OUR WEDDING : Our home away from home

Early in our planning stages Grant told me that the only stipulation he had with the wedding was that he really wanted to get married outside of Australia. We initially started looking towards south-east Asia, keeping in mind our guests needing to travel and not increasing their costs too much. As you now know, we eventually decided on New Zealand and when we did I knew exactly where we were going to have the wedding.

I had come across the Blackbarn Vineyard through a magazine that had published one of their properties. I just fell in love with the decor and their location that I kept it in my mind for either a holiday and in my heart-of-hearts, a wedding perhaps when Grant proposed one day. You know, one of those daydreams while sitting in your office cubicle. We booked the venue for the wedding and then started browsing their accommodations for somewhere to stay.

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The Blackbarn Vineyard and Bistro, Havelock North

We decided to offer our parents accommodation nearby as we wanted to spend as much time as possible together. We ended up renting two houses, side by side, managed by Blackbarn Vineyards. Grant, the kids and I were in one house and our parents in the other house. Our base became the location for all sorts of get-togethers, songs around the log fire, many barbeque breakfasts courtesy of my Dad and spectacular views that even impressed the New Zealanders. On the wedding day, as we got ready, Grant moved up to the upper house and I stayed in the bottom house before we finally saw each other for the first time in our wedding finery.

This was the view back to the houses, ours is the one in the foreground. I was standing in the small orchard that was home to many a little rabbit I happened to see.

This was our view from the house. Heaven on earth.

I loved having the self contained accommodation and had hopes of long, languid meals around the dining table with an abundance of the local produce Hawkes Bay is famous for. Sharing with our families and creating memories in this magical place. It worked out just as we hoped and we were sad to eventually have to leave.

The houses were adjoined by a swimming pool. Despite the cold weather, there were a few people daring enough to try it out.

On one afternoon Grant and I took a drive to the coast from our house. He is my perfect driving partner as he drives while I scout for things I want to take photographs of. This picturesque spot was too perfect to pass up. Wonky power pole and all.

I love knowing that whenever we return here it will bring back memories of our wedding and all of the happiness and joy we felt over that fortnight. One of my favourite reasons for a destination wedding.

Next time, I’ll show you the venue and you’ll understand how we fell in love with this corner of the world