It’s been an eventful 2 years for these two. Working hard, studying hard, buying their first home…and on the day they moved in last December. Nathan surprised an already happy Alice by proposing.
And so the next exciting part of their lives begin… Weddddddingggggg plans.

I first met Nathan back in 2009 when I shot his mother’s wedding, so it was suuuuuch a nice surprise (not having met these two before our booking) to then discover I was now shooting his and Alice’s wedding too!

Oooohhhhhh, pretty pink shoes.

How gorgeous are you Alice! VERY is the answer. Just by the way!

Nathan stunned Alice with this gorgeous ring that he chose all by himself and that fit first time round. Perfect!

Those who know how to laugh together. They have it good!

Alice and Nathan, I had such a great time with you both. You are such a great couple and I am sooooo excited for your September wedding. Good luck with all the plans leading up to it! See you then x

This was Julz and Neil’s last evening in Christchurch. They’ve just moved to Perth to start a new adventure and I couldn’t be more excited for them!!!
Only having known them a short amount of time, it was long enough to know just how incredible they are as a couple. The perfect balance between goofy and sweet, they compliment each other so well.
I am so glad the sun set a golden yellow this evening. Because golden… they most certainly are! (I can see Neil laughing at me for that comment hehe)

I love going to the Botanical Gardens.
I find something different there every time I go! … This time I found a Jellybaby and an Eskimo! …

Don’t suppose you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when a Jellybaby and Eskimo get together?!

And apart from getting to spend a bit more time with these two before they jet set. They so kindly helped us out so we could further our off camera flash skills.

They were also awesome in investing in Doug’s other talent. Making jeans. Neil now has a unique pair of jeans made to fit. And Doug has just made his very first pair of womens jeans for Julz. Soon enough will I be able to say that ‘Yes, he does make me stuff’ because I’ll have a sexy pair of DdotR black skinny jeans that I won’t ever want to take off!!! They are AWESOME!

What was I saying about the perfect balance between sweet and goofy?

Julz and Neil, it was so wicked getting to know you, if only briefly. And we thank you a ton for helping us out. Don’t be a stranger! Really looking forward to the next time we catch up!
Hope you settle into Perth nicely!!! xoxo

Casey and Adam have been friends for over a decade. Having met in school, they were friends for a long time. School finished and Adam finally caught the romantic interest of Casey. Before you know it… 5 years has passed, the ring was all saved for and he’s down on one knee in a restaurant asking Casey to marry him in front of her best friend.

So to celebrate their engagement chapter of their lives together. We met up at Autumn central. Colourful props in hand, ready to capture their love.

Casey and I have a mutual love for colour. So guess who else showed up with a rainbow umbrella? My brolly now has a friend! :)

You… the reader. Yes YOU! When is your next break? … When is it your next break when it’s a lovely day? … Is there a park near by with some bare trees, indicating that the leaves have made their way onto the ground?!… Autumn will be gone soon… so for me… but mainly for you… GO JUMP IN THEM and THROW those leaves. Take a big hand full and just throw them in the air. Then watch them sprinkle around you!
It’s so much fun!!!

Absolutely stunning!

Then we swapped the leaves for some yummy long grass.

The moon came out, the sun was going down… and a gorgeous afternoon is drawing to a close.

We said adios to the balloons … they got a bit confused as to whether they were allowed to go into the atmosphere… they lingered at head height with the gusts of wind for awhile. And then set themselves free.

Casey & Adam, I had an aweeesome time with you both! You are such a gorgeous couple and I can’t wait for your March wedding! :)

It makes me genuinely happy that two people can genuinely laugh together so much. Whether they were laughing at me (I’m pretty positive that’s the case sometimes lol) or at how uncomfortable they are in front of the camera at first. They are smiling and they are laughing and I frikin LOVE it!

This is Loveleen and Josh.

I hadn’t met Loveleen and Josh before. Josh is Christchurch born and bred and Loveleen is from the gorgeous South of India. 4 years ago a mutual attraction turned into a blissful thing and now they are planning their Christchurch wedding from Australia.

