…and so on….

We met Gorgeous Megan and Aaron kind of last minute. They had already organised photography for their day, but decided to change to us….something that we didn’t take lightly as we know deposits are lost at that point! I’m so grateful they did! Not only are they a really amazing couple….but they wanted us to capture the elegance and fun of their Day in a creative way (EXACTLY what we believe wedding photography should do!)….so we knew we were a perfect fit from the moment we met them.

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….

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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!

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..

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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!

Bec & Tim are just such an amazing couple and so much fun to hang out with! So on their wedding day we expected that there would be heaps of fun, laughter, jokes, tears, emotions and joy!..and that was exactly how it was! Bec, you are stunningly beautiful! I had photographed Bec in another session, so I knew already that she had this amazing hour-glass figure that is the envy of every girl that loves curves and femininity!…but when I arrived to shoot the Getting Ready, I was greeted by these….

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

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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”.

Once again it’s nearly midnight, so while the new Blogsite (did you notice???) is under Construction I thought I’d post Tony & Danae’s fun PartyWall (Trademarked name…so please ask if you wish to use it!)

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!