The Kiwi Wedding Podcast

Lydia Rachel
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A podcast for New Zealand brides and grooms to hear first-hand wedding stories, tips from vendors, and wedding planning advice. Created by Auckland Wedding Photographer Lydia Rachel @lydiarachelphoto

  1. 3D AGO

    132. Robyn Munro - Bridal Hair Stylist, Founder of Robyn Munro Hair

    This week, I’m joined by Robyn Munro, a bridal hair specialist with decades of experience in the wedding world. We dive into everything from what actually happens at a hair trial to how to create a calm, joyful wedding morning without the stress. If you’re planning your day right now, this one is packed with practical advice. We chat about: 💜 How Robyn carved out a niche in bridal hair (and why not every hairdresser wants to do weddings) 💜 What a hair trial is really for: testing products, curl patterns, timing, and the overall plan 💜 Whether you should book hair and makeup trials on the same day 💜 Wedding morning flow and why strict run sheets can sometimes create more stress than calm 💜 Booking a hair + makeup team vs booking separately, and the pros and cons of both 💜 Pre-wedding hair prep, from scalp health to colour placement and timing your cut 💜 Busting the “dirty hair is better” myth (and why clean, dry hair is usually best) 💜 Current wedding hair trends: softer, bigger waves, sleeker updos, and half-up half-down having a moment 💜 How to choose a hairstyle that suits your dress, venue, vibe, face shape, and the NZ weather 💜 Budget expectations for bridal hair and what actually influences pricing, from experience to travel and time …and so much more! Let me know what you think of this episode. Follow Robyn: @robynmunrohair If you loved this conversation, go check out the photos and follow along at @thekiwiweddingpodcast and @lydiarachelphoto for more real NZ wedding inspiration. 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.

    53 min

  2. FEB 9

    131. Glasshouse Morningside Wedding with Bride Kelly Meharg

    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 Kelly, who shares the full story of planning a wedding that felt completely true to her and her husband, from a modern meet-cute to a fun, personality-filled celebration in Auckland. Kelly talks openly about what mattered most to them when planning their day, how they made decisions without getting swept up in wedding “shoulds”, and why guest experience was always the priority. This episode is packed with honest reflections, practical advice, and plenty of moments that will make you laugh and nod along. We chat about: 💜 How Kelly and Mike met and the New York proposal, where Mike waited until the moment felt right 💜 Choosing The Glasshouse as their venue and why being weather-proof in NZ was non-negotiable 💜 Planning a cocktail-style wedding with no sit-down dinner, and focusing on great food, drinks, and music 💜 Kelly’s dress shopping experience at Hera Couture, including a very memorable fire alarm moment 💜 The mental load of wedding planning alongside work and real life 💜 Bridesmaids dresses, decision fatigue, and what Kelly would do differently next time 💜 Making the day feel personal with thoughtful details like a custom newspaper, handwritten notes for guests, and fun favours 💜 Budgeting honestly, what they chose to prioritise, and why photo and video mattered so much to them 💜 Letting go of perfection, trusting your vendors, and remembering you’re the guest of honour, not the host …and so much more! Let me know what you think of this episode. You can check out photos from Kelly’s wedding over on Instagram - and make sure you are following ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Lydia ⁠⁠⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠⁠⁠  Find all K & M’s amazing vendors: Location: @glasshouse.nz Dress: @heracouture  Photography: @ashmuirphoto Videographer: @flatrocfilms Flowers: @floralcentric Hair: @jules_armishaw_makeupstyling Makeup: @katesmithmakeup Candle Installation: @revelandlight Crane Machine: @kiwikrane Band: @velvettonesnz Kelly's Wedding Featured on Capsule Wedding Dress Shopping Experience

    46 min

  3. FEB 2

    130. French Bay Yacht Club Wedding with Bride Libby Davison, Celebrant & MC, Founder of Love on the Run & Manager of View 14 Accommodation

    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 Libby, a celebrant, founder of Love on the Run Weddings, and all-round straight-talker when it comes to weddings. Libby shares her own wedding experience alongside what she’s learned working in the industry, with plenty of honest, practical advice for couples who want a day that feels relaxed, personal, and genuinely enjoyable. We chat about: 💜 Libby’s own wedding day, including a bright, fun DIY approach and choosing what actually mattered to them 💜 Why photography and videography were non-negotiables, and why some things are worth spending properly on 💜 Letting go of the pressure for your wedding to be “the best day of your life” and why that mindset can actually ruin the experience 💜 Guest experience in a real, practical way, from plus ones to weather plans and comfort 💜 A clear explanation of what a registry wedding in New Zealand looks like now, including the rules, restrictions, and why many couples are surprised when they start researching it 💜 Libby’s business, Love on the Run, and how it offers a more flexible, affordable registry-style ceremony without all the usual limitations 💜 Why your wedding is not a performance, you can’t fail, and sometimes the moments that don’t go to plan end up being the best ones …and so much more! Follow Libby: @loveandlibertynz @loveontherun_weddings @view14_house Let me know what you think of this episode! You can check out photos from Libby’s wedding and businesses over on Instagram - and make sure you are following ⁠⁠⁠@thekiwiweddingpodcast ⁠⁠⁠ Follow Lydia ⁠⁠⁠@lydiarachelphoto⁠⁠⁠  Find all L & B’s amazing vendors: Photo & Video: @chris_turner_weddings Celebrant: @marriedbybex Dress & Veil: @harriettfalvey Makeup: @rachelmackwood Hair: Mackenzie Hair Coromandel Venue: French Bay Yacht Club Furniture: @flockevents Catering: @drifterspizza Cake: @zi__sweet (currently closed)

    1h 13m

  4. JAN 26

    129. Sumba Destination Elopement with Bride Laura Mohi Ryan

    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.

    52 min

  5. JAN 19

    128. Haley & Tess, Co-founders of Slay My Day

    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 🤍

    34 min

  6. JAN 12

    127. Queenstown Wedding with Bride Trish Peng, Founder & Creative Director of Trish Peng

    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

    39 min

  7. JAN 11 · BONUS

    BONUS: TKWP Live 2025 Event with Guests Kate Solley, Trish Peng & Astrid Braid

    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

    52 min

  8. 12/31/2025 · BONUS

    BONUS: Win Your Wedding Photography - GIVEAWAY

    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 giveawayWho this giveaway is perfect for (and a few important eligibility details)How and where to enterKey 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.

    4 min
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About

A podcast for New Zealand brides and grooms to hear first-hand wedding stories, tips from vendors, and wedding planning advice. Created by Auckland Wedding Photographer Lydia Rachel @lydiarachelphoto

Information

  • Creator
    Lydia Rachel
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lydia Rachel
  • Show Website
    The Kiwi Wedding Podcast

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