On a beautiful day in Thames, Emma and Theo tied the knot at the picturesque Kaueranga Valley Community Hall. This was the first of their two weddings, the other being held in Canada at a later date. Featured on this blog post is their New Zealand wedding, and goodness are the images beautiful and filled with so much love!
Emma wore the Francis dress by Studio Levana, which she loved for it's glamourous old-Hollywood vibes and clean lines, as well as it's amazing fit, structure, and support. Her bridal look exudes glamour and we love it!
Continue scrolling for gorgeous images, Emma's insight and experience into the wedding dress process, and details about their special day.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I had to choose a gown that would be able to be taken on a plane overseas for the ceremony in my hometown in Canada, that I felt comfortable in, and highlighted my assets ;) This dress felt like me. I was a little nervous about having something more form fitting, but this was simple, elegant, and sturdy. It had wonderful structure and was actually comfortable and manageable to dance in. I liked it’s glamourous old Hollywood vibes and clean lines, good structure. It was simple, not too much, but also enough. When I saw the back I was sold.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
Ilyese from Astra Bridal Auckland helped me, who made me feel comfortable in my search for a dress. I was very nervous, self conscious and scared I wouldn’t find anything as I had a tight timeframe of three months and had to purchase off the rack and am plus sized. My body shape isn't easy to fit. I was beside myself…Ilyese helped me navigate the practical and emotional side of preparing for a wedding with my family half a world away and still include them. She was a support, had practical advice and was persistent in finding exactly the right thing for me.
I felt welcome and accepted for exactly who I am, what size I am, and felt beautiful every minute of the way. I couldn’t recommend anything more than going to Astra Bridal, no matter your size, timeframe, even price range. They want you to feel special and beautiful and it shows in everything that they do.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
I met Theo the old fashion way….online. I saw that he is an adventurer. I was traveling, and he had just gotten back from OE. He immediately challenged me, made fun of me, and made me laugh. He made me take credit for my accomplishments, stop playing small, and pushed me to be more myself.
Theo proposed overlooking the Wairiri Falls. He made me hike for an hour and get all sweaty, I almost gave up halfway up the multitude of stairs… he promised me it would be worth it. When we finally got to the lookout he told me take a photo, while I was a felt him poke my butt…I looked down, he was on one knee with the gorgeous ring, and nervously croaked in a high pitched voice “marry me?”
We had a lovely night near Matamata, enjoying free champagne and dinner. We went to leave the next day and my car broke down. We had to take a bus from Matamata to Tauranga, Tauranga to Hamilton, Hamilton to Auckland (7 hours!) to get home. Theo excitedly told every single person we met on our journey about our engagement and the story of the last 24 hours!
What was your favourite part of the day?
How can I just choose one!?
While exchanging rings a truck drove by and yelled loudly “congratulations!!!!!” That got a good laugh. Also we had fun with our photographer Emma at Devcich getting our photos done. She let us just have fun, drink bubbles, play and be ourselves, and captured the feeling in the photos. She’s a true talent!
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
We got ready at Devcich Homestead with my bridesmaids. We had a whole new bridal party, due to COVID and picked out their dresses that morning! Shari Jay did our make up and we had a wonderful time getting ready. Meanwhile my husband and his family and friends were working hard to get all the set up finished at the hall. The day was perfect, we had a lovely ceremony full of laughs and heartfelt moments with a livestream to my family in Canada. We greeted friends for a few minutes over some bubbles, had a few group photos and facetimed my parents. Then while everyone enjoyed some lawn games and drinks, Theo and I went back to Devcich with Emma (photographer) for couples photos, which was SO much fun. Then back to the Hall for dinner, the shoe game, and dancing fun with friends. We didn’t have a photographer at the reception, just a few Instax polaroid cameras. We all danced until the hired bus came to take our friends to their accommodations, then to Devcich for the wedding night.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Ask for help. Get more help than you think you need. The more people involved, the better everyone’s memories will be, and closer you’ll get to your friends and family. Don’t get too hung up on the details… all you’ll remember are the time and the people, not the details. Also, have your aisle end/ greeting area somewhere pretty.
If Astra asks you to be a real bride, don’t be so busy and self conscious that you take 10 months to reply!
