On a beautiful summer day, Tracey and Brendan said "I Do" in front of friends and family at the Red Beach Surf Club. Their day was filled with lots of fun, love and happiness. Photos showcase the venue's gorgeous ocean scenery, which perfectly complimented Tracey's gown.
Tracey shined in Bethany by Rebecca Ingram, a modern form fitting long sleeved crepe dress with delicate buttons trailing down the back. The illusion cut out and lace sheath detailing on the sleeves added a lovely and elegant touch to a classic gown.
Keep reading for an insight into Tracey's dress shopping journey and some wedding inspo.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
When you try on the perfect dress, you just know. I just knew Dee had found me something very special to wear. The lace detail on the sleeves softened the dress. It was comfortable, whilst accentuating my body shape. I loved the ivory colour, it was commented by a friend that it “fitted like a glove.”
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I started by looking at a few websites and online catalogues to get an idea of what I wanted. I had not been able to find ‘the one’ but was forming an idea of what I wanted (and also what I didn’t want.) I decided to visit Astra Bridal and I am so happy to have made that choice. I met Dee and asked her if she could help choose a dress with me, that would suit my shape, with the style I was looking for. She listened to what I wanted and knew what dresses would suit. After trying on a couple, she was able to find one that suited my shape. She made me feel very comfortable throughout the whole viewing. She was just awesome!
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Every love story has a beginning and for us that beginning started on our phones. We are a success story of the Tinder dating app. A couple of online chats led to a meet up for coffee at a local cafe. The conversation flowed easily and there were lots we found to talk about. Two hours passed in the blink of an eye. Brendan then asked me if I would like to meet later for a meal. Dinner was great, the conversations continued to flow easily and at the end of the night Brendan walked me back to my car – such a gentleman. I went home that night with that warm fuzzy feeling inside, knowing that I had met that special someone. Our romance continued with flowers, cooking each other meals, and introductions to the rest of the families.
For the past few years, we have been going to the campground at Red Beach Top 10 Motorcamp and staying in one of their cabins as our weekend getaway place. It was in one of these cabins that Brendan proposed (and now we have been married in the Surf Club next door, so it will be an even more special place to us.) The day we got engaged was one of those funny weather days where it was a bit rainy, a bit windy, a bit sunny, then a bit rainy again. We had been in the cabin for most of the day, but somehow Brendan managed to go out and pick up some fresh roses and sneak them back into the cabin to surprise me with, along with a lovely sparkling diamond ring.
Later in the afternoon, the sun came out and we decided to go for a walk. We got half-way down the main Orewa beach, when we stopped and looked up at this magnificent double rainbow. After staring at this for a while, we agreed that it was a sign from parents now passed that they were looking down on us from above, and they were happy that we were engaged.
What was your favourite part of the day?
There were so many fantastic moments throughout the day. One of our favourites would be standing at the front, holding hands, and looking at each other while we said our vows. In that moment, everything else just disappeared and it seemed like the two of us were in a magical place, all on our own.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
The weather was perfect. A few weeks leading up to the wedding, parts of Auckland had flooded, so we were a little apprehensive before the day, but we were blessed with plenty of sunshine on the day.
Brendan, family and friends decorated the venue in the morning, whilst other family, friends and I got our hair and makeup done at Edgewater Retreat, with the amazing help from Ashley Collett Styling. Our beautiful flowers arrived after lunch prepared by Flowers by Joanne, situated at Orewa. Stephen Roscoe, our photographer, who made us feel so comfortable and relaxed, arrived to take pre ceremony photos and kept clicking all day long, the outcome being photos which we are so impressed with.
The ceremony took place on the deck, facing the sea, at Red Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which was tranquil and romantic. Our celebrant, Roy Crane, we found very professional and just awesome to have as our celebrant/ MC, who kept everything flowing. He even brought us a tray of drinks and food for the bridal party when we were having photos, which was such a nice gesture. The reception venue was top notch, staff were helpful, and the meal from Krave Catering and the cake made by Rose Crafted Cakes were delicious. We danced the night away after speeches, and just have the fondest memories of our wedding day etched in our hearts forever.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Days leading up to the wedding can get busy, but don’t let it worry you, as it will just all come together on the day. It goes past in a flash, so soak up the magical moment that weddings create.
