The dress was simply perfect!

Kathy-Lee and the girls got ready with Deirdre at Locks and Lashes. 

See?  Perfection!

The wedding took place at Timara Lodge, what an amazingly beautiful place that is!

I love the way that Nigel looked at his bride.  Pure happiness, right there. 

And the way that she looked back at him.  Ah, bliss.

Ella is three.  It was the first time she had ever been a flower girl, I expect, and well... the flowers had a bit of a rough ride.

But hey, when you're this cute, it's not about the flowers!

Thankfully Kathy-Lee knew to keep her flowers ON the stems!

I could have spent ALL day on the grounds at Timara Lodge.  It really is amazing, and well worth a look at if you're planning a wedding in Marlborough!

Then off we went to Spy Valley for the reception.  Kathy-Lee works as a winemaker there, and was able to get us into all sorts of very cool spots!  We just needed to trust and follow....

The roof!  How insanely awesome is that!

The girls all had fabulous matching shoes.  Walking on a winery catwalk in these shoes is a skill in itself!

This wedding had the most FABULOUS details!  I was in detail heaven!

And kids - very cute kids too!

And this is where I left them to enjoy their evening with their nearest and dearest.

Thank you so much Nigel and Kathy-Lee for inviting us into your special day - it was absolutely stunning and we wish you all the very best in your married life together!

Vendor Shoutout:

Hair and Makeup: Locks and Lashes

Ceremony Venue: Timara Lodge

Reception: Spy Valley Wine

Food/Catering: The Swisse Guy

Flowers: Linda Avery

There are more images on my facebook page.  Just a little reminder to come and join me over there!

In other news:

I learned how much I really love my camera yesterday during the portraits in the garden.  I had worn shoes that Paul warned me not to wear, but vanity won out - and before I knew it I took a tumble on the uneven ground.  My 5d Mark II and 50mm 1.2L went CRASH straight down onto concrete.  I heard the crack, and my heart sank.  But it was absolutely FINE!  I couldn't believe it!  Yay for Canon!  My ankle didn't fare quite so well, I managed to finish the wedding fine, but today it's a strange shade of purple.  sigh.  So before the next wedding I will be doing some shoe shopping methinks!

I met him and his Mum Nic this afternoon.  It took a little while of just quietly getting to know each other before he'd let me into his personal space.  It's essential with these little ones to let them just be themselves and not to push them for a performance!

Once we had become friends it was all about finding games to play!

Ohhh... those eyes!

You can just see what he's thinking here "Hey Mum, that crazy woman with the camera thought of THIS?"

"Hey, it's not so bad after all...."

Then off to the park.  I LOVE the dribble in this shot - toddler teething time!

I finally coaxed Nic in front of the camera, she was convinced she wouldn't look any good.  Oh how wrong she was!

Thanks for today guys - that was great fun!  Devin is such a gorgeous little man, and Nic - you're an awesome Mummy!  Keep up the good work!

I've just come into the office to catch up on my work to find Paul's latest project still open in Lightroom.  He's just finished doing a job for Bayleys who are marketing Woodend Gardens.  It's already a beautiful place - but last night Paul went when the light was just right.

A small trip in the helicopter gives everything a bit of context.

And the gardens themselves are really awesome, we've photographed several weddings here already.  

Like!!

And this is the spot that the ceremony is usually in.

Awesome job babe!  You're my hero....

These guys are a super cute couple who are getting married in March.  I first met them about a year ago when they were planning their wedding which still seemed so far away.  They walked back into my office the other day, and I couldn't believe that a whole year had passed!

Anyway - Nicola had seen the Japanese Gardens on the blog, and quite liked the idea of that - so off we went!   For those who don't know where they are, they're up the end of Howick Rd.  Not a whole lot of people know about it, well so it seems anyway.  There's a big cage with cardboard in it that the kids use to go scooting down the hill.  Very fun.

How cute are they!

Nicola is a doctor and in the process becoming an anesthetist - such a cool job! 

This is THE TREE.  I know - I feature it a lot.  I love the tree.  It's worth the trip up the hill to get there.

I can't wait for your wedding Nicola and Vaughan, it's going to be spectacular! 

One thing Jasmine Star encouraged us all to do at her workshop in Christchurch a few weeks ago was to put more of ourselves on our websites. 

I guess I've been struggling lately with exactly who I'm writing to.  I'm STUNNED (and extremely grateful!) by the amount of visitors I get to this blog everyday, and because I don't exactly know who you all are, I'm not quite sure what you're interested in reading.  You see, if you're a photographer, you probably don't care that I'm running (ahem, crawling probably) a half marathon in a few months.  If you're a bride-to-be you couldn't care less about what fstop or lens rocks my world lately.  I suppose there's always the possibility of the hits all coming from my Mum (must call her more often...).  So I'm going to just write about whatever I please, because not writing much at all is not much fun for anyone.

