Wedding Album: Kirby and Darren

Name: Kirby Maxwell         

Partner’s Name: Darren Maxwell

Ages: 25 & 28

Where was the ceremony held? Cheltenham Beach, Devonport

Who designed your dress? It was brought off the rack from Felicity’s Bridal Salon in Auckland (a design by Essense Couture). Of the 200 dresses I saw online, this was the only one that leapt out at me and it happened to be in store, and happened to be in an uneven size – 9 (my size!).

Who took your photos? Steven from Dreamlife Photography.

Which is your favourite shot? Oh my goodness, there are so many. But probably our ‘Petal Kiss’ – I’m sure you’ll agree it’s beautiful!

How long did you spend organising the wedding? Seven months.

Did you decide to change your name? Yip.

How did you spend the time leading up to the ceremony? My mum, sister (bridesmaid), best friend (who also happens to share the same name as my hubby!) Darren (man of honour), and step-dad all got ready at The Hotel Grand Chancellor in Auckland City. I spent a lot of time just hanging out eating M&Ms and drinking some champers (only two glasses!).  Leeann, my makeup artist was good. We just laughed, ate and had a really relaxing morning. 

What moments brought tears to your eyes? Lots! When I finally got into my dress and my hair & make up was done, I wasn’t standing in front of mirror… When my man of honour got the mirror and stuck it in front of me to show me how amazing I looked, I cried. Then while on the drive to the ceremony I just got all excited and cried when my aunty from Australia who couldn’t make it phoned me to tell me to have a great time, then when I got out of the car at the ceremony, my mum’s oldest friend came to me and handed me my “something borrowed”, then when I finally got to the beach, seeing Darren (hubby) for the first time, then the vows and many more after that!

Any funny moments from the reception? Lots. The best man’s speech, groom’s father speech, our MC making great jokes, my speech (and the fact that I kept crying coz I was so happy) and the man of honour’s speech.

Any advice for brides to be?  Don’t sweat the small stuff, and don’t blow things out of proportion!  I’ve seen so, so, so many brides blow it way out of proportion. There were about ten things within one hour that went pear-shaped (including the groom calling me to say he’s been asked on a fishing trip the day before the wedding by his company and really wants to go!) on the Thursday before our wedding, but everything is fixable and you have a hundred friends that are more than happy to lend a hand if you need it – take these people’s offers!

Flowers by? Our groom’s girl (we bought them through a wholesaler on the Wednesday before the wedding and she made the bouquets up on the Friday night) – seven months pregnant!

Cake by? Groom’s grandmother.

Number of attendees? Ceremony – 90, reception 57.

What was your bridal car? A pink Cadillac for me and a 1969 black Mercedes Benz for Darren (our colour scheme was pink and black, so these were perfect).

Any Bridezilla moments?  Is it bad that I say no?  I just didn’t’ sweat any small stuff and nothing big and disastrous happened!

Furtherest travel for a guest?  Christchurch.