Laureline and Phil promised to spend the rest of their lives together in front of their loved ones at Castaways Resort and Sainte-Anne Chapel in France. The two days of celebration beautifully blended their New Zealand and French cultures, and the photos from the day capture the couple fully embracing each and every moment.
Laureline looked absolutely stunning in Marrakesh by Forget Me Knot, a classic crepe fit-and-flare with a scoop-ruched bodice. She personalised this timeless dress by lowering the back to a V shape and adding elegant pearl buttons that ran all the way to the train. To complete the look, she paired her gown with our double pearl veil, perfectly complementing the dress and adding a beautiful touch of detail.
Keep scrolling to discover more beautiful images, insights into Laureline's wedding dress shopping experience, and her advice for brides-to-be. Enjoy!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
During the fitting, Ilyese made me feel completely at ease, and together we made some custom adjustments. We chose the veil, and in that moment, I knew I was on the right path, feeling both understood and confident in my choice. I knew it was the right dress for me after reviewing the pictures. I loved the character of the bustier and the sleek lines of the dress—simple yet sculpted. The long train, the low back... everything about it felt just right. I also decided to swap the original buttons for pearls at the back, adding a personal touch. The dress was not only beautiful but also easy to wear and stay in, and it helped me feel ready and accomplished.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
My bridal party was quite unique, with loved ones scattered across the globe. One of my bridesmaids lives in Auckland, my maid of honour is in Australia, and my brother, who was also my bridesman, was all the way in France and couldn’t join the fittings in person. Despite the distance, my closest friends and my mother joined the experience, trying on dresses via video calls from France, making it an exciting and memorable moment for everyone—even though it was the middle of the night there!
To find my dress, I started by browsing several bridal websites in Auckland. When a few designs caught my eye, I made a list of the designers and booked a marathon of fittings a few months later. By the end of the day, my heart was torn between two dresses from two different designers. Ilyese from Astra Bridal was fantastic. After reflecting on how I felt in each dress—remembering how I moved, danced, and sat—I knew which one was meant for me. I said "yes" to Marrakesh.
I kept the secret from everyone until the wedding day.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met four years ago during the pandemic on Tinder. I’m from France, Phil’s from New Zealand, and with the world in lockdown, we didn’t get to see each other as much as we wanted. But somehow, despite everything, our relationship grew stronger through constant communication.
We got creative in keeping the spark alive—like when he planned a treasure hunt for me around the neighbourhood, or when Phil was stuck in a quarantine hotel after a work trip, and I sneaked into the building next door just to wave at him through his window. We found ways to surprise each other, and that kept the excitement going.
It wasn’t easy, especially being so far from my family in Europe, but I chose to stay in New Zealand because I believed in what Phil and I had. After a year and a half of navigating lockdowns, we decided to live together to avoid being separated again. It felt like the natural next step, and it was one of the best decisions we’ve made. We love spending time together—whether it's renovating our home, camping, or Phil teaching me how to kite surf. While hiking isn't his favourite thing, he tolerates it when we do it together.
On December 31st, 2022, while hiking up Mount Taranaki, Phil surprised me with a proposal. It was a tough climb, but when we reached the top, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was a perfect, unforgettable moment!
What was your favourite part of the day?
My favourite part of the wedding day was walking down the aisle with my dad by my side, with Phil waiting for me, his eyes full of love. As I moved forward, I couldn’t help but smile at all the familiar, joyful faces of our family and friends. It was a moment of pure happiness—bathed in sunlight, with a soft breeze, the sea stretching behind us, and Chloe and Isaac’s song filling the air. I felt as though I was floating, stepping gently toward my future.
My favourite part of the wedding day was walking down the aisle with my dad by my side, with Phil waiting for me, his eyes full of love. As I moved forward, I couldn’t help but smile at all the familiar, joyful faces of our family and friends. It was a moment of pure happiness—bathed in sunlight, with a soft breeze, the sea stretching behind us, and Chloe and Isaac’s song filling the air. I felt as though I was floating, stepping gently toward my future.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Phil and I were fortunate enough to celebrate our wedding twice—first in New Zealand in February, followed by a benediction ceremony in France in September. We truly enjoyed every moment of organising and preparing for both events. We created custom decorations for the tables and personalised gifts for our guests, combining our shared passions for architecture (my profession as an architect) and aviation (Phil’s profession as a pilot). We also made sure to reflect our two nationalities throughout the celebrations—from the songs played by the band to the food and drinks served. Even our speeches were bilingual, symbolising the unity of our cultures.
It was so special to have friends and family join us from all over the world. We had a lot of fun coordinating the schedules to make the most of everyone’s time. For me, it was a chance to show Aotearoa to my closest loved ones. The multiculturalism in New Zealand is something I truly appreciate, and it was amazing to share that with everyone.
Our wedding in France was simple but beautiful, and we felt much more prepared after the first wedding a few months earlier. The most challenging part was transporting our attire back and forth! The ceremony took place in a tiny chapel in Brittany, and it was the first wedding held there in over 600 years, which made it even more special.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather in New Zealand, as we know it can be unpredictable on the West Coast. I had a wonderful evening at the resort with my bridal party, and we got ready together the next morning. My mum and maid of honour used a steamer to get my dress just right. I only started to feel nervous the morning of the wedding when I was still trying to handle everything, but thankfully, my girls stepped in and took care of the details, allowing me to relax and truly enjoy the day.
One of our favourite moments was the golden hour, when we had our photos taken with the stunning sunset light. We also had so much fun performing our rumba for our first dance, and the dress turned out to be no problem at all!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
My advice to brides-to-be would be to focus on what will make them feel confident. I personally love being organised, so for me, planning the wedding on my own was truly satisfying. If organising isn't something you enjoy, it's a great idea to find a friend who loves it or hire a professional to help. Giving yourself plenty of time to plan everything before the big day is key to having a smooth and stress-free celebration.
