Here we go - another Vendor interview! Old St Mary's Convent is at the top of my list of favourite places to get married! Set amongst beautiful vineyards and amazing gardens, this beautiful old building is sooo photogenic. You can either have a garden wedding, or there's a cute little chapel too.
Layonie was kind enough to do this interview for us, to give you a bit of a glimpse of what's gone into making this place as spectacular as it is.
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I was born in Dunedin and trained and worked as a nurse and a midwife.
I spent 10 years travelling and working overseas before settling in Marlborough in 2001.
My partner Denham and myself fell in love with Old St Mary's Convent and purchased the property in 2006. The convent building had been moved here in 1994 from Maxwell Road in Blenheim, St Michael's Church followed in 2000. The original owners - the Holtrop's had an amazing vision and transformed an empty paddock and nearly derelict building into a beautiful oasis and stunning B&B and Wedding venue.
Since taking over the property we have completely refurbished the building inside and out, including a new sitting room and have worked extensively on the grounds adding a large car park, outdoor swimming pool and major replanting. Always looking for ways to improve we are currently installing a rose arbour and gazebo with a knot garden - should be good for wedding photos!!
How long have you been doing weddings?
4 years
What made you get into them?
Old St Mary's Convent is the ideal location for a small church or garden wedding.
Is there something you do really well - something that separates you from the others?
Being able to offer a reception venue (in marquees) as well makes it a little different. We have amassed a huge list of contacts offering quality services and are able to assist in putting together a stress free event.
Have you got any interesting wedding stories to share?
One of our most romantic weddings was a couple just by themselves who wandered around the garden with the celebrant saying their vows. We acted as witnesses.
Another young couple got engaged here and came back a year later for the wedding.
We have also had a christening in the church - the product of one of our first weddings!
Brides arriving by helicopter is always exciting.
How many weddings do you usually do?
We usually do about 12 weddings a year half of which would hold the reception here as well.
How quickly do you get booked up?
There are always gaps in the calendar but people do start booking about 18 months out.
Do you have any special advice for those planning their big day?
Relax and enjoy the process, never be afraid to ask questions, trust the experts, and book your photographer fast!!!
If you could spend a weekend anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Florence, Italy
If you could have a superpower, which one would you choose?
Limitless energy
Sport or books?
Books
Contact Details:
web: www.convent.co.nz
email: retreat@convent.co.nz
phone: +64 3 570 5700
Man, I have a cool job. Like, a reeeeally cool job. I get to hang out with beautiful people, on one of the happiest days of their life. I get to stay with them, about five paces away, and just capture their day unfolding in front of them. Amazing. Don't get me wrong, there is some work going on too, as only about 15-20% of my job is actually holding the camera. But weddings like yesterday make all the background work worthwhile.
Vaughan and Nicola... what a perfect day! Not only did they totally adore each other, which makes taking photos so easy, but they picked the most FUN bridal party I have ever been with. At the end of the day I asked Vaughan and Nicola if they would consider hiring them out to other couples.
Nicola was gorgeous before she even got into her wedding dress.
Ok, so someone slap me. I have totally forgotten this little girl's name. But with or without a name, this photo of her and her Granddad is just gorgeous.
This must be every little girl's dream.
Meanwhile, Paul was at Spy Valley Wines with the guys....
While they waited for everyone to arrive....
Ah, yes. Here they are!
This is just as Nicola is about to walk down to see her groom for the first time.
Dad gives her away, while Vaughan watches. Don't just quickly skip past this one! Really look at it. Maybe it's just the memories of when my Dad gave me away, but this right here is one of those moments. You know. THOSE moments.
Mum and Dad. Sigh. See? I told you this day was perfect!
This is Daisy, one of the bridesmaids. Fantastic violinist, and a lovely friend to Nicola.
This is Fran (remember, Scarlett's Dad?) He made the formal family photos so much fun! Someone had given him the mic, and before we knew it, it was (in his best airline announcing voice) "Bing Bong, would all the Hoopers come to the photo taking area please? All the Hoopers...."
Then off to a wee lake. This is where the day gets really fun.
The under the veil shot?
The bridal party had seen it all before....
Paul on the left there is a brand new Dad. His wife had a baby only two days ago. No wonder he's smiling so big!
