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Thank you. Yes, you. Sitting there, reading this blog post. Thank you. It's been Thanksgiving over in the US, and of all the silly commercialised, money driven holidays that have landed on our shores, Thanksgiving is one that I would love to see us adopt.
This is the first time we've done two weddings in one weekend. We've had such a huge amount of requests that we take on more weddings, that we've given it serious thought, rethought our workflow and jumped in a little deeper. So we've decided to scale back our other work and start concentrating more on weddings. Because that's what we get asked most to do, and that's what we love. So there are some two-a-week weddings coming up, and I couldn't be happier. Even 2012 is already shaping up to be a great wedding year. We're so extremely grateful to you guys for your emails and your support. It's amazing. It really is. So thank you. Without you we wouldn't be doing this.
I was on a high from Sarah and Callum's wedding, and it just spilled on over to Kylie and Cam's day.
Kylie is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.
Everyone was doting on her, and she was just glowing with excitement.
Kylie is quite the little artist, and she planned this wedding with such style. Everything was perfect.
The girls got ready at The Peppertree. What are the chances of that? Two weddings in a row, with photos at The Peppertree? I love this place.
On her way out to see her GROOVY AS ANYTHING orange VW!
Meanwhile Paul is at Wither Hills Winery with the boys. Cam stands at the top of the stairs and welcomes everyone that turns up. Seriously nice guy, right there.
And the girls arrive! Don't you just love the car?
Kylie was the most spectacular bride. Her genuine love and gratitude for those around her made the day a total joy to be part of.
They didn't stop smiling. All day. Just kept on smiling. The vows had me fogging up my camera viewfinder a little. One of the lines talked about always appreciating the time they spend together. Oh my goodness. It just about finished me off.
Then off to the Wairau River. The river is special to Cam and Kylie, and where they have both spent a lot of time. Kylie's rings even resembled the stones.
We had so much fun. Way too much fun, really.
This was Paul's shot. I love it, a lot.
Beautifulness.
Another one of Paul's shots.
Ok, so Kylie is another one of those brides that make me look good. I wanted to pop her in my handbag and take her home.
We loved the cars. So stylish. So effortless.
We loved them in the cars too.
Katie and Kylie's friendship started on these very fields. I love how they took a moment, just them. Together.
Naturally, having spotted a good thing, I yell at the top of my lungs for Cam. Seriously, this is too awesome not to take pictures of.
I actually did a happydance. I'm not even kidding.
Then back to Wither Hills for some more fun.
In, of course, the awesome cars.
Kylie wanted to throw her bouquet from the roof. Hey, why not?
Sarah was the lucky bouquet catcher. Sarah is Cam's sister, and our MC for the day. So she totally deserved it.
I love Wither Hills Winery. Totally.
Cameron and Kylie. Your happiness made us happy, and so grateful to be allowed to document your special day together. We had a ball, thank you for inviting us to share it with you!
Even more photos on facebook!
Vendor Shoutout:
Hair and Makeup: Beyond the Fringe
Getting Ready: The Peppertree
Venue: Wither Hills Winery
Celebrant: Carol Taylor
I've been looking forward to Sarah and Callum's wedding since our engagement shoot a few weeks ago. As it turned out I was right, again, and Sarah looked magnificent. She's the kind of bride that looks great in every shot and this was the kind of wedding that makes my life a joy. I know I'm there to do my job, but sometimes I've got to remind myself that I'm working.
Gorgeous flowers that suited the theme of the wedding perfectly!
Men's buttonholes are surprisingly difficult to get right. I think perhaps someone should run some classes on how to put them on...
Sometimes it can be a group effort.
Little girls make me smile. A lot.
The car arrives, and we're ready to go!
Buttonhole done to perfection, courtesy of Mum.
See?
Sarah is positively glowing as she arrives with her Dad.
The wedding was held in the barrel room at Montana. I love it!
We were able to go to the gorgeous Peppertree for photos. OH. MY. GOODNESS. That place is awesome.
There were so many delicious little spots to take photos. I never wanted to leave!
I love it when a picnic basket is packed for the photo session. You would be surprised at how helpful food is for a wilting bridal party. Happiness is increased by about 72%. Give or take.
How's this for a backyard? Insanely awesome light. Gorgeous couple. More happydance by me.
Beautiful fantasticness. I'm fairly sure you can put those words together.
I love this.
Callum was so cool, he just owned the day.
Sarah has got to be one of the most graceful brides I've come across.
Arriving back at Montana, let the fun begin!
This was a shot from earlier in the day. It's such a stylish place!
Filling it with people adds quite a bit of happiness.
The children were given chips, and didn't even have to wait for the bridal party to come back. Brilliant.
Sarah and Callum, a massive thank you for including us in your beautiful day. We had such fun! Can't wait to show you the rest! See you soon.
Even more photos on facebook!
Vendor Shoutout:
Hair and Makeup: Marlborough Day Spa
Gown: Bernadette Thomas
Venue: Montana
Celebrant: Carol Taylor
Kat and Chris know how to have fun, and they sure do know how to plan a great wedding. Their special day was filled with so much laughter and fun, and their genuine happiness to get married to each other. Add to this some lovely soft light, happy guests and great shoes...
Gorgeousness. Supreme gorgeousness.
Super cute kids add that bit of innocence as well as the element of *Oh My Goodness What Are They Going To Do Next?* Hayley looked like a princess!
