Postponing your wedding because of Covid19 and eloping instead - Magda and Fraser's Wellington Elopement

Magda and Fraser originally had a small wedding ceremony planned for earlier this year which was postponed due to Covid19. Their new plan to go ahead with an elopement style ceremony out in the hills of Ohariu valley was just as special and I know those who couldn't make it from overseas will be feeling so happy for them!

Some couples choose to elope instead of having a wedding so they can have that "just us" experience. Some couples want to have the freedom to spend the day together without all of the traditional rules and distractions that come with hosting a wedding.

Saving money is also a huge benefit and you're valuing memories rather than the materialistic side of having a traditional wedding. Overall elopements are less stressful and require less planning - perfect in today’s climate!

Our top Wellington wedding venues

Wellington and the Kapiti Coast has a range of wedding venues for your ceremony and reception. This list showcases different venues with links to their websites where you can access more information!

Anam Cara Gardens

Anam Cara Gardens offers 10 acres of serene garden settings, an indoor venue and two separate spaces for getting ready making it the perfect venue for your day. Their venue has capacity for up to 120 guests, includes a modern commercial kitchen for caterers and a bar for BYO. Pick from 6 different ceremony locations and many areas for photos, including the beach which is only a short drive away for sunset photos.

BOOMROCK

Boomrock Lodge is an out of city experience with panoramic views across the Tasman sea. The clifftops are a perfect spot for your outdoor wedding ceremony and The Lodge can comfortably seat up to 120 guests or 140 cocktail style. Their resident chef Warren Maddox will design a menu to suit your requirements and budget. Boomrock is a 30 minute bus ride from the CBD or a 6 minute helicopter transfer. They also offer fun activities for guests during cocktail hour like clay bird shooting and golf.

SUDBURY

Sudbury is a Kapiti Coast wedding venue set on a ridge overlooking a valley in Peka Peka, 40 minutes north of Wellington City. Dinner in the stables can seat up to 150 guests and their catering partner Mark Harman brings a delicious dining experience while you provide BYO alcohol with no corkage fee. The venue offers a range a stunning photo backdrops and is only a short drive from the beach if couples would like sunset photos. The onsite accommodation Cottage 103 is the perfect spot for getting ready.

OHARIU FARM

Ohariu Farm is a countryside venue found only 20 minutes outside of Wellington CBD. Their in-house catering team will cater for weddings with up to 230 guests seated and 450 standing. Their menu is prepared on-site using fresh and organic ingredients. Their wedding packages can include lawn games, a prosecco wall, a mobile gin bar and a golf driving range.

DOCKSIDE

Dockside is a venue and restaurant located on the edge of the Wellington waterfront. The Main Deck downstairs can seat 140 guests and features an opening roof, so it’s perfect for any weather and large enough to host your ceremony and reception.

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.

How to pin a buttonhole (boutonniere) to a suit jacket?

Pinning a buttonhole or boutonniere to a suit isn’t something most people have done before. Groomsmen are often Googling ‘how to’ the morning of the wedding. This tradition began when men would place a single bloom through the buttonhole of their suit lapel to add colour and style. They are usually pinned on the Groom’s left side (above the heart), with the flower pointing up and the stem pointing down.

First, decide on the placement of the boutonniere by holding it against the suit. Once you’re happy with the placement, fold the lapel over and use your pins on the back of the lapel and weave the pin through to the front of the flower stems.

Brides and Grooms - send a ‘how to’ video to your bridal party before the wedding so they know what to do on the day. Here’s a helpful video found on youtube demonstrating what to do!

Learn how to pin a boutonniere on a lapel for your next special event. Presented by Floating Leaf Studios and Fresh and Fabulous, LLC.

Tarureka Estate Wairarapa Wedding - Amelia and Tom

Amelia and Tom first met at a Wellington Phoenix football match at Westpac Stadium. Amelia’s friends encouraged her to ask Tom, who was sitting in the row behind them, to take their picture as an excuse to talk to him. He took the photo and then took a sneaky selfie. For the rest of the game, they didn’t have much of a chance to talk. When Amelia got home that night she knew she needed to track him down on social media. She posted the photo of Tom on Facebook and by chance one mutual friend happened to recognise Tom and was able to tag him in the post. Tom added Amelia on Facebook and things grew from there. He moved from Palmerston North to Wellington, where Amelia was living, after one year of long-distance and they have been inseparable ever since!

