Stephanie and Cody Manawatu Wedding

Photography by Toni Larsen Photography

Cody and Stephanie gathered with family and friends in a beautiful pear orchard to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments.

This love story began only a few years ago.

After a year of Cody travelling back and forth from Australia, they finally decided to make the commitment, which meant Cody was moving back to New Zealand to be with Stephanie. Ever since, neither has looked back, and instead looked forward to planning their future together.

They are each other’s rock, companion and confidant. They can’t imagine life without the other. They share a passion for life and making the one they are creating together the best it can be. They understand how each other ticks, the things that make them who they are, and most importantly know how to share a few laughs along the way.

After a romanic proposal on the beach (Cody’s favourite place in the world), Cody and Stephanie began planning the biggest day of their lives which came sooner than initially planned. Both holding their families very close to their hearts, as soon as they found out their respective grandparents were unwell they decided to bring their wedding day forward to share this very special day with them.

As a symbol of the vows that Cody and Stephanie shared, they both decided to have diamonds in their wedding rings – made by Hayley Groombridge – owner of Elyse Boutique Jeweller in Feilding.

The reason behind this is; a diamond’s creation requires immense pressure and intense temperatures to reach its highest potential. Without enduring the adversity and pressure of its environment, the diamond would never become the treasure it was meant to be. Cody and Stephanie hope the changes they grow through bring incredible value in helping them forge a remarkable and multi-faceted marriage.

One tradition that Cody and Stephanie strongly wished to keep in their ceremony was a confetti toss as they took their first steps as a married couple. Confetti is a traditional symbol of good luck for the bride and groom tossed in the air to wish them health, happiness and a long life together.

Cody and Stephanie wish they could repeat their special day over and over with telling each other – “I choose you, I’ll choose you over and over. Without a pause, without a doubt, in a heartbeat, I’ll keep choosing you.”