A Private Estate Wedding at Colpo Di Fulmine in New Zealand
When Trish Peng was celebrating her 21st birthday in a room filled with friends and family, she had no idea her future husband would be at that party. Tim Begg was an unfamiliar face at the celebration, but – 12 years later – the two would find themselves getting married during a private estate wedding in New Zealand.
“With my involvement in the world of bridal and Tim’s background in men’s tailoring,” Trish shares, “we crossed paths backstage at New Zealand Fashion Week. However, it wasn’t until nearly a decade after our initial meeting that we made things official, and everything suddenly just fell into place. Since then, we have been inseparable.”
“Even now, I find little notes tucked away in unexpected places, on my laptop at work, by the coffee machine at home.”
The engagement took place on Christmas Eve, which also happens to be Trish’s birthday. Even though Trish says Tim is “always one to keep me on my toes and is filled with the most thoughtful surprises,” she wasn’t anticipating such a perfect holiday proposal.
“Blindfolded,” she recalls, “I was led to the most dreamy picnic setup, which I initially thought was the sweetest birthday gift. I was soaking in all the beauty surrounding me when Tim suddenly dropped to one knee. Needless to say, it was the easiest ‘yes’ of my life.”
Bridal Couture and Custom Wedding Wear
Since Trish and Tim have the unique advantage of collaborating with brides and grooms on a daily basis, they spent years mentally cataloguing different wedding planning tips. Thanks to their professional experience, the couple enjoyed a relatively easy wedding planning process and collaborated with a fantastic wedding planner. Most importantly, they made sure to never lost focus in terms of what their wedding celebration was truly about.
For the fashion designing bride, however, curating her dream wedding wardrobe was a whole different journey through the world of bridal couture.
“Over the years,” she says, “I had dressed over 1,500 brides, often daydreaming about my own wedding. I had so many ideas, it felt as if every scribble, every sketch, and snippet of inspiration built toward this very moment; and so, I settled on not one but four dresses!
For our first look, I chose a fitted beaded gown, then completely changed for the ceremony into a ballgown adorned with our signature 3D flowers. The ceremony dress alone took my expert team of couturiers over 600 hours of craftsmanship – a dress I will forever treasure. I later changed into a chic reception gown, and of course, I needed one of our custom iconic minis to dance the night away in.”
Trish’s bridal couture was beautifully complemented by the groom’s attire, which included two impeccably tailored suits. The bridal party and groomsmen were dressed in bespoke ensembles as well – custom Italian suits for the groomsmen, and custom Trish Peng gowns for the bridesmaids. The bridesmaids dresses were a nod to the very first evening gown Trish designed before finding her calling in bridal.
A Private Estate Wedding at Colpo Di Fulmine
The wedding took place at Colpo Di Fulmine – an exclusive private estate in Queenstown, New Zealand. The property, whose name translates to “love at first sight,” provided the couple with a breathtaking canvas, allowing them to customize every detail while surrounded by the most picturesque backdrop.
Every detail of the wedding day was thoughtfully curated, from the catering to the décor, creating a celebration space that was both personal and magical. Trish and Tim are also the first couple to celebrate their wedding at Colpo Di Fulmine, which made their big day feel even more special.
“As the day unfolded and we got to the speeches,” says the bride, “my dad took us down memory lane with a hilarious speech reminiscent of the one he gave at my 21st birthday.”
“That was a real full-circle moment for us,” the groom adds. “We could never have anticipated what the future held for Trish and me, but I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”
As the day turned to night, the couple found themselves dancing while surrounded by family and friends.
“It felt surreal to be surrounded by so much love and joy,” says Trish.
Honeymoons and Love Notes
After their whirlwind wedding experience, the newlyweds decompressed by staying in Queenstown for a relaxing mini-moon. That blissful pause was exactly what they needed before diving back into work and peak wedding season.
Shortly after, the couple jetted off for a dream honeymoon in the Maldives, where they enjoyed sunshine, poolside cocktails, and creating new memories together.
“Tim's love language is giving,” Trish says, “and even now, I find little notes tucked away in unexpected places, on my laptop at work, by the coffee machine at home. Each one is a reminder of his thoughtfulness – a small token of affection that continues to make me smile every day. As we look to the future, I can’t help but feel grateful for the path that led us here. Our journey has been far from ordinary, filled with unexpected twists. And as we embrace what lies ahead, I know that with Tim by my side, every adventure will be worth it.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Colpo Di Fulmine, Queenstown, New Zealand; Planner & Stylist: One Fine Day Weddings; Floral Design: Michele Coomey Floral; Furniture: Hayley the Hirer; Lighting, Draping & Chandeliers: La Lumiere; Candle Installation: Revel & Light; Caterer: Artisan Catering; Cake: Sophie Roseanna Cakes; Engagement Ring: The Diamond Shop; Wedding Dresses: Custom Trish Peng; Hair: Boutique Bride; Makeup: Kate Solley; Groom’s Attire: T.Begg Tailoring; Bridesmaids Dresses: Custom Trish Peng; Stationery: Paier HQ; Invitation Design: Ellen Studio; Invitation Printing: Paperlust; Marquee: Truly Yours; Entertainment: Shaun Preston; DJ: Jupiter Project; Cinematography: Cameron and Alannah; Photography: Jonny Scott