Tom proposed to Amelia during an evening walk along Titahi Bay Beach. He stopped at the top of a hill that had views of the South Island and got down on one knee. The rest of the night was spent down on the beach with fish and chips and some champagne that Tom had smuggled into the car before they left home.

Tarureka Estate was picked as their wedding venue for it’s rustic but elegant charm, which many guests later commented on how well the venue suited their personalities. They wanted a location where their bridal party and immediate families could stay the entire weekend to hang out. Being able to hire the venue from Friday through to late Sunday was a bonus!

It was an absolute treat photographing their wedding. They were so organised by having their timeline broken down into 15-minute intervals which is extremely helpful as a vendor. I knew exactly what the day looked like and it meant that Amelia and Tom could just relax and trust that we would make things happen on the day. I adore the simplicity of their decor and the venue, it really did suit their personalities perfectly. I have so many photos from this day but these are some of my favourites from their preparations through to the first lot of the speeches. Thank you to Amy Schulz for second shooting alongside me on the day!

List of vendors

Venue:  Tarureka Estate 
Photographer:  Jaymee Photography 
Second Photographer: Amy Schulz
Florist:  Juliette Florist 
Makeup and Hair Stylist:   The Makeup Artist 
Brides Dress:   Hera Couture by Katie Yeung 
Bridesmaids Dress:  Ruby 
Groom and Groomsmen:   Barkers 
Cake:  Stiletto Studios 

Unplugged wedding ceremony - Asking guests to be off their phones

Having an ‘unplugged wedding’ is when couples ask their guests to stay off mobile phones or tablet devices during their ceremony and/or reception. Here are 3 reasons why this option may work for you!

GUESTS ARE MORE PRESENT

Without the distraction of their phone or camera’s, your guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in the experience that you’ve spent months planning. Ask your MC or Celebrant to make an announcement at the start of your ceremony. Here are some polite ways of making the announcement to guests.

“The Bride and Groom kindly request an unplugged ceremony. We ask you to please turn off all devices and enjoy being fully present in this moment with us.”

“The greatest gift you can give us today is to be truly present, so please turn off all phones and cameras and enjoy this special moment with us. ”

LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

If you’re hiring a professional photographer, leave it to them to get the best shots of your wedding day. An experienced wedding photographer will make the best of any lighting situation so you can skip the unflattering, inappropriate, or blurry photos that some guests think are okay to upload to social media.

Your photographer will have more space to get the shots they need, instead of competing with Uncle Bob who also wants the same spot for taking photos. I have seen so many great moments ruined by a phone or iPad sneaking into the side of my shot. I love taking photos of guests and their reactions, this always looks better when they don’t have their phone in front of their faces.

You can add this to your announcement at the beginning of the ceremony.

“We’ve asked a professional photographer to capture this special moment so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy it with us. Our beautiful images will be available after the wedding.”

LET’S BE SOCIAL, NOT ANTISOCIAL

You may want to be the first to share any images on social media. Having an unplugged wedding encourages guests to put their phones down for the day and stay offline. Instead, you want everyone to be social in and present in person.

“We ask our guests to hold off posting any images on social media. We will share our professional photos with you all after the wedding”

HOW TO HAVE AN UNPLUGGED WEDDING

Your MC or celebrant can announce your requests at the start of your ceremony but you can also set this expectation sooner by including a note on your wedding invites. Signage or chalkboards are another popular way of displaying this message as guests arrive.

Tips for your wedding preparation photos!

Photographing your wedding preparations is about letting the day unfold and capturing some of the best moments with your Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. The morning of your wedding day can be a little chaotic, so I’ve put together some helpful tips that you (or your Bridal party) can organise before your photographer arrives.

SHOWER AND HAVE LUNCH

Do the essential things like shower and have lunch nice and early. If you only have a short window of time with your photographer for Groom’s preparation photos, make sure everyone is showered and has their outfits ironed and ready to go.

