Made to Measure

Francesca Pecchenino and Leon McKay first crossed paths in 2017 in a Nora Ephron-esque ‘meet cute’. Frankie, working in PR at the time (she is also a designer), had unknowingly sponsored the opening of Leon’s new workshop (he owns SaintLeo — a multidisciplinary metal furniture workshop) with a client’s beer. It was a coincidence that led to a serendipitous meeting between the two when Leon came to pick up the drinks. The connection was instant and lasting. “We met when Leon collected the beers and the rest was history,” Frankie recalls with a laugh.

Even from those early days, their relationship was infused with a sense of lightness and laughter. Frankie is drawn to Leon’s boundless humour, his ability to make her laugh every day and the ways in which their differences encourage her to grow and evolve. “He’s my biggest supporter, but he also pushes me to be better,” she shares. Leon, in turn, admires Frankie’s tenacity and honesty. “She’s fearless and real,” he says. “She’s the kind of person who lives with passion, and I love that about her.” Their relationship thrives on this dichotomy of support and challenge, allowing them to continually grow, and to each embrace fully the different versions of the other. As a couple, they are social, vibrant and adventurous, sharing an attitude that they can take on the world and backing it up with blueprints to do just that.

“He’s my biggest supporter, but he also pushes me to be better.”

Their engagement was a testament to this. Straight out of lockdown, they took a family trip to California, (where Frankie’s family is from) where Leon had planned a seamless proposal at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. “He booked a beautiful room,” Frankie remembers. “We went for a hike, and he produced a family ring that had belonged to my great-grandmother. It was perfect.”

When it came time to plan their wedding, the pair knew they wanted something simple, genuine and heartfelt. Quickly, they landed on Frankie’s family home in Blenheim as the venue. “We just wanted to get married as soon as possible, surrounded by friends and family,” she says. Taking a characteristically relaxed approach, they didn’t fuss over every detail, instead focusing on creating a laid back, happy atmosphere. With Frankie’s mum handling local logistics and the couple enlisting the help of their Auckland friends, the entire process remained surprisingly stress-free — except for the final two weeks, Frankie reveals, when a flurry of last-minute arrangements tested their calm.

That said, the day itself was marked by unexpected good fortune. Scheduled on the same weekend that Auckland experienced severe flooding, the weather in Blenheim held out beautifully. Frankie emerged at the top of her parents garden, arm in arm with her dad to the sounds of ‘Baby’ by Donnie & Joe Emerson, a favourite song of the couple that perfectly captured their relaxed vibe.

"I was so nervous walking down the aisle because I hadn’t practiced navigating the grass steps," Frankie says, reflecting on the ceremony. “I probably should have! But the rest of the day was just fun — dancing with our friends and family was incredible.”

Margiela was the brand of choice for Frankie’s dress, an elegant, form-fitting, backless design that the bride had tried on (and bought off the rack) while on a trip to New York. “They had one left, and it fit me like a glove,” she says. Paired with a custom arm cuff by Jasmin Sparrow, patent silver Saint Laurent slingbacks, and a veil by her friend Glen Prentice, the look came together just days before the big event. “It was classic but a bit cool, just what I wanted.” This was offset by her husband in a Valentino suit paired with an Elsa Peretti Tiffany & Co. brooch as the counterpoint to Frankie’s bouquet.

The rest of the details were brought together by a collective of friends and family, including all the floral arrangements, which were gathered by Frankie and her Mum from neighbours’ gardens, with white hydrangeas donated by a family friend for the altar. Frankie’s striking bouquet of long-stemmed, blood-red calla lilies was sourced by Blenheim’s Dirt Floral and added a touch of boldness to her look.

Reflecting on their relationship, Frankie notes how she and Leon have navigated many challenges together, including running businesses. “It’s not always easy,” she admits, “but we’re there for each other at the end of the day… We’re so intertwined in one another’s lives, but we also have our own independence,” Frankie explains. “That balance keeps us grounded.”

Eight years on from their first meeting, and Frankie and Leon are now embarking on a new adventure as they move from Auckland to New York. It is a move that will likely come with a raft of new, exciting challenges for the couple, who have always embraced the joy and creative freedom that comes with the spontaneity of life. “It’s a big change,” Frankie admits, “but doing it together makes it feel exciting rather than daunting. We’ve grown up so much alongside each other, and I can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us.”