Upside to winter?  Spring is on the way!  ….other upside?   GORGEOUS WINTER WEDDINGS!~

Whilst I forewarn any of you that are enquiring about winter wedding bookings with us, I do have to wear my fingerless gloves and warm socks….. I also confess that I love winter weddings for their intimacy, warmth, romance and golden glow.   Summer weddings are quite different; they are bright, busy, guests wander outside, the sun heats everything and blazes down on everyone ….colors are bright, popp-eeee (is that a word?) and the pace of the day is upbeat, fast, loud, etc.   Just like Summer.

Winter weddings on the other hand are slower, guests tend to stay inside, gathered in small intimate groups, near fires, lit by warm glowing lights, candles, etc.   Colors are more muted, initimate, closer.  They are quieter…I guess because everyone is generally in a more closed-in environment.   The pace of the day is also slower, kinder.

So which do we prefer?   BOTH!   I love the thrill and chase of the summer weddings, but also the deep colors and ambient warmth of the winter one’s.

Doug and Andrea’s wedding was a perfect example of a wonderful Winter wedding….married at St Joseph’s Church, with their Reception at The Great Hall, on a day when showers passed by frequently…but the weather forecast was for POURING rain and gale-force cold winds…..they totally lucked out!   We had passing showers, and the evening was so mild and so calm, that we took them for a wander over to the cute Bed & Breakfast they were staying out, and even shot some images there too!

Andrea is stunning…there is just nothing more I can say…as I feel the images say it all.   When she walked in the church, I was close enough to hear Doug catch his breath, and I don’t blame him…in fact I would have been shocked if I’d not heard it.  She was a “vision”…seriously.  On top of which they are just the nicest couple….both to everyone around them, and to each other!   Their friends had helped setup them meeting at a BBQ,  at a time when Andrea thought there might not be the perfect guy out there, but as soon as she spotted Doug..and he her….the adventure began.   All credit to your friends you two…..they got it just right!

Gorgeous Bride, Handsome Groom, Wonderful Bridal Party and a set of family/friends who adored them…..it was seriously the most perfect day!  …..  dinner was an intimate affair at the Great Hall, with just a small selection of  their Family etc there, then we managed to steal them away for some evening shots (see that gorgeous golden glow?   that’s winter ambient light for you!)……while their Party guests arrived at the Hall for an evening of supper and dance (band was The Crystal Set)….who we can highly recommend…..they were fabulous!

It was just lovely to stand back and watch all the interaction, love and laughter between everyone there…..to feel the warmth from heated room and all those in it…. listen to the funny and heartfelt stories about the couple, and be a part of the beauty and romance that made up Doug and Andrea’s fabulous day!   Thanks you guys!   We think YOU and your wedding…rocked!

Gallery up at end of week

…had to laugh today as my son takes a picture on the Iphone, messes around with it for a bit and then holds it up and says “look Mom, Olden Days”….ummmm Ethan, that is a Black and White photo…it’s actually called “Classic”….    Today I feel ancient!

Enjoy the Slideshow….with some “Olden Days” images included!  LOL.

…and even after all of that, what was that Black Smoke?  So they didn’t answer even the questions that they raised the whole season.  So either I am officially stupid, or the writer’s are truly the dumbest people ever…and should not be allowed to write another script EVER.  Only good thing about Lost right now?  Lots of shots of Hawaii, which is where E is from.   Seriously though, there is no “others” there nor smoke monsters, lights in tunnels, etc….that is about as fake as Lost is.  Okay moving on…it’s just TV Mands!

Nothing left to say, except I have sneak peeks of the gorgeous Megan and Tristan to post in a couple of days…but in the meantime, meet stunning Anna!  Teen Model 2010.    Want to be a Teen Model for us?  Balls are coming up, so contact us now for details!

Okay the veil and images should be a dead-giveaway that this fun, amazing couple are now MARRIED! …but they have lived together on a farm in Marlborough region for awhile, so it is goooooddddd to be able to say MARRIED!  LOL….. What a fantastic day!   Beautiful clear blue skies, warm (okay slightly chilly wind but nothing a jacket couldn’t cure!) and of course a wonderful fun bridal party….including Fran (Johanna’s sister) who we had photographed when she married Mark in February.  The girl’s mom should go into wedding co-ordination now because two weddings in a few short months is a huge learning curve for anyone, and she did an amazing job of helping Johanna pull together the vision she had for her day.

