On today’s episode, I’m chatting with Kelsey all about her Central Otago wedding. From the planning process to how the day unfolded, what she learned along the way, and some honest reflections on what really mattered most.

We chat about:

💜 How she and her husband first met at uni in Dunedin (and how he spent a while in the friend zone)

💜 The Coromandel proposal that didn’t go quite to plan… complete with a handmade “Will you marry me?” box of chocolates and a power cut right after saying “yes”

💜 Finding her dream dress in Melbourne after struggling to find anything unique in NZ

💜 Planning a marquee wedding at Royalburn Station, and the surprise way they ended up booking the venue

💜 How they kept their guest list intimate and why wedding planning “is not for people pleasers”

💜 The moody, slightly rainy wedding day, including private vows and heli photos on the Remarkables

💜 Honest talk about budget and what caught them by surprise

💜 The best advice she’d give to couples in the planning stage, including how to handle opinions from family and friends

💜 Kelsey’s refreshing approach to health and body image as a bride, and her work as a dietitian and co-founder of The Friendly Food Co

...and so much more!

🎧 It’s a relaxed, honest chat full of helpful takeaways and stories every couple will relate to. I’d love to hear what you think of this one!

Follow Kelsey:

@lifeof_kelsey@thefriendlyfood_co

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

Vendors:

Photographer: @emily_adamson

Dress: Custom @thesposagroupaustralia

Second Dress: @meshki

Hair/Makeup: @road_to_beauty_nz

Shoes: @foreversoles

Florals: @bespokeweddingsandevents

Wedding Planners: @alexandrakatecreative

Celebrant: @yourbigdayqt

MC: @sarahmcdonald_weddings

Venue: @royalburn_station

@royalburn_events

Catering: @queenstowncateringnz

Cake: @weeping.willow.cakes

Stationery/Signage: @hstudio.co

Marquee + Hire: @trulyyours_events

@styledepotnz

Entertainment: @robertglenmusic

This week, I’m chatting with recent bride Tamera, who shares the story of her and Josh’s beautiful villa wedding.

Tamera opens up about the highs, the hiccups, and the lessons learned along the way. From bridal party challenges to trusting her vendors and creating a day that truly felt like them.

We chat about:

💜 How she and Josh went from co-workers who didn’t speak to soulmates (and the night out that changed everything)

💜 Their vineyard proposal story in Martinborough

💜 Why she chose to hold their wedding at a private villa and how she made it work logistically

💜 The “old money” inspired styling and the personal touches behind her colour palette

💜 How hiring a coordinator (George & Co) completely changed her wedding experience

💜 The story behind her custom Paper Swan gown and her advice for wedding dress shopping

💜 Navigating changing friendships and what to keep in mind when choosing bridesmaids

💜 Planning a smooth wedding-day timeline to spend more time with guests

💜 Her honest take on budget blowouts, wedding week prep, and the moments she’ll never forget

💜 The tips she wishes every bride knew, from makeup trials to planning around your cycle and letting go of control

...and so much more!

🎧 It’s such a warm, candid chat full of practical advice and real, relatable moments. Let me know what you think of this episode!

Below you can find the handles for all T & J’s incredible vendors. Be sure to check out some photos on IG at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Vendors:

Photography: @pappedyouphotography

Content Creation: @nosyparker__

Coordination: @georgeandcoevents

Florals: @thistle_avenue

Hair & Makeup: @jaymiejarvis.makeupartist @daynamaree.hair from @duo_styling

Food: @thecraftedandco

Signage: @eversoprettyevents

Venue: Private property

Dress: @paperswanbride

Ceremony Musician: @vividstrings

DJ + Music: @poksmusic

Celebrant: @forever.knot

Bridal Rings: @thediamondshop

Furniture Hire: @thevintagepartynz

Thank you to @nuzest for supporting this episode.

In this episode of The Kiwi Wedding Podcast, I chat with Aamina from Layaz Jewellery about creating meaningful, bespoke pieces that are as personal as the love stories behind them.

We explore her journey from teaching to launching her own jewellery brand, her favourite gemstones, and the timeless luxury she brings to every design.

We chat about:

💜 How Aamina went from aspiring lawyer and teacher to launching Layaz Jewellery and sharing a family legacy

💜 The process of designing bespoke pieces tailored to a client’s story, style, and personality

💜 Tips for choosing engagement rings and wedding bands that suit your lifestyle and long-term investment goals

💜 Aamina’s love of coloured gemstones, sapphires, and creating heirloom-quality jewellery

💜 Insights on lab-grown diamonds versus natural gemstones and why legacy matters in fine jewellery

💜 Creative ways couples have added personal touches to their rings, from engravings to incorporating heirloom gold

💜 The future of Layaz, including Dare to Dazzle by Layaz, and expansion to the USA

...and so much more!

🎧 Whether you’re dreaming about your engagement ring or just love hearing the stories behind meaningful jewellery, this episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and beautiful insights from Aamina.

Be sure to check out some photos on IG at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Aamina:

@heyitsaamina_

@layazjewellery

@daretodazzle.layaz

In this episode, I’m joined by Rachel, a florist from Wānaka (with the team at @thegreenroomflowerco), who shares the story of her stunning Lake Ōhau Lodge wedding to her best friend, Marshall.

