Sruthi and Jason celebrated their love surrounded by family and friends on two special days, holding both a civil and a Hindu ceremony to honour and incorporate aspects of their cultures. While our blog will focus primarily on their civil ceremony, the photos beautifully capture the couple embracing every moment and truly enjoying their day.
Sruthi looked radiant in Princeton by Forget Me Knot, a classic A-line gown featuring a V-neck bodice and a flattering wide waistband. The delicate buttons running down to the bottom of the train add a lovely touch, and the addition of pockets makes it even more special. Sruthi also personalised her gown by switching the fabric to taffeta, making it uniquely hers. She completed her bridal look with our Harriet veil, adding a touch of shimmer to her outfit.
We hope you enjoy browsing their photos and reading about their wedding day as much as we did! Congratulations to the happy couple!
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I liked how my dress was simple yet classic. It cinched at the waist and had side cut-outs, which provided structure and shape while still being flowy from the waist down. I also loved that it was part of the Forget Me Knot collection, which meant it was designed in NZ by the Astra Bridal team. Because of this, it was more affordable, and I was able to make changes to my dress that I wouldn’t have been able to with other brands, such as modifying the material it was made from.
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I absolutely loved my experience at Astra Bridal. I was looked after by Courtney, and she was just incredible. The first dress she picked out for me was very similar to the gowns on my wishlist, and it ended up being the one I chose. I was a little nervous going into the appointment, but Courtney and the team were so friendly. They immediately put me at ease and made me feel super comfortable throughout the whole process.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Jason and I met through some mutual friends that we both worked with. We were just friends, but after a fateful house party and the text messages that followed, we decided to catch up for lunch. We both felt something very special between us, and five days later, we were in a relationship.
Two years later, I signed up to do a 10km race in Taupo with one of my closest friends. Jason came along as our support crew. Taupo has always been a special place for Jason and me—it's where we spent our one-year anniversary and is somewhere we frequently go to get away from the hustle and bustle of Auckland. Jason proposed the afternoon after the race on a hill in our favourite spot in Taupo, with the sun setting behind us and a beautiful view of the lake. It was so meaningful and perfect.
What was your favourite part of the day?
It’s so hard to choose just one part! After the ceremony and canapés, Jason and I got to sneak away for some sunset photos. It was really nice to step away and have some quiet time together so we could reflect and take a breather. I also really loved getting to spend time with my loved ones and having a boogie with everyone after dinner, thanks to the amazing band we had (Mischief Band NZ).
This was similar to my favourite part of our Hindu wedding day. After the ceremony, the two of us stepped outside to take some photos in the beautiful garden outside the temple. That one-on-one time we had to chat, laugh, and reflect on the fact that we were married was truly special.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
Our Hindu and civil ceremonies were both held in the first week of September, so we were quite unsure of what the weather would do. We got really lucky on both days, with the sun coming out when we were outside and the rain coming down when we had all made it inside.
The vibe on the morning of both days was very calm, which helped me stay relaxed and be present. I loved getting ready with my bridesmaids at Bracu and had the best glam team, who radiated the most upbeat, positive energy.
The ceremonies were so special and meaningful in different ways on both days, and we felt blessed that we were able to honor our Sri Lankan, Indian, and Kiwi roots.
Our reception at Bracu felt like a big party and a moment where we could sit back, spend time with our guests, and boogie our hearts out on the dance floor.
As a whole, both our wedding days felt really meaningful, emotional, and so full of love. Having an amazing group of vendors, family, and friends around us truly made such a positive difference throughout the week.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Try to be as present as you can throughout the day. It will absolutely fly by, and you won’t be able to relive it the same way! One of my loved ones told me that being present in each moment will make the day feel longer, and I thought that was such good advice.
Try to be okay with things not going perfectly. Chances are, there will be things that don’t go to plan, and that’s okay! Getting hung up on the small things can stop you from enjoying and feeling the big things as wholly as you can, and those bigger, special moments are really what you will remember the most. If things go wrong, laugh it off as best as you can—it will all become a part of your special story.
