REAL BRIDE MOANA'S NEW ZEALAND WEDDING IN HAYLEY PAIGE
Posted by Annie Lu onThe Special Couple: Moana & Darren
THE FIRST SIGHT & PROPOSAL
We met at work in New Zealand. He was an apprentice chef and I just started my first job as a pastry chef. I remember the very moment I met him, he came up to me and said “Hello” and I looked at him, said “hi” and walked off. I was blushing, I had this immediate attraction to him. The more I got to know Darren the more I really liked him. It took me over a year to convince him to be my boyfriend and now we are here… almost 9 years together, we have a 5 year old daughter named Vienna and just recently married!
Darren proposed to me on Christmas Eve, I opened a present which had an empty ring box in it, next thing I know he’s down on one knee with a ring in hand and everything else I can't remember!
THE INSPIRATION
The venue itself inspired me!
We had our wedding in Auckland, New Zealand. My ceremony was in a Cathedral which was very grand and my reception at Bracu the pavilion which is nestled amidst an Olive Grove. I wanted my reception to be quite elegant with natural touches. There was a lot of Gold. Gold cutlery, Semi Gold wedding cake, Gold candlesticks, Gold chairs, Gold vases matched together with natural wood slices, wooden place cards and the most beautiful flower arrangements.
Living in Melbourne we also wanted to have something for each guest from Melbourne on the tables. So we had custom made chocolates that were in beautiful Melbourne themed packaging. Everything I had in-visioned came together perfectly.
THE BRIDAL LOOK
My daughter wanted me to look like a fairy tale princess and Darren wanted to see my freckles at the wedding. So a Freckle Face Fairy Tale Princess was the bridal look I was aiming for!
The Reagan gown by Hayley Paige ended up being "the one" for me! I also purchased the matching flower girl's dress at Eternal Bridal. Eloise by La petite Hayley Paige. It was gorgeous. Having a 5year old daughter matching you at your wedding I think is just so special!
HER SAY "YES" TO THE DRESS MOMENT
I tried on four gowns, all at Eternal Bridal in Armadale. I was taken back by how beautiful The Reagan gown was. I knew it would be hard to beat. As soon as I saw myself in the mirror wearing this dress, I felt very overwhelmed and when I feel overwhelmed it is a very very good sign. It was the first wedding gown I have ever tried on. It stood out pretty much because it was very extravagant, it was a blush pink colour and it had an impressive train. Everything I was looking for in my ideal wedding gown. Mainly it also suited my body shape so I felt very confident in it and I really did feel like a princess.
THE BEST THING ABOUT OUR DAY
There we so many highlights but the Ceremony would be it for us. We had a Catholic wedding at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland CBD. It was very emotional and special. Nothing beats the moment when you officially become Husband and Wife.
MOANA'S ADVICE
When it comes to planning your wedding don’t be pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do. This is YOUR wedding. It should be about both you and your partner and how you want it to be.
Moana wore ‘Reagan’ from Hayley Paige. See more gowns from Hayley Paige Collection here
VENDORS
Photographer: Bonnie Jenkins
Reception Venue: Bracu (The Pavilion)