Alisha & Jonathan’s Martinborough Wedding

Alisha and Jonathan’s Martinborough wedding was a beautiful celebration of kāinga, culture and connection, with family at the heart of it all.

Set at Brackenridge Country Retreat, one of the most special details of the day was the incredible 50-foot tapa cloth lining the ceremony aisle, handmade by Jonathan’s grandmother. It made an unforgettable entrance and was such a meaningful way to weave Jonathan’s Tongan heritage and family history into their ceremony.

From there, the celebrations were full of energy. Traditional dancing, plenty of laughter, a packed dance floor and some seriously good family moments made this a wedding that felt warm, personal and completely their own.

SMD Loves

The tapa cloth aisle, without question. Handmade by Jonathan’s grandmother and stretching the full length of the ceremony, it was both beautiful and incredibly meaningful.

We also love how involved the kids were throughout the day, from the ceremony right through to the family photos. Nothing felt overly staged or formal, just a big celebration surrounded by the people who matter most.

And the dancing! The photos say it all.