Honor & CJ - A High-School Love Story + One Seriously Good Party!

Pemberton Gardens

Honor and CJ have been together since high school.

There was a little detour in the middle - CJ headed off travelling for a while - but eventually these two found their way back to each other. Fast-forward a few years and the South Canterbury pair are now living in Christchurch, with Honor working as a lawyer, CJ as a builder, and a wedding day surrounded by their favourite people.

Their wedding at Pemberton Gardens in Prebbleton was exactly what they wanted - relaxed, fun and centred around family and friends. They'd chosen Weka Films because they loved how our films tell more than just the story of the wedding day, and they'd already given us a pretty great piece of that story: their engagement had been filmed on a retro camcorder!

So naturally, we had to bring the camcorder back.

There was plenty going on for it to capture. Honor and CJ secretly chose Abby McNeill and Kade Willets as their witnesses - without telling them. Their celebrant, Oscar Richardson, was also one of CJ's groomsmen. Guests placed bets in a first-dance song sweepstake, while Luke and Tom kept things moving as MCs and Boogie Beats took care of the soundtrack.

There was even a surprise performance from Honor's boss and family friend Mark Tavendale while they signed the marriage licence.

Ella Moore was nominated by Honor to join our Retro Camcorder Crew, Ella was apparently destined to become “one of your greatest camcorder videos of all time.” No pressure.

Around all of that, an awesome team helped bring the day together. George + Jane captured the photography, Suzanne James custom-made Honor's dress, Sergios suited up CJ, while DK Floral, Chrystal O’Brien and Golden Studios / Monique Cadigan took care of the flowers, make-up and hair. Emma Ladley supplied the cake, with Pemberton looking after the ceremony, reception and catering.

But ultimately, this wasn't a wedding about the details.

It was about two people who have been doing life together since high school, surrounded by the family and friends who have been part of that journey.

A high-school love story. A few surprises. And one seriously good party.

Exactly the sort of story we love to film.

Congratulations, Honor & CJ - thanks for trusting us to tell it. 🩵

🎧 // ‘Melt Into You’ - Wendy Child; ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ - Lyra Blue
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