The Kiwi Wedding Podcast

Join THE LOVE LETTER BY LYDIA RACHEL, a fortnightly note from me with wedding inspiration, podcast highlights, real weddings I’m capturing, and a few things I’ve been loving lately.

This week, I’m joined by Laura Mohi Ryan, founder of Wild Pilates, and recent bride. We’re chatting all about her somewhat unconventional wedding-planning journey.

Laura and her husband Liam had been together for 14 years. Instead of planning a big wedding straight away, they ended up doing something that suited them perfectly, an epic Indonesian elopement on Sumba Island, just the two of them, plus a photographer and videographer who flew over from Bali.

We chat about:
💜 How Laura and Liam met, and the Italy proposal that totally shocked her (in the best way)
💜 Why they stayed engaged for a couple of years and how that shaped their wedding choices
💜 The “write your list separately” exercise that helped them figure out what actually mattered
💜 Deciding to elope, not inviting anyone, and why they didn’t tell family and friends until afterwards
💜 What their wedding day looked like on Sumba Island, from ocean swims to vows on the sand
💜 Finding her dream two-piece outfit at LVR Bridal, plus the veil moment she didn’t see coming
💜 Doing her own hair and makeup, and the one thing she recommends if you have to DIY it
💜 The best way to tell friends and family afterwards (and why a few sneak peek photos helped)
💜 Budgeting for an elopement without it quietly turning into the cost of a small wedding anyway
💜 Laura’s advice for couples planning right now, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed
💜 A little intro to Wild Pilates and her healthy, realistic approach to feeling good in your body leading up to a wedding

…and so much more!

Follow Laura:
@wildpilates
@lauramohiryan 

Let me know what you think of this episode!

You can check out photos from Laura and Liam’s wedding over on Instagram - and make sure you are following ⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast ⁠⁠
Follow Lydia ⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠ 

Find all L & L’s amazing vendors:
Location, Celebrant & Catering: @thesanubari
Photographer: @imanperdana 
Videographer:  @alokjosaphat 
Bride’s Outfit: @lvr_bridal 
Bride’s Shoes: @paris__georgia 
Groom’s Outfit: @porterjamessports 
Groom’s Shoes: @drmartensnewzealand 
Rings: @colinbartlett 
Makeup & Hair: Bride @lauramohiryan
Pre-wedding makeup lesson: @katesolleymakeup

Also featured on Together Journal.

This week, I’m joined by Tess and Hayley, the founders behind Slay My Day, a brand-new, all-in-one platform built to make wedding planning easier for couples and more transparent, inclusive, and accessible for vendors across Aotearoa.

Between them (and co-founder Carla), they bring years of experience across digital marketing, tourism, elopements, photography, and hands-on wedding work. After seeing first-hand how overwhelming planning can be, and how limited or expensive existing directories often are, they decided to build something better.

We chat about:
💜 How Slay My Day came to life and the gaps it’s designed to fill
💜 Why wedding planning can feel so overwhelming, and how having everything in one place helps
💜 Supporting couples to plan their day their way, without pressure or outdated expectations
💜 What makes Slay My Day different from traditional wedding directories
💜 The vendor dashboard, analytics, and why transparency matters
💜 Regional searching and helping couples find the right vendors at the right time
💜 The upcoming recycle marketplace and the importance of sustainability in weddings
💜 Current wedding trends, from smaller, more personal celebrations to doing things differently
💜 Advice for couples planning their wedding right now
💜 Their big-picture vision for the future of weddings and events in New Zealand
…and so much more!

Follow Slay My Day: 
Online: slaymyday.com
On Instagram: @slaymyday.nz

Let me know what you think of this episode!

Follow on IG: ⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast⁠ and ⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠ 🤍

LAST CHANCE to enter to win your wedding photography, enter by midnight 17th Jan 2026:
ENTER HERE

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Trish Peng, bridal designer, business owner, and one of the most recognisable names in the New Zealand wedding industry. Trish shares her journey not only as a bride, but as someone who lives and breathes weddings every single day.

We chat about:
💜 A full-circle love story involving a 21st birthday, Fashion Week, and a very well-timed dating-app reconnection
💜 A surprise proposal complete with a picnic at the Auckland Domain
💜 Planning a Queenstown wedding while running a busy business
💜 Designing four wedding dresses for her own day, including a first look dress and a party mini
💜 Managing expectations and pressure as a designer bride
💜 Guest list rules, budget realities, and why your wedding isn’t a family reunion
💜 The importance of carving out time with your partner on the wedding day
💜 Life after the wedding and avoiding post-wedding blues
💜 Building a global bridal brand, going viral on TikTok, and growing a business over 11+ years
💜 Dress shopping advice every bride needs to hear, from timelines to try-ons and trusting your gut
💜 Current bridal trends, minis, basque waists, and choosing a dress that truly feels like you

…and so much more!

