Real Weddings: Lauren & Ricky's gifted wedding

The beautiful dress gifted by https://www.facebook.com/LoveMeDoBridal260/ Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Heels schmeels, these shoes rocked so hard! Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

I’m lucky to get to do what I love, so so SO lucky! On April 27th I got to share some of that luck with Lauren and Ricky, the winners of the Gifted Wedding at The Port Molyneux School in Kaka Point. I couldn’t decide which photos to share… so prepare yourselves for a lot of photos.

My new favourite thing, Lauren and Rick opted to have their photos prior to the ceremony. This is their first look in the classroom space inside Port Molyneux School. Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Jade and Lyndon, the owners of The Port Molyneux School have right from the beginning of their journey as venue owners.

Jade and Lyndon. Without whom this would never have happened. Two incredibly lovely wonderful people!

(they bought the abandoned Port Molyneux School and school house four years ago, spent two years putting a lot of work, love and time into building and renovating the school and have just wrapped up their second wedding season as my favourite wedding venue) that they wanted to give something back to the community. And so The Gifted Wedding was born!

Lauren’s Dad walking her down the aisle to their front lawn ceremony with the beautiful school building in the background. Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

As Jade and Lyndon would tell you, it’s the people who make things happen in a venue like this. Mary more than just get things done, she’s lovely, amazing at what she does and beyond super organised. Rodd is an all round good guy bartender and Rona the bus driver who because NZ is small I know as my good friend’s uncle and a client I used to write for in my old life as a radio creative writer. Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

In January Jade and her team at The Port Molyneux School invited couples to enter to win a completely gifted wedding AND started putting together the team of wedding vendors who were also keen to gift the winning couple their products and services for free. Exactly as they thought, anyone who was available for the date, said yes straight away, pretty sure I took all of 1.5 minutes to reply to the ‘are you keen’ email with something along the lines of YESSSSSS I’M IN!!!

This beautiful cake created by https://theurbankitchen.co.nz/ in Invercargill. Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Some of the afternoon spread by https://www.facebook.com/kerri.clarke.professionalcatering/ photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Chosen for the short list by Jade and the team, and the winners by the panel of three judges given the tough job of choosing the winners, Lauren and Ricky had a spectacular day. The forecast wasn’t brilliant, but thankfully the weather man had called it wrong. An afternoon out in Rona the bus for photos pre ceremony.

Naw, that’s what love is! Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Rona the bus, The Port Molyneux School’s own beautiful transport option Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

A sweet ceremony on the lawn overlooking the bay including possibly now my favourite line ever ‘Ricky you may now kiss your beautiful bride, or give her a heartfelt handshake’.

The beautiful arch created and decorated by https://www.facebook.com/stephaniesteelflowers/ photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

https://hannahlindmarriagecelebrant.com/2019/07/15/real-weddings-lauren-and-ricks-gifted-wedding/

The heartfelt handshake…. Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

And the kiss! Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

And beautiful live music.

Khellsey-Anna was AMAZING! https://www.facebook.com/khelhttps://www.facebook.com/khellseyannaatleymusic/?ref=py_clseyannaatleymusic/?ref=py_c Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

A delicious afternoon spread and drinks with their friends and family, then off to The Point Cafe and Bar for dinner.

Lauren’s beautiful flowers by https://www.facebook.com/stephaniesteelflowers/ Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

Most of us are missing people on our wedding day. People who though they will always be in our heart, we wish they could be there with us in person. This is a beautiful way to honour their memory and bring them with you as you celebrate your wedding day. Flowers by https://www.facebook.com/stephaniesteelflowers/ Photo courtesy of https://thefreckledbird.com/

I loved working with Lauren and Ricky and with the crew of vendors involved. This is who made this amazing day possible.

That light, that shot, that amazing photographer who took this!! https://thefreckledbird.com/

Venue: https://portmolyneuxschool.co.nz/

Photographer: https://thefreckledbird.com/

Videographer: https://wethecollective.co.nz/

Musician: https://www.facebook.com/khellseyannaatleymusic/?fref=tag

Catering: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.clarke.professionalcatering/

Bride’s dress: https://www.facebook.com/LoveMeDoBridal260/

Celebrant: Me!

Flowers: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniesteelflowers/

Hair and Make up: http://www.facebodyandbeauty.com/

Cake: https://theurbankitchen.co.nz/

Invitations and more: https://www.remoteleacreative.com/

And wherever and however you’re getting married, massive congratulations! If you’re after a celebrant in Central or South Otago who is all about #yourweddingyourway have a bit more of a nosy around my site and get in touch! All my contact details are over on my contact page, or you can fill out this handy contact form below!