I love chatting to brides about their big day. The best moments, the stress of planning and the day they met their new husband. Met Allanah. Her wedding was classic and elegant…and oh that dress! Swoon!

FM-How did you find planning the wedding? I found planning the wedding quite hard as Eden and I live in wellington and had to plan everything in Auckland. So while I was studying fashion, I also had to fly up for dress fittings, cake tastings, consultations etc. I think it may have been easier if we still lived in Auckland – although I did have my very helpful mum who ran around after me a lot. I couldn’t have done it without her.

FM-What was the hardest part to organize? The hardest part was probably the guest lists, choosing the wedding party and the seating plan at reception. I think this is hard for everyone as you don’t want to upset anybody or make them feel left out. So you have to think hard at who you want at your wedding, and ask yourself this question when choosing somebody, “will I be close enough with this person to have them over for dinner in 10 years’ time?”

FM-How did you meet you partner? I met Eden through his extended family. My parents were really close with them. Eden’s cousin kind of set us up and really wanted us to meet each-other. We saw each other on and off for six months after we met, until he asked me out in my final year of high school officially.

FM-How did he ask you to marry him? We had spoken of getting married ever since we started dating and so I knew we were going to get engaged, I just didn’t know when. So we went on a two day hike up the Kaimanuwa ranges with some friends past Mt Rhuapehu. I had no idea a proposal was going to happen when we were all sweaty and sore from the hike! But the views were spectacular and at the summit Eden got down on one knee. We stayed in a hut that night and celebrated with a camp fire under the stars and I found Eden had carried a bottle of wine all the way up with him!

FM-Tell us about your dress…it’s amazing how did you find it? For my dress I wanted something very vintage and classic. I based my design idea from Grace Kelly’s wedding dress. I had a consultation with Jane Yeh and was initially going to get her to design me something from scratch, but I found a Spanish catalogue of dresses she was selling. I flicked through the pages and found my perfect dress. Made of Spanish lace a full princess skirt and train, with a lace bodice and lace sleeves and a matching lace veil. Jane altered this slightly when it arrived and added her touch. I also had a fur stole made by sera Lilly who also made my bridesmaids gowns.

FM-Did you go on a honeymoon? Our honeymoon wasn’t straight after our wedding but so worth the wait, as we waited until I graduated fashion school and flew down to Queenstown for a week of skiing and relaxing. But we only had a short time before we had to go back to work. So we booked a trip to Europe for six weeks in November to make up for it, so that was our extended honeymoon.

FM-Tell us about the Food/decorations at your reception. My reception idea was to look like a mixture of the 1930’s mixed with the 1800’s – I couldn’t decide on a favorite era so I just went with both. Elegant and vintage. I hired vintage crockery and china so every table was filled with it. I had the most magnificent floral bridal-table runner (there should be a photo of it in my face book photos). Instead of having a ‘lollybar’ I had a tea table with different old tins of tea and teapots so guests could help themselves, and a table full of antique teacups so guests could choose their favorite one to drink out of. Each guests received a mini tin of Harney and son’s wedding tea, with an antique teaspoon engraved with our wedding date. Tea was a big part of our lives so I wanted to have it as part of the theme. I also had a vintage table with old books, a typewriter and an old suitcase where guests could write notes and fill it up. The venue was suited to the vintage theme as it is an old 1920’s building. Each table was decorated with flowers, old antique port glasses filled with vanilla candles and vintage plates. To carry the 1800’s theme throughout the wedding, I had the groomsmen and groom wear old cravats and pins with old coachman coats, and the bridesmaids dresses were based from an old design also. Our cars were from the 1920’s.

FM–What advice would you give to a woman leading up to her wedding day? Advice I would give to a woman who is planning their wedding, is to not stress about anything at all. At the time there may be things that will be stressful and seem like a big deal, but on the day all of those dramas go away. Because after all it is all about you and your prince. I made the mistake of getting all stressed about small insignificant things. And don’t feel you have to invite someone to your wedding just to make them happy…another thing is that on the day of your wedding seriously take the time to pamper yourself. I woke up and took a long bath and had a nice big breakfast – because you have to remember to stay hydrated and eat on the day! Don’t want any fainting brides! And don’t forget to soak in every moment! It goes with the blink of an eye, and for me I chose to get married on the shortest day of the year so it went even faster!

FM-What do you wish you could change about your wedding in hindsight? I don’t think id change a thing – but if I could do it all over again I would do it because it was fun! But maybe make the guest list a bit smaller and more intimate.

FM- What was your favorite moment of the day? My favorite moment of the day was firstly the getting ready part as I was surprisingly so relaxed! But my most favorite part was getting to hold Eden’s hand all day and know I get to be with him forever! Cheesy I know.

 Allanah’s Team:

Photographer- Danelle Bohane www.danellebohane.com Flowers – Sue Cameron Floral stylist: http://www.floralstylist.co.nz Hair– Amelia Rush www.boutiquebride.co.nz Dress – Jane Yeh: http://janeyeh.com Makeup: Freckles and Blush www.frecklesandblush.com Venue – Duders of Devonport http://www.duders.co.nz/duders/