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

This week, I’m joined by Jane, who planned the most beautiful, relaxed celebration split between two stunning coastal spots in Leigh and Omaha.

From a mountaintop proposal in Queenstown to a wedding day filled with ocean views, meaningful details, and a relaxed, genuine vibe, Jane shares how she and Tom created a day that felt completely true to them.

We chat about:

💜 Meeting at local touch rugby and instantly hitting it off

💜 Their surprise engagement on the Remarkables during a hunting trip

💜 Hosting a two-part celebration with a private beachside signing and a paddock ceremony overlooking the ocean

💜 Keeping their wedding budget down by calling in help from family and friends

💜 Why “less is best” became their guiding mantra for styling and planning

💜 Her buttery silk ceremony dress, Maggie Marilyn party dress, and relaxed bridal styling

💜 The joy of having all their favourite people in one place

💜 How they created a party that went all night with gin carts, limoncello shots, a champagne tower and an incredible live band

…and so much more!

Let me know what you think of this episode!

If you want to see photos from Jane and Tom’s beautiful day, make sure you’re following @thekiwiweddingpodcast and @lydiarachelphoto.

Vendor credits are below - go show them some love!

Hair: @boutiquebrideMakeup: @shonastevensonmakeup at @littletakatustudioPhotographer: @brijanacatoweddingsDress: Christchurch BridalParty Dress: @maggiemarilynBridesmaids dresses: @shonajoyMusic: Black & Gold (find via @betterbandco)

This week, I’m joined by Tania, a recent bride and on-the-day wedding coordinator at Eighty Eight Events. She and her husband planned a beautifully intentional celebration at Six One Five Matakana.

From high-school sweethearts to a proposal that unfolded right at home, Tania’s story is full of honesty and the kind of grounded perspective couples need to hear.

We chat about:

💜 Navigating 12+ years together, moving through life stages, and finally getting engaged

💜 Choosing priorities like good food, good drinks, and good company

💜 Balancing family input, traditions, and their own priorities

💜 Finding a dress that felt timeless, comfortable, and true to her

💜 Their calm, present wedding day and how she managed to stay grounded

💜 What a wedding coordinator really does behind the scenes and why it’s worth considering one

💜 The realities of planning a DIY wedding while working full-time

… and so much more!

Follow Tania at @eightyeightevents_ on Instagram.

Let me know what you think of this episode!

If you want to check out photos from this wedding and see more behind the scenes, head to @thekiwiweddingpodcast and follow Lydia at @lydiarachelphoto

Vendors:

Catering: @sourcekitchennz

Cake: @from__sugar

Celebrant: @jimsweddings

Day of Coordinator: @dreamevents_nz

Florals: @floralcentric

Furniture: @lowercasehire

Hair & Makeup: @fionawright__

Lion Dancers: @tungtekliondance

Marquees & Umbrellas: @raj_tent_club_nz

Photography: @jesseandjessieweddings

Venue: @sixonefive_matakana

This week, I’m joined by Michele, who planned a relaxed, intimate celebration for her special day. Michele and her husband chose Wild Canvas in Waitomo for a small glamping-style wedding with just their mums and two close couples.

We chat about:

💜 A surprise proposal hidden inside a birthday card at Falls Retreat

💜 Choosing their date 02.04.24 and what it symbolised

💜 Planning a micro-wedding at Wild Canvas and keeping the guest list and the budget, tiny

💜 How an all-in package made everything low-stress and simple

💜 Walking down the aisle five minutes after getting dressed, and forgetting her bouquet

💜 Finding the one at Madison Rose Bridal on her first appointment

💜 Sharing their pregnancy news with their mums on the wedding day

💜 The vintage plane flyover that felt like fate

💜 Heading straight into a European honeymoon

💜 Why there were no post-wedding blues, just post-holiday ones

💜 Her business, The Perfect Match, and sourcing affordable, sustainable wedding accessories

...and so much more!

Follow The Perfect Match: @theperfectmatchnz

🎧 Let me know what you think of this episode!

Below you can find the handles for all M & D’s incredible vendors. Be sure to check out some photos on IG at ⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠⁠ + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at ⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto ⁠⁠

Vendors:

Photographer: @courtneyhorwood_photo

Venue: @wildcanvas.nz

Celebrant: @suzannehoare

Hair & Makeup: @_kayleighcreates (now closed)

Flowers: @mossandconz

Cake: @birdie_x_bakes

Dress: @madisonrose.bridal

Accessories & Confetti: @theperfectmatchnz

Brides Rings: @fourwordsnz

In this episode, I chat with Libby about her relaxed Arrowtown wedding. Their day was the perfect mix of meaning, simplicity, and autumn beauty. If you’re planning an intimate celebration that still feels special and elevated, you’ll love this episode.

We chat about:

💜 How Libby and Matt met in Yorkshire, moved to New Zealand early in their relationship, and built a life in Auckland

💜 The rainy, private proposal at North Head in Devonport with dog walking clothes and zero fuss

💜 Choosing Arrowtown for its beauty and meaning, and finding a ceremony spot via the council reserves page

💜 Priorities that mattered most: whimsical, romantic photo and Super 8 video, keeping the day intimate and relaxed

💜 Bridal party kept simple and meaningful with one best friend each

💜 Guest count around 30 to keep it intimate and manageable

💜 Budget talk and how a Queenstown wedding doesn’t have to break the bank

💜 Smart savings: an $80 council permit for the ceremony site and a function space not marketed as a wedding venue

💜 Their first look at Jack’s Point to calm nerves and create space for couple-time without disappearing from guests for hours

💜 Planning tools that helped: Notion for shared checklists, timelines, vendors, and an Excel budget tracker

💜 Wise advice around exploring all the options, talking about what genuinely brings you both joy, and building your day around that.

...and so much more!

🎧 Let me know what you think of this episode!

Below you can find the handles for all L & M’s incredible vendors. Be sure to check out some photos on IG at @thekiwiweddingpodcast + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at @lydiarachelphoto

Vendors:

Photo & Super8 Video: @eloisebicklephotography

Flowers: @thearrowtownflowercompany

Celebrant: @traceymaclarencelebrant

Hair: @sarahlouisehair.bridal

Makeup: @paigeshipstonemakeup

Ceremony Location: Wilcox Green, Arrowtown

Furniture Rental: @qtweddinghire

Reception Venue: @thebluedoornz

Food: @littleaostanz

Cheesecakes: @weeping.willow.cakes

Music: @brettwalkermusic

Dress: @jennyyoonyc

Shoes: @mi_piaci

Suits: @barkersclothing