European chic
Alida Mercuri married Brannavan Gnanalingam at The Boatshed, Wellington waterfront, on saturday, December 28, 2013
Will you marry me? Bran and I began dating in 2005 shortly after I was an extra in a film he made. Seven years later on a trip to San Sebastian, Spain, we were walking up a cliff face on the hunt for a perfect spot overlooking the ocean. At the top, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him – it was a complete surprise! location location location We shared many memories from parties at The Boatshed in Wellington, so holding our wedding there felt right. We decorated the room with soft cream, ivory, pink and green hues, draping fairy lights and lengths of dreamy organza from the venue’s rafters. To amp up the sense of occasion, a friend provided three sparkling chandeliers to hang above the head table. Bridal beauty I found my dream 1930s-style gown at the Pronovias boutique on the Rue Saint-Roch in Paris. I didn’t want to risk shipping it back to New Zealand, so I emailed Robyn Cliffe Couturiere in Wellington, as I’d discovered they stock Pronovias. A chiffon halter-neck style, it had detailed beading and crystals that gathered from the front and led to a beautiful ‘T’ at the back. I accessorised with crystal drop earrings and an antique diamanté bracelet my parents had given me when I was 10 years old. Cultural cuisine We wanted our 160 guests to enjoy a unique menu that reflected our Italian and Sri Lankan cultures. A local provider sourced canapés from Italy, and the Sri Lankan community made a buffet including eggplant curries and curried cabbage salad. Tying the knot over the holidays meant cake suppliers were hard to come by – luckily Janus Bakerij was willing to make a traditional fruit cake that we could pick up before Christmas! Floral fantasia Fish bowls filled with soft pink and white hydrangeas acted as centrepieces on each table, while glass milk bottles stocked with chrysanthemums held table numbers. I love perfumery, so the green trail of my bouquet was made from jasmine. Forget me not The boys were supposed to wear soft pink rosebud buttonholes, but after accidentally leaving them behind, they had to raid a pohutukawa tree instead! It didn’t matter – the pohutukawa is Bran’s favourite tree, and the flowers looked fantastic as buttonholes. My advice for brides to be Don’t feel as though your day has to match up to some modern trendy wedding ideal. Remembering the main point of the day – the fact you are marrying your best friend – will make both the lead up and the day feel truly special.