Brittany and Angus vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, surrounded by their closest friends and family, at The Old Church in Hawke’s Bay. The photos from their big day capture the couple joyfully soaking in every moment together and exploring the beautiful grounds of their venue. The charm of the venue perfectly matched the elegance of Brittany’s dress.
Brittany stunned in Aspen by Sottero & Midgley, a timeless satin A-line gown with a strapless, asymmetrically draped scoop-neck bodice and a bold high side slit. The addition of pockets made this classic gown even more special! She completed the look with our two tier drop veil—a classic touch that blended effortlessly into the overall aesthetic of her wedding day.
Keep scrolling to enjoy these breathtaking photos and get some great advice from Brittany for all the brides-to-be planning their own special day.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It's a classic, yet simple and timeless piece that made me feel so comfortable, and most of all, made me feel like a bride. I knew Angus would not expect such a gown. I absolutely love the neckline of the dress, the buttons trailing down the train, but most of all, the pockets!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
The search for the perfect dress, I knew, would be a challenge, as I am quite picky. I always thought I wanted a slim trumpet/fishtail-shaped dress with a low back, thin straps, and lots of lace. I started looking locally and within my budget; however, the options were very limited, as either I had seen another bride wear the same gown or something very similar. I soon realised the look I thought I wanted was not the one, so I tossed the budget and started looking online. That's when I found my beautiful dress at Astra Bridal in Wellington. The moment I tried it on, it was a 'yes.' We then tried on the two-tier veil, which completed the look. As a finishing touch, I always knew I wanted to add a personal element to the dress, and as you can see in the photos, our initials with the wedding date were embroidered into the dress, making it all the more special. The lovely girls at Astra Bridal made me feel beautiful and like a bride, which made the experience even more special.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Angus and I met when I was 14 and he was 15, therefore high school sweethearts. I felt, and knew, he was the one after we went through a specific challenging life event together, and seeing him by my side throughout that solidified everything for me. After buying our first home, adding a couple of Labradors to the family, and progressing in our careers, we felt settled, and he proposed to me at the top of Te Mata Peak one Sunday morning. From there, we knew exactly where we wanted to get married. Since we were 16, every time we drove past The Old Church, we would say, 'One day, we will get married there.' And we did.
What was your favourite part of the day?
There were so many highlights of our day, but of course, marrying my high school sweetheart was number one. Many of the highlights included walking around the venue by myself when everything was set up; seeing our vision come to life was really exciting. Reading Angus’s letter in private, with his vows and the many gifts he gave me throughout that morning, was so special. Being alone for a few minutes with my matron of honour before walking over to the venue felt so surreal and really helped with the nerves. Putting on my late grandmother's sapphire ring in memory of her was so meaningful and a moment I’ll never forget. Walking down the aisle and seeing my future husband, along with all the most important people in our lives there to celebrate with us, was so touching. Those moments alone, having our photos taken, felt so special and gave us time to soak up every moment. Angus’s and our families' speeches had us both tearing up, and of course, dancing the night away.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
My goodness, the day I wish I could go back and relive every moment. The night before the wedding, we had our closest family, including the dogs and bridal parties, at The Villa where the bridesmaids and I were staying. We relaxed around the gardens, ate good food, and enjoyed the sunshine—this really set the mood for the weekend. The morning of the wedding felt as though it went super slowly while our hair and makeup were being done, but as soon as 11am hit, more vendors arrived, followed by our amazing photographer, and before we knew it, it was time to put on the dress and walk down the aisle. People say the day goes fast, and it really does. The weather was warm, slightly overcast, and very windy, which I was not a fan of. However, our photographer Eva kept saying it was perfect conditions for photos, and once we saw the photos, it really did add another element and made everything that much more perfect. The ceremony was perfect and everything I had envisioned for our day. Cocktail hour for our guests while we were taking photos was so lovely, as we had time to actually be present during this time and talk with our guests, which I wanted to prioritise if time allowed, along with a drink and canapés to ease the nerves. The reception was beautiful—from the décor and cake cutting to the three-course meal, and most of all, the beautiful speeches from our family and friends, which were very touching. Our first dance to 'Tennessee Whiskey' by our amazing band was freestyle, relaxed, and fun, which really opened up the dance floor for the evening, with the band having us and our guests dancing until closing.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Advice to newly engaged couples planning a wedding: give yourself time. We had a 1.5 year engagement to prepare, organise, and get the vendors we wanted by booking far in advance. But most of all, enjoy the engagement period— you only do it once, so why rush?
The band: I highly recommend paying the extra money to have a full live band. Not only does the live music elevate the atmosphere, but the energy they bring keeps everyone on the dance floor all evening— it certainly did for ours.
The catering and beverages: It's so important to keep not only your own, but your guests' stamina up throughout the day and into the evening, and I feel this is a big thing guests remember from a wedding. We had multiple canapés, bars, and plated three course meals, and safe to say, people are still talking about the food to this day.
I would highly recommend taking a moment for yourself before walking down the aisle, even if it’s just 5 minutes. Also, take a moment for the two of you during the night to relax and take it all in. We went for a walk around the gardens and sat by a fountain, listening to the band and watching our guests have a great time. Really take in every second and appreciate everything that has led you to that moment.
Don't sweat the small stuff. I hated the thought of things not going to plan, but remember you have people around you—family, friends, the MC, and the Day-of Coordinator— to look after things. No matter how organised you are, things may not go to plan and could be out of your control, so just have a laugh and embrace it. Most of all, do what makes you happy, because you will look back on it forever.
