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”.
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