It's amazing when love is so visible that you see it in every look, every touch, every moment. Richard and Victoria's love for each other is just that. Completely visible. They spent their whole wedding day (and I presume the large majority of their whole relationship!) just exchanging cute wee glances, smiling ecstatically at each other, and pulling each other close. Despite being together for years, it was as if they had just fallen head over heels in love!
Richard and Victoria came down from Auckland for their beautiful big day at Grandview Gardens! Dunedin turned on another tropical day, and everything at Grandview was just set up to perfection! A beautiful venue for a wonderful couple, and their family and friends, to celebrate a deep and awesome commitment.
Richard and Victoria came down from Auckland for their beautiful big day at Grandview Gardens! Dunedin turned on another tropical day, and everything at Grandview was just set up to perfection! A beautiful venue for a wonderful couple, and their family and friends, to celebrate a deep and awesome commitment.
Our day began at the ceremony, with the excited guests arriving by the bus load... and Richard getting lots of hugs and squishy kisses on his cheeks from relatives!
Victoria and her support crew all arrived in style... in a car that, in the past, has transported the Queen and Nelson Mandela no less! Royal treatment for a beautiful bride...
When she first arrived, Victoria walked through the gorgeous reception area, all set up to perfection by the wonderful Grandview staff and Jolene at Estelle Flowers.... and her face just lit up seeing it all come together! All that planning for months and months, all the little details and different people contributing...and it all just totally worked. It looked amazing!
After a nervous wait for the groom and the guests, Miss Victoria walked down the aisle, with Mum and Dad right by her side.
They had a lovely candle ceremony involving their parents, but the best bit was the whole bridal party and family crowding around to form a wall so the wind didