Preparing for your wedding proposal photo shoot - Redrocks Wellington

Planning a wedding proposal is a mix of excitement and nerves! You’re asking someone to spend the rest of their life with you, so you want to ensure this moment special for the both of you!

If you want the proposal photographed there are two ways this can happen. The traditional approach is to plan with a photographer where and when you plan to get down on one knee, your photographer should be somewhere hiding near by ready to snap the action. The way of photographing a proposal which I prefer is to have a planned shoot where your partner knows a photographer will be joining you. This approach means you end up with better photos because your photographer has more control over the scene and your movements. It involves a little more planning and some strategic communication but heres how you can make that happen!

HAVE A STORY

Your partner might start get suspicious so come up with a back story as to why you have booked a photo shoot. You could explain to your partner that you won a couples shoot through a competition you entered, or a work give away. Your photographer could be ‘an old friend’ who is looking to build her portfolio. You could ask a friend to help out, perhaps they won the couples shoot but they can’t go ahead. Suggest a photo shoot for a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday, but really its much more than that. Keep it simple and make it more about the act of doing something fun together. It might be completely out of the ordinary for your relationship but the chances are your partner will definitely be into it! Let your photographer know what your story is.

CHOOSE AN EPIC LOCATION

Pick a location that you know your partner will love. If you are shy and nervous about other people watching, find somewhere that is quiet so the moment can be more intimate. Your photographer will be able to suggest a good spot and the best time of day. Visit the location a week or a few days before hand to make sure it feels right.

LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER WORK THEIR MAGIC

Don’t stress too much, your partner will sense you are acting strange. Before the shoot, ask your photographer for a queue which indicates a good time for proposal. Your photographer will be looking at what the light is doing and framing the image with the background while keeping an eye on what you are doing, so it’s important they are ready for this moment.

I’ll usually spend 20-30 minutes with couples ‘warming up’ to the actual proposal. This is a chance to set the scene and get used to the camera.

When it comes to getting down on one knee, try and stay there for as long as it feels comfortable. This will give your photographer more opportunities to get the key shot. Have some words prepared and tell your partner how much they mean to you!

MAKE A DAY OUT OF IT!

Plan the whole day and make it special. You could book dinner reservation for afterwards. You’ll both want to celebrate the beginning of this new chapter together!

YOUR PROPOSAL PHOTOS

You will be so excited to see your new photos! Ask your photographer for one or two preview images so you can announce your engagement to friends and family.

Planning your Zero Waste and Eco-friendly Wedding

If you’re planning a wedding you will start to see how much goes into one event. There will likely be a lot of people to invite and potential waste. Your decisions can have a huge impact on the environment. I’ve put together some ideas for how you can spread the love and have an eco wedding! Making some small changes doesn’t mean you need to compromise how you celebrate, if anything you are adding so much more value to your day.

PICKING AN ECO FRIENDLY WEDDING VENUE

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that reduces its waste and gives back to the community reach out to your local venues to see what your options are. Do they that align with your ideas; do they use sustainable products and local produce?

Get married in your back yard! Having an outdoor ceremony is one way to save on energy and decorations. If you can have your ceremony and reception at the same location this will also mean your guests wont need to travel from one event to the next which will mean less transport costs.

GO PAPERLESS

Don’t get me wrong, I adore wedding stationary but going paperless is becoming more popular. Check out Paperless Wedding, their service allows couples to pick from a variety of themes to create online invitations. Once you click send guests receive their invites straight to their email inbox which is much faster and can click to RSVP.

REDUCE PACKAGING FROM GIFTS

Your guests will want to gift you with a present to say congratulations! Think about all of the packaging that will go to waste if every person was to bring a gift. Look into an online gift registry like Honeypot, pick items that you would like to receive for your honeymoon or newly wed life and guests can choose the value they want to gift.

This also means you don’t receive the same item twice which happens more often than you think! I know this option would suit my partner and I as we are very specific about what items we want in our household and we don’t like the idea of receiving items that we don’t have a need for.

WHERE DO YOUR FLOWERS COME FROM

Talk to your florist about where they source their flowers and what flowers will be in season. Being a proud plant Mum to many indoor plants, I appreciate that sometimes insect control is needed to keep your plants alive. I use organic sprays and home remedies. Find out how long it takes for the flowers to reach your florist after they are cut, this insures they are fresh and uses less electricity as they are often kept in refrigeration.

