An Edgy & Vibrant Chinese Wedding in a Romantic Cathedral in Auckland

Some weddings are built around a place, others around a feeling — Taosha and Raven's celebration found its rhythm in both. Held entirely within the historic walls of St. Matthew-in-the-City in Auckland, every chapter of the day flowed through a single space, transformed from ceremony to reception with remarkable precision. Guided by the couple's concept of NOW, inspired by the Chinese character for "clock", the design explored time not as something to chase, but as something to inhabit. Waves of sculptural red florals swept through the church, antique silver added depth and intimacy to the tablescape, while Chinese red dates quietly threaded heritage into the styling. The atmosphere felt immersive, thoughtful, and deeply personal, balancing contemporary event design with meaningful symbolism. Taosha's wardrobe mirrored the same layered approach: from a modern gown to a restored Edwardian wedding dress, each look carried its own story, before giving way to an effortlessly cool vintage ensemble for the evening. Every detail was intentional yet never overworked, creating a celebration that felt timeless, emotionally rich, and entirely true to the two people at its heart.

Our Love Story

The Day We Met

We met at the University Badminton Club in March 2014. I was in my first year of undergraduate study, and he was in the first year of his master's program.

The Proposal

We bought our house two years ago. He proposed one year after we finished the renovations. Behind our house is a forest, and he created a candlelit path leading from our back door into the trees, where he was waiting for me. I had been taking a nap and woke up to find the house dark and empty. Curious, I noticed the glowing candles and followed the path into the forest. At the end of it, I found him waiting for me, and that's where he proposed.

The Engagement Ring

The engagement ring was made with tiny flowers and leaves from our garden. We made each other's wedding rings at a local jewelry workshop.

Our Wedding

The Vision

We both have a Chinese character in our names (different characters) that means "clock." From there, we expanded the idea into the flow of time and eventually found the keyword: NOW. The W is the initial of my first name, while his initial, Z, becomes an N when rotated 90 degrees. The O represents the ring between us and the joining of our two families, connecting the initials from both sides. To us, NOW is also a reminder to live in the present—not to think too much about forever, but simply to cherish each moment as it comes. The color red was chosen simply because I have always loved it.

The Location

St. Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland, New Zealand

The Ceremony

The entire day took place at the church, allowing for a seamless transformation from ceremony to reception. The florist team began setting up at 5:00 a.m. for our 11:00 a.m. ceremony. After the ceremony, they quickly transformed the space—clearing the floral installations, removing the church pews, and arranging S-shaped tables for the reception, which began at 5:00 p.m.

The Reception

The reception catering was provided by a Chinese restaurant. The cake was made by our friend Mary.

The Special Touches

I incorporated pieces from my antique collection throughout the wedding. All of the silver-plated cups and candleholders came from my personal collection, adding a layered and timeless feel to the styling. The styling and florals were a beautiful interpretation of our concept, "FLOW," complementing the main theme, "NOW — the flow of time." The ceremony florals were designed like a wave moving through the church. The bouquet and boutonniere were inspired by Christian relics. Red dates were incorporated throughout the table styling as chopstick holders and decorative details, adding a subtle touch of Chinese tradition.

Our Favorite Moment

One of the most meaningful parts of our ceremony was the candle-lighting ritual. Our mothers each lit a candle on either side, making five candles in total. I used the flame from my mom's candle to light the second candle from the left, while he did the same from the right. Together, we then used our candles to light the center candle, symbolizing the union of our two families. It was a quiet, emotional moment that we will always remember.

Our Style

The Bridal Looks

For the first look I wore a gown by Chinese designer 66Atelier. I fell in love with it instantly. Shoes by Simone Rocha. For the main gown it was an Edwardian antique wedding dress that I purchased from a museum in the UK a few years ago. When I received it, the silk had already deteriorated and was badly damaged. It took me six months to source a matching silk and recreate the entire dress in my size with the help of friends. Reception and dance look were all vintage pieces sourced from secondhand markets.

The Groom Looks

Raven wore a custom white-tie tailcoat designed to complement my antique gown.

Our Wedding Party

We didn't have bridesmaids or groomsmen. Instead, we asked the gentlemen to wear dark suits and the ladies to wear cocktail dresses.

Our Advice

For the Planning Process

Start preparing as early as you can! I was still sewing my wedding gown until 3:00 a.m. on the morning of our wedding, while my husband was still polishing his sword. Reliable vendors are key—you won't have time to manage anything on your wedding day.

For On The Day

On the day itself, just relax and enjoy it. Things will unfold naturally, and the best moments often happen when you're not trying to control everything.

For Post-Wedding

A great photographer helps keep your special moments alive long after the wedding. Relax, enjoy the day, and return to memories you can quietly revisit for years to come.