Every single wedding is different.  Much like music, or food, or people for that matter - every wedding sings a different song.  Sure, they all have the same theme white dress, flowers and love.  But what makes each wedding so unique is the people in them, and their stories.  How they interact with each other and their families.  It's always exciting discovering what song today's wedding is playing, and then shooting along with it.

Karen and Andrew's wedding was FUN.  Full of youth and a whole lot of laughs.  There was a steady supply of jokes and smiles and everyone knew exactly what they were there for.  To celebrate Karen and Andrew and the love they have for each other. 

Karen looked like a Disney princess.  From the tiara in her hair, princess dress and gorgeous eyes, she totally looked the part. 

When Paul turned up to the guys, they were already ready, so all there was left to do was to have fun.  Seemed like that wasn't something they were too gutted about. 

When we got home and downloaded Paul's photos, I discovered about an hour's worth of photos of the guys in various places doing various things.  Funny boys.

I've known Andy for quite a few years, but really only in passing.  He and my nephew Daniel have been good friend since they were little kids, now Daniel is best man at his wedding.  So it was nice to feel a little bit more than the usual belonging at the wedding.  I first met Karen at Daniel's wedding, and then again when she was bridesmaid at Mark and Amanda's wedding in December.  We're practically family now...

See?  Disney Princess.  Totally.

With all of the fun and joking, this was one part of the day that was full of emotion.

Amanda, you look beautiful!

The wedding was held at Marlborough Vintners Hotel.

Picking up the petals again.  Gotta love it! 

After the ceremony was over we popped across the road for some photos.  When I have a fun group I often suggest this shot.  Lying on the ground in the foetal position gets you some really interesting reactions.

Karen and her girls.

We found a random concrete horse head in the garden.  Of course we were going to use it.  Of course!

Beautiful, Karen, BEAUTIFUL!

I told them to sit like people in the 1930s.  This is what they did.  Apparently people in the 30s were very serious!

Paul's perspective on a shot I was getting.  I like his better.  Figures.

I've got a thing for roads lately.  I don't know why.

This was me talking to Andrew's family while trying to get a family portrait for them.  Clearly I am funny.  This is the proof.  Either that or I've got something in my teeth, which is also entirely possible.

This is me and my sister Saskia.  She was a guest at the wedding, so it seemed only fitting that we get a photo together.  Two things occur to me when I look at this photo.  Firstly, how much she looks like my Mum.  That's a compliment because our Mum was beautiful.  I also notice how much bigger my head is than hers.  It doesn't seem normal.  I probably get that from Dad.  Gee, thanks Dad.

Inside the reception and these glowing ring things were super cool.

Karen.  Still smiling.

Congratulations guys!  We had such fun with you all!  Can't wait to show you the rest of the pics!

Vendor Shoutout:

Hair and Make-up: Beyond the Fringe - Scott St

Celebrant: Carol Taylor

Flowers: Flowertime

Dress: Bernadette Thomas

Venue: Marlborough Vintners Hotel

It was our pre-wedding meeting, and I immediately noticed Genevieve's pretty face and welcoming smile.  She invited me into the lounge room where Jason had the same beaming, welcoming smile.  YUS!  At this point I knew that Friday's wedding was going to be perfect.  We discussed the ins and outs of the plans for their day, chatted about the guests and family and colours and put the final touches on the timeline. 

We hadn't met before this because both Genevieve and Jason live in Canada.  Like so many of our out of town couples, we did everything via email.  Genevieve obviously knew me well enough though, as she assured me that I was going to LOVE her shoes.

She was right.

I love the nerves before a wedding.  So many months (sometimes years!) go into planning a perfect day, and it all comes together in these final moments.

Nina, you + flowers are a match made in heaven.

This is Milla, Genevieve's niece.  She is entirely and utterly perfectly cute.  She's also two (ahem, nearly three).  When you choose to have a two year old flower girl you are assured of cuteness, but also complete predictableness.  That's the beauty.  A two year old is like Auckland (bare with me here) with so many moods it's like four seasons in one day!  So it's always good to get a solid flower girl portrait early in the day! 

Genevieve's Mum shows me her gorgeous necklace.  Oh, if only I had such style!

Meanwhile the guys are getting ready as well.  Jason's Dad, Paul, is the best man.  How awesome is that?

Ready to go!

The entire wedding and reception was being held at Wither Hills Winery.  They decided to have the ceremony down in the barrel room, which was both uber cool, and practical as the weather has been a little unpredictable.  Smart!

Arriving in the coolest wedding car on the planet.  But more on that later.

