Sarah and James tied the knot surrounded by sunshine, stunning beachfront views, and their loved ones at the beautiful Flatwhite at Waihi Beach. Their wedding day was filled with so much love, emotion, and joy, with every photo capturing the couple embracing each special moment together.
Sarah looked stunning in Lima by Forget Me Knot, a scoop neck fit and flare gown featuring a ruched bodice, spaghetti straps, a low back, and an eye catching split. She chose the unembellished version of the gown, and an embellished version with beautiful 3D floral detailing is also available. Sarah completed her bridal look with our pearl cut edge veil, the perfect accessory to complement her gown beautifully.
Keep scrolling for gorgeous photos from the day, a peek into Sarah’s dress shopping journey, and her heartfelt advice for future brides to be. Enjoy!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It had everything I had envisioned — elegant, timeless, with just the right amount of detail. It felt completely like me, and I felt so confident and comfortable in it from the moment I put it on. I was honestly so obsessed with my dress <3
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I had seen Astra Bridal all over social media and loved their vibe, so I decided to book in. I knew I wanted something with a low back and a leg split, with a few specific details in mind.
I tried on about 6–7 dresses, and when I put the one on, I just knew instantly. I even asked how people know it’s the one, and Khym said, “You just know” — and that was exactly how it felt. I kept wanting to put it back on after trying the others! Seeing my mum and sister’s eyes fill with tears confirmed it even more.
The whole experience was amazing, and the girls were so welcoming and made it feel really special.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met through mutual friends and instantly clicked. James proposed on the West Coast near Auckland at a beautiful waterfall by the beach. It was so special and felt very “us.” We got married four years later, which made the whole journey even more meaningful.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Honestly, the entire weekend was so special. From spending the night before with the girls, to getting ready, to finally seeing James for the first time as I walked down the aisle, every moment felt magical.
The ceremony was incredibly meaningful, and having all our favourite people in one place meant everything to us. Our first dance was also such a highlight, it felt like a little pause where it was just the two of us. We then danced the night away and even got to relive it all the next day with coffee back at the venue, which was so special.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
The day itself was incredible from start to finish. It was a beautiful sunny day right by the ocean, which made everything feel even more perfect. The energy, the love, the setting, everything just came together so seamlessly, and it was honestly surreal seeing my vision come to life.
Getting ready was so much fun, the ceremony was emotional and beautiful, and the reception was such a celebration. The food was also insanely good, which everyone loved! We spent the whole night dancing and soaking it all in with our friends and family. It truly felt like the best day ever <3
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Just enjoy it. It can feel stressful at times, but everything really does fall into place. Try to romanticise the whole experience, the planning, the little moments, the lead-up, because it goes so quickly. Be present, soak it all in, and have the best time ever <3
It’s your day, so do everything you can to make it feel perfect for you and your partner.
