Rachel & Reuben - {Married!!}

Rachel and Reuben. Wow. Just wow. What a flippin' awesome day! After years and years of flirting, chasing, dropping hints, missing hints, getting together, going their separate ways (quite the running joke!), then finally years later getting together again for good... this awesome couple sealed the deal on Rachel's beautiful family property in Patience Bay, Te Anau!

I have so much I could say about this wedding. And I also have soooooo many photos I could share! But you are here to see the photos, not read my waffle. Because I actually don't need to tell you that a) Rach & Reubz are 100% made for each other, b) they don't take life too seriously AT ALL, c) they have a ridiculously awesome bunch of friends and family who loved the camera a little too much, d) they had the most fun on their wedding day I think I've ever seen, e) Rachel was a drop-dead gorgeous bride, f) even when it threatens rain all day, Te Anau is a STUNNING location for a wedding, and g) all of the above made for the most hilarious, light-hearted, beautiful, relaxed and heartfelt day ever. I don't need to tell you that. You will see for yourself...

Rachel's Dad organised for the greenstone to be made for all of the guys, which came from Milford Sound. Loved the open neck look with the greenstone!

The girls got ready in one blocked off room, while the guests gathered outside on the lawn for the ceremony!

Rach even made all of their bouquets. She is a very good catch this girl - beautiful, talented, athletic, funny, super lovely, humble, and just all round amazing. 

I'm not sure that peeking out of the curtain at the growing group of guests was good for the nerves, but it was pretty tempting!

Show time!

Rach's veil started where it should be, but her Dad ended up wearing it by the end of the aisle! Suits you Tom!

Not a bad view from your front lawn.

Reuben's Uncle did an incredible job of their ceremony, as did family members who told some awesome stories of their journey so far.

What happened next was nothing short of a movie scene. While everyone was enjoying mingling and drinks, the Mission Impossible theme song began resounding throughout the property (and every other property in Patience Bay!). Rach and Reubz chucked the bridal party aviators... they each thought they were the only one who hadn't been taught the dance they were obviously about to do. The guests were all questioning what the heck was happening. But a dance never happened... because in the distance, the sounds of two choppers got louder and louder... and then landed right on the front lawn of the house! Let's just say there may have been happy tears from some of the bridal party. Best exit from the ceremony I have ever seen!

Unfortunately the low cloud meant we couldn't actually land up on Jackson's Peak for photos, but I really don't think anyone cared! We had the most amazing ride over the hidden lakes, dipping around mountains and flying over Te Anau, and everyone was totally buzzing for the rest of the day.

Reubz and Rach first met at this very wharf in Te Anau. Conveniently, it's also where he proposed after an epically planned day. So it was an essential location for the wedding photos!

These guys hated being in front of the camera ;)

Reuben didn't even get jealous when I was just taking photos of Rach alone...

They attracted lots of Asian tourists along the way too. Some stuck around for a little longer than socially acceptable. But nothing was stopping these guys in front of the camera!

Jumping on a thin wharf wasn't my idea. Unfortunately we had a very sad casualty too - one pair of aviators was drowned in the making of this shot.

And the silliness ensued. 

But I made sure the prettiness did too.

Back to the house, Tom's pretty proud of his new deck and his big rock. Hope we did them justice Tom :)

I give the bridal party an A++++ for the fun, dedication and awesomeness they brought to this wedding! We knew nearly all of them, and they all knew each other really well, which made it SO much fun and so easy for us! There were zero personal space issues... we kept turning around to find them all huddled together keeping warm!

BEAUTIFUL girls.

Back at the Distinction Hotel, the guests were busy putting the wedding cake together. One big sticky, colourful, delicious piece of fun. 

Some of the decorating was awesomely questionable. But it takes a village to raise a child, and a village to make a wedding cake. Loved this idea! Their sister in law, Julz, made the awesome giant cupcake! Impressive :)

The 'Maori Girl' and the 'White Boy' made their reception look INCREDIBLE! Beforehand Rach had told me they weren't putting much effort into details and decorations... somehow I didn't actually believe her.

Yes indeedy, there is a very old-school song called 'Reuben and Rachel', written in 1871! That's all sorts of awesome.

Hilarious and clever speeches, honest and heartfelt words, and a couple of the most amazingly funny videos put together made for an incredible reception. And then the party got let loose, and we danced up a storm for the rest of the night!

Love love love. So much love and fun and hilarity. Thanks guys for such an AMAZING day - it was such a privilege to see our two awesome friends give their lives to each other, and to hang out with you for your day! You have an awesome friendship and love, it's inspiring to watch. It was also awesome to catch up with so many friends and to see so many familiar faces in the crowd! Thanks for all getting amongst it and making this wedding day something truly memorable. 

All the best Mr and Mrs Caldwell! Lots of love,
Kim and Liam xoxox