Carter and Dominic promised to spend the rest of their lives together at Woodlands Estate, followed by celebrations at their family farm for the reception. Their day was filled with love, laughter, and joy as they soaked up every moment alongside their closest family and friends.
Carter looked incredible in Derrick by Maggie Sottero, a satin ball gown featuring a sweetheart plunge V-neckline and an exposed boning Basque bodice. She completed her bridal look with our Fallon lace veil, a cathedral length lace veil that beautifully complemented her aesthetic.
Keep scrolling for stunning photos, a glimpse into Carter’s dress shopping journey, and her heartfelt advice for brides to be. Enjoy!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It had everything I imagined and more: a modern, romantic ball gown with a Basque waist, giving the most flattering silhouette, and a strapless neckline. A real statement dress, but in the most effortless and elegant way—exactly what I had envisioned from the start. As soon as I put it on, I could feel it: that rush of excitement and the sense of this is it. Standing in front of the mirror, it felt like the dress was made for me—it was everything I wanted to feel on my wedding day: confident, beautiful, and completely myself.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I had seen so many beautiful gowns online, saved endless inspiration photos, and had a vision in my head of exactly what I wanted. I visited Astra Bridal, and from the moment I walked through the doors, I knew I was in the right place. The store was warm and welcoming, and Rochelle, who was helping me, was incredible. She listened to everything and guided me through trying on dress after dress, each of which was beautiful in its own way, but none of them felt quite right. Some were close, others completely different from what I expected.
I made another appointment a few weeks later to come back and try a dress that had caught my eye online on Astra Bridal’s website. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and just had to see if it could be the one. When I mentioned it to the team, they went above and beyond and arranged to have the dress in store for me to try.
The moment I stepped into it, everything just clicked. It had the perfect shape, it was a statement without being over the top, and it felt exactly like the dress I had envisioned from the beginning. When I walked out of the fitting room and saw my mum’s and bridesmaids’ faces, the smiles and the teary eyes, I just knew it was the one.
Finding the one wasn’t just about the gown; it was about the experience and the people who were there with me, sharing that moment with the amazing women in my life. I’ll never forget the kindness and care the team at Astra Bridal showed in helping me find it.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
My path first crossed with Dom’s in 2018 while working at an agricultural contractor in Te Awamutu. We both noticed each other and had the odd conversation, but I left to work on the family farm in 2020, and that was that. It wasn’t until June 2021, when we bumped into each other again on a night out, that we decided to give dating a go. Everything was easy between the two of us, and Dom fitted in so well with my family.
When people ask how my husband proposed, I always smile because it truly was the most magical moment. We were in Paris and decided to get sunset photos on a bridge with the Eiffel Tower in the background. I had a friend also visiting the city who joined us with a bottle of wine, soaking in the view and the feeling of being somewhere so iconic. As we paused to take a photo, Dom turned to me, took my hands, and suddenly dropped to one knee. For a moment, everything else disappeared. He asked me to marry him, and I could hardly believe it was real, as I had no idea of his plans. With the Eiffel Tower twinkling behind us, I said yes, the most perfect yes in the most romantic city in the world.
What was your favourite part of the day?
It’s almost impossible to choose just one favourite moment from our wedding day. Every part felt so full of love, laughter, and joy. One of the moments that stands out the most was celebrating with all the people we love. Standing with Dominic at the ceremony and looking around, seeing every face that had played a part in our story, was overwhelming in the best way. It was pure magic, the kind of feeling you can’t quite put into words but hope to remember forever.
Then, as the sun began to set, we slipped away for photos on the farm. The golden light stretched across the paddocks, my husband’s hand in mine, the quiet hum of the evening, and our cows grazing in the distance. It was peaceful, grounding, and somehow even more special knowing it was our home. In that moment, it was just us and everything we had dreamed of.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our wedding day was
everything we had dreamed of and more – the perfect blend of rustic country
charm and romantic detail. We began the day getting ready with our closest
friends and family. Dom’s family had flown over from England, and it was very
special having them interact and meet everyone we love here in New Zealand. I
absolutely treasure the morning I got to spend with my girls – having fun getting
our makeup and hair done, then seeing how beautiful they all looked in their
dresses, priceless. We then made our way to the beautiful Woodlands Estate,
where our ceremony took place, surrounded by our closest friends. After the ‘I
do’s’ we headed back to the family farm for cocktail hour and the reception; as
the sun began to set, the sky turned this amazing golden colour while we got
gorgeous photos together with the cows in the background. There was a high
energy all day that carried late into the night; the only downside was how
extremely quick time flew.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Bride to be – your wedding day will fly by in a heartbeat.
Between the photos, the speeches and the celebrations, it’s easy to get swept
up in the chaos. Pause, take a deep breath, and really soak it all in. the
laughter, the tears, the tiny moments with your partner. These are the memories
that will stay with you forever, so be fully present and let yourself feel
every sparkle of your day.