Soon after meeting we skipped down to their wedding venue to capture a few more. Rosemount Estate has some very cool tall trees. Josh is very tall, in fact, in the words of Loveleen…. ‘They have a bit of a height problem’… hang on….

…easily fixed. :)

Then I asked who chased who in the beginning…

 The answer was ‘a mutual chasing’ by the way! :)

Then… as if we’d walked into a magical land of Autumn. A bed of red leaves lie there… just waiting to be rolled around in, thrown around and danced in.

Loveleen you absolute stunner!!!

And between the two of you… Gorgeous babies will be had!! ;-) … I’m juuuust saying!

You two are the absolute bee knees. It was such a pleasure to finally meet you both! I am so so excited for your October wedding. This time with Cherry Blossoms, instead of the redness of Autumn. It’s going to be goooood. :)

First year of university. A single Alyse walks into the grounds. A nursing degree in the making.
At the same time…A single Nick walks into the grounds. A teaching degree in the making.
2 weeks later, they meet and there’s more than just a couple of degrees under way…

7 years later. They sit on a foot bridge amoungst the autumn colours, planning their wedding and European honeymoon to go with it.

Nick and Alyse are so much fun. They love nothing more than to hang out with one another. So we went on a little date. It included cupcakes… it included flowers… it included games… and a little bit of adventure.

Alyse, I’m going to go right ahead and ignore the fact you don’t like compliments and just say how freaking stunning you are!!!

Pea knuckle wars got competitive!

The adventure continued… with a view and some light to die for.

They laugh together…. all the time! It didn’t matter whether the camera was pointed at them or not. It’s who they are. I love that!

Kung fu chops, star fish jumps, aeroplane madness…

…And nothing left to do but enjoy a beautiful sunset together over looking Christchurch.

Alyse and Nick. You guys are so amazing. I had such a fantastic time with you both and I am that much more amped for your September wedding!
P.S Alyse… those cupcakes were so darn delicious, Doug didn’t even get a look in! hehe Whoooooops! Thanks again! :o)

This one starts with hot blue shoes and a sexy set of leather pointers.

As I walk into this fairytale… There is a beautiful bride sitting on the other side of this door. Who will sooner rather than later elegantly slip into this dress.

But first she must finish getting ready.
You’ve now met Kellie. The bride in this fairytale.

She has 3 wonderful girls that support this fairytale.

But lets go on over to the the other half of this fairytale…

Meet Luke, this fairytales, Groom.

Like with every fairytale (let’s count how many times I can say fairytale in one blog) … it has to have something sparkly in it.

But like I said.. every fairytale is different. This one is quite tame…

…JUST KIDDING!

Kellie slips into her gown.

This PE teacher isn’t quite used to being dolled up. But track pants just don’t quite fit into a fairytale quite as well.
Fairytale accessories and necessity’s: TICK! Kellie is ready to WOW!

Along with her support crew.

Hanmer Springs is an amazing location for a fairytale. And even better in the Autumn time, at the Heritage Hotel.

Showtime.

Here comes the brideeee.

This fairytale now officially consists of not just one… but TWO Hurring’s. Kellie and Luke Hurring.

Precious.

And magical. (See, every fairytale needs bubbles!)

Continue the fairytale with me as we enter the woods and find some magical light. Come right this way to PART 2.

The fairytale of Kellie and Luke started at this castle (also known as the Heritage Hotel).

Hugs and handshakes of joy were shared with the Fathers.

And oh heck… you’re not meant to see the narrator!!! … Although… I hear she does love hugs and congratulations! P.S. Check out that suit! :)

How totally gorgeous are they!

Wow oh wow!

…You too Luke!

This fairytale just got cool. Rock star cool!

So. hot. right. now.

We left the bridal party for a wee while, but not before showing off the other Kelly’s gorgeous bump. Soon to be known as the tallest baby in the world (re Kellie’s speech later on).

How convenient for two avid runners.

We lost the fairytale team for a while… but alas, we have found them! And off to the reception they go.

