Marriage of a Fifth Generation Farmer
RURAL WEDDINGS
WRITER: EMILY HERBERT / PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLOTTE KIRI
There’s something special about being married on the family farm; even more so when it’s fifth generation. Sarah and Willy Scurr said ‘I do’ with spectacular views of their Central Otago high country sheep station spread behind them; nestled in the Cardrona Valley between the Crown and Pisa Ranges.
With a hint of snow lacing the top of the tussock country, it was a magical day that thankfully provided the weather goods. “We didn’t really have a good Plan B when it came to the weather. The woolshed would have solved the problem, but my dream was to have an outside wedding under the trees and a long summer evening of catching up and dancing. It’s fair to say our fingers were well and truly crossed in the lead up to the big day,” Sarah says. “With tropical cyclones on either side of the wedding date, putting the teepees up was extremely nerve wracking!”
Thankfully, sunshine prevailed. The couple have lived on the farm for 10 years and said the wedding was a chance to showcase who they were as a couple, with muted tones, lots of greenery and a casual, relaxed ambience. “I was extremely proud to share who we are and what we are all about; we felt extremely grounded and important,” Sarah says. “However, when you plan a wedding at home, you have to think of absolutely everything! There was lots of prep getting the place looking sharp and getting all those ‘round the house’ jobs finished that you never get time to do on a busy farm. Fair to say, Willy has a fair few brownie points!”
Alongside a network of friends and family, the pair pulled together all of their resources from seating to teepees, food to lighting and everything in between.
“A friend and event planner said to me that the more casual you want the wedding to be, the more planning you will need.” Sarah says. “My advice is to accept all the help you can get; people love to feel needed. Let people in, listen to their ideas and utilise their strengths. People jumped at the chance to help us and it was amazing to see all their talents come together in the weeks leading up.”
The newly married Mr & Mrs Scurr.
The tipi - a place to catch up.
Line ‘em up.