She adores him.  It's all over her face.  And he feels the same.  That's really all I needed to know.  When two people like each other this much you just can't help but get good shots.

We met for the first time on Friday, the day before their wedding.  Neither Mark nor Tania live in Blenheim, and so we planned their engagement/prewedding shoot when they arrived here right before their wedding.  It gave us a good chance to get to know each other, and scout out some great spots and ideas for their wedding photos the next day.  And we laughed.  A lot.  Because they're both cute and funny!

Don't ask me why I love this shot so much.  I just do.

Tania and Mark are super easy to work with.  They're so comfortable together, and naturals in front of the camera.

I asked them to look at each other seriously.  Turns out it's not all that easy to do.

Tania just smiled and smiled and smiled.  She knew that tomorrow she would marry her darling.  And I can assure you, she didn't stop smiling during the entire wedding day either!

So this is just a little preview to the wedding blog that's coming REALLY SOON!  Watch this space!

From the moment I heard about the plans that Jeff and Frith had made for their day, I started to get excited.  Everything was perfectly organised, from hair and flowers to transport, timing and locations, it was all perfect.  We just had to turn up and enjoy the ride.  And I can assure you, we really did enjoy the ride.  Sure, the ride was in a HELICOPTER! 

Frith looked absolutely stunning.  She is such a bundle of laughs, there's never a dull moment.

Gorgeous Louboutins.  Red shoes will always make me happy, I don't even mind who's made them, because, as we have already established, I'm not really that cool. 

These shoes deserve two spots on the blog.  I figure I can, since it's my blog and all.  I did discover something worth mentioning, in case anyone else is caught out like me in the future.  When I was taking photos of Frith in the shoes, I asked her if she could push her feet further into the shoes.  "Oh no!"  She declares.  "Toe cleavage is sexy!" 

I had no idea.  None.  But since returning to my office a quick Google search confirmed it.  Toe cleavage is something to be adored.  Wikipedia says so, magazines and designers say so and there is an entire blog set up with photos of celebrities with toe cleavage.  Somehow I feel a little bit cool now that I know that.  Just a little bit.

Pink Poppie rocked the flowers.

Because the ceremony was to be held at 4.30pm, Jeff and Frith decided to have a first look and portraits beforehand.  I like that.

Not letting the opportunity for a giggle pass her by, "That's it!  I've had enough, I'm off!  I'm turning bridezilla!"  Frith announced. 

The wedding car.  The weather was still and beautiful and so Ben could take us up to a MOUNTAIN!  Purely awesome.

While the boys went first, the girls and I played.  This was entirely Frith's idea.

Locks and Lashes is the most gorgeous place for a photoshoot.

Hi Anna!  You look beautiful!

Then it was our turn to head up to the top of the mountain.  Frith seemed happy enough.

This is me in the helicopter.  I can assure you I spend plenty of time before each wedding putting on makeup, curling my hair and dressing up.  How is it I still look like this?

meanwhile Paul is at the top of the world with the boys.

And here we come!  Sometimes our work is a lot like play.

Excuse me, amazingly beautiful day!  Nice to see you!

Ben told us that being up there was like walking on the moon, and he was right.  The ground is all soft and spongy.  Look at them, aren't they cute?!

Then the boys headed off to the ceremony, leaving us behind to play in a silence that was so quiet it was almost noisy. 

The girls take a moment to chill out.  This is, in fact, the time we discussed the toe cleavage, on the top of the world.

I'm getting all arty looking out of the helicopter. 

Meanwhile Jeff prepares for his bride to arrive.

And doesn't he look spunky?  Jeff is such a nice, easy going guy.  Nothing is too much hassle.  He's absolutely perfect for Frith.

The girls arrive and take a moment.

Beautifulness. 

Then I stole them away briefly as the sun leaving.

Spy Valley + Autumn = Gorgeous.

Some seriously amazing bling!

Frith and Jeff, what a spectacular day!  Thank you so much for letting us come along for the ride to capture it for you.  Enjoy the honeymoon!

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Some people are created to make beautiful little people.  Anna and Hamish are clearly among them.

Meet Arthur.  At only five months old, Arthur blows the cuteness scale right out of the water.

But that's not all.  They also have Alice.

Alice is two and adores her little brother almost as much as she likes having her photo taken.

Alice's Dad Hamish doesn't like having his photo taken, like most blokes, but he handled himself splendidly.

I'm not that great at making boys.  After six tries, I only have one.  So I wouldn't mind keeping this one for myself.  Seems only fair.

And while we're at it, you can't take one without the other.  I have plenty of girls for Alice to play with.  So Anna, the offer is there.

Tomorrow is Frith and Jeff's wedding and Anna will be the bridesmaid. I can hardly STAND the wait. Seriously, the combination of awesome stuff planned for tomorrow is making me just a little bit giddy.

