What happens when you stop worrying about what a wedding is supposed to look like and create something completely your own?
This week I’m chatting with Lydia, founder of We Are The Whimsy, about her Wairarapa wedding, planning a beautiful day on a tight budget, and the creative decisions that made it so personal.
We chat about:
💜 Planning a wedding on a $15,000 budget
💜 Finding creative alternatives to traditional wedding suppliers
💜 Choosing a wedding dress outside of a bridal boutique
💜 Growing flowers (or trying to) for your own wedding
💜 Creating a wedding around things you genuinely love
💜 The pressure of Instagram and endless wedding inspiration
💜 Her unique pay-what-you-like pottery shop
💜 The reality of DIY weddings: money vs time and effort
💜 Post-wedding blues and what happened to all those flowers
💜 How her wedding led to the creation of We Are The Whimsy
💜 The rise of drapery and creating more beautiful spaces
💜 Why couples are moving away from “what a wedding should look like”
💜 Creating a wedding that feels like you
…and so much more!
Follow Lydia: @wearethewhimsy
Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: @lightbynika
Content: @bylarissadeanacarlson
Bouquets: @lavendermagicnz
Giant florals: @ventana.art.space
Floral support: @the_gladstone_grower
Celebrant: @wendymorrisoncelebrant
Venue: The Watermill Bakery
Food: The Watermill Bakery & @rose_and_smith
Hair & Makeup: Bride’s Friend
Dress: @_aje_
THE KIWI WEDDING PODCAST LIVE CHRISTCHURCH:
The next LIVE event is happening Sunday 27 September at The Welder in Christchurch.
Come along for an afternoon of wedding inspiration, treats, drinks, an amazing panel and a chance to meet other couples and wedding vendors.
Podcast listeners can use code MYSTERY for a secret discount on tickets.
I’ll be joined by:
💜 Kate Holmes from Soirée
💜 Kasia Stanicich, makeup artist & educator
💜 Sarah Borrell from Amour Weddings
💜 Jess Brooker from Flock Events
If you enjoyed this episode, I would absolutely love it if you could take a moment to rate and review The Kiwi Wedding Podcast. It means so much and helps other couples find the podcast too!
If you're looking for a wedding photographer, you can find me at lydiarachel.com or on Instagram @lydiarachelphotography
JOIN THE PODCAST COMMUNITY:
💜 Join our Facebook Community – Connect with other Kiwi couples, ask questions, and share recommendations.
💌 Sign up to The Love Letter – Get fortnightly wedding inspiration, podcast updates, and be the first to hear about upcoming live event announcements.
📸 Follow us on Instagram – @thekiwiweddingpodcast for photos from our podcast guests' weddings, episode highlights, planning advice, and inspiration from the community.

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