Heidi Horton Photography

We literally couldn't have asked for a more FUN wedding to kick off a fresh wedding season!!! On Sunday Dwayne and Brittney married each other at Criffel Station in Wanaka, surrounded by their loved ones.

We've known these two gorgeous humans for a while now. They were in the bridal party of one of our previous wedding couples and then Brittney got in touch with me again earlier this year, emailing me with excitement to tell me that Dwayne had got his knee dirty and they were planning a winter wedding!

The styling of Brittney and Dwayne's big day was on point; from the wedding attire to the hues of the bouquets. Criffel Station was the perfect setting for a winter wedding with crackling braziers keeping guests warm. But I won't remember Dwayne and Brittney's wedding for how beautiful it was. I will remember the people; the laughter, the celebration, the love that filled the day. Brittney's proud Mum. Little Rylee in her cute navy dress and fur cape. The couples young and old who took to the dance floor to share Dwayne & Brittney's first dance. The bridal party who made me laugh so much during portrait time that I swear I had sore stomach muscles the next day! 

Brittney and Dwayne both got ready at the Oakridge Resort in Wanaka with their families. The morning was chilled out - as I knew it would be with these two. Brittney had organised the day wonderfully and thought of everything.

It had rained most of the morning but the weather gods played their part so Brittney & Dwayne could have the outdoor ceremony they dreamed of.

Brittney and her Mum, Shelley, made a spectacular entrance to the ceremony - arriving by helicopter!

It was lovely to work with Janine Byars again. She ensured Brittney & Dwayne's ceremony was short, sweet and had the perfect amount of laughs.

After spending some time celebrating with their guests Dwayne & Brittney along with their bridal party jumped into a van (with the heater blasting) and headed away for their very own 'portrait party'. We didn't have to go far to get some great locations at Criffel Station! And we were so lucky with the weather, while it was a cold wintery day there was no wind which made all the difference.

We had SO MUCH FUN with Dwayne & Brittney's awesome crew! The afternoon was filled with constant laughter.

You made a gorgeous bride my friend.

Winter weddings mean epic light during portrait time because sunset is earlier in the afternoon. You just can't beat that amazing glow!

Thank you so much for this shot Stacey! Haha man I felt even shorter than usual next to Dwayne & Brittney!

This was our first time shooting a wedding at Criffel Station in Wanaka and I think it's now one of my favourite venues! I'm a sucker for a woolshed setup and this one is done fabulously. Management were incredible and so friendly. Brittney and Dwayne put their personalised touches on the decorations to make it their own. It was a beautiful, warm space to party the night away. We can't wait to come back here again!

The speeches were great and the evening flowed like clockwork thanks to Brittney's good planning and Ewan's awesome MC'ing.

Congratulations Dwayne & Brittney! What a journey it has been! From the first time we met you at Cory & Ashleigh's wedding and you telling us then that one day we'd be your wedding photographers (when you weren't even engaged)! It has been such a pleasure getting to know you both and an honour to be a part of your incredible first day of marriage.

​I hope you love your highlights blog - there's so many more photos to come.xx

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  MAKE-UP: Kendyl Tuilagi  |  HAIR: Rachelle (R&Co)  |  TANNING: Southern TAN |  FLOWERS: The Green Room Flower Co  |  CELEBRANT: Janine Byars  |  VENUE: Criffel Station  |  CATERING: In2Food Queenstown  |  HELI: Wanaka Helicopters  |  CAKE: White Rabbit Cakes  |  MUSIC: Old School Duo.

I must be feeling nostalgic today because I started going back through all our wedding galleries (this is what happens when wedding season ends, I get withdrawals haha!) and I realised that we've shot 75 weddings over the last 6 years! I wanted to see what that looked like as a collage...

And man seeing all our weddings put together like this gives me all the feels! So proud of the small business we've built. Thankful to Matt for sharing the journey with me. Grateful to all our #heidihortoncouples for choosing us. Excited for more to come. Reminiscing all the fun we've been a part of. Joyful to have documented so many special memories with our cameras. Awe at how far I have come as a photographer (and Matt!). Glad to always be learning. Confidence in our style & approach. Disbelief at how many hours worth of editing this means I've done! Happy to be a photographer and a dream chaser. xx

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.