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...

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!

I was really excited about this wedding for a few reasons. Firstly, it was my first ever wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand - it's such an English looking city, I thought it would be an interesting place to shoot (plus the reception location in a coffee co-op with lanterns and a bike hanging from the roof sounded SO cool!!). Secondly, the wedding was timed for 5.30pm. This time of year we are almost at the summer solstice so sunset is really late in the day. With the harsh NZ sun, Steve and Katie timed their wedding perfectly so we managed to get the sun as low in the sky as possible before it disappeared. Thirdly, and most importantly, I'd been chatting to Steve and Katie on Skype a few times and they seemed like such fun, quirky and lovely people.

Steve is a designer and created the amazing invitations and order of service. Katie is a school teacher and her ENTIRE class of 5 year olds attended the wedding! They sat opposite the choristers, and after the ceremony assembled outside to form a guard of honour for the exiting couple. Very cute. Katie was like a local celeb, every 5 year old wanted a piece of her, or a photograph taken, or a snotty hug.

During our coupley photo session, we stumbled across two drag queens, Ozzie Osbourne, and a giant Hummer Limo. It felt a little chaotic a times for me (without Liana..) but SO much fun. Katie insisted I take home an entire leg of ham for Steven (I did take a ham roll or two), and Steve kept checking to make sure I had enough to eat, enough to drink, was I okay?? Such lovely people, I hope these images show just a little how in love with eachother they are. A few favourites before I edit the rest....

(I've just realised I chose loads of flower girl images for the blog, but I couldn't resist, there were so many cute photograph opportunities..)





Katie's best friend Shar did her hair and it looked gorgeous, shame about the gale force winds!

This wedding turned out to be so much grander than I ever expected. Richelle and Ian live in Australia (as a blogger in New Zealand I'm probably expected to make some crass ozzy joke now, but I'm far too posh for that :)), so our communication beforehand was through email and Skype. I was assured that "It's going to be a very small, very relaxed wedding". These two were like the least demanding couple I've ever come across! And it was a small, super relaxed day... but I suppose the enormous landscape of Central Otago, and the stunning buildings the wedding was hosted in added a weight that made it really grand, and glamourous.

But at heart, this was a simple, intimate day that focussed on people; close family and friends. It was warm, and loving, and beautiful. This is my second wedding in a row with a small number of people, and I really love the atmosphere that creates. It makes me feel very honoured to record such close relationships. Ian, Richelle and guests made me and Liana feel so welcome. We felt sad to leave! But what fun to drive home for 3 hours in hideous thick fog! A great chance for us to bond.

Oh... and did I mention the STRAWBALE HOUSE???!!!! I did??!!!! Because next to beautiful, happy weddings, (and Elmer!) there isn't much else that gets so many exclamation marks on my blog. This is Richelle's parent's place and I love it. Isn't it just lush?? Look how lovely and thick the walls are. And all the details like those gorgeous green chairs in the kitchen, and the flowers...Ahh...