Proudly Ever After: Lawrence and Poch’s Remarkable Wedding in New Zealand

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Location: Queenstown, New Zealand
Setting: Ceremony: Snowcapped mountains and a lake as a backdrop at NZ High Country; Reception: Inside a glass marquee to take advantage of the view
Wedding season: Early Spring
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
The number of guests: 70
Wedding theme/style: Classic and elegant, with traditional elements.

In a time when online dating was not yet the norm, Lawrence and Poch embarked on a journey that would forever change their lives. Late in 2007, they began exchanging messages, and after four months of heartfelt conversations, they finally met on a fateful day, January 25, 2008, at the breathtaking Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.

From the very first moment, their connection was undeniable, and their relationship blossomed over the following months, leading them to take the significant step of moving in together in Brisbane. This decision, however, meant Poch had to endure a daily commute of one and a half hours to and from work.

Since that unforgettable meeting, Lawrence and Poch have been inseparable, celebrating their “monthsary” on the 25th day of each month without fail. They have made it a delightful tradition, vying to be the first to greet one another. Poch, in his playful enthusiasm, has even woken Lawrence up at midnight just to claim the honor of being the very first to offer his heartfelt wishes

The proposal day started with Lawrence and Poch having breakfast at Tiffany’s Blue Box Café in New York, followed by Lawrence’s covert shopping trip inside Tiffany’s to purchase the engagement ring. Poch did not realize Lawrence was making him fit ring sizes to give him an idea of what ring size to buy. This was followed by a walk around Central Park, heading to the top of the Empire State Building, where Lawrence gave his proposal.

Although marriage may not have been the main focus for Poch, Lawrence’s sincere proposal on the renowned Empire State Building in New York City compelled him to give an enthusiastic “Yes!” They officially got engaged in November 2018, coinciding with Australia’s recent approval of same-sex marriages in the previous year.

With a shared passion for exploring new destinations, Lawrence and Poch are fortunate enough to indulge in frequent trips abroad. Italy holds a special place in their hearts, and their dream was to have a destination wedding surrounded by their loved ones in a romantic setting. Initially, they planned to exchange their vows in the picturesque surroundings of Lake Como in Northern Italy. Unfortunately, their plans were disrupted by the unforeseen circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In April 2021, Australians were allowed to travel to New Zealand as part of Trans-Tasman Bubble. Australians and New Zealanders at that time were allowed to travel between the two countries. Lawrence and Poch soon took a trip out and visited Queenstown in New Zealand for a long weekend. Although it was only a quick trip, they both fell in love with Queenstown because of its romance and resemblance to Europe. They decided this was fitting for their wedding hence returned the following month to make re-arrangements for their wedding. The wedding was then all set for October 2021, then New Zealand closed the travel bubble that again derailed wedding plans. The decision was made to postpone the nuptuals for another 12 months. Fortunately travel has been allowed in 2022 allowing for the wedding to finally go ahead on October 1 2022!

All stationery items were bespoke, including invites for the day and thank-you cards, right down to official Australia Post stamps that featured pictures of the grooms.

Lawrence and Poch’s outfits underwent three changes throughout the day, with their wedding attire crafted by renowned Filipino fashion designer Joey Samson. The Barong Tagalog, a formal Filipino garment made from pineapple fiber, showcased intricate embroidery, including elements of Australian flora. Suits were later worn for the reception, followed by a third outfit change in the evening. The wedding party donned individually designed dresses, also created by Joey Samson.

Elegance and pampering permeated every aspect of the day, with the hair and makeup preparations taking place at the Parlour Room of Eichardts Private Hotel, a historic venue known for its sophistication in Queenstown. The talented hair and makeup artist from Tussock Hair + Makeup worked their magic, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the occasion.

Their wedding day unfolded on a private property nestled just outside Queenstown, a mere 15-minute journey from the city center. The wedding venue, NZ High Country, was unique. It was very secluded and set in a beautiful backdrop. Transportation was arranged to whisk their guests up the hill, keeping the venue undisclosed until arrival. 70 individuals traveled from Australia to New Zealand for the weekend festivities to celebrate the love! It was a WOW moment, and till this day. Guests continue to talk about the experience.

Lawrence and Poch enjoy the finer things in life; hence the concept was created by drawing on inspiration from their own style. One inspiration, however, was from the gay wedding scene from the movie on Sex and the City. So the dress code called for black-tie attire, with a carefully curated color palette – for men to come in black, the ladies to come in either black, navy blue, copper, chocolate, or silver.

The lovebirds enlisted the expertise of Kate Roberge, an exceptionally talented wedding photographer, to capture the essence of their special day. With meticulous attention to detail and artistic vision, Kate beautifully documented every precious moment filled with love, joy, and celebration.

The highlight of the wedding was undoubtedly the profoundly personal ceremony, which Lawrence and Poch crafted alongside their wedding celebrant. The sweethearts wanted the wedding to be classic and elegant with traditional elements.

Poch is originally from the Philippines, and Lawrence is Australian, so there were elements in the wedding ceremony that had Filipino traditions. Given that the venue was in New Zealand, there were also traditional Maori elements put in the wedding ceremony to give respect to the venue.

The couple selected music that held special meaning for them, including a heartfelt rendition performed by a close friend.

Against snowcapped mountains and a glistening lake, the couple exchanged their special vows in an exquisite outdoor ceremony, leaving no dry eye among the guests.

The newlyweds wore suits for the reception.

With the artistic touch of Little Botanica, their chosen florist, the reception area was transformed into a magical haven. The exquisite tall floral arrangements graced the surroundings. It felt as though guests were dining beneath a captivating tree, surrounded by nature’s enchanting embrace. The romantic glow of softly flickering candles further enhanced the ambiance, casting a warm and inviting light upon the scene. The table settings featured delicate seasonal pink blossoms and pillar candles, infusing the venue with a romantic ambiance.

The reception took place in a glass marquee on the same property, designed to maximize the breathtaking views.

The grandeur continued with an impressive wedding cake, towering at an astonishing 1.2 meters.

Realizing their vision called for the collective effort of a team of Alexandra Kate Creative, an esteemed event stylist, who was brought on board to assist with the planning process, lending their expertise from Australia. But Poch was quite particular with his vision hence having a good grasp on contacting suppliers was also done by him. From securing the perfect venue and organizing delectable catering to arranging transportation, videography, photography, and entertainment, every element was meticulously selected to craft an unforgettable experience.

The couple’s first dance at their wedding was a mesmerizing 5-minute routine, meticulously choreographed over nine 1-hour lessons. Their mashup of favorite songs from Lawrence and Poch showcased their love and talent, leaving the guests in awe. It was a magical moment that will be cherished forever.

The wedding band, Mojo, and DJ Mountain Beats ensured the dance floor remained packed throughout the night, while Whitney Houston’s iconic “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” played in various renditions, serving as the couple’s theme song.

Advice from the couple

• Create a budget and try to stick to it because wedding costs can double if you let your creativity go astray. But remember, it is only meant to happen once, so create it as special as you wish.

On the day itself, it will go so quickly, so steal moments as a couple to soak it all in. Step aside with your husband, wife, or partner and be in the moment to appreciate everything you have brought to life. See the beauty of your venue and how your guests enjoy themselves; this will add to your lasting memories.