It has taken me all day to try and get all my favourite photographs jammed into Pete and Alex's highlight blog! And I still know that no words will do justice to how simply beautiful and amazing their wedding day was last Saturday. The weather was a stunner, the light was gorgeous for portraits, Alex's wedding vision came together so wonderfully.
Matt and I have enjoyed becoming friends with Pete and Alex over the last year ever since they first got in touch about their wedding. We were honoured they chose us to capture their incredible first day of marriage. These two live in Christchurch so it had been a while since we'd last seen them in person. I walked in to the motel room in the morning and gave Alex a big hug. She was simply radiant. The excitement that her dream day had arrived was written all over her face. Matt had a fun morning catching up with Pete too and meeting his family who had travelled from the UK for the special day. Photographing Pete and Alex's wedding day was a dream, as I knew it would be. Waterfall adventures. Alex's one of a kind wedding dress. All the love surrounding them as they became husband and wife. The green and white styling of the bridal party. The epic venue setup for the evening celebrations. This is one exceptional highlights blog that I know you are going to love! 
Alex's family friend Thelma basically took apart an off-the-shelf dress Alex found with beautiful lace detail and created this amazing one of a kind masterpiece for Alex!
The guys enjoyed the River Ridge Retreat tradition of shooting clay birds in the morning before getting ready.
Alex had made Pete this cute wee wedding survival kit! Such a neat idea.
Pete's mum and dad presented him with a hip flask on the morning of the wedding.
I loved Pete and Alex's ceremony set up with the rug and geometric arch! Something just a little different and absolutely beautiful to photograph. Alex was piped down the aisle by her grandad - this had me a little teary and I wasn't the only one!
Congratulations Mr & Mrs Sleath!!! Wahoo!
How cool is it that Pete & Alex could include their furbaby Daisy in their special day?!
Okay get ready for like a million portraits... haha sorry, not sorry!
I mean could you actually get a backdrop that worked any more perfectly with the wedding colours?!
Alex you were the most gorgeous bride my friend!
And Pete you looked mighty fine too mate!
These florals were perfection!
After doing bridal party portraits under the native tree canopy, Pete and Alex chose to spend the rest of their portrait time alone to soak up all that newlywed goodness (well we were there of course, and Cam the superhero video guy from We the Collective) while their bridal party went back to the party early!
I absolutely loved that Pete and Alex wanted to do this, it actually created a special part of the day just for the two of them and we made some truly romantic portraits celebrating their first day of marriage. This is something I definitely recommend future couples consider. It gave the intimate feeling of an elopement but with the epic party to head back to afterwards! We headed to the Purakanui Falls and got barefoot on the rocks, soaked the train of Alex's dress in the water (because why not?!) and then we chased the sun back to River Ridge! 
Some team photos to finish the afternoon off! I can't wait to get this printed and added to our wall of love in the office.
As you can see Cam has way more street cred than us...
Check out how good the reception looked!! PS: cheese cakes are the best!
Just look at all the happiness! The evening air was filled with laughter as speeches were shared.
Pete and Alex had their first dance as husband and wife.
And the d-floor was soon packed as everyone enjoyed their awesome band!
Argh Pete and Alex! Seriously can we please do it all again?! We had the BEST time celebrating with you both and we loved meeting your family and friends. I know I've said that a lot but truly I mean it.
Matt and I wish you every happiness in your marriage, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for you both and I hope your wedding day was everything you dreamed it would be.xx
DRESS: Annah Stretton dress (remade by talented family friend Thelma Froude!) | BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Evolution Bridesmaids | SUITS: Barkers | MAKE-UP: Ashlee Whipps | HAIR: Becky's Hair Shed (Becky & Linda) | FLOWERS:Flowers for You | CELEBRANT: Darrell Ihaia | VENUE & CATERING: River Ridge Retreat | ACCOMMODATION: River Ridge & Pounawea Waterfront Motels | VIDEO: We the Collective | CAKE: Whitestone Cheese | MUSIC: Lachie Hayes & crew | SIGNAGE: Remotelea Creative | CO-ORDINATOR & PHOTOBOOTH: Encore Events.
Check out the epic sneak peek video from Cam at We the Collective!
Matt and I love working with this guy - we have such good times and he's got a talented eye! |