On a beautiful summer day, Melissa and Michael celebrated their love surrounded by family and friends at the picturesque Brackenridge Country Retreat and Spa. Their day was filled with love and joy, captured in photos of the happy couple smiling widely and fully enjoying every moment of their special day.
Melissa looked mesmerising in Raven Marie by Maggie Sottero—a timeless Mikado satin A-line dress with a flattering plunging V-neckline and V-back. The delicate pearl buttons trailing down the train added a charming touch, while the addition of pockets brought a modern practicality to her classic look. She completed her bridal look with our cut-edge veil, a perfect accessory that beautifully complemented her elegant gown.
We hope you enjoy scrolling through their unforgettable day and hearing Melissa’s thoughts on her experience with us at Astra Bridal, as well as her journey to finding the perfect wedding dress.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
It was the first dress I tried on, and it fit like a dream! The moment I slipped it on, I knew it would be hard to top. While the other dresses I tried were lovely, none quite compared to this one. I loved how flattering it was, hugging me in all the right places. It was also incredibly comfortable, allowing me to move with ease—something that was a must for me. The timeless style was the perfect touch, making it feel both classic and effortlessly elegant.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
When I first started trying on dresses, I thought I knew exactly what style I wanted, but once I began trying on different options, I quickly realised that wasn’t the style I would end up with. The team at Astra Bridal Wellington made the entire process so easy and stress-free, especially Emma, who expertly helped narrow down a selection of dresses based on what I described I was looking for. I loved that I could return a few times before making my final decision, ensuring I was completely confident in my choice.
Having a close group of family and friends with me was also essential—it made the experience so much fun! It was great seeing them pick out their favourites and try on different styles, making for a truly exciting and memorable day for everyone involved.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
We met back in 2010 through a mutual friend. We started talking and hit it off immediately. Our first date was at Monteith's Pub, and we began dating soon after. Fast forward to 2020, and after a couple of breaks for overseas trips and OE’s, we locked down together, officially moved in, and got engaged in 2021.
Michael had planned a proposal on Ohope Beach at Easter, where my nana lives, but she came to Wellington instead, which meant a change of plans. After having the ring under our bed for six weeks, Michael got impatient and just proposed on a rainy Sunday night along the waterfront in Wellington. This was the perfect spot for us, as we would regularly walk along the waterfront together while living in town.
What was your favourite part of the day?
My favourite part of the day was being able to have our fur baby, Doug, a part of our day as 'Best Dog' and walking up the aisle with us.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
My biggest stress was whether it would rain or not (as I’m sure it is for many brides), but Martinborough delivered a perfect summer’s day, with a slight breeze that helped with the 30 degree heat. Both wedding parties and guests were able to stay on-site, which was super fun, having everyone in one place.
The girls were able to get ready with a few bubbles in the morning while the boys went off for a round of golf. Then it was go time! The ceremony took place outside on the lawn, surrounded by the rose gardens, and then we moved inside for the reception. It was a super fun day filled with love and laughter, running into the evening for the party and an epic sunset! The next day, we held a brunch for everyone at the venue, which was the perfect way to end the weekend celebrations and say goodbye to everyone before they went on their way. We couldn’t have asked for a better day—it was so much fun!
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Make it fun and exactly what you both want—not what others want! The day goes by so fast, and you don’t want to look back with regrets. I highly recommend having a venue that can hold both the ceremony and reception, and accommodation on-site is a bonus. It takes out a lot of stress planning transport, etc., and saves time moving between locations.
