How did you and your husband meet?

We met in high school! I had a crush on Calvin for a couple of years, before he finally realised what a catch I was ahaha. Since then we’ve been inseparable, and he proposed after six years at our favourite spot in Cooks Beach, Coromandel.

When did you know he was the one?

I knew he was the one on our first date. The thought and care that he put into creating something he knew I’d love, told me everything I needed to know about him.

How did he ask you to marry him?

Calvin planned an elaborate scheme to get me down to Cooks Beach for a day trip with my dad. While we were there, I asked my dad if we could go for a walk on the beach, and this happened to be exactly where Calvin was waiting for me! It was absolutely perfect, he’d planned a photographer to capture the moment, a beautiful picnic (with plenty of sunflowers, my favourites) and a night away. When I thought the surprises were over, we returned home to Auckland for a surprise engagement party! And my best friends had even flown up from Wellington and Christchurch. Truly an unbelievable weekend.

What was the biggest source of inspiration while planning your wedding?

We took a lot of inspiration from the beachy vibes of the location and our favourite spots in the Coromandel, mixed in with a springtime picnic feel. Honestly we wanted it to feel like our favourite days - warm and relaxed, light and airy, with lots of time spent outdoors.

What was your most memorable moment from your day?

There are so many moments from the day that stand out, and that I’ll hold onto forever. Being alone taking photos together at sunset was really special, having everything begin to sink in and just being completely immersed in the moment.

Did you have an idea in mind of what you wanted your dress to look like?

I knew I wanted it to be kind of classic, but with a bit of something special. I’d seen another dress made of dupion silk and fell in love with the texture. From there, I was in search of someone who could help me make my dream happen!

What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to purchasing your wedding dress?

Honestly, finding one that felt exactly like me! I tried on some beautiful dresses that I was very close to purchasing. But even though they were stunning, it took me longer to find one where I felt I was fully myself.

What would you say to somebody on the fence about purchasing?

Take your time. If there’s something you keep coming back to, then that’s probably the one, so find someone wonderful like Clara who can help you bring your dreams to life.

Anything else that you want to add about Clara and the process?

Clara was absolutely amazing, right from the first time we caught up. Her energy and warmth, her passion and enthusiasm were all contagious. She made the process such a dream - even while packing up and moving her life to Marlborough. I’m endlessly grateful for her time and care, especially pulling together a second skirt at the last minute. Over the moon with how everything turned out.