The tears when Johanna’s dad gave her away were so very beautiful, one of those really touching moments in a ceremony where a parent realises that the child they have raised is now going to start their own family tree and begin a new life, under a new name with the love of their life…..so emotional and so intrinsically beautiful and one of the reasons we love what we do so much, it’s a privilege to be allowed to not only witness but photograph those kind of intimate moments for a family.

Married at the wee church in Woodend, then off to a beautiful country lodge for the Reception.  Daylight savings had of course ended, so with the late afternoon wedding, and travel time to the event, we were moving super fast to get there before the sun was completely gone.

I’ll let the rest of the images tell the story……the fun of getting ready, the stunning cake (wow!!!!), atmosphere at the reception which was so fantastic, and the rocking dance, which started out slow, but as you’ll see these two really roc ked the dance floor!    Enjoy your peeks you guys!   Gallery up shortly

Up for ANYTHING (and I seriously mean that!..as you’ll see…) but also just so much fun and so in love!  What a fantastic wedding!

Surrounded by wonderful family and friends, they got married at the St John of God and had their Reception at the Riccarton RaceCourse.    Weather (you know that is a VERY important thing on the day..and about the only thing none of us have any control over)…and today it behaved (must have been that talking to I gave it the night before …yeah right!).  Warm and Sunny.

The ceremony was just so touching, the singing, the family laughter, intimate moments and even the Minister who pulled out a box of Lego to demonstrate his point on Marriage (very very clever!) and certainly had everyone laughing.   Weddings are so amazing!!!  (yes we really love what we do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…and I love using exclamation marks too LOL)…but really they are!  They are full of a huge range of emotions; laughter, tears, sorrow, joy, fun, seriousness….and so much more.   That is exactly the reason Erick and I shoot two different styles on the day…..and we talk to couple’s we meet about their wedding being like an amazing symphony…and we shoot as though we are the conductors, which in some ways we are, since we need to make sure the couple run on time, know what to do for the best images, where we are shooting based on light and backgrounds, etc.  Like any GOOD symphony, the Wedding Day has ebbs and flows, and we talk to our couple’s about that too….and I LOVE it when a couple “gets it” ..you can suddenly see it all click to them, and then they start to get excited…and that is the best bit of meeting with clients, when the leave saying “Oh my gosh, I’m so excited!…..I can’t wait for the day and the photos”…(and brides, that is a double bonus when the Groom says that too!).

Michelle and Joe were like that.  Simply Awesome.  Full of ideas, full of love, full of excitement for the day and their photos.  So when we showed them shots of a half-demolished building and explained our ideas, they totally got it and immediately said “yes”.   After all who wants a whole lot of photos of you in a park or field?  Let’s mix it up!!!

Michelle you are stunning!!!!  Beautiful inside and out.

Totally fun wedding party…and how cool were the cars?   My first car ever was a wee Morris (aka Tank) and I loved that car….and even drank a bit of it’s petrol by accident (long story for another time!)…so the wee cars were like fond friends for me. Fun location to shoot, and then we travelled to Riccarton…and of course had to race the couple outside for this amazing sky!  Seriously…can you believe how lucky they were to get this?  Erick and I just gasped when we saw how amazing it was!

..and then there was the dance!  Check out the end of the slideshow…so good, so funny and such a surprise for their guests!  I loved the guests faces ….total shock LOL     Enjoy your peeks guys!  …and your Gallery is up too!!

My fav:

E’s fav:

We’ve also started adding a few out-takes to our posts…yes it takes a lot to put myself out there, but I’m determined to lose some weight this winter! …..and we have a whole list of new things that will be launching then too!  Watch this space!!!!!!

Me..issuing some posing instructions…and saying something random!  (probably talking non-stop!)..and Erick who is always soooo funny…but I have no idea how “surfing” got involved in this shot! (it’s in his Hawaiian blood obviously!).   We also love the shot of Michelle and Joe pointing up at the sky (it’s in the Show) as Erick and I sometimes wait until the kids are in bed, then we sneak out to their trampoline with our pillows and blankets    The Night Sky is so amazing!!  We used to fight to see who could spot the most shooting stars, but these days there is so much junk up there…you are guaranteed to see at least 5 satellites…the trick is knowing what is made of rock and what is made of metal!

Emma! you have been so patient!  As most of you know, Erick’s mom had a scare diagnosis with Leukemia and it had us on edge as we waited to hear back what was going to happen.  We didn’t want our wedding couple’s to know, as we are 190% committed to them on THEIR day….and we didn’t want them to have to even think about us! …..especially since we meet all couple’s before we take a booking, and so we know what an amazing bunch of people we are working with!  The season passed without a hitch, no gear failures (yes we both carry full backups! but you still like to shoot with your “baby” rather than turn to your second body for the day), no stressed out couples ….seriously! every couple we have ever worked with has been AMAZING!!!!!….so the only thing we really have had to deal with is Erick’s mom being sick….and she’s doing good, she’s seeing specialists and they are making a “plan”…I’m not honestly sure what that exactly means!  but the next few weeks will tell!  …anyhow, back to Emma and Rich….

