Sarah & Azzan
Sarah and Azzan’s wedding blended Roman European elegance with midnight-in-Paris romance. From a deeply moving ceremony filled with family and meaning to a high-fashion, high-energy soirée, their day brought together everything they love — music, food, fashion and, most importantly, their new family of three. Sarah tells us more...
Azzan and I bonded instantly over our shared love of music, fashion, and food. As enthusiastic foodies, Azzan and I quickly developed a hobby of dining at new and exciting openings around Auckland City — though we would later discover that none quite matched the culinary heights of our future wedding caterers at Mantells Mount Eden.
My engagement ring, designed by Meaden Masters, features three beautiful diamonds representing Azzan, my daughter and me — a special symbol of our family of three.
A former party boy, Azzan was ready to settle down and start a family. I already came with a curly-headed 3-year-old daughter who stole his heart as soon as they met. Fast forward to our ring design with Meaden Masters, and the trio of diamonds on my finger represents the three of us.
The theme of the day was Roman European — where decadence meets romance, with a kiss of red and a sparkle of silver, evoking the feeling of Paris at midnight.
My bridal gown was a vintage Alfred Angelo find. The ruched, asymmetrical, elongated bodice was pulled in with a corset backing, featuring a sweetheart, strapless neckline and floral appliqués, finished with pearl centres, cascading over the hip. I paired it with a pearl-rimmed veil, sheer sleeves dotted with pearls, and white satin ‘tie the knot’ pointed-toe heels.
Azzan looked crisp in a white shirt and matching pants, topped with a custom double-breasted jacket that was tailor-made for him. He stood out as the only man in a fitted jacket, while the groomsmen relaxed in European-style, loose-fitting white shirts.
Photography by Belle Cooper Weddings
I ordered LVR’s white-with-red cherub tank top, knickers, and garter for getting-ready photos, carrying through the custom cupid emblem with red cursive lettering we designed for our menus.
The bridesmaids wore floor-length gowns that gave off an empress feel, carrying three white tulips tied with red ribbon bows. An ode to my Dutch heritage meant tulips were the floral of choice; I carried a pearl handle of hanging cream tulips with white ribbon bows so I could drink wine while keeping my flowers perfectly in frame!
Our procession song was God Really Knew by Sidney
When my daughter reached the altar, Azzan gave her a silver necklace from Walker and Hall
The ceremony was all rouge romance with vintage hints. A large cascading bouquet sat on a white pillar in the courtyard, accenting the cream scrunched backdrop that stretched behind us, flanked by two stone pillars that guests later loved as a photo op.
Reading our vows to each other was the spiritual element of the wedding that married our souls through time and space. There wasn't a dry eye in the house seeing my daughter walk down the aisle as our flower girl. We read from the Bible, kissed with passion, and shared a deeply moving prayer with the last remaining nana across our families while our witnesses signed the papers. It filled that part of the ceremony with pure promise.
Our recession song was Can't Stop This Feeling by Justin Timberlake
Then came the soiree, where we traded the classic look for leather and feathers. I changed into my reception dress from Fritz & Sarah in Parnell — a $3,200 showstopper I scored at a sample sale on Instagram for a steal of $600. The two-part ensemble featured a beige, sparkly, stretchy fabric base with a white corset lining and flowers stitched across the front. A sheer, feather floor-length skirt clipped onto my waist, leaving a diamanté train that I swirled around in while dancing in silver block heels from Zara.
Azzan swapped his suit jacket for a made-to-order Porter James black leather waistcoat.
My ‘something blue’ was my Oma’s sapphire ring, a family heirloom. As an ode to my Dutch heritage, I carried a bouquet of cream tulips by Isadia, with a pearl handle and white ribbon bows by LVR Bridal.
When it came time to design our rings with Meaden Masters, Azzan’s aunty Banner guided us through the process as our jewellery designer. I knew I wanted a diamond trio with a 3-carat centre stone. Gary Meaden placed it perfectly on four golden pronged shoulders. We chose gold for both our rings, with my wedding band laden with lab-grown diamonds, while Azzan chose a thick, golden 18-carat beast of a band.
I brought evening drama in a two-piece by Fritz and Sarah, pairing a sparkling corset with a sheer, floor-length feather skirt.
We slipped out into Mt Eden Village for a few wedding photos, laughing together and feeling ridiculously in love.
LVR and Mantells transformed the reception beneath elegant hanging chandeliers. Guests entered past a sheer lace entrance sign and a white "Sip and be Seated" sign to find circular tables adorned with ruched ivory tablecloths, personalised paper lace doily coasters as placeholders, and cupid candles. Bunches of grapes spilled over silverware, and our bouquets integrated seamlessly into the centrepieces.
Our entrance song was For My Hand by Burna Boy & Ed Sheeran
We wanted our reception to feel like midnight in Paris, with candlelit tables beneath crystal chandeliers.
As avid foodies, we loved the menu, and our guests continue to rave about it. The entrée and main floating buffet was perfect for us, keeping an ongoing flow of incredible sharing plates arriving at the tables — from chargrilled eye fillet with shiitake jus to smoked eggplant pomegranate and slow-roasted pork belly.
For entertainment, we brought in the very new ‘Radieux' saxophone and DJ duo, Gregory and Christelle, whom we had fallen in love with after seeing them play at brand opening evenings. Greg learned the sax specifically for our first dance song, "Truly, Madly, Deeply," and the performance brought people to tears.
The absolute star of the décor was a giant candle tower that bathed the room in warm, moody light and looked incredible in the photos.
After the cake and sparklers, the backdrop opened up to reveal a fireplace alight with cosy seating. Guests spent the rest of the magical evening picking petit four desserts from a mirror checkerboard display on a large stone table, soaking in the atmosphere under the draping, fragrant jasmine.
We had the best time eating, dancing and laughing with everyone we love, but my favourite part was getting to share it all with Azzan and my daughter. It felt like we were officially a family.
VENDORS
Photography: Belle Cooper Weddings
Venue: Mantells Mount Eden
Stylist/Planner: LVR Bridal Event Styling
Florist: Isadia Floral
Bride's attire: Ceremony Gown & Veil: Alfred Angelo Bridal / Shoes: Spurr Shoes
Reception Gown & Veil: Fritz and Sarah / Shoes: Zara
Earrings: Swarovski Fragrance: Official by Redo - La Tulipè
Rings: Gary Meaden Master Jewellers
Groom & Groomsmen's attire: Barkers Clothing / Waistcoast: Porter James
Grooms fragrance: Givenchy - Gentleman Shoes: Dr Martens
Bridesmaids dresses: Shona Joy
Flowergirl dress: Bardot Junior / Dancing shoes: Kurt Geiger
Makeup: Samantha Craig About Makeup
Hair: Shay Rawson
Celebrant: Riana Po’ese
Decor, Stationery & Signage: LVR Bridal Event Styling
Cake: Butter Butter
Music/Entertainment: Radieux Sax: Gregory Hunteriii DJ: Christelle Ridon
