Elise + Matthew

How did you meet?

We met at a mutual friends house when we were 16. We went to different schools at the time and the mutual friend was having a leaving party as she was moving to the South Island of NZ. I’d just broken up with a long term boyfriend as wasn’t even going to go to the party but my friend convinced me to go and well you know what they say the rest is history.

When did you know they were the one?

I don’t recall the exact moment I knew, but he makes my life so much better and brings so much joy to my world that I just couldn’t imagine my life without him. To me he is my home.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?-

His humour, passion and kindness.

Who proposed and how?

Matt proposed on a labour weekend of 2019. We had spent the weekend going to the horse races with friends the day before, the next morning we weren’t in the best shape maybe a little hungover and lacking in sleep when he suggested taking our beagle Daisy out for a walk to one the beaches close to us. We drove out to the beach and the tide was out, when the tide is out you can walk out to an island just off the coast. We kept walking and walking it was anything but romantic at this point we were covered in mud I even suggested turning back a few times. Eventually when we got out to the island I sat down on a rock which had beautiful views of the ocean and the neighbouring islands and I turn to see Matt down on one knee. I think I said yes before he finished the question! Little did I know he kept me walking because I had always told him I never wanted people around for my proposal and the beach was pretty busy that day. The island was the perfect spot as it was secluded!

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

Felicity bridal in Auckland – as soon as I put the dress on I knew. It had everything I wanted something classy, timeless but not boring, being 5ft a lot of material can overwhelm me quite easily so I wanted something to show off my shape and not make me look shorter than I am. The Tommy crepe had the beautiful lace and low back for the top and the most stunning figure hugging lower half I had seen, I was sold instantly.

What was the best moment for you at your wedding?

My maid of honour and best friend of 23 years is in the UK and couldn’t come over due to Covid restrictions. I immigrated to NZ when I was 12 but we have remained very close so much so that I flew back for her 18th birthday and she surprised me in NZ for my 21st. My other bridesmaids got up to what I thought was their joint speech and instead played a pre recorded speech from my best friend. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room it truly was the best surprise.

What were your favourite details?

My husband and bridesmaids and I hand made all of our welcome signs and bar signs and seating charts for the day, it was amazing seeing all of our hard work come to life! My mum also presented me with a charm to put on my flowers which had a picture of my younger sister who unfortunately passed away with an engraving which said “I’ll be with you as you walk down the isle” fair to say that brought a lot of tears but it meant so much, That and we had our florist make a flower collar for our dog and that was adorable. Her flowers were dried so we’ve actually still got it at home!

What advice would you tell other brides?

Soak in every moment it all goes by so quickly and soon you’ll be sitting reminiscing on the day. Don’t get too caught up or stressed in things like seating charts and colours of napkins at the end of the day everyone there is there to celebrate you and your partner they’re not going to care if their napkin matches the flowers. If you can hire a wedding coordinator, our venue came with one and they make the day run so smoothly. Last but not least take time out, even just 5 minutes to just be alone with your partner and let the atmosphere of the day sink in!