If you don’t feel like a big lunch, have some nibbles laid out for you to snack on. I’m obsessed with platters and these look nice if they’re in the background of your photographs (rather than a plastic bag of potato chips, as much as I also love potato chips).

PUT YOUR SUITS AND DRESS ON DISPLAY

Photographers love details. Take your suits and dresses out of any protective laundry bags, cut off any tags and unpick any temporary stitching on the backs of suits. Hang your garments on a curtain rail or a ledge. Try and do all of this before your photographer arrives so it’s not something you need to worry about later on while you’re in the middle of having photos taken.

AVOID SMALL AND DARK HOTEL ROOMS

Often the Groom and his Groomsmen will get ready at a separate location to the Bride and ceremony location. If preparation photos are an important part of your day put some thought into the location for these photos. A cramped hotel room with minimal natural light isn’t going to be the easiest space for your photographer. Instead, look into booking an Airbnb or something similar which has more space and style.

OTHER DETAILS

Gather other items like shoes, the rings, a wedding invite, buttonholes, etc and place them somewhere obvious for your photographer, so they can create more detail images for you.

PLAN THE LOGISTICS

Know what time your photographer is arriving and plan any important photos around this. I recommend a maximum of 2 hours for the girl’s preparation photos. Preparation photos often look better once the Brides makeup (or hair) is complete, you can then get some touch-up photographs and the most important part which is putting on the Brides dress.

The guys don’t tend to need as long for preparation photos, I recommend 1-hour max. Make sure the Groom and his Groomsmen hold off getting fully dressed until the photographer arrives, they can leave suit jackets off and wait to pin the buttonholes. Sometimes we have arrived and the guys are fully dressed and ready to go which leaves us with no authentic and natural moments to photograph, which often means we have to stage photographs that the guys don’t tend to enjoy doing!

Clem and Lox's Garden Wedding - Lower Hutt Wellington

There's no place like home so why not make it your ceremony venue. I loved this outdoor garden wedding at Clem's family home. It made the day extra special and intimate, plus their house was incredible so it was a photographer's dream to be there. The Bridesmaids looked stunning in their emerald green dresses, which also matched the Groomsmen’s bow ties.

Clem and Lox met through friends in 2013 and after spending time together they started dating in 2014. Since then, they have spent time in Canada working and road-tripping the entire country. They then moved back to NZ and adopted a cat called Robert Redford. Lox proposed on the wharf at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne as the sun was setting, he knows romance!

A big thank you to Amy Schulz for photographing alongside me on the day!

We are engaged! Surprise Proposal at Whitireia Park Wellington

I’ve known for a while that I wanted to marry this man but now it's officially a thing!! What I thought was just a fun and casual couples shoot with Wellington photographer Yvonne Liew turned out to be a wedding proposal. WE ARE ENGAGED!

There’s a little bit of a back story to how this all went down, along with some epic photos of the moment Karl proposed. I had been wanting to book a couple’s shoot because I realised Karl and I hardly any photos together and thought it would be nice to have some updated photos for online and putting up around the house, feels a little vain but it was a new experience.

It turns out Karl had started designing a ring with The Village Goldsmith back in November. Another cool part of this story is a client who has booked us for photos and video at their wedding happens to work at The Village Goldsmith, so she was able to help Karl with the designing process which makes it extra special.

Here’s where it all came into action. We booked a couples session with Yvonne. Karl had been emailing her, I had no idea that it was actually going to be a proposal (it had crossed my mind for sure like ‘what if’, but I quickly told myself no way I’m dreaming). And then it happened out of nowhere! Below are some pics of me losing my shit.

We spent the rest of the evening hanging out and taking photos along the hillside. The sunset was insane and the atmosphere felt electric. Thank you so much to Yvonne for capturing these moments for us, the photos are such a true representation of how I felt that evening and I’ll treasure these photos forever.

A note to end on, I’m so grateful to Karl and our relationship. I’ve never felt as supported and loved as I do with him. We have so much respect for one another and the relationship side of things is actually kind of easy, that’s how it feels when you’re on each other’s team. I say I’m not a big romantic but I fricken love this feeling.

