SHORTY STAR COURTENAY MY FIANCE MAKES ME FEEL BEAUTIFUL'

While she tries on bridal gowns for her upcoming big day, the actress opens up about her rom antic love story

As an actress, Courtenay Louise gets to play dress-ups every day and she’s already walked down the aisle in a white frock twice on screen. So slipping into gowns ahead of her upcoming real-life wedding to fi ancé Chris Read in April was nothing new – yet designer Trish Peng still made it an enchanting moment.

“I’ve been in two bridal dresses as an actor, but Trish turned it into a really magical experience,” says Courtenay, who plays Monique Strutter on Shortland Street. “The first time I went, I had high tea with my mum and sister, which was so special. I got to try on Trish’s beautiful dresses in her store. She’s phenomenal – I told her my vision, she sketched it up and it’s perfect.”

Woman’s Day was there as Courtenay went into her latest fi tting in Auckland and while the 30-year-old actress will no doubt wow Chris when she walks down the aisle, it’s how her fi ancé makes her feel when she’s not glammed up that she cherishes.

“I could be feeling ugly and sitting like a sloth on the couch, but he’ll still say I’m beautiful, which means so much,” grins Courtenay. “I don’t ever feel like I have to wake up and put makeup on. I often leave the house looking questionable and feel my most beautiful because he makes me feel that way.”

For his part, Chris, 32, says he admires Courtenay’s “determination and the way she lights up a room”. He explains, “She can run through brick walls and make everyone laugh along the way. I’m not sure how much of that I’ve picked up over the years, but certainly her bad jokes have rubbed off on me!”