Matt & Kirsty

Matt and Kirsty’s wedding at The River Room by Black Barn was relaxed, intimate and completely true to them.

With the Tukituki Valley and Te Mata Peak as their backdrop, they kept things beautifully simple — and added one very special surprise during the ceremony that no one saw coming.

Here, they share a little more about their story, the choices they made, and the moments they’ll never forget.

Eva: How did you two meet, and when did you realise this was something serious?

Matt: We met at work in Hawke’s Bay when Kirsty joined the company where I was already working. From the very beginning, there was a natural connection between us, and it didn't take long to realise there was something special there. We decided to keep our relationship quiet at first, wanting to give it the space to grow naturally and really focus on building a strong connection away from everyone else's opinions. As we spent more time together, it became clear that this was more than just a passing romance. The ease of our relationship, the shared values, and how much we genuinely enjoyed being together made us realise this was something serious and worth investing in.

2. Why did you choose The River Room as your venue, and what did you love most about it?

Havelock North has always held a special place in both of our hearts, and the Tukituki Valley perfectly showcases everything we love about Hawke’s Bay. Surrounded by incredible scenery, with Te Mata Peak standing proudly in the background, it felt like the ideal place to celebrate such an important day.

The River Room had long been a dream venue for both of us. Tucked into the hillside, it offers an intimate and unique experience, with iconic views over the valley and the landscape flowing gently down to the river below. It has a real sense of connection to the land, and we knew it would create a truly memorable setting for a day we would never forget.

Eva: How did it feel to announce your pregnancy during the ceremony and why did you decide to do that?

Matt: Our journey to starting a family had already begun before the wedding, although we never expected to be so fortunate so early on. When we found out we were expecting, we knew we wanted to share the news in a way that felt special and meaningful.

Having all of our closest family and friends together in one place made the wedding the perfect opportunity. We decided to announce our pregnancy during the ceremony, which meant everyone found out at the same time, and we were able to witness their genuine reactions firsthand. It was such an emotional and unforgettable moment, completely unexpected for our guests and filled with so much joy.

What made it even more special was being able to celebrate the news with everyone immediately afterwards. The excitement, hugs, and conversations that followed during the mingling after the ceremony created memories we'll treasure forever. It felt like the perfect way to share the next chapter of our lives with the people we love most

Eva: What mattered most to you when you were planning the wedding?

Matt: When planning our wedding, two things mattered most to us: securing our venue and having Eva photograph the day. In fact, they were the very first two emails we sent when planning the wedding. Once those were locked in, everything else seemed to fall into place.

There was only ever one photographer we wanted to capture our wedding. Eva has an incredible talent for documenting moments in a way that not only preserves how they looked, but also how they felt. Looking back through our photos, we're instantly transported back to those emotions, the excitement, the joy, and all the little moments in between. Having those memories captured so beautifully was incredibly important to us, and we couldn't be happier with the result.

Eva: What was your favourite moment from the day — or the moment that surprised you most?

Matt: Apart from the unforgettable moment of seeing each other at the altar and sharing the day with our family and friends, one of our favourite parts was the time we spent together exploring the incredible locations Eva took us to. These are moments we both remember so vividly. It gave us a chance to step away from the excitement of the day, connect with each other, and take in the stunning landscapes and unique places that we would never normally have access to.

Those quiet moments together, surrounded by such beautiful scenery, felt really special and are memories we'll always treasure. We also loved spending time with Eva throughout the day. Her energy, guidance, and the fun conversations we shared made the whole experience even more enjoyable and relaxed. Looking back, those moments were every bit as memorable as the celebrations themselves.

Eva: Was there anything you did differently from a “traditional” wedding that made the day feel more like you?

We decided early on that we wanted the day to feel relaxed, personal, and true to us. Rather than following the traditional wedding format, we chose not to have bridesmaids or groomsmen. This allowed us to focus on what mattered most: getting married, celebrating with our closest family and friends, and being fully present with each other throughout the day.

It also gave us the freedom to keep things simple and meaningful, without the pressure of a larger wedding party. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made, as it allowed us to spend more quality time together and truly enjoy every moment with the people we love most.

Eva: When you look through your wedding photos now, which images or moments mean the most to you, and why?

It's hard to pinpoint just one photo, because every image means so much to us. Together, they tell the story of the day and instantly bring back the emotions, memories, and joy we felt in those moments.

There are a couple of images that we find ourselves coming back to time and time again. One is at the base of Te Mata Peak, where the scale of the landscape completely dwarfs us. The colours, the dramatic backdrop, and the way it captures us as just a small part of something so much bigger feels incredibly special. It's a photo that reminds us not only of the beauty of Hawke's Bay, but also of how fortunate we felt to celebrate our wedding in a place that means so much to us.

Another favourite is the sunset image of us walking out towards the rock peninsula, with Te Mata Peak and the Tukituki Valley stretching out before us. There's something so powerful about the way we're walking away from the camera, hand in hand, towards the horizon. To us, it feels like we're stepping into the future together. That image holds so much depth and meaning, and perfectly captures the excitement, hope, and adventure of beginning the next chapter of our lives as husband and wife.

Eva: Looking back, is there anything you’d do differently — or any advice you’d give other couples planning their wedding?

There’s very little we would change about our day. If we could offer one piece of advice to other couples, it would be to invest in the things that matter most to you and make the day feel uniquely yours.

For us, one of the best decisions we made was having Eva as our photographer. From the moment we got engaged, she was one of the first people we contacted. Her ability to capture not just the moments, but the emotions behind them, is truly incredible. Having someone we completely trusted allowed us to relax and be fully present throughout the day.

We’d also recommend choosing a venue that holds personal meaning. Getting married in a place that was so special to us made the day feel even more memorable. Every time we think about the venue, it brings back the memories and feelings from that day. Those personal touches are what make a wedding truly unforgettable.

A huge thanks from me to Kirsty and Matt for allowing me to share their beautiful wedding photos, and also for those awesome words - I just about need to put you on the payroll, Matt! It takes a team to create something magical so here is their Dream Team:

VENUE:The River Room, Hawke’s Bay

HAIR / MAKEUP: MarbleFox Beauty

DRESS: Claridge’s Bridal Boutique, Napier

SUIT: Working Style

CELEBRANT:Annie Gower

FLORALS: Magdalen Hill

VIDEOGRAPHY: Arcadia Dalziel

WEDDING GIFTS: Nickys Bikkies