Fran and Liz, you look great!
*Oh my gosh* these two are just so cute together!
You only have a veil like this for one day of your life. Are you just going to drag it around, or are you going to have some FUN with it? Limbo, anyone?
Awesomeness.
Vaughan and Nicola, thank you both so very much for including us in your day. It was our absolute pleasure to share it with you.
Vendor Shoutout:
Hair and makeup: Arthur Devine
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Spy Valley Wines
Fowers: Flowertime
Food/Catering: Posh Nosh
Scarlett is ten months old and the yummiest thing you ever did see. She's short, a teeny bit squishy and full of toddlerisms. I doubt that toddlerism is actually a word (I'm fairly sure it's not, as my blog spellchecker is screaming at me right now!) but I think it should be, so I'm just going to go ahead and add it to my dictionary. There, now it's official.
Toddlerism: when a small squishy person does very immature things, like eat leaves or dribbles.
Liz and Fran are going to be in this Saturday's bridal party for Nicola and Vaughan. So it was awesome to get to know them a bit better, as well as making friends with Scarlett.
Could they be any cuter? I don't think so.
Scarlett is Nicola and Vaughan's goddaughter, as well as being the first grandchild on both sides of the family. So yes, she's number 1!
She seems to be developing a love for golf, just like her Dad and Granddad. Maybe next time we'll include the club and ball.
Ooooo baby fingers! Love them.
Although I am somewhat disgusted in how summer was this year, especially now that it's over, I am secretly pleased that Autumn is upon us. Prepare yourself for lots of autumn colours in the next couple of months.
I'm looking forward to shooting Fran and Liz again on Saturday.
And you can see why!
But today really belonged to this gorgeous little thing!
Thanks for coming out this morning guys! I can't wait to show you all the rest, see you at the wedding!!
I've never been one of the cool kids. Like, not even a little bit cool. I'm not even nerdy enough to be nerdy-cool. Nope. Somehow I've grown to be ok with that though. I married my honey 15 years ago and he's equally as uncool as me (although bordering on nerdy-cool, perhaps).
However, donned with our cool-as-heck cameras, we get let into people's ultra awesome weddings! Stephen and Carissa's wedding was one of those.
Another stunning Marlborough day, the wedding once again held at Old St Marys Convent, and beautiful and fun people. It's a win/win.
This is the invitation for Carissa's grandmother, who passed away a couple of months ago. Weddings are such a special time, it's always nice to remember family and friends who weren't able to be part of the day.
Stephen had a gift for Carissa, and by the look on her face, I think he did good!
And this is it, a bracelet that perfectly matched her dress. Good job Stephen!
Father Paul O'Conner came all the way from Wellington to celebrate the marriage. He taught Stephen as a teenager, so it was lovely to have someone special to him to take the service.
Meanwhile, Stephen waits for his bride.
During the message, everyone sat in the pews. I love this shot. This is why you have bridesmaids. Priceless.
Gorgeous!
This was just as they were about to exit the church as man and wife.
Inside the car, and yes, happy!
The flowers were absolutely beautiful! Done by Jane Fowler at Fleurs. Gorgeousness.
Then off for a quick walk down the grapevines before the reception at MVH.
The room was beautifully decorated, and the flowers...stunning!
We were so grateful to be part of your day Stephen and Carissa. Enjoy married life together, and make the most of the summer here in NZ and on your honeymoon before you head back over to the UK!
Vendor Shoutout:
Ceremony Venue: Old St Marys Convent
Reception Venue: Marlborough Vintners Hotel
Cars: Marlborough Limousines
Hair: Vanessa from Vogue
Flowers: Jane Fowler, Fleurs
Recently I got together with the Clarks for a family portrait for their wine company, Boreham Wood Wine. We've been photographing for them for a couple of years now, and it's been exciting watching their wine take off all over the world. Not that I'm surprised, it's absolutely beautiful stuff.
So there we were, for a group portrait - but there was far too much cuteness going on for me to leave after one photo!
This is Anna, pure perfection.
Her brothers, Abraham and William, and they're also pretty spunky!
You can see why this one isn't a black and white!
I had found a new spot a month or two ago and have been dying to shoot there. Cute kids + evening light = WIN!
