This darling couple hosted a rather untraditional destination wedding on the island of Waiheke, New Zealand. Instead of a destination wedding, then a private honeymoon, Myron and Yujin toured the region for almost three weeks prior to the big day – and they took friends and family along with them! We asked the bride to share their thoughts in the planning and prep of this long and oh-so special journey.
“We wanted to share our great adventure with our closest friends and family. Only a couple people had been to New Zealand before and everyone else had it on their must-see lists. People thought we were crazy to have our wedding there but those who came had an experience that they would not soon forget.”
“Our wedding was at the end of most guests’ itinerary. No one knew each other before the wedding. Since many of them had traveled with us for the previous two weeks, by the time the wedding came around everyone knew each other in a way that only traveling together can provide. Instead of the conversations being “Hello, Joe. Nice to meet you. What do you do?” the conversations were more like “Hey, do you remember when we pet that koala in Sydney or flew in that helicopter over Queenstown?” Having so many of our friends in attendance was the best gift we could have asked for.”
And what a gift this experience was for all! Thanks to photographer Becca Dilley for sharing their beautiful images with us!
The wedding took place at the stunning Delamore Lodge, Waiheke Island – the perfect home to an intimate destination wedding.
With a small size wedding, the couple decided a quartet made the most sense for their entertainment. “The Quartet was actually a last minute decision. My husband being *just-so-helpful* asked me the morning we were to depart the US if we were having a string quartet. I reminded him that he nixed the idea months before. It was a testament to the staff at the Delamore Lodge for helping me book the Quartet on such short notice.”
And the ceremony had views that couldn’t be beat!
For the reception, guests dined on long dinner tables with local charm, flair and fare.
“It was very important to us to have the food come from local sources and the property was able to achieve that for us.” In addition to passed canapes, the couple hosted a buffet that included a variety of items such as skewered prawns with chorizo and chilli plum sauce scallops wrapped in proscuitto and mango salsa, fresh akaroa salmon, char grilled capsicum lamb, among many other delectable treats.
“The best part of the dinner was actually the dessert. In lieu of wedding cake, I asked the Delamore to make pavlova, the national dessert of New Zealand. I wanted to incorporate as much of New Zealand as I could in to the wedding and I thought the individual pavlovas were an excellent choice.”
But the wedding wasn’t the only highlight of the trip! The couple spent several magical days honeymooning throughout the region. “Because the date of our wedding was January 6 and my husband’s work was closed between Christmas and New Year’s we decided to honeymoon before the wedding.” Which meant New Year’s Eve in Sydney with fireworks and all over the Syndey Harbour Bridge! They also visited Melbourne, Auckland and Bay of Islands, New Zealand. But another unique element of this honeymoon was that they pair weren’t alone. “The best part of our traveling was that we shared our itinerary with our guests and many of them joined us for parts of our travels. There were 9 of us camped out at the Sydney Opera House for nearly 12 hours in the baking sun waiting to watch the fireworks. It was amazing!”
What a wonderful way to start your new family together – share the entire experience with your extended families!
Congratulations the the newlyweds!
Destination Wedding Photographer: Becca Dilley Photography
Wedding Vendors: Wedding Location: Delamore Lodge New Zealand, Invitations: Paper Moxie, Wedding Dress: Diana’s Couture and Bridal, Washington, DC, Quartet: Real Entertainment
This wedding was submitted using Two Bright Lights.
This wedding is gorgeous, the couple is gorgeous, the photos…GORGEOUS!!! Love it all!
One of the most beautiful and unique weddings I have had the pleasure, and honor, of introducing. A magnificent setting and so inspiring. Every detail the perfect reflection of the couple. This is one I keep coming back to again and again…..
Sheryl BrackenPAPER MOXIE