This was my first wedding from last weekend (I'm blogging and it's only Tuesday - I'm on FIRE! Or more accurately, Elmer is behaving.) I've been sick since last week but finally today I'm feeling better - all down to red wine and ice cream.. although not at the same time.

Suzanne and Alan got married at Tautuku Fishing Club in Dunedin, and only realised once they had booked the venue that it was the exact house that Alan's grandparent's lived in! The place used to be a farm before it became a fishing club and more recently, a wedding venue. How amazing to get married in the old family home?

I just LOVE the fact that there are giant stuffed fish everywhere. And a shark hanging from the ceiling above the stairs. The wedding was originally going to be outdoors, but I was secretly pleased it was rescheduled inside.

This was a gorgeous ceremony with really lovely poems and vows. If Steven and I got married again I would probably learn the vows myself too. The other really memorable thing for me was the hilarious speeches - so much fun.

A few favourites of mine...

Now that 2011 is finally here I feel calm and collected, but admitedly, I have been slightly dreading this year. We have a lot to look forward to, but it is going to be a very busy, and probably quite stressful year ahead. If I write a list, I thought it would be cool to look back at the same time next year and see how everything panned out!

1) The house build.... I know I don't blog about it very much. That's because it's such a slow moving monster! The wooden framed house design requires a lot of intricate work, and Steven has taken it all on himself. We can't afford to pay a builder or a carpenter, but this is also a labour of love and the intention was always for Steven to do this himself. We are ALMOST at the roof stage, and that is a big step.

In 2011 the house will be FINISHED! I can't imagine it, honestly. I am so so so excited, but keeping that well under wraps because who knows how long this thing will take......

2) My photography - I have a LOT of weddings booked this year. Which is fabulous. Infact I won't have time to worry about the house because I am going to be very busy editing, travelling, meeting and shooting. I also have a new website and branding in the works.

3) Visitors. My sister is arriving in 3 weeks time, and in March my parents will be here. Again, I'm keeping my excitement under wraps here because these two events are a big deal for me. And Elmer.

4) Elmer will be 2 years old. This year!! That's just crazy!

5) I suppose the biggest thing for me in 2011 is that by the end of the year, when the house is finished, I hope to get back to some semblance of a normal life. When you're building a house, all the spare time you would normally spend on leisure, gets eaten up with the build (plus I do a lot of things that Steven would normally do if he wasn't building). I hope that by 2012 I will spend more time reading books, watching films and lying around doing nothing. Will Elmer be old enough to make me cocktails by then? Let's hope so.



 

Mrudula and Prashant had a Hindu ceremony at Glenfalloch before Christmas. I was really excited about this wedding on two accounts - 1. This would be my first proper Hindu wedding, and 2. I got to use my new 24mm lens for the first time!

Steven and I have been lucky enough to be hosted by families in India in the past, so I'm used to the generous Indian hospitality, and this wedding was no exception. I had an absolute killer of a night with Elmer the night beforehand (teething??!) but had SUCH a good time at Mrudula and Prashant's wedding that I forgot my tiredness and really got into the spirit of the day.

A Hindu ceremony is really long. As a photographer that's great, because capturing the ceremony, and the emotions, and the rituals is what I love to do. It was fascinating!

Oh and I promised Mrudula I wouldn't put tons of photographs on the blog since they are both a little shy. Well I've tried to limit myself but I'm so pleased with the images from this wedding I am posting a few that I just love. Thanks guys :) xx

Well, what can I say? This was just as stunning as I anticipated it would be. For three reasons: the people; the details; and the powerful emotions on the day. Shelley and Bailey have a really strong, respectful love for eachother. Plus they are beautiful. Plus Shelley planned this wedding so that everything gelled together seamlessly.

I could go on BUT.. it is Christmas eve, Shelley and Bailey are waiting "with baited breath" to see these images, and they really don't need fluffing out. Oh and I really couldn't edit down any further, so there are TONS to look through!