A beautiful bridesmaid, Clare's dress even matched the awesome shoes. Win-Win right there.
Add a pinch of awesome wedding dress, and Kat looked absolutely stunning!
Kat got ready at the home she grew up in, I think it always makes it so special and even more sentimental, but that's probably because I'm a bit of a sap at the best of times.
Must have awesome long veil and you can guarantee a happy photographer.
A doting Dad completes the at home picture beautifully.
The details were brilliantly planned!
This is one of my favourite shots of the day. Look at how Travis is looking up at his Dad. More kid gorgeousness.
This is moments after Travis told Kat that she looked 'pretty'. Love that kid.
Nervous and excited all rolled into one.
Old St Mary's Convent has the cutest little church, awesome venue!
What a gorgeous and adoring bride!
Kat's Grandad turned 100 recently, and I think that deserves a mention, don't you?
Coolest location for the group shot!
I'm not really used to being on that side of the camera, but Travis was a natural.
Hayley spent a lot of time running away from me, but that's ok, it made for great pictures!
Old St Mary's Convent has some beautiful spots!
Then we headed off to this fantastic red barn I stumbled across earlier. We're always so grateful when people are happy for us to photograph on their property. Thanks so much Graham from Vintage Antiques and Furniture, your place is spectacular!
Kat was so happy to be marrying Chris!
Chris knew how to work it!
It was supposed to rain during the afternoon, pour in fact! Well that's what Metservice told us. Thankfully they were about 6 hours wrong, so we were able to enjoy the beautiful diffused light.
I love the chemistry that these two have together.
Cute!
Kat's dress was absolutely stunning, made by Bernadette Thomas, who always does a beautiful job.
Meet Trevor. Trevor is a girl cat (!) and full of curiosity. She most certainly wanted to be included in the photoshoot!
Trevor got in amongst the dress at every opportunity.
We were just about finished when we stumbled across this totally awesome tractor. Chris said that if he could name it, he would call it Dougal. Dougal the tractor. I thought that was a good idea.
Thanks Kat and Chris for an amazingly fun wedding. All the very best with your big move this week, and wishing you both much happiness for many years to come.
Even more photos on facebook!
Vendor Shoutout:
Hair and Makeup: Marlborough Day Spa
Gown: Bernadette Thomas
Venue: Old St Marys Convent
Flowers: The Flower Box
Every now and then I come across someone who is inspirational to me. Last night I stumbled across two such people - not literally, thankfully. Cute and friendly and fun, and totally into each other, Krissy and Brendon are everything you want in front of the camera.
They were born only five days apart, in the same town, in the same hospital but only met when they were 16. Like all of the best love stories, they were best friends long before they fell for each other.
This is Buddy. He totally knows how to work it!
Completely fabulous, you'd never have any idea of the hard work that's gone on behind the scenes for them to look this good. Krissy has lost 40kg, let me write that in words in case you missed it. FORTY KG. That's 88 pounds. Brendon has lost 33kg! Any of us who are battling with a bit of extra winter weight will appreciate how much work that will have taken. These guys are legends, and a total inspiration to me.
I totally want to be like them when I grow up. Totally.
They laughed the entire evening, and the time just flew by.
I love Brayshaw Park, it's got so much character!
Then off to the riverbank where the setting sun lent us some of its beautiful light.
I had asked Brendon to kiss Krissy's cheek. I tried to explain to him exactly what I meant, and thankfully Krissy stepped in and gave him a demonstration of what I was after. Awesome.
These guys are great fun.
Beautiful!
After an hour or two of romance, I asked them if they could be a little more fierce. I love this!
I've somehow missed this factory thing in Blenheim all these years. I have no idea what it's even for, but it makes an awesome backdrop!
Brendon, Krissy and Buddy - you guys are awesome. Thanks so much for all of the fun we had. March just can't come soon enough!
I love to photograph people. It might seem like a funny opening statement, but there you have it. I love it. I think what I like most about it is the surprised look on people's faces when they see themselves on a photo that they actually like. You see, most people don't like photos of themselves. They don't like getting their picture taken, and they'd rather get their teeth pulled then smile for the camera. I totally get that. I'm just the same. But that's ok, at least I know I'm not alone. The challenge is just to let go and have fun. Once you start having fun you have that spark in your eye, and that's always a winner. Sarah and Callum had that very spark whenever they looked at each other, they were so cute together!
I went out to their property for our engagement shoot, it was early evening and the light was just perfect. Vineyards as far as the eye could see, it was absolutely gorgeous!
Callum proposed to Sarah at a picnic on the beach (awesome!) Sarah said she didn't even see it coming - well done Callum, extra points for that one! The wedding is in a few weeks, and I'm soooo excited about it.
I love this one. I love love LOVE it.
Such a gorgeous couple, it's going to be a beautiful wedding!
Ah yes, here are those vineyards I told you about. How's that for a backyard?
Jack joined us for the first few photos, but as he was just a little bit too enthusiastic, he was tied up for the rest of it. Poor doggie, you can just see the 'woe is me' look in his eyes.
"Pleeeease love me."
In his spare time, Callum makes his own wine too, in his man shed. Could this shed possibly be more awesome? I don't think so!
Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous property with me Callum and Sarah, and being such great models. I'm so excited about the wedding just around the corner! See you soon!
