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

 

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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

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I woke up with a spring in my step on Saturday morning, WEDDING DAY!  I knew that Lisa was going to be gorgeous, and that Mark was going to be the perfect, most adoring groom.  I was right on both counts. 

As I write this, I am surrounded by my beautiful family, out in the country.  We've all gotten together (7 out of 8 of us kids from all over the world) to give Mum her biggest wish.  That her children be around her, enjoying each other and making music together.  Mum is becoming more frail by the day, but the joy that I see in her face as she soaks in the family she has loved all her life somehow softens reality.  Looking through the images of Mark and Lisa's most spectacular day remind me again of what is really important. Love.  When all is said and done, it's these moments and so many others, that mean the most.  It's the most amazing privilege to be invited into people's beautiful moments, to capture and preserve them. 

It's a 'Mum moment'.  I love it.  I love it a lot.

The girls got ready at Locks and Lashes, and Deirdre most certainly did a fantastic job, as always.

Lisa was absolutely breathtaking, and I couldn't wait to see Mark's reaction when he saw her!

Lisa is the BLING QUEEN.  I danced a silly little jig when I heard about all of the amazing detail that she had planned into her day.  Awesomeness Lisa, way awesomeness.

Nina and her amazing crew from Pink Poppie orchestrated the flowers.  Another little jig right there.  This Ostrich feather fan has been in Lisa's family for generations, it's just soooooo beautiful.

The wedding was held at beautiful Woodend Gardens.  It has got to be the most superbly preened garden I've ever seen.  Lisa loves gardening, so it was the perfect spot!

Lisa's family is one of the sweetest, most sincere families I've come across.  In fact I was considering popping Rose, her Mum, into my handbag and taking her home.  She didn't stop smiling all day, her little girl was marrying the love of her life.

Mark was so nervous, and excited.  He was a joy to photograph!

Beautiful.

I like these people, I like them a lot.

The shoes were to die for.  More bling.

Have you ever seen a man happier with his gorgeous bride?  This image says it all.

If ever you're planning a wedding in Spring, prepare yourself for the possibility of a bit of wind. 

Such a fairy tale wedding. Woodend Gardens, I love you.

The flowers matched the dresses so well, I could barely stand it.

Then onto Lisa's Grandad's place for some rustic country pictures.

Of course, more BLING.  Amazing bling.

Mark and Lisa, thank you so very much for letting us into your day.  We thoroughly enjoyed every moment, and can't wait to show you all of the other moments we've captured!  Enjoy your honeymoon!

It was a day we've been looking forward to for months, one of the highlights of our winter, in fact!  The setting was St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti, and both Paul and I were amped to get the very best images possible.  In fact, Paul was fairly sure he was going to outshoot me, and because I'm the one that writes the blog posts, I'm going to say he lost.  Or maybe it was a tie.....

It was an amazing day, not just because the weather was perfectly still and crisp.  Not just because of the jaw dropping gorgeousness of every detail, but because Glenn and Carina became man and wife.

Carina was absolutely breathtaking.  Every single detail was planned, and everything flowed like clockwork. 

Nina from Pink Poppie orchestrated the flowers, and they were simply divine. Not that I expected any less!

This is Gracie, she's nearly four, so she tells me.  And she's cute.  Way cute.

More gorgeous detail.

Meanwhile Paul was with the boys as they prepared to get the show on the road.

Glenn and Carina decided to see each other before the ceremony, so they met at this cute little cottage.

The dress stayed under wraps under this amazing cape, so there was still a nice surprise at the ceremony.

We went up Mt Robert, and although there wasn't any snow, it was still a pretty awesome spot.

I like signs.  I like them a lot.

Down by the lake.

This was Paul's capture.  I love the reflections of the trees in the glass, and seeing the nervous wait going on inside the chapel.   

As Glenn sees his bride walking towards him.  Win.

The vows nearly made me cry.  They were so lovely and heartfelt.

This photo is a major win.  Awesomeness.

And they're married!  This was Paul's view of the group shot.

Then back down to the lake for some more photos. Gosh I do love this spot.

 

Some of the best shots are of what goes on right before or right after a posed shot.

I've fallen in love with Lake Rotoiti.  I was told that there were sand flies, but they seemed to leave me alone.  Clearly they knew not to mess with me!

More beautiful detail on Carina's dress.

This bridge was Glenn and Carina's idea as well.  I love it!

 

Looking smooth Glenn!

Then onto the Lodge for the reception.  Everything was absolutely perfect.  Stunning even.

 

I love the emotion in these shots.

