In everything give thanks... It was a Bible verse long before it became an American Holiday.  Thanksgiving.  What a great time to remember all of the things we have to be thankful for.  I'm especially thankful for my family and friends and our amazing job.  Anybody who has seen us shoot knows that we love what we do.  We are utterly blessed to be able to take photos of gorgeous people like Aidan and Steph.  And we are incredibly grateful to all of the amazing couples that continue to hire us to capture their day for them.  We've been doing this for years now, and I still pinch myself. 

Steph and Aidan's day was perfection.  It was filled with serious and tender moments, and loads and loads of laughs.  Just my kind of day!

The bell at the end was a gift from Aidan to Steph for their wedding. 

The flowers.  Oh my goodness - coolness! The flowers were done by Stacey at Bellebird Design Flax Flowers & Art.  They are made of flax and incredibly gorgeous.  I suspect I'll be seeing a lot more of Stacey's work in the future!

The celebrant had obviously asked both Aidan and Steph what it was that they loved about each other.  As she read out the different points, you could just see their faces light up.  Clearly they adore each other, like really really adore each other!

Every wedding has an 'Uncle Bob'.  It's the person who has a good camera and is keen as mustard to get the best shot.  The 'Uncle Bob' at this wedding was a small boy.  I think he'll be giving us a run for our money in a few years time!

We headed over to Steph and Aidan's old school.  We spent some time hanging out by the tree that everyone carves their names into before finally graduating, yes, Steph is doing bunny ears.

Steph you are breath taking!

Generally I would be the one lying in some ridiculous position to get a shot like this, but Paul, in his drive to get the best shot every time, got there before I could.

See? 

Small girls are not always cooperative, but they are always cute!

Steph is not only beautiful, but she's also extremely creative.  Go and checkout her handiwork over at G is for Giraffe.

Steph wears her watch every single day, she told me, so what better place to wear your watch than on your flowers?  Also Grandma's brooch, very precious.

I love the way that Aidan adores Steph.  You can tell that Steph is everything to him, she's a very lucky girl indeed!

I've never come across this game before.  How small can you make your face?  I think I'll be playing it, possibly by myself in random places.  I reckon it will go down well...

Both the ceremony and reception were held at Marlborough Vintners Hotel.

We found some light to die for inside.  happiness....

This is a photo of me showing them the photo I took of them.  Even I have to read that sentence slowly to understand it.

Steph and Aidan, it was our absolute pleasure to capture your amazing wedding for you, thank you for choosing us.  We hope you're loving Bali! 

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Vendor Shoutout:

It was the kind of day that the birds seemed to sing just that little bit louder.  The weather was perfect and the whole property was buzzing with excitement.  I never doubted that this was going to be a very special wedding, but the beautiful moments contained in this one day are simply far too many to share in this humble blog post.  So you'll just have to imagine even more beauty than this.  If you can.

Getting ready in her childhood home is something precious to any girl. 

And her mother.

This brooch that belonged to Grandma has been worn by all of the women in Kat's family.

Meanwhile Paul was over with the boys, and caught some very special moments himself. 

Kat and Josh were getting married at the St Michael's Church in Waimea.  It's the kind of church that made us go "Ooooooooo" when we first turned up to do a quick scout.  The possibilities made us talk extra fast.  Well, it made me talk extra fast.

Inside and the wait for the girls has begun.

Any moment now....

And there she is!

I wasn't close enough to hear exactly what Dad said as he gave Kat away.  But I love the expressions!

The vows were so incredibly heartfelt, so sincere, I don't think there was a dry eye in the church.

Married!

Sometimes you get the perfect mix of location, light and gorgeous people.  Ding ding ding!  We have a winner!  I was busy trying not to do my happy dance.

Josh and Kat had organised a double decker bus to take themselves and their guests back to Kat's parent's property where the reception would be held in the most beautifully decorated marquee that you ever did see!

Sometimes it's a good idea to shoot in the general direction that everyone else is shooting in. 

