When planning a wedding, learn to expect the unexpected. So many things can change and usually you can plan around it, make alternative arrangements and so on. One key ingredient though is the venue. Chris and Jenny found out almost by accident that their intended venue in Titirangi was no longer operating as a wedding reception venue.
With the date set and plans in motion, Chris and Jenny set about finding a new venue.
Luckily they came across Auckland’s Waitakere Estate. This venue is literally right in the middle of the bush. You look down from the car park – straight down into the valley below. The view from one side of the venue: virtually nothing but native New Zealand forest as far as the eye can see. From the balcony and restaurant, you can see what seems like a small town in the distance. Yes, from the Waitakeres, the sprawling Auckland city looks like a small town nobody ever heard of. Even the massive Sky Tower is dwarfed by the surrounding forest up there.
When I first met with Chris and Jenny and discussed their initial ideas, they were trying to choose between two of their favourite songs as their first dance. The flip side of that dilemma was where to use the other track during the night.
I came up with the concept of using BOTH songs as their first dance. After some discussion and custom editing, the end result was a first dance that was like nothing I’d ever used before.
After having photos taken at Alberton House in Mt Albert, Chris and Jenny made their entrance as husband and wife at the reception. Right after I announced their entrance, they went straight into their first dance. The track opened with Bryan Adams “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” (Click to hear this track). It had been years since I’d heard this one as a first dance, and the guests certainly approved based on their vocal reaction. But then came a twist – just over a minute into the track, the couple’s other favourite song started seamlessly – Richard Marx “Right Here Waiting For You” (Click to hear this track) A little over a minute later – surprise!! – the third part starts. U2’s anthem “With or Without You” (Click to hear it) wrapped up the medley. Their first dance was made up of a total of 3 songs and ran for around 4 minutes.
That was a first for me, and I loved being part of it, helping bring that moment together for them. Another first that night was the MC. Until then, I’d never seen the mother of the groom play the role of MC. With barely 40 guests, it made for a very personal and unique touch.
Jenny and Chris spent a two week honeymoon touring the South Island.