This week's wedding was held in Te Anau. Julia and Eric Howden share thier day with the ODT.
How We Met: We met eight years ago through Eric's sister, Rachel. He told me a very long tractor joke, and I politely listened to the whole thing to find out it was one of those "and the moral of the story is" types! The stubbies and bare feet seemed to work as well?
The Proposal: I came all the way down from Hanmer Springs one weekend for his sister's 21st in Southland. I was cranky after driving 9 hours and just wanted to go to bed when I got there as it was 2am. He was going to propose then but waited till 9am instead. He was so nervous! We told family after the party as we didn't want to spoil the night for his sister.
The Wedding Venues: Te Anau Lodge for the ceremony, followed by the reception at the Distinction Hotel on the lake front.
Why? Te Anau Lodge had meaning for me and Te Anau was where we first started going out. The lodge was also down Howden Street, our new name. I remember when I was a girl going to that building when it was beside my primary school, St Patrick's, in Nightcaps. It was a convent back then and was shifted to Te Anau and renovated into a bed and breakfast with beautiful gardens and stunning views of the mountains around the lake. We decided it was perfect for our ceremony and for the family to stay at while in Te Anau.
The Dress: Purchased from 4 Ever After in Invercargill. The dress was a very fitting, halter neck-style with a crisscross beaded back, pleated at the front and round the lower back with a long train plus a veil the same length as the ivory-coloured dress. I wore the veil over my face when walking down the aisle with my father.
Bridesmaids' Dresses: They were made by Kay Erskine in Invercargill. All four were a turquoise colour, and the material was purchased from Sew What in Windsor, Invercargill. The dresses were long, finished with a small train at the back. Two of the dresses had a crisscross diamond shape in the back, and the other two had a round shape. Our 5-year-old niece was flower girl. She was in a cute ivory-coloured dress.
Flowers: Were done by Karyn Emmerson at Stems in Invercargill. Round bunches of white roses. My bouquet had diamantes in the middle of each rose.
Catering: Distinction Hotel & Villas Lakefront Te Anau did a fantastic buffet meal with all the trimmings: hot ham on the bone and lamb, also a scrumptious seafood chowder as an entrée, which was served to each table. Dessert followed the main.
Highlight of the day: Our best man Nick, who sang Hands of my Heart and played guitar for our first dance. There were lots of little surprises on our day, which made it so special! The whole day was a highlight and I still can't stop thinking about it.
Photographer: Kate Gray Blackmount, Te Anau