This year I'm going to try to start a couple of different series.  One will be for brides (and grooms, but you know, it's more likely to be brides!) and the other will be for photo geeks like me.  I've been getting emails from other photographers with questions that may be useful for others as well.  I certainly don't claim to know everything (not even half of everything...), but if I do know something that you also want to know, go ahead and ask and I can share it with the everyone else.  You can either email me, or join me on facebook and ask there or use the comments section below.

This was us at Jasmine's workshop, taken by JD, Jasmine's husband.  I'm the one second from the right, in the red top, smack bang next to Jasmine (I'm totally namedropping right now).

So, I've got to build a section on the website about us, which has to include (*gasp*) photos.  I HATE having my photo taken, which is why I can sympathise with my clients on a daily basis!  But sometimes it just has to be done!

Ok, so that's me for now!   Over and out....

Some days I have to admit that I forget how blessed I am - and it's not all that often, but sometimes life just gets a bit too busy, the phone keeps ringing and the washing is piling up.  I think it was a day like that when I met Pip and her beautiful family.  When I told her how many kids I had she exclaimed something like "Oh, you're so lucky!" 

She's such a lovely Mum and one small conversation with her and I felt a million times better about the towels that still hadn't been hung out, the baby that was possibly going to wake that night and the groceries that need constant replenishing.  I am blessed, amazingly blessed.

So this is Pip's family - really nice people! 

Mickey the kitten, saw fun everywhere!

I love this brothers shot.

Often I don't include the head in photos.  Sometimes I get funny looks from people, as in "You missed our heads?"  Yeah, I did mean to.

In other news:

I'm not sure what's going on right now in the 'engaged couples' world, but they're all coming out of the woodwork!  I'm getting so many requests for pricelists lately!  Even requests for as far away as 2012.  We don't actually book more than a season away, but if you've got your heart set on a certain date, I'll pop your name on the calendar so that I know you're interested.  We're planning on having our 2011/2012 Summer Pricelist out in about 6 months, when we'll open bookings for that season.

I knew that Kelly was fun and easy going, but I had expected some kind of nerves, or even a mini freak out - as most brides have the hour before their wedding.  But nothing.  Cool as a cucumber.  She was absolutely the most perfect bride. 

We had the whole day at Old St Mary's Convent, and as usual it was gorgeous.  I love it when they get ready there too as there's all that excitement of secretly watching people turn up.

How cute is this!  Dad needs his own picture!

Kelly was certainly glowing.

Paul found the boys getting ready.  I love it how every groom seems to need help putting his flower on.  I mean, really, how often in life does a guy need to do that?

Here come the troops!

This is an amazing moment.  While we were waiting for Kelly to make her grand entrance down the stairs, this is her Mum glancing at her Dad.  Sigh.  Beautiful.

And this is Kelly looking at her groom.  Sigh again.....

Jane Fowler from Fleurs was one of the bridesmaids and did an amazing job with the flowers!

Another moment.  Right after the ceremony Hugo's Dad congratulates his new Daughter In Law. 

I have to say, this wedding had more than it's fair share of cute kids.  So many that I really can't even blog them all, but you get the idea:

Sometimes I like how children are so.... well.... short!

I'm not sure where the awesome red car came from, but I liked it.  A lot.

You know what?  Sometimes I just shoot random things, like chairs, just for me.  This is an awesome photo, and I don't even know why. 

Wow, what a great wedding guys!  I wish you guys all the very best - and Huxley too.  See you soon!

This was on the way home from the wedding the other night.  Clearly one sheep had found the way out, and all the others followed, as you do, when you're a sheep.

I had asked them if they had anything they'd like to bring along and include in the pictures.  Yes indeedy, check out Huxley!  Don't you just want to pop him in your handbag and take him home?!

We went to the Japanese Gardens, it's such a pretty place!

I love this, check out Huxley being all guard doggish!

I love this!

It was so nice having that little bit of time to get to know them better before their big day.  The wedding was super fun as well - but you'll just have to wait for the next post for that one!

Kelly got ready at Locks and Lashes, an absolutely beautiful spot out in the middle of the vineyards, definitely worth the effort if you're a bride still deciding on where to get hair and makeup done!  Deirdre does a really awesome job.

I love the 'proud as punch' look on Kelly's parents face.  Gorgeous!

Kelly looked absolutely spectacular!  She had such a beautiful vintage look about her.  She's such a sweetheart too, she's a school teacher, and I think you have to be a special kind of person to be able to pull that off!

This was the guys just before heading off to the ceremony.

The ceremony was held at Hortensia House.  Wow, what a spot!  I can't even imagine how much time goes into the gardening there, it's just amazing. 

This is Paul's view as we were arriving to the ceremony.

And this is my view looking back at the guys waiting.  Deon's first glance at his bride.

I love this!  Could he possibly be any more pleased to see her!?

