Heidi Horton Photography

Southland turned up the temperature last weekend making for great kilt weather! Glenn & Rachel married at St Andrews Church in Gore on Saturday surrounded by their nearest and dearest. What a perfect day it was for an epic celebration!

Rachel is an aunty of one of our past brides so it has been pleasure and a privilege to not only become Glenn & Rachel's photographers as well, but to catch up with the Keown family again.

Glenn and Rach opted for a first look timeline, seeing each other before their mid afternoon ceremony, which always makes for a cruisey day time wise. And they both got ready at the Oakleigh Motels in Gore making for a laidback morning. There are so many special details incorporated into Glenn & Rachel's day from the family tartan, a nautical theme (Rachel is a deep sea Captain!) to quite a few bottles of whisky (Glenn is a collector) and of course the wedding cars - Cadillacs! Each detail well thought out and meaningful.

While Rachel and her bridesmaids were at the beauty salon I was entrusted with a pretty special surprise by bridesmaid; Charlotte. A beautiful brass sextant which is a nautical navigational instrument. Charlotte surprised Rachel with this wedding gift during speeches later in the evening but asked if I could photograph it in the morning and then look after it for the day. ​What an honour!

Rachel was gifted a wedding garter, made with McAlpine tartan. Glenn was gifted one too of course! That's the thing with wearing a kilt!

Glenn was pretty excited to see his bride!

While Glenn and his brothers headed to the church, Rachel popped in to see her Mum before the ceremony and share some quiet moments together.

Rachel was bag-piped into the church and walked down the aisle by her proud as punch dad.

At the end of Glenn & Rachel's service they did a rope-tying ceremony, joining two pieces of rope in a fisherman's knot - essentially two knots that pull tight together and become stronger as they join. Beautifully symbolising their wedding and extra special for this worldly duo.

Glenn and Rachel spent a few moments in the Gore Gardens, where Rachel's parents Bill and Diana had their wedding photos taken. And then it was on to the RSA function room for their reception!

This gorgeous watercolour cake was created by the talented Jude Taylor. And all the incredible florals of Glenn & Rachel's wedding day were done by Joyce at Lily Jackson's Flower Co. Every corner of the reception venue was filled with flowers at the request of Glenn who loves flowers.

So very special to have their wedding guest Charlie serenade their first dance as husband and wife.

Congratulations Mr & Mrs McAlpine! What a fabulous day!

Matt and I wish you the very best on this new voyage of marriage together. Thanks for sharing your special day with us! And all the best for your next celebration back up home - here's hoping you have another stunning summery day.x

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  |  BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Joanna Casserly  |  KILTS: Just Kilts  |  MAKE-UP & HAIR: DeVine Hair & Beauty  |  FLOWERS: Lily Jackson's Flower Co  |  MINISTER: Helen Martin  |  CEREMONY VENUE: St Andrews Church  |  CATERING: RSA Gore &  Food Affair  |  RECEPTION VENUE: RSA Gore  |  CAKE: Jude Taylor  |  MC: Jeanette McIntyre  |   PIPER: Bruce Hastie  |  MUSIC: Caveman.

Every single portrait from Aaron and Katelin's wedding day is packed with emotion - from the biggest smile when Aaron first saw Katelin, a few tears shed during the ceremony and tons of laughter as the bridal party celebrated with these two gorgeous souls. Aaron and Katelin filled their day with fun, love and happiness - all of my favourite things to photograph!

Not to mention that this wedding had an almost fairytale magic to it's styling. From the gorgeous florals, Katelin's princess dress, special silver detailing and the fun pops of blue throughout. Hawthorne Gardens was a treasure trove for photo backdrops with all the spring growth. Aaron, Katelin and their guests were so much fun to spend the day with while we had the privilege of photographing all the beautiful and precious moments.

But at the core of it all, this day was simply about celebrating the love Aaron and Katelin share. They bring out a sparkle in each other, one is not complete without the other. And now they will forever remember October 25th 2019 as the day they made their love official in front of their families and friends.

Isn't Katelin a total babe?! That dress, the light, her smile. Ah I'm obsessed with these images!

Aaron's morning looked pretty chilled out with a few beers with the lads! And wait until you see his wedding shoes... I found out they're not even for sale yet! It just so happened Aaron knew the right person and the shoes happened to be the perfect sizing for him!

Aaron and Katelin chose to see each other before the ceremony. It allowed them more time to chill out with their guests after the ceremony because the bulk of their portraits were already done and it always helps to calm any nerves.

Aaron's grin says it all...

So cool getting to work with our good friend and talented peer; Megan Graham! Aaron & Katelin were Megan's first wedding video gig, adding on to her vast skill set. You can check out her sneak peek of the video here!

A few last minute things to set up at Hawthorne Gardens and then Aaron was ready to get married!

Wonderful as always working with celebrant superstar Megan McKenzie. ​Aaron and Katelin had beautiful vows written for each other.

While guests began making their way inside to their tables we stole the bride and groom for a stroll around the beautiful Hawthorne Gardens.

I felt like I hardly gave Aaron & Katelin any instructions during portrait time! Usually I give some relaxed directions so our couples don't feel lost or awkward in front of the camera, but these two were just in their own bubble of love & joy that Matt and I simply stood back and snapped away to our hearts content. ​

After dinner and dessert, catered by the incredible Country Manor, the party bus arrived taking guests to the second venue for the evening, Collegiate Rugby Clubrooms, where Dene Allen was ready with the tunes to get the celebrations kicked up a gear.

Aaron & Katelin's first dance as husband and wife was epic!

Congratulations friends on an incredible first day of marriage and the perfect beginning to a lifetime of happiness together! Thanks for having us along on this journey with you. Enjoy the honeymoon! xx

DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae  | ALTERATIONS & DETAILING: SarahBeth  |  MAKE-UP: Ashlee Whipps  |  HAIR: Vivo Hair Salon  |  FLOWERS: Ambrosia Floral Design  |  CELEBRANT: Megan Mckenzie  | VENUE: Hawthorne Gardens  |  CATERING: Country Manor  |  STATIONERY: Danya Grace  |  CAKE: Oh Cakes  |  MUSIC: Dene Allen  |  VIDEO: Megan Graham.

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.