Wedding Albums for Christmas Gifts - Momento Pro Photo Albums

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! To celebrate the end of an incredible year for my business I reached out to previous wedding clients with a special on my wedding albums.

Printing is the best way to get more value out of images and relive moments from your wedding day. Quite often photos will only sit on a USB stick or live somewhere on your social media feed, this can mean moments are lost over time. Physical prints add so much value to your investment as they will last for generations to come so your children and their children too can enjoy a little piece of your history.

Yuming and Bevan picked a red linen cover and gold text for their album cover, perfect for the holiday season and it matches the red dress Yuming wore on her wedding day. Momento Pro is the printing company I have picked to use for my wedding albums. I love their European linen range for cover materials which comes in 18 colours for clients to pick from.

To protect your album and add that finishing touch, a clamshell box is included with all of my orders for no extra cost. This means you can leave your album on your coffee table or book shelf with peace of mind.

I’m consistently blown away by the quality of Momento Pro’s prints. They have created a printing platform for professional photographers who take pride in quality. I truly believe in these products which is why I choose to pay a little more for these albums compared to other lower end printing companies.

If you’d like to know more about my albums, get in touch! Here is my album pricing guide.

INCLUDED

Linen cover available in different colours
10 spreads (20 pages) with multiple images per spread
1.1mm page thickness
Custom text on the front of the album cover
Box to protect album is also linen covered
Pick your favourite images and I'll handle the rest!

PRICING AND SIZES

8x8” - Regular
10x10” - Large
12x12” - Extra Large

Please get in touch for the latest pricing update!

Same sex couple Engagement Photos - LGBTQIA friendly photographer Wellington

The excitement is REAL. I can’t wait to be Grace and Gemma’s wedding photographer! Bring on December 2020! Here are a couple of moments from our Engagement session over in Eastbourne.

This little puppy is so lucky to have beautiful Mums like Grace and Gemma. Millie joined us for their engagement session and she knew how to work it. I swear pets know how to pose for the camera. The beach was also a very exciting place for a puppy. Sunset, love and a puppy - what more could you ask for in a photograph?

The best things come in packages - just like our photography and video duo! My partner Karl recently launched his business Traveller Audio and Visual and we want to offer his videography to couples that are looking for a no fuss, all in one package. Previously I have had so many people ask if I can also shoot video and now we can. This is the beginning of a journey for us and we would love to hear what you think of Grace and Gemma’s engagement video!

Jaymee Photography had a fun little shoot with Grace and Gemma to celebrate their engagement, and they brought along their gorgeous puppy, Millie, too!

My diversity statement - I will work with all races, sexual orientations, genders and people from any country. I do not support or tolerate discrimination and ask all my clients to respect this as well while we are working together.

Are you looking for candid and un-posed wedding photography?

Not into posed and formal photos for your wedding? I’m with you on this! Candid and natural photos are a personal favourite of mine. My second shooter and I make sure our approach is subtle and like a fly on a wall, so you don’t feel awkward or even know we are there.

A lot of couples are turning away from posed and polished wedding photos. Instead it’s all about interacting with guests, lots of laughing shots and those in-between moments. A great opportunity for these types of images is during your ceremony and straight after when your guests are congratulating you. There are often some tears and lots of hugging going on. Then again at your reception when you and your guests are mingling.

You can still have a bridal party shoot. I will often give directions which makes everyone laugh and relax. I will suggest things like “now everyone walk towards me” or “look at each other and chat/tell a silly joke”. These shots are more about hanging out with your best friends, as opposed to standing in a line and smiling.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this! What kind of photography are you looking for?

Wedding Planning Timeline - How to plan a wedding

What’s your wedding game plan - from the moment you get engaged, what comes next?

12- 18 MONTHS BEFORE

To get started set a budget and write a list of all the costs that you are going to have over the next few months (there are some helpful wedding cost checklists on Pinterest which you can download for free). Try to be specific with how much you want to spend on each part of your wedding. For example, photography may be really important to you so this might be an area where you splurge a little but you might need to save money somewhere else to make up for this.

