Real Wedding: A classic autumn celebration for Emily & Liam
From a local State of Emergency during the week to golden-hour portraits — this wedding had it all.
Emily & Liam say it was love at first sight with Waipuna Estate. “WOW!” was their first reaction—and it stuck. “Everything we were looking for was there. The view is fantastic, the property is absolutely stunning, and the staff are fantastic,” they said. The fact that their beloved dog could be part of the celebration sealed the deal. From the moment they walked around the property, they knew they didn’t need to see any other venues.
Their vision was a wedding that felt classic, elegant, simple, and easy-going. With the changing autumn colours surrounding the estate, the styling embraced the season beautifully, creating a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere from start to finish.
Emily & Liam chose their vendors from Waipuna’s list of recommended vendors, a decision they say made the entire planning process effortless. “Trust the recommended vendors listed on Waipuna’s website. They know their stuff. It took a lot of stress away knowing we were in good hands.”
And those hands were well and truly needed in the days leading up to the big day. Torrential rain across the region led to flooding and a local State of Emergency being declared—but the Waipuna team handled it with calm professionalism. Waipuna Manager and in-house Florist Katrin Lilla Nel stepped in on the morning of the wedding to assess the best ceremony location, and Emily trusted her entirely. “She was absolutely amazing. She communicated her decisions so well, and what could have been a stressful situation was completely taken care of. Liam and I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out.”
The ceremony ended up being Emily’s favourite part of the day—especially meaningful, considering it was the part she had dreaded the most. For Liam, a standout memory was their quiet moment away from the crowd, when they headed up the hill for photos. The clouds had cleared, the sunset was golden, and Bethany Howarth captured stunning shots with panoramic views over Christchurch.
Throughout the day, a talented team brought everything together effortlessly. Liv Webber led the ceremony with warmth, grace and the perfect amount of humour. Melanie Anderson worked her hair and makeup magic in the morning, setting the tone for a relaxed and joyful start. The Social Platter Company created an incredible food experience, while Page 28 Duo brought the perfect energy to the reception with live music that had everyone laughing and dancing.
Emily wore a beautiful gown from Wilkins Bridal in Christchurch—timeless and elegant, perfectly suited to the day’s styling—while Liam and his groomsmen were dressed in sharp suits from Sparrows in Ashburton, bringing a classic and cohesive look to the bridal party.
What could have been a stressful week turned into a day full of love, calm, and celebration.
“Still can’t quite believe how easy the process of planning our wedding actually was,” Emily said. “Credit to Sarah and the team—we are so, so grateful to everyone at Waipuna for making our wedding day so special. I cannot recommend Waipuna Estate enough!”
If you're wanting a wedding day that feels effortless, heartfelt, and beautifully yours, get in touch with us—we’d love to help bring your vision to life.