Walking down the aisle with her Mum.  I love how they are looking at Nana.  More on her, and the car, soon.

The vows.  Beautiful.

This is Genevieve's Nana.  The cutest 92 year old you ever did see.  She's the proud owner of the 1974 Toyota Corolla Wedding Car, which she has owned and loved since she bought it new, in 1974.  She's also wearing the very same dress that she wore at Genevieve's parent's wedding decades before.  

Awesome car.  Just awesome.

The weather turned out entirely perfect!

Hunter is nearly five.  He was the most amiable pageboy I think we've ever had!  Every time I pointed the camera his way he busted out another move.

Inside the barrel room.

I always love the stairs at Wither Hills Winery.  Clearly it doesn't take too much to amuse me.

Look at how stylish these two are!

The stairs.  I like them.  I also like Paul for getting this shot.

We headed up to the roof where I was hoping for a bit of shelter from the wind.  No such luck, sadly.  But it made for some fun photos nonetheless!

We did the guys and girls shots, which is a little big misleading if you don't know the background story.  Ed, (groomsman on the left) is actually a bridesman.  Genevieve and Jason figured they might shake things up a bit.  So they had Ed, Genevieve's brother, standing on Genevieve's side at the ceremony, and Madeline, Jason's little sister, standing on the guy's side. 

Every time I referred to Ed, I desperately wanted to say merman, merMAN (cue Zoolander reference).   But I refrained.  He was a perfect Bridesman, and didn't have to walk down the aisle with music or anything.  So it's all good.

Genevieve and Jason = Cute.

All set up and ready for the reception.  Genevieve's Mum has spent months collecting these bottles.

This is Killian, the Scottish MC.  I liked him a lot.  I also liked his accent.  I often wonder if I would like foreign people as much if they had a boring Kiwi accent.  I probably would like Killian as much.  But I enjoyed listening to him speak nonetheless.

Clearly Jason and Genevieve like him too.

Paul's parting shot.  That's why I love him.  For shots like this, and other things as well.

Jason and Genevieve, what a great day!  We're so thrilled you took the risk to book us all the way from Canada.  We were so happy to share your day with you.  Thank you!

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: John Craighead

Flowers: Pink Poppie

Hair: Arthur Devine

Makeup: Jo Roughan

Dress: Manuel Mendoza

Wedding Venue: Wither Hills Winery

Car: Nana's

The second that Candice arrived at her wedding on Saturday and stepped out of the car I knew it was going to be a great day.  She was absolutely stunning.  I know I should be well used to pretty brides by now, but sometimes I catch myself doing a happy little jig. 

*cue happy little jig*

Hortensia House has got to be one of the most gorgeous locations for an outdoor wedding.  There are so many fantastically beautiful places to photograph, I could spend all day here!

Scott had the job of scattering the rose petals.  Such flair, Scott, very nice!

The guys wait for the ladies to arrive. 

Bagpipers.  Or just pipers?  The gentlemen with their bagpipes ready to lead Candice through the gardens and to her groom.

The back of the dress is just as divine as the front!

These are almost always my favourite images of a wedding ceremony.  I love how Scott and Candice are looking at eachother.  This image of Candice was taken just seconds before the "You may kiss your bride" part.  Look at the expectation on her face!

Perfection. 

I was so happy with the light on Saturday, gardens always look amazing on bright yet overcast days.  Add a supremely cute seat and an adorable bride and you got me doing another happy jig.

Such a gorgeous looking group. 

While I was spending a bit of time getting romantic shots of Scott and Candice, the girls were Ooooing and Ahhhing from the sides.  Paul captured it perfectly!

How absolutely gorgeous are these two? 

Scott and Candice were so easy to photograph as they've got such natural chemistry.  

Have I mentioned how much I like Hortensia House?

Then off to Drylands for the reception.

How's this for an awesome wedding cake?

Scott and Candice, what a magnificent day!  Thank you so much for inviting us to capture it.  I'm so excited about the photos, can't wait for you to see the rest!

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Ken Gullery

Flowers: Mayflower

Dress: Jenny Packham

Wedding Venue: Hortensia House

Reception Venue: Drylands Restaurant

Cake: Elaine Nichol

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In other news:

Life is crazy busy at the Jones household right now.  We're in the process of putting our house on the market and buying another (bigger!) one.  Everyone who has had meetings with us lately will know about the renovations, and will be pleased to know that very soon our driveway will no longer be a building site!  In fact, by Sunday, the place will be looking exceptionally spiffy.  Anybody wanna buy an A Frame?

