29/01/2011

Sally and Neil were married on 29 January 2011at the iconic Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings. The venue was the perfect setting for Sally who works as a freelance theatre director. The scene was set with a solitary piper playing from one of the theatre's boxes to the side of the stage, paying homage to Sally's father's Scottish roots. Sally looked simply stunning in a pink gown from RSVP Couture as she made her way through the softly lit auditorium to the stage where Neil stood waiting for her along with family members and celebrant John Taylor. Sally's two bridesmaids looked beautiful in coordinating shades of pink in dress styles of their own choosing.

 Photographs of the ceremony and bridal party were taken by Bruce Jenkins of Studio Fifteen in Ahuriri, utilising the wonderful backdrop of the theatre's elegant auditorium, while bubbles and canapes were served in the theatre's modern Cushing Foyer.

The guests were wowed when they returned to the theatre to find the curtain lifted and the stage transformed to a hot pink and orange retro themed dining experience! Each of the 45 place settings at the round banquet tables was defined by an old record in a sleeve - carefully selected by Sally from 'Op-shops'. They served as a great talking point for the guests and a great momento of the occasion for guests to take away.

The retro theme was carried through to the wedding cake, created by BJs Bakery of Hastings, with one giant cupcake and lots of small ones, staged on a quirky orange cubic display cabinet with orange cups interspersed. The delicious buffet dinner prepared by Dish Catering was a hit with all the guests, as was the guest appearance of Caterbury band 'The Eastern'.