The forest wedding photos of Pip and Josh: Kiriwhakapapa, Wairarapa

wedding couple embracing on riverbank with two dogs, Kiriwhakapapa Wairarapa wedding photographer

Pip and Josh are an animal-loving, truly international real-life couple, who live in Masterton, Wairarapa. They were excited to be part of my outdoorsy forest styled shoot.

When Pip saw the wedding photography model call from me, she tried on her wedding dress again (phew!), then immediately applied. A massive thank you to Pip and Josh for being a part of my creative vision. The resulting photos really are a collaboration. I wanted to create an outdoorsy wedding scene in the earthy Redwood grove at Kiriwhakapapa forest. Pip then asked if she could bring her dogs. Of course! Another message came through (in CAPITALS) can she bring her horse?! ABSOLUTELY!

“We were unable to have all our animals at our wedding in Ireland, so these photos mean so much to us. It is wonderful to have wedding photos taken in New Zealand as it really acknowledges our current Kiwi home and the life we're building here.”.

This series of photos celebrates Wairarapa businesses; love for our homelands and furry friends; in an outdoorsy Redwood forest; with an elopement vibe.

They met 5 years ago in New Zealand. Josh a builder from Masterton and Pip a horse vet from Ireland. Pip had just moved to the area and was renting a cottage in Masterton. The TV wasn't working so when Pip rang her landlord to ask for help, the landlord sent her son Josh to fix it. The rest is history!

They moved to Ireland about 4 months into dating for 2 years and then returned to New Zealand. Pip says “Josh proposed by a frozen waterfall in the snow whilst on a Christmas holiday in Iceland. We celebrated with my family in Ireland after.”

The couple got married in Ireland in July 2019 and a load of Kiwi friends and family made the trip halfway round the world. A very special guest was Josh's grandad. Their honeymoon was in Ireland and they stopped off in Bali on the way back to New Zealand.

Their dogs mean the world to them. Maggie the springer spaniel who came over with Pip from Ireland and Lottie the pointer who Josh had as a puppy when the couple had just started dating. Justin is Pip’s riding horse and they get up to all kinds of adventures on farms and out on the Wairarapa coastline.

These wedding photos features these amazing wedding businesses from the Wairarapa and beyond:

Photographer Lucalia Photography Wairarapa, NZ

Location Kiriwhakapapa Wairarapa, NZ

Hair and Make Up Bride DIY

Wedding dress/veil Helena Fortley UK

Bride's Boots Blundstone NZ

Earrings Flora jewellery NZ

Flowers Foraged locally by the photographer

Suit Farrys Wellington, NZ

Waist coat Kevin and Howling Republic of Ireland

Groom's Shoes Dubarry Deck shoes Republic of Ireland

Engagement Ring Gull Silfur jewellers Iceland

Wedding Band Village Goldsmith Wellington, NZ

Sparkling Wine Le Grá Wairarapa, NZ

Macarons Finom Wairarapa, NZ

Lantern Festival Hire Wairarapa, NZ

Eco Confetti Festival Hire Wairarapa, NZ

I'm Sarah: I provide outdoorsy couples who hate awkward poses, getting married in the Wairarapa and Tararua regions, with documentary-style photography by a new best friend, so you will feel relaxed, and your photos will be an authentic memory of your day.

If you enjoy these photos created for Pip and Josh, you may like to check out my Lucalia Photography Wairarapa wedding photography.