I've been waiting a while to be able to share this gorgeous wedding with you! Amy and Braiden's Hawthorn Den wedding in April was elegantly beautiful and uniquely styled. A day filled with joy and love.

These two made sure their day was just how they wanted it to be and a true reflection of them & their love story. They didn't fuss over details but instead were big picture thinkers, leaving the finer details in the capable hands of their vendors. Neither of them stressed or got nervous instead just soaking up the happiness of the day, even when Amy was more than a little late to the ceremony - Braiden didn't even break a sweat! And they chose to keep the day beautifully intimate; with a smaller guest list so they could really spend quality time with everyone. No big bridal party either, the day was all about family and of course their wee son Elliott being at the heart of it!

Congratulations Braiden & Amy! I know this wedding day was a long time in the making for you guys and it was our absolute pleasure to be chosen as your photographers. We loved celebrating alongside you both (it's hard to call our jobs work when we're having such fun with friends!). Although I'm sure Braiden is thankful the portraits are over and he doesn't have to get bossed around by me anymore haha!

Elliott stole the show much of the morning as Amy got ready. Isn't he just adorable, those squishy wee cheeks!!!

While Amy had everyone a bit speechless with her timeless dress Braiden got ready out at the venue with his best friend and best man, Nathan - or as we know him, Thumb. I went to high school with both Braiden & Thumb so it felt like a bit of a mini school reunion! 

How cool is Braiden's boutonnière?! Something a little different and much easier to fit than the usual flower & pin situation, simply sliding into the jacket pocket. I reckon this style of boutonnière could be the next BIG thing! There you go Braiden, you're a trendsetter!

Barbs' ceremony for Amy and Braiden was filled with love, beautiful sentiments and of course a couple of great stories which produced a lot of laughs!

Braiden and Amy chose to keep portrait time really simple, we just wandered around Hawthorn Den  as guests began moving towards the reception. There was no driving required which meant less time away from guests. Amy even had time to stop and feed Elliott in between photos!

Jan at Hawthorn Den had the venue inside looking incredible as always. I love this lady's styling! And Jude Taylor and her team served up a delicious dinner, buffet style.

While guests finished dinner we snuck Amy & Braiden outside at sunset for ten minutes just to themselves. We timed it just right to capture the last little glow as the sun came down and Amy's long veil was flying in the wind.

Back into Hawthorn Den's gorgeous reception venue and the speeches kicked off an evening of laughter, reminiscing and of course more celebration.

Braiden and Amy brought some epic moves to their first dance and just before we packed our gear away for the night we even got outside for some sparkler shots!

Friends, Matt and I wish you so much happiness in your marriage. It was a privilege to capture your beautiful wedding and to be a part of your wedding journey Braiden & Amy. I've loved all the catch ups we've had along the way, the laughs and of course the cuddles with Elliott.  x

DRESS: Love Me Do Bridal  |  SUITS: Tarocash  |  MAKEUP: Laura Braithwaite  |  HAIR: Love Hair (Jodie)  |  NAILS: Nails by Nicola  |  FLOWERS: Stacey & Jenny Butler  |  STATIONERY & SIGNAGE: AB Signs  |  CELEBRANT: Barbs Frew  |  CATERING & CAKE: Jude Taylor  |  VENUE & DECORATIONS: Hawthorn Den, Gore  |  FELT FLOWER CROWNS: Oakleigh Crafts.

Andrew and Vanessa's Ascot Park wedding on Saturday was romantic, laidback and filled with beauty! Vanessa looked like a princess in her amazing dress complete with an intricate headpiece that sat like a crown. Andrew dapper in his vest & suit combo.
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The whole day had a wonderfully relaxed vibe. Both Vanessa & Andrew had cruisey mornings - Vanessa and her bridesmaids were being pampered with hair & makeup when I arrived, then shared a platter lunch with her family. Before getting dressed Vanessa even had time to rewrite her wedding speech out on paper and tidy her handbag of all things haha! Meanwhile Andrew and his groomsmen spent the morning playing video games. Neither showed many signs of nerves, taking it all in their stride, but the real joy was when the two of them saw each other at the ceremony and became husband and wife.

Andrew and Vanessa swiped right on each other a few years ago. Andrew struck up a conversation asking about Vanessa's dogs in her profile photo. He won her heart from that first conversation and the pair actually became engaged while out walking the dogs back in October 2019. Vanessa and I have been in touch ever since and I was so happy for their wedding day to arrive this autumn!

Vanessa had organised some beautiful cookies for her bridesmaids to enjoy in the morning from Blue Poppy Cake Design.

Something I try to do on a wedding day is take a photo of the parents together. When I suggest it I'm usually met with surprise but pleasure as it's sometimes been a while since the two have had their photo taken together, just the two of them! And what a great occasion for it, all dressed up! I love this shot of Janice and Dallas.

While Vanessa got ready the home where she grew up, Andrew and his groomsmen spent the morning at home in Invercargill. 

Sarah and her team at Ascot Park had the outdoor ceremony spot looking lovely!

And Andrew was all smiles when Vanessa walked down the aisle towards him.

A special moment as Dallas gave away his only daughter and youngest child to be married.

Just look at those smiles!

It's always a pleasure working alongside Celebrant Megan McKenzie - her ceremonies are sweet, special and filled with happiness.

​Andrew and Vanessa's vows had the pair laughing - they'd chosen the same vows unbeknown to each of them! I take that as a sign that these two are very in sync with one another.

While guests moved indoors at the Ascot, Andrew and Vanessa jumped in their Valiant wedding cars and we took off to Queens Park for some portrait time.

These two looked like royalty standing regally in front of the Feldwick Gates in their wedding attire. 

