This week, I’m joined by Lisa from With Love Weddings and Events, who planned a beautifully relaxed marquee wedding on family property in Karaka.

Lisa shares both sides of the story – what it was like as a bride navigating last-minute changes and what she’s learned from years as a planner and celebrant in the industry.

We chat about:

💜 Meeting at university, years of friendship and the “eight-hour coffee date” that changed everything

💜 A fairy-light-filled backyard proposal that completely caught her off guard

💜 Losing their original Cambridge venue to pandemic restrictions and replanning a whole new wedding in 12 weeks

💜 Why catering was a non-negotiable and how great food shapes your guests’ entire experience

💜 The power of a day-of coordinator, especially for marquee and private property weddings

💜 Guest list boundaries, COVID caps and using milestone events as a guide for who makes the cut

💜 The DIY florals story she would not repeat, and why she’d leave centrepieces to the pros next time

💜 Lisa’s journey into weddings: Villa Maria, becoming a celebrant, then taking the leap into full-service planning

💜 What it actually looks like to work with With Love from enquiry through to pack down

💜 Styling trends she is loving, from texture and draping to moody palettes and candlelit dinners, and why “timeless” is overrated

…and so much more!

Let me know what you think of this episode!

You can check out photos from Lisa and Nathan’s marquee wedding over on Instagram, as well as some of With Love’s work - and make sure you are following @thekiwiweddingpodcast and @lydiarachelphoto for more from this day and other New Zealand love stories.

Find all L & N’s amazing vendors:

Photographer: @aaronsami

Videographer: @ayshandhamish

Caterer: @whiskcateringnz

Marquee & Furniture Hire: @twelve_tables

Tableware: @royallaboratorie

Linen: @tble__linen__hire

Bouquets & Buttonholes: @frankieandflora

Stationery / Signage: @thesignerynz

Makeup: @claudialouismarie

Hair Stylist: @hannstech_hair

Band: Kid Radio

Cake: @justjessboujeebakery

Dress: @mwlbride from @felicitysbridalnz

Tans: @epsomspraytan