Wedding – Emily and Michael

There’s nothing like the enthusiasm of youth. Within moments of arriving at Mike’s house on the morning of the wedding I knew this was going to be a super fun day, the banter between Mike and his 4 groomsmen was top shelf and I instantly felt like one of the gang (albeit the elder statesman of the group!) Fortunately we managed to get some photos outside before the rain arrived, at which time I moved on to Emily’s to document the butterflies and nervous energy of a bride getting ready for her wedding.

All wedding dresses are beautiful, but there was something extra special about Emily’s. Her grandmother hand made the dress while her mother spent countless hours taking care of the train and the other intricate details. She hand sewed dozens, if not hundreds of individual pearls and the result was incredible. By this stage the rain was coming down even harder, and things were looking grim for our proposed shoot after the ceremony. Taking outdoor photos of the girls before the ceremony was out of the question, but as always we took it as it came and rolled with the punches, as a wedding photographer sometimes that’s your only option.

The ceremony was capped off by Emily and Mike singing a duet (no mean feat in front of 400 guests!) so when it came time for the group and couple photos everyone was super relaxed and up for some fun. Fortunately the rain stayed away and we were able to take in a playground in Thorndon Park, a trip to the zoo AND a trip to the beach at sunset before heading to Sfera’s for the reception. (Quick sidenote on Sfera’s, beautiful venue, fantastic decorations, lights and a nice white ceiling for bouncing a flash – but the food was something else again. We started with an antipasto before moving on to a large pasta dish for main course. Or so I thought until they brought out the chicken for main! So much tasty food – a definite perk of the job!).

After dinner the party really kicked into gear, Emily’s sister Esther gave us a song, and the dance floor came alive after Emily and Mike warmed it up on their first dance. I’ve never felt so welcomed at a wedding where I didn’t know a sole before the day. Everyone I spoke with from the ushers, to the videographer, the MC to the wedding party were all incredibly warm and friendly. And Emily and Mike, thankyou so much for your thoughtful touches on the day and for making me feel more like a guest than a vendor, I hope you blow one of your wedding photos up HUGE and put it on the wall by your piano!