Start saving for your wedding! One of the most common costs that aren’t accounted for are deposits from your vendors. When a Bride and Groom ask to book me I have a $500 deposit which is non-refundable, a lot of vendors will have a similar upfront cost.

Once you have an idea of the budget you can start writing a guest list. Depending on numbers, this might mean some changes to your budget. Start with close family members, close friends and close co-workers because these are the people who you can’t imagine your wedding without.

Next comes the venue and setting a date. This is a biggy and can take a little bit of time and research. You’ll need to know your budget and guest count before you can confirm a venue. There are two main things to consider, the first being the location and the second being do you want the venue to cater for both your ceremony and reception.

10 - 12 MONTHS BEFORE

Let the fun begin! Once you have confirmed a date and venue you can start looking for things like a dress, photographer, celebrant, hair stylist, make up artist, florist, cake and reception entertainment.

You might decide to throw an engagement party or send gifts to your best friends asking them to be your bridesmaids.

6 - 8 MONTHS BEFORE

You’ll want to give your guests plenty of notice so make sure you send out save the date invites. Queue cute wedding stationary! It’s usually around 4 months when you send the final wedding invites.

Your hair and makeup artist may ask you to book in a trial, this is a good time to start thinking about the styles you want and book in a time to see them.

4 MONTHS BEFORE

If your vendors are organised they will start asking for a timeline of events. I try to encourage couples to talk their timeline through with me so I can make sure enough time is set aside for photos. This is also a time to start finalising seating plans and the dinner menu for your reception.

1 - 2 MONTHS BEFORE

As you move closer to the wedding start thinking about your vows and speeches, otherwise you might find yourself on Google frantically trying to write these a few nights before the wedding.

Apply for a wedding license. In New Zealand you’ll need to arrange your license at least 3 working days before you get married. It expires after 3 months, at around 1-2 months before the wedding this is a good time to arrange this so it isn’t a last minute stress.

Have your final gown fitting and bring your dress home! Make any last minute adjustments with vendors and book any beauty appointments that you will need a week or so before the wedding. This is a great time to pamper yourself and take some time off.

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.

The Landing at Homebush wedding - Marie & Matt

Everything about Marie and Matt’s day was the ultimate photography dream! It was also really special having my sister and her partner as guests at the wedding, as well as my talented partner Karl who was shooting video. Marie looked stunning and The Landing at Homebush was the perfect location for photos.

A little snippet of Matt & Marie's special day! Filmed on the 30th of March 2019. Crafted by Traveller Audio + Visual for Jaymee Photography.

Video: Karl Mooyman
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Make up: Charlotte Wilson Beauty
Hair: Kirsty Macrae
Catering: Blue Carrot 
Groom Suits: Barkers Menswear 

Martinborough Tree Church Wedding - Rachel and Edward

Rachel and Edward travelled from Auckland to Martinborough to tie the knot. I spent the morning with the girls at Rachel’s family farm. I always love being out in the country since I grew up on a farm and instantly felt inspired by my surroundings. Rach and her bridesmaid’s looked amazing! The forest green bridesmaid dresses were a great colour, earthy tones are always good.

While I was with the girls, my second shooter Ana from Moonflower Photography caught up with the guys before heading off to Martinborough Tree Church for their ceremony. Thanks for spending the day with us Ana! This was my first wedding at Martinborough Tree Church, I always enjoy being at a new venue. 

Ata Rangi vineyard was the perfect venue for guests to chill out and play some games. Another detail which caught my eye were the flowers used for the reception decor. Rachel hand picked these from Holbrook forest Garden in Carterton. This added a personal touch!

Thanks to all the wonderful vendors involved, it is always a pleasure working with you and bringing the day together.

Flowers: Beverly from Tree Top Flowers Martinborough 
Flowers on the tables were picked by Rachel from Holbrook forest Garden in Carterton 
Make up: Emily Bertram from Masterton 
Dress: The Kate Moss designed and made by Jane Yeh Auckland 
Mens Suits: Barkers 
Food: Salt street food
Celebrant: Reverend Steve Thomson
Band: The Relatives and Uncle Monkey Wellington 
Ceremony venue: Tree church Martinborough 
Reception: Ata rangi vineyard  

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. 

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!