Jewel and Tiaki promised to spend the rest of their lives together in front of their closest family and friends. Their day was filled with laughter, happiness, and pure joy, with photos capturing the couple cherishing every moment of their special day.
Jewel looked absolutely captivating in the Coventry Eve by Forget Me Knot, a modern, whimsical floral-printed organza gown with dreamy off-the-shoulder puff sleeves. The ruched bodice added a beautiful touch, while the split in the skirt brought a wow factor to this stunning dress.
We hope you enjoy scrolling through their day and get some insight from Jewel about her experience with us at Astra Bridal and the process of finding her wedding dress.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I've always wanted a less traditional type of dress, and when I found the one that was better than I could have ever dreamed, it was such a magical moment. Seeing my sisters and the bridal consultants shed tears at how I looked in it made me realise it was truly perfect. It was such a heartwarming experience to share that joy with the people I love the most
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I knew right away that I would go to Astra first to find my dress, especially since I had a friend who worked there. I never imagined it would be as easy as it turned out to be. Months before I got engaged, my best friend had shown me a dress, saying she had found the one for me, and I couldn’t have imagined how right and perfect it would be. During the appointment, we were absolutely spoiled! I got to try on everything and received so much support from all three consultants there. They truly made it such a beautiful and stress-free experience.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We first crossed paths at camp when we were just 13 during the school holidays, and Tiaki quickly found himself smitten. After six years of friendship filled with playful flirting, we finally went on our first date just two weeks before I embarked on a four-month adventure in Europe. Upon my return, we officially began our relationship and became each other's better halves. Fast forward five years, Tiaki surprised me with what I thought was a family weekend getaway in Whangaparāoa at a friend's beach house. To my astonishment, I walked into a stunningly romantic setup, where he got down on one knee.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Our first look was definitely my favourite part of the day. Seeing Tiaki's face when he turned around calmed all of my nerves and filled me with so much joy. In that moment, everything else faded away, and it felt like it was just the two of us in our own little world. The love and excitement we shared made it a memory I will cherish forever.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our wedding day was filled with so much joy and love. Getting ready with my best friend, mum, and sisters was truly wonderful; we had the most relaxed morning. Our first look and bridal party moments before the ceremony were such a great time to get hyped up for the day, and we had the best group of people to share that excitement with. Having my dad officiate the ceremony made it even more special. The reception was laid-back, focusing on spending time together and having fun. We enjoyed beautiful speeches, a waiata, and a haka that brought us to tears and kept us laughing all night long. It was a day I will always treasure!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
My advice to future brides is to cherish every moment, stay present, and surround yourself with loved ones who make you feel special and supported throughout the day.
