Glenn & Rachel's St Andrews Church Gore Wedding

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

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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.