How did your story begin?

"Our story began, quite simply, with a classic modern-day Bumble match. Rishi had recently moved to New Zealand from the UK, and Sonam was a born-and-raised Kiwi, so neither of us really knew what was coming. We met in Auckland for our first date, which included a Starbucks mishap, plenty of conversation and, naturally, Rishi's car breaking down on Quay Street. Not exactly the smoothest first date, but somehow it worked. From there, we just kept wanting to see each other. Looking back, it feels like a pretty good start to the story."

What aspect of your wedding was most important for you two?

"Our wedding brought together two big parts of who we are. Sonam's New Zealand roots and Rishi's love for Aotearoa were on full display, from the coastal setting and landscape we both love to sharing that beauty with Rishi's friends and family from the UK. At the same time, we brought in Sonam's lifelong love of Bollywood — the colour, glamour and larger than life romance she grew up loving — layering that with the Indian culture, traditions and family values that have surrounded us both throughout our lives."

What part of the day or planning felt like your best investment?

"Without a doubt, the best investment was putting so much love into bringing our families together. We had loved ones travelling from all over the world to celebrate with us, and a very special mention has to go to Sonam's Nani (Grandmother), who travelled all the way from India to be there. We really wanted everyone to feel included and to have time together beyond just the wedding day. Having multiple events throughout the week and staying onsite during the wedding meant we got to slow down, spend proper time with our families, and create memories."

What was your take on tradition?

"We wanted to honour our Indian traditions while still making them feel like us. Sonam's biggest twist was choosing a burnt orange Sabyasachi lehenga instead of the traditional red. It still felt deeply bridal and rooted in tradition, but the colour better reflected her personality and vision. We also loved blending our Indian ceremony with New Zealand's natural beauty. Having a traditional mandap overlooking the ocean felt like the perfect meeting of our two worlds — deeply rooted in where we come from, but completely reflective of where we are now."

What caught you off guard – in the best or most unexpected way?

"What caught us off guard, in the best way, was how much the Indian ceremony and its traditions would mean to us in the moment. We knew they were important to our families, but experiencing the rituals ourselves gave us a completely new appreciation for the meaning and history behind them. There was something incredibly special about taking part in traditions that have been passed down through generations and understanding why each little ritual was performed."

What advice would you pass on to other couples just getting started?

"Our biggest piece of advice would be to involve your families. Especially with an Indian wedding, family is such an important part of the celebrations, and we found that including them made the experience even more meaningful. There will always be different opinions and ideas to navigate, but finding a happy medium between what you want and what your families want can create some really special moments. Give your families little ways to feel involved — whether that's including meaningful traditions, giving them a role in the celebrations, or simply making time for them throughout the planning process. Seeing the genuine joy on our families' faces when they were involved in the rituals and celebrations was something we'll never forget."

Finally, who helped bring your magical day together?

"We were incredibly lucky to have a team of vendors who didn't just do their jobs, but genuinely cared about bringing our vision to life. The McCallum Residence, with Dan and his amazing team, gave us the most incredible setting and went above and beyond to make sure we and our families were looked after throughout the entire weekend. The HP Collective photographed all the little moments and emotions so beautifully, while our videographer, Joel at Small Room Visuals, brought so much energy to the day and made everyone feel completely at ease.

More on the vendors

"Daria at Soul Bound was our constant support throughout the planning process, keeping everything organised and making the whole experience feel manageable. Jade and her team at Willow and Sage Botanics transformed our vision into the most beautiful florals, perfectly balancing our royal Bollywood styling with the natural setting. Frankie Orange brought so much warmth and personality to our ceremony, while DJ Kaz kept the dance floor alive all night. Lucy's brought to life the visual setting, from the furniture and tableware to our stunning mandap. Every vendor brought something unique, and together they created a day that felt incredibly personal, joyful and completely us."