But sometimes it can be worthwhile turning around and seeing what is going on behind you.  Sometimes that is actually the shot that you want.

And every so often, you need to look where no one else is looking.  Sometimes that's where you'll find a story more powerful than anything else.

Josh spent the whole day grinning.  He seemed so absolutely over the moon with Kat.  It was almost like he had won the lotto, but better.

And WOW who can blame him for feeling like the luckiest guy alive? 

Josh and Kat had chosen a really fantastic bridal party.  They were helpful, funny and fully present.  Well done guys!

You guys are so gorgeous, I can barely stand it.

Kat's Mum and Dad have spent countless hours getting their property ready to host the celebration.  It was immaculate.

You guys are so fab, you even make the (ahem boring) traditional pose (for Grandma) look like something fresh out of a magazine.  You've made both me (and Grandma) very happy.

Josh and Kat, you had the most spectacularly beautiful day, and we are so grateful to have been able to be part of it.  Thank you.  We can't wait to show you all of the rest of the beautifulness!

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There's never a dull moment with Natalie, she's always smiling and laughing and today was certainly no exception.  Today she was going to marry Sean and her smile was as radiant as ever.  Surrounded by their closest friends and family, Natalie and Sean boarded a boat in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and vowed their lives to each other.

Gorgeous flowers by Nina at Pink Poppie.

Natalie is a complete natural in front of the camera.  She's one of these rare beauties that knows exactly what to do when a lens is pointed at her.  I've been told by her family that she's had that skill since she was a little girl.

Neither Sean nor Natalie had attendants, no bridesmaids or groomsmen.  Natalie said that Sean's Dad would be as close to a bestman as you could get.  Apparently these two are great friends.

And there was certainly no lack of friends!

This medal, tied to the flowers, belonged to Natalie's Grandma.  It was blessed by the Pope and Grandma wore it pinned to her clothes every single day, that's how special it was.  And now it belongs to Natalie, and it's a part of her wedding day.  Beautiful.

Sean and Natalie decided to see each other before the ceremony.  I love this series of images!

Seriously, Natalie, you are freakishly good at this!

This is a very special pocket watch given to Max, Natalie's son, by Sean. I love little things like this, because, quite honestly, the little things are the big things.  Sean, you're a great guy.

And this is Max.  Perfectly adorable!  He's a real credit to you Natalie.  It's rare to find a boy who is so open, friendly and a joy to be around.

Waiting for the bride to arrive.  A large percentage of the guests came from England to be here for this very day.  By the end of the day my 'inside voice' sounded like a character from Coronation St.  I like to listen to accents and wish I could do them!

How is this for an amazing setting to get married in?  We were hugely blessed to have the rain hold off for us.  It was spitting and threatening to rain all day, but when it came time for the ceremony it was absolutely perfect.

Max read out a poem which had everybody saying "Awwwwwwww" a lot.  I heard it behind me in stereo.  It's times like this that I wish I were a videographer.  Trouble is, I'm rubbish at video, so I'll just stick to photos.

Natalie and Sean wrote each other love letters about what this day meant to them.  They've kept them sealed and put them in this bottle, to be opened in ten years.  What a magnificent idea!

The guests approve.

This is Theo.  Gorgeousness right there.  Apparently I was funny!

Then some portraits on the shore.

What a handsome couple!

Sean was wonderful and patient while we had fun with the portraits.  In fact, he even admitted not minding them so much.  Thata boy Sean!  That's how it's done!

Captain Natalie.  Ah yes.  Why not!

When we arrived back on land, Natalie had one more spot lined up for us to shoot.  Blue boatsheds!  Yusss!

The reception was held at the Waikawa Boating Club in keeping with the nautical theme.

Bradley Guy is an absolutely brilliant young piper. He even had everybody clapping along and really getting into it.  Well done Bradley!

Another formation of Australia.  I promise I didn't set it up like that!

A cheese cake.  A cake made of cheese.  With little mice on the top.  How completely perfect!

Sean and Natalie, what a wonderful day!  Thank you so very much for inviting us to share it with you.  I can't wait to show you the rest of the photos!