And then, just like that, it was over...

April has got to be at the top of my list for favourite months to have a wedding.  The colours are magnificent, the light is surreal, and it's cool enough to not have your makeup and fake tan melt off.  Sometimes, though, it rains.  That's really the only downside.  And although it does make staying dry difficult sometimes, the photos always always look more interesting.  Adrienne and Sean's wedding was no exception.  The day gave us the odd shower, but the light was magical. 

A recent very wet wedding has been chosen for the cover of a magazine, and although that is another blog post entirely, I think you get my point! 

Adrienne was absolutely stunning.  I knew she would be. When I saw her dress I felt like all my Christmases had come at once.  

Photos with proud parents always melt my heart.  These are the images that will stand the test of time.  They make me want to cry, and I've only just met these people.  To be fair though, I cry fairly easily.

Sean knows how to tie a tie.  You might be surprised how few people know how to tie ties anymore.  It's a dying art. 

With Mum.  Heart.  Melt.  Right.  There.

Then off to Hortensia, where the downside of the scattered showers was the obvious wetness.

And the upside of the showers was OH MY GOODNESS gorgeousness!  When Sean first saw Hortensia he was totally gobsmacked at it's beauty.  I mentioned that the only thing that could make this better would be a unicorn.  Sadly, no unicorns eventuated, but I figured a double rainbow was the next best thing.

If I were significantly younger, slimmer and singler I would totally choose this for my wedding dress.  Adrienne, you are perfection.

As Sean awaits his bride's arrival.

He thinks she's rather stunning too.

Sean has just been handed his marriage licence and has been told he may kiss his wife.  Bliss.

Boyband shot.  I couldn't help myself.

During the family photos Paul would shelter Sean and Adrienne from the rain while we organised the families between the photos.  Notice his off camera flash.  He doubles as a lightstand as well.  That's why I love him.

Jaw dropping flowers by Pink Poppie.

Facial expressions = priceless!

They are so beautiful together, and so very happy to be married. 

Sean is a runner and during our engagement shoot, he told me how he has a pair of running shoes that fit like toe socks.  Shoes, with toes in them.  I couldn't imagine how that would be comfortable, but I challenged him to wear them to the wedding.  Good thing he listened to his better judgement on that one, I think.

This time I got to be the lightstand.

Then off to Drylands for a lovely reception.

This was one of those 'cute kid' weddings. 

William was asked to give the horseshoe to Aunty Adrienne.  He didn't quite see how that was fair, seeings he wanted to keep it for himself.  Fair enough.  Every small boy needs his own horseshoe.

Sean and Adrienne, what a lovely day it was!  Congratulations to you both, and we wish you many many years of happiness together.  Can't wait to show you the rest of the photos!

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Ainsley first spotted Jared when he arrived as the relieving teacher at her school.  A teacher herself, she quite liked the look of him and it didn't take long for her to send a spy to check his availability.  Success!  The PE teacher was single!  But not for long...

Five years later and they're engaged to be married.  And neither of them could be happier.

We had our Engagement shoot yesterday on Ainsley's parent's farm.  It has got to be the most picturesque farm I have ever seen.  As soon as I drove up the driveway, I knew I was going to be in heaven! *another photographer happydance!*

When Ainsley's Grandad came back from the war, he was granted a whole bunch of land.  This land has been in the family ever since.  Her Dad has spent his whole life living there and one day Ainsley and Jared hope to see their little ones running around on the stunning fields.  What an amazing heritage.

Excuse me Autumn, but I LOVE YOU!

Never work with children or animals, they say.  So to make it work sometimes you just have to get on their level!

And while we're lying on the ground anyway....

Often I like the 'outtakes' even more than the posed photo!

These are the Pinot grapes that Ainsley and her sister worked hard on during their teenage years.  I guess it would have been kind of like when my Dad would make me stack the wood.  Except way yummier.

Hands up, who thinks Ainsley is going to make a GORGEOUS bride?

This is Finella, Ainsley's niece.  She is going to be a flower girl.  She's really quite cute. 

Jared and Ainsley, I hope you love these images as much as I loved taking them.  I couldn't possibly be more in awe of the work that you guys do with kids.  I think teachers totally rock!  Bring on January, when we can take more pictures that will make the kids in your classes go "OOooooooooooo!"

Sean and Adrienne met while studying in Christchurch.  Adrienne was the first to fall, although Sean assures me he wasn't far behind.  Since those early days they've travelled the world and settled down in Germany.  Germany!  Major coolness point for anyone who lives in Germany.

Adrienne is a Blenheim girl, and so they've come home to get married. This Saturday, in fact. Like a lot of our couples who aren't local, I did their engagement shoot a few days before the wedding. A brilliant warm up for the real thing.

Living in Germany, and being pretty well landlocked, they were really quite keen to get some photos on the beach.

The light was absolutely to die for!

