Real Weddings

Ciara and Dylan

Photography by Haley Adele Photography

They met in Spain, got engaged under the Brooklyn Bridge and tied the knot in Raglan! It’s evident how much love and care went into curating their day, and we're so pleased we got to chat with the beautiful bride. —How did you and your partner meet? "We met in Spain through a mutual friend. I was a professional dancer and Dylan was a chef on Super Yachts. I contacted him six months after our first meeting asking if he needed a flatmate as I needed somewhere to live. He didn't need a flatmate, but he invited me to a BBQ at his. The rest is history!" —What was the proposal like? "Like a movie! Dyl proposed to me under the New York Brooklyn Bridge on a freezing winter's day. All captured by a photographer too. The boy did good!" —What was your wedding budget? "$40,000 to $60,000." —How many guests did you have? "48 guests.” —Did you include anything non-traditional in your wedding? "Yes. We had a grooms-woman. I also decided to wear a headpiece instead of a veil." —What is your favourite memory from the big day? "We found out I was pregnant two weeks before the wedding, so we wrote 'Baby Verhees, due Sept 22' on a blackboard during our sunset photos. We used those photos the next day to tell our family the news. I think they'll always be my favourite photos!" —Did everything go to plan? "Nearly! We got several noise complaints from the neighbours before 8 pm! Luckily my brother took care of it and I had no idea what was happening." —What do you consider the best wedding investment you made? "Our photographer and videographer. Dylan wasn't keen on getting a videographer as he didn't think it was necessary, but it was the best investment we made. —Who was your outstanding wedding vendor? "Daria from Soulbound was our amazing coordinator that went above and beyond to ensure our day was amazing. Our original venue fell through 6 weeks before the wedding whilst we were in MIQ, so needless to say, it was a stressful time. Daria took so much of that stress away and made the day run so smoothly!" —What is one thing you wish you had known before planning and having your wedding? "Unexpected last-minute costs will most definitely pop up, so have a buffer for this in your wedding budget."

Thanks to all the contributing vendors:

Photography: Haley Adele Photography
Planning & coordination: Soul Bound
Videography: I Do Productions
Venue: The Blodge Raglan
Catering: Kerr and Ladbrook
Marquee: Stretch Tents
Hire: L. L Hire
Styling & florals: Curated by Ciara