Heidi Horton Photography

Brent and Nicole's Hawthorne Gardens wedding was a day of utter perfection - the celebrations, the autumn light, the fun, the love and all those gorgeous wedding moments that complete the day.

These two incorporated many special and sentimental details into their wedding including having their fur-babies Toby & Oscar at the ceremony. Nicole wore heirloom rings from both sides of the family. Brent and Nicole also planned their day to be laidback with plenty of time just to chill out with their bridal party, hang out with guests and enjoy the day - which is something we are always huge advocates of.

Brent and Nicole's wedding is the last of our summer season and what an awesome season it has been. I know I have probably said it in every blog post this summer but each & every wedding has been so much fun to be a part of, there's been a truly cruisey vibe with no rushed timelines and all our couples have made their wedding days uniquely their own.

​I'm so excited to share Brent and Nicole's blog with you!

While Nicole and her ladies got ready at home, Brent and his two groomsmen Brad & Brad got ready at the Kelvin Hotel.

It was awesome to be back at Hawthorne Gardens in Invercargill. Brent and Nicole were married by the lovely Sharyn Payne under the weeping willow tree. I believe Sharyn married both Brent's siblings too! So cool. And check out those cute-as-a-button flower girls and pageboy!

Things got a little teary as Nicole walked down the aisle.

After the ceremony guests enjoyed drinks & food in the gardens while listening to live music by Dene Allen. Such great weather too - it hardly felt like autumn. Brent you picked the date well!

Okay get ready for portraits galore! I may have gone a little overboard with the size of this blog but I have SO many favourite images, I couldn't help myself! Sorry (not really) if it takes ages to load!!!

Brent and Nicole took a little time out in the afternoon to place flowers on Nicole's mum & grandparent's grave. A beautiful way to include & remember their loved ones on the special day.

We finished the afternoon with a picnic & portraits amongst the pines...

The Kelvin Hotel was looking fabulous for Brent and Nicole's reception. I always love photographing here - the room has gorgeous light, it's well set out and the staff are so friendly.

How stunning is that wedding cake, made by the Urban Kitchen!

Speeches were heartwarming and filled with good punch lines.

After dinner the bridesmaids organised the always hilarious shoe game...

And then it was time for the first dance.

Brent and Nicole snuck upstairs for a couple of quiet minutes to themselves on the balcony of the Kelvin and I made the most of the soft hues of the evening sky.

Congratulations again Mr & Mrs Fowler! Wow, what an incredible wedding day! I'm so excited for you to see your highlights blog. Thank you for having us as a part of your wedding - we have LOVED getting to know you both & wish you a lifetime of happiness in your marriage.xo

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  HAIR & MAKE-UP: Headhunters Hair & Skin Clinic  |  FLOWERS: Lily Jackson's Flower Company  |  CELEBRANT: Sharyn Payne Celebrant  |  CEREMONY VENUE: Hawthorne Gardens  |  CATERING: Southern Graze  |  RECEPTION VENUE: The Kelvin Hotel  |  CAKE: Urban Kitchen  |  MUSIC: Dene Allen  |  STATIONERY: Hollie Cooper.

I walked into the girl's house in the morning, where hair & make-up preparations were well underway, and within the first minute of being in the room Tamara and her bridesmaids had me laughing. Like full on belly-ache laughter. That set the tone for Scott and Tamara's beautiful wedding day - full of laughter and fun! No exaggeration - our cheeks were sore from all the laughs we had with the bridal party during portrait time! Of course we knew to expect a fun day as Scott & Tamara's photographers because their engagement session last year was filled with plenty of laughs too.

It has been so great getting to know these two awesome individuals. Their love story is a gorgeous one; from the initial first date right through to a mountain top proposal (although Scott may have been incredibly hungover at the time due to a surprise rugby win the night before!) and their wedding day was the beginning of a new chapter in their love story. Enjoy these highlights of their beautiful day...

The guys got ready at Glendhu Bay while the girls spent the morning in Wanaka.

Scott and Tamara's ceremony was officiated by their friend and wedding celebrant, Laura Thomson. Complete with a stunning view of the lake.

The weather was absolutely stunning, turning on an uncharacteristically hot autumn day! So we found some shade at the station to hang out for a picnic while we began portraits.

I still don't think Scott or Tamara realise how photogenic they are, but they totally rocked their portrait time.

After portrait time, when we got back to Glendhu Station, the bridal party had a team huddle - a circle of gratitude. Maybe these guys have a secret name for it, but whatever it was I absolutely loved it. They took 5 minutes out of their day to bring in the love and take turns sharing what they were grateful for or their favourite moment of the day so far. How flippin' awesome is that?!

The woolshed at Glendhu Station is now officially one of my favourite reception venues! I adored the rustic warmth of wood and the indoor/outdoor flow. Scott and Tamara had set it up exceptionally with beautiful floral elements and gorgeous detailing.