Adrienne and Sean have such a fun and natural chemistry, I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to be shooting them on Saturday!

And then, on the way back from the beach, we stopped at Marshlands where the light was equally awesome.

Adrienne, you are absolutely STUNNING!

I love this place!

I can't WAIT for Saturday!  It's gonna be great!

In other news: While we were in Christchurch for Doug and Heather's wedding, we finally took the plunge and picked up another car. It's shiny and gold and has a button on the keys to remotely lock it. Don't mock, I've been wanting one of those buttons FOREVER! It's the little things people, the little things! So now our car is respectable enough to take our couples in...YAY!

I prayed hard as we drove towards Christchurch.  I couldn't believe what we were about to do.  Two things that are completely out of my comfort zone.  1.  Drive to Christchurch.  But I got over that pretty quickly.  2.  Photograph another photographer's wedding.  That one took a little bit more prayer, another deep sigh, and a swallow.

Come on, harden up!  It's Heather and Doug!  I can do this!  Wild horses couldn't keep me away from their wedding.  So we suited up, and started shooting.  I needn't have worried.  The rain mostly stayed away, the light was kind and the wedding was cool.  Like, really cool.

I love Heather.  I love her fresh enthusiasm and youth (ahem, thanks for pointing out our age difference, by the way).  I love how she's not afraid of the camera.  And I love how much she loves Doug, because she loves him loads.  Loads and loads.

Heather said she's bringing these glasses "Just in case, because no one likes a squinty bride!"  Heather is funny.  I like funny people.

Doug is uber cool.  I mean, seriously cool.  Trained in fashion design he made the last minute alterations on the clothes.

Once all of the boys were dressed, they took a little walk down the road to the bus station, where a double decker bus was to take them to the wedding.  See?  I told you this was a cool wedding! 

Check out the cracks in the sidewalk, thanks to the February 22 earthquake.

On the way to Trents, Heather decided to stop and grab a bottle of water.  I have no idea what the attendant would have thought of this bride buying water with a photographer following closely like some sort of paparazzi. 

Heather and Doug decided to have a 'first look' before the ceremony.  So secretly they met on the little lane behind Trents. 

Doug was not allowed to turn around until Heather said so.  I love the anticipation.

"Boo!"  Priceless.

We were allowed to get a few pictures before the bus had to leave again.  I love this bus.  I LOVE this bus!  We didn't feel comfortable letting Heather sit on the seat in her white dress, though, and time was running out.  I desperately wanted a sitting shot.  Desperate times call for desperate measures, so I whipped off my top.  Seriously.  I popped it on the seat and let her sit down.  Thankfully I still had a singlet underneath, but believe me, it still wasn't pretty.  The shot was totally worth it, and no one else was there to see me so scantily clad.

Purple.  Awesome.

Then it was time for the ceremony to begin.

The priest said something that really struck me.  He talked about how Doug and Heather know each other's good points, and bad points.  Yet they still choose to promise to be with each other for the rest of their lives.  There is simply no higher compliment than that.  I guess I've never thought of it like that.

Enormously happy to be married.

Uncle John.

Some of you will remember that during their engagement session I suggested they might like to be a tree.  Poor old Heather got a bit of ribbing from me for not being a great tree.  So I've given them another chance. 

Nope, sorry Heather.  You're still not a great tree.

Carefully camouflaged, the bridal party try their hand at being trees also.

I suggest you stick to loving Doug, Heather.  Because you excel at that.

Extreme group hug.

Trents has got the most magnificent grounds.  Oh how I wish it wasn't four hours away from Blenheim!

The Grandads are remembered.  That makes me happy.

Even when the camera is not pointing anywhere near them, Doug and Heather spend their time hanging out together, holding hands and loving.  They makes my job so easy!

Gasp.  Models.  Right.  There.

Ok.  Who invited this guy?

I think there was more of that stone wall before the big earthquake.  Lets not miss a good photo opportunity though!

See, Heather?  This is why I told you I like Autumn best!

Doug, you funny, funny man.

Heather potted all of these succulents in her very own mugs.  This one sums up Christchurch right now I think!

Cutest speech.

I got into some photos again.  Lucky me!  I'm not sure who these guys are, but they sat next to me and told some great jokes.  This image on the right is of me pretending to dance while Paul tested his settings.  Did I feel silly on the dance floor all by myself?  Of course not.  If only my teenagers were there to see me.

And then the shenanigans began!

Heather and Doug's car also joined the festivities, by way of shaving cream, party poppers and cling wrap.  A LOT of cling wrap.  I was told to withhold the identities of the clingwrappers until they managed to leave the city. 

Heather and Doug, you guys are inspirational in the way that you love each other.  I can see how much you treasure each other, and that makes me even more grateful for being invited into your big day.  I can't wait to show you the rest of the photos.  Have a great honeymoon!

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