Wedding | Dennise & Marco

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Marco and I are high school sweethearts, and we’ve pretty much grown up together since we were only 15 years old. We first met in Year 7, but it wasn’t until Year 10, when we ended up in the same homeroom class, that we really connected. I had a crush on him, and with a little help from our friends, I managed to get his attention. From there, we became inseparable—we’re each other’s first loves, and we’ve been by each other’s side ever since.

We went through high school together, celebrated all the big milestones, and even graduated from university together. Marco studied Engineering, and I went into Medicinal Chemistry. He finished first and started working, while I stuck around a little longer to do a PhD. Even though our paths were different, we always supported each other.

Outside of school and work, we’ve made so many memories together—traveling, raising our first puppy, and later adopting another. We’ve been through all the ups and downs of adult life, figuring things out as we go. Now, we’re about to start a brand new adventure. Right before our wedding, I got offered a postdoctoral position at NYU, so soon we’ll be packing up and moving to New York with our two dogs. It’s a huge change, but we’re so excited for this next chapter!

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

The South Island of New Zealand has always been one of our favourite places. We love hiking, especially in the Queenstown and Otago region, where some of the best alpine trails are. Our very first hike together was up Roy’s Peak in Wanaka, which has an incredible view overlooking Rippon Hall from the peak. One of our most special memories is getting engaged at Mueller Hut, deep in the Mount Cook mountain range, during an overnight hike. We’ve always felt at home in the mountains—even getting matching tattoos to celebrate our love for them! When it came to choosing a wedding venue, there were so many amazing options in the South Island, but Rippon Hall stood out right away. With its breathtaking views of the Wanaka mountain ranges and Lake Wanaka, it was perfect. As soon as we got engaged, we booked it—two years in advance! The best part is that the setting is so stunning, you hardly need to decorate. Rippon will always hold a special place in our hearts.

How many guests did you have?

We had 50 guests at our wedding, keeping it small and intimate with our closest family and friends. It was really special to have our loved ones there, especially since so many of them travelled from all over the world—Australia, the Philippines, the United States, and the United Kingdom—to celebrate with us. One of the most incredible parts was reuniting with family we hadn’t seen in years. My dad even got to see his four sisters for the first time in a decade, which made the day even more meaningful. 

We decided not to have a bridal party. Instead, we had both of our families involved in our ceremony procession. Our siblings, parents, little cousins, and nephew, all walked down the aisle with their own roles. 

Having all of our favourite people in one place at the same time felt surreal—like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Looking back, that was probably the best part of the wedding, and it’s something we’ll always cherish.

What was your budget? 

We definitely went over our initial budget—which, honestly, seems to happen to almost everyone when planning a wedding! It’s so easy to get caught up in all the little details to make everything look beautiful and feel special, both for ourselves and for our guests. But we made sure to prioritise what mattered most to us: great food and drinks, a fantastic photographer and videographer, the perfect venue, and of course, our wedding outfits.

To save money where we could, we got creative. We bought a second-hand cricut machine from Facebook Marketplace, which let us make a lot of our own stationery, like the dining and bar menus, the welcome sign, and even personalized thank-you letters for our guests. Marco is super tech-savvy, so he designed our digital invitations and wedding website, while I used my Photoshop skills to create our physical invites.

We even took a trip to the Philippines to source more affordable fabric for our stationery and find the perfect giveaways—traditional Filipino fans, coin purses, custom napkins, and parasol umbrellas. In the end, we went over budget, but it was worth every penny to make the day as special and memorable as it was!

Tell us about your outfits.

My wedding look was a perfect reflection of my personal style—timeless, elegant, and a little bit bold. I wore the exquisite Grace gown by Vivienne Westwood, featuring sculptural draping and a sleek, modern silhouette that felt both romantic and sophisticated. I had always known I wanted to wear Vivienne Westwood for my wedding; her designs have this effortless mix of structure and femininity that I’ve always loved. When I found out that Bloom Bridal in Brisbane was the only boutique in the Southern Hemisphere carrying the 2024 bridal collection, I knew I had to make the trip. I tried on a few other dresses afterward, but nothing compared to the way I felt in Vivienne Westwood—it was the one.

To incorporate a touch of my Filipino heritage, I paired my gown with a custom lace veil by Vania Romoff, which added a soft, ethereal feel to the look. For accessories, I chose classic Vivienne Westwood pearl earrings and timeless Jimmy Choo pointed-toe heels, keeping everything elegant yet modern.

For the reception, I changed into something even more personal—a custom Filipiñana lace mini dress by Vania Romoff. It was my way of honouring tradition while giving it a fresh, contemporary twist. To complete the look, I wore vintage Manolo Blahnik mules, blending heritage with a modern, fashion-forward edge.

Marco kept his look effortlessly refined in a tailored Jacquemus suit, paired with classic Prada loafers. Underneath, he kept it simple with a crisp Uniqlo white button-up (he's a big fan of Uniqlo’s timeless staples). For the reception, he switched into a traditional barong, embracing his Filipino roots in a way that felt natural and meaningful.

Both of our styles are classic, simple, and modern, and we’ve always had an appreciation for well-made, timeless pieces. More than just wedding attire, these were outfits we truly loved—pieces we hope to keep and one day pass down to our children as a special reminder of this unforgettable day.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

From the very start of our wedding planning, we knew that making our guests feel welcomed and appreciated was a top priority. A destination wedding is a big ask, and we were beyond grateful that so many of our family and friends made the journey to celebrate with us. We didn’t just want them to attend our wedding—we wanted them to have an unforgettable experience in New Zealand, filled with special moments beyond the big day itself.

