Isabel + Liam by Amali Studios

We‬‭ wanted to bring a vibrance to the day, which was amplified by our “frills and florals” dress code.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…‬

‭I am from England originally, and I moved to New Zealand when I was 7 years old; New Zealand is the‬‭ place I call home. We both grew up on the North Shore of Auckland, where we have now bought our‬‭ first home together. I am a Nurse, a very rewarding career, however I am looking forward to taking a‬‭ break from Nursing, becoming a Mum and raising a family, with the love of my life. It’s a surreal feeling‬‭ to be planning these new pathways in life. It’s a pinch-me moment every day.‬

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?‬

It wasn’t long after my last relationship. One of my girlfriends, who I lived with at the time, told me to‬ download Tinder – an app I swore I would never use! We were out for a few drinks that night, and we‬ swiped over a‬‭ few‬‭ people. The following day, I came‬‭ across a message from Liam. After doing a‬ background check on him (a must!) I found that we had over 100 mutual friends, so I took a chance‬ and accepted his invitation to join him on a date. We met at a bar in Ponsonby, and what was initially‬ meant to be “one drink” resulted in five hours of non-stop conversation and flirting. I remember at‬ the end of our first date, a stranger who had been sitting near us came up to Liam and I and said “you‬ look like you have an amazing connection, a beautiful couple.” Little did she know, two years down the‬ track, I would be calling this man my husband. We think about this often.‬

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?‬

It was instantaneous. We both had this feeling that we both found our person – our soulmate. It was‬ the following week, and after a few more dates, that we had fallen head over heels for each other.‬ Liam told me he loved me after two weeks, and we put a label on our relationship after three. The rest‬ is history.‬

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…‬

What was supposed to be a proposal in Queenstown on an upcoming ski trip came to a halt when‬ Liam injured his ankle not long before leaving for our trip. The trip was subsequently cancelled. Liam‬ altered his plan to instead propose to me at his (our?) family bach in Pauanui–our favourite place. He‬ had organised for his Dad to hide roses and champagne at the house before we arrived. I woke up on‬ our first morning when Liam asked me to join him for coffee on the deck. To my surprise, I saw those‬ roses and the champagne waiting for me on a small table, with a card placed next to them. I opened‬ the card, and my eyes went straight to the last line of the card –“Will you marry me?” Before reading‬ the rest of the card, I quickly turned around to find Liam, slowly making his way down to one knee – but struggling with his moon boot! We spent the next four days in our love bubble with my new prized‬ possession – the ring.‬‭

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.‬

Our initial inspiration was drawn from Italian-inspired courtyards and vineyards. We wanted a classic‬‭ yet timeless aesthetic for our wedding – but in a paired-back, natural way. We knew from the get-go‬‭ that less was more, and we wanted the beauty of our venue to pull every element together. We‬‭ wanted to bring a vibrance to the day, which was amplified by our “frills and florals” dress code. We‬‭ had decided on pink and/or florals with the Bridal Party, and our guests dressed to the theme as‬ perfectly as they could. It was surreal seeing our Pinterest board come to life.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?‬

Our Photography/Videography team – who did an amazing job. We had a photographer, who was‬‭ assisted by a second Photographer, a Videographer, and a team of Content Creators to capture our‬‭ wedding. They completely exceeded our expectations, and the memories that we have to look back‬‭ on are priceless.

‭Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful‬ at the time)?‬

After the ceremony, our guests enjoyed a cocktail hour by the pool while Liam and I were having our‬ newly-wed photos taken. On a hot Sicilian day, the rain started making its way over the venue. It was‬ stressful, and we couldn’t help but think of our guests, who had to run to a shelter with a very talented‬ Saxophonist performing in the background. The venue scrambled to find spare tablecloths and had to‬ turn our table placements around in record time. Thankfully, the rain only lasted twenty minutes, and‬ the sun came out to play again. Our sun shower was captured beautifully by our photographer, who‬ made up some of our favourite content from our special day.‬

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?‬

Not long after our engagement (and before we had even finalised our budget), my Mum flew over‬ from England, where she’s based, to New Zealand. We both thought that it would be nice to spend‬ some of her time here trying on dresses as a special experience to have together. We didn’t expect to‬ go home with a dress that day. The second dress I tried on that day was the one – I bought and paid for‬ , all to Liam’s surprise when I arrived home. The owner of the store loved the dress on me and gifted‬ me a beautiful lace veil. I bought my shoes that day as well, which were in the sample sale section of‬ the shore. They were the last in that size/style. Everything was meant to be.

LOCATION Borgo Del Carato, @borgodelcarato PHOTOGRAPHER Amali Studios, @amali.studios SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER Taylar-Jayde Photography, @taylarjaydephotography VIDEOGRAPHER Patty Lagera, @pattylagera CONTENT CREATION The Aisle, @theaisle___ PLANNER Lelia – Borgo Del Carato, @borgodelcarato CELEBRANT Symbolic Ceremony – Groom’s Father: Michael Anderson HIRE, CATERING & CAKE Borgo Del Carato, @borgodelcarato STATIONERY Bridesman – Ben Tunui RINGS Wedding Bands – Michael Hill, @michaelhillj; Engagement‬ Ring – Cullen Jewellery, @cullenjewellery WEDDING DRESS & VEIL Astra Bridal, @astrabridal.auckland RECEPTION DRESS Dissh, @dissh BRIDE’S SHOE Astra Bridal, @astrabridal.auckland BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Tennis Bracelet – Michael Hill, @michaelhillj; Pearl Necklace – Family Pearls MAKEUP Mia Dunn, @makeupbymiadunn HAIR By the Bride BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Hugo Boss, @boss TUXEDO & GROOM’S SHOE Barkers, @barkersclothing GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Seiko, @seikowatchofficial GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Sauvage – Dior, @dior BRIDAL PARTY OUTFIT Self supplied‬ by Bridal Party