Valentina and Adam promised to spend the rest of their lives together in front of their loved ones at Rose & Smith. Their day was full of love, laughter, and joyful celebrations, with photos capturing the vibrant happiness of every moment, as well as the appreciation and celebration of both Colombian and Kiwi cultures.
Valentina wowed in Andora by Forget Me Knot, a Mikado satin A-line gown featuring an exposed boning bodice and a stunning box pleat skirt. She customised her gown, a feature available within ourForget Me Knot range, and removed the split and added sleeves to transform Andora into her dream dress.
We hope you enjoy scrolling through their special day as much as we did!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
My dress was not a dress I even had on any of my mood boards or vision boards at all. If anything, it was on my “do not pick” list, just because the corset style scared me a little. But my very persuasive best friend convinced me to try it on before I tried on my “dream dress,” which I had saved a photo of from their Sip and See event.
When I tried on my dress, Kryslin was very reassuring regarding sizing and style for my body type, as I was nervous about being a petite, curvy bride. As soon as I tried it on, all my insecurities went away, and I knew this dress was meant to find me.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I always knew I wanted my dress from Astra Bridal. I’m a very Type A planner and had been secretly planning and making mood boards, just in case! I had a few dresses in mind, and going to their Sip & See event was so exciting and just confirmed that this was the place for me.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Adam and I first met back in 2011 at school, but it wasn’t until 2014 that everything changed. We were paired up in cooking class, a simple assignment that turned into something much bigger. Somewhere between recipes and laughter, we became a couple, and the rest slowly fell into place.
Nearly ten years later, Adam proposed at Waikanae Beach, just two days before our 10-year anniversary. When we got back to our friends’ bach, I found our families and close friends waiting for us! It was the perfect moment.
What was your favourite part of the day?
My favourite part of the day was getting to hear each other’s vows. I think that moment is just so honest and raw, and it’s always been my favourite part of attending weddings because you can really feel the love couples have for each other. I dreamt of that moment for so long that when it finally happened, it just felt surreal!
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
The day felt calm and unhurried, and we were lucky to be blessed with one of the sunniest spring days in beautiful Featherston. We stayed at a gorgeous Airbnb and spent the morning grounding ourselves with a few spiritual rituals to ensure the day unfolded perfectly. One of the most meaningful moments was cutting off my red string, which had been protecting me from negative energy. Our ceremony was incredibly heartfelt; there truly wasn’t a dry eye in the room. After 11 years of growing up together, we finally became husband and wife, a moment that felt both surreal and deeply emotional.
The reception was a celebration of both our cultures. I’m Colombian, and my husband Adam is a Kiwi. My mum and bridesmaids welcomed him into our culture with traditional Colombian dancing. The dance floor stayed full all night, bursting with energy and joy. We even had a traditional party moment known as la hora loca, the “crazy hour,” where everyone grabbed light up props, stick on tattoos of our faces, and big paddles with our faces on them. The music turned upbeat, and no one stopped dancing for a full hour.
Our favourite but most challenging thing we did was write personalised letters for all our guests to open on the day as our wedding favours. It took us six months, but it was one of the most special moments with all our loved ones, where we got to show our love and appreciation for them.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
My biggest advice to brides to be is that everything will work out. Just try to take in the day as much as possible, because it goes by so fast. Also, try not to be so set on mood boards or certain visions you have. Some of the best things about my wedding happened unexpectedly!
