Pictures: @jesseandjessieweddings.
While the destination for Kelsi Boocock’s honeymoon was a secret, it was no surprise that her new husband Andrew Trembath told her to pack hiking shoes – these two are definitely active relaxers!
The couple shares a mantra of squeezing as much as they can into life. So while it may have been a case of destination unknown, Kelsi had complete faith that their honeymoon would be an adventure.
“My parents taught my two brothers and me to do as many fun things as you can with the people you love,” says Kelsi, 27. And in her vows at the fun-filled wedding, the social media sensation thanked Andrew for embracing that same lust for travel and adventure.
“Handing over the honeymoon was my idea because with the wedding planning, Andrew was happy for me to have whatever I wanted,” foodie entrepreneur Kelsi tells Woman’s Day just before jetting out of the country. “My bridesmaids and I were looking at Andrew’s packing list, trying to guess where we’re going. It included long pants, hiking shoes – and linen pants? But that could be throwing me off.”
Andrew, 28, has certainly been known to mislead Kelsi. He’d already had a custom-made sapphire engagement ring when they were at the airport heading to Bali in 2023. He had tricked her by saying, “You need to tell me what rings you like so I can get the right one,” leading Kelsi to believe it wasn’t happening on that trip.
The two years since then have been full-on for the pair. The lead-up to their wedding was a blur, with the couple of more than 10 years buying and renovating a house, as well as launching another brand to add to their suite of foodie products.
They were renovating their home-to-be on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland, while launching Shnack, New Zealand’s first dairy-free protein shake in a can. Kelsi – who has grown an Instagram following of 420,000 as Healthy Kelsi – started creating plant-based dishes during Covid lockdowns, recipes she then turned into a popular cookbook. She has since published another and started the protein-powder range Second Nature Supplements.
“We had set the date for the wedding for a year and a half. But then we wanted to launch Shnack before Christmas because it’s good for busy people over summer,” explains Kelsi.
So someone like herself?
“It has been busy, so I had a wedding planner. I don’t think running a business and planning weddings go together. Then with the house, there was a lot going on,” laughs Kelsi. “We moved in on the Tuesday before the wedding!”
They were not the only ones on a deadline to get their house ready. Kelsi’s parents Rose and Paul were transforming the family bach at Mangawhai to be their permanent home. It was the wedding venue for 160 guests.
“We couldn’t have picked a better spot,” enthuses Kelsi. “It is on a farm, by the beach. I was pretty chill. My family have grown up throwing quite big parties, so no one was that stressed. We took out the furniture, creating a reception inside and on the decks on each side of the house. There was a big marquee that we married in and that was where we had our cocktail hour, and it turned into a dancefloor.”
Their beloved dogs Samson and Otis were first down the aisle. “They had little bowties on,” she shares. “I heard everyone going, ‘Aww’. The dogs upstaged me!”
Kelsi made her entrance in a Chosen by Kyha off-the-shoulder gown, before the pair were married by their mutual friend, celebrant Nirvana Johnson. “I thought it would be good to get the ceremony over and done with, but I really loved it,” recalls Kelsi. “To stand in front of all those people and declare your love is a lot. But we felt so surprised that we loved that part so much. My face was grinning the entire time.”
Despite her own food knowledge – Kelsi is Le Cordon Bleu-trained – she handed over control of her Italian menu to caterers. However, she did choose the flavours for their three-tier wedding cake: chocolate and raspberry, banana-caramel and lemon.
Then before the party really got started, Kelsi changed into her second dress – a one-shoulder Grace Loves Lace design that was perfect for their first dance. “We had Shotgun by George Ezra. We practised a couple of spins the night before because we didn’t want to completely embarrass ourselves. And we just made everyone come on to the dance floor after the first chorus.”
Suitcase packed for her honeymoon, she reflects on their perfect day and the life they are building together.
They met as teens when they both represented Aotearoa at the Surf Lifesaving World Championships in France and it was in 2018 that she decided she didn’t have it in her to compete any more.
“If I’d continued swimming, I wouldn’t be doing any of this,” she admits. “It was meant to be. To reach that level of swimming, you must have dedicaion and self-discipline. They are transferable skills for running a business. It’s nice to know swimming 10 sessions a week didn’t go to waste. I learnt goal-setting, to train for something and to stick at it. They’re all good skills to have in life because nothing comes quickly.”
And she is grateful to Andrew for his role in her success, adding, “I get a lot of the credit for our business, but so much of it is Andrew. He’s incredibly clever, thoughtful and business-savvy, and I don’t think I would be doing any of this if it wasn’t for him.
“We’re both good at different parts. I’m creative director and he’s the admin guy that I need.”
So where did her project manager husband whisk her off to on honeymoon? The Himalayan nation of Bhutan – rather fitting for a couple used to aiming high!
Keep up to date with Kelsi’s latest work on her website, healthykelsi.co.nz.
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