After having no luck at home Helen Embleton took a flight half way round the world to find her perfect dress. Our WED2B real weddings feature reveals more about their story:

Helen Embleton and Dal Jandu are both originally from the UK but met while travelling in New Zealand. “I’m from Darlington and Dal is from Solihull but we met in a hostel in Auckland,” says Helen. “It was definitely love at first sight! Dal took me out for dinner and we chatted and giggled all night. We quickly fell in love with each other, and also New Zealand!”

The perfect proposal

The couple now live in New Zealand and Dal proposed at sunset at a local vineyard, surrounded by candles and petals. “It was just beautiful and a complete surprise,” says Helen.

Booking Gracehill Vineyard in Auckland for the reception was an easy decision but, when it came to her dress, Helen struggled to find 'The One’. “I’d been looking for a while but just hadn’t had that ‘wow’ moment everyone tells you about,” she says. “I then flew back to the UK to visit family and discovered WED2B.”

Real Weddings: Helen’s dream day down under

Finding 'The One'

Helen visited the WED2B Newcastle bridal shop with her family and instantly fell in love with the Bria wedding dress. “As soon as I came out the changing room I had that ‘wow’ moment,” she says. “I had lots of comments in store from other customers and I just knew it was 'The One'! It was the perfect blend of everything I wanted and I'd never seen anything like it. It was just beautiful with its lace sleeves, illusion back and long train. 

"The staff were amazing and nothing was too much trouble,” says Helen. “They even found a box for me to use on the plane and gave me advice on how to travel with it and what to tell the airline.”

Real Weddings: Helen’s dream day down under

The big day

Guests arrived at the venue by double-decker bus, a nod to the couple’s home country. The ceremony was held in the venue’s outside rotunda and Helen walked down the aisle to ‘Songbird’ by Eva Cassidy. Afterwards there were canapés and drinks followed by a three-course dinner.

“The most fun moment was the surprise ‘mash-up’ dance we did for our first dance, which finished with a conga round the room,” says Helen. “It was hilarious and got everyone in the party mood!”

Real Weddings: Helen’s dream day down under

Did your wedding have the wow factor? If you would like to be a part of our real weddings feature send your favourite photo to info@wed2b.co.uk and we’ll be in touch!