WEDDING BLOG

Belinda and Hugh imagined their vintage-inspired wedding day filled with family and friends, and a sense of celebration all night long, and from these amazing images by Kate MacPherson it looks like that’s just what they got! Their February wedding was filled with colorful and charming details, and a playful yet elegant feel, and the gorgeous New Zealand scenery was the perfect backdrop to it all!

The Goals: Choosing a venue that would not only hold all 170 guests but provide a great atmosphere was really important to the couple, and while Belinda was away in London, Hugh had the all-important job of finding the perfect place. It looks like he did a wonderful job with the Mount Soho Winery.

The Design: It was really important to Belinda to have bright and colorful wedding decor to make everything “pop” during the wedding. Bright pink and yellow floral arrangements decorated the ceremony adding a burst of color to the natural landscape. Inside the Mount Soho Winery, long banquet tables were lined with vintage vases filled with small bright flowers and guest’s place cards were attached to colored candy canes with gingham ribbon. Since weddings in New Zealand don’t usually include guest favors, Belinda came up with creative invitations instead. She had tea towels custom designed by The Original Wedding Tea Towel that featured items special to the couple. The towels included a map of New Zealand, fish (Hugh loves to fish), a tiki (an homage to New Zealand), and a pug dog (Belinda adores them) as well as being an invitation to the wedding! “All of our guests raved about the tea towels and I understand they are being put to good use in their kitchens!”

The Look: Belinda wanted to her bridal look to be classic, simple and chic. She chose an elegant dress from Pronovias and incorporated her own flare by adding the custom shoulder strap and corsage from Rachel Staples Millinery. She accessorized with shoes by Christian Dior, a birdcage veil by Chez Bec and a wonderful side swept hair style. “The way my hair turned out I have been told it looked very old Hollywood glamour, which is a lovely compliment.” Belinda’s bridesmaids looked incredible in rich teal dresses from Two Birds Bridesmaid and pink shoes from Kurt Geiger. The groomsmen wore teal polka-dot ties and pink socks, and fantastically colorful boutonnieres. Love it!

The Moments: During their simple outdoor ceremony officiated by a dear family friend, Belinda made her entrance to The Way I Am by Ingrid Michaelson and her mother and friend recited special readings and prayers. One of the most romantic moments Belinda recalls was when she and Hugh exchanged vows and had their first kiss as man and wife. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed high-tea as a nod to Belinda’s London days, with treats served on cake stands and tea from vintage tea cups. The reception dinner was fun for all, with a photo booth, delectable chocolate cake, and delightful decor created by Belinda’s mother and cousin. When it came time for their first dance Belinda says, “Hugh and I don’t have a ‘song’ as such so we went for a fun number that wouldn’t require skillful dancing, Higher and Higher by Jackie Wilson. We hoped that would get the party started and it did.”

The Pros: To learn about the many wedding professionals who were a part of this incredible day, please visit Belinda’s and Hugh’s page in our Real Wedding Library.

Thank you Belinda and Hugh! What a wedding!

To plan your own Southern California or Seattle area wedding, browse our Plan Your Wedding Hotlists! And to find a dream wedding photographer for your wedding anywhere in the world, be sure to check out Junebug’s World’s Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!