Finding the Fairytale

It was at a restaurant, on an unassuming night, that Dominique Wisniewski and Mark Francis first locked eyes. The connection, I am told, was immediate. So much so, that both insist it was love at first sight. Introduced through a mutual friend, the spark between them continued to grow, eventually evolving into a partnership marked by deep understanding, quiet loyalty and a shared vision for life. Now, 15 years after that fateful night and 11 years into their relationship, the recently-married pair continue to build something that feels meaningful and lasting.

Despite choosing to keep the ins and outs of their romance close to their chests, “that’s a secret,” Dominique laughs when I ask about their early courtship, the duo were clearly friends first, allowing their romantic feelings to develop naturally. Together, they have travelled, grown businesses and raised Mark’s children as a team. “Mark is my best friend,” Dominique says. “We’ve built this life brick by brick, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Mark is my best friend. We’ve built this life brick by brick, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Their engagement story feels straight from a film (albeit one with a distinctly New Zealand twist): a rainy Wednesday, a hoodie-clad Dominique eating chips in the car, and a reluctant walk through their property in Matakana. “He was really trying to get me out of the car, but it was raining, and I wasn’t keen,” Dominique recalls. “Then I saw a champagne bucket just as the sun came out, and suddenly he was down on one knee.” She doesn’t remember what Mark said, just that she cried happy tears for five minutes straight. The ring, designed entirely by Mark, was a total surprise despite, she tells me with a chuckle, years of hints and mood boards. “I’d sent thousands of photos,” she says. “But he went his own way, and it was perfect.”

While Dominique once dreamed of eloping, the couple ultimately opted for a grand, 200-guest wedding. “We wanted something classic,” she tells me. “A big, old-fashioned wedding, with all the bells and whistles.” But just as the course of true love never does run smooth, so too does the course of wedding planning, it seems, with Dominique telling me that the road to actually getting down the aisle wasn’t without its challenges (including a switch in wedding planners three months out that left them scrambling).That said, when the day finally arrived, everything came together for a wedding that felt on the one hand, jaw-dropping in scale, and on the other, intimate and romantic.

"I was weirdly relaxed," Dominique remembers. “I just wanted to get the show on the road. I was so excited.” Her favourite moment, she tells me, was walking down the aisle and seeing Mark’s reaction. “Standing in front of all our favourite people and saying we wanted to spend our lives together… it still makes me smile.”

Mark echoes the sentiment: “I felt calm and content. Seeing Dominique walk across the lawn was unforgettable. But my favourite part was walking out of the ceremony together to ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony' by The Verve. It was perfect.”

Fashion, unsurprisingly, was an essential part of their day. Dominique wore an off-the-shoulder Elie Saab gown from Helen Rodrigues boutique, a dress she says her younger self would have dreamt of, paired with gloves from Cornelia James, a custom embroidered veil, Jimmy Choo shoes and classic diamond studs. For the reception, she changed into a beaded Elie Saab mini dress covered in delicate organza flowers. Makeup was by Kiekie Stanners, hair by Amelia Mowat, and the overall look was timeless and undeniably elegant with just the right amount of drama.

Mark’s attire was equally considered: two custom Dadelszen suits. A cream tuxedo with French navy trousers for the ceremony, and a velvet midnight blue jacket for the reception. “Eddie [von Dadelszen] is a longtime friend,” he says. “He knows how to make me feel sharp.” Accessories included Louboutin shoes, a Tom Ford bow tie and custom rose gold cufflinks made by Dominique with their wedding monogram, “a special touch from our friend Scotty at Culet Jewellery.”

Styling details were opulent yet personal. Dominique tells me that she became obsessed with flowers during planning, enlisting the team from Roses Floral to create a sweeping floral arch of roses, orchids and peonies. Her bouquet, a heavy, glorious arrangement of peonies, set the tone. “The whole vibe was classic romance,” she says. Think monogrammed linen napkins, hundreds of candles, a five-tier cake and a chandelier-lit reception. The piece-de-resistance was the pair’s getaway car, a vintage 1969 SL280 Pagoda, complete with a ‘D&M’ plate.

Music played a pivotal role throughout the day. Dominique walked down the aisle to ‘With or Without You’ by U2, an unconventional but deeply personal choice. “It just felt right,” she says. Their first dance was underscored by Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’. “We spent months perfecting the playlist,” Mark says. “Music has always been important to us.”

Despite some classic weather woes (“don’t get married in November,” they both laugh) the day was a dream. “I wish I could bottle the feeling,” Dominique says. “That kind of joy is hard to replicate.”

Asked what makes their relationship work, both are quick to credit humour, shared values and a focus on spending quality time together. “We always prioritise fun,” Dominique says. “Even after all these years, we make time for date nights, it’s non-negotiable.” Mark adds, “She’s everything, clever, driven, loving. I’m drawn to how she makes me feel, and how she always, always shows up.”

Looking ahead, the couple are hopeful for the next chapter: experiencing parenthood together. “It would be a dream,” Dominique says. “To do that alongside Mark, to continue building our family, our life, it’s what I look forward to most." Mark agrees without hesitation. “Growing old with Dominique,” he says. “That’s the plan.”