Wedding Planning Done Right: An Alfresco Wedding at Ōhinetahi Gardens
Photography with thanks to Rachel Wybrow Photography
A masterclass in relaxed elegance, and wedding planning done right.
Leticia and Rory’s March wedding at Ohinetahi Gardens was the kind of day that makes you believe in love, golden light, and the art of slowing down. A long lunch nestled in lush gardens. A first dance under the sky. And a couple whose vision was clear. Relaxed elegance with summer vibes.
This wasn’t a traditional wedding day timeline - it was intentional,personal, and proof that with the right wedding planning support, you really can have a day that feels like you.
From the outset, Leticia had a beautifully honed creative direction for her day. She came to us with a vibe in mind. Italian alfresco meets design-conscious garden party. Think flowing linens, soft tones, a relaxed but refined energy, and guest experience at the forefront.
We were all in. Here's how it unfolded and how we brought their vision to life.
The Venue: Ohinetahi Gardens
A hidden gem in Governors Bay, Ohinetahi offers a rare blend of architectural charm and garden grandeur. It’s got that editorial-worthy flow from indoors to out but never feels stuffy. There are secret corners for guests to explore, photo ops at every turn, and enough flexibility to create a truly personalised event flow.
Leticia and Rory used the gardens for their ceremony and long lunch, then moved inside to the Pavilion for the evening celebrations. Cocktails, dancing, supper and all.
This layout allowed for multiple ‘moments’ across the day, without logistical stress.
Styling with Leticia: A Dream Collaboration
Leticia had done her homework. Her styling inspiration was detailed, directional, and aligned with her personal aesthetic. Match made!
From the very first consult, we worked with Leticia to refine the styling direction, recommend layouts, and build a cohesive story across the space and moment.
Beautiful personal touches such as a statement bow was incorporated into her cake table, adding that perfect mix of bridal meets playful. The custom card box was made by a friend, giving a heartfelt touch to the gift table. These kinds of bespoke details are exactly what make a celebration feel deeply personal and editorial-level all at once.
Ceremony Setup: Soft, Sculptural, Styled
The ceremony took place in a tucked-away spot within the gardens. Intimate, sun-dappled, and surrounded by garden blooms. Our White Bench Seats created a clean and elegant guest layout, while Ribbed Plinths grounded the abundant floral installations beautifully.
It felt editorial but not overdone. Romantic, but not saccharine.
The Alfresco Long Lunch Setup
Cue the garden party dreams.
The traditional schedule was flipped - a lunchtime ceremony, followed by cocktails amongst the gardens, before sitting down for a long, generous lunch. A creative twist that worked beautifully in Ohinetahi’s sun-soaked grounds.
We styled the tables in three rows, giving that quintessential long lunch feeling. The key elements?
French Linen Tablecloths in Milk – softly draped and light-catching in all the right ways
Scalloped Lemon Napkins – a pop of joy that tied into the overall colour story
Bud Vases, Taper Candles, and Table Lamps – layered across the tables for texture and small wow moments
Hampton Rattan Dining Chairs – the MVPs of the Italian-garden vibe
Scalloped White Umbrellas – not just practical shade, but serious aesthetic points
Guests were shaded, seated, and serenaded by sunshine. Drinks flowed, conversation lingered, and not a single guest looked like they were waiting for what’s next. This was the moment, and it was deliciously easy and created calm and enjoyment. No rushing between key moments.
Signage & Stationery: Watercolour Dreams
Leticia’s signage was nothing short of artful. The entire suite was designed to echo those relaxed Italian summer vibes, complete with soft watercolour, playful type, and even a custom hand-drawn sketch of the venue itself for the Welcome Sign. Dreamy doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Everything from the signage to the table settings felt intentional and elevated, reinforcing the idea that good wedding planning isn’t just about logistics. It’s about layering visual storytelling into every touchpoint.
The Cake: A Cherry on Top (Literally)
The cake by The Cake Eating Co was a true showstopper. A two-tier vintage-inspired masterpiece with nostalgic piped icing details and cherries on top. Yes, say less!
It was playful, pretty, and proof that choosing a cake is more than just dessert - it’s a chance to extend your creative direction into another moment your guests will remember. It certainly had it’s own moment on their day!