Look into alternative solutions for flowers. Dried florals are a huge trend right now, check out Wellington florist Floriade. Dried arrangements and bouquets are timeless and at the end of your wedding you won’t need to dispose of them. Indoor plants are another alternative to using flower arrangements.

LOCAL AND ORGANIC CATERING

Look for local businesses who use locally grown organic produce and focus on seasonal food. Find out what sustainable initiatives they have in place, how do they reduce waste etc. Good Chemistry Catering Wellington pride themselves on offering good food using sustainable ingredients while tailoring to your needs. It’s making me hungry thinking of all the yummy options out there, so many companies are jumping on board with this.

SUSTAINABLE WEDDING RECEPTION DECORATIONS

Avoid single use items by only sourcing items that you can reuse again, this includes decorations. Hiring or borrowing decorations is a great way to save on money and ensure the items aren’t wasted after single use. Look for alternative materials like up-cycled fabrics, avoid plastics. Candles and solar lanterns are a great option for saving on electricity and creating atmosphere.

Look for minimalist and D.I.Y inspiration, Pinterest is the best place for this!

WEDDING ATTIRE

Looking for a sustainable wedding dress doesn’t mean you need to wear your Mums wedding dress, although this could work if it was altered to suit a modern style. Look into local designers or ethical brands that are part of the sustainable fashion movement. Find out how the fabrics are made. Groomsmen and Bridemaids have the option to wear their outfits again, so focus on finding a look that they will likely rewear.

Wedding Planning - How to Write Personal Wedding Vows

Wedding vows serve as an intimate moment during your ceremony to express your love, commitment and promise to one another. Writing your own wedding vows gives you the chance to personalise this moment.

SET THE TONE WITH YOUR PARTNER

First you want to set the tone. You have decided to step away from using traditional vows and want to write something that comes from the heart and is about your relationship.

Together you can decide how long your vows are going to be. You can discuss if you want to add elements of lightheartedness or inside jokes. You might decide to keep it more sentimental.

MAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Take some time to reflect on your relationship and how it makes you feel. Start with a statement about who your partner is to you; your best friend, your lover, your partner in crime.

What did you think when you first saw them?

What do you have now that you didn't have before you met?

What do you miss most when you're apart? 

Can you think of a funny or touching experience that put your partner in a new light? 

What goals and values do you both have?

What about your partner inspires you? 

What promise can you make to solidify and encapsulate your devotion? 

What are you most looking forward to about married life? 

THE PROMISE

What promises do you want to make to your partner? Mention ways that you will continue to show your love. You can use words like ‘I promise’, ‘I vow’ and ‘I pledge’. Make promises that you can keep, avoid promising perfection, make it real and down to Earth.

SEEK ADVISE FROM YOUR CELEBRANT

Talk to your celebrant about what vows are required by law. In New Zealand you must include “I [name] take you [partner’s name], to be my legal [wife/husband/partner]”, or something similar, to each other at some point in the ceremony. Your celebrant will also be able to structure your ceremony.

WRITE YOUR VOWS EARLY

It can take time before you feel completely satisfied with what you have written. You might have several drafts. Give yourself plenty of time, after all it is your wedding so you want to be putting in your best efforts. Start writing your vows around the same time that you start looking for a celebrant.

Planning your wedding - How to choose the right wedding photographer

Researching wedding vendors can be a lengthy process. It can also start to feel overwhelming when it comes to making your final decisions. When picking the right photographer for your wedding day there are a number of things you can consider. I’ve put together some key points that will hopefully help make this choice easier!

PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE

Think about the kind of photos you want and ask photographers what their style is. There are different approaches when it comes to taking photos. Traditional or formal photos are often planned or posed by the photographer. They can also be ‘looking at the camera’ images. This approach is usually used for family photos and group shots.

A documentary approach is used for capturing candid moments as they happen naturally. This is when there is little to no engagement with the camera. This can capture emotion and real moments throughout the day.

For some couples it’s mostly about capturing the memories, for others there can be a stronger appreciation for photography as an art form. Look through examples of work and pick a style that captures your eye. It could be the colours, the creativity or composition of an image. Every photographer will have a different style, look for something that speaks to you.

