When we saw a sneak peak from Aimee Kelly Photography featuring the gorgeous images you’ll see below we TOTALLY fell in love with EVERY LITTLE DETAIL from this wedding! We were SO STOKED when Courtney got in touch and agreed to share her amazing love story with us!
Tell us about your love story, how did you meet etc?
Nico and I met managing night clubs in Aucklands viaduct as part of the same company.
Why did you say ‘YES’? How did you know/why is he the one?
We were living in Melbourne, Australia at the time and I was about 4 months pregnant. I had been bed ridden with morning sickness 24/7. One Sunday I was feeling okay to go out so Nico asked me where I would like to go. I chose Luna Park to go on some carnival rides and eat some candy floss. After we arrived Nico asked me what ride I would like to go on, I chose the ferris wheel. He had the engagement ring in his camera bag at this time and the ride operator asked us to place our bags in the bag area, Nico was frustrated little did I know. Then as the ferris wheel went around it began to spit and so I wanted to go home. We decided to walk to the tram stop via St Kilda beach where Nico went to the bathroom and transferred the ring from his bag in to his pocket. The rain got heavier so I began to run, we then got on the tram and returned home. Nico asked if there was anything else I would like to do for the day and I said just go back to bed. As he put me to bed I asked Nico are we ever going to get married. Nico replied with I have been trying to all day, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I of course said yes. Little did I know he had asked my Dad for my hand a month before I fell pregnant.
What was your inspiration or theme for the day?
Love, romance, bohemian luxe, pastels, plums, peaches.
Among the many special moments, what are the “stand out” memories for you?
The nerves that hit me as I was about to walk down the aisle and the excitement of arriving back at the reception as we were introduced as Mr & Mrs Refiti. The quiet photo moments up in Redwood forest, Lucy’s Gully realising the underneath of my dress had turned slightly brown from my enthusiasm in the forest.
There are so many aspects to make a wedding uniquely you. What were important to you to make your wedding day just perfect for you?
To throw a party that wasn’t full of dull moments, keep the energy alive and the atmosphere fun and loving. Nico and I made sure we hand picked everything. Nico spents months making the cloth napkins and I sourced a lot of our decorations online. My Uncle even sent over our tablecloths as the website would only deliver to the U.S.A. Everything you see we had a say in and that was important to us. Working other peoples weddings over the years meant I didn’t want to have a lot of the traditional decorations as it wouldn’t have felt like our wedding.
In hindsight, is there anything that you would have done differently?
Got Dobsons to blow up my bridesmaids’ helium balloons, the day before I could only find one tank and it didn’t fill them.
What advice would you give to future brides to be?
Stress as much as you like leading up to the day but on the day enjoy every moment. Only you will notice the small things that are missing, just let it go and love every moment.
What do you love most about being a MRS?
The intertwining of families and the recognition of being the forever partner of Nico.
Anything else you would like to add?
We originally had booked the Bowl of Brooklands and had sent out the “Save the dates” before Sting was announced to play. This gave us 5 months to need to re-organise our day.
All the wonderful people/vendors who brought this day together…..
Hair & Makeup: Bride Hair: Stacey May Bridesmaids Hair: Chelsea Cook
Bride Make up: Makeup by Annalee Bridesmaid Make up: Bianca Weston
Flowers: Sofie from Petal & Prickle Hanging vases from Big Jims Garden Center
Photographer: Aimee Kelly Photography
Cake: Cupboard Love, Auckland
Brides Dress & Accessories: CC Wards dress, Trousseau Bridal Shoes, Samantha Wills Headpiece
Bridesmaids Dresses & Accessories: Jarlo Petite Dress and they all chose their own silver shoes, Lovisa hand jewelry
Grooms Suits & Accessories: Ellen Tailors, Nico handmade his and the groomsmen bowties, Footloose Shoes
Venue/Catering : Chaos Café – Caterer, Ahu Ahu Villas – Ceremony Dieken Barn, Reception
Invitations: Nico designed them, printing by Tainui Press
Celebrant: Jeni Kearns
Transport: Tranzit – Wedding bus
Entertainment: Jessy & Niki Wadeson- Guitar/Vocals – Cocktail hour, Caitlin Smith- Keys/Vocals through dinner, Andrew Francis- D.J
Anything else you would like to add? Jenny Dobson, helped us find the perfect venue and supplied our tables, chairs, plates, cutlery and catering needs. Would definitely recommend Dobsons Maquee & Party Hire.