The Golden Hour First Dance
Originally, the plan was for the first dance to happen inside the Pavilion after dinner. But when the weather turned it on and the light turned golden, Leticia and Rory made a last-minute call. Move the first dance outdoors.
Spoiler alert - It was magic.
With a swift behind-the-scenes pivot, we coordinated with the live band, venue team, and TES (who were managing outdoor audio) to make it happen. We also managed venue noise restrictions to keep everything above board. The result? A dance on the lawn, surrounded by clapping guests and bathed in sunlight.
It was giving "Tuscan elopement meets Kinfolk editorial". And it was completely worth the hustle.
This was my favourite moment of the day - seeing that light, the glow it created through the ember leaves of the trees at Ohinetahi, and seeing guests up dancing, laughing and just honestly having the most relaxed, fun moment. When I think of Leticia and Rory’s day - this is what I think of first.
Evening Flow: Seamless Transitions and Guest Comfort
As the sun set, guests moved into the Pavilion for supper, speeches, and dancing. We’d pre-installed twinkle fairy lights across the ceiling to bring a little indoor magic to the evening setup.
The transition between spaces was one of those behind-the-scenes elements that required thoughtful planning. The cocktail furniture originally set in the gardens? We repurposed it for inside the Pavilion, creating fresh lounge zones for post-dinner chats and champagne.
But moving furniture while guests are still using it? Tricky. As their on-the-day coordinators, the solution was to create a wee transition for guests to give us enough time to move furniture without disrupting guest flow or enjoyment (e.g. we don’t want to get in the way of a good time)! The photographer gathered everyone for a big group photo, giving us a 15-minute window to reset the space without anyone even noticing.
It’s all in the timing.
Setup, Packdown and Vendor Coordination
Leticia and Rory booked us for full styling, setup and packdown aswell as Month-Of-Coordination, which meant they could relax that bit more in the lead up to their day. From liaising with vendors, answering some tricky logistical questions, and creating their runsheet - it meant we could be fully prepared for handling anything on the day smoothly.
We managed everything across multiple zones of the venue (ceremony, long lunch, cocktail hour, and Pavilion), including:
Prepping and placing every hire item
Repurposing bench seats from ceremony to reception for additional guest seating
Coordinating logistics for the impromptu outdoor first dance
Styling and setup of cocktail furniture, bar service area, signage and more
Installation of lighting
Post-event packdown
This is the part of wedding planning most couples underestimate. It's not just about setting up pretty things. It's about coordinating dozens of details across multiple suppliers and spaces - without losing the vibe (or going insane). That’s where our full-service model shines.
Our Favourite Guest Moment
There were many, and as mentioned - the outdoor first dance really shone for us.
The other worth it’s own moment was the relaxed draped photo backdrop, dressed in florals, takes the cake. Positioned in a quiet garden corner, it became an epic photo spot for guests. Intentional styling meets spontaneous joy. Exactly what we love!
Why Their Wedding Resonated
Leticia and Rory’s day wasn’t just visually stunning. It was emotionally generous. Every choice reflected their values. Guest comfort, elevated style, and being truly present.
As a full-service team offering styling, hire, coordination and more, we exist for weddings like this. Not just to make things look good, but to make them feel good. To ensure the couple gets to enjoy their once-in-a-lifetime celebration without being project managers on the day.
Because when it comes to wedding planning, our job is to help you swap stress for presence, and chaos for cohesion.
Featured Hire Items
Want the look? You can find all the featured pieces on our website:
French Linen Tablecloth in Milk
Scalloped Napkin in Lemon
Hampton Rattan Dining Chairs
Scalloped White Umbrellas
White Bench Seats
Ribbed Plinths
Twinkle Fairy Lights
Looking to bring your own Italian garden daydream to life? Let’s chat about styling, coordination, or a full-service package that lets you be a guest at your own wedding.
Vendor Dream Team
Styling & Hire The Little Hire Company
Wedding Planning (Month Of Coordination) The Little Hire Company
Florals Bek Novak Floral Design (now closed)
Signage Brogan Scott Studio
Celebrant Phoebe Voice Celebrant
Catering The Catering Dept
Cake The Cake Eating Co
Audio TES
Band Oval Office
Photography Rachel Wybrow Photography
Videography Ana Galloway
Venue Ohinetahi Garden
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