BOOK EARLY

Turning down clients because I’m already booked on their day isn’t a great feeling. Once you have secured your date with a venue, start looking for your photographer. Or even better, get the conversation going before you finalise your date. It can be worth enquiring 12 - 18 months before.

RESEARCH

Check out a number of websites and social media accounts. When you see a style that connects with you, start to look deeper into who that photographer is. Their website should be easy to understand and tell you further information on the services they are offering. Testimonials and Google reviews are a good way of checking feedback.

GET IN CONTACT

Next get in contact and get a gage on their personality. See how they interact and respond to your emails, when I respond to emails I do my best to stay authentic, I talk to people because want to get to know more about them (which is genuinely true, not because I only want to sell them my product). Do they make you feel comfortable and have they listened to you?

MEET FOR COFFEE

I like to meet couples for a coffee (or wine) before they book. This makes it easier for people to see who I really am and gain extra trust. You want to make sure your photographer is a match for your vibe.

PRICE

I’ve saved the hardest one for last. Budget will be something you need to consider. Getting married isn’t cheap, but shopping around for the cheapest deal might leave you disappointed with the results. It comes down to one simple question - is photography something that is important to you and do you want awesome wedding photos? Anyone reading this will probably answer YES. It will be an investment if you want a photographer with higher skills and experience.

The price tag isn’t how many hours your photographer is with you for on the day. A photographer needs to consider their travel costs, paying their assistant, the 6 (or more) hours it takes to edit a wedding and then have enough for their bills and costs of living at the end of it (lets not forget that hefty student loan).

If you find a photographer who is perfect for you but you can’t justify the price you could continue looking for someone who has a similar style, or ask that photographer if they have payment plans available. We are all human and the chances are they will want to make it work for you!

It’s a long conversation! Start talking it through with your partner and reach out to a few different photographers. See who sparks the best interest and connection with you from the get go. Better yet, get in touch, I’d love to answer any questions you may have.

Planning your Wedding - Wairarapa Wedding Venues

Picking a venue is usually one of the first things to check off your wedding planning list. We are so spoilt for choice here in New Zealand, especially if you are wanting an outdoor wedding!

The Wairarapa is a popular wedding destination for couples. It’s only a short trip over the hill if you live in Wellington, it usually feels a bit warmer and often gets better weather! If you’re a lover of wine, even better because there are a number of vineyards in Martinborough.

Here are a few of my most popular venues that I often photograph. This is only a small handful of what the Wairarapa has to offer. If you want to know more about my experiences at each venue, get in touch, I’d love to help you find the perfect venue.

POPPIES VINEYARD MARTINBOROUGH

Located in Martinborough is a venue called Poppies. This venue is surrounded by vineyards and offers two spaces for your wedding - an outdoor courtyard for your ceremony as well as an indoor space for your reception. The grounds are well kept and very picturesque!

THE LANDING AT HOMEBUSH

If you’re needing a venue wth accomodation for your morning preparations make sure you check out The Landing at Homebush located 5 minutes from Masterton. There are a number of spots for you to choose from for your ceremony such as the chapel vineyard, ivy archway or the gazebo.

MARTINBOROUGH TREE CHURCH

I recently discovered Martinborough Tree Church. If you want to get married in a chapel but also dream of an outdoor wedding then this is a venue worth checking out. The Church walls are made of hedging and large glassless gothic windows.

TARUREKA ESTATE FEATHERSTON - BARN WEDDING VENUE

If you’re looking for a barn wedding venue check out Tarureka Estate in Featherston. There are a number of different spots at this venue including gardens, a historic homestead, cottage and barn which is made up of two levels.

LACEWOOD AT TUHITARATA ESTATE

Lacewood is located in South Wairarapa and is surrounded by rural scenery. This venue is elegant and has a lot of history dating back to the 1840s. There are a number of different buildings consisting of a homestead, cottages and a large restored barn.

Planning your Wedding - Helpful tips for creating a timeline

Have a chat with all of your vendors about a timeline for your wedding day. This will help things run smoothly and you’ll be able to relax more on the day. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your photos.

