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

This week, I’m joined by Emily, who works behind the scenes at Little Wolf Catering and brings such a unique industry perspective to her own wedding day.

Emily and her husband Leo were married at the Glasshouse in Morningside back in 2021, and in this episode, she shares the story of planning a beautiful, food-focused celebration during the rollercoaster that was the pandemic era.

We chat about:

💜 Meeting through mutual friends in 2018 and getting engaged on top of the Pinnacles

💜 Planning a six-month wedding while working in the industry and already knowing which vendors she trusted

💜 Choosing the Glasshouse Morningside and why it was perfect for an April wedding

💜 Putting food and guest experience at the very top of their priorities

💜 Creating her custom dress with Kenny and Harlow and Leo’s custom Crane Brothers tux

💜 Skipping the bridal party and spending the morning surrounded by friends instead

💜 How the timing of the day felt and why the morning dragged more than expected

💜 Navigating a wedding during lockdowns and ending up with a beautiful 70-person celebration

💜 Her biggest tips from both a bride and a catering insider

💜 Why people really do remember the food, service, and overall guest experience

…and so much more!

Let me know what you think of this episode!

Head to Instagram to check out some photos from Emily and Leo’s wedding and follow @thekiwiweddingpodcast and @lydiarachelphoto for more real wedding stories.

Find all E & L’s amazing vendors:

Venue: @glasshouse.nz

Photographer: @jesseandjessieweddings

Celebrant: Celebrant Sandy

Entertainment: @kidku

Hire: @foliohire

Florals: @floralstylistco

Catering + Beverages: @littlewolfweddings

Cake: @bluebellscakery

Stationery: @justmytype_nz

Dress: @kennyandharlowbridal

Suit: @cranebrothers @cranebrothers_occasions

Rings: @diamondsonrichmond

Shoes: @mi_piaci

Makeup + Hair: @danifroudemakeup