The Kiwi Wedding Podcast

In this episode, I chat with the lovely Liv Clarke about her sweet supermarket romance with Leighton, their surprise Fiji proposal, and how they pulled off a fun, relaxed Tree Church wedding that truly felt like them. 

💜 From grocery checkouts to saying “I do”… the sweet way Liv and Leighton’s story began.

💜 How a group trip to Fiji turned into the ultimate surprise proposal. 

💜 Why they secretly planned a small wedding and a s...

In this episode, I’m chatting with the lovely Johanna about how she planned her warm and rustic wedding at Church Road Winery, stayed organised, and made the most of every moment with her friends and family.

💜 How they matched on Tinder and ended up getting married on the same date as their very first kiss. 

💜 Picking a venue that ticked every box, including that all-important wet weather option. 

💜 Their practical approach to ...

In this episode, I sat down with the creative soulmates behind one of the coolest bridal boutiques in Aotearoa, Lauren and Jacque from LVR. 

These two are fashion lovers, besties, and the brains behind a bridal space that’s anything but traditional. We chatted all about how their love for design (and each other!) turned into a one-of-a-kind wedding dress destination for modern, stylish brides.

We chat about: 💜 How Lauren and...

In this special bonus episode, it’s just me - no guest, just your host, Lydia answering all your questions! I'm chatting about the podcast, my photography business, and all things weddings. From how it all began, to episode recommendations and some surprises coming up.

💜 Why I started the podcast and how it’s grown to 100+ episodes 

💜 How I choose podcast guests 

💜 My journey into wedding photography and how I’d describe my...

We’ve hit a big milestone - episode 100 of The Kiwi Wedding Podcast. Whether you’ve been here since the early days or recently discovered the show, thank you for listening. It’s been such a privilege to share real wedding stories, advice, and inspiration with you… Cheers to the next 100!

To celebrate this episode, I’m joined by someone extra special, my lovely friend Kristie. I had the honour of photographing her Nelson wedding,...

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wedding planning, today’s episode is exactly what you need. I chat with the lovely and incredibly down-to-earth Julz from Dream Events - a wedding planner, on-the-day coordinator, and all-round calming presence in the chaos that can be planning a wedding.

Julz brings a wealth of practical experience and heartfelt advice to the table, whether you're just getting started or need support p...

In this episode, I’m joined by Johnelle, recently married and also a celebrant, MC, and on-the-day coordinator at I Do Ceremonies. She shares her honest and thoughtful perspective on both planning her own wedding and working behind the scenes at dozens of others.

A few things we cover:

💜 Reconnecting with her now-husband years after high school, and how their relationship shaped the way they planned their day.

💜 How they created...

In today’s episode, I'm sharing my chat with beautiful Clara, recent bride and wedding dress designer, we love to hear both perspectives!

A few things we cover:

💜 Clara met her husband Tom on Tinder and they instantly clicked. He proposed with a sweet, well-planned surprise involving a seaplane, a beach, and a heartfelt speech.

💜 They chose the Tree Church for its beauty and flexibility, especially being able to bring their ...

In today’s episode, I'm sharing my lovely chat with Chloe, a recent bride, married at Stoneridge Estate in Queenstown.

A few things we cover:

💜 Getting engaged in the most Gossip Girl-worthy way (yes, at the top of the Empire State Building 😍).

💜 Choosing a destination wedding in Queenstown and why Stoneridge was the perfect venue.

💜 Getting a custom Brooke Tyson Ritual wedding dress made and changing up her look with a bea...

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with the lovely Steph. Recent bride and the founder of Bridal Fusion, where she offers a beautiful collection of bridal dresses, veils, accessories, and traditional Asian wedding attire.

Follow Steph: ⁠@bridalfusionbysteph⁠

⁠Steph’s Wedding Budget & Forecast Template

In this episode, she shares her own love story, how she and her husband Nick blended their Kiwi, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Br...

In today’s episode, I'm chatting with Lana about her gorgeous Southland wedding!

A few things we cover:

💜 Meeting her husband at a friend's wedding, where they were both in the bridal party.

💜 Her vision for a wedding that was fun, modern, and timeless.

💜 Choosing to celebrate their big day on the family farm, a spot that was significant to them and allowed their guests to stay on-site.

💜 How their friends and family ral...

In today’s episode, I'm chatting with the lovely Greta about her gorgeous Hawke’s Bay wedding, and it’s such a good story!

Greta shares how she and her husband Sam met at ballroom dancing when they were teenagers, their surprise proposal after twelve years together, and the journey of planning a beautiful alfresco-style wedding, with a few wild weather curveballs thrown in!

A few things we cover:

💜 Planning a wedding at a...

On today’s episode I’m chatting with the lovely Kirsten. All about her wedding(s) in 2019 and her business Amplified Cosmetica.

A few things we cover:

💜 Meeting as teenagers through mutual friends at a wine festival.

💜 Starting out in a long-distance relationship, chasing their career goals, moving to Australia together, travelling and then moving home to be close to family.

💜 Navigating some terminal diagnoses on both sides of ...

On today’s episode I share my chat with the gorgeous Rebecca, all about her love story and destination wedding in Bali.

A few things we cover:

💜 Meeting online, going away on their travels and then reconnecting at the right time.

💜 A surprise trip to Cairns, a helicopter ride and a beautiful proposal in the middle of the ocean.

💜 Starting her research straight away and immediately deciding to use a wedding planner.

💜 Comparing N...

The beautiful Kaitlyn joins us on the podcast today! Recent bride, married at Te Miro Woolshed.

A few things we cover:

💜 Knowing each other for years and then going from friends to something more.

💜 Starting their family together and navigating parenthood before marriage.

💜 A surprise proposal in a beautiful spot, being heavily pregnant and including a toddler mid-tantrum.

💜 Prioritising capturing memories and having delicious f...

Lovely Georgia joins us on the podcast today! Recent bride, owner of Something Special Events, and Co-host of Your Wedding Besties Podcast.

A few things we cover:

💜 Meeting at a high-school McDonalds job and getting engaged in America.

💜 The hunt for a venue in the Wellington/Wairarapa area and why Rose and Smith ending up ticking all their boxes.

💜 Gaining inspiration from an influencer’s wedding style and ending up getting a s...

Recent bride Tyler, founder of New & Nui joins us on the podcast today!

A few things we cover:

💜 A dating app match and a surprise proposal that she unknowingly organised part of.

💜 Prioritising the overall look and style, as well as the party (food and alcohol), which contributed to deciding on their venue.

💜 Convincing her parents to let them get married on their farm and all the pros and cons of a full build-from-scratch ...

Recent bride Cat joins us on the podcast today! Married at the beautiful Black Walnut Venue, she shares her wisdom.

A few things we cover:

💜 A friend set-up, uni party days in Dunedin and how they found each other amongst it all.

💜 A beautiful candlelit proposal, preluded with a few sneaky suspicions from Cat.

💜 Finding their perfect “hype-woman” photographer to make things fun and relaxed as a couple that doesn’t particular...

The lovely Maia joins us on the podcast today. Married at Woodlands Estate in the Waikato, she shares her experience.

A few things we cover:

💜 Their meet-cute over a burrito purchase.

💜 A first date that lasted a whole day, dress-up party included.

💜 A beautiful sunset proposal which took her completely by surprise.

💜 A very special engagement ring from Courtney Marama.

💜 The process of finding exactly the right venue.

💜 Decidin...