PREPARATION PHOTOS

Get your girls together and open the bubbles! I like to allow 2 hours of coverage, starting 2.5 hours before your ceremony, for preparation photos. Talk to your hair and makeup stylist about the best time to start your preparations.

For preparation photos with the guys I allow 1 hour of coverage, starting 1.5 - 2 hours before the ceremony. If you want photos of the guys suiting up, hold off putting your suits on until your photographer arrives. Sometimes an activity like throwing a ball around or a game of cards can look great in these photos, but if you just want to share a glass of whiskey with the lads that's cool with us too. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Allow some time (maybe 20 minutes) after your ceremony for guests to come up and congratulate you, before jumping into family photos.  This is a special part of the day and your guests will want to hug and congratulate you!

FAMILY PHOTOS

Family photos can take longer than expected and sometimes it can take 5 minutes per group. Write down a list of the different family members in each group. Start thinking about this sooner than later, it can feel overwhelming writing this the night before! It's also a good idea to send a list of the group shots to your MC so they can help with finding guests on the day. 

BRIDAL SHOOT

It's becoming popular to have a 'first look' and your bridal shoot before your ceremony. This is definitely something to consider, I'm all for it. It's less traditional which might work for you, it also calms your nerves leading up to the ceremony.

I recommend allowing 1-hour minimum for your bridal shoot. Take into consideration adding on travel time if you are traveling to a different location. 1-hour might seem like a long time for photos, but I promise the results will be worth it!

Let your caterer know what time you’ll be starting the bridal shoot as this may be helpful if they are preparing food for the bridal party to bring along. At the start of the bridal shoot, you can all relax, catch up and have a bite to eat. 

Wedding Planning - Top Tips For Brides!

Wedding planning can feel overwhelming at times which is why I like to keep the photography side of things easy! I’ve put together some of my best tips and advice to help with your planning.

YOUR WEDDING TIMELINE

It's best to chat with your vendors about a timeline for your wedding so we can help the day run smoothly. Here are some tips to keep in mind for your photos.

PREPARATION PHOTOS

Get your girls together and open the bubbles! Chat to your hair and makeup stylist about the best time to start your preparations in the morning and take into consideration what time your photographer will be arriving.

If you want photos of the guys suiting up, hold off putting your suits on until your photographer arrives. Sometimes an activity like throwing a ball around or a game of cards can look great in these photos, but if you just want to share a glass of whiskey with the lads that's cool with us too. 

CONGRATULATIONS

Allow some time (maybe 20 minutes) after your ceremony for guests to come up and congratulate you, before jumping into family photos.  This is a special part of the day and your guests will want to hug and congratulate you!

LARGE GROUP PHOTO

Some couples choose to not do a large group photo of everybody. If you decide you would like one, it can be a good idea to do this shortly after the ceremony before guests separate around the venue too much.

FAMILY PHOTOS

The formal family photos can take longer than expected and sometimes it can take 5 minutes per group. It can suit grandparents more to do these groups first so they can then relax.

BRIDAL SHOOT

It's becoming popular to have a 'first look' and your bridal shoot before your ceremony. This is definitely something to consider, I'm all for it. It's less traditional which might work for you, it also calms your nerves sooner!

Talk to your photographer about your own ideas for the bridal shoot. I recommend allowing 1-hour minimum for this part of the day, depending on the size of your bridal party Take into consideration adding on travel time if you are traveling to a different location.

YOUR BRIDAL SHOOT

The bridal shoot is one of my favourite parts of the day! I like to start off with the whole bridal party and then the three of us separate from the group for couple photos, this is a chance for you two to have a breather and say 'Yay we are married!'

KEY TIPS

- What time do you want to have your photos, is this going to provide you with the best light?
- Travel distance from your venue, is this going to give you less time for photos?
- Location, do you want beachy, urban, nature, landscapes? 
- Weather, is the location exposed to wind and is there any shade (bright sunny days require some shade)? 

If you're not too sure about the best time of day for photos or want some recommendations for a location, let me know! Sunset is always my favourite time to photograph, this might not work with your schedule but we can always sneak out during your reception for these shots. 

I love natural shots and I try to keep my directions to a minimum.  While you laugh and be in each others company I will be working my magic.

I’d love to hear from you. Involve your photographer and other vendors as much as possible. After all, we are here to help and make your wedding day awesome!