Karen and Kenny cross The Ditch for rustic wedding in New Zealand

The sparkling shores and relaxed vibe of New Zealand drew Sydney couple Karen and Kenny south for their rustic wedding.

The pair had already visited Mudbrick Restaurant and Vineyard, on Waiheke Island, before their engagement and instantly knew it was the place for them.

“We just fell in love with the venue, the views that it offered and the ambience of the Mudbrick Restaurant,” Karen says.

Beautiful blooms, rustic wine barrels and an understated arbour overlooking the water adorned the couple’s outdoor ceremony on September 29, 2018.

“We had also incorporated some of our cultural ceremonies, such as the tea ceremony, prior to our ceremony. It was a way of honouring our parents and elders,” Karen explains.

The pair also injected plenty of their own personalities, placing their vows in a wine box during the ceremony and playing games throughout the evening celebrations.

The reception was held in the rustic-style restaurant, with the newlyweds celebrating alongside 118 friends and family.

The couple says their rustic wedding perfectly captured the fun-filled and relaxed feel they were after.

“It was memorable not only to us but also our friends and family,” Karen says. “It was laid-back, fun, intimate and magical.”

Photos courtesy of Russell Stafford Photography.

The couple’s unique rings were created by Waldemar Jewellers.

Kenny had his suit custom made. “The shirt included some hidden details such as Kenny’s initials along the cuff and our wedding date inside the back of his shirt,” Karen says.

Karen and Kenny met at a bar through mutual friends in 2014. “The next version of events depends on which one of us you speak to – Kenny believes I was so taken with him that I stalked him on Facebook and added him on Facebook. I believed he initiated contact with me on Facebook,” Karen says.

Finding the right photographer was one of the couple’s priorities. “I was after a photographer who was able to capture those fleeting candid moments that often goes unnoticed to everyone except for the photographer,” Karen says.

Kenny popped the question in 2017. “He suggested a trip down to Kiama,” Karen explains. “We strolled to the lighthouse, past the blowhole and down the esplanade, where he got down on one knee and proposed. He was so nervous, he abandoned part of his original plan to quote Taylor Swift’s Love Story as part of the proposal.”

“Our guests still recall the food from our wedding! This is a testament to the quality of the food provided by Mudbrick Restaurant, as I know some of our guests have been to a lot of weddings,” Karen says.