Annette & richard
14 MARCH, 2020
Swiping right on each other was the best first move both Richard and Annette could make.
After meeting up at a local wine bar, they hit it off instantly, and having several mutual friends helped break the ice. ‘I didn’t think I would end up meeting my person until Richard appeared on Tinder ... After a whirlwind romance I think we both knew pretty early on that this was going to stick,’ says Annette.
The couple had been together for a year when they visited Aitutaki in the Cook Islands. They hadn’t talked about marriage previously, so, as Annette says, ‘Richard took quite a gamble, but he couldn’t resist using the opportunity of being in paradise to ask.’
Sticking with tradition, Richard ran the idea of marriage past Annette’s father, but had to wait for him to return his call before finding the perfect moment to ask.
‘My dad apparently said, “Yes, but she might say no”... this did not help to settle his nerves,’ Annette laughs. Still, the proposal went ahead.
The pair had been snorkelling with turtles, and Richard got down on one knee on a sandbank linking two small islands, and after a moment of shock (and lots of giggling), Annette said yes! ‘A boat nearby witnessed the whole thing – clapping and cheering afterwards! It was pretty special.’
Although they were engaged in winter, they wanted to get married in the coming summer, so the race was on to book in their vendors. Annette had spent a lot of her childhood in Hanmer Springs, so she always knew she wanted to get married in the village.
She says finding Amuri Estate was like ‘winning the lottery’. ‘It’s such a special place – a brand-new, purpose-built wedding venue overlooking the mountains of Hanmer. We went and saw it, and instantly fell in love with the space, the view, and the team.’ Amuri Estate hadn’t officially opened when they visited, and Annette and Richard were their first wedding. ‘They did the most amazing job, and went above and beyond to make everything perfect.’
Even before Annette had met Richard, she had seen a wedding dress online that she loved, so she knew the style she was looking for: slim-fitting with lace and capped sleeves. She opted for a design by Rue De Seine.
Hanmer put on a stunning 32-degree day, which had the 120 guests melting, particularly the guys in their suits. But nothing could stop Annette walking up the aisle to the cheers of her family and friends, and the sound of Elvis Presley singing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’.
Wanting to blend in with the beautiful, natural setting of Hanmer Springs, they kept their decorations simple and rustic.
Amuri Estate venue manager Vanessa Orr organised for the bridal images to be taken on a neighbouring farm.
Many of the guests had travelled from around the country and from all over the world to celebrate their big day. And, in incredible timing for this duo, their wedding was two weeks before New Zealand went into COVID-19 Level 4 Lockdown. Wanting to blend in with the beautiful, natural setting of
Hanmer Springs, they kept their decorations simple and rustic. They used the view from Amuri’s reception venue as their centrepiece, and utilised wood, toetoe, florals and greenery as much as possible.
Richard and Annette opted for plated table service, alternate drop, from Moveable Feasts. For entrée, the options were haloumi or pork belly; mains – ricotta and spinach-filled chicken breast or braised beef cheek; and for dessert – wedding cake and a selection of sweet treats (lemon meringue tartlets, mixed berry cheesecakes, chocolate tarts). They also served a cheeseboard and mini sliders for supper.
‘Everything was better than we could have wished for. Such amazing memories that we will treasure forever. But I’m sure Richard will tell you that he wished he wore shorts and a T-shirt as it was so hot on the day!’
Wanting to blend in with the beautiful, natural setting of Hanmer Springs, they kept their decorations simple and rustic.
END NOTE Richard and Annette chose to get married within six months of getting engaged, so both of their mothers could be there to celebrate with them, as both had been battling long-term terminal illnesses. Sadly, Richard’s mother passed away two months before their wedding day, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. ‘We were devastated she couldn’t make it, but she was with us in spirit, and there were many references to her during the ceremony and reception. She was a wonderful lady. She had written Richard and me a note before she passed to read on our wedding day – and taking a moment, just the two of us, to read her words was very special and emotional. ‘My mother was thankfully with us, and passed three months after the wedding. It was incredibly special that she was able to be there and watch me walk up the aisle. It is a memory of her I will treasure forever. She was on such good form that day, and it was a wonderful family celebration, with some of her best friends travelling from Europe to be there with her.’