Sophie + Simon
#&FLREALBRIDE FEATURE
THE ADA
Sophie and Simon met the modern way- by swiping right on tinder… and the rest is history. With a celebration set at her parents home in picturesque New Zealand, and with a vintage car to add to the festivities, they celebrated with family and friends on a perfect sunny day.
Sophie chose our beautiful ADA gown from Felicity’s Bridal in Auckland, NZ, and had it customized herself by adding extra buttons down the back. Paired with a fresh white bouquet and a veil borrowed from her sister, the final look was picture perfect.
The Deets:
Your name: Sophie
First name of Hubby: Simon
Photographer: Erica Jane Photography Videographer: Revel In White
Location + venue: Sophie’s parent's home Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
bridal boutique: Felicity's Bridal NZ
accessories: The veil was borrowed my sisters also purchased at Felicity's Bridal
hair/makeup – Hair: White Fox Bridal Makeup – Micki Makeup ETC.
shoes: Heels were from Amazon
cake: I made the cake a delicious recipe – raspberry white chocolate.
flowers: bouquets by Magdalen Hill Studio
Table flowers- DIY Sophie
Describe you and your guy? How did you meet? Tell us your love story!
Simon is genuine and endearingly goofy.
We first meet in 2020, we both swiped right on Tinder and the love story began. We meet for coffee (Simon was disappointed I had said coffee date and not a drink at a bar).
We had noticed each other at the gym but both had the same thought, there is noooo way I'm ever talking to that person.
I didn’t realize it was him until we matched, and I looked more closely at his photos I thought I know that guy from the gym.
After our first date before leaving the café while Simon was paying for his coffee
(I had arrived early and brought myself a cup of tea so as to avoid the awkward paying situation at the end of the date), I went to the bathroom. When I came out no Simon, I walked to the door and thought “Well this is awkward I’ll have to change gyms” and then he came out of the café doors from the bathroom, I really thought he had left.
Simon very early on told his friends “She’s the future Mrs Small”
How did you know he was The One?
I knew Simon was the one because of the small moments in our day that we take great care in intentionally finding joy and bliss together.
Describe yourself. What do you do? What is your regular street style?
I'm a visual merchandiser for a retail brand, I love being creative that's my happy place.
Describe yourself. What do you do? What is your regular street style?
My everyday street style is a mixture of masculine and feminine styles, a cute dresses and biker boots.
What was bridal style vision?
I wanted to really feel good in my skin. I wanted to feel like me.
What made you fall in love with your &FL dress and where did you find it?
The dress found me! While at Felicity’s bridal the wonderful stylist Alex chose the Ada dress for me to try on. I said I feel like me in this dress. Simple, classic but bubbly.
Describe your wedding- any inspiration or themes you were drawn to when planning?What was the vibe?
We wanted our wedding day to be a real reflection of us – to feel welcoming and full of joy, laughter, and love.
Fave thing about your day? Any surprises?!
Our favorite thing was doing the first look privately.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage means finding your favorite person and building more on our wonderful life together.
What's the one piece of advice you could give to brides?
Do the first look! It gives you time with your spouse and calms each other. Gives you a much-needed private moment for you two to connect.
Life post-wedding means ....
Planning a honeymoon in Bali and renovating our home together
Words by Sophie