The Summer 11/12 Wedding Season is filling up very, very quickly.  January and February are almost completely booked, but there's still plenty of dates left in March and April. We're so very grateful that we're still getting so many bookings.  Seems that it's been a good move to cut back on all other work in order to just do weddings.  Thank you, THANK YOU, for letting us do what we love!

Jennie and Ash's wedding day was absolutely everything you want in a wedding.  Perfect weather, gorgeous happy people and a whole lot of love.  A whooooooole lot of love.

Tuesday hit Christchurch with the most vicious natural disaster to ever happen in New Zealand.  The Garden City, peppered with historic buildings, was reduced to a bunch of rubble.  Christchurch is only a morning's drive away from us, so we see the devastation on the faces of our friends and family as they escape their crumbling homes.  Everyone seems to have lost something.  Whether it be the unthinkable, a loved one, or their house, their workplace, school or church.  If by some miracle these are all left standing, our Cantabrian friends have lost the feeling of sleeping safely, as their city continues to shake with aftershocks. 

Fast forward to yesterday, Friday, only three days after that horrible shaking.  Ash and Jennie's wedding seemed to be full of their friends and family from Christchurch.  Everyone seemed to be able to put aside the sadness and devastation for one day.  This was Ash and Jennie's day, and this was a day to celebrate.  In fact, I think we all felt this wedding so much more, appreciated our loved ones so much more, treasured every moment of happiness while it was unfolding in front of us.  That made Ash and Jennie's wedding even more special.  I could feel it, and I was only the photographer!

William is Ash and Jennie's boy.  Cute as anything you've ever seen in your life. 

 

Paul captures the fun during the guys getting ready.  Ash wore this smile all day long.  He was so incredibly happy to be marrying Jennie.  He's such a nice guy too.  Paul tells me that Ash adores his cat.  That, to me, is bonus points.  Massive bonus points!

 

Jennie is the most genuine, bubbly and happy girl.  She looked absolutely radiant!

 

This is Jennie's Mum and Dad's wedding photo.  Gosh, I love it.

 

Jennie's Dad was wearing the very same shoes he wore to his own wedding, decades before.  I thought that was pretty cool, actually!

Gorgeous flowers by Flowertime!

The wedding was held at Drylands Restaurant.  A perfect day for it!

 

Jennie made me want to cry, just watching her say her vows and mean them from the bottom of her heart.

While Mummy and Daddy were signing the papers William did an impromptu jig to the music.  That boy has got the moves!

 

After the wedding and everyone is just glowing.   This is always a great time to get candid pictures of guests having fun.

 

Then it was time for the group photo.  However we were missing one elderly uncle.  He had driven up from Canterbury, and everyone was beginning to worry a little.  Thankfully, just as we were about to do this shot, guess who made it! 

 

Down to the river and time to have some fun!

 

Jennie's Dad is a Truck Driver and had spied out some more great spots for photos. 

This image on a giant canvas - yes please!

 

How cute is she?!

 

Jennie, you were a stunning bride!  Everything about you is so special.  And the way you adore your new husband is so obvious.

 

We had so much fun with this group!

 

  

I like them a lot!

 

 

Ash and Jennie, we are so thrilled to have spent yesterday with you.  It was an amazing wedding to be part of.  This week has reminded me, once again, that people are so important.  Love and family and special times, these are the real treasures we have in life.  You guys have each other, and little William.  You are truly blessed.

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: John and Jenny Etheridge

Makeup: Xfoliate

Flowers: Flowertime

Venue: Drylands Restaraurant

From the moment I turned up to Locks and Lashes to when we left straight after the speeches, Kerri and Jason's entire day was filled with happiness and so many opportunities to capture memories.  They had planned their Wedding Day so well that I simply can't help but add far too many images for one blog post.  I'm supposing it's a good problem to have!

This dress + these shoes.  Oh my word.  That's when I knew it was going to be good.  Real good.

Not only does Deirdre always do such an amazing job, she's also a really nice person.  And let's face it, you want to surround yourself with nice on your wedding day! 

Kerri, you were a stunning stunning bride! 

Meanwhile Paul is with the guys as they prepare. 

I always have to giggle during the preparations for a wedding.  It seems everyone needs help to get dressed.  You can go for 30 odd years and be able to dress yourself every morning just fine, but come a Wedding Day you just need that extra bit of help.  I think it's fab!

The garter that belonged to Kerri's Mum.  I love it.  I love the squished flowers.  I love the bent ribbon.  I love that it seems like it's made from shower cap material (as Kerri put it!)  I love that it's dated and old fashioned.  It was her Mum's and I just love it!

