Riana and her husband Rupert said "I Do" in front of their nearest and dearest at the lovely Meadowood House. Their day was filled with lots of joy and happiness. Photos of the day show the gorgeous couple enjoying their big day and being surrounded by love.
Riana looked breathtaking in Isabel by Forget Me Knot, a classically beautiful satin A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline and cross over collar. The full skirt pleated skirt makes this dress an absolute dream. She paired her gown with our Harriet Veil, a stunning accessory that adds a touch of shimmer.
Continue scrolling for gorgeous images, Riana's insight and experience into the wedding dress process, and details about their special day.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I love the modern yet timeless look of the satin, and the way it fits around the waist and bust. It looked great on everyone I saw. I was also sold on a pearl veil, and I thought it would be the perfect match due to the “simplicity” of the dress and details of the veil.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I'd been obsessed over Astra Bridal long before I was engaged, so I was very excited for my appointment! Lots of woman say you need more then one appointment to get a “feel for what you like”, so I booked this appointment telling myself and all my bridesmaids that it’s just to look, certain it wouldn’t be “the appointment." I had my dad and older sister with me, which was very special and they were so excited to be involved. My dad was just about crying before I’d even got in the changing room! Then here is when it got interesting. I tried on the very first dress and it was one I’d been staring at for countless hours online. IT WAS THE ONE. The very first dress. When I walked out, my dad and sister were both in love with it and the tears started. We joked we could go home now, but we stayed and I tried on many more different styles, but nothing compared. At the end of the appointment, I tried the first on again, but with the veil and a bouquet to seal the deal. There was no denying it. This was definitely “the dress.” I felt guilty that I didn’t have my mum or bridesmaids there to share the moment with me, but I’m so glad for the experience I had with my dad and sister. I also felt so taken care of and comfortable at Astra! I was very nervous that I wouldn’t get the magical experience but I’m telling you, you will at Astra!!
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Rupert and I went to high school together in a small town called Hawera. We were 15 and 16 and had only talked for a few weeks over Facebook when he turned up at a “house party” and asked me to be his girlfriend. He was my first boyfriend and I was his first girlfriend! Not sure if that’s weird or not, but here we are married 11 years later LOL!
Funny story about the proposal, Rupert planned this amazing weekend in Queenstown after purchasing the ring. The holiday was full of magical and romantic opportunities, even landing via helicopter on a snow-covered mountain. Little did I know, the ring that was supposed to arrive weeks before we left had not arrived. Even worse, it arrived the day after we arrived back home!
Rupert was quick to plan another trip away, this time to Napier. We hadn’t been there together before, so thought why not! He booked a lovely Airbnb up on the hills that looked over the Tukituki River and was surrounded by a pine tree forest. The weekend pretty much consisted of wining and dining + op shopping as that’s a favourite activity of ours. On the Saturday afternoon, I wanted to test out my new camera and have a go at some couple photos under the trees. Rupert took this opportunity to set up his iPhone and video us doing this. I had turned around to fix my camera and when I turned back, he got onto one knee and asked the life changing question. Of course, I said yes! I was quick to let my family and friends know who were all very happy, especially given it had been 10 years coming! After letting family know, we cuddled up on the couch with Burger Wisconsin and stared at my ring! A perfect night!
What was your favourite part of the day?
If I could say all of it, I would! But walking up the aisle with my dad, seeing my husband getting all emotional, and hearing his vows would have to be my favourite. Followed closely by our special time alone during sunset photos (with the photographer and videographer as 3rd/4th wheels of course) which gave us a chance to just be present and talk, laugh and cuddle. The special time with my bridesmaids and mum the morning of, although it felt rushed, was filled with the best moments. Hitting the dance floor was also a blast!
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
It was raining the day before the wedding and I was a little stressed, but not as much as I thought I’d be. The day of, I woke up to the clearest blue sky and a hot 26 degrees! The day after also ended up being rain. So, for our one day it was absolutely perfect, which I still can’t believe.
I was lucky enough to stay the night before the wedding with my mum and bridesmaids on the venue site! Meadowood has an incredible art deco house, which made for great photos!
The morning of, I was awoken by my little sister who hopped into bed with me to cuddle before anyone else knew I was up, a very memorable start to the day. With 6 bridesmaids, 2 mums and 3 flower girls, there was a lot of hair and makeup to be done! So, the hair and makeup artists were here quite early! We made food platters, played music, took polaroid pictures, and attempted at doing wedding TikTok trends and failed and/or forgot to finish them (oops). The wedding morning was very relaxed and the atmosphere was very loving and chilled out! Once my hair and makeup were done, time moved very fast! My mum helped me into my dress and then I did my first looks. The ceremony as everything I dreamed of and more. Rupert walked in to the Mission Impossible song, which got the guests laughing, and by the time I was walking in, the emotions were flowing! Rupert and I did personal vows for each other and we had 65 guests, so the ceremony felt very personal and full of love! Once we said “I DO” we quickly hugged our guests and went straight into family photos, and then into cocktail hour. We had canapes, the coolest caravan bar and a photo booth! This was a great time to talk to guests and have a bit of fun.
We snuck away quickly for bridal party photos and arrived back for the reception. We danced our way in to “Celebrate” and, all the guests were clapping and cheering. It was a really fun moment! We had a delicious sit-down meal and Mr Whippy turned up not long after for dessert, which was a hit! Speeches from our loved ones followed, then my first dance with Rupert, my dad and my mum too! Around 10pm, it was time to LET LOOSE on the dance floor and we had a blast. Everyone loved our DJ!
The night ended with sparkler photos, and me trying to stretch it out as I was not ready for it to be over! Looking back, the day was simply amazing, and I would do anything to rewind time and experience it again.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
I know this sounds impossible, but slow down and saviour the special time of life you are in. It's easy to get overwhelmed with planning and trying to make everything perfect. The same goes for the wedding day. It's completely okay if it does not pan out exactly the way you imagined, it's real life, not a movie and things happen! (I’m still telling myself this.) It will be a beautiful day no matter what. The day will be filled with so much love and happiness, even if it’s raining, or the tables aren’t right, or if you forget to write letters to each other to read on camera! (me) ..or if you plan a champagne tower and then go to do it in front of everyone and there’s no champagne to be seen LOL (also me) … it will be perfect. And you get a HUSBAND at the end of it, which is pretty damn cool. Be in the moment, it goes in the blink of an eye <3