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Vendor Shoutout:

Celebrant: Carol Taylor

Flowers: Pink Poppie Designer Florist

Dress: Jane Yeh

Boat: Beachcomber Fun Cruises

Catering: The Quest Catering Co

Reception Venue: Waikawa Boating Club

Cheese Cake: Canterbury Cheesemongers

Adam and Kylee are the kind of people that make me happy to be a wedding photographer.  In fact, they make me long for the next wedding because weddings are so much fun!  Their day was so full of love and laughter and beautiful smiles and dimples.  OH!  The dimples!

And blue shoes.  You've got to love the blue shoes, don't you?

Molly Rose was the perfect flowergirl, patient, happy, and absolutely gorgeous.   

And here is our beautiful Kylee. 

Braydon was the bearer of the rings.  A responsibility he took very seriously.

The wedding was held at Drylands, and although it was a little bit nippy, we were thankful that it wasn't raining like it was at the rehearsal the day before!  Nope, the sun was out and everybody was happy.

Introducing Adam, watching as his bride arrives.

This is one of my favourite shots of the day.  When your baby gets married even tough men find it hard to keep it together.

And best friends can be rubbish at being tough too.

He got the girl!

As we were waiting for family to come for the group photos I spotted this huddle to keep Granny warm.  Priceless.

We decided to shoot at Pollard Park, and I'm ever so glad we did!  The little red bridge, the trees and the thousands and thousands of daisies made this the perfect choice!

Kylee, you are spectacularly beautiful!

A fun and crazy bunch this was!

A week ago I had never even met Adam and Kylee, they live in Australia and we only had contact through emails.  Now I feel like they are my bffs.  It's amazing how when you spend a day with someone and all of their nearest and dearest you really get a feel for who they are.  And I like who Adam and Kylee are.  I liked them even before they brought us chocolate wedding cake, I liked them even more after.

Then back to Drylands where there was more cuteness to be found.

Adam and Kylee were so easy to direct, no matter where you put them they always look gorgeous and totally in love, simply because they are!

 

It's not usually too easy to steal a couple out of their reception for the sunset light, but Adam and Kylee allowed for that and went along with all of my funny ideas. I was in heaven! Sitting wasn't a problem.  In fact, I could be so bossy as to even get them to lie down!

See?

Back inside and the speeches had everybody laughing.

And then the dancing began!

Before we headed home, Kylee insisted we indulge in the photobooth.  This is exactly why we usually stay on the other side of the camera.

The very last photo before we got in the car and we were treated to a shooting star - a very fitting way to end the day!

Adam and Kylee, you guys are the real deal.  Thank you so much for inviting us into your big day, for making us feel welcome and appreciated, and for the chocolate cake.  Let's not forget about the amazing chocolate cake.  I can't wait to show you all of the rest of the images!

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Vendor Shoutout:

I hardly know where to start.  Paul and Rachel's day was so perfect, so absolutely flawless.  Rachel was stunning.  Paul was the perfect gentleman, entirely adoring and handsome.  Exactly the things that make my world go round.

We stayed with Paul and Rachel from when they first got ready in the morning, until they left their reception to start their lives as man and wife.  We captured from 11.30am to 11.30pm, which is why I simply have to make this post bigger than your average blog post.  I've just got so much to share!

The day started for me at Locks and Lashes...

Rachel's brother Nigel was to give her away.  His face says it all.

Meanwhile the boys are getting ready...

Paul's Mum has been praying for a perfect wife for her son for many years now.  And when she met Rachel she felt like she already knew her.  It's rare that you see a couple so perfectly suited as Paul and Rachel are.  God answers mother's prayers.

Photos from Paul and Rachel's engagement session were beamed onto the wall at the Elim Church as the guests started to arrive.

And then she arrived. 

 

The day was filled with many prayers and blessings.  Absolutely beautiful.

It was the first time I had seen a rose ceremony.  Giving and receiving a rose each which symbolised their love.  

