Callum Paul Stevenson and Jodi Maria Makuru
Ages: 35 and 44
Occupations: Banking officer and banking advisor
Region: Wanaka
When and where did you meet:
We met at a party in National Park Village, Mt Ruapehu, in 2003
The proposal:
I proposed to Callum on New Year's Eve 2013 (I got sick of waiting so asked him:-). He apparently was going to ask me on our Hawaii holiday that we had planned in April (like a Tui ad, yeah right)
Where was the wedding:
At a friend's house called the Riverhouse. Beautiful spot down by the river, funnily enough!!
We set the date in January and got married on March 7. Big weekend in Wanaka that weekend: Rodeo Nationals, Wanaka A&P show, the Motatapu Challenge and Easter weekend.
Why did you choose the venue:
because it is a gorgeous spot and it suited our style of wedding (casual summer barbecue). And a good friend lives there.
George Konia was the celebrant and he was hilarious.
The dress:
I ordered the dress online form vogueshow. It arrived about a week before we were due to get married! The local dressmaker cut out about 2 metres of fabric from the skirt. And I thought it was an A-line as this was how it was advertised but it was actually a circle skirt. It was only $240 and I spent another $100 getting it altered. I wasn't completely happy with it and would advise that you get what you pay for.
My hair was done by Shannon van Walt van Praag and make-up by Gemma Kaler.
My engagement ring was from Meadowlark Jewellery and is a pyramid stone catclaw ring in blue topaz and sterling silver.
The bridesmaids' dresses:
I ordered these online too and they both looked beautiful.
The flowers:
I didn't have flowers.
The caterers:
We went for a local lady who cooked our barbecue and prepped all the salads and desserts. The food was beautiful country BBQ. Six roast chickens went up in smoke but fortunately there was plenty of food to go around and we only saw photo evidence as we were away getting our photos taken. :-)
We had a bouncy castle and fun things to do for the children of our friends and family. It was important to us that everyone enjoyed themselves.
Our cake was made by a local business, Cakes of Wanaka, and was gorgeous and non-traditional but was us to a T. It was a version of a "choccywoccy doo da" cake modified to fit our budget.
Highlight of the day:
There were heaps of highlights but my favourite part was walking down the aisle and coming face to face with my husband to be with tears in his eyes. Emily Sande's acoustic version of Next to Me was our walking-up-the aisle song and it truly was a beautiful, meaningful song, in a gorgeous setting surrounded by special people, which moved us all.
We would like to send a big thank you to Claire and Ken for the use of their home.
Your photographer and favourite photo:
Our photographer was Mickey Ross from mcimage and I think he captured some wonderful moments. I have many favourites.
