It all started with a bottle of perfume a year before they met. When Maggie (Esther's Mum, who worked at Waiheke Living with Peter) asked Peter for a recommendation on what perfume to buy Esther for her Birthday. Peter, a connoisseur of Fragrances happily obliged. He picked well and Esther loved Peter’s choice, Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium.

A year later, in the throws of Covid and restrictions on gatherings; Maggie hosted her Waiheke Living Colleagues to celebrate her 65th Birthday. Maggie encouraged Esther to come over to Waiheke and join the celebration “There’s a nice boy I want you to meet.” Perturbed, Esther declined “Thanks Mum, I’m good.” But then at the last minute decided to make the journey over to celebrate Maggie’s Birthday (the 2nd or 3rd that she’d hosted due to small gatherings)

Likewise, Peter almost didn’t attend due to an online gaming session with his mates and the very strong aroma of his mum’s lasagne baking in the oven. But he’d made a promise to Maggie that he’d save a dance for her and made his way over to the party on Sea View Road.

The rest you could say was history… Esther felt an instant connection and pull towards Peter, wanting to know him more she befriended him kicking the Ball with the family border collie Monte. Throughout the night they bantered and bonded… especially over the cutting of Maggie’s Birthday cake where Esther was distracted by Peter while she was divvying up plates of cake, oblivious to the attendees in line waiting for their piece. “Say when” said Esther as she poured cream for Peter’s cake, waiting for him to answer. Cheekily not responding and watching her pour the cream, Peter smirked and waited… Resulting in Esther stubbornly pouring almost a whole carton of cream over his cake -Very much to the distaste of his Boss.

Later in the night, Peter true to his word asked Maggie to dance, much to the entertainment of the small crowd. Esther was a goner after that! A man who has impeccable style, smells good, is warm and friendly AND dances with her Mum… What more could she want!?

After that Esther offered Peter a tour of the house, and then a tour of the back garden with views over the vineyards. It was standing here under a clear starry sky where Peter and Esther shared their first kiss.

Skip forward to Easter 2024, Peter dropped a knee during a dog walk with their Schnauzer Lulu. It was on a hill in one of Peter's favourite reserves across the road from his family home.

We are very excited to have you at our wedding, included in the next chapter of our story.

E&P

Wedding Day