Thinking back to James and Laura's wedding on December 30th, makes me do a big happy sigh. Such a beautiful day is hard to contain in a few words and photographs! It was the perfect ending to a fantastic 2011... Liam and I absolutely looooved photographing the whole day.

The glorious sun did its thing, and Laura and James had put sooooo much effort into so many great details and lovely little gestures for the guests to enjoy. And to top it all of... they became man and wife after 9 years of being in love! And what an awesome team they make!

We arrived at the family farm near mighty Clinton, where we were greeted first by a goat, and next by a shoe-polishing groom (through the deer fence!) Impressed? Yep, so were we.

_Actually, we were just stoked to see a groom there at all - Laura practically had to wrap him in cotton wool to ensure he would turn up in one piece. Only a week before the wedding James and his best man, Blake, wrote off his truck (which was meant to be a wedding vehicle!!) while rabbit shooting. Then two days before, he nearly cut off his finger with a knife. Sigh, boys and their toys...

The whole wedding took place on the farm that Laura grew up on, and that James and Laura now live and work on with her parents. So after meeting the boys briefly at the family home, we headed further up the farm road to Laura and James' new house. The beautiful bride was already looking radiant, as we walked up the drive....

When a farm girl meets her wedding day...

Laura's dress was breathtaking... elegant, feminine and utterly divine.

James' Mum pops in to see her (very nearly) daughter-in-law getting all prettied up...

Laura is the definition of beauty... inside and out...

And her own Mum, Robyn, pops in for another peek at her gorgeous girl!

Meanwhile, back at the hundred year old homested... James and the boys slowly scrub up their act from stubbies to suits...

You may remember Gus, from Laura and James' engagement shoot. The LOVE him (so much that they now have a GIANT canvas of one of our photos of him on a bedroom wall... which kinda makes the room like like a shrine to Gus!)

It was great being able to flit between the boys and girls getting ready! Back at the girls, Laura was having trouble knowing which bridesmaid to top up first!

I love, love, looooove when a father sees his stunning daughter for the first time as a bride...

I also love girls with a bit of fun and sass!

Time for the ceremony, which took place on the immaculate front lawn of her parent's home. The section was perfectly suited to a wedding... Robyn had done a fantastic job of the gardens, and a marquee filled with hay bale seats gave some shelter to guests who were avoiding sunburn. Laura and James had thought of everything their guests could possible need... tissues, umbrellas, sunscreen... everything...

Laura and James see each other for the first time, and they couldn't be more happy about it.

The vows were sincere and beautiful, full of love and dedication.

When it came to the giving of the rings, Laura let out a loud whistle, and out came a frantic and hyperactive dog, with a wee ring bag tied to his bowtie!

Very proud of himself on a job well done...

Wisdom from someone with years of experience is invaluable...

You may also remember from their fun paper plane engagement shoot, that James is a pilot! I was ridiculously excited about the possibilty of James flying his bright yellow plane in for the photos! Our prayers for a nice day for flying were answered, and this wee beast made for some awesome photos.

Being classic farmers, next stop was the wool shed!

I love this sneaky wee sexy shot that Liam snapped...

Sighs of relief were heard as all the girls swapped heels for gummies...and we hit the paddocks...

Never has a farm girl looked so darn good... (and Laura looks pretty hot too... :P)

From the paddock to the 4WDs, we headed up a mighty steep hill (let's just say I was glad they organised a 4WD for us too... don't think our Caldina would have made it too far!)... and the 360 degree views around Southland were spectacular. On a good day you can even see right to Central Otago from up there...

We found some meerkats up there too!

Love. Pretty, lovely, genuine love.

The reception venue was filled was heaps of little farmy details, and strings of their engagement photos everywhere too!

Hellooooo immaculate cake...!

Photographing the photographers with cameras on the tables provided endless hours of entertainment for some. That one never got old!

I loved the little differences these guys had organised to make their wedding unique... they even had a quiz to determine which tables got their meals first!

As we drove back to Dunedin after an incredible day, the sun set on another wedding... and almost on another year! I had to pinch myself over and over, to remind myself this is my job... it is such a privilege to be invited into someone's day to be able to capture all these moments.

Laura and James, you guys are an amazingly fun and awesome couple, filled with all the love in the world! You totally rocked your wedding day - the planning was perfect, the day was perfect, and you guys are the perfect couple. We wish you all the very best as you head into your married lives together! XOXO