 Grab a cuppa (or a cold beverage!) and make sure you have a decent internet connection because this wedding blog is a BIG one! I may have had trouble narrowing down my favourites, so this blog is overflowing with photographs from Andrew and Nicole's fun-filled Wanaka wedding. Andrew and Nicole's day had it all - an epic bridal party, stunning lake and mountain backdrops, a ceremony of love with a few good laughs, a beautiful wedding venue where their guests spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun, then dancing the night away to live music. We even snuck away for some sunset portraits in the grain fields. Andrew and Nicole's wedding was a dream to photograph, but beyond that it was also such a pleasure to be a part of their first day as husband and wife - we were welcomed in by their family and friends and we had a fabulous day celebrating these two gorgeous humans. And Wanaka was not just a beautiful setting for their wedding day, it has special meaning to Andrew and Nicole - hours spent boating on the lake, mountain biking the local trails, mountaintop proposals and of course spending time with family.  I had a lovely morning in the bridal house as Nicole and her bridesmaids got ready around me, with their awesome hair & makeup team. The music was cranking and Nicole had all her details on point for me including their handmade wedding invites.        The last part of the morning as everyone gets dressed and ready to leave the house can always be pretty chaotic. I loved these few quiet minutes Nicole and her mum Marianne had getting Nicole into her wedding dress. I'm sure there was a lot running through their minds and perhaps it didn't feel serene & calm but from the sidelines I felt like I was capturing a very special moment. The moment when it all becomes real.     That dress was just pure elegance. Nicole you were such a beautiful bride! Nicole and Andrew got ready in the morning just a stone's throw from each other. Andrew was just a house over at his parent's getting ready, where Matt spent the morning documenting the guys' preparations.          Andrew and Nicole chose to see each other before their wedding ceremony. It meant they would have more time with their guests after the ceremony and helped calm any nerves, getting the party started that much earlier in the day.    Considering the weather forecast in the days leading up to Andrew and Nicole's day, it turned out to be a stunner!                I don't think I've ever been able to take wedding photos so easily & uninterrupted on the lakefront at Wanaka before! We had the wharf to ourselves and even though the mountains were hiding behinds the cloud it was a stunning backdrop for this gorgeous wedding party.           Matt and I even got in on the action - thanks Sam for this shot!  It was soon time to go get married! Corbridge Woolshed is one of those unique spots that has amazing views no matter which direction you're looking. Once you're there you don't really think about the fact it's just off the side of the highway! All you see is the mountains, rolling hills, fields of grain and the fabulous woolshed itself.          If Marie hadn't told the crowd that this was her very first wedding as a celebrant no one would have guessed. You were awesome Marie and how special for Andrew and Nicole to be your very first wedding couple.      And just like that they were Mr & Mrs.   Andrew and Nicole wanted to take advantage of the beautiful venue location so while guests relaxed by the woolshed we snuck up the lane to frolick in the fields for a few minutes with the bridal party, before heading back to spend the rest of the afternoon celebrating with their friends and family.        The inside of Corbridge Woolshed was as stunning as the grounds. I loved how the table names were the mountains and peaks around Wanaka, special to Andrew and Nicole who love a good outdoor adventure.    All the speeches were pure gold, filled with sentimental stories & hilarious punch lines - but I think it's fair to say Andrew's speech was next level. He greased up to his in-laws, retold the tale of his first encounter with Nicole (which was a tad creepy haha) and he showed his soft side as he toasted his beautiful new wife and to their future ahead. Andrew you are rather talented at speech writing!   Dessert came out and as the sun set below the mountains Andrew and Nicole stole five minutes outside for themselves. And of course for us to take more photos haha!      It's been a long time since we heard this terrific band, LA Social. Always a treat!     Congratulations Andrew and Nicole! Thank you again for having us as your wedding photographers - it's been a true joy to be a part of your journey to this day. We have loved getting to know you both, and it was great meeting your families and friends last week too. I hope you're having a great road trip for your honeymoon and getting out on those mountain bikes! I have no idea how we're going to fit all your beautiful memories into your wedding album, because I could barely narrow down my favourites for this blog haha! Talk soon friends. x DRESS: Anna Schimmel, Auckland | SUITS: Barkers | MAKE-UP: Jet Makeup, Queenstown | HAIR: Beautiful Bridal Hair, Queenstown | FLOWERS: Flowers by Design, Wanaka | CELEBRANT: Marie Roberts | VENUE: Corbridge Woolshed, Wanaka | CATERING: Fully Pitted | JEWELRY: Van De Waters, Gore | CAKE: Whitestone Cheese | MUSIC: LA Social.
|