After the ceremony we pop off to Pollard Park for some shots.  This one really appeals to me, normally I quickly go past any shots with me in them.... this one made the cut, maybe because it's only the back of my head!  We try and keep our portrait sessions light and fun - and these guys were all about having a great time on the day!

That dress!  Oh my gosh, awesomeness!

Then off to Deon's parents place for the reception.  I saw some sweet light when we arrived and stole them away for a bit to make the most of it!

I love the end of the day at weddings when everything comes together like this! The pressure is off the couple, the beautiful light hits and all is well with the world!

This was Deon's idea!  Brilliant!  Married on the 9th of January.  Well spotted my friend!

How cute are they! 

What a lovely day it was!  Thanks for including us in it Kelly and Deon!  Can't wait to show you all the rest of the images! 

In other news:

Training has started in earnest for a Half Marathon I have, perhaps foolishly, entered us into.  Six babies (and far too much Christmas chocolate, lets be honest) have somewhat ruined me.  So I've got five months to get fit and fabulous.  Well, that might be stretching things a bit far... I'd just like to get to the end of 21km and not be dead, to me that would be a success! 

We went to Pollard Park and chatted the whole time, getting to know each other and going through the wedding plans.  I always love doing the engagement session as it helps SO much when it comes to the wedding, breaking the ice and helping the couple be less scared of the camera. 

These guys are so cute together!

Ok then, just ONE from the wedding!

So watch this space tomorrow, I'll blog some more.  But be warned, there will be some serious gorgeousness!

We came from all over the show to hear Jasmine speak on photography, branding, well... pretty much everything really.  I got SO much out of it!  

The morning was spent learning about branding, workflow and a bunch of life simplifying suggestions.  Then in the afternoon we got to go out and do some shooting.  But we had to go the long way:

Unfortunately somebody took an unattended box of scorched almonds in the courthouse a little too seriously, and there was a bomb scare that shut down several streets.  That was Ok, made the day that bit more interesting!

We had some gorgeous models to work with.  This is Leon and Anna, awesome, patient models!  It must be so daunting for them to have a hoard of photographers surrounding them, just waiting for them to do something cute! 

See?

Katy and Brad.... amazingly cute.

These dresses were AMAZING!  Louise Anderson, check her out, jawdroppingly good.

Jasmine dragging lovingly to show us how it's done.

How could Katy and I walk past this guy without at least saying hi?  Seems he's the strong silent type.

There is so much I have taken away with me from my day with Jasmine and the other photographers.  I'm so grateful that Jasmine took time to come over to humble little New Zealand to talk to us!  Thanks so much to Fiona Anderson for organising it all.  Seriously amazing.

In other news: I'm off to see Jasmine Star in Christchurch!!  Yay!  I can't wait to meet her and a crowd of other talented photographers, and hopefully recharge my artistic batteries!  I'll be back on board on Wednesday, so watch for more blogging then.  Oh - and there's a wedding coming up on Saturday that will be awesomeness, so keep a watch out for that one too!

Anyone who remembers Hannah and Luke from the engagement shoot I posted a couple of months ago will not be at all surprised what a beautiful bride Hannah makes! 

And Luke really scrubbed up great too!

The wedding and reception was held at Marlborough Vintners Hotel and so we were secretly able to watch everyone turning up out the window.

This is Luca, how cute are those big eyes!  Being a pageboy is quite serious stuff.

This is Meadow, gorgeous and bubbly.  She sang 'All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth' while everyone was getting ready, and so I think I spent the rest of the afternoon humming about my two front teeth!

Hannah and her Mum making their way down the aisle.

I love this!

Just as Luke was about to kiss his bride.  Sometimes the moment right before the kiss is even more magical than the kiss itself.

As is the reaction from friends and family.

Beautiful Hannah!

Then off to the paddock.  The sky added just enough drama.  Perfect!

Just before going into the reception, we popped out to the vineyard.  Beautiful!

Thanks so much for inviting us into your day Luke and Hannah!  What a beautiful day it was!  Enjoy your honeymoon!

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In other news:

Hannah was absolutely drop dead gorgeous yesterday!  I'll be getting some favourite images together today to blog, so watch this space!

So I hope you've all finished your Christmas shopping, and can just sit back and enjoy Christmas Eve!  Last day of the Advent Calender tomorrow!

I found it really interesting when they turned the lights off, there was absolutely no light.  Nothing at all your eyes could adjust to, just absolute darkness.  Pretty freaky.

This is Olivia.

And this is Calla.

Aren't they just the CUTEST little people?  We had such fun just letting them play at the park, and capturing them at what they do best.  Toddle!

I've got a whole series of these, soooo cute.  It's always nice to just let kids do what they do, and then you get their little personalities shining through.

These guys are such lovely parents!  They seem to really have fun with the kids, and it shows!

It was awesome spending a morning with this lovely family.  Thanks so much guys - I'm busting to show you all the rest!!