Whoever would’ve thought that former New Zealand prime minister Sir John Key would do a side hustle in weddings?
That’s the power of Auckland entrepreneur and multi-millionaire tech founder Jamie Beaton, who convinced his longtime mentor to officiate his recent marriage to Priscilla Putzer in Los Angeles.
At Santa Monica’s historic Jonathan Beach Club – in front of 200 guests, and more than 25 bridesmaids and groomsmen – Jamie, 31, and Priscilla, 27, said “I do” as John joked he may have found a new career.
“John’s a showman and had the guests roaring with laughter,” tells Jamie.
“He’s got a good understanding of US culture, as well as Kiwi, and was able to share a lot of the love story quite well.”
Love at first sight
That romance started as a case of instant attraction when Jamie and Priscilla enrolled in the same university journalism class in New York.
“I fell head of heels when I saw her on day one,” Jamie recalls.
“She’s got a unique ability to attract everyone with her charisma.”
The couple chose California as their wedding destination because of its similarities to New Zealand and Priscilla’s hometown of New York, and the fact it was a convenient location for both their Kiwi guests and Priscilla’s relatives.
Jamie explains, “LA’s an interesting combination of some of New Zealand’s natural beauty and culture, as well as New York, so it seemed like an interesting fusion of our personalities – and also Priscilla’s grandfather, who’s 102, was one flight away.”
The first look
As Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls rang out, Priscilla walked down the aisle accompanied by her mum Kimberly and dad Jean, wowing guests in her stunning white strapless lace gown with matching veil.
She and Jamie then shared heartfelt, self-penned vows.
“I talked about how I know Jamie so well and I never want to stop discovering things about him,” recalls Priscilla.
“I told him how he’s my favourite story – a tie-back to journalism – the kind that is never-ending, and always continuing and changing.”
Later that evening, the couple treated their guests to a haka performed by an LA-based Māori performance group, before heartfelt speeches and their first dance to Ellie Goulding’s hit Love Me Like You Do
A celebration of life
Reflecting on their beautiful beach wedding, both agree it was all about creating a space where they could celebrate their characteristic enthusiasm for life.
Just like Jamie, Priscilla loves to squeeze everything she can out of each moment.
“Jamie and I will have the most action-packed day, then the clock strikes midnight, so we go see a movie because we’re still awake and there’s still more hours to be lived.”
“Priscilla has a passion for life,” chips in Jamie, whose work ethic saw him accepted for all 25 of the international universities he applied for when he was a teenager and helped him build a $800 million fortune from his accelerator education programme Crimson Global Academy.
“I thought I was an optimistic person, but she just endlessly bounces around, happily excited.”
Having family close
They also feel blessed to have had the opportunity to become husband and wife in front of their much-loved families.
For Priscilla, that meant having her grandparents by her side.
“Opa said to Jamie and I afterwards that it was the best day of his life, other than marrying my grandma,” smiles Priscilla, who has worked on the New York set of TV series Younger, created by Darren Star, also known for hit shows Beverly Hills, 90210, Sex And The City and Emily In Paris.
Jamie adds, “From the moment I met Priscilla, she’s always been super-focused on family, and the way she talks about her brothers and her family has always really brought a lot of love for me because our family – my mum and my grandad – were very close. We take that very seriously.”
The parents who shaped him
The day Jamie’s mum Paula discovered she was pregnant was the day she and her husband separated, and he has never been a part of Jamie’s life.Instead, Glen, who married Paula when Jamie was eight, raised him as his own.
Jamie credits Paula’s drive and unwavering support for much of his success.
He enthuses, “More than anything, I’m super-excited to raise a family with Priscilla. She’ll always be an amazing wife, but I think she’ll be the best mum of all time and that’s saying a lot because of my amazing mum.”
