Tatum - Recently refurbished historic wedding venue Wellington - Libby and Pani

Libby and Pani - high school sweethearts, cat parents (my kind of people), homeowners and now... husband and wife! 💍 Getting to know these two was such an honour in the lead up to their day and we are so grateful to have captured both photos and video for them!!

This was our my first time at Tatum since it was recently renovated, the accommodation is really nice and there were plenty of great spots. Their video is by my husband Karl, photos by me!
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Photos: @jaymee_photography
Video: @traveller.video
Second photographer: @jessdewsnap
Dress: @bridal_studio @alenahume_nz
Venue: @tatumevents1912
Flowers: @jane.flowergirl
Hair: @taylormadehair_ @duo_styling
Makeup: @makeupbyhayz_
DJ: @dj_swervos

Public Trust Hall Wedding - Inner City Wedding Wellington

Wellington’s Public Trust Hall was refurbished in 2019 and this is my first wedding at the new wedding venue! Rachel and Tim had their ceremony and reception here all in the same room, it’s the perfect space for an all-in-one wedding venue (ideal if you want an indoor ceremony).

We actually had rain all morning and thought there was zero chance of doing any waterfront photos as we planned, but thankfully during their ceremony it started to clear up! We took a few family photos before heading outside with their bridal party. We ended up having a very special guest called Oscar (their pet dog) meet us on the waterfront for photos!

Rachel and Tim picked my middle package which is currently 6 hours total and they managed to fit their first dance into this amount of time. If you’re clever about how you do your timeline there is a lot you can fit into 6 hours!

Ohariu Farm Wedding Venue - Nicola and Daniel's outdoor wedding ceremony

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Geraghty! I had the pleasure of photographing Nic and Dan's wedding at Ohariu Farm. They made my job of photographing so easy because A) they looked amazing and B) they were so relaxed and fun! The best part was making the last-minute call to brave the weather and have their ceremony outside ... no regrets, the light was so beautiful and the rain held off for us!

Venue Ohariu Farm
Celebrant Wendy Morrison
MUA Jaymie Jarvis Makeup Artist
Dress Astra Bridal Wellington
Florals Twisted Willow
Bridesmaid dresses Evolution Bridesmaids

Lighting tips for your Wedding Reception

Wedding receptions can be a challenging environment for photographers. Most venues will have low light conditions once it gets dark and artificial lighting from the dance floor can mean there are a lot of uncontrollable variables. A good photographer will be able to adapt on the spot to any lighting condition, but there are a few things we can prepare for in order to get better photos. Putting more thought into the design of your wedding lighting can add a lot to the atmosphere of your reception.

LIGHTING TERMS

Here are a couple of lighting terms that you’ll want to know before asking your vendors for quotes:

Uplighting – lights that are placed on the floor and shine up the walls in various colors
Gobo light – a template that light shines through to create a pattern, monogram, or motif on the floor, ceiling, or wall
Texture lighting – the same as a Gobo light but with a preset pattern, such as leaves or a starry night sky
Spotlight – a lamp that projects a narrow beam of light on one particular area or object
Pinspot – a tiny light used to illuminate a small area, such as a centerpiece on a table
String lights – also referred to as twinkle, fairy, bistro, or cafe lights, these strands of lights are the most versatile and cost-effective way to light up any space
Pendants – also known as drop or suspender lights, these are single fixtures that hang from the ceiling
LED light – type of bulb that is cost-effective, long-lasting, and provides more vibrant color than a traditional bulb
Color wash – a general fill of color used throughout an entire room that doesn’t highlight any particular area
(Information sourced via: Junebug weddings)

DECIDE ON A STYLE

Decide on the atmosphere and style that best suits your ideas and venue. Candlelight and fairy lights work great for romantic and classic lighting. If your style is glamourous, look for more dramatic lighting sources and add sparkly details so the light glows around the room. For a rustic look use antique lanterns and bulb pendant lights for a raw and natural look.

MATCH THE COLOUR OF LIGHT

Only add in light if it’s the right colour for the occasion. If you use different colours and shades the lighting can start to look very unnatural and it can make people’s skin tones look unflattering. I prefer photographing in warm tungsten lighting, as opposed to purple and green spotlights.

SPEECHES

Plan where your guests will stand when they make speeches. Avoid having guests stand in front of large windows, this can make it tricky for your photographer as the light will be brighter than the rest of the room and it can make images look hazy and less detailed.

LOW LIGHT

Discuss with your photographer what will happen to your lighting during your reception. Communicate with your DJ about which lights will stay consistent and if any lights, like a strobe, will be added later for your dancing. Your photographer will appreciate knowing in advance so they can plan without any surprises and know to bring additional lighting if needed. If there is limited light at your venue and it’s too dark, your photographer will need to use a flash to capture your first dance and speeches.

Highlights from Second Shooting with Jenny Siaosi

I sometimes team up with Jenny from Siaosi Photography. I love being a second shooter,  it's a chance to shoot from a different perspective (which can be challenging at times) and get creative without so much time pressure. Plus I get to meet even more amazing couples! 

I usually bring a second shooter along to my own weddings at no extra charge. You receive a lot more coverage and it's great just having that extra hand to help the day go smoothly. 

Here are some of my favourite moments from the previous season with Jenny. 

Rosewood Estate D.I.Y. Wedding - Jane and Jake

Jane and Jake married at Wellington's newest wedding venue Rosewood Estate. I loved the D.I.Y. wedding decor, including their teepee entrance into the reception marquee which later on turned into a photo booth. Check out a few of my favourite moments!