After years of friendship, their relationship turned into love, and their wedding was the perfect mix of heartfelt, fun, and completely true to them.

We chat about:

💜 How Rachel and Marshall’s friendship turned into a love story (and why it was the easiest relationship she’s ever been in)

💜 Their proposal story with a lakeside photo shoot and a sapphire ring

💜 Why they chose Lake Ōhau lodge as their venue and how it created a relaxed, family-filled wedding weekend

💜 Rachel’s experience dress shopping in Auckland and finding the gown at the Pink Palace with Natalie Rose

💜 The unique bridal party line-up with ten groomsmen and no bridesmaids

💜 Highlights from the day, including a helicopter ride, emotional vows, and a silent disco to finish the night

💜 Planning tips from a florist: budgeting, trusting your vendors, and why you should never DIY your flowers on the wedding morning

💜 Rachel’s advice for couples who want to create a day that feels authentic, stress-free, and full of joy

...and so much more!

🎧 It’s such a mix of love, laughter, and practical wisdom. I know you’ll come away with both inspiration and some really grounded tips for your own wedding planning.

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

Vendors:

Photographer: @run_in_the_shadows

Flowers:

@flore.studios

@blackthornflorals

@inmyhead.designs

@mysecretpicnicnz

Dress: @natalierosebridal

Venue: @lakeohaulodge

Makeup: @paigeshipstonemakeup

Hair: @hairtowedbytina

Signs and Menus: @simplesignsnz

Heli: @heliventuresnz

Band: @la.social

Celebrant: @becsandyscelebrant

Content Creation: @bowden__studio

Second Dress: @meshki

Tan: @skyebeautywanaka

Nails: @glamorous_nails.beauty

Skin Prep: @iluhub

Engagement Ring: @cushlawhiting

Groomsmen: @hallensteinbrothers

No matter what kind of wedding you’re planning, this episode is full of wisdom you’ll want to hear.

I’m joined by Lucy Burke, Managing Director of Lucy’s Event Hire, who grew her business from a DIY project at home to one of New Zealand’s leading wedding and event hire companies.

With 10 years of experience and hundreds of weddings behind her, Lucy knows exactly what goes into creating a celebration that feels seamless and unforgettable.

We chat about:

💜 Lucy’s journey from side hustle to leading a nationwide hire company

💜 The biggest trends shaping New Zealand weddings right now

💜 Why having a plan B is essential (and how you can never fully trust the weather in NZ)

💜 Smart ways to prioritise your budget without losing style or impact

💜 Practical tips that apply to every wedding, from small to large

💜 Behind-the-scenes realities and problem-solving vendors don’t often share

💜 Advice to cut through the overwhelm and plan with confidence

...and so much more!

🎧 Whether you’re dreaming of a marquee wedding, planning a colourful modern celebration, or simply want insights from someone who’s seen it all, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and prepared.

Follow Lucy: ⁠@lucyseventhire⁠

Be sure to check out some photos on IG at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + give us a follow. Follow Lydia at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today I’m joined by Grace, who shares her and Robbie’s wedding at Vanderosa Farms in Leigh, a stunning hilltop venue with sweeping ocean views.

We chat about:

💜 Meeting in high school, growing up together and chasing their dreams from Belgium adventures to army life back in NZ.

💜 A surprise proposal on a Canadian boat trip, recorded on a GoPro and made complete with her dream ring.

💜 Choosing Vanderosa online without visiting other venues, and why it was perfect for their weekend-away vibe.

💜 Top priorities: a family-style shared dinner, long tables, and a fun, colourful, relaxed atmosphere.

💜 Finding the perfect mix of dresses for seven bridesmaids.

💜 Why she highly recommends a videographer (and what they did instead of an on-the-day coordinator).

💜 Budget talk - what they thought it would cost vs the reality.

💜 How she kept decision fatigue at bay by avoiding endless vendor-hunting and Pinterest overwhelm.

💜 All the best highlights, lessons, and advice she’d give other couples planning now.

...and so much more!

🎧 Listen in for a down-to-earth wedding story with loads of practical takeaways for couples who want their day to feel fun, personal, and truly theirs.

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

Vendors:

Photographer: ⁠@thecedarweddings.co⁠

Flowers: ⁠@foxytwigs⁠ & ⁠@handsinthedirt_⁠

Venue: ⁠@vanderosafarms⁠

DJ & Videographer: ⁠@smgvisual⁠

Catering: ⁠@krave.catering⁠

Drink Service: ⁠@somekindofwonderfulnz⁠

Makeup: ⁠@puremakeupartistnz⁠

Hair: ⁠@minas.hair.studio⁠

Furniture Hire: ⁠@carltonpartyhirenz⁠

Buses: ⁠@ecoach_mahucityexpress⁠

Dress: ⁠@kyhabride⁠

Bridesmaids Dresses: ⁠@caitlincrispbridal⁠ & ⁠@rubytakessnaps⁠

Groom & Groomsmen Suits: ⁠@suitup_nz⁠