Karli and Ethan exchanged vows, saying "I do" surrounded by their friends and family at The Stables in Matakana. The photos from their unforgettable day capture the couple beaming with smiles, love, and happiness as they celebrated every precious moment together.
Karli wowed in Derrick by Maggie Sottero, a romantic satin ball gown featuring a plunging illusion V-neckline, delicate exposed boning details, and a soft Basque waist. The covered buttons cascading down the back to the long, flowing train added a timeless touch. And let's not forget the pockets, which make this gown both practical and special.
Keep scrolling for a sneak peek into their magical day!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It wasn’t the one Ilyese picked for me, but the one I had pulled off the shelf because it had the most beautiful corset bodice and a long flowing train. The dress fit perfectly, so we got it then and there! I was lucky enough to be one of the first to try it on, and the first to wear it in NZ, as far as I am aware! Oh, and POCKETS!!!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
Initially, I flew to Dunedin to see a dress I loved. Once I tried it on, I knew it would be hard to beat. My girls and I had a full day of shopping and trying on dresses, then ended our day at Astra Bridal. Ilyese was the most welcoming and friendly stylist of all the shops we went to – she listened to what I wanted, what I didn’t like from the other shops we had been to, and gave me a handful of dresses to try on. She was just extraordinary and made me feel so welcome, and like a princess!
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
A classic 21st century love story – we met on Tinder in early 2017. Our first date was a bush walk and a trip to Carl's Jr. Ethan then returned to school in Dunedin, and for the next two years, we saw each other on and off, long distance between Dunedin and Kerikeri in the Far North. Once he was back in Auckland, I moved down to be with him, and the rest is history! He proposed on New Year's Eve at the Botanical Gardens in Queenstown in 2020. He had bought the ring over a year earlier, but lockdowns kept delaying our holiday down south, where he knew he wanted to propose.
What was your favourite part of the day?
Marrying my best friend after three and a half years of planning, and then celebrating our love with our family and friends for the whole day.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
My bridesmaids, Ethan's mum and sister, my mum, and some friends and I all got ready together in a beautiful AirBnB in Omaha. It was a morning full of fun, laughs, music, mimosas, and nerves!! It was pouring with rain all morning—sideways, heavy rain. The venue left it up to Ethan to make the call: Is the ceremony inside or outside? He left it to the last minute (quite literally, as I was in the car on my way there, and they were drying chairs!). He made the call that it was going to be outside because he knew I hadn't dreamt of an indoor wedding! As soon as he made the call, the clouds parted, and the sun shone for the rest of the day. The ceremony was beautiful—there were tears and laughter—and a chicken walking up the aisle trying to steal the show, a mission she succeeded in! Our venue had made everything perfect, and our guests were entertained by lovely music while we went off to the beach for our photos. The wind tried to blow us away, but we got some amazing pictures. The speeches were beautiful and hilarious, and the day was overflowing with love!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
It sounds stereotypical, but the day goes by SO quickly! Getting ready with your girls and waiting around feels like time is in slow motion, but as soon as you’re at the ceremony, time flies. Try to take it slow, take in your day, and be in the moment. Trust that everything will go smoothly, and nobody will notice if something is different from what you had planned – you won’t even notice!