Kerri's Dad is a Holden fan.  "Show Jess the watch!" She exclaims.  Jason is a Ford fan.  I'm pretty sure they've settled their differences.  Lucky.

Gorgeous flowers by Pink Poppie. 

The wedding ceremony was held in Kerri's parent's backyard.  The detail that went into the whole thing was fantastic!

The weather could not have been more perfect.  Kerri and Jason could not possibly have been happier to be married. 

Kerri has been counting down the days on Facebook.  This day has been so long in coming, it was truly a great celebration when it finally arrived!

This blackboard = awesome idea.

A lot of weddings are either a cute kid wedding, or a cute older person wedding.  Jason and Kerri's wedding was both.

I want this Nana.  She spent the entire ceremony smiling.  I think it's only fair that I get to take her home, perhaps as a wee reminder of a great day.

Then off for portraits.  I have to say that Kerri and Jason picked some fantastic locations.  Jason is a keen amateur photographer himself, so he knew what would make for great images.

Jason looked pretty dashing.

Kerri sure did seem to like him a lot!

We stopped in at French Fields which turned out to be a good move.  A really good move.

I always dance a little jig when a bride decides to have a veil.  Granted they are rather annoying to the bride on the day, I think the pain is totally worth it!

This is the first time I've actually shot here before, and I'm hoping it won't be my last!  Everywhere you look there is a new spot to explore.  I love it a lot! 

The cars were amazing.  Of course they had to be, seeings Jason is such a huge Ford fan.  The red Mustang was from American Limousines and the yellow one belongs to Wayne, Jason's best man.  They were gorgeous and shiny, which is how I can tell if a car is good enough.  The shine quality.  Paul seemed to be quite impressed by more than just the shine, he's mentioned them several times since the wedding.  So clearly they are very cool cars!

Sadly, every time I see a Mustang, I immediately start singing Mustang Sally, and it sticks with me for the rest of the day.  Now you have it too, don't you?  No need to thank me.

Then on our way back into town we stopped at this crossing as Jason was quite keen to get an Abbey Road shot.  What a great idea!  To get a similar angle Paul had to park the van in the middle of the road (which was thankfully a quiet One Way!) and stand on top of the van.  We got some great looks from the people in cars driving by!

Giant arrow pointing to the to-die-for red shoes.  Perfection.  Right there.  Another one of Paul's shots.

The Convention Centre was gorgeously decorated. 

The bling.

The speeches were great, and well received by all!  I won't repeat why Jason is holding a Neil Diamond DVD.

But Kerri's parents know why by the look on their faces!

Cheers guys!  What an awesome day!  We were so thrilled to be part of it and witness two great people getting married.  Thanks for choosing us, we can't wait to show you the rest!

 

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Jenny Andrews

Hair & Makeup: Deirdre, Locks & Lashes

Flowers: Pink Poppie

Red Mustang: American Limousines

Reception Venue: The Convention Centre

 

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I suppose there was absolutely no way to know exactly what the weather was going to do on Saturday, the weather report was noncommittal, but the clouds were rolling towards us and looking rather ominous.  We packed every umbrella we owned into the car, and just in case Paul smothered himself in sun cream.   I often laugh at his worst case scenario planning, and have nicknamed him Mr Contingency Plan, however, driving home from this beautiful wedding, guess which one of us was pinker than the other?

Suzanne and Glen most certainly did have the most amazing weather.  The breeze was plenty cool, and the sun peaked out from some very awesome clouds. And The Portage Resort Hotel put on a beautiful wedding!

Suzanne was gorgeous, even before she put on her wedding dress. 

Suzanne works for Rembrandt Suits, so the guys suits were well and truly looked after! 

Doing the whole reflection thing, a couple of times?.  either that or Glen has a twin I didn't know about.

Glenn looked pretty dashing.

This gorgeous necklace belonged to Suzanne's Grandma.  A very special touch to the day.

The colours Suzanne chose were absolutely perfect for a Sounds wedding.  Beautiful pieces of classiness scattered around.  I loved it all!

Clearly Grace had something to do with the beautiful makeup job of the girls!

I love this shot of Suzanne's Mum putting the final stitches on the dress.  A perfect fit!

What a beautiful and adoring bride!

And what a beautiful setting for a wedding!

 

Perhaps I should encourage groups to hold onto their toddlers until I'm done posing them!

Then off around Portage to find some great locations.

How cute are they?  Very cute!

I had no idea this was even happening behind me until I got home and saw this picture.  Eyes in the back of my head, that's what I need!

This is what I was busy taking a photo of, pure gorgeousness!