 No wonder this is a fairytale. Starts like a fairytale, ends like a fairytale.

Kellie & Luke, thank you so much for allowing us to be apart of your fairytale (if you weren’t counting, I said it faaaaar too many times in one blog! ) When I said our wedding season would end with a bang, I didn’t quite know the truth in that. Doug and I hope you had an amazing day and that it only gets better from here!

xoxox

Autumn has it’s “I’m going to rock you!” socks on … and I think Kellie and Luke must be sporting a very similar pair as well. ;-) They are getting married on Saturday, so on their way up from Timaru to Hanmer Springs yesterday, they popped in to say Hello to Hagley Park. A place they spent a lot of time running and getting to know each other in their early years.

So please meet Kellie & Luke.

They are all kinds of cute.

All kinds of playful.

And all kinds of beautiful.

Try finding Luke NOT smiling at Kellie. I bet you can’t!

See…? Autumn has it’s rocking socks on.

So perfect.

Kellie & Luke, you guys are amazing. Saturday is going to be a truly fabulous day, we can’t wait for it! See you soooon! :o)

A little camera shy at first, they soon got into their groove.

Beautiful Courtney.

I love the multitude and variety of trees NZ has to offer. I took this for granted for a long time. I like this big guy below. I reckon he’s seen and heard a lot of love stories at his roots.

Up to the Port Hills. That nice little bit of road where it’s 10 steps either side to a gorgeous view. Christchurch and The Alps on one and The Banks Peninsula on the other.

Oh glorious evening light. You make my toes tingle and my heart skip a beat!

Oh Courtney you beauty! Totally gorgeous!

And this is Christchurch. From up above. She’s still so pretty.

Thanks for an amazing afternoon Courtney and Matt. You guys are fantastic. Enjoy your engagement and the lead up to the big day! Can’t wait to show you the rest of your engagement shoot!

We are in the days of Facebook and texting, iPhones and emails and pretty much the period of time where the world knows your life story before you even have chance to brush your teeth and step out the door (hopefully putting some clothes on between those two steps is effective too).
…So imagine trying to keep a secret. A secret of an engagement. News travels faster than the speed of light. So when Michael mentioned to Celia’s parents at a party one weekend that he was planning on proposing to Celia mid week. Michael suddenly reached Wednesday morning and had the thought…
‘What if someone finds out before I have chance to do it?!’
So whatever plans he had, went out the window… he went out to the car, got the ring and proposed right there, right then. In the middle of their kitchen, the good old way…down on one knee. Celia got the surprise of her life and I’m guessing leaped into his arms with a big giant ‘YES!’

So the 1st of April was here. Autumn was truly on our door steps. GREAT light, GREAT location, GREAT colours anddd the most important ingredient… a GREAT couple. The 1st of April was looking to be very welcomed at this point. We did some rolling in those beautiful autumn leaves (and by we, I mean them… ;-)

This blue chair reminded Celia of Notting Hill. Now I have a craving to watch that movie!

You are so very gorgeous Celia!

I love Autumn for many reasons. But what better reason for the fact that the leaves come tumbling down so you have the oppurtunity to throw them at each other! Yip Celia, I think Michael won this one! lol

*Happy sigh*

I feel comfortable and relaxed just looking at this image! They are just so natural together.

We found the best parts of the gardens. I do love this little foot bridge… but then go onto see whats its surrounded in at the moment. How many delicious colours can you cram into one image?!

They are both into Tennis, so we visited a very special court where they had their first *ahem* courting experience. And did I mention that this couple only have ONE date to remember for life? The day they got together, got engaged and the day they will be getting married. Only the year will differ. Perfect you say?!

We’ll leave them to it for now. But this most certainly isn’t the last of this fantastic couple…

This is the wedding date to look out for!

Celia and Michael, I had a such super, fabulous, amazing time with you both yesterday! I soooooo can’t wait for your Tekapo Wedding. Enjoy the sneak peek for now and I can’t wait to show you the rest of yesterday’s fun real soon :)

xoxo