Matt + Hayley | Coopers Function Centre Wedding

Summer 2019

I think this wedding will always be close to our hearts - it was our first big set up with our tables (following our own wedding), and we created custom screens and our table top planks just for M+H! These two booked our tables in through their amazing wedding planner, Hannah from Alare Weddings, before the tables were even made. They had 100% faith in us - probably more than we had in ourselves!

Their day was a dream - the kindest couple who included all their vendors involved as if they were family. Having never met them before set up day, both Rich and I were blown away with their kindness and easy-going attitude. It was the most relaxing start to a wedding day, making it all the more fun to be involved in! An absolute inspiration, thank you for having us

The Proposal

Matt got too excited, and thought I'd see he'd picked up the ring from the jewelers through the credit card statement, so he left our son who was six months old at the time with our niece Annika (three) and asked if he could borrow me. When I got to the bedroom he dropped onto one knee and proposed properly.

Tell us about your venue and why did you choose it?

We choose Coopers as it is beautiful, flexible and allowed us to create multiple spaces. We wanted water to be involved in our day so the fact it had the covered areas looking over the river made it perfect for us. Plus Sonya who runs Coopers right from the outset was just amazing, there wasn't anything she couldn't manage.

How did you meet?

When I came back from the UK.. Matt and I had known each other for several years previously, through our bridesmaid Margot and her husband Karl, but we started up our friendship again when he asked me if I'd like to learn to wakeboard. He may have dropped a phone into the lake and forgotten some keys for his jet-ski that I had to drive down for him to Mangakino

What were the highlights on the day?

Being able to get ready and greet everyone together. We didn't do all the normal wedding things, as with three young kids we had to work our day around them. They had their own kids room with their cousins for the day. Getting our photos done with the kids in the morning (so the light was better too!) Walking up the aisle with my kids, Margot, Mum and Dad with my youngest son Parker deciding halfway up the aisle he wasn't coming with us anymore and running away! Seeing Matt's face as I walked up and both of us crying getting through our vows.

Where did you find your inspiration for your wedding day?

I honestly didn't think I'd ever get married, so we really trusted Hannah our wedding planner to help us with ideas. There were lots of Pinterest photos sent back and forth to everyone (including Love Club with how many custom things we decided we wanted!). Matt and I really like simple modern decor, so Hannah found us suppliers who matched what we wanted.