Crystal & Aj | Waikaka Farm Wedding

It's incredibly special to be trusted with photographing one of the biggest days of a couple's life. We put time & care into building a rapport with each of our couples so that by the time their wedding day arrives it definitely feels like we're photographing a friend's wedding. The cool thing with Aj & Crystal is that we've known them long before their wedding plans even began!!! I went to school with Aj (which made the wedding feel like a bit of a school reunion with so many classmates I haven't seen for years!) and I've come to know Crystal both through Aj, her sister Tish (who is one of our past brides) and of course Crystal's work as a hair stylist at weddings. 

I don't think I've had a more laid-back bride than Crystal. A threatening storm forecast the week of their wedding didn't cause one bit of stress! These two knew exactly what mattered and stayed true to that; having fun surrounded by their friends & family. Aj & Crystal chose to do a 'first look' getting all their portraits done before the ceremony, meaning more time for hanging out with their guests afterwards. The Miller's beautiful family home hosted the ceremony and everyone spent a relaxed afternoon in the gardens celebrating.

I'm just as excited to share these photographs as we were to be a part of Aj & Crystal's celebrations! Congratulations friends.x

I was a little bit obsessed with Crystal's wedding ring. 😍😍​😍

The youngest guest at the wedding; Crystal's nephew Fletcher!

A proud mum and a beautiful bride.

While Crystal and her bridesmaids got ready at her parent's, Aj and the guys got ready at Crystal & Aj's home at Awatere. It looked like a pretty chilled out morning including a few celebratory drinks!

While the guys drove up to the top of Awatere, the girls got a surprise helicopter ride to the top!

It was pretty windy up the top of the farm and while you can't see it in the photos there was a definite chill factor to the wind. This bridal party were total troopers for braving the cold and laughing their way through the skiffs of sideways misty rain!!! I think it was worth it for the photos we got.

We took off down the track, back to a warmer climate at the bottom of the farm.

Crystal & Aj's happiness was thoroughly contagious.

And just like it was meant to be, the last of the rainy clouds began to clear right before the ceremony started. Crystal & Aj had their ceremony at the Miller's family home - so special and absolutely beautiful.

Crystal's great aunty Nola officiated the ceremony. 

They walked back down the aisle as Mr & Mrs Aitken, showered in rose petals and ready to start the partying!

The Caravan Bar from Love & Good Co was the perfect addition to the backyard celebrations!

And the marquee looked incredible inside. Crystal and Aj had thought of everything - from snuggly rugs to gorgeous table centrepieces.

Crystal's talented sister, Latisha, made the wedding cake which had delicious salted caramel sauce between the layers of cake! 

The speeches included tales of how Aj & Crystal first met, hilarious anecdotes of adventures shared and some joyful words of well wishes too.

Congratulations Aj & Crystal! It was a huge privilege to be part of your beautiful wedding day. You two have something very special and Matt & I wish you a lifetime of love and friendship in your marriage!

I hope you love the highlight photos - so many more yet to come! xx

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DRESS: Novia Brides Hawea  |  MAKEUP: Laura & Leigh  |   HAIR: ​Sarah & Stephanie from Scape Hair  |  FLOWERS: Lily Jacksons Flower Co  |  HELI RIDE: High Country Helicopters  |  CELEBRANT: Nola Howden  |  CARAVAN BAR: Love & Good Co  |  CATERING: Food Affair  |  MARQUEE: Marquee & Party Hire  |  CAKE: Latisha McMurray  |  BAND: DV8  |  VIDEOGRAPHY: Mainland Movies.