Nikita and Rich’s Playful Wedding at Bangor Farm

Nikita and Rich’s wedding at Bangor Farm was colourful, relaxed and full of personality.

Not colourful for the sake of it. Not playful in a way that tipped into themed. Just a really well-considered day that felt completely like them.

Nikita loved colour and came to us loving Natasha and Sam’s wedding we designed as inspiration. She was drawn to the florals, the overall feeling and the way the colour had been used, but wanted us to take that direction and create something personal for her and Rich.

The brief was clear - colourful, but still right for the venue.

Fun, but still polished.

And above all, it needed to feel like a proper party, just a bit refined of course.

Why Bangor Farm Felt Right

Being from Ashburton and working in the farm industry, Nikita and Rich were naturally drawn to Bangor Farm.

The extensive grounds and farming history felt familiar to them, while the scale of the property and the beautifully converted reception space gave the day a sense of occasion. That balance was part of the appeal.

It felt relaxed and grounded, but still luxurious enough to create something really special.

Because we know Bangor Farm well, we also knew how to use the different areas in a way that supported the flow of the day. The venue gives you options, as those options need a plan.

Where guests arrive, where they gather, how they move from the ceremony into drinks, and when they enter the reception all shape the atmosphere. The styling always matters of course, and styling also plays a big part in the overall flow of guests on the day.

That guest experience matters just as much.

A Slow Morning at the Venue

Nikita and her bridesmaids chose to head to Bangor Farm early, which allowed the morning to feel calm and unhurried.

They spent time together at the venue before Nikita and Rich had their first look beneath the oak trees, just beyond the ceremony area.

It was private, intimate and away from the attention of their guests. They were able to share their personal vows, which was really important to them.

There is something to be said for having that moment before the ceremony. The nerves settle, you get to see each other properly, and you are not trying to squeeze every photo into the hour between “I do” and dinner.

After their first look, they headed off for photos with the wedding party, which meant much of the formal photography was already taken care of before guests arrived.

Very efficient. Very calm. We love this approach!

The Ceremony Beneath the Oaks

The ceremony took place in Bangor Farm’s main ceremony space, directly beside the reception hall and beneath the towering oak trees.

It is a beautiful part of the property and works particularly well when you want the ceremony to feel connected to the rest of the day without losing that sense of occasion and having guests venture too far.

One of our favourite moments was watching Nikita and Rich’s son walk down the aisle to her. Their son was included throughout the day, not simply present around the edges of it. That made the wedding feel even more personal and gave the whole celebration a real sense of family.

For the ceremony styling, we used metal plinths topped with lush seasonal florals.

The arrangements included dahlias, roses, cosmos, zinnias and Queen Anne’s lace in a bright, layered palette that brought colour into the space while still working beautifully with the natural surroundings. Making sure the colour palette was playful - rather than bright is important here. You can so easily lean into tacky if the wrong colours or bright shades are selected. We always work closely with a variety of local growers and suppliers to make this happen. It’s difficult to pull together when you’re working with a tricky colour palette to get those shades correct - let alone nature!

The florals had presence, but they did not fight with the venue. That is always the goal.

Florals That Worked Twice

After the ceremony, the floral plinths were moved into the reception space and used to style the head table.

We love a detail that works harder than its original job description.

Repurposing the ceremony florals allowed the colour and scale to carry through into the reception, while also creating a stronger focal point around Nikita and Rich.

It helped the day feel connected from one space to the next, rather than like the ceremony and reception had been styled separately.

Cohesion does not mean repeating everything. It means making sure each part feels like it belongs to the same story.

Drinks, Canapés and No Disappearing Couple

Directly after the ceremony, guests moved from seated to mingling within the same outdoor area adjacent to the reception. We had a hired outdoor bar area for drinks service, with lawn games while guests sipped on champagne and had canapés.

Because Nikita and Rich had already completed their couple and wedding party photos, only the family photos still needed to be taken.

This meant they could quickly return to their guests and actually enjoy the afternoon. No disappearing for two hours. No missing the drinks and canapés they had carefully chosen. No hearing later about the excellent time everyone had while they were somewhere in a paddock taking their 47th photo.

They were there for it. That mattered to them, and it shaped the way we planned the day.

A Colourful but Considered Reception

Guests entered the reception through the large doors into the main hall.

The tables were styled with simple bud vases in two different heights, filled with colourful florals that carried the ceremony palette into the room. Using the two heights gave the tables movement and variation without making them feel crowded.

Candles were added for balance and warmth, softening the space as the light changed throughout the evening.

Dusty rose linen napkins brought in another subtle layer of colour. They tied into the florals without feeling overly matched, which kept the tables relaxed and elegant.

We also styled each name card into the fork at the place setting - a small detail, but one that made each setting feel a little more intentional.

This is the sort of decision that guests may not be able to explain, but they notice how it makes the table feel. Considered - not complicated.

Celebrating as a Family

Some of the most memorable parts of the day were the moments involving Nikita and Rich’s son.

From the ceremony to the reception and eventually the dance floor, he was part of the celebration in every way.

One of our favourite photographs from the wedding is of the three of them together on the dance floor.

It captures what the day was really about.

Not just a beautiful room.

Not just the florals, furniture or table settings.

A family celebrating together, surrounded by the people they love.

That is the part no styling document can manufacture.

Our job is to create the space for it to happen.

Making the Most of Bangor Farm

Every wedding at Bangor Farm can feel different, and that is one of the reasons we enjoy working there.

The venue has a strong identity, but it also gives couples room to bring their own style into it.

For Nikita and Rich, that meant colour, movement and a relaxed sense of fun.

We worked with the natural setting, the timber reception space and the layout of the property to create a day that felt playful without becoming overdone.

The ceremony florals created impact beneath the oak trees.

The same arrangements brought colour into the reception.

The outdoor bar and lawn games gave guests space to settle into the afternoon.

The table styling felt playful, considered and comfortable.

And the dance floor did exactly what it was meant to do.

The Final Result

Nikita and Rich’s wedding was personal, colourful and genuinely fun.

It looked beautiful, but it never felt too styled to enjoy.

Their guests could move easily through the day, the couple spent time with the people they had invited, and their son was part of the celebration from beginning to end.

That is what good wedding design should do.

It should support the day, not overpower it.

It should make the venue feel more like you.

And it should leave enough room for the moments you could never plan.

Planning your own wedding at Bangor Farm?

Let’s chat about how we can bring the styling, guest flow and logistics together in a way that feels personal, polished and actually enjoyable.

A Wedding Designed for a Good Time

Nikita and Rich were clear that they wanted their wedding to feel like a party.

Not a reception where everyone sits through formalities and politely waits for the evening to become fun.

A proper celebration.

The photo booth added another playful element and gave guests something to do throughout the evening, while the dance floor was busy.

Which is exactly what you want when having a good time is one of the main priorities.

The styling supported that energy rather than competing with it.

The room still felt polished, but not precious.

The colour gave it personality.

The layout allowed people to move easily.

The formalities had their place, but they did not take over the entire evening.

Vendors

Styling, hire and florals - The Little Hire Company
Catering Moveable Feasts
Venue Bangor Farm
Photography Sophie Isabella Photograph