Another fantastic couple….from Australia…..surrounded by friends and family and what a party atmosphere!  Right from the time I turned up to do Emma’s getting ready images, the air was buzzing, there was so much laughter, then tears, hugs….and then rain!  Yes good ole’ Canterbury decided to pull its’ four seasons in one day trick and we went from a hot sunny day where we could see right across Sumner out to the far ocean, to dark storm clouds rolling in a few hours later…and then it started to rain.  I love the images of Emma’s dad helping her out to the car, and her so cute bare feet! (see Gallery Show below)

On the way out to Trent’s the heavens opened and it just pounded down on the roof of the car….you know it is a bad one when your wipers are on “3″ and your still having trouble seeing out the window! LOL.    Just as we all pulled into the Trent’s driveway, it stopped.  I kid you not!  It was pounding, then it was just quiet.  As Emma stepped out of her car (shoes on now!), the air was so fresh and clean smelling, and all the greenery just sparkled….and the atmosphere inside the Vineyard was electric waiting to see how amazing she would look.  Rich was standing at the front with his crew, looking slightly nervous but mostly just happy…and ready to party.

Well Emma didn’t disappoint…that girl has a gorgeous figure, and she rocked it out in her beautiful gown…and when Rich saw her he couldn’t stop smiling, and the two of them spent the rest of the ceremony going between laughter, intimate looks at each other, and heartfelt tears.   The photos have been a joy to edit.

After the ceremony the party really began!   Fantastic! and once again those darn clouds rolled in and sat ominious overhead, so we did all their group and Romantics at the Vineyard itself…tucked away from the Guests who carried on the celebration.   When Erick and I left, the speeches had just begun, but as we walked outside, we could hear the ribbing and cat-calls from guests, the clink of glasses for toasts and laughter throughout the building.   It was like that Black Eyed Peas song….. TONITE’S GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT…OH YEAH!!!

Enjoy your long-awaited Sneaks you two!  Gallery will be up in 48 hours!….Hugs and thanks again for being so understanding towards us!

Funny stories from the day…..me asking Emma where the bridesmaids dresses were, as I’d already photographed the flowergirls one’s…only to be told that they WERE the bridesmaids dresses!  Ummmm….it’s a compliment right girls???  They were just so tiny!  I think I’d get a thigh in one of them!  Totally jealous here!

Erick and the boys of course had to find the biggest gun in town….and then play on it! ….but Rich used to play on it as a kid.  So Rich..officially…I think you have the biggest gun there is.  No pun intended.

..and we couldn’t resist asking Emma for a photo when she stood under the wine barrels and we realised that she had a halo on her head…we all cracked up laughing…and Emma (the angel that she is (pun intended)..played it up for us) LOL….

…all photos of the funnies are at the end of the Slideshow.

Together we had so many ideas buzzing through our heads, and locations were not a problem as they got married at the Stone Church on the Cashmere Hills, but the Reception was at Tiffany’s….so between those two spots there is a TON of great shooting places.

Megan! you are stunning!  Magazine Bride! wow!

There Party Wall was heaps of fun…especially since we shot outside and guests were able to come out and enjoy some fresh air by the river, while also having their crazy photos taken and laughing at other’s antics! The speeches were funny, emotional and moving….and of course the food was great!

..and so was being able to do an Evening Shoot in the heart of the city….

Okay let’s be honest….is it just me or did Brothers and Sisters just get WAYYYYYYY hotter?  …and don’t even bother pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about!  I loved him in Sex & the City (okay I know he only had two lines…and I’m in such much trouble if E reads this post!) but come on, how many lines do you say when you are in the shower! I confess I went to see the movie twice (and not for the Sex or the City!) but because it involved a wedding and a photoshoot for Vogue, by Annie Leibovitz …my idol!

Other geat show of the year is FlashForward, but if it turns into another “Lost”, then I’m switching off.  Lost was the appropriate name for that series, as there is not one person I know who wasn’t completely “Lost” by the whole plot and what the heck was happening.  I think the actors probably needed counselling after working on that show!

Upcoming news…our last few weddings of the “season” are nearly done.. three to go, and then we are going to release some exciting news and new projects for us …and with that in mind I need two models…a bridal and a 17-18 year old (guy and/or girl is fine)…just hit the contact button above!  All images supplied on disk and facebook ready too!