The laughter and celebration continued into the evening, with introductions and speeches followed by that hilarious wedding shoe game.

There was some good ol' competition for the bouquet toss!

And then it was time for the first dance as husband and wife. Scott and Tamara aparently 'just Youtube'd some dance moves' and I was hugely impressed!

We snuck outside for a few minutes at the end of the night...some quiet time to just be together for the newlyweds and a chance for me to have a little fun with after dark photos.

Congratulations Team Wills!

​Thank you for having us as a part of your wedding day. We loved celebrating with you both, your friends and family. It has been a pleasure getting to know you on your wedding journey & we look forward to seeing where this new adventure of marriage takes you. First stop your honeymoon!!! I hope you have landed safe & sound. Ahhh so jealous just thinking about Raro! xx

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  MAKE-UP: Radiance Skin & Day Spa  |  HAIR: Absolutely Fabulous Hair  |  FLOWERS: Emilie at Replenish & Co.  |  CELEBRANT: Laura Thomson  |  VENUE: Glendhu Station  |  CATERING: Delicious Catering  |  CAKE: Made with love by family & friends  |  STATIONERY: Patterntwo Creative Studio  |  MUSIC: Robert Glen.

On Friday Hamish married his sweetheart Morgan. These two have been together almost ten years and now they begin a new chapter of life as husband and wife. Their first day of marriage was perfection from beginning to end and I'm excited to share their highlights blog with all the photography goodness from the day!

Hamish and Morgan saw each other before the wedding, doing their portrait time on the Keenan farm at Hedgehope before driving into Beersheba Estate in Invercargill for their ceremony. The whole day was so relaxed and laidback - I love that about a first look! And we knew just about all of Hamish & Morgan's bridal party from previous weddings so really we were just hanging out with old friends celebrating.

Morgan's dream wedding dress was fairytale worthy. The blue tones of the bridal party were so good. And there is just so much love and happiness packed into these photos! Enjoy...

When Morgan got into her wedding dress it was the turning point in her day...Morgan's morning nerves made way for excitement. Morgan you looked so gorgeous my friend! That gown looked stunning, you looked like a princess from a fairytale.

While Morgan spent the morning at their home, just down the road Hamish got ready at the farm with his groomsmen.

Hamish & Morgan chose to see each other before the ceremony and get their portraits done so the rest of the afternoon could be all about celebrating with their guests.

​Sometimes couples planning their timeline ask me about whether a first look is as special as that first moment seeing each other when the bride walks down the aisle. In my experience (and I am sure Hamish & Morgan will agree) first looks are well & truly just as special - it's just the two of you in that moment, you can talk, hug, kiss and just be present with each other. The big grin on Hamish's face says it all...

We used a few different spots on the farm for portraits - incorporating the view looking back down the farm, the cool shade of a bush track where we stopped for a picnic lunch and then I found some gorgeous glowy light in a paddock not far from the farmhouse.

I LOVE a long wedding veil!!!

Shoutout to Uncle Pete for snapping our photo with Hamish & Morgan! I have a whole wall in my office dedicated to these photos with our couples and every time I'm in my office they bring a smile to my face as I remember all the celebrations we've been a part of and the friends we have made.

Morgan made that macrame hanging herself!!! Isn't it gorgeous?!

Hamish and Morgan's ceremony was filled with laughter, beautiful vows and the anticipation of a new chapter in their love story.

Officially Mr & Mrs Keenan!

Dear Family and Friends of Hamish & Morgan; you take out the award for best flower confetti throwing ever! #nailedit!

Hamish & Morgan cut their wedding cake in the garden at Beersheba straight after the ceremony and it was served for afternoon tea. PS: It was as delicious it looked!

Everyone enjoyed a laidback afternoon celebrating at Beersheba before heading over to the Ascot Park Hotel for the evening celebrations. Again Morgan had crafted so many beautiful elements for the reception and the room looked incredible complete with thousands of twinkle lights.

Our last photo of the evening was from a stolen five minutes from the dance floor to sneak outside for an after-dark portrait...

Hamish and Morgan, congratulations again friends on a truly perfect wedding day! We wish you a lifetime of love, happiness & fun in your marriage. Thank you for asking us to be your photographers, we have loved getting to know you and we had such a fun day celebrating on Friday with you, your friends and families! xx

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  MAKE-UP: Blush Beauty by Amy  |  HAIR: Jess Thurlow  |  FLOWERS: Morgan  |  CELEBRANT: Megan McKenzie  |  CEREMONY VENUE: Beersheba Estate  |  RECEPTION VENUE & CATERING: Ascot Park Hotel  |  CAKE: Jessica Wood  |  BAND: Jetset.