On an overcast April day, Bonnie and Duncan celebrated their love amongst their loved ones and the stunning native plants at Tui Hills. Their day was filled with lots of happiness, joy and love.
Bonnie wowed in Rosette by Maggie Sottero - a romantic soft tulle ball gown, featuring a dazzling pearl encrusted illusion bodice with pearls scattered down the sleeves and trailing down to the skirt. She paired her gown with a pearl veil, perfectly complimenting her gorgeous gown.
Continue scrolling for Bonnie's insight and experience into the wedding dress process, and details about their special day.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
We'd tried a few on and nothing was hugely wowing me, so Chrissy grabbed my mum and went for a little bit more of a look. Chrissy came back with a fit and flare, and a ball gown. Two styles I didn't think I wanted. When she opened the ball gown, I was so surprised I told her to f off (I have bad sweating habit) she freaked out and said what's wrong. I said absolutely nothing. It was almost identical to a dress I put on my Pinterest when I was 16 that I had always loved, but was a bit to glitz and glam for my liking now. Anyway, I tried it on and it was perfect. It fit me bar like 1cm and my family and friends all loved it. My sister balled her eyes out. I paired the dress with a pearl veil I got from Liz next door. It was perfect
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
Gosh, what can I say. From the
start it was absolutely amazing. I had a few friends tell me that the team at
Astra Northshore were amazing, so thought that was a great place to start. I
signed up online and had a call with Chrissy about a week later. She asked lots
of questions to try get a full understanding about what I wanted. We then
booked an in person appointment and off we went. From the moment I walked in
the shop, Chrissy and I clicked. We were laughing and having an absolute ball of
a time. She even went out to get a leaf off one of the local trees so I could
see what the rusty colour would look against my dress.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met on Bumble, after talking for about a week we decided to meet up. We were both freshly out of relationships, so mostly just looking for some company/ a friend. Friends enough that we both showed up to our first date with hickeys. We dated for a couple of months when Christmas rolled around. Duncan managed to rope me into meeting his parents and a month later he was saying "I love you" at Whenuapai gull. Skip ahead a year and a half, Duncan decided it was finally time to pop the question after his friends ask what the hell he was waiting for while on a stag do. Upon the return, we started looking for rings together and fell in love with a tanzanite from Stewart Dawsons.
About 2 weeks later while I was at work (PlaceMakers) Duncan showed up in a 3 piece suit and walked into our yard. My first words were "what the **** are you doing here and dressed like that?" his response "I hear you're hiring, I'd like to apply for a job" I said "You're far to qualified for anything I have here" he said "No, I hear you're in the market for a husband" at which point I was lost for words, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Everyone who knows me could tell you I'm never lost for words, but at this point in time all I could say was "thank you" over and over again. After a couple of months, we started planning and Duncan managed to finally met my parents (they live in the US and Aus) and we got in the full swing of things :) Only on Tuesdays though as Duncan wouldn't let me go full planning mode.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Bonnie: Walking towards Duncan for our first look or talking the night photos
Duncan: Looking at me while he was reading his vows and taking silly photos with friends
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Honestly, it was a breeze. The
weather was terrible, raining, windy and cold, so the venue made the call about
11am that they weren't going to host it in the pavilion (open area). Us girls
got up about 6am and started chipping away at getting ready, while the boys hung
out and had breakfast at one of the groomsman's places. Honestly, the morning
felt like it dragged a little, but as soon as the boys arrived it was all go.
They arrived about 1pm for us to do our first look. We finished with heaps of
time to spare so ended up standing around chatting for a little while. I was 20
minutes early to the ceremony which surprised the venue, said that was a first
but I refused to be late to my own wedding. The ceremony was beautiful and so
was the rest of the evening. We chatted, danced, took photos and before we knew
it, it was all over :)
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Take 5 minutes to dance alone at
the end of the night. We spent so much time talking to people we barely ate and
never danced except for our first dance. Our only regret was not dancing more
:)
