Backyard marquee wedding - Lucalia Photography - Wairarapa documentary wedding photographer

Anna and Ben were married at Anna's parents family home in Gladstone. The flowers were stunning, the lawns freshly mowed and the place full of meaning. Anna's older sister was also married here. You could tell how much love her mum and dad dedicated to the garden in preparation for their daughter's big day.

I'm Sarah and I'm a documentary wedding photographer based in the Wairarapa region of Aotearoa New Zealand.

I absolutely loved documenting the details Anna and Ben had chosen so carefully, naturally throughout the day. Flowers as they were held, buttonholes turned to the sun and cigars on the head table.

How they met

Anna describes how they met: "We met at Anna's best friend Alice's 21st, Anna was visiting from the Gold Coast and caught Bens eye. We started talking over messenger and Anna moved back to NZ and they started a relationship, that was 10 years ago - now we have a daughter Skye and we are living in Auckland together.".

Getting ready

Ben and his crew got ready at a Masterton Air BnB. Anna and her besties prepared inside the historic cottage on site. It was so beautiful to be surrounded by family heirlooms and memories.

First look

Anna and Ben decided to do a "first look" and wedding party portraits before the ceremony for a couple of reasons. One: to have a private moment together before all their guests arrived (145 altogether). Two: by having wedding party portraits beforehand, they could then spend the most amount of time with their guests during their reception. As a wedding photographer I loved doing things this way round so there was more time to capture natural moments between the couple and their guests.

Wedding ceremony

Chairs were laid out on the lawn and guests gathered before Wairarapa celebrant Di Banks. Di crafted a beautiful ceremony, telling the story of the couple as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.

Reception

The wedding reception was held in a huuuuuge marquee on the lawn. It was simply decorated on the inside allowing the guests to enjoy the buffet dinner by Emma Dudley + Team and live band. Anna and Ben's wedding had been delayed a couple of years, during which they made a lot of lawn games and props themselves.

Massive thanks to Belinda Pratt for shooting the last two hours of this wedding, so I could go home to my 9 week old baby xx

Wairarapa wedding businesses

Wedding Photographer Lucalia Photography

Celebrant Di Banks

Wedding dress online

Suits Hallensteins

Bridesmaids' dresses Showpo

Shoes online

Catering Emma Dudley + Team

Rings Pascoes

Jewellery and Accessories Michael Hill

Flowers Fleur Sargent and Sarah McLachlan

Hairdresser Nicola Flanagan

Make Up Artist Abbie

If you're an outdoorsy couple who hate awkward poses getting married in the Wairarapa; feel free to check out more documentary wedding photography on my website.

Heartfelt series by Belinda Pratt Photography

If you're an outdoorsy couple who hate awkward poses getting married in the Wairarapa; feel free to check out more documentary wedding photography on my website.

LOTS OF LOVE, Sarah xx