Today I’m joined by Gemma, who shares how she and Josh planned their beautiful, uniquely-them celebration: a private family ceremony on a hilltop, then a relaxed reception at their family beach property in Taupō Bay. All pulled together in six months while working full-time and parenting their four-year-old.

🎟️ Tickets for The Kiwi Wedding Podcast LIVE Event (August 31st in Auckland) are ⁠⁠⁠on sale now⁠⁠⁠! We’ll have delicious treats, champagne towers, goodie bags, and an incredible lineup of speakers, including makeup artist Kate Solley, dress designer Trish Peng, and Astrid Braid wedding planner from PS. I Love You. Brides, couples, and vendors alike - come along for a beautiful morning.

⁠⁠⁠⁠GRAB YOUR TICKET FOR THE KIWI WEDDING PODCAST LIVE! ⁠⁠⁠

We chat about:

💜 How they met at a Fashion Week after-party, built a life together, and decided to get married.

💜 The sentimental Bali proposal in Uluwatu with their son there - lots of tears, a hidden ring, and a celebratory dinner at Mason.

💜 Choosing a six-month engagement and keeping planning simple, focused and “them”.

💜 Why they split the day: an intimate ceremony with 15 close family, then a bigger reception later.

💜 The ceremony feels: sunshine, a family-friend celebrant, their son standing with them, and the “can’t-put-it-into-words” moments.

💜 Gemma’s bridal look: a Trish Peng mini (from an unreleased collection), picked quickly and confidently because it felt like her.

💜 Why they kept it small and removed tradition responsibilities when it came to their bridal party.

💜A late-in-the-piece giant tiramisu.

💜 Budgeting and how they saved by using their property and paying as they went.

💜 Inspiration without copy-paste: Pinterest/TikTok for ideas, then tailoring details to fit their style.

💜 Post-wedding: more “post-holiday” than blues; a mini staycation now and a family Bali trip later.

...and so much more!

🎧 Listen in for a masterclass on shaping a celebration around your life, your family and your favourite place, and why a private ceremony + big party can be the perfect combo.

Below you can find the handles for all G & J’s incredible vendors. Be sure to check out some photos on IG at ⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠⁠ + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at ⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠

Vendors:

Photographer: ⁠@liamsoulphoto⁠

Dress and Scarf: ⁠@trishpeng⁠

Shoes: ⁠@eleanorlouiseco⁠

Celebrant: James Braddock

Makeup Artist: ⁠@claudialouismarie⁠

Hair: ⁠@the_hair_box_nz⁠

Food: ⁠@the_wayward_italian⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Natalie Rose from Natalie Rose Bridal. You might know her iconic “Pink Palace” boutique on Parnell Road, Auckland, or have seen some of her gorgeous brides featured in past episodes.

Natalie is known for her beautifully structured gowns, honest advice, and the unforgettable experience she creates for every bride who walks through her door.

This was a special one- my first-ever in-person podcast recording, right in Natalie’s boutique. We dive into her journey from a childhood filled with pride in her mum’s dressmaking skills, to a career in finance, and then making the bold (and chaotic) leap to open her own bridal shop during the middle of a pandemic.

We chat about:

💜 What a truly magical dress shopping experience should feel like (it should be one of the best days of your life).

💜 The emotional weight brides carry into the fitting room, and how Natalie and her team help them feel seen and celebrated.

💜 A realistic wedding dress timeline (why you need 12–24 months and why it’s never too early to start).

💜 How to handle too many opinions in the fitting room, and why less is often more when choosing your entourage.

💜 The truth about “timeless” weddings and why you should focus on what feels the most you.

💜 Trends Natalie’s loving - gothic influences, Basque waists, tulle, and taffeta making a comeback.

💜 Wedding day prep tips you’ve probably overlooked.

💜 Natalie’s no-BS advice for tuning out the noise, trusting your gut, and finding the dress that makes you feel like the real you.

💜 Why you should never use AI to write your vows.

...and so much more!

Natalie shares so much wisdom about navigating the emotions, expectations, and pressures that come with dress shopping. Her approach is all about helping brides find the gown that feels the most themselves, not the “most beautiful” according to anyone else’s opinion.

You’ll love her down-to-earth advice and straight-talking encouragement to tune out the noise and embrace the experience.

Follow Natalie:

⁠@natalierosebridal⁠

🎟️ Tickets for The Kiwi Wedding Podcast LIVE Event (August 31st in Auckland) are ⁠on sale now⁠! We’ll have delicious treats, champagne towers, goodie bags, and an incredible lineup of speakers, including makeup artist Kate Solley, dress designer Trish Peng, and Astrid Braid wedding planner from PS. I Love You. Brides, couples, and vendors alike - come along for a beautiful morning.

⁠⁠GRAB YOUR TICKET FOR THE KIWI WEDDING PODCAST LIVE! ⁠