Maria and Isaak

Maria and Isaak, where do we even start! These two super busy career people engaged in a full planning package with Christchurch Weddings and oh boy, did it pay off with COVID throwing a total spanner in the works last year.

Our initial plans were for a 150 person wedding spread between the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the iconic Great Hall. With the news of lockdown and borders closing, the tough decision to downsize to just over 50 guests was made and together we created the most incredible, stress-free day with all festivities hosted at The Britten Stables - Another local gem with so many stories amongst its walls.

The duo wanted clean, classic styling for their day but as we uncovered more about their relationship, individual styles and their lifestyle it became apparent we needed a tonne of colour to reflect these elements as well as Maria’s Indian heritage and we injected this with the most stunning smash of bright, beautiful florals which the team at Mrs Bottomley’s put together. Paired with whites and neutral tones for the rest of our styling elements, the day was brought together perfectly.

We had the best time investigating and adding special elements to Maria and Isaak’s day such as custom monograms, ditching place settings and being thoughtful about the use of words and phrases in order to keep things classic yet still relaxed. We placed traditional Indian cakes on each seat at the dinner table, and, my favourite part of all, we made sure to include Maria’s ‘must-have’ champagne tower which helped provide the perfect post-ceremony celebration, in the ambience of a jazz pianist.

Upon my arrival on their wedding day, the lads were in the yard throwing a ball around and Maria was inside enjoying a traditional Indian breakfast made by her father. The love in the air was infectious and I was welcomed with open arms - My favourite part about smaller weddings! We cried the happiest tears as Maria walked up to Isaak interlinked in her father’s arm, beaming from ear to ear for their first look in the conservatory, laughed our heads off throughout the speeches which carried words I still remember to this day and danced under the stars before heading indoors to continue celebrations and shortly after hit up Boo Radley’s for kick ons.

The location was perfect, with the Britten Stables acting as the perfect base to relax and host celebrations all whilst having wet weather plans covered (thankfully, the sun shone all day), and with Monavale being a short stroll down the street it provided a change in landscape for their photos.

All in all, it was a day to remember and I’m so glad to have been chosen by Maria and Isaak to make their forever together a reality.