Society Insider: Auckland fashion dynasty daughter Georgette Pollock-Johnston’s fairytale wedding to the boy next door

The couple were great friends until 2018 when, discovering they were both single, romance ensued.

Engaged since 2024, Georgette tells Society Insider it was her “absolute fairytale wedding” and there were “so many important people in my and my mother’s life helping make all my dreams come true”.

The bride’s parents, Meegan Pollock-Johnson and Peter Johnston. Photo / Anupam Singh 

The couple’s traditional wedding on Friday was followed by a Bollywood-themed after-party on Saturday at Georgette’s parents’ lakeside holiday home.

The home has played host to some famous guest visits in the past, including British pop superstar Sam Smith, US music producer Quincy Jones and an array of New Zealand motorsport royalty, including Sir Scott Dixon.

The family booked out holiday homes along the bay for the more than 100 guests in attendance, who drove to the lake or flew in by plane and helicopter.

Brahma, Raj and Deborah Sharma.  Photo / Anupam Singh 

Rich-list guests at the wedding included Georgia’s aunt, Cara Pollock Turner, with her husband, Sleepyhead’s Craig Turner and their children, as well as James Kirkpatrick Group managing director James Kirkpatrick jnr and his wife, photographer Olivia.

Cameo, Craig, Cara and Carlos Turner at Raj Sharma and Georgette Pollock-Johnston’s lakeside wedding. Photo / Anupam Singh 

Georgette says Raj complements her madness and creativity, that he is her calm and stability when life feels like a whirlwind, and that there was no one else she could do life with.

Raj says he is “over the moon I got to marry my best friend and spend the rest of our lives together”.

Not long into their relationship, Georgette moved to New York to work in the fashion industry. Raj worked in finance at the time, so was able to join her to work from there.

Georgette Pollock-Johnston and Raj Sharma at their lakeside wedding. Photo / Danelle Bohane 

Georgette worked as a fashion stylist for Vogue, Elle USA, Armani, J.Crew and Gucci. She was also an assistant to US-based, expat Kiwi stylist to the rich and famous, Brent Lawler, whose clients have included Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman and music stars Celine Dion and Rita Ora.

On a trip home in 2020, lockdowns hit and the couple stayed. Raj has since carved out a sizeable niche in the Eastern Bays’ real estate scene, where the couple has bought, renovated and recently sold their first home.

Newlyweds Georgette Pollock-Johnston and Raj Sharma. Photo / Danelle Bohane

Georgette has a studio in Newmarket where she has become in demand with her business, Styled by G, where she is a colour analyst and fashion stylist.

The pair became engaged in 2024, while staying at The Royal Hawaiian in Honolulu, where Raj proposed with an three-stone, Ashoka-cut diamond ring from Partridge Jewellers.

The unique cut features 62 facets, creating an elongated appearance.

Georgette is her mother’s only child and she says her mother started planning her wedding from the moment she knew she was having a girl.

Mother and daughter travelled to New York last October, when Georgette was asked to do a presentation on colour analysis at the Women’s Wear Daily CEO summit.

The trip gave the bride-to-be time to meet with Lawler, who helped create several hair pieces for Georgette to wear for her wedding. Lawler then brought them with him when he travelled to New Zealand for the big event.

“Brent and I had a few practice runs, and he created five looks [for me]: the rehearsal dinner, the wedding, the reception, the Bollywood party, and he even gave me a blow wave before my honeymoon,” says Georgette.

Brent Lawler fixes Georgette Pollock-Johnston’s veil. Photo / Danelle Bohane 

She worked with the luxury Parnell atelier Natalie Rose Bridal for her wedding and party dresses, which Georgette describes as the closest thing New Zealand has to Vivienne Westwood.

Her wedding dress was a custom couture, fully corseted, draped, ruched white dress, with a 5m train, accentuated by hand-beaded, custom mirrored rhinestones, complemented by a diamond necklace from Partridge Jewellers.

Georgette Pollock-Johnston and Raj Sharma’s first kiss as husband and wife. Photo / Danelle Bohane 

“I had four bridesmaids, one of whom was a man,” says Georgette. “For the ladies, I wanted them to choose a colour and style that suited them, and I ordered from LoveShackFancy in New York.”

The groom and his four attendants were all dressed in black-tie by Crane Brothers.

Guests arrived at two marquees on the lawn by the lake, one for the bar and one for the reception, both of which Meegan lined with specially screen-printed silk satin.

Georgette Pollock-Johnston and Raj Sharma enter their wedding reception. Photo / Danelle Bohane

At the edge of the lake, an infinity altar floated at the water’s edge with candelabras and flowers by Michele Coomey Floral.

Working with Georgette and Meegan on the wedding planning was her godfather, the late hospitality legend and Antipodes founder Simon Woolley.

Woolley died on Boxing Day but Georgette says his influence was everywhere at the wedding, including with a palette of Antipodes water to keep guests hydrated.

The reception involved another good family friend, the godfather of New Zealand fine dining Tony Astle, choosing an extensive wine list for guests to enjoy alongside Drappier Champagne.

Guests mingle in the reception marquee. Photo / Danelle Bohane 

Astle also oversaw Tauranga’s Blank Canvas Catering, which provided guests with options from a family-style menu, which included chicken, beef, salmon and duck fat potatoes.

After dinner, guests were welcomed back to the infinity altar for the cutting of the cake, where Georgette wore her second dress, a silk satin shift with draped sleeves consisting of 15m of feather boas.

As the newlyweds cut the cake, the bride’s father, Peter, who has a pyrotechnician licence, had a fireworks display launched from next door and a barge on the lake, which lasted nearly 15 minutes.

Raj Sharma and Georgette Pollock-Johnston look at the surprise fireworks at their lakeside wedding. Photo / Danelle Bohane

The couple’s first dance and the night’s entertainment were performed by saxophonist and DJ Louis McCallum and singer Shaun Preston.

The following day’s Bollywood party combined Georgette’s love of colour and Raj’s Indian heritage. Guests dressed resplendently in leading retailers of Indian wear, Roop Darshan, and danced to traditional Indian dance.

Newlyweds Raj Sharma and Georgette Pollock-Johnston at their Bollywood party. Photo / Danelle Bohane

The couple’s honeymoon has been 10 days in Honolulu, staying at the Halekulani Hotel, where, among the romance, Raj says he went unconditional on two houses.

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Duck Pond opening night

Guests gathered at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre last Thursday night for the opening of Duck Pond, one of the international works of this year’s Auckland Arts Festival.

Created by acclaimed Australian contemporary circus company Circa, the production reimagines Swan Lake as a circus spectacular, blending aerials, acrobatics and playful theatricality.

Among those spotted at the opening night were 1News reporter Aziz Al-Sa’afin, NZ Listener editor Kirsty Cameron, photographer Stephen Penny, The Medicine Gap founder Rachel Smalley, NZTE development manager Kate Gregan, The 13th Floor founder Marty Duda and marine conservator Fiona Tarlton.

Kirsty Cameron and Stephen Penny. Photo / Robert TrathenKate Gregan and Rachel Smalley. Photo / Robert TrathenFiona Tarlton and Marty Duda. Photo / Robert TrathenLisa O’Loughlin and Aziz Al Sa’afin at the opening of Duck Pond at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre. Photo / Robert Trathen Bridget Moran and Sandie Whale. Photo / Robert Trathen Alex and Jacqui Robertson. Photo / Robert TrathenDani Lyons and Rachel Mercer. Photo / Robert Trathen

Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.