Lusinda and Hardy

Our Love Story

Hardy and I met by chance, the old fashioned way! A group of us were going to the Ellerslie races and I had invited my flatmate to come along. My flatmate was an electrician and was working on the same site as Hardy - So he extended the invite to him too. On the day, Hardy and I didn’t really get time to know each other as I was having fun with the girls however he asked my flatmate for my number anyway. A few days later he asked me out to dinner. He had booked two restaurants and told me to choose, offering to pick me up and drop me off after - A gentleman from the start. Needless to say, we had our second date the very next day and have been together ever since.

As a couple, we LOVE to eat! Visiting new cafes and restaurants and home cooking is mostly what we do. We regularly go for walks/hikes (more walking now during lockdown!). Hardy loves to play music and of course, being an English teacher, I love to read. Our other love is travelling - We have done a few overseas trips and were planning a trip to Morocco, Spain & Portugal in December, however that has been put on hold for now.

When Hardy proposed, we had actually not yet talked about getting engaged/married yet - I was only going to start dropping hints the next year! I had wanted to do the Tongariro Crossing for ages so we decided to do it on Labour weekend back in 2018. As we often do walks/hikes I didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary. On the morning of I was actually a bit grumpy because he always walks so fast! I suspected it even less because the trail was so busy that day and I know Hardy to be a very private person. When we made it to the Emerald Lakes he told me to pose for a photo while (unbeknown to me) he was taking the ring box out of the backpack. I was quite stunned! A definite yes - And the best choice on the ring! After he asked the question it was the easiest hike I’ve ever done.

Our Wedding Planning

It was most important for us to have our families and friends all together and to essentially celebrate a day of love for everyone. We did consider having a small, intimate gathering or even eloping overseas but because our families are so close, it just didn’t feel ‘right’ not to include everyone.

I’m from South Africa and Hardy is Kiwi so we come from different upbringings - My family is quite traditional and we rely on each other’s advice/opinions, whereas Hardy’s was more laidback and he does what he wants to do. So with that in mind, we have quite different taste! I’m more floral and vintage whereas Hardy loves clean lines and more modern details.

Our Wedding Day

It was the best day! The morning started early with excitement and champagne accompanied by lots of girly laughs and chatter. While all of this was going on, Hardy and the groomsmen were setting up at the venue. There was looming cloud cover, but we just let it all go and let the day unfold as it was meant to. Once we were ready my parents arrived, having my father see me as a bride was a very special moment for me. My father hired vintage cars to take the bridesmaids, my parents and myself to the venue. By the time we left the skies had cleared and it was a beautiful January day; walking down the aisle and having the two most important men in my life there to support me was a very special moment for the both of us. Our ceremony was heartfelt and it was hard not to choke up when saying our vows. Also, seeing all our hard work and planning come together was such a rewarding feeling. We knew how we wanted it to look but because we were putting together an idea in our heads, we had no clue if it would all work well - It was beyond our expectations! We loved every detail that we had chosen from gold-flaked champagne to the dried flowers to fairy lights and even making our own installation above the head table. The rest of the afternoon felt like it flew by but at the same time, we could recall everything with such detail.

Our first dance was something we had put at the bottom of the list so we spent the week before our wedding practising from YouTube tutorials in a motel room! When it came time to dance on the day, our song was cut short and the dance floor was opened which was probably a blessing in disguise!

Reflecting back, the acknowledgement/feeling that most of the people that we love and adore came together from all over the world and all over the country had come together to celebrate us - And we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Our Advice

It's never too early to start planning and be sure that your wedding reflects you as a couple. Let go of others expectations and let go of perfection. Let the day unfold as it’s going to, you’ll have more fun that way!

How We Used Christchurch Weddings

Christchurch Weddings was a very useful source of inspiration as well as offering local go-to vendors. We had only just recently moved to Christchurch (and have since moved back to Auckland), so it was useful having the directory to refer to.

Our Dream Team

Eloise from Trent’s Vineyard was always professional, no task was too big and nothing was an inconvenience to ask her. She truly looked after us on our day.

Tegan Clark, our photographer does more than just take photos! She puts your mind as ease, offers wedding advice and even delivered a last-minute letter to the groom. Her passion for her work truly comes to the fore when you see her in action. The photos are remarkable and our album is something we will treasure forever.

Our florist, Bourbon Rose truly brought our vision to life with perfect pops of colour. On the day, the flowers were one of my favourite things! I’ve actually kept and fully dried my bouquet.

Our Vendors

Venue + Catering | Trent’s Vineyard Estate

Photographer | Tegan Clark

Videographer | Hamish Boyt, I Do Films Inc

Hire Items | The Little Hire Company

Florals | Bourbon Rose

Celebrant | Josh van Berkel

Hair | Alex Hannah Hairstyling

Makeup | Stacey Banfield

Dress | To Cherish Bridal

Brides Accessories | Veil - Salt of the Earth Bridal, Earrings - Forever New, Shoes - Chaos & Harmony

Bridesmaids Outfits | Blak Bridesmaids