The bridesmaids dresses were just delightful.  I heard so many people comment on them all through the day.

Paul got the guys to work it for the camera.

Supreme gorgeousness.

We headed down to 'The Gap' just past Portage.  I'd never been there before, what a great spot for photos!

On a sidenote: could this handbag possibly be the best handbag ever on the entire planet?  If you said yes, I'd say you're right.  It belonged to one of the very stylish guests.  Now I.Want.One!!

Back at the Resort for a beautiful reception in the lovely evening light.

Such a spectacular day, filled with beautiful people, perfect weather and great friends.  We were privileged to be part of it, and capture it for you guys.  All the very, very best for your life together!

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Lurleen Fowler

Hair: Beyond the Fringe

Makeup: Grace Make up

Flowers: Fleurs

Dressmaker: Karen Willis Holmes

Venue: The Portage Resort Hotel

"You nervous?" Paul asks me in the car as we leave Blenheim.  "Nah." I respond confidently.  "You?"  I ask.  "Not, really."

I felt like something must be wrong for me not to want to run the other direction just before a wedding.  Usually I have to duck off to the loo several times before I leave the house, just from sheer nerves.  You'd think I'd be used to it by now.  I guess I was just taking the drive into consideration, because as we drove through Nelson it hit me.  Boof! 

"Nervous now!"  I exclaimed.  "Good." Paul responds, quietly panicking to himself as well. 

Once we turn up though, everything changes.  It's the same every week.  You'd think I'd learn.  Belinda was positively radiant.  Her girls were fluttering about getting beautiful and the day was perfect.  Just perfect.  And the nerves?  What nerves?  I couldn't be happier.

Paul usually starts his day with the guys getting ready.  I love seeing the other side of the story after all is said and done.  I'm so grateful that he spends the time here, so I can spend my time capturing the girls and all the prettiness.

Belinda inspects the bridesmaids.  These dresses were super cute. 

When I first met Belinda she came with her Mum, Helen.  I wanted to keep her right away.  She's got to be one of the most enthusiastic and onto it Mother-of-the-brides that I've ever met.

Belinda was amazing.  She had planned the day to go perfectly, and it did.  It was as amazing as she was.

I love this.  Paul captured the processional beautifully.  My photos were good, but Paul's were spectacular.  Look at how happy they are! 

Another one of Paul's shots.  Look at how adoringly Dene is looking at Belinda.  This photo sums the whole day up.  One moment.  Perfection.

The ceremony was held at this adorable little church in Nelson.  Bishopdale Chapel, you are my new best friend.  Cuteness extreme!

You think they're happy to be married?

I love this one, look at all of the people enjoying that moment.

And this one.

See?  Chapel=cuteness.

Belinda is the sweetest thing.  She really is as pretty on the inside as the outside.  It was my lucky day! 

We headed to her parents place for some photos.  I'm fairly sure Helen was not expecting me to shoot on the front doorstep, but with light as pretty as this, how could I not?

If anyone asks you, the colour of those dresses can be called taupe.  I had never heard of it before our prewedding meeting, but once it was explained to me I felt empowered.  Then, when the neighbour asked me 'what is the colour of those dresses?"  I could confidently answer her, as if I had known about the colour taupe all my life.

Meet Claud.  He and his friends were the wedding cars.  I.  Want.  One.

 

Then off to Whitebridge Vineyard where the reception was to be held.  Not before I stole them away into the vineyards for a few final pictures.

Dene is such a great guy.  PERFECTLY suited to Belinda.  You can just see they belong together.  Both of them are easy going and a joy to be around.

This shot was more an accident than anything.  But don't tell anyone.  That's the veil giving that soft hazy glow.

Then, just out of nowhere Belinda's veil flew vertically up in the air.  I knew that was a shot I wanted, so I lay down in front of the girls chatting waiting for the next gust of wind.  I knew I looked strange.  It would have been a great shot.  If the wind had played along.  But it didn't, which was a shame really.  In the meantime, so as not to look like a complete Womble, I got some shots.  And actually, I kind of like it.

The marque and details looked amazing.

The bling took my breath away....

And Dene and Belinda lived happily ever after....

Thanks guys for an amazing way to spend our Saturday.  Didn't we have fun?  We're so thrilled to have spent your amazing day with you! We wish you all the very best in your future together.

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Charles Tyrrell

Hair: Ursula Harris Hair Design

Makeup: Rebecca Wilson

Flowers: Willow Floral Design

Dress: Collette Dinnigan

Venue: Whitebridge Vineyard

Cake: Blinc Catering

 

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