]]> http://www.amandahaynes.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=1260 12 http://www.amandahaynes.com/blog/?p=1210 http://www.amandahaynes.com/blog/?p=1210#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:59:21 +0000 mands http://www.amandahaynes.com/blog/?p=1210

I’ve worked with Aleisha and Curtis on a couple of occassions now….some of you may remember their cool Engagement shoot over in Lyttelton…so it was fantastic to finally get to see them becoming Mr & Mrs.

Not only are they super fun to hang out with, but their friends and family were awesome too!  Everyone was so excited to be part of their Day and as soon as I saw the dress, jewellery and flowers, I could already picture exactly how it was all going to come together and not only look fantastic, but be perfect for them as a couple as well.

Aleisha is so incredibly talented that she even made her bridesmaid dresses!  Wow! and they were totally HOT!…as were the bridesmaids.   Curtis’s Top hat & Tails was so perfect for him…he is such a fun, quirky, cool personality ….and really suprised Erick and I when it came to the dance!  Curtis, it isn’t that we thought you couldn’t dance, but WOW!…we had no idea how good a dancer you are…you totally rocked the dance floor as a couple!  I couldn’t resist shooting a few frames and then adding them here for other’s to admire your totally slick moves!  Since we both suck at dancing, we left at the evening feeling quite envious!

It was hard to decide what images to post here, so after I had selected a few, I realised that I had a LOT to embed….and so once again, I’m just posting a slideshow for you to enjoy!  I will come back and add music (cos everything goes better with music ….except some of the latest American Idol contestants of course!)  ….so just give it time to download..

and a special thank you! to the wee gymnastic girls who were more than happy to come and “play” in front of the Bride & Groom….I love it when we have all our shots “in the bag” and get a chance to try something different and push the boundaries, and client’s that love it when we do that too!

so despite the fact that the weather was not co-operating AT ALL, my heart was very happy! Gorgeous shoes, fantastic jewellery, an incredible dress that was just pure glamour and sparkle…and super clients. This is a wedding photog’s dream! We originally were doing their First Look photos outside, but with the rain still pouring and everything muddy, we quickly organised a location based on the dress….the Theatre Royal was the perfect setting for movie star glamour and makeup. It’s always slightly nervous when a couple are preparing to see each other for the first time…both of them not quite sure what they should say, do, act, etc…but then their eyes meet, and no words are necessary….that Look says it all…and I personally love that there is that moment for the dress, suit, flowers, etc to all be looked at in an intimate setting with just the couple….a chance to speak their first words in private, to kiss, to hold each other …to just BE, before the rush of other people and all the formal parts of the Day take over.

The Wedding Party was such fun, and the location was just gorgeous…and then it was time to head to the Ceremony at Ohoka.

…and Bec! WOW!!!

..there had been so many gorgeous tears at the First Look and during the Ceremony, but from the moment they were married, the laughter and joy really took over, and the Best Man’s speech was the FUNNIEST speech Erick and I have ever heard! I haven’t laughed so hard in a long time!

Since photos in their purest form should also be storytellers, I’ll leave you to enjoy the Sneak Peek at Bec & Tim’s Day…Enjoy! ….just give the flash slideshow a moment to load

Most of our clients book us up to two years in advance, so it is unusual to get an enquiry for a wedding that is only a few weeks away…..since as any Bride knows (future or past!) it’s a LOT of work to put together your Dream Day!   When Emma & Jeremy explained on the phone what their dream Day looked like, we just knew we wanted to be part of something so unique, beautiful and different.   It also helped that Emma’s mom had such a wonderful American accent (Erick always loves to meet fellow Statesiders!).

Their vision of a Wedding Ceremony amongst the mountains and peaks of Arthur’s Pass was so beautiful and we instantly knew it was just perfect for this couple who have been so much of the last few year’s travelling around the world skiing, mountain climbing, etc and teaching other’s to do so as well!   Arthur’s Pass was exactly what this wedding needed!

On the day however, the weather just would not co-operate…and unlike Disneyland…there is no magic wand to fix thunderheads!  E and I woke up to the sound of rain on the roof, rolled over and both said “oh O!” at the same time…..E immediately jumped up and opened the curtains….and there it was.  Big Fat Rain Clouds.  Raining all over our vision and ideas for wedding photos with smoky blue mountains, rocky cliff faces and the gentle simple beauty of a wedding at the foot of all that wild beauty.

