How did you meet your partner? Tell us about your love story…

Alex - We were first friends but we got closer after a couple of years, however separate cities where we studied for university kept us apart. However, My father died of a heart attack very suddenly when I was 21 and home alone as her father and mother were holidaying overseas at the time. Tom was the first friend I called and without my knowledge Tom went straight to the airport to jump on the first flight he could get from Christchurch and came up to Auckland to be there for me. It was a big light bulb moment for me, life's too short to not be with someone so special just because of a small distance. Tom took his time but proposed 8 years later up at Cape Reinga at dawn.

Tell us about your wedding day, your vision and the style…

We got married and had the reception at a family property in Te Awanga, Hawke's Bay. Cape Estate was a really special place for Alex growing up, nestled in between vineyards and with the family farm out the back. Its beautiful garden and sea views always looked like the most beautiful place to get married.

We agreed we wanted the day to be relaxed and about having a beautiful day with family and friends. Originally planned for December 2021, we couldn't actually leave Auckland yet to get to Hawke's Bay because of the lockdown restrictions still in place, so we shifted our day to April. There was then a big marquee with fairy lights out in the back garden surrounded by trees. Everything was so green and verdant after a fairly wet summer for the Hawke's Bay!A lot of the styling and planning was very DIY from me (Alex) and my mother, with some very helpful coordination from Orton's, who were also our amazing caterers, and Debbie Nott our florist. Our priorities were great food, excellent local wines, and music to get the dance floor going.

What Chaos & Harmony Shoes did you purchase for your wedding and how did the shoes make you feel?

I chose the Eternal heels in snow. I genuinely couldn't believe how comfortable they were. I have never been great in heels as I'm already tall and have flat feet so I was so pleased to find them very early in my wedding planning. A lot of our photos were taken out on the farm and my shoes were so easy to walk in the long grass up and down the hilly terrain. A good pair of heels make such a difference in your confidence and how you hold yourself. 

Did the suit or shoes come first and how did you style them with the dress?

I found my dress first, Louie by Made With Love at Felicity's Bridal. But Felicity's had some Chaos & Harmony Shoes in store that I saw and liked the general look and quality of them. I then saw there was a Chaos & Harmony trunk show coming up so I signed up for an appointment and went to try on a few different styles, this was such a helpful and easy process!

Did you buy the shoes with the intention to wear them again? If so, have you?

I definitely bought them very specifically for the wedding, but they were so gorgeous I would definitely have worn them again, however they were so comfy that I may have torn up the dance floor too vigorously in them! But that was always my hope for my wedding shoes, that they wouldn't stop me having a good time. There's nothing like uncomfortable shoes to ruin a night.

Photographer: Meredith Lord / Dress: "Louie" by Made With Love (from Felicity's) / Rings: Naveya & Sloane /Grooms Attire: Suit from Debut, Shoes from Merchant, Shirt and Bowtie from Rembrandt / Venue: Cape Estate, Hawke's BayHire: Flagship, Mardis Gras, Flock Events, Miss Frou Frou / Catering - Orton's / Hair: Abby Schofield / Makeup: Josie BrenstrumBridesmaid dresses: BLAK / Groomsmen Suits: Rembrandt / Band: The Naked Gun

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