 The sun was shining for Ethan and Jess's magic day in Invercargill on Friday. What a wedding! Filled with love, emotion (including plenty of happy tears) and so much joy surrounding these two beautiful people as they made their love official. Ethan and Jess are locals but currently living in Perth so it was a bit of a reunion for their guests having them home for their wedding, along with their five month old daughters. I've enjoyed keeping in touch with Jess over the last year and a half as wedding plans progressed, giving advice or helping in any way I could. Then Ethan came back to NZ in October to be a groomsman in a wedding (which we also photographed). So we were pretty excited for Ethan and Jess' own wedding day this February! And as soon as we arrived to Jess and Ethan on Friday morning we felt so welcomed. On a wedding day I like to ask the bridal party if there's any particular photos they'd like during portrait time just in case they have special requests or ideas... Well Ethan and the groomsmen asked for a photo of them with Matt!!! 😆 This totally just goes to show how much of a connection we make with our couples and while you might think it's just a photo, it is such a big win for me because this is the essence of what I love about what we do. I know Matt was pretty darn chuffed too! Besides being such a fun day to be a part of as photographers, we were spoilt with perfect styling. Sparkly gold bridesmaid dresses set off against the navy of the groomsmen's suits. A geometric archway at the ceremony. Gorgeous florals. Plus of course a fabulous bride & groom. Here's some highlights from their incredible wedding day...      These two adorable bubbas are Maycie and Ruby. They momentarily stole the show in the morning, being the cutest little models trying out their mum's wedding dress before getting into their own wee flowergirl outfits.       Ethan got ready at bestman Glen's house just around the corner from the girls. Check out Ethan's velvet suit jacket! Paired perfectly with bowties and suspenders.         Ethan and Jess saw each other before their wedding ceremony. And for those couples who wonder if doing a first look takes away from the emotions or impact of walking down the aisle to get married, these two can assure it does not one bit. There were teary eyes at both their first look and later the ceremony!             So beautiful Jess!  And the guys working the camera too. Ethan that jacket was killer!    Can we take a moment to appreciate how incredible those gold bridesmaid dresses are?! Now to give a little back story to why this photo (below) had me and everyone else laughing... At Ethan & Jess's engagement session Jess told me how there is a bit of a bromance between Ethan & his best man Glen. Jess jokes she's often the third wheel! (PS: Glen instigated the awkward threeway hand hold all by himself. I did not ask him to do this...😂).  Jess wanted to try something a little outside the box for a special portrait and she asked me about a style of image she had found online. Double exposures; taking one photo on top of another, overlaying the two exposures. You might think this is a photoshop technique but in fact it's done in camera. I had never tried this on a wedding day before and for just a few minutes playing around I'm stoked with the results!       Ethan and Jess got married on the lawn at Hawthorne Gardens - one of my favourite venues, not just because it's beautiful but because Ian and Heather are the loveliest hosts ever!  Although Ruby and Maycie won't remember their Mum & Dad's wedding day I just love knowing that they'll see these photos one day and know they were such an important part of the love story.  All the feels...            Because Ethan and Jess did a first look and portraits before the ceremony they could then spend all afternoon relaxing with their guests. Then as everyone began making their way to be seated for the reception we did a few more portraits around the beautiful gardens.         A photo with our couple, courtesy of groomsman (and a past groom of ours!) Aaron, before Ethan and Jess made their entrance to their wedding reception.     The speeches induced many laughs and a few heartfelt tears.   This cake was a masterpiece, made with love by talented bridesmaid Julia.  And then it was off to the Makarewa Country Club for a boogie with the band; Yardmen.      Congratulations friends! We loved being a part of your epic first day of marriage. Your families and friends made us feel so welcome and getting to celebrate with you both makes it hard to call what we do 'work'! Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your special day. I hope you enjoy your highlights blog - I may have gone a little overboard with the amount of images haha so sorry if it took an age to load up! Can't wait to show you the rest! x DRESS: Brides by Donna Rae | SUITS: Tarocash | MAKE-UP: Kendyl Tuilagi | HAIR: Melissa Taylor - Vamp Hair Make Up Parlour | FLOWERS: Maxine McGuire | CELEBRANT: Sharyn Payne | CEREMONY VENUE: Hawthorne Gardens | CATERING: Country Manor | RECEPTION VENUE: Makarewa Country Club | CAKE: Julia Stevens | MUSIC: The Yardmen.
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