Josie & hamish
20 MARCH, 2020
Anight out at the Springston pub in 2011 was all it took for these former Lincoln University students to realise they had more in common than their studies.
Eight years later, the pair were heading to Nape Nape Beach for a picnic, like they often did. Bride Josie had packed the picnic rug, made a pizza and had a nice bottle of wine. ‘When we got to our usual spot and set up the picnic rug, Hamish got down on one knee and proposed! Little did I know he had a secret picnic packed in the back of the truck, and got out all this amazing food and a bottle of champagne – slightly better than the pizza I’d made for dinner!’
They always wanted to get married near Methven with a view of the mountains and the Rakaia River. Josie’s dad had the idea of asking a family friend if they could get married on his beautiful farm which overlooked the river. Because it was an outside ceremony, they planned their wedding date around the weather, when nor’west winds were calmer.
‘The Rakaia River is super important and special to us so we were super happy about getting photos down there.’
This gorgeous Silk Estate marquee housed Josie and Hamish’s large wedding reception. Food was a big part of their wedding and they were lucky enough to design their menu with the help of Maddy and Jo from Foothills Catering.
‘It ended up being a very cold and rainy day but I was adamant we would still get married outside. Just before I arrived it was raining and everyone was huddled inside the marquee. Luckily, there was a clear spell just as we pulled up in the car and the ceremony went ahead outside as planned.’
A positive with the dreary day was the good lighting for the bridal images. ‘There was no direct sunlight so they turned out amazing. The Rakaia River is super important and special to us so we were super happy about getting photos down there.’
The couple’s favourite photo was taken by the river with their two dogs, Fergus and Penny. ‘It captures who Hamish and I are as people and what we love in life.’
Their marquee reception was fun and relaxed. ‘We didn’t want long and boring speeches, and we didn’t want people going hungry or thirsty so there was plenty of food and drink which people made the most of – a few of the younger cousins especially, so it was a very fun and memorable night.’
The couple’s favourite photo was taken by the river with their two dogs, Fergus and Penny.
Josie and Hamish spent time having their photos taken around various spots at Happy Valley Farm. Beautiful blooms by Samantha Rose Flowers.