Wairarapa wedding photographer: Nickie and Bryn's relaxed shindig

bride and flower girl illuminated by window light, Wairarapa wedding photographer

I was actually a wedding present! I should have arrived with a bow around my neck, the things you think of in hindsight!

Hi Sarah,

Thank you so much the photos look amazing.. We really appreciate you capturing our day.. A huge thank you again

Hope all is well with you

Take care

Thank you again

Nickie xx

I've had the pleasure of working with wedding planner and stylist Jen from Wild Rose & Co many times. We've helped each other out on styled shoots, real weddings and charity events. When she asked at the last minute if I could photograph her great friend Nicki getting ready for her wedding to Bryn, of course I said yes. I popped over to the wonderful Manawatu next door to the Wairarapa.

Nicki and Bryn met through their local rugby club and planned a wedding that was truly them.

This included chainsaws and flowers at the front of the ceremony; spit roasted meat and getting married in a forest. But most of all their wedding included being surrounded by treasured family and friends.

Nickie, her bridesmaids and flower girl got ready at home with many laughs. Nickie really wanted some cute photos with her dog Brutus to which he obliged. Luckily Jess from Wild Rose & Co was on hand to assist getting the dress on, as Brutus gave Nickie a gift of some mud! Cue more laughs! They kept coming as the infinity bridesmaids dresses are a hoot to tie properly!

The light coming in the kitchen windows was just delightful, contrasting with the darker interior. This allowed me to capture some tender moments between bride and bridesmaids as final touches were made to seating plans.

Brightly coloured wedding flowers were arranged by Jen and Jess during the morning.

There was rain as the entourage made their way from the house to the cars. These were classic cars driven by family friends, another personal touch.

Nickie wanted to be fashionably late so we spent a couple of minutes taking some portraits at the toilets and by the river in Tōtara Reserve Regional Park. These are hilarious but perfectly capture this tight-knit group of ladies.

Bryn and the guys got ready at the wedding venue, Camp Rangi Woods. They dutifully kept an eye on the slow roasted spit roasted meats throughout the morning. The venue is my kind of place: accommodation for the couple and guests onsite, surrounded by native forest with a river running past. Perfect!

The ceremony was originally planned to take place outside in a grass clearing but the wind and rain kept gusting the archway (and chainsaws!) over. So everything and everyone was moved inside to the reception space. Nickie took it in her stride and the heartfelt ceremony went without a hitch.

After the ceremony there were hugs all round. I think my favourite part of the whole day was seeing the genuine joy and emotion from Nickie's two adult son's. They were so incredibly happy that their mum was marrying the man of her dreams.

The rest of the day was captured by the lovely Mikayla of MN Photography.

Many thanks again to Nickie and Bryn; and to Jen for referring me.

I wish you all the very best for the future xx

Fabulous Wedding Businesses:

Photographer: Lucalia Photography

Wedding venue: Camp Rangi Woods

Styling: Wild Rose & Co

Celebrant: Vanessa Taylor

Make up: Tessa Marsh

Bride's hair stylist: Modern Hair by Amy Moss

Bridesmaid's hair stylist: Love ‘N Hair

Wedding dress: Wild Rose & Co