To make Vanessa's dream wedding day complete her and Andrew's furbabies turned up at the park to be a part of portrait time! How dashing do Archie and Sky look?!

Ascot Park's function room was looking fabulous dressed in twinkle lights, silks and purple!

As day turned to night it was time for Andrew and Vanessa to kick back and start the evening celebrations with their loved ones.

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Carson! Thank you for the pleasure and privilege of documenting your first day of marriage. It was lovely to meet your families and celebrate alongside you both. Cheers to your happily ever after! x

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  SUITS HIRE: McKnight and Brown  |  MAKEUP: Kate McNaughton  |  HAIR: Jason Gerken  |  FLOWERS: Windsor Florists  |  JEWELLERY: Pascoes    |  SIGNAGE: Remotelea Creative |  CELEBRANT: Megan McKenzie  |  CAKE & COOKIES: Blue Poppy Cake Design  |  VENUE & CATERING: Ascot Park Hotel  |  LED LOVE SIGN & HIRE: Marquee Party Hire.

Josh and Sarah's wedding day was filled with so many unique and meaningful touches. These two weren't afraid to stray from tradition and do things completely their own way. They surprised guests with a few very cool twists, had the Amigos Food Truck for dinner and even sent all their guests home with a hot Jimmy's Pie for the road! But it wasn't only the fun wedding choices Josh and Sarah made, it was their whole style; Josh wore a dashing suit with custom waist coat and Sarah's dress & veil was simply beautiful  - the sort of styling that will never go out of fashion.

A guest at their wedding actually asked me how we knew Josh and Sarah because it was easy to see we knew them well and a few of the guests were also familiar faces too. I definitely first met Sarah through previous weddings as she's a hairdresser, and Matt met Josh through supermotard racing down in Invercargill. That was a few years ago now and I'm not actually sure when we all clicked that we knew each other, but it turns out we have some mutual friends too!

Josh and Sarah's day couldn't have been more stunning - the Central Otago weather was brilliant, all their planning had come together just perfectly and their bridal party crew were an absolute blast. Enjoy the blog, it was super hard to narrow down my favourites!

Sarah got ready at the family home, where the ceremony would later be overlooking the pond and a marquee was set up on the front lawn for the reception. I'm not sure I've ever witnessed such a chilled out, relaxed morning a bride! Sarah was so calm & collected, there was no rushing about - just the way I wish every bride to be on the morning of their wedding.

Sarah's dress was actually a skirt from Bride & Winter in Dunedin, paired with a completely custom made top!

Josh and his groomsmen got ready at a family winery over in Bannockburn, which made the coolest backdrops for getting ready photos! It looks like their morning started with port which the winery Tannacrieff is known for.

Tangent alert! But can we take a moment to appreciate the heck out of my awesome second shooter?! Matt you've become such an incredible photographer in your own right and it's always a joy to see the photos you captured - especially the guy's shots in the morning that I don't get to see at all until after the wedding day. Thank you for being the best PIC a girl could wish for! 

Now let's get into Josh and Sarah's gorgeous ceremony!

Sarah walked down the aisle to bagpipes and Father Hamish delivered an equally heartfelt and hilarious ceremony for these two on the pontoon as guests watched on from the banks.

Josh and Sarah had an incredible surprise for everyone at their ceremony. Even the bridal party didn't know what was going on!!! Their witnesses for signing the marriage certificate were drawn lucky dip style! Themselves and their guests had no idea who would sign alongside them until they drew the names out. How cool is that?!

Guests had cold drinks and a huge grazing table to get stuck into while we took off to Clyde for portraits with the bridal party. They didn't miss out though, the bridal party had their own packed picnic and Josh even cracked out a magnum of champagne!

Sarah & Josh mentioned the old Clyde bridge when we earlier discussed locations for photos. Matt and I found a great spot during location scouting the day before that gave us heaps of variety - the bridge, the river, some cool shade (we needed it!) and somewhere we could park the cars up for photos too!

You made such a beautiful bride Sarah!

And is it even a Central Otago wedding if you don't get some photos amongst the rocks and wild thyme?! We headed up to the look out in Alex for a few more photos before going back to the party.

And what a great set up the reception was!

Speeches were brilliant with a few hilarious tales told.

I reckon every wedding should have food trucks! What a wicked idea and it just worked so well with Josh and Sarah's relaxed wedding reception. One side of the marquee was open to the terrace so guests headed outside after speeches and got photos under the archway, grabbed ice cold drinks from the bar and ate mexican tacos in the late afternoon sun.

Just before the band started Josh and Sarah cut their masterpiece wedding cake, made by Sarah's mum Jenny!

The band Old Skool Duo had everyone up on the dancefloor!

And we stole Josh & Sarah, along with Lexie, outside for a few last shots in the evening before we called it a night.

Congratulations Josh and Sarah! What a pleasure and privilege it was to be your photographers and share in your special day. All your friends and family made us feel so welcome and we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating you two alongside them. And of course you made Matt's day complete by sending him home with a Jimmy's Pie!

We wish you all the happiness in the world for your marriage. x

BRIDE'S SKIRT: Bride & Winter with custom made top  |  GROOM'S SUIT: Rembrandt, Hallensteins & custom made waist coat  |  JEWELRY: Country Jewel (Winton)  |  MAKE-UP: Amy Johnson (Bride's sister)  |  HAIR: R&CO  |  FLOWERS: DIY  |  CELEBRANT: Father Hamish (Winton)  |  CATERING: Amigos & Jimmy's Pies  |  MARQUEE: Prestige Marquees  |  CAKE: Jenny (Bride's mum)  |  VIDEO: Robyn from Queenstown Wedding Video  |  MUSIC: Old School Duo.