After meeting in 2018, Kristen and Toetu knew they were going to spend the rest of their lives together. They got engaged in 2020, and on a beautiful spring Wellington day in 2022 they married at St John's Anglican Church surrounded by their loved ones.
Kristen opted for the strapless version of Selena, and ordered extra satin to make gorgeous off-shoulder sleeves to add that extra elegance to her dress. Selena is the epitome of timelessness and elegance - her silhouette is classic and traditional, but her scoop neckline adds a modern element, and because of her clean and chic Mikado satin, is the perfect dress to accessorise.
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?
I always had a vision in my mind. I wanted simple, elegant and timeless. I wanted something that I loved now but in 50 years time I could look back on and still love it. I tried on so many different styles and found one that I loved but it wasn’t quite right. Emma actually called me a couple days later and suggested the Selena dress but the strapless version so I could add my own little sleeve. I tried it on and knew straight away it was the dress. It was beautiful and everything I wanted and more. It snatched my waist in and it was a fuller skirt which I didn’t think I would be a fan of but think it suited my shape really well. The buttons all the way down the back sold me, just gave it the little bit of detail but wasn’t too much!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I put off dress shopping for the longest time. Being a bigger woman I was nervous about finding something that would fit me and actually be something I liked. It easy to say you cater for bigger sizes but actually carrying them is a different thing. The women I dealt with at Astra Bridal Wellington were angels. They made me feel so comfortable and every dress I wanted to try on, I could. I tried on so many different styles and it ended up being such a fun experience I would almost just go and do it for fun haha.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met late 2018 as a successful Tinder match and the first time I met him, I knew straight away he was going to be someone important to me. I have never connected with anyone they way I connected with Tu. Our conversations were so deep and vulnerable and I loved that. He was so wise and level headed. He questioned me on my thinking patterns and he could hold his opinions even when I questioned them which I really respected. When I met Tu, I met my match - spiritually, intellectually, emotionally. He has brought out a softer side of myself because I have never been made to feel more loved or safe from a man. He is my person. So naturally when he proposed in 2020 I had to say yes! We had talked about marriage so I knew it was going to happen one day but I really had no clue the day it happened. He had organised with my best friends for them to take me out to dinner but at the end of it when they said ‘oh we surprised you and got a hotel room for the night’ I knew something was up! They made me take a shot before I left, didn’t let me take my heels off in the car and fixed my hair before I walked through the door to balloons saying ‘will you marry me’, rose petals everywhere, one of our favourite songs playing on the speaker and Tu on one knee which the most beautiful ring in his hands!
We now have 3 beautiful boys together and I fall more and more in love with him every day!
What was your favourite part of the day?
My absolute favourite part of the day was probably after all the formalities and we just danced the night away together and with the people we loved. Otherwise it was when I saw him for the first time when I walked down the aisle - his face when he saw me, probably one of my favourite memories.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
We were really fortunate that our wedding day went really smoothly. We were lucky enough for nice weather because although it was windy, it was warm. The morning was stress free because my bridesmaids had everything under control so all I had to do was feed my baby and get pampered. The entrance didn’t go nearly as smoothly as the rehearsal thanks to my sons and nieces, but they’re toddlers so it was a laugh. Our ceremony was short and sweet but perfect. I’m so thankful my grandfather was able to walk me down the aisle to give me away because for a while there we didn’t think he would be there for it. Our bridal photos were so much fun just hanging out with our favourite people. Our photographer and videographer made us feel so comfortable because we are quite possibly the most awkward people in front of a camera! The ceremony we ate, laughed, cried, dance and sung our hearts out - all the makings of a good wedding I think!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
1. While I was wedding planning I jinxed myself because I told everyone just how easy it was to plan a wedding… then 4 months out our venue cancelled on us, then our celebrant. That felt like the start of a million downfalls but each time I sorted it out and each time I fixed it, I liked the new option better. I really tried to think in those situations ‘okay, in 10 years time am I gonna care about…’ whatever it may be. That really got me to go with the flow a lot more.
2. Don’t get your hair and make up and hair done last. Just in case you start to run out of time, you don’t want to feel rushed. Go in the middle so you can get dressed/photos while your bridesmaids finish getting ready.
3. Make time for you and your new husband to spend some time together on the day. It goes by so fast, take it in together!
