Thomas & Allesha's Argyle Cottage Garden Wedding

It's been a rollercoaster ride for Thomas and Allesha to get to their wedding date. I still remember vividly the phone call I had with Allesha the week before we went into lockdown last year. It was emotional and teary as you can imagine it would be when you have to postpone your wedding just days out. After all the planning and excitement, suddenly they weren't sure when they'd get to marry. My heart broke for them.

So when Thomas and Allesha became husband and wife on Friday, a day that could only be described as utterly perfect, we cheered them on with such joy alongside their family and friends. Allesha is Tom's queen and Tom is Allesha's soulmate. Their love is precious and patient. I just adore the way these two laugh together and how laidback and down to earth they are. I doubt you'll find a photo in this blog where Allesha isn't smiling - she radiated happiness all day long! And Tom looked so dapper in his wedding attire - a bit of a contrast to his every day get up!

Their day had all the feels - a teary first look, portraits at their farm in the morning, a heartfelt ceremony officiated by Robyn, Allesha's aunty, followed by a beautiful afternoon with their family & friends at Argyle Cottage Garden and of course Tom's awesome surprise for their guests at the reception (more on that later!).

Enjoy this blog post friends! It's a goodie.

Allesha's wedding details were filled with sentimental pieces and heirlooms, including the ring 'box' which was her grandmother's ornate makeup compact.

Lesh spent many moments of her wedding day fogging up her glasses with teary eyes - starting with the letter Tom had written for her, complete with stickers!

Allesha you were such a stunning bride! What a joy to be your photographer and capture you my friend. x

While I spent a super fun morning hanging out with Lesh's family in Edendale, Matt headed to the farm where Tom was getting ready. 

When Matt started photographing Tom's details he asked what socks Tom would wear. Tom pulled out his trusty beer socks, they were photographed and the guys got dressed. Then Tom opened the gift and card from Allesha. Click - socks! 

I loved the flower pin Tom wore and the wee touches like the tractor cufflinks and the pocket squares for the guys!

Up until a month out from their wedding date (2.0) there was no plan to do a first look. Thomas and Allesha planned to do their portraits after the ceremony in a more traditional timeline. But when Lesh talked to me about whether they could make the timeline work to include a first look at the farm I was all for it! I think it's really great when couples are able to incorporate something so special to them into their day and Tom is a farmer through & through so it just made sense to make this happen. Plus I love first looks! They're emotional, super sweet and help ease nerves & time pressures.

Thomas and Allesha's first look was no exception - they both got teary eyed (and I might have as well!). Weddings are emotional days as it is, but when you've been waiting as patiently as they had to be married all those feelings are amplified! 

How cool is this classic car?!

If you don't already know Allesha, she has the brightest, bubbliest energy so it didn't really surprise me when I turned around at one point and she was breaking it down with an impromptu dance in the middle of portraits. Tom quickly joined in. (He gets her). But the rest of the bridal party was hesitant when I suggested they join in haha!

It was wonderful to be back at Argyle Cottage in Waianawa for Tom and Allesha's ceremony. We love this beautiful wedding venue and it's lovely owners Annie & Greg!

​I'm so thankful the weather was kind to Tom & Allesha so they could have their ceremony in the stone 'ruins' in the garden. It felt like it might rain all afternoon but it held off and everyone got to relax in the garden bar after the ceremony.

A beautifully personalised ceremony. And just as they signed on the dotted line the sun started shining!

Because we'd done portraits before the ceremony Tom and Allesha got lots of time in the afternoon to just enjoy celebrating with their guests.

But we did steal Thomas and Allesha for fifteen minutes more portrait time around the gardens and chapel at Argyle Cottage. A nice chance for these two to be alone and soak up those newly married feels. I loved the creative portraits we created with the chapel's stained glass windows!

Remember I said Tom had a surprise for their guests upon entering the Ascot for their reception?! He'd changed into some clothes he felt much more comfortable in; his farm gear! Then topped it off by walking in to the iconic kiwi Gumboots song for their entrance.

Besides being a fellow photographer, another one of Allesha's talents is stained glass creations!!! This girl is so artistic! Nestled amongst fairy lights on top of wooden rounds each table had it's very own handmade stained glass sculpture as a centrepiece.

Sweet Belle Kitchen's masterpiece wedding cake even had lace stencilling with spare lace from Allesha's dress. People's endless creativity always blows me away!

Now we've seen a few entertaining versions of the "shoe game" at weddings over the years, but this is definitely the first time the bride has been holding a gumboot!

Congratulations Thomas and Allesha! Thank you for choosing Matt and I to document your perfect first day of marriage. We are so happy for you both and wish you all the happiness in your marriage.

I hope you're having the best honeymoon! You both deserve it. x

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DRESS: Love Me Do  |  SUITS: Hallensteins |  MAKE-UP & HAIR: Joyleen Goodwright  |  FLOWERS: Bella & Ruby Bespoke Floristry  |  CELEBRANT: Robyn Ballard  |  CEREMONY VENUE: Argyle Cottage Garden  |  RECEPTION VENUE: Ascot Park Hotel, Invercargill  |  CAKE: Sweet Belle Kitchen.