Kate & jon
10 JANUARY, 2020
It’s all thanks to a work transfer opportunity from Christchurch to London that brought bride Kate and groom Jon together.
‘Jon worked in the London office, and I’d been in London for one day when we met at an evening meeting in my new store. It wasn’t long before Jon added me on Facebook, and offered to show me around London, knowing I knew no one else in the city. Obviously, Jon was blue-eyed and blonde with a smile to die for, so I accepted the offer and in the middle of winter on a brisk Sunday evening, we went to the Christmas Markets on Southbank,’ says Kate.
As moviesque as their first encounter and date sound, the marriage proposal, once the pair returned to New Zealand, wasn’t exactly the perfect setting dictated by Hollywood directors, but it was still very romantic.
‘Jon suggested, like he often would, on a late May Saturday afternoon that we should head up into the Port Hills for a walk and try to capture one of those amazing Christchurch sunsets.
‘I love, more than anything, a sunset – so of course said yes! We grabbed our winter coats, a couple of cold drinks and off we went. At the top, looking out over the hills down onto Lyttelton, we soon realised it was not going to be a night for a sunset, but that didn’t stop him.
‘He just stood up, got down on one knee and asked that longawaited question: “Will you marry me?” I couldn’t quite believe it, it was a yes from me!’
From working with other brides in her role as co-owner of Event Goals, Kate had always admired designer Karen Willis Holmes. ‘Her dresses are timeless yet modern, exactly what I was going for.’ On a girls’ trip to Sydney, and after trying on more than 20 dresses and styles, Kate found the one. ‘It was completely different to what I had first imagined I would have, but I loved every little detail and the way it fit so perfectly for me and my figure.’
The couple chose early January for their wedding at Harpers Homestead, so they could have their UK family in Christchurch for a big Christmas celebration too.
‘The venue was the first place we looked at, and honestly it was the most beautiful day and such a lovely experience with Marina and Andrew [the owners]. We fell in love with it as soon as we drove around the oval and knew it would be the perfect place.’
All the bridal photos were taken at various locations throughout the property, making the most of the gorgeous grounds.
‘We soon realised it was not going to be a night for a sunset, but that didn’t stop him. He just stood up, got down on one knee and asked that long awaited question: “Will you marry me?”’
Jon and Kate dreamed of having an alfresco dining experience, but also knew Christchurch can be so unpredictable with weather, even in the summer. ‘Luckily for us, we hit the jackpot with a warm summer’s evening. We had picnic tables set up all outside, and it was a sit-where-you-like with whoever-you-like kind of night.
‘Lots of walk-and-fork food, a taco station, an ice cream truck – so much food! Then we hit the dance floor and I don’t think I stepped out of the barn until the end of the night.’
And it was the end of the night, when the band was wrapping up, that Kate and Jon had the best moment of their big day: ‘It’s become a tradition within our group of friends that on the final song the bride and groom get lifted up on friends’ shoulders and dance together from above.
‘It was hilarious, but also the best moment. Everyone was singing Robbie Williams’ ‘Angel’ at the top of their lungs, while Jon and I balanced on our poor friends’ shoulders (sorry!) and lapped up every minute of this special day.’
‘Everyone was singing Robbie Williams’ ‘Angel’ at the top of their lungs, while Jon and I balanced on our poor friends’ shoulders.’