Rebekah and Harry said “I do” in front of their loved ones at the picturesque Broadlands Lodge. Photos from the day capture the couple celebrating every moment together in a celebration filled with smiles, love, and fun.
Rebekah looked stunning in Marrakesh Italian by Forget Me Knot, an Italian satin fit and flare gown featuring a softly draped scoop bodice and classic covered buttons cascading down the back to the end of the train.
We hope you enjoy browsing their photos and reading about their wedding day as much as we did. Congratulations to the happy couple!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I was very open minded when I started looking, as I didn’t have one style that I was looking for. I only knew that I either wanted something strapless or with a low back. After working with Ilyese, we started to narrow down the different styles, features, and fabrics to create a try on list. My top two choices were actually very different from each other, one being very lacy with a low back, and the other a classic, strapless gown. I knew that Marrakesh Italian was the one when everyone in the dressing room cried once I put it on. I loved the styling and fit around the bodice, that it wasn’t too heavy (I was getting married in the summer), and that I could elevate it with accessories. I also loved how elegant and timeless it was, and that it would look great in photos for years to come!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
The search started at the Astra Bridal Newmarket “Sip and See.” My mum was visiting from Wellington, so we planned a weekend of dress shopping together with my maid of honour and mother in law. I had appointments booked at the North Shore store, but after visiting Newmarket and seeing lots of dresses I loved, I booked an appointment for Friday and called in sick to work so I could try on the ones I liked. Ilyese was a wonderful stylist and made the whole process so fun! We had mimosas, took lots of photos, and naturally shed a few tears. I went to the other appointments I had booked over the weekend, but in the end, the dress I chose was the third one I tried on in Newmarket.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Harry and I met in 2015 (10 years ago now) through friends at uni. One of my friends was dating Harry’s best friend, and they set us up on a date. We had some casual drinks and went ice skating. Harry had lost his phone, though, and I thought he had stood me up in the pouring rain! But after a couple more dates, Harry asked me to be his girlfriend, and the rest is history.
We’ve been through a lot together over the last decade, from student life in Wellington, to moving to Auckland to start our careers, to being stuck at home together during COVID, and then buying our first home together in 2022. We also love to travel and have had many trips away together, including Queenstown, Thailand, Europe, Hawaii, and Japan. Each trip, our parents were waiting for the call, wondering if this would be the one where he proposed!
Finally, after nine years together, the proposal was a little closer to home. We took a long weekend trip down to Taupō at Easter 2024 and climbed Mt Ruapehu. Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to the top as there was too much snow, but after some shifty fiddling with his backpack, Harry dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him! It was just the two of us, with a beautiful view, and it was so special. We got married in February 2025.
What was your favourite part of the day?
It’s so hard to pick! I loved getting ready with my mum and all my bridesmaids in the morning, and doing a first look with my dad and brother. We got all of the emotions out of the way, and I felt really calm when it came time to walk down the aisle.
The ceremony was also really special. Hearing the string quartet, walking down the aisle with my dad, seeing all our friends and family, and then seeing Harry there waiting for me will be a moment I’ll never forget.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our wedding day was perfect and SO MUCH FUN!
Getting ready in the morning was really special—I had my mum, mother in law, and bridesmaids with me all morning, and there were lots of emotional moments! The venue had a villa on site, so we had bubbles, music, and breakfast while we got glammed up and had our photos taken. We shared letters and gifts, did a big reveal with everyone, and had a dance party just before we had to leave for the ceremony.
The ceremony itself was in a beautiful shaded garden, and we had a string quartet playing as people arrived. We wrote our own vows, had my brother do a reading, and then picked names out of a hat to sign the register. It was fun and relaxed, and everything we could have wished for.
Everyone played lawn games and socialised while we had our photos taken, and then it was time for the reception! We made a grand entrance with our bridal party and handed everyone shots of strawberry Baileys to get the party started. The speeches were hilarious, and after dinner, we got to dance outside on the lawn as the sun went down. Finally, Harry’s brother farewelled everyone on the bagpipes.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Start planning early, as the time goes by so fast. Try to have a list of things you can tick off each month in the lead up, and delegate where you can. Lean on your partner, your vendors, and your bridal party (if you have one). Give them things to do in the lead up and on the day so that you have space to enjoy it!
Also, the actual day goes by so fast! We tried not to leave each other’s sides. Our bridal party grabbed us drinks and food so that we could sit back and soak it all in!
