Jacinda & Tom’s Romantic Vineyard Wedding at Darjon

Some love stories are written in quiet moments — in the cheeky smiles, the family camping trips, the days that turn into years without anyone noticing how fast time has flown. For Jacinda and Tom, their wedding at Darjon Vineyard was the perfect celebration of a love that’s grown over nine years, a relationship built on laughter, family, and adventure.

From the moment they first met at work to Tom’s proposal on a beach in Kaikōura — surrounded by friends and their children — their story has been anchored in togetherness. It made perfect sense that their wedding would carry the same energy: rustic, romantic, and full of the people who mean the most to them.

Getting Ready

Jacinda’s morning began at Mansfield Avenue in St Albans, where the house buzzed with anticipation. The details set the tone for the day: delicate invitations, her embroidered clutch, a soft perfume, and the bouquet she would carry down the aisle. Designed in warm rust and peachy tones with creamy whites, the flowers echoed the rustic elegance of Darjon Vineyard.

Her gown, a lace dream with a low back and train that caught the light beautifully, came alive in those quiet mirror moments — when Jacinda turned, smiled, and saw herself as a bride for the first time. Her hair was swept into a soft braid-and-pony with textured curls, elegant yet relaxed, just like the day itself.

The bridesmaids wore satin rust dresses, each with their own cut and style but tied together by the palette. Standing side by side, they looked radiant, bouquets in hand, ready to cheer Jacinda on as she stepped into her next chapter.

The Ceremony at Darjon Vineyard

Nestled under the tall trees of Darjon Vineyard, the ceremony space felt like it had been created just for them. A circular arch adorned with pampas and blooms by Prime Petals framed the aisle, blending seamlessly into the surrounding greenery. White chairs lined the clearing, filled with 90 of their closest family and friends.

Jacinda arrived with her family, laughter and hugs easing any nerves. The kids played their part beautifully — and their presence added a reminder of how central family is to this couple’s love story.

The ceremony, led by celebrant Hitched by Brit, was everything Jacinda and Tom had hoped for: natural, emotional, and free of stiff formality. Tom, never one to love the camera, felt at ease in a space where nothing felt forced. Their vows were simple and heartfelt, filled with the kind of love that’s lived in, tested, and true.

Reception Styling

Inside the reception space, rustic charm met modern elegance. Long wooden chairs framed white linen tables, with a floral garland of pampas and roses running the length of the head table. The buffet by Country Feasts kept guests well-fed, while glasses clinked and stories were shared long into the night.

The cake, a three-tier buttercream creation flecked with gold leaf, was displayed on a wine barrel — a nod to the vineyard’s rustic character. Simple and striking, it was the kind of cake that needed no embellishment.

When the speeches rolled out, the room filled with laughter, a few tears, and the warmth of stories that spanned years. These weren’t just words about a wedding day — they were words about a couple who’d built a life together already and were simply putting a ring on it in front of their people.

Bridal Party Fun

One of the standout parts of the day was the energy of the bridal party. From the elegant portraits in the gardens to the carefree stroll down the vineyard paths, glasses in hand, Jacinda and Tom’s friends brought joy and laughter to every frame.

The car photos were a highlight — the whole bridal party gathered around a white classic, bouquets raised and smiles wide. For Jacinda and Tom, cars are more than just a prop; they’re part of their lifestyle and personality. These images captured that perfectly.

Couple Portraits

For their couple portraits, we stayed close to the vineyard, embracing the rustic backdrops of vines, gravel roads, and open fields. Jacinda wore a denim jacket embroidered with Mrs. Webb across the back, adding a playful and personal twist to her bridal look.

As the evening drew in, we slipped into the fields for their sunset session. The light was soft and golden, and Jacinda and Tom shared beers and laughter as if no one else was there. These weren’t staged, posed moments — they were just Jacinda and Tom, completely themselves, wrapped up in each other’s company.

There’s something special about photographing couples who want their portraits to feel natural. Tom’s wish for candid, non-posed photos came to life in every frame: the way Jacinda’s smile widened when he whispered something cheeky, the relaxed way they leaned into each other, the cowboy boots dangling off the edge of the car.

The Dancefloor

The evening flowed seamlessly into celebration. Strings of lights glowed overhead as the band Assembly Required took to the stage. The first dance was tender, Jacinda and Tom holding each other close, smiling like no one else was in the room.

Then the music picked up, and the party began in earnest. Guests spilled onto the dancefloor, drinks in hand, laughter echoing off the walls. Kids darted between tables, Jacinda crouching down in her gown to join their conversations. It wasn’t just a wedding reception — it was a family reunion, a community gathering, a night to remember.

A Day of Love & Laughter

Looking back, the thread running through every part of Jacinda and Tom’s day was joy. Not the big, showy kind of joy, but the everyday kind — the joy that lives in shared beers on a hot day, in camping trips with friends, in raising kids together.

Their Darjon Vineyard wedding was exactly what they wanted it to be: rustic, local, natural, and filled with love and laughter. It was a celebration not just of a marriage but of the life they’ve built and the family they’ve created.

Vendor Team

• Celebrant – Hitched by Brit

• Catering – Country Feasts

• Florals – Prime Petals

• Band – Assembly Required

Jacinda and Tom’s wedding day was proof that the most beautiful weddings are the ones that reflect the couple at their core. For them, that meant keeping things natural and real, celebrating with family, and dancing the night away surrounded by the people who matter most.

Darjon Vineyard was the perfect backdrop — rustic yet romantic, a place where every smile and embrace felt like part of the landscape itself.

Here’s to Jacinda and Tom, to their laughter, their family, and to many more adventures together.