An Intimate Kiwi Wedding

A few years ago I met Jenny when I ventured into my new local coffee shop. I distinctly remember Jenny's welcoming and infectious smile, and her wicked sense of humour. She instantly made me feel right at home, and from then on I chose her café as my place to go to edit my photos.

During the first New Zealand lockdown, of 2020 Jenny messaged me to say she was expecting her first baby. I was absolutely delighted for her, and I was even more thrilled when she said she was planning to get married too. 

Jenny was due to give birth to her little girl in July, so had planned to marry her lovely partner Fernando before they became a family of three. With both Jenny and Fernando's family overseas, they had agreed to throw an intimate Kiwi wedding with their closest friends in Auckland. Thankfully, despite the threat of another lockdown, their planned date was able to go ahead and a few days before their big day Jenny and Fernando popped to my house so we could go through their final details, and Jenny could choose one of my maternity dresses to wear for their celebrations. 

Before we knew it, the day had arrived and I met Jenny and Fernando at their celebrant's beautiful home in Northcote. Surrounded by their closest friends, Jenny and Fernando said their vows in the garden to the sound of beautiful Brazilian music. With words spoken from the heart, so many hugs, tears, and a lot of laughter, we celebrated the beginning of Mr & Mrs Honorato.

And would you believe, their daughter decided she didn’t want to miss out on the celebrations, and she was born the very next day! Imagine my surprise when I sent through some sneak peeks only to receive some sneak peeks of baby Carla in return! Magic!

Here are some highlights from Jenny and Fernando's intimate Kiwi wedding. Congratulations again guys - and thanks so much for allowing me to capture such a special time in your life!

Mr and Mrs Wilson

Lisa and I met through a group set up for Mums in Auckland from the UK. We instantly clicked and when she asked if I would be interested in photographing her wedding I of course said YES! Initially Lisa and Lee, her fiancé planned to say their vows at an Air BnB however, three weeks before the wedding their plans changed and they settled on a new venue - Flaxmere House near Bethells Beach.

In the lead up to the wedding

I have lost count of the amount of voice notes and emails we exchanged before the big day! It was SO much fun helping Lisa with tips and tricks and recommending other vendors that might be helpful for her vision. Lee of course was involved in some of the planning but he knew Lisa was a woman on a mission to make their day just perfect! The fact Lisa was planning everything so well, while also being Mum to their twin daughters was something I really admired!

Everything from the colour scheme, to the smaller details was meticulously planned by Lisa, and it paid off!

Lisa and Lee’s families travelled from Manchester and Scotland to be at the wedding, with a few very close friends here in New Zealand joining in the celebrations. It was such a beautiful ceremony, with lots of heartfelt and humorous speeches at the reception. Congratulations again Mr & Mrs Wilson - thanks for having me along to capture the start of your future together!

Wedding Photography for the Goofy Couples

It's great to infuse your wedding photography with fun, laughter, and unique moments that capture your playful personalities. Here are some wedding photography ideas that can add a touch of goofiness to your special day:

1. Silly Poses: As a wedding photographer I am used to lots of different ideas and requests from couples. And while I LOVE to capture those stunning photos fit for the mantlepiece, I always encourage my couples to be themselves and capture some silly poses or outlandish expressions. You can stick out your tongues, make funny faces, or strike exaggerated poses. These playful moments will bring out your goofy side, and have you laughing throughout your wedding portraits.

2. Unexpected Photo-Bombers: You can invite friends and family members to photo-bomb some of your pictures. This adds an element of surprise and laughter to your photos, creating spontaneous and memorable moments.

3. Action Shots: Incorporate dynamic and playful actions into your wedding photography. Piggyback rides, or even running towards the camera can create lively and candid shots.

4. Goofy First Look: Instead of a serious and emotional first look, opt for a goofy version. Surprise each other with silly costumes, disguises, or unexpected dance moves when you see each other for the first time on your wedding day.

5. Fun with Wedding Party: Involve your wedding party in playful group shots. Encourage them to strike funny poses or incorporate props into your wedding party photos. These group photos can be a mix of formal and goofy, capturing the essence of your wedding party. And of course there’s always the fun surprise of a group dance at your wedding reception!

6. Playful Reception Moments: Capture fun and entertaining moments during the reception, such as guests dancing wildly, participating in fun games, or why not run a wedding soul train? These photos will showcase the lively and fun-filled atmosphere of your celebrations, and of course there’s always the option to add in a sparkler exit!

I love it when you communicate your preferences and ideas with me as your wedding photographer so they can understand your vision and capture the perfect mix of fun and romance on your special day.

Black and White Photography

Black and white images have been around since the early days of photography, and this classic aesthetic can make them feel timeless and nostalgic. As a photographer shooting in colour, I will often agonise over an image on my editing screen because I can’t decide if I prefer to keep the colour or move to a classic black and white edit. So why do we love black and white images so much? Here’s a few thoughts I have …

1. Focus on composition: With color removed, black and white images rely more heavily on the composition, contrast, and shapes in the image. This can create a stronger visual impact, and can make it easier to see the important elements in the image.

2. Emotion and mood: Black and white images can evoke a sense of emotion and mood that is different from color images. The lack of color can create a sense of depth and contrast that can be used to highlight the mood of the image, whether it be joy, sadness, or something in between.

3. Simplicity: Removing color from an image can simplify the visual elements, making it easier to focus on the subject or message of the image.

