Bride Files: Paige
THE DETAILS
Wedding Date: 01.11.2025
Location: The McCallum Estate
Catering: Whisk
Bride's Gown: Trish Peng
Hair: Boutique Bride
Makeup: Blair Gamblin
Groom's Attire: T Begg Tailoring
Rings: Culet Jewellery
Photographer: Keryn Sweeney
Videographer: Grey Area Productions
Flowers: Ruth Fiona Floral
Wedding song: Someone Like You - Van Morrison
“I loved being a Trish Peng bride for so many reasons. Working with Trish herself meant so much to me. She was effortless and calm in her approach, and that really made a difference throughout the process. I didn't think I would be able to be so calm, but I was because Trish and her team were!”
Tell us the story of how you met your partner
We met through friends at a party. However, we didn’t really speak to one another at the first meeting as it was loud and late by the time Chris arrived! It wasn’t until I was at an event with a mutual friend of ours who turned to me out of the blue and said “oh my goodness, I’ve just realised you should be with Chris Wiggins!!! You two are so similar - how have a not realised this before!” this friend then proceeded to invite him over to have some drinks with us all (without me knowing) and the rest came so easily… I thought Chris was so vibrant, uninhibited, kind, warm, handsome and confident and I knew he would be my husband!
Tell us about the proposal story…
I am not usually surprised, but Chris did a wonderful job of keeping the proposal under wraps! He picked me up early from work one day and had packed all of the things I needed for a weekend away. We ended up staying at Parohe, a wellness retreat on Kawai Island, totally isolated with just wonderful people running it. You can go for massages, enjoy stunning meals, go on hikes, do yoga, and kayak. He proposed within an hour of getting there, making me think we were just going for dinner, and then we got to bask in it for the rest of the weekend! It was total bliss! I want to go back there for our anniversary!
What was your biggest source of inspiration when planning your wedding? Did you have a specific theme/aesthetic?
There wasn’t one source of inspiration, but rather an overall feeling I knew I wanted to capture. It was something I could feel, and I knew it when I saw it. I really wanted that look of European elegance and opulence - lots of greenery, soft draping, florals, and candles. Nothing too stark, but instead a palette of creams, deep crimson, and petal pinks woven through the florals, drapery and backdrop of the setting.
What was your most memorable moment from your wedding day?
The vows were such an incredible moment. We both felt a massive sense of calm and peace. That feeling flowed into the signing, and getting a few moments with just the two of us at the signing table to take it all in was really special - knowing we had just done it, it was like walking on air!
The second highlight for us would have to be the speeches. We still cannot get over every single sentence in each person’s speech. The effort that the people we love went to for us still makes us both cry even now. We made sure we had the time to sit and really absorb them, rather than rushing off for too many photos, and we are so glad we did. You don’t often get to hear from your loved ones just how much they love you in a setting like that, and we will never forget it.
Tell us the story behind your dress
I actually came to Trish with a completely different idea in mind. I was looking for a fitted lace dress and had a couple in mind to try on. When I arrived, Trish handed me a dress and asked me to try that one first. It was from her new collection at the time and was only just about to be released. I tried that along with maybe five others, and then tried the first one on again… and that turned out to be the dress! Trish had a gut feeling, and she was right. I loved my dress so much. It was classic and timeless in such a beautiful way. We ended up making a few minor tweaks for my body type, but in the end it was the Lydia gown, all the way!
I always knew I wanted a second dress, and I showed Trish some inspiration photos. She took one look at them and drew up a dress within the hour, with me still there! When I finally came to try it on, it was even better than the inspiration photo. It was short, fitted, and lace, and just the most perfect little package of a dress I have ever seen!
Did you have a honeymoon after the big day? If so, where did you go?
Yes, we went to Tokoriki Island Resort on Tokoriki Island in Fiji, and it was unbelievable. We left within two days of the wedding, and that was absolutely the right thing for us. We were both so tired and just ready for some quiet time together.
Leaving so soon meant we could completely switch off from any busyness and spend our time relaxing. We had eight days there, and it was exactly what we needed. The island is predominantly couples and has such a romantic feel to it. We stayed in a private villa with a pool right on the beach. It almost feels pretend thinking about it now - it was that picturesque!
What piece of advice would you give to future brides who are planning their special day?
I spent a lot of time in the beginning going back and forth about whether to have a big wedding or not. There was a point when I thought we should elope, just the two of us in Italy, but in the end, we went the other way and went all out! I think I would have loved either option, but I’m glad we did the big thing. We have memories with people not just from the wedding day itself, but from the whole experience surrounding it, and that’s something you just don’t get in the same way otherwise.
It was such a wonderful experience to share with our closest family and friends over an entire weekend. We all stayed together at the McCallum Estate in Clevedon, and I loved that part so much too. It felt like it really stretched the celebration out and gave us more time together. So, in saying all of that, my advice would be to really do what you think your future self will look back on and be happiest with, beause that is what you are left with once it is all done!
What does it feel like to be a Trish Peng bride?
I loved being a Trish Peng bride for so many reasons. Working with Trish herself meant so much to me. She was effortless and calm in her approach, and that really made a difference throughout the process. I didn't think I would be able to be so calm, but I was because Trish and her team were!
Being from New Zealand, it was also special to work with a New Zealand brand. The entire experience was easy from start to finish, and I felt like I was in supportive hands the whole time.
We also had Trish’s husband, Tim Begg of T. Begg Tailoring, make Chris’s suit, which made it even more special. Chris absolutely loved the experience. One of my favourite details was that Trish took a piece of fabric from my dress and gave it to Tim to turn into a pocket square for Chris. Chris was then given it on the wedding day to wear, which was such a thoughtful and meaningful touch.
