Sarah (29) stay at home mum and Damian (28) tyre store manager - Invercargill
When and where did you meet?
Damian and I meet almost 8 years ago through mutual friends, although neither of us realised that we liked one another it took us a bit of time to actually do something about it and since then we have pretty much been inseparable. As Damian says he asked me to stay one night and I never left. We moved in together after about 2 months of dating and are now almost at our 8 year anniversary with a 4 year old daughter and I have gained a stepson.
The proposal
We had been together almost 5 years at this stage and we went to Queenstown for my work social function which was held at the Hilton. Everyone had always given Damian a hard time about proposing. On this particular night my work mates/friends were giving him an extremely hard time about proposing and little did we know he was actually already planning it. He disappeared from the function with a friend of ours for about half an hour and in this time he was away retrieving the engagement ring from out of the car. Once he arrived back he asked for me to go for a walk with him along the waterfront at the Hilton. We walked along talking about how we always talk about being together forever and always no matter what when Damian dropped to his knee and popped the question. My instant reaction of course was yes and the tears began. After a few minutes of being in the moment and talking about how happy I was that he asked and how happy he was that I said yes he told me that he had hid the ring in our house for 9 months but wanted the moment to be perfect and we hadn't had that opportunity any other time. As soon as we started walking back to the function we were at my workmates/friends came running towards us full of excitement for us as well so we made the night a celebration. In my eyes his proposal couldn't of been more perfect, on the lakefront looking across to Queenstown just before sunset and also being able to celebrate with our friends. We don't get to go away much so this was a pretty exciting weekend all round.
When and where was the wedding?
Our wedding was on the 23rd of January 2016 at Pisa Moorings just out of Cromwell. Our ceremony was held in the garden of a private residence at Pisa Moorings which looked out onto the lake and our reception was held at The Moorings Lake Resort Restaurant.
Why did you choose the venue?
Pisa Moorings is our holiday spot. Damian and I have always both loved Cromwell. One of our best friends brought a property in Pisa Moorings a few years ago and after the first long weekend we spent there we said that if we ever got married it would be there because we just loved it so much. Cromwell & Pisa Moorings has just held a special place with us since the first time we went there together so there was no chance we would get married anywhere else but there.
The dresses and suits
I brought my dress from an online website and had it altered and changed to exactly how I wanted it by a local dressmaker as I was just unable to afford a dress from a bridal shop. My bridesmaids dresses were a navy blue and purchased from Dotti. They had a halter neck with a gold plate and then had a slip that came to just below the knee with a floor length chiffon material over top of the slip. The dresses were matched with nude coloured wedges. The boys suits were grey and purchased from Hallentseins they consisted of a waistcoat and dress pants and suit jackets were worn for the photos. Damian (groom) wore a black shirt with an ivory tie and the groomsmen wore white shirts with a navy blue tie to match the bridesmaids. Their grey suit jackets with black edging were worn during the photos.
The caterers
Because our reception was at The Moorings Restaurant and Bar it was the restaurants chef that catered our meal. We had approx. 100 people at our wedding so he was absolutely amazing to be catering for us and the food was amazing. We just did a buffet meal and we had so many comments regarding the food.
Highlight of the day
There are so many to choose from. I think when Damian & I got to see each other for the first time at the alter being all dressed up and having so many nerves the morning of. Also seeing our kids all dressed up. Also finally hearing the words that we were finally husband and wife. Our whole day was amazing in general there is not just one specific highlight.
Our photographer
Our photographer was Gabby Asplin. She is the sister of my friend/old boss and she was great. She made everything feel so relaxed. We have so many favourite photos. Favourite photo would have to be when we are kissing in front of our wedding car, an impala, and you can see my whole dress and just has a beautiful surrounding.