Follow Trish: @trishpeng

Let me know what you think of this episode!

If you’d like to see photos from Trish’s wedding day and get inspired by the incredible vendors involved, check them out and give them some love over on @thekiwiweddingpodcast and @lydiarachelphoto 🤍

Find all T & T’s amazing vendors:
Location: Private Estate - Colpo Di Fulmine in Queenstown
Bride's Gowns: Custom @trishpeng
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: @t.beggtailoring
Bridesmaids Dresses: Custom⁠ ⁠@trishpeng⁠
Wedding Planner & Stylist: @onefinedayweddings
Photographer: @jonnyscottphoto
Videographer: @cameronandalannah
Florals: @michelecoomeyfloral
Furniture: @hayleythehirer (now part of Flock Events)
Lighting, Draping & Chandeliers: @lalumiere_nz
Candle Installation: @revelandlight
Hair: @boutiquebride 
Makeup: @katesolleymakeup
Diamonds & Rings: @thediamondshop
Cars: Volkswagen for the bridal party
Ford Mustang: @muzz_and_molly
Cake: @sophieroseannacakes
Event Stationery: @papierhqevents
Invitation Design: @brandedstudioco
Invitation Printing: @paperlust.co
Marquee: @trulyyours_events
Singer & Pianist: @shaun_preston
Champagne: Moet
Espresso Martinis: @batchedcocktails
DJ: @jupiterproject
Celebrant: @michaelgoudie
Bridal Muse Budgeting Template

Also featured on:
Trish Peng Online
Jonny Scott
One Fine Day
Wedding Style

Surprise! Popping into your feeds today with a bonus episode, a recording from our live in-person event back in August 2025.

This includes my conversations with makeup artist Kate Solley, bridal designer Trish Peng and wedding planner Astrid from PS. I Love You and Forever Starts Now. Also, some of the Q&A we had with all of them.

I hope this episode gives you a taste of what a TKWP live event is like, and I look forward to planning more in 2026.

Follow the Podcast: @thekiwiweddingpodcast
Follow Lydia: @lydiarachelphoto

ENTER the giveaway: https://lydiarachel.com/wedding-giveaway

Listen to Kate’s full episode here, episode 105.

See photos from the event HERE.

Huge thank you to all our event sponsors and supporting vendors. I could not have pulled off this event without you!

Venue - @tada.creatives
Florals - @wildly.madly.deeply
Cake/treats - @ignatura.nz
Together Journal - @togetherjournal
Candles - @thesandcandlesnz
Champagne Towers - @champagnetowers_nz
Uncommon Wines - @wearetheuncommon_nz
Elta Ego - @elta_ego
Daeli Electrolytes - @drinkdaeli
Betty Bars - @goodbettyco
The Revelry - @therevelry_
Dermalogica - @dermalogicanz
Skintopia - @skintopianz
The Facialist - @thefacialist_
Nomu - @nomumatcha_
Blak Bridesmaids - @blakbridesmaids
Nuzest - @nuzest
Radix - @radixnutrition
Melitta - @melittaskin
Skinsmiths - @caci_nz @skinsmiths
Slay My Day - @slaymyday.nz
Photographer - @brijanacatoweddings 
Content - @your.momentsnz
Trish Peng - @trishpeng @trish.peng
Kate Solley - @katesolleymakeup
Astrid Braid - @psiloveyoueventsnz & @foreverstartsnow_
Linen - @tble__linen__hire

This week, I’m popping into your feed with a little bonus episode to share something very special I’ve been planning.

To celebrate summer and over a decade of photographing weddings, I’m giving one couple the chance to win their full wedding photography package with me, Lydia Rachel Photography.

ENTER HERE

This is something I’ve never done before, and I’m so excited to finally share all the details with you.

💜 We chat about:
What’s included in the wedding photography giveaway
Who this giveaway is perfect for (and a few important eligibility details)
How and where to enter
Key dates, including when entries close and when the winner will be announced

If you’re recently engaged, in the early stages of planning, or know someone who would love this, make sure you listen in and head to the entry form.

ENTER HERE

Follow:@lydiarachelphoto@thekiwiweddingpodcast

Keep an eye on Instagram for updates, reminders, and the winner announcement.