Dock Bay Lodge Te Anau Wedding | Nick & Amelia

On February the 27th, Nick Jones & Amelia Luxton promised their lives to each other in front of their family and friends at Dock Bay Lodge, Te Anau. The day was filled with love and celebration. 

I've known Amelia since school days and when she asked if I'd photograph their wedding I felt very honoured. Amelia said their aim was to have their day captured candidly and naturally, with an emphasis on the moments shared with their family and friends. And this is just the way Matt and I work to document a wedding day. Capturing the story of a wedding day in a way that preserves all the memories & emotions is the reason I love photographing weddings.

Because Amelia & Nick were living in Australia during the wedding plans we kept in touch mainly via email but it was great to catch up with Amelia in person a couple of times over a glass of wine & talk about their plans while she was home on and off. I didn't actually get to catch up with Nick until the wedding rehearsal but that was okay because it turns out between Matt and myself we knew all of the bridal party already anyway!

I started the day with the girls where everything and everyone was looking stunning!

I seriously think I have the best brides! My brides have an amazing attention for detail & I just love documenting all those small things that complete the day & the story.

How gorgeous are these ladies!?!

While I spent a relaxed morning with the girls, Matt hung out with the guys who were having an equally cruisy day. Nick shared a beer or two with his boys before getting Mum to do the finishing touches with his suit buttonhole. Matt snuck in some family shots at the Jones' house before the boys headed off to greet guests at Dock Bay Lodge.

Back to the girls & it was time for Amelia to get in to that A-M-A-Z-I-N-G dress. This masterpiece of a gown came from Luv Bridal, Gold Coast Australia. And wow! It was the perfect dress for a perfect day.

Oh Amelia, you gorgeous thing. It doesn't matter how many times I've seen these photos as I've been editing away - you and that dress - WOW. This is possibly my favourite image!

These girls were a laugh a minute. No nerves here!

Dock Bay Lodge, just a few minutes out of Te Anau, is a stunning boutique lodge overlooking the golf course and lake. The gardens and grounds of this venue were just beautiful & complete with the mountain backdrop, it was a photographer's dream.

Between the sound of the bagpipes and Amelia's walk down the aisle arm-in-arm with her mother and father, there wasn't a dry eye around.

Nick and Amelia's ceremony was special & heartfelt, including a reading by Annabel & a rose-giving to both of their mothers. Love letters for the future, tucked away in a handmade wine box and beautiful vows spoken to one another. I had a hard time trying not to cry during the whole thing! (Can you tell I'm a bit of a romantic?!)

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Jones!

Just as family photos came to an end, Sir Richard Hayes landed his helicopter on the lawn of Dock Bay Lodge ready for an adventure up to Jackson Peaks. I feel at this point in the blog, it is worth mentioning that I LOVE MY JOB !!!

While the sky was wonderfully moody and grey, the rain stayed away for the whole day. It was beautifully calm up on the mountain, just perfect for some stunning shots of the newly weds!

And that view! I don't think any of us were in a hurry to get back to the party!

Who said holding flowers & the bride's shoes aren't part of the pilot's job description!?!

And how many couples can say they took their awesome bagpiper up on the mountain with them?! 

It was an absolute privilege to fly up to Jackson Peaks with Nick & Amelia & I could have stayed up there for hours taking photos. But all too soon we were back to Dock Bay Lodge, where we met the bridal party & the fun began!

What a good looking bridal party! And so much fun. Nick & Amelia you surrounded yourselves with such awesome people on your day of celebration.

Before we knew it we were due at the reception, held at the Distinction Lake Front, Te Anau. The venue looked stunning in white & silver, complete with custom chocolates as favours on the tables and glowing fairy lights. 

The speeches were spaced out over the evening and what brilliant speeches they were! Then it was time for the girls to work their camera angles!

The towering four-tier wedding cake was made by Amelia's cousin, Sophie from Sophie's Sweet, Sugary Treats. 

When the band started it was a trip down memory lane for Matt and I. Roadblock, were the same band from our wedding four years ago and they soon had everyone up on the dance floor. Myself and Matt included ;)

Nick and Amelia, thank you so much for being such fabulous people and for having us document your wedding. It was a beautiful day!
I can't wait to show you all your photos & to start designing your wedding album! xx

Dress: Luv Bridal Gold Coast, Australia
Makeup: Lucy Collins-McKenzie & Vibrance, Te Anau 
Hair: Crystal Miller & Melissa Proctor
Cake: Sophie's Sweet & Sugary Treats
Florist: Flowers by Veronica, Gore
Suits: Ace Suit Hire, Dunedin
Celebrant: Bev Clark
Ceremony: Dock Bay Lodge
Venue & Catering: Distinction Lake Front
Transport: Southern Lakes Helicopters - Sir Richard Hayes 
Cars: Chris Brook & Bradley Cross (Drivers: Chris Dale & Shannon Colvin)
Band: Roadblock
Bagpiper: Reece McGowan
Jeweller: Michael Hill