We were best friends from age 13 and by 15 knew we were each other’s person.
Brooklyn – Together, we run a business called Words To Heal You. This is a virtual safe space where our shared love for mental health meets my passion for creative writing. We are so passionate about making an impact on this world’s trajectory and have found our purpose through impacting mental health. By day, I work in social media and content creation and Masyn works in youth development and social work. We were best friends from age 13 and by 15 knew we were each other’s person.
Masyn – We always talked about a big wedding “one day” and by the time our wedding came around, we felt like we were doing our high school selves proud.
Brooklyn – Masyn proposed on his 21st birthday weekend. We had all our family and friends in Wellington to celebrate and the following day my best friend picked me up from work but pulled up at the beach. It was a windy, stormy day and I refused to get out of the car but he pleaded with me to follow him and halfway up a rocky path was Masyn who got down on one knee.
As soon as I said yes, our family and friends started cheering and celebrating – they had been hiding in the distance. Our wedding was inspired by an Italian summer. We had it at a beautiful family home in Tauranga and, to showcase our fun, young, love, we had nothing too formal or serious. Trying to escape the traditional white wedding, we took inspiration from the beautiful Tuscan dinner party vibe. The buttery yellow bridesmaid dresses and the grey suiting, surrounded by palm trees, hydrangeas and greenery felt fresh and fun.
Brooklyn – I wore three dresses – the ceremony gown was the first dress I tried on. I was sold on the strapless style and the way it draped around the waist. My reception dress was an archived style from Natalie Rolt that was custom-made for me and the third was the Siva dress. Instead of a slow first dance, I did a Samoan siva which got everyone involved and it was truly the highlight of my day. The dress was custom-made for me by a close friend, a seamstress.
Masyn – I was dressed head to toe in Barkers Clothing. We went down the route of a custom-made suit and the process of designing it and adding my own details was awesome. I had our wedding date embroidered on the inside of the blazer and chose a soft, light grey to match the hot summer day.
LOCATION The Garden, Tauranga, @the_garden_tauranga / PHOTOGRAPHER Keryn Sweeney, @kerynsweeneyphotographer / BRIDE’S CEREMONY GOWN Kyha Studios, @kyhastudios / BRIDE’S SHOES Mi Piaci, @mi_piaci / MAKEUP Liberty Wright / HAIR Rachael Kelsen, @styledby.rachael / GROOM’S OUTFIT & ACCESSORIES Barkers, @barkersclothing /CELEBRANT Edward Bamford-Bryant / BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE Paris Georgia, @paris__georgia; Bec & Bridge, @becandbridge / BRIDE’S SIVA DRESS Custom- made / BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS Natalie Rolt, @natalierolt / GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE Barkers, @barkersclothing / BRIDE’S ENGAGEMENT RING Alexandra Dodds, @alexandra.dodds / BRIDE’S WEDDING RING Mars Jewellery, @_marsofficial / GROOM’S WEDDING RING Stewart Dawsons, @stewartdawsons / FLORA Roam + Wonder, @roamandwonder_ / STATIONERY Emma Lester of Sette Studios, @settestudios / PLANNING & STYLING The Bride, @brooklynopetaia / HIRE Stretch Tents, @stretch_tents; Tauranga Party Hire, @taurangapartyhire / CATERING Food By Wild Woodfire, @food_by_wild_woodfire_ caterers / CAKE Family friend
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