WOW! What a day, what a Wedding and what a Celebration!!!

The rain may have been consistent for their day but that did not dampen ANYONES mood! It was an incredible day filled with lots of laughs, love and good times all around!

The Location

The Ceremony was held at the glorious Great Hall in Christchurch. And what a show-stopper this venue is! I would highly recommend this being on the list as one of your Christchurch Wedding Venues. The Hall caters to fit a generous amount of people with high ceilings and glass stained windows. It truly is a luxurious venue to share your I-Do’s. For more details on this venue please hit this link: The Great Hall, Arts Centre

With hair and makeup done, suits on… it was time to leave for the Ceremony to begin!

The Ceremony

The beautiful bride arrived with her father in his vintage Mini Cooper. What a delicious, gorgeous vehicle! I loved this because it was a vehicle that would be special to Claire’s family and one that is super unique and gorgeous to arrive in for your big day – I loved it!

The Ceremony was nothing short of stunning. Claire’s gown being draped through the aisle as she approached her husband-to-be. The Anglican Priest – John Sheaf announced these two as husband and wife. And what a good job he did. With the first kiss underway the wedding guests were all geared up and ready to release their flower petals. This can work with dried petals even bubbles too! I absolutely adore this idea for your exit down the aisle and will always recommend it to my couples. It spices up your images by adding a bit of fun to it for everyone involved! Too good!

The Bridal Party Portraits

Now for one of my favourite parts – the bridal party photos! The bridal party and I took this time to venture through The Art Centre a bit more to find our photo opportunities! And boy, did she deliver! Man, I can’t speak highly enough of this place. It gives your images a ‘London-Feel’ to them. Definitely a destination wedding vibe! So this venue definitely delivered and man I was excited about it!

Rain Forecasted For Your Wedding Day? Don’t Fret!

And I’ll tell you why… Clear umbrellas. They are a cool and great prop to use when the weather isn’t playing ball! I had another wedding incorporate these too for their day and they never fail. Check that blog here: Courtney and Cam Watkins. Clear umbrellas will be your best friend! And overcast weather is a beautiful condition to shoot in too – lighting is easy to work with and seamless across the subjects face. Creating no harsh shadows!

Claire then requested we head over the street to the McDougall Art Gallery! How funny is that! And so we absolutely did just that. And BOY did I have even more fun here! The gift that kept on giving, this location was unreal too! With a funky pedestrian crossing on the way (giving The Beatles vibes) to glorious buildings to have your photograph taken in front of. It really was a photographers paradise!

Our night ended with yummy food, a 28 year old whisky, great dance moves and a super muddy (but hilarious) Reception floor. With an emergency order of 50 gumboots for some of their guests to use it made a very funny and super memorable evening for all. So fun!

Thank you so much to my gorgeous bride and groom for allowing me to capture their special day. I had SO much fun and would do it all over again in a heart beat. Thank You! XXX

Here are the amazing vendors who played a special part in their day:

Gown and veil: To Cherish

Shoes: Style Tread – Django and Juliette

Engagement ring and wedding ring: Stewart Dawsons

Makeup: Leah Louise MUA

Hair: Sammy Downes – Balayage

Bridesmaids Dresses: Annah Stretton

Shoes: Mi Piaci

Jewellery: Earrings – Willow Collective, Bracelet – Stewart Dawsons

Makeup: Leah Louise MUA

Hair: Sammy Downes – Balayage

Groom –

Wedding band: Stewart Dawsons

Suit: Ballantynes

Shoes: Florsheim

Groomsmen –

Suit: Ballantynes

Shoes: Florsheim

Videographers: Lightchasers – Craig Forster

Celebrant: John Sheaf – Anglican Priest

Ceremony Venue: The Great Hall, The Arts Centre

Marquee: Silk Estate – Toni May

Styling: Combination of Silk Estate and Something Borrowed Something New

Hire: Combination of Silk Estate and Something Borrowed Something New

Florals/bouquets: Bridal bouquets – Glenys Dowdle and Olivia, table stocks – Moffats, head table garland – Chiba enterprises

Catering and wedding cake: Ceremony Catering – White Tie, Reception Catering – Canterbury Country Spit Roast (John Whitford), Wedding Cake – Twisted Flour and Sugar Merchants

Band: Danger Baby

Stationary: Invites – CQ Print, Seating Plan, Welcome Sign, Name Card, ceremony script – Hilton Press