How our story started...
Our journey started together in 2013, I was a full-time student studying at Victoria University and Azriel had recently joined the Defence Force.
We met on a fateful night out clubbing and have been hooked on each other ever since!
What caught Azriel's eye about Te Aue when we met: Azriel couldn't get enough of my salsa moves which I regularly pulls out after a couple glasses of wine.
Te Aue's first impression when we met: Surprised that we had so much in common, including massive game of throne nerds, fans of old school hip hop anthems and a shared love for good food!
We fell for each other fast...
It didn't take Azriel and l long to figure out that we were a match made in heaven. Azriel was only two months in to our relationship and ended up meeting my closest family and friends at my 21st birthday, and shortly after we were planning their first overseas trip together!
One of Azriel's favourite first dates:
Watching fireworks from a boat docked in the Wellington harbour surrounded by my good friends from high school. No better way to tell who someone really is then getting the inside scoop from close friends about their childhood stories!
Te Aue's best date:
Drinking hot chocolates with a beautiful sunset backdrop at the iconic 'Wellington Boat Sheds' next to Oriental Bay - Can't beat Wellington on a good day!
Creating memories abroad together...
Our first trip overseas together was an important next step in our story. It was spent snorkelling Fiji's finest coral coasts, drinking coconut cocktails and enjoying the beautiful tropical climate of Fiji.
To date we have travelled to Australia, Fiji, Bali and Hawai'i making memories to last a lifetime and learning a thing or two about one and other on the way - the next big trip abroad will be our honeymoon!
Azriel's #1 tip for traveling with Te Aue: "Leave her at home".... hahahaha
Te Aue's favourite holiday away together: Hawai'i was an absolute dream with the most memorable moment spent together being in the calm blue waters of the Pacific swimming up close with Green Sea Turtles - literally magical!
Bye bye Pōneke...
Four years on and Azriel and I decided to take our next big step together! Azriel's promotion came with a location transfer to Auckland and I decided that I was up for getting out of my comfort zone and jumped at the opportunity to move too.
The first year was a big adjustment, new city, new jobs and a new way of life! Two years on, we are now settled in a place of our own, have the support of Azriel's family and we've made awesome new friends - not to mention adopting four adorable fur babies along the way! ;)
Te Aue's favourite place to go in Auckland: Loves escaping the city hustle and bustle for a beautiful sunny day at Maraetai beach, or equal love for an evening on the Viaduct with oysters and a good sav in hand!
Azriel's advice about Auckland: Be a tourist, hit the sights and experiment with different food.
Azriel got down on one knee and popped the question to me in his own special way - this took me by complete surprise and my response of shock showed it, nevertheless, I was absolutely stoked!
We spent our engagement weekend loved up together north of Auckland in Mangawhai surrounded by friends, good food and lots of laughter!
Azriel's thoughts leading up to the proposal: I wanted it to be intimate and personal but I also knew it had to be extra af for Te Aue. Hence the Harry Potter adventure!
Te Aue's most memorable moment sharing the big news: After the big proposal, I called my parents immediately and told them, and to my surprise, my dad sighed with relief and said "Well it is about bloody time, Azriel told us he was going to pop the question over a year ago and you know I suck at keeping secrets!"
A lot has happened in our journey since we got engaged over a year and a half ago, experiencing many highs and a few lows throughout the wedding planning process!
We threw a fabulous engagement party in Auckland where friends joined from a near and far, our families have come together for the first time, the DRESS has been purchased and the perfect wedding venue has been found. Now the wedding website is being launched and it all feels real in preparation for the big day in 10 months time!
Azriel's happiest memory throughout our wedding planning: THE END...
Te Aue's top piece of wedding advice: Communication is key to everything! Whether it is with your partner and you have different needs and expectations of the big day, or whether it is having hard conversations with those you love, it comes back to communication!