“I knew early on that Kiriana was the one, but I couldn’t choose where to propose – So instead I bought Kiriana a special bracelet and then a charm in every location that we visited over five years to eventually spell ‘Marry me?’ (which Kiriana caught onto and figured out pretty early on). That way I didn’t have to choose, and spread the proposal from New Zealand to the Amazon rainforest and from Paris to the Galapagos Islands.”
If that’s not the perfect combination of romance and adventure, I don’t know what is! Kiriana and Jack’s Rotorua New Zealand wedding was straight out of a fairy-tale book. The details at their Rotorua Redwoods Under the Sails wedding ceremony were absolute perfection, the Redwoods Forest and Treewalk divine, and the Skyline Rotorua wedding reception venue completed the day with just the right amount of adventure–a gondola and luge ride to welcome everyone in to a night of dancing and celebration! This was definitely a wedding day to remember, and I am so honored Jack and Kiriana chose me to capture their wedding day.We began the Rotorua New Zealand wedding day with Jack’s getting ready photos. Up next was Kiriana’s getting ready photos.Kiriana gave all her bridesmaids matching rings.The wedding ceremony was held at the Redwoods Under the Sails Venue, which was perfectly selected not only for the theme of the day, but was brilliant in allowing an outdoor wedding to continue, regardless of Mother Nature’s rainy plans for the day!Kiriana and Jack included two colored ribbons on their wedding arch to represent their fathers who weren’t able to be with them. The duo’s ceremony consisted of lots of laughter, tears, and love.“Kiriana had two lockets on her bouquet which included photos of her father, nana and poppa who weren’t with us for our wedding day.”Why did Kiriana and Jack choose the Rotorua Redwoods Forest and Skyline Rotorua for their wedding day?
“We wanted to share our special day in the venues of Redwoods and Skyline, as we both love the combination of nature and adventure. The outdoor venues provided the perfect combination of natural New Zealand beauty in an environment we absolutely love, in addition with an opportunity to share adventure and fun with all of our guests being able to have a gondola and luge ride. Kiriana had always wanted to get married in a forest, and as soon as we saw the venues we knew they were perfect for us.”The wedding party matched Kiriana and Jack’s fun and adventurous personalities, and everyone’s outfits stood out wonderfully against the Rotorua Redwoods Forest.What were Jack and Kiriana’s themes or inspirations for their Rotorua New Zealand wedding?
“Outdoors, adventure, fun, nature (and some sneaky Twilight, Lord of the Rings and Game of thrones themes!). I always wanted to be a princess on my wedding day, but I didn’t want to be too over the top so I felt like this was a good in-between. I felt like a woodland princess!”After the ceremony and wedding party photos, we proceeded to take photos at the Rotorua Redwoods Forest Treewalk, comprised of suspension bridges allowing people to walk through the redwood trees, while suspended between 20 and 40 feet up in the air. Add that to the list of unique wedding photos locations!How did Jack propose?
“I knew early on that Kiriana was the one, but I couldn’t choose where to propose – So instead I bought Kiriana a special bracelet and then a charm in every location that we visited over five years to eventually spell ‘Marry me?’ (which Kiriana caught onto and figured out pretty early on). That way I didn’t have to choose, and spread the proposal from New Zealand to the Amazon rainforest and from Paris to Galapagos Islands.
On Valentines day, exactly six years from the time I asked Kiriana to be my girlfriend, I drove her to seven special locations in New Zealand and gave her a photograph and the charm from each country. Our final stop was the back of my parents’ farm where I proposed to her at the location where I first asked Kiriana to be my girlfriend.”Kiriana’s wedding bouquet was a perfect combination of wild and classy, colorful and elegant.How did Jack know Kiriana was ‘The One’?
“Kiriana is the only person who complements all of my strengths and weaknesses, is the perfect combination of gorgeous, crazy and loving, and pushes me outside my comfort zone to make sure I experience life to the fullest.”The gondola ride up to the Skyline Rotorua wedding reception venue offered gorgeous views of Rotorua, even on a rainy day.How did Kiriana know Jack was ‘The One’?
“Jack is the only person I have met who is the same amount of crazy and quirky as I am. We have the same passion for adventure and for discovery. Jack has always given me the confidence and motivation to chase my dreams. We have a lot in common, but enough differences to continuously be pushing each other outside of our comfort zones to try new things. Jack is my best friend and I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without him.”“Its really hard to choose which the most unique part of the day was, but I think it must have been luging down to our reception. It was so much fun, and something that took the nerves away before we walked into the Skyline Rotorua wedding reception. It was also something fun that our guests could do too!”What was the couple’s favorite part of their Rotorua New Zealand wedding day?
“From the start of the ceremony to the last song of the reception, every single part of the wedding was wonderful, it would be impossible to pick a favourite part. But my favourite part definitely wasn’t when my driver got lost on the way to the ceremony!”Jack and Kiriana continued their forest theme with appropriate moss, pine-cones, wood, and greenery decor at their Rotorua New Zealand wedding reception.What are the two most looking forward to as a married couple?
“The rest of our lives together; supporting each other to grow our careers, start our family and share in endless adventures in New Zealand and around the world.”The couple continued to enjoy their Rotorua New Zealand wedding and danced the night away along with their guests, while enjoying the sounds of the band!Stay tuned for photos from Kiriana and Jack’s Day-After wedding photoshoot!
Wedding Professionals
Getting Ready Location: Wylie Court Motor Lodge
Ceremony Venue: Redwoods Under the Sails Venue
Reception Venue: Skyline Rotorua
Photographer: Karen D Photography
Hair & Makeup Artist: Face Me Makeup
Florals: Bloom Art
Officiant: Natalie Barrett Celebrant
Band: Hatchton
Wedding Cake: Sweet Bites Cakes
Wedding Cake Decor: Little & Friday
Cheese Cake: Kāpiti
Bridal Shop: Felicitys Bridal
Wedding Gown Designer: Stella York
Bridal Shoes: Shoes of Prey
Groom’s Shoes: Number One Shoes
Wedding Rings: Hart Jewellers LTD