On a beautiful autumn day, Nadia and Jordan promised forever, surrounded by their loved ones at the stunning Landing at Homebush. Their wedding photos capture a day filled with joy, laughter, and love, as the happy couple soaked up every bit of the celebration.
Nadia looked absolutely breathtaking in Sadie Lynette by Rebecca Ingram, a sleek crepe fit and flare gown with a beaded lace bodice and modern square neckline. The illusion lace straps and back added a delicate, romantic touch, while the illusion lace train was nothing short of show stopping. Finished with a row of covered buttons trailing to the hem, the gown was the perfect blend of elegance and timeless style.
We hope you enjoy browsing their photos and reading about their special day as much as we loved putting it together.
Huge congratulations to Nadia and Jordan! x
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I had a clear idea in mind of what I was looking for—but I wasn’t sure it would suit my figure. So when I found the exact dress I’d been picturing, I handed it straight to Kryslin to pop into the changing room. It was made of a beautiful, crisp white crepe—simple but elegant. The bust featured intricate beading that ran up along the straps, but it was the back of the dress that truly stole my heart: the most eye-catching train I’d ever seen, with stunning lace and beadwork. It was easily my favourite dress so far.
I’d assumed Kryslin had taken it into the changing room, so I kept browsing. Then I found another gorgeous gown on the final rack and thought, “Wow, I’m really going to struggle to choose here.” As it turns out, Kryslin had set aside the dresses I’d picked—and I had unknowingly chosen the same gown again! I took that as a pretty good sign.
My father’s side of the family is Italian, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt more Italian than when I tried that dress on. As women, we can be so critical of ourselves, and I was sure I’d feel that way while trying on wedding dresses—but honestly, I was so surprised by how beautiful I felt in it. I didn’t even notice the usual insecurities. It just felt right. And of course, my mum shed a few tears when I put it on—which is always a pretty strong indicator that you’ve found the one!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
Kryslin and the team at Astra Bridal in Wellington were absolutely fabulous. I didn’t do too much dress research ahead of time—I wanted to keep an open mind—but I did have a general idea of the style I liked and the kind of fabric that appealed to me. My vision was something simple, with just the right touch of elegance.
Having a classic hourglass figure can be tricky to dress, but from the very beginning, I had a feeling I’d find the dress at Astra Bridal—so I didn’t even bother looking anywhere else. I brought my beautiful mum along with me, and the whole experience felt so special from the moment we walked in.
There was such a wide range of styles, and I loved that we were invited to wander the showroom and choose whatever caught our eye. I felt like I’d pulled heaps of gowns off the rack, but Kryslin was so warm and encouraging. We were even treated to nibbles and a drink while we browsed, which was such a thoughtful touch. It all made for a fun and memorable day—one I’ll always treasure.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Jordy and I actually met online through Bumble in 2021. He was instantly engaging and so refreshingly different from any other experience I’d had online. Eventually, we decided to meet in person, and he drove all the way from Blenheim to Nelson to meet me at Tahunanui Beach. We’d planned to go for a walk along the beach and grab a coffee—very "grown-up," we thought at the time. But we quickly discovered that neither of us actually liked coffee! So we swapped it out for hot chocolates and never looked back.
We walked and talked about anything and everything for what felt like hours—at one point, completely aimlessly (I was enjoying myself so much, I lost track of where we were going!). It was the first time I’d ever felt completely at home with someone who wasn’t family. He was so easy to talk to, incredibly genuine, clearly close with his big family—and that smile of his? Completely disarming.
Fast forward a year, and I’d made the move to Blenheim; we found a place together and settled in. Then, in 2024, during a road trip up north, the next big step in our lives happened. We’d just finished dinner in Napier when Jordy took an unusually roundabout route back to our hotel, leading us up a hill that—suspiciously—wasn’t near the hotel at all. As we admired the view, he insisted (more than once) that I needed my jumper from the car. I absolutely didn’t—it wasn’t even cold—but, as it turns out, he needed an excuse to sneak back and get the ring. My grandmother’s ring, in fact, tucked into a rather oversized ring box.
Just as he was about to propose, a (random), very vocal family appeared and decided to stay and watch—which, looking back, is pretty hilarious. Naturally, I said YES. And in what felt like a scene from a movie, a break opened in the clouds and a single sunbeam lit up the landscape. I know it sounds unbelievable—but it really was that magical.
What was your favourite part of the day?
I think my favourite part of the day would have to be walking down the aisle with my dad and seeing Jordy waiting at the end—smiling and trying very hard not to cry. It’s true what they say: in that moment, you're so focused that you don’t notice anything else—not the music, not the decorations—just the steady arm of your father and your partner’s face looking back at you.
Leading up to the wedding, this was actually the part I was most nervous about. But once I was there, I felt completely calm—like everything was exactly as it should be. I loved hearing his vows (which, being a typical guy, he left to the last minute and was convinced were terrible). But he was wrong—they were deeply meaningful, and I don’t think there was a dry eye once he was done.
When I finally got the chance to look out at our guests, I felt such a warmth inside—recognising every face as someone special to either Jordy or me, from some part of our journey. That’s one of the most heartwarming things about weddings, I think—you’re completely surrounded by love. It’s not just the love between you and your partner, but the love shared with everyone who’s been a part of your lives.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
We truly had the most perfect autumn day you could hope for. The air was crisp but not cold, the sky a brilliant blue, and the trees wore stunning shades of gold and red. Sunlight filtered through the branches and dappled the ground with a golden glow—it felt magical.
Getting ready was such a joy. My bridesmaids, mum, and I were pampered at the hair salon while the boys had photos taken at my parents’ property. When we arrived for ours, they were just rushing out the door! Dad had kindly put on a delicious spread, and the house was full of excited chatter—especially with my cousin and his family visiting from England. It felt wonderfully full.
My parents had organised a beautiful vintage car in a buttery yellow colour. I was surprised when our driver, Perry, said it was already time to head off—only to find out the car only travelled at 30 km/h! It added a charming, slow-lane kind of magic to the moment.
The ceremony was heartfelt and full of warmth. We held it beneath the branches of a large, old tree—an ideal setting for an autumn wedding. We laughed, cried, and soaked in every word—it was so moving.
The reception was a whirlwind of emotion and fun. The speeches were beautiful (cue more happy tears), the food was delicious, and the setup matched exactly what I’d envisioned. A special touch was the “Advice for the Groom” cards from my very helpful class of 10-year-olds—our guests absolutely loved reading them!
Instead of a first dance, we opted for a sparkler tunnel that we boogied through—while I tried very hard to keep my hairspray helmet away from the flames. The day passed in a joyful blur, and the evening even faster. So many guests told us they truly felt surrounded by love—and honestly, I think that’s the greatest compliment anyone could give.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
As hard as it is, the biggest thing I’d say is this: let go of perfection. Your day will have its own kind of beautiful, and trying to control every detail can take you away from what really matters.
One piece of advice I was given—and I’m so glad we took it—was to carve out a little time during the day for just the two of you. Go for a quiet walk. Talk about how you’re feeling, what you’ve loved so far. Weddings are such a whirlwind, and that simple pause helped us feel present, grounded, and truly connected in the moment.
Along the way, take time to stop and look around. Soak in the atmosphere—during dinner, on the dance floor, in those fleeting, quiet moments in between. Let yourself really see the joy around you. Take in the smiling faces. That’s the magic.