This is gorgeous Nana May.  She is about to turn 100.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

As if the day was not perfect enough, we were taken by Marlborough Helicopters to the top of the hills to really have some fun.  And boy, did we ever!

But gosh, was it windy!  Everyone knows I am a fan of veils, and this is why.

I love the way that Paul loves Rachel.  Completely, honestly and selflessly.  Nothing is a bother to him.  It's like he's found a treasure.  He even spoke of that in his speech, relating it to Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." 

I can't even tell you how many happy dances I did (on the inside, thankfully). The light and the scenery, everything, it was just so perfect.

Then we got back into the helicopter and let Paul and Rachel play.  I knew they didn't need too much direction.  I just told them to change it up and have fun with it while we flew around them. 

Honestly, some days I have to pinch myself.

Then off to Rarangi to meet the rest of the bridal party and have some more fun.

Rachel surprised Paul with an impromptu sand covenant ceremony on the beach.  With sand from both of their hometowns, it symbolises how the two have now become one.

Brancott Estate.  Oh my gosh, you looked divine! 

See the fudge there?  Paul's Mum made it for every place set in the restaurant.  Seven batches, apparently. 

They thought of everything.  And I mean, everything.  They even got a LIGHTING GUY.  Someone who set up lights at the church as well as the reception.  Before recently I didn't even know you could get a lighting guy to cover everything like that.  But my word, it makes things beautiful.  So if you're planning a wedding, and if you're looking for that extra zing in your day, get yourself a lighting guy.  F'real.

Oh, the stories that were told during the speeches!

Me.  Because I can.

We shot the first dance from different angles.  I shot with the spotlight...

While my Paul shot against it.  I think he wins.  Darnit.

The Chilli Dogs rocked the place...

...while the melted down candles gave evidence that a perfect day was coming to an end.

Paul and Rachel looked fabulous right up until they left.

Thank you guys so very much for allowing us to capture your day for you.  It was magical and beautiful and every bit the fairy-tale day that you both deserve.  May God bless you abundantly in your life together.

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"Always remember to be happy because you never know who's falling in love with your smile". 

Jessica's smile was one of the first things I noticed about her when we met, and I'm sure Adam noticed it early on as well, because he was totally smitten with her.  In fact, he couldn't take his eyes off her all day.

Bling on shoes always makes me happy.

Jessica and the girls got ready at Locks and Lashes.  The sky was threatening rain, but no one seemed the least bit fazed as the temperature was mild and there wasn't the slightest hint of wind.  It was a perfect day to get married.

Flowers by Pink Poppie.  Lovely.  Just as expected.

During the rehearsal Jessica mentioned that she would be walking down the aisle with her veil covering her face.  I, for one, am a big fan of this, but tried to quell the happy dance in front of their friends and family whom I had only just met.  Just as she was saying this, and I was busy quelling the dance, I looked over at Adam who lit up like a child's eyes on Christmas morning.  Clearly this was the first he had heard of it, and he sure was pleased.

There is always so much going on during the processional.  Many people think it's all about the bride and her Dad.  And although much of it is, look at what else is going on in the images that follow.

Watching his bride walk down the aisle. 

I've said it before, but I love capturing parents at a wedding.  How's this for another angle of the processional?  Perfect moment.  Right there.

During our prewedding meeting, I told Adam and Jessica that the most important thing I needed to create beautiful images was for them to like each other. She turned to Adam and they both smiled. "That shouldn't be a problem!" she said.

Quite possibly one of my favourite shots of the day. 

Adam and Jessica spent the longest time scouring the streets looking for the perfect little church to hold their wedding in.  They finally found it in Renwick.  St Francis de Sales Catholic Church has been lovingly restored and is now available for weddings. 

Then it was off to Lake Timara Lodge for some fun!

One of our all time favourite locations for portraits, this place is amazing.  Especially considering it was spitting with rain and we were able to use both inside and outside.  I couldn't have been happier!

The grounds at the Lodge are absolutely to die for.  A.Ma.Zing.

The guys clearly know how it's done.