Overall, black and white images can be a powerful way to communicate emotions, tell stories, and create visual impact. They offer a unique aesthetic that can make an image stand out and leave a lasting impression on the viewer.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on black and white images … here’s a few of my favs from this season’s engagement sessions and weddings … enjoy!

Mr and Mrs Williams

It was Valentines Day 2020, and we were officially on count down to Dana and Aaron's summer wedding! I drove out to meet Dana and Aaron for their wedding rehearsal. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out in full force and the sea was glistening with the light on the water. I arrived to find a hive of activity. Family and friends were busy putting the finishing touches to the venue. Dana had been so organised with all her wedding preparations so it was great to see it all pulled together and looking fantastic!

The wedding rehearsal went off without a hitch, and it was great to get meet the rest of the bridal party before the big day. If I can, I always try and be at the wedding rehearsal as it's a great way for me to check in with the bride and groom and make a note of any changes or suggest prime photo spots for on the day.

Dana and Aaron chose the Nocton Woolshed in Clevedon as their wedding venue. This beautiful site is run by a lovely local family and a blank canvas for those who want to add their own personal touch to their big day. The venue has a rustic feel to it which makes for plenty of photo opportunities and it has the bonus of being a short drive from Maraetai Beach. 

The Ladies

Dana and her bridal party stayed at the house next door to the venue. This is a perfect location for the bride to relax and know she is close by to the venue for any last-minute preparations.

On the morning of the wedding, I arrived to find hair and makeup in full swing, and breakfast underway with a glass or two of bubbles to settle any nerves.

One of my favourite parts of any wedding day is capturing the bride and her girls getting ready. Dana had chosen her sister and two best friends to be her bridesmaids, and it was great to witness lots of laughs and banter between them. Clearly Dana had picked the right ladies to be by her side on her big day.

The Fellas

As I spent the morning with the girls, my second shooter Chris was hanging out with the boys at Dana and Aaron's house. Once the boys were ready, they drove down to the beach to trim up the wedding cars before heading to the venue for the first look.

The First Look

Before we knew it, the time had come for Dana to head down for the first look. This is a chance for the bride and groom to see each other before their ceremony so they can really enjoy that moment together without lots of eyes on them. It's always so heartwarming to see the groom's reaction to his bride and of course, there's usually a few tears as all the build-up and preparation finally comes together.

After the first look at the venue, we had some bridal party photos before I whisked Dana and Aaron away for their bridal portraits at the beach. This was a great opportunity for them to spend some time together before their wedding guests arrived and shared in their celebrations.  

The Ceremony

Full of laughter, tears and a whole lot of love, the ceremony was officiated by the lovely Emma Love. It wasn't long before Dana and Aaron were pronounced man and wife and then the real celebrations of the day began!

Reception

After the ceremony and group photos, Dana and Aaron entered their reception to raucous applause before the speeches began. It was a fantastic evening of food, drinks and dancing and I was so very honoured to be asked to capture Dana and Aaron's special day.

Congratulations again to Mr & Mrs Williams!

The Wedding of Lisa and Travis

Lisa and Travis were planning to say "I do" on Saturday 18 April 2020, at an intimate backyard wedding in the beautiful Waikato. Before we had a chance to confirm the details of their wedding photography, the world turned upside and New Zealand was placed into Level 4 lockdown.

Like many New Zealand couples, Lisa and Travis were devastated that their day couldn't go ahead as planned. They had both dreamed of an autumn wedding with their ceremony being held at Travis' parent's bed and breakfast, La Belle Maison and their reception next door at Travis' brother's bistro, Red Cherry Roasters & Co.

So with wedding plans on hold, and my photography business on pause; there was nothing we could do but wait to see what happened next. Thankfully, New Zealand came out of lockdown relatively quickly, and despite a nail-biting few weeks in the lead-up; Travis and Lisa were able to go ahead with their wedding on their newly scheduled date.

On Saturday 30 May, surrounded by their closest family and friends, Lisa and Travis' became the new Mr & Mrs Maclennan.

I arrived at Lisa and Travis' house in Morrinsville to find a buzz of excitement in the air as Lisa and her lovely friends, Jeanna and Dianna were getting ready. I captured Lisa and her family, and the smaller details like her shoes, home-made flower bouquets; and her stunning dress from Astra Bridal Hamilton before heading over to Cambridge to hang out with Travis. 

It was a crisp, autumble day with a beautiful low glow from the sun, and a sprinkle of rain from the sky as the guests took their seats. Lisa's son's Jayden and Tyler played a part in their Mum's big day, with Tyler walking Lisa down the aisle, and Jayden welcoming everyone to the celebrations. Absent grandparents were remembered with a balloon release from the boys, and the ceremony was full of tears, laughter and love.

After the ceremony and group photos, the bridal party wandered onto a neighbouring property for some photos, and as the sun was setting, Travis and Lisa joined me away from their guests so we could capture the two of them together.

Whilst the day may not have been as they'd originally planned, it was somehow even better knowing the waiting was finally over! I absolutely love seeing the joy in these photos as it reminds me of the difficulty in getting to this moment, and the relief when witnessing Lisa and Travis say "I do" - it was certainly a wedding adventure to remember.

I'm so happy that it all worked out in the end, and thankful to Lisa and Travis for trusting me to capture their beautiful wedding day.

Here’s a small collection of photos from the day.