This is Jen and Craig (the Corban part to the family). I LOVE this shot! I had Jess the dog sitting there all pretty for about 2 nanoseconds, and then BAM, off she went! I love the wake of the family behind her. I think this is an even truer family portrait than everyone sitting there and smiling!
I can hear great grandmothers all over the world shrieking in horror at a family portrait like this.... but this is what small children DO. And before you know it, they're grown up and boring like the rest of us. To me, this is a priceless family capture.
I'll sneak one more of Anna in. Who can resist that little face?
Another part to the Clark family is Simon and Donna.
And their totally yummy little guy, Adam.
And, as if that's not enough cuteness for one family, this is Sarah and Roger and their BRAND NEW baby Claudia. We weren't sure if she was going to be still inside while we were planning the shoot. But she made her appearance 6 days before. Sarah, you're a legend for coming out so soon after your first baby!
About a week or so later I popped in to Sarah's place and took some more photos of Claudia. Look, DIMPLES!
The problem with this job is that I get so clucky!
But how can I help it?
Thanks guys, for an amazing photoshoot with you all. You have an absolutely beautiful family!
Yesterday I meet Stephen and Carissa for the first time. This is another couple I've only known from emails, as they've been living in the UK for several years. It was awesome to be able to go out with them in the evening and do some engagement shots. I can't stress enough how worthwhile these sessions are for helping the wedding day to go even more smoothly.
And, well, when you're this gorgeous, why WOULDN'T you want your photo taken?! Not surprisingly, like most people, they were a little nervous of my big camera to start with.
I know, I know, they don't have heads in this shot.
Carissa commented that she loves New Zealand scenery, big open spaces and hills. So off we went, to big open spaces!
And the BLING!
Seriously beautiful.
I love this one!
I'm SO excited about their wedding coming up THIS SATURDAY! Watch this space, because it's going to be stunning!
(more pics on facebook, for those of you who haven't joined me there yet!)
In other news:
Paul has tweaked the comments box for me. He was up till 2am busily programming. So now it's even easier to leave a comment. So go on, give it a try!
My new 16-35mm 2.8L lens arrived this morning. I'm in love. I didn't think I could love a wide angle lens as much as I love this one. I'm pretty sure my life is now complete.
Justina and I have been emailing back and forth about her wedding since 2008 as they both live over in the UK. But it was only last week that I met her and Simon for the first time. As soon as they sat down in our little office to go over the wedding plans, I was hooked.
These guys are probably the nicest people you could ever meet. I dashed inside to let Paul know they had arrived and I remember blurting out "Quick, come meet them! They're soooo nice! Oh, and bring Charlotte, Justina wants to meet her." Yep, she even knew my baby's name. Totally hooked, I tell you!
The entire wedding was to be held at Old St Marys Convent, and so I don't even have to tell you how excited I was knowing that the day would be just lovely.
Justina and her Dad arrived in STYLE in a horse and carriage. It's hard to top that!
I adore this shot of Simon's Mum as the little chapel was filling up. Could she possibly be prouder of her son?
And then they arrive!
*sigh* Perfect.
This was one of those weddings where I had to keep myself in check, "Don't cry.... don't cry.... you go to weddings most weekends, woman, get a grip!" Thankfully, this was my inside voice.
This was while everyone was singing a hymn, and every now and then Simon would look up at Justina and just give this gorgeous grin.
Oh and yes, it's another cute kid wedding!
MARRIED! They didn't stop smiling ALL afternoon!
This is Cody. Cute.
And Olivia. More cuteness.
Justina is a Nanny which accounts for some of her niceness I think.
Gorgeous flowers by Jane Robinson at Mayflower.
So gorgeous! I love this shot! I have to admit to it being Paul's though. Actually, quite a few of these are, so clever he is!
This is the marquee that the reception was held in. This is still at Old St Marys Convent, a part called 'The Willows'. Isn't it gorgeous?
Simon and Justina, thank you SO much for inviting us into your special day. You guys are truly special, may you have a fantastic life together! See you soon!
Vendor Shoutout:
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Old St Marys Convent
Horse and Carriage: Hawkesbury Carriages (03 5727280)
Food/Catering: Posh Nosh
Flowers: Jane Robinson, Mayflower