I spotted this tree on our way into the grounds and could hardly believe my luck.  Autumn just keeps on giving me love.

I'm pretty sure Adam and Jessica only noticed each other though. 

Thanks to their incredible wedding planning skills, we had plenty of time left to have a play inside the lodge as well. We couldn't let the opportunity to use this staircase go to waste!

Often rain can be our friend, and when we have a good inside backup plan like Adam and Jessica's, things can work out very well indeed!

The reception was held at the Marlborough Convention Centre, and OH MY GOODNESS did it look incredible or what!

Adam and Jessica, it was our absolute pleasure to capture your day for you.  You are both among the loveliest couples we've had the pleasure of working with, and we can't wait to show you the rest of the images!

Tania is an events planner in Auckland, which means that she knew exactly how to create a beautiful day.  And what a beautiful day it was!  A regular on our blog, Tania chose most of her vendors from our 'vendor shoutouts'.  So awesome to see our blog helping people to plan their big day.

Hair and makeup done by the very talented Deirdre from Locks and Lashes.

Tania's shoes were hand painted by Liz, her cousin and bridesmaid.  Fantastic talent, right there!

Flowers by Pink Poppie.  The Girl Guides pin belonged to Tania's Grandmother.  Such a nice way to remember somebody special.

As Tania was about to leave for her wedding, Mark paces nervously.  I love the contrast in reactions to such a huge day.

Watching his bride arrive.

Tania's Dad gives her away.  Gorgeous moment.

Brancott Estate is probably the most perfect place to have a Autumn/Winter wedding.  Everything is inside, and it doesn't matter one bit if the weather is bad.  You can even play cricket inside, that's how cool it is!  More on that later....

Tania you look beautiful!

Mark and Tania's wedding was lovely and intimate with only 35 guests.  And a laptop with Tania's brother on Skype.  I think it's our first Skype guest.  He even had his own chair.

Fun with shadows.

I'm so glad to see that Autumn and Winter weddings are gaining popularity.  With a bit of clever planning, so that everyone stays warm and dry, these seasons give us such gorgeous light.  Sunset is early, which makes things super beautiful.

I told you they were cute!

Mark proposed to Tania in front of friends and family, on one knee.  What a guy!  And the answer was an immediate yes.  Lucky man!

Mark's curls are to die for.  I mean, seriously, LOOK at them!  He tells me he can store pencils in them, that's how tight they are.  Although he often keeps it short, Tania made him promise to grow his hair long for their wedding.  And the photographer heartily approves! 

I had so much fun with Mark and Tania.  They followed directions beautifully, and seemed to be just as excited about my silly ideas as I was.  This only led to more silly ideas. 

Sometimes my ideas don't work.  Like this time, for instance.  This enormous flock of birds passed over us, forming all sorts of shapes and patterns as they flew by.  I called out for them to form a love heart.  They didn't.  I called out louder, thinking perhaps they just didn't hear me and they still didn't.  So we told them they were stupid, and carried on with another idea.  It just goes to show that birds just don't listen to instructions.

Totem pole heads.  Of course.

When I started my sentence with "I'm going to lie in the foetal position....." they knew exactly where I was going with this.  Yay for blog readers!

Then it was time for more playing.  Cricket!  They were going to join their guests in the barrel room and play CRICKET!  Of course you need cricket-playing-shoes for that kind of thing.

I have a fear of balls.  I don't know why that is.  If someone throws a ball at me, I squeal and run away.  I'm definitely more of an artist than I am a sports person. So Paul volunteered to be the one to get the action shots.

And that's why I love him.  He knows that I'm not so great at holding the camera straight while balls are flailing about, so he set up his lighting gear and totally nailed it. 

Adeline is nearly two and learning to play early.  The man on the right is far too happy to have caught her out. 

Brancott is a beautiful place for a reception!

I love this shot.

Mark and Tania, thank you for such a fun day.  We thoroughly enjoyed your wedding, and the chance to capture it.   Shame that the birds didn't give us our love heart.  But sometimes that's just the way it goes!

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