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Luke & Viv
Luke and Vivienne’s journey began on the night of the Year 13 Burnside Ball, where they were matched by their friend, Leroi, who was also a groomsman. They met just before the ball, and spent most of the night being incredibly awkward around each other. It was the start of a great friendship that, with the right timing, turned into a relationship... a short 4 years later.
COURTYARD WEDDING
02 OCTOBER 2021 - COSSARS WINESHED
Tegan Clark Photography
Luke and Vivienne’s journey began on the night of the Year 13 Burnside Ball, where they were matched by their friend, Leroi, who was also a groomsman. They met just before the ball, and spent most of the night being incredibly awkward around each other. It was the start of a great friendship that, with the right timing, turned into a relationship... a short 4 years later.
The pair were married on a still, sunny day in the beautiful courtyard at Cossars Wineshed. We were so grateful that the wedding was able to go ahead with Covid restrictions in place, with overseas guests joining us through a live stream. Safia, the owner of Cossars, had done a magnificent job of setting up the space to be warm and inviting. The colours were spectacular - the green of the trees, terracotta pots with flowers, and bright yellow lemons… it was simply glorious.
Tegan Clark Photography
Viv entered with her Mum on one side and Dad on the other. She looked stunning. As the music built, the tissues came out! And the guests didn’t know what hit them when Luke and Viv chose to share vows they had written themselves… I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
“You'll often be asked the question, when did you decide you wanted to get married? I don't know the day, the time or the moment when I figured out I was ready, but I know that I've been ready since we got engaged a year ago, since a few months before that when I was picking out the ring, and definitely some time before that when I was wondering what our life was going to be like together in the future. I don't need to wonder anymore, because we're here, living each day together, and I get to look forward to each and every next day, with you by my side.”
“I want to thank you for pushing me to follow my passion and dreams, even when it’s out of my comfort zone. Without you, I wouldn’t have had the courage to start over and be the person that I am today. You knew how scary it was for me and you continued to support me through it all. Because of you, my life has been filled with joy and happiness.”
Tegan Clark Photography
After the ceremony, I bumped into Joe and Abbey, a gorgeous couple whose wedding I officiated last year. It was so nice to catch up and hear what they’re up to now!
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Photographer - Tegan Clark Photography
Venue - Cossars Wineshed
“Honestly, you have been so amazing and great to work with! Our ceremony was exactly how we envisioned it to be and we couldn’t be any happier with how everything went! The planning and communication was really straightforward and easy. You were very prompt with emails which meant that there were no delays when it came to planning. The tips sent to us on how to write our vows and how to create what needed to be said during the ceremony was really helpful too!”
Isaac & Nina
COURTYARD WEDDING
20 FEBRUARY 2021 - COSSARS WINESHED
Isaac and Nina took Covid restrictions in their stride - no longer able to have the Fiji beach wedding they were hoping for, “Take 2!” was instead held in the beautiful courtyard at Cossars Wineshed. The vintage couches and festoon lights set the scene… and it was utterly gorgeous.
Throughout Issac and Nina’s relationship, they have learned that true love is not a fantasy, but something that they must consciously choose every day. As well as everyday adventures, they have experienced the hardship of family loss, and the joys of parenting together - and are stronger for it.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
Isaac and Nina’s ceremony was full of laughter. We all cracked up when Isaac had to dash from the ceremony to find a forgotten page from the handwritten vows… and when I asked Matthias for the rings, but he had cooler things to do and had disappeared to play (Alyssa shouted for him at the top of her lungs and he came running!).
These two were some of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. I just know that you will have a beautiful marriage xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Photographer - Cassandra Kovacs Photography
Venue - Cossars Wineshed
Kurtus & Lily
GARDEN WEDDING
4 MARCH 2021 - HALSWELL QUARRY
Kurtus and Lily were married in an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends. They chose a secluded spot in the beautiful Songpa-Gu Gardens at Halswell Quarry. If you haven’t visited, I highly recommend going for a walk around the ‘Sister Gardens’. This particular garden has a botanical collection that represents Korea, as well as our own landscape here in Canterbury.
Kurtus and Lily chose to break tradition in a few ways! That is the beauty of a personalised ceremony, my friends… you can make it totally your own. Instead of an archway, the pair set up in front of one of the monuments, using a framed photograph of themselves to mark where they were going to stand. They also opted not to have a first kiss - an epic, and rather spontaneous fist pump sealed this marriage!
This was my last ceremony of the season before beginning my maternity leave… and I was ready to pop! Maia Elizabeth Jo arrived 9 days later and I have since been settling into life as an earthside māmā. Our wee whānau is doing really well! I have been sharing a few updates over on Instagram @victoriathomas.celebrant - if you’re interested, prepare your ovaries and head on over for some super cute baby snaps.
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
“Everything was great! Couldn’t have asked for a better person to help us continue our next chapter.”
Nic & Rose
Rose and Nic were married in an intimate wedding ceremony with their closest family and friends.
GARDEN WEDDING
12 DECEMBER 2020 - PEMBERTON GARDENS, CANTERBURY
Rose and Nic were married in an intimate ceremony with their closest family and friends. The sun was shining and everyone was stoked to be there. In my opinion, it was the perfect garden party - the setting was elegant and classy, and all the ‘little details’ complimented each other beautifully.
Rose and Nic broke tradition in a number of ways. They had a ‘first look’ before the ceremony, Rose walked herself down the aisle, and the pair shared a kiss and cuddle when she got there. It was exactly how a personalised wedding ceremony should be… uniquely their own, a perfect reflection of their values and beliefs.
“Rose, I couldn’t be happier than I am standing here today, about to take another step along the winding road with you. This does not mark the beginning of our adventure, because we have already been through so much together, but the continuation of our story that started the day I met you. This day will solidify the bond that we’ve always had, and bring us into the next chapter in our lives.”
“Nic, I can’t be certain of what our future may hold, but I am certain that we will face it together, with our love for each other as the foundation of every success and setback. I am inspired by who you are; persistent, thoughtful, generous and sensitive. I will always be grateful that you show your love for me with these qualities. I stand here today, and every day ahead of us, to give myself to you, promising to weather whatever will be as your loving wife and best friend.”
Right from the word ‘go’, Rose and Nic treated me like a friend they had known for years. I loved our communication throughout the planning process - flicking quick messages back and forth, or chatting on the phone about the order of service, wording of vows, and back-up plans incase Covid decided to rain on our parade. On the day, I felt so appreciated by these two beautiful humans. I was overwhelmed with hugs, kind words and was even invited to be in the group photo after the ceremony. It meant a lot to me.
I am already so excited for the adventures you are about to have. All the best for your next chapter xx
AROHA NUI,
Vic xxx
Photographer - Jayden Wall
Venue - Pemberton Gardens
“Thank you so much for all your help. The Google doc to create the ceremony was a real asset and easy to navigate. Vic, you have a real gift for hearing what couples want and helping curate something really personal. From day 1 you had ideas and ways of bringing it all together to perfect a modern ceremony.
It was a pleasure to share our wedding day with you and we felt so well supported by you through the entire process. We had guests say how impressed they were by you and also note that you stood to the side the whole time and how that was visually much more impressive than typical celebrants.
Can’t wait to see you become a mum to your gorgeous pēpi, wishing you all the best.”