14/07/2023
Such a fun night out!
Still on the fence about entering this year's event? Listen to what our 2022 winner, Olivia, has to say about her experience!
I was quite reluctant about entering Bride of the Year, but my mum, Gran, aunties, and husband were keen to see me in my dress again. My friends all bought tickets and came along to support too so it was a night out for everyone! I thought I hadn’t known anyone who had been in it before - it wasn’t until I started to share with people that I had entered that people would share they had entered years or even decades before!
For me, I was very reluctant - the pageantry aspect was not up my alley, but I knew that was all a part of it. I got to choose music that I loved from our wedding that I could have fun with on the runway. I knew all the contestants were in the same boat, so it wasn’t as if I were doing it by myself. I thought the nerves would get the best of me, but everyone was in good spirits and enjoying the night and so did I.
Because I’d bought my dress online, it was really lovely to be able to experience all the other ladies in their dresses too, and see their fabrics and styles.
It was also super special to be able to share my korowai with everyone, and in turn see the really personal touches, like jackets, or bare feet for beach weddings, that the Brides had incorporated into their own days, and be able to share them with the audience.
The camaraderie backstage with the other Brides was lovely – there was a live feed so we could see each other going down the runway, and hear the commentary and see the photos of each other’s big days, and also reminisce backstage together. It felt like we got to enjoy the show along with the audience.
I would say to anyone on the fence about entering, absolutely go for it – the worst that can happen is that you get to meet some lovely people and have some delicious food and drinks, while getting to wear your dress again!
