A Fairytale Wedding Location... and a Family Band
This love story starts in a nail salon. With family getting involved to bring Kat and Ridvan together.
Ridvan's stepmother Galina got talking to Lucia, her nail technician, who happened to have known Kat since she arrived in New Zealand at sixteen. Galina was looking for a Russian girlfriend for her stepson. Lucia said she might know someone so reported this possibility to Kat. Kat thought it was odd. Lucia's response: it's just a coffee. You don't have to marry him. Famous last words.
So these two strangers messaged on Facebook for two months before they even met. Their first in-person meeting was at 11pm - Ridvan quietly slipping away from a function to meet this girl for a couple of drinks. No further plans made. But they kept messaging.
Then Covid hit. Ridvan drove to Auckland, moved in with Kat before the borders closed, and never left. They got through lockdown together, welcomed their daughter Darina, and took a babymoon to Queenstown where Kat quietly hoped for a proposal and instead got Covid ... but at least she was in a five-star hotel.
The actual proposal came on their four-year anniversary. Ridvan took her for dinner to their favourite Japanese restaurant, he had a romantic beach walk planned - except Kat felt too full for a walk - she'd made the most of being at their favourite place. So Ridvan pulled out the ring in the car. Before he could say anything, Kat's response was: "REALLY - wait, is that a proposal ring or just a ring?"
He got there in the end.
On the wedding day itself, the sky threatened rain and Abigail and her team at Settlers Country Manor were super prepared - loads of umbrellas at the ready, just in case. Settlers is one of those venues that holds a big celebration beautifully - the variety of gorgeous outdoor spaces, the bridge ... the rotunda ... the spectacular water fountain area - all of which look magnificent during the day or stunningly light up at night.
And this reception was something else. We had Aunties and nieces in traditional Russian dress who sang and danced and a particular highlight was Ridvan's family band who played the song for their first dance and then kept the crowd dancing from that moment. This was a family who came ready to celebrate .. and celebrate they absolutely did.
Photography: Perspectives
Venue: Settlers Country Manor