As we traveled down to shoot the Getting Ready images, the rain came and went, but we already knew that the Ford would be impassable, for us and the guests.   So we drove pretty much into the unknown ………ceremony, shooting locations, etc.  We’d just take the day as it came.

From the minute we pulled up in front of Emma’s getting ready location and then saw her dress, it all came together.   It was exactly like something out of Jane Austen!  (little known fact, when I was in Form 5 I won a Speech Competition; okay no surprise for those that have heard me talk!…very fast….but my Award was a book of the complete works of Jane Austen.  All my school friends thought it was the dumbest Award EVER….since the language in the book is rather old, but I loved it…in fact I can see it sitting on the shelf in the corner as I type!…and I read that book at least 20 times!).  So all of that to explain, that I KNOW Jane Austen…and I know an “Emma” when I see one, and not just by name!

Emma’s dress was beautiful.  Simple, elegant, vintage….and her hair was the same.  When her sister started doing her makeup, I nearly cried!   It was just so endearing and exactly what I always imagined it would be like if I had a sister growing up.  Everything about their preparations was just as I always thought the perfect wedding would be like….family gathered around, a proud father waiting downstairs, an old vintage villa to get ready in…and a beloved sister to help prepare you for your Special Day.   Finally Emma was ready, Jeremy was waiting on the deck downstairs, for their “First Look” (my personal favourite part of any wedding day ..and absolutely how I would do it, if Erick and I were allowed our Day again). 

Love it when we catch moments that the client didn’t see on the Day….like the love mixed with sadness on the face of Emma’s mom….that moment every mother has when her daughter is about to become a wife herself……I”m not looking forward to experiencing that time with my girl’s!

..and yes, Emma did do these fabric roses herself…with the sash of the dress!  She showed me twice how to do them, and her mom explained, but I think I was just too impressed to listen to the directions!   They matched the flax roses in her bouquet perfectly….but see, isn’t that something that Jane Austen’s Emma could do?  make perfect fabric roses out of a length of sash!

I think the photos tell the story……not only of their love and connection but also of the weather….four seasons in one day!  Rain, sun, wind and then overcast…….it just couldn’t make up it’s mind!    

My Fav….. Emma!  your gorgeous! and look at that rain…..you both did amazing!

E’s fav …..love the gentle touch of the Groom as he can’t believe how breathtaking his bride is!

The two families (Emma’s had all flown out from the States) prepared the lounge for the Ceremony…..and in such a short space of time…they made it look beautiful….flowers, candles, a place to sign, gift table, etc…. and that is where Emma & Jeremy joined their lives as husband & wife, in a ceremony that filled the room with their love and the warmth of their family and friends. 

Inside….let the rain fall!   ……then the sun came out…..so Outside for some Flare! and look at how deep the puddles were!  Crazy!

The marriage was followed by a wonderful, fun afternoon and evening done in true Kiwi Country style……. Spit Roast, Salads, Chinese lanterns in the trees, children on the trampoline, dancing, wine, beer and much laughter!  

Thank you for such a great day guys!  We confess to being  very grateful that we were not eaten by the neighbour’s dog!  but also that on a Day when some couple’s would have been spent time worrying or complaining about the weather, you just focused on each other and your future.    Your Wedding is just one day….your Marriage is a lifetime……and we know you will have many trips to Arthur’s in the year’s to come

(will share some more shots of the Ceremony and Celebration over next few days…but have a busy wedding schedule this weekend!….so catch you all on Monday!)  Oh and PPS…I know that this blogsite is a bit messy right now…but like any good renovation, it just needs “decorating”.

Not only was Tony & Danae’s wedding absolutely BEAUTIFUL! but they really had an amazing set of wonderful, funny, outrageous friends & family.  It was a real joy to spend the Day celebrating with them, especially when their love was so evident!

I know I said I’d post Emma & Jeremy’s wedding today…but I’m just putting the finishing touches on some of the Web images, and to be honest we are still having a couple of issues with the backend of the Blog.  On top of which, I can’t tell you how patient Tony & Danae have been!   So here is your PartyWall guys! …..it makes me smile everytime I look at it, although I told Erick the perfect finishing slide would have been the one where everyone fell backwards through the “Wall”….he was so worried about everyone, that he put the camera down and ran to help them up.  On the way home he suddenly burst out laughing and when I asked what was so funny he said “I just realised how funny a photo that would have been, wish I’d shot a frame BEFORE I ran to help them!” LOL… great minds think alike!

So the disclaimer with this video is…………

“no humans were hurt in the making of this Party Fun!”

Your Gallery is nearly up guys!  It was sooooo hard to select images from such a magical day…and night!

Emma & Jeremy tomorrow…promise!