Weddings

Josh & Kelly’s Bohemian Black-Tie Wedding

Words by Hannah Pronesti / Images by Tāne Coffin
June 1, 2016

Kelly was dancing on a coffee table when she and Josh first crossed paths – the mark of a good house party we say. Her moves must have impressed because five years on he rolled over in bed one Sunday morning and asked her to marry him. “It was simple and understated,” Kelly tells us. “My kind of heaven!”

Friend and editorial photographer Tāne Coffin was called in to capture these New Zealand natives tying the knot and the Whakamarama property on which they said I do was idyllic. Unpredictable weather almost dampened their wedding day but luckily the rain cleared just in time for the ceremony, leaving the surrounding gardens looking lush.

The couple coined ‘bohemian black tie’ when it came to the theme, and we think it’s the perfect description for their chic outdoor affair. A stretch marquee, vintage lounge settings, scattered rugs and cushions and custom trestle tables by Louisana Lucy made for quite the garden party.

Though they had so many loved ones in the crowd, there was one little face that stood out to Kelly and Josh – their precious baby girl, Sunny! “It was so special having our daughter present.” Kelly tells us. “Seeing her in the front row while her parents promised to be one another’s forever really meant the world to us. My heart nearly exploded when we were announced as ‘The Mullers’ and Sunny reached her arms out to her Papa as he picked her up into his arms.” Tissue anyone?

Fiona Clare Beauty nailed the brief when it came to hair and makeup, “She just understood what I liked and what I needed.” Says Kelly. “She did a bronze smoky eye with a natural lip and bronzed, dewy cheekbones.”

Having fallen in love with an out-of-budget Erdem Dress, Kelly toyed with the idea of having it made, until she came across the Jonathan Simkhai Burnout Brocade Dress. “It was a similar style to the Erdem in terms of length and shape, was the last one in my size and happened to be on sale. I had it customised by Michelle Mitchell at White Elegance who cut the back out for me.”

Somehow Kelly managed to combine sensibility and style, wearing white, strappy Kurt Geiger block heels (perfect for the soggy lawn event) and all we can say is SHOE GAME STRONG.

We love a bride who considers her bridesmaids comfort when choosing a dress and Kelly gave hers free reign, save for a few directives – “My bridesbabes all have very different body shapes and styles so I was more than happy for them to choose their own dresses. I briefed the girls on structured, sleek white dresses with no texture, patterns or lace so they would complement mine. They all looked amazing and chose dresses from C/meo Collective, Nicholas and Missguided.”

Glam side-parted waves were the way to go for this bride, however with the humidity, rain and wind, Kelly wishes she had done a little more, “I wanted to look like me and not feel too 'bridal' but by the end of the night I felt a little 'underdone'. I have very straight hair naturally and it wasn’t the best day weather wise!” We think she still looks babin’!

Josh and the boys kept things classic in black 000Topman suits, black bow-ties and crisp white shirts. Tan H by Hudson shoes set the groom apart and Kelly's gift of The Horse watch finished his look.

Not wanting to spend a fortune on flowers, the couple decided to source greenery from the property itself and the owner (a family friend) was happy to help. Foliage runners lined the tables, along with mason jars and Ecoya candles.