BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Marina Eichhorn and Craig Amanti married at Kumeu Valley Estate, Auckland, on Sunday, February 22, 2015 in front of 54 beloved family members and friends
Craig and I met at high school in 2006. I was on exchange from Germany, studying as an international student at Orewa College. We were together for nearly seven years before he proposed. Being lovers of the beach – and having spent countless days there during our relationship – Craig took me for a picnic at Omaha on a sunny winter’s day. We were mid-meal when he asked me to marry him.
Location, location, location
Given our many overseas guests, we saw our wedding as a chance to showcase New Zealand’s majestic scenery. Our ceremony spot at Muriwai’s gannet colony – set against a backdrop of rugged west coast waves and drifting sea mist – seemed the ideal scene. After waking up on the big morning to heavy rain, however, we reverted to plan B: vows in our reception venue’s lush garden. Luckily, we made it to Muriwai for portraits!
Our wedding style
With its barn-like aesthetic and high ceilings, Kumeu Valley Estate was a lovely setting for our rustic celebration. We strung festoon lights and strings of bunting from the ceilings, and clustered jars of gypsophila with candles and terrarium-housed succulents on each table. Metallic touches, such as our gold chairs, added a glamorous element to the proceedings.
My dream dress
My Grace Loves Lace gown featured a French lace bodice, a low scoop back and a silk chiffon skirt. It embodied everything I wanted my wedding attire to be – unfussy yet floaty, flattering and chic. I accessorised with pearl jewellery and a flower crown to match the roses, gypsophila and succulents in my bouquet.
A sumptuous feast
After a round of canapés following the ceremony – the bacon-wrapped scallops were a hit – our guests enjoyed a three-course sit-down meal with two choices per course. My maid of honour created our chocolate-coffee cake and we decorated its white chocolate ganache frosting with sprigs of lavender, rosemary and gypsophila picked from our garden.
For our guests
As favours, each of our guests received a home-grown succulent planted in a copper pot. These also served as place cards, and the message on the back of each – “Let love grow” – encouraged people to plant the succulents after the wedding. Because our wedding was held on a Sunday, we also provided ‘recovery kits’ packed with single serves of coffee and tea, aspirins, mints and a thank-you note.