Every decision we made kept our guests in mind, especially when it came to food, drinks, and creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. A few days before the wedding, we hosted a complimentary wine tasting at Rippon, where our loved ones got to choose their favourite wines to be served at the wedding. This small touch made the celebration feel even more personal, knowing that every glass poured was handpicked by the people we love. Our ceremony was just as intimate—Marco’s uncle, who is a pastor, officiated, making the moment even more special. During our reception, we kept things candid and heartfelt by giving guests the chance to make impromptu speeches. Hearing our family’s and friends’ stories, well-wishes, and shared memories made the evening incredibly emotional and unforgettable.

Since many of our guests were traveling from overseas—some visiting New Zealand for the first time—we extended the celebration into a full “wedding week.” We put together a travel itinerary filled with our favourite must-see spots, from scenic hikes to vineyard tours and charming local cafés. We wanted them to experience the beauty of Queenstown and Wanaka, not just as wedding guests but as travellers making lifelong memories. Seeing our friends and family explore, laugh, and bond throughout the week was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire experience. It turned our wedding into more than just a single day—it became a once-in-a-lifetime adventure we got to share with the people we love most.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We wanted to celebrate our Filipino heritage in a meaningful way, so we incorporated cultural elements into the styling of our wedding. One of our favourite details was sourcing traditional Filipino fans, or pamaypays, directly from the Philippines. To give them a modern touch, we tied delicate little bows around the handles. For our wedding favours, we carefully selected vintage wooden and lace fans, as well as beautifully handmade coin purses, making sure each guest took home a piece of our culture.

We also encouraged our guests to embrace traditional Filipino attire. The men had the option to wear a barong, while the women could wear a Filipiñana. Both of our mothers had their dresses designed by Filipino designers, making the occasion even more special. For our reception outfits, we continued the tradition—I wore a custom mini Filipiñana dress designed by the renowned Vania Romoff, whom I had the honour of meeting during a visit to the Philippines. Marco wore a traditional barong paired with his Jacquemus suit trousers.

The celebration wouldn’t have been complete without music that felt like home. Our friend, who doubled as our DJ, played nostalgic Filipino songs that had our aunties and uncles reminiscing and singing along. Dancing at sunset in the middle of the stunning Wanaka mountain ranges, surrounded by our loved ones and our favourite Filipino music, made the moment even more magical. It was a night filled with love, culture, and memories we’ll cherish forever.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Savor every moment of your wedding day—it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s such a rare and special occasion to have all the people you love in one place, coming together to celebrate not just your marriage, but the relationships, memories, and connections that have shaped your journey.

Don’t get caught up in the small details or stress over what could go wrong. No wedding is ever "perfect," but the beauty of the day lies in its imperfect, unscripted moments—the laughter, the happy tears, the spontaneous dances, and the heartfelt conversations. Trust that everything will fall into place as it’s meant to, and allow yourself to be fully present.

You’ve poured so much time and effort into planning this day, and you deserve to enjoy every single second of it. Soak in the love, the joy, and the magic of having all your favourite people in one place. At the end of the day, that’s what truly matters.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We couldn’t have pulled off our dream destination wedding without the incredible team of vendors who made everything run so smoothly. We’re especially grateful to our amazing planner, Anya from Alexandra Kate Creative, who made the entire process effortless. Since we weren’t based in Wanaka, we fully relied on her to handle the details, from coordinating vendors to keeping us within budget. She was not only incredibly organized and professional but also so kind and thoughtful. She designed the venue beautifully and made sure that not only we but also our guests were comfortable and well taken care of throughout the day. We truly can’t recommend her enough!

We also wanted to highlight our insanely talented photographer and videographer duo, Zara Staples and Jared. From the very start, we knew we wanted our wedding to be captured on film to create a timeless, nostalgic, and cinematic feel. Zara worked with both 35mm and medium format film, while Jared used 16mm film to document our day in the most magical way. They have such a unique artistic vision and went above and beyond for us. One of our favourite moments was when they took us into a nearby forest for a private shoot—the lighting was unreal, and it was such a special, quiet moment for just the two of us away from the crowd. The photos and videos they created are more than just memories; they feel like art, and we’ll cherish them forever.

Photographer: Zara Staples @zarastaplesweddings | Planning & Styling: Alexandra Kate Creative @alexandrakatecreative | Flora: The Green Room Flower Co. @weddings.thegreenroomflowerco | Videographer: Jared Tineti @jaredtinetti | Ceremony & Reception Location: Rippon Hall, Wanaka @ripponhall | Celebrant: Groom’s Uncle | Hire: Flock Events @flockevents | Makeup Artist: Janine Joseph @janinejosephmakeup | Hair Stylist: Bridal Hair Wanaka @bridalhairwanaka | Catering & Beverages: Raspberry Creek @raspberrycreek | Cake: White Rabbit Cakes @whiterabbitcakesnz | Stationery:  Bride & Groom | Entertainment: DJ (friend) @aux_radio | Dress: Vivienne Westwood (Ceremony) @viviennewestwood from Bloom Bridal Boutique @bloom_australia_ & Vania Romoff (Reception) @bridalvaniaromoff | Suit: Jacquemus @jacquemus | Veil: Vania Romoff @bridalvaniaromoff | Engagement Ring: Naveya & Sloane @naveyaandsloanejewellery | Wedding Rings: Cartier @Cartier | Shoes: Jimmy Choo (Bride’s Ceremony Shoes) @jimmychoo, Vintage Manolo Blahnik (Bride’s Reception Shoes) @manoloblahnik & Prada (Groom) @prada | Earrings: Vivienne Westwood @viviennewestwood