rob. It was so much better than he had anticipated. The setting and atmosphere was perfect and Rach was the most beautiful bride, she blew me away. Seeing her come around that corner is a memory that Rob will never forget.

Rach's Aunty Jackie did the most amazing job as MC, again we had so many compliments on that! The food was incredible, the cocktails were a hit, the DJ played banger after banger.

What about your outfits... where did the inspiration stem from?

Initially we were going to put Rob and the boys into chinos and linen shirts, but then we realised Rob never gets the chance to wear a suit and Rach especially was so glad we picked that (even if the boys got a little hot) as Rob looked like an ABSOLUTE STUD. What a hunk.

Rach was never a girl to dream about her wedding dress so she really didn't know where to start when we first got engaged! But she's got a boho kinda style, was probably a hippy in a past life, potentially should have been born in San Francisco with flowers in her hair. So she checked out Rue De Seine as she knew that was the most boho type designer around, and straight away found and loved the Nahla gown. It was so expensive brand new though, so she kept an eye out on a second hand site and would you believe it but a girl in Auckland was selling it, and it fit! Then Rach was hunting for a make up artist and saw a picture of a girl in the Lola Varma Parvia top and Delfina skirt....and uh oh, she fell in love with them too! Knowing it was too expensive and also too late to order her own, she again kept an eye on the second hand site and WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT but a girl in Auckland was again selling one and it fit perfectly. It was also more roomy and comfortable so Rach decided she'd surprise everyone with a dress change! So extra but so fun. Rach wore her godsister's diamond studs with the Nahla gown, then bought the stunning Zoe & Morgan Chimi earrings and wore a red lip (Mac Russian Red!) with the Lola Varma. LOVED IT, SO FUN.