I hope you had nothing planned for the rest of your Monday because today’s seriously pretty Spring wedding captured by the fabulous Toni Larsen is going to have you pinning and wedding planning all day! Brimming with the most beautifully creative styling and florals by CVB favourite and resident Florist Toni of Magdalen Hill (including a floral chandalier, yep you read that right) and described by the happy couple, Louise & Michael, as ‘Sweet Country Love’, it is rustic vintage perfection…..

Without further ado I will pass you over to lovely bride Louise to dish the details on every part of their day….. “We got married on Michael’s parents farm ‘Withane’ (pronounced ‘With an E’) Val and Paul were very excited to host the wedding and it meant the world to my hubby. 

I suppose you would call the theme of our wedding very rustic glam. There was lots of blush pinks, hessian, lace, crystal, a ton of flowers (mostly peonies) There was lots of different styled areas throughout the wedding: the rustic outdoor ceremony area with hay-bale seating, the more elegant marquee for the breakfast, and then the barn very rustic-vintage with the tea and cake area as well as a mens cigar room.”

“Hubby wore a tailor made Van Meer morning suit – Yes my hubby wanted ‘tails’ – he looked so handsome! It was a light grey with an off white shirt and tie to match in with the colour of my dress.”

“I had 2 bridesmaids, Jess and Sam, and gosh they looked smoking hot! We had their dresses made out of this beautiful blush pink silk. They were knee length with a high neck and spilt in the back and sat nicely on the waist. We kept accessories simple – they wore a nude wedge and a teeny bling goldy braclet and earrings.”

“I wore a custom designed lace wedding dress with a diamond cut out back and a longish train. It was very elegant and made by an absolute perfectionist, Shona Rubery, who is a local dress maker. I kept my dress a surprise to everyone, just working along side Shona to create my dream dress – and it really was! It fitted me like a glove and was just beautiful to wear.”

“My bouquet was created by Magdalen Hill  and it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Filled with peonies in a range of colours from blush pinks through to different shades of whites and creams. It was beyond perfect. I wish I could have kept it forever.” 

“My hair was done to perfection by Nadia Vroombout owner of NV hair design. It was perfect – a timeless look that suited the style of my wedding dress just right. My makeup was done by the very talented Millie Hammond. This girl blows me away MY MAKEUP WAS GORGEOUS (yes I am yelling that!!) I have never looked so flawless in my life. Glowy yummy delish skin with natural yet smoky ish eyes and LASHES!!”

“Our reception was in a very glam candle-lit crystal glowing marquee on the farm behind the barn. We wanted to create a WOW factor when the guests entered the marquee for the reception so we filled it with crystal, candles and all things floral. And wow, it was just wow!!! Flowers and gorgeousness every where!!! Peonies were the theme of the day, hence why we got married in November to fit around the season, and they were everywhere – I think we used over 200 stems.”

“Our wedding cake was YUM – a 3 tier chocolate mud cake with a textured vanilla butter cream and covered in the one and only most beautiful flower in the world… the Peony!! This was made by Alex from Alexandre Patisserie & Chocolaterie. He also created our Petit fours for dessert, which were blow ya mind scrumptious.”

“The whole wedding was filled with a ton of magical finishing touches. Every corner you turned from the hanging floral chandelier in the marquee, to my fave scented vanilla caramel candle burning in the barn; rustic keys attached to tags for our guest to write their ‘keys to a successful marriage’, and the tea and cake table with my mums butter churn as the floral star. Oh and my hubby loved his cigar bar styled with some unique vintage pieces. Words cannot ever really describe it, nor the photos show it all….it was perfection.”

“Our favours were from Crafted by Hilary in Christchurch (who also did all of our invites, menus, etc) She hand made these delish little small cloth bags, with hand stamped writing on both sides, filled with herb seeds. We also attached a few of our favourites recipes – very us and very loved by our guests.”

“Mikes dad is a chef and they have both been in catering for years, so we were very lucky to have them play a huge part in the food for the wedding – it was out of this world amazing food!!”

Pearls of Wedding Wisdom from the Bride…..

“Absorb as much of the day as you can – take 5 mins just for you and your hubby just to be together. I would also say, do what you want to do from day 1 of planning – never lose sight of your dream wedding just to please others. It is your day no one else’s!”

Tell us a little bit about your photographer…..

“Errrrr LOVE LOVE LOOOOOVE!! Have you seen the photos?? WOW, perfect, amazing, squeal, LOVE!! Toni Larsen has some crazy amazing talent and snapped the hell out of our day to absolute perfection. She made us feel so relaxed and made us look stunning!!! Could you tell from the photos we had bad weather?! She captured every single moment and when I look through them the whole day just comes rushing back!!” 

That is one proud looking groom indeed! And no wonder, what a beautiful bride Louise made and a wow wedding they created. A huge congratulations to the happy couple plus big thanks to them, and to their fabulous photographer Toni Larsen for not only capturing the beauty of their day so perfectly, but also for allowing me to share it here on Chic Vintage Brides. Do pop across to Toni’s website tonilarsenphotography.co.nz to see more of her work and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to keep up to date with her travels (whilst originally from New Zealand she is currently working in California and across America, so US brides keep your eyes peeled)

If you’re considering a rustic vintage wedding you might want to take a peek at this bright and beautiful woodland wedding, this romantic affair with an elegant barn reception and you won’t want to miss this charming wedding with a hint of mid-century style! Or to while away an hour or two with some more delightful weddings, simply click here.

Oh and if you have been swooning over the lush florals in Louise & Michael’s wedding, then be sure to take a closer look at more of Toni from Magdalen Hill‘s work by checking out the series of beautiful bridal bouquet recipes we shared last year – and keep an eye out for them making a return here soon!

Amy

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Credits

Photography ~ Toni Larsen Photography // Floral Design ~ Magdalen Hill // Venue ~ Private Estate // Styling ~ Magdalen Hill // Bathrobes ~ Plum Pretty Sugar // Wedding Dress ~ Shona Rubery Designs // Groom’s Attire ~ Van Meer // Bridal Makeup ~ Millie Hammond // Wedding Stationery & Favours ~ Crafted by Hilary // Wedding Cake ~ Alexandre Patisserie & Chocolaterie // Catering ~ Groom’s Mum & Dad //