Frances and Troy exchanged vows in front of their nearest and dearest at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral, before continuing their celebration in the beautiful Pemberton Gardens. The photos capture the joy and warmth of the occasion, with the couple glowing and completely immersed in the moment, soaking up every moment and completely in love.
Frances was breathtaking in Zinaida by Maggie Sottero. a Mikado satin gown featuring a sweetheart pleated bodice with a keyhole detail, off the shoulder sleeves, and a soft romantic V-back. She completed her bridal look with a custom two tier drop pearl veil, our Nicole headband, and our CZ pearl earrings, all adding the perfect touch of elegance.
Keep scrolling for a magical glimpse into their unforgettable day!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I wanted my dress to be something timeless and classic. I loved the elegance of satin; however, when I first tried on what I ended up choosing as my dress, I really didn’t like it. However, as I tried on another dress, I couldn’t get that dress out of my head. It was unique, like something I’d never seen before. When I tried it back on, I knew it was the one for me.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
Astra was the only bridal shop I visited, and I was treated to the luxe experience there. It was such a special experience to pick my dress with my mum. My consultant was wonderful, and I loved having the entire store to myself as I tried on dresses. I wanted a two tier veil, and she helped me customize one with pearl accents that matched the pearl headband and earrings I had picked from Astra.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We both met on a dating app but then realised we attended the same church. Our first meeting was at the cathedral, which is the same cathedral where we were married, making it really special. We even got a photo at the exact spot where we first met. Troy is a pilot, and we love going up the hills for plane spotting, so he proposed at the top of the Port Hills in Christchurch, which was the location of one of our first dates. I was admiring the view over the city, and when I turned around, he was down on one knee.
What was your favourite part of the day?
I loved the moment I first saw Troy at the end of the aisle. It was a moment we had been waiting for, and it was really emotional for both of us. A highlight of the day was that Troy had written me a letter to read on the morning of the wedding, which was so special.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Only my parents and my husband’s mother had seen the dress I picked, so it was such a special moment to surprise my bridesmaids on the morning of the wedding in my dress.
The weather was terrible the week before the wedding, with one of the wettest autumn weeks in Christchurch and extensive surface flooding. However, on the morning of the wedding, the sun was shining, and it was really warm. Our coordinator was incredible. Since we had chosen Pemberton Gardens for our reception, the ground was very wet, so all the photos taken outside at the gardens show me wearing gumboots under my dress!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Delegate responsibility. Wedding planning can be really stressful, so focus on the most important parts of the day. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you get married, and everything else will fall into place.
