With This Ring: August 05, 2016

68 With This Ring
When Alana Pottinger and Hayden Harper
married earlier this year they chose Trent’s
Vineyard for their venue “because we liked the
established garden and the historic building
which allowed us to mix modern with old and
rustic features” says Alana.
With a wish list that included
“a good photographer, great music
and our own style and design of
decorations,” the couple were
also keen to involve family and
friends in their wedding plans.
“The flowers on the tables were
in pottery vases that I made at my
auntie’s pottery studio in Diamond
Harbour with some friends, my
Mum and my aunties – it was a
great crafty thing for everyone to
get involved in during the winter
months” laughs Alana.
Photographer Cam McDermid
was a friend of Alana’s brother and
he captured the whole day through
and into the evening. Adam Caves,
another friend was a gem setter so
“we were very privileged to have
my wedding band and engagement
ring made by him and go through
the amazing process of designing
my own unique ring.” Not to be
outdone, Hayden, who was a
graphic designer also created the
stationery for the wedding which
Alana agreed “was a great way to
include him in the organising!”
Alana’s exquisite wedding
dress had an art deco look with a
low back, rucching, buttons and
two layers of lace, the top layer
being beautifully beaded. “I loved
everything about it and topped
it off with a long veil that was
so soft and elegant.” The gown
was made by Christine Reeves,
an experienced and renowned
dressmaker in Christchurch. “She
had made my sister-in law’s dress
and had done such a great job that I
wanted her to do mine.”
Alana’s bridesmaids wore
dresses they sourced at Forever
New. The simple style in navy was
a very flattering colour that suited
everyone and was offset by neutral
flowers with “a pop of peach”
created by Aromaunga florists. The
guys’ grey suits from Hallensteins
were worn with crisp white shirts
and black ties, complemented by
peach buttonholes and a peach tie
for Hayden.
Forsaking tradition, Alana and
Hayden chose to have their photos
taken at Mona Vale before the
wedding! “We were less nervous
for the ceremony and had time
together without rushing back to
the guests. The boys arrived first
and set up by the fountain for
the girls to walk in for the “grand
reveal” then the bridal party had a
picnic at Mona Vale before setting
off for Trent’s.”
Using a 1927 vintage car owned
by their groomsman’s grandfather,
Alana arrived at Trent’s for the 3pm
ceremony which was held outdoors
facing “horses in the paddocks and
doves in the trees.” “We wanted
our parents all involved so Hayden’s
Dad gave us the rings, we had our
Mums sign the register for us, but
it was very special to have Dad
walk me down the aisle because he
had been very ill and couldn’t even
walk a year before the wedding.”
With their formal photos
already taken, Alana and Hayden
were able to share canapés and
their wedding cake by Sugar Baby
Cakery after the ceremony. Then it
was time to enjoy music, dancing
and a delicious barbeque as well
as a photo booth set up in a boat –
which everyone loved!
“Our wedding venue organiser
Amanda made the day run
seamlessly, the speeches were
brilliant which made us feel very
loved, we wished the dancing could
have gone on longer, but best of
all was having all our friends and
family in one place to enjoy our day
with us.”