Rhiannon and Sean promised forever in front of friends and family at the stunning Orua Beach House in Hahei. Photos from the day capture the happy couple, full of smiles and joy, as they savoured every moment together.
Rhiannon looked breathtaking in Eastbourne by Forget Me Knot, a Mikado satin gown featuring an exposed boning basque waist bodice and a romantic A-line skirt with box pleats and a striking split. She customised Eastbourne (a feature available in our Forget Me Knot range) by adding a spaghetti straps, creating her perfect dress. She completed her bridal look with our ivory cut edge veil.
We hope you enjoy scrolling through their beautiful day!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I put it on and cried. None of the other dresses made me feel like a bride until this one. I loved the bodice and boning, and the way it made me feel so secure in the fit. It gave me such confidence and made the moment even more special.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I had the best experience at Astra Bridal in Hamilton. Khym made me feel so at ease, and nothing was ever a bother. She guided me towards dresses based on what I was drawn to, but she was never pushy. She let the bridal party have their moment while still making sure they didn’t take over the experience.
I had an idea in mind but walked out with the complete opposite dress! It’s your day to feel special, so take it all in.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met through mutual friends who always joked that we would end up marrying each other. We started dating in secret and really enjoyed chatting and spending time together. The rest is history!
Proposal:
We were heading up to the Bayley family bach in Te Kaha with some friends for the weekend. Sean suggested we take the Friday off and head over earlier. That Friday morning, he wanted us to go for a walk on the beach before our drive, but it was raining, so we decided to hit the road and try to find some sun.
When we reached Matatā, he stopped and suggested we get out for a walk. He kept looking over his shoulder the whole time, and I was getting hangry, so I said, “Let’s turn around!” As I started walking back, he stayed where he was, got down on one knee, and said all these lovely things that neither of us can remember now. I took a photo of him because I was in shock, and then I said, “YES!”
Matatā is a very special place for us, especially for me and my family. We spent a lot of time there visiting my grandparents, who lived in Matatā.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Spending time with all our family and friends, the dance floor, and the food!
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our wedding day was perfect, and we wouldn’t change a thing. The day ran so smoothly, thanks to an incredible support crew and the amazing energy around us.
Getting ready was such a special moment, with all the happy chaos. Find yourself a makeup artist who is passionate and calm, it makes such a difference.
Our ceremony was really special, as my best friend’s mum was our celebrant. It was full of love and laughter and felt very relaxed. The weather was wild and windy, but it made for incredible photos.
Make sure you take the time to look around and really see all your guests, and don’t rush the day. Food brings people together around the table, so make sure you choose a good one.
Once the dance floor opened, we didn’t stop. Best day ever!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
You can’t control everything, so just go with the flow. No one will notice the napkin colour! Enjoy every moment, and make sure you carve out time to be just the two of you.