Thanks guys for inviting us into your spectacular Winter Wonderland Wedding.  You're a very special couple, and we wish you huge amounts of happiness for the rest of your lives together.  Enjoy your honeymoon!

Even more photos on facebook!

Vendor Shoutout:

Hair: Chrissy, Urban Hair

Makeup: Grace

Gown: Bernadette Thomas

Flowers: Nina - Pink Poppie

Reception and Catering: Alpine Lodge

Cake: Chocolate Velvet

It didn't even matter that the weather was threatening rain.  I was loving the look of the clouds, the light that peaked through the angry billows was absolutely divine.  Hurray for a winter wedding! 

Heather and James had everything beautifully planned, so the day flowed with minimal fuss or stress.  Heather was as beautiful as I had imagined, and James was beaming from the very start of the day, to the moment we bidded them farewell. 

I adore Heather, she's sweet and relaxed and she looks like she's just stepped out of a bridal magazine.

Bring on the bling on the shoes!  (say that five times, go on, try it)

Paul had started his wedding coverage with the boys.  I love the special moments between a Groom and his Mum.

The entire day was held at Montana, which was an absolutely inspired idea.  No one had to worry about what the weather was going to do, as we were all going to be staying warm and dry regardless.

Love the nervous wait.

Hello there beautiful moment!  Love it, I love it a lot.

And another one.  This is just as Dad presents James with his new wife.  Beautiful.

And she just beams.

Guests at weddings = lovely.

And then they were man and wife!  Congratulations guys!

This was the weather I was talking about.  Could it be more perfect?  I really don't think so!

Back inside Montana.

The flowers were just fantastic! I love the combination of soft colours and succulents.

It's always fun to watch people reacting to speeches. 

Those flowers on the top of the cake are icing.  Aha.  Really.  I could hardly believe it either!  I almost wanted to taste them just to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that would not have been a good look.

Montana by night.  As usual, Paul rocked the night shot.

Thanks Heather and James for inviting us into your most precious day.  It was such a privilege to capture it for you!

We struck up a friendship quickly, chatting away about life like we'd been friends for years.  When the conversation veered towards their upcoming wedding, and getting her photos taken, Robyn quickly declared "I don't like having my photo taken, I don't take a good photo!"  Even when I sympathised with her, and told her that pretty much everyone who sits in that couch tells me the same thing "Ohhh no, but this is for real, I REALLY don't like it!"  I knew that once she was relaxed and happy, like most people, she was going to look gorgeous.

Sure enough, by the end of her wedding day she was beaming about having her photo taken, rather surprised at how lovely she looked!

This is with her bridesmaid, Sheryl.  They've been friends for 20 years, and you could tell how close they are!

Walking down the aisle towards her groom, one of my favourite views of the bridal entrance!  This is the time that even the toughest manly man shows his softer side.  Love it!

Other views of the same time, the guests. 

There's usually a lot of glowing smiles from them as well!

John and Robyn have been together for eight years, and Robyn said that John's proposal came totally unexpected.  Well done John!  It's amazing how often the ladies can somehow 'feel' it coming - it's awfully difficult to keep things a secret from us girls, you know.

Now living in Australia, they returned home to Blenheim to celebrate their wedding with their family and friends.  The ceremony was held at Green Gables.  A really lovely spot for a wedding this size.

This is Frankie, she's the adorable product of a wedding we shot a few years ago, Kirsty and Sean (so far back it's preblog!), she also happens to be Robyn's grandbaby.  She's only three months old, and look at that hair!  Have you ever seen a more gorgeous little lady? Robyn is simply besotted with her.

Robyn's Dad really should get the 'Father of the Bride Award' for this year.  What a lovely man!  He surprised Robyn by getting a limousine for her (complete with drivers hat!) and being her chauffeur for the day.

They didn't expect such luxury! 

He also followed us around the park during the portraits, holding flowers, parasols, cardigans and anything else that needed holding.  I could actually do with someone like him at all my weddings!

Once again, Autumn at Pollard Park is as beautiful as ever.

And John and Robyn worked it!

I love this shot of them!  They were both so deliriously happy all day!

John and Milo were obviously great friends too.

I think John also surprised himself with how studly he could look in camera!

Robyn had been given a prayer and hymns book that used to belong to her mother, and she carried it with her all day.  Such a lovely way of remembering and honouring her Mum.

John and Robyn, what a lot of fun we had with you!  Thanks so much for having us along for the ride!  All the very best, and enjoy your travels!

Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Lurleen Fowler

Hair: Vanessa, Vogue

Flowers: Pink Poppie

Ceremony Venue: Green Gables

Reception Venue: Heartland Hotel