On a beautiful summer's day, with the sun out and all their their close family and friends, Tyler and Sloan tied the knot at the stunning Markovina Vineyard Estate.
Tyler started the wedding dress journey last year in one of the lockdowns, via a Zoom call. She then said YES to the dress as soon as in store appointments were allowed again - and that dress was the dreamy Fantasia dress by Rebecca Ingram.
Fantasia is definitely a best of both worlds dress! Not only does it show your figure with its stretch jersey fit and flare lining, but it has the most whimsically soft tulle skirt that flows from the waistline - giving it a simultaneous A-line look. The dainty floral lace on the bodice pairs stunningly with the glitter layer in the skirt, and that illusion back just has us all *heart eyes*! Tyler added on the matching flutter sleeve accessory and paired everything with our 1-1201-CT Ivory veil and ES134 porcelain flower drop earrings.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
The gown that I chose, caught my eye and to me felt like the best of both worlds. I wanted something that was fitting and complimented my figure but also hid places I was less confident about. This dress had a tight fit and material over it that was more flowy. I also loved the sleeves and all the little details - glitter, flowers etc. It truly made me feel the most beautiful I have ever felt.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
My experience at Astra Bridal was incredible,
I had initially booked with another place where I found a dress I really liked,
but wasn’t sure so I booked an appointment with Astra Bridal the week after to
check out any other options, but due to COVID it got cancelled. I was so
anxious about my dress! I had to meet with Elysia via Zoom, I was so hesitant
but Elysia was so positive and very confident that she would be able to find my
dream dress. We looked at dresses I liked and found a few that I was going to
pick up. I ended up saying no to the other dress. From there I ended up being
able to have an official fitting! Elysia was right! She was able to find my
dream dress, all the ladies at Astra Bridal Auckland were so incredibly
welcoming and just felt like friends to me, I was so comfortable throughout
this whole process.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Sloan and I both go to church. We met at a youth camp where we were youth counsellors in 2020. We were able to work together during the week that made for a great foundation for a friendship. From there, we were able to start going on dates and got to know each other better. Sloan and I dated a month before we made things ‘official’. Sloan and I started our relationship amongst the first COVID lockdown, so a lot of our relationship has been in the height of Covid. Six months in Sloan and I spoke about marriage and the importance of it. One night in November, Sloan asked me to meet him at Mt Eden, my friends and I were at Spookers so we thought we would hang out with Sloan and a cousin of his. We got completely lost trying to get to the top of Mt Eden, going the wrong way and walking through fields of grass, not knowing that their was a pathway that lead right to the top. Once we were at the top, we were all just talking then all of a sudden my friends had moved to the side, Sloan and I were looking at the city lights, he told me he talked to my mum and showed her a ring. He then told me he loved me, kissed my cheek and asked me to marry him. The proposal was small, simple and beautiful.
What was your favourite part of the day?
The entire day was my favourite, but marrying my husband and seeing all of our loved ones support our marriage was the best feeling! So much love was shared between myself and my husband and our families.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our wedding day was the best day of my life,
the weather was stunning summer day. Getting ready was quite emotional, seeing
my bridesmaids and mother get ready and feeling beautiful & having a first
look with my dad who nearly didn’t make it because of the borders being closed
- I was just extremely grateful, these people helped me feel calm. The ceremony
was beautiful under a barrel waterfall and trees, I was nervous just to have
all eyes on me, but it was such a great ceremony. Our reception was so much
fun, all the nerves had gone and I could just watch all my family and friends
have heaps of fun and just relish in the fact that Sloan and I are finally
married. The entire wedding was filled with love and joy.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
This is hard! Three things from me would be:
1. Surround yourself with people who make you feel confident and will be honest with you. I had the best bridesmaids and support system in place.
2. Own what you want, if its a huge wedding costing heaps of money or a close family one. Its up to you who cares what people think! Its your big day! Easy to say, hard to do
3. Choose a venue that does as many things as possible so your family and friends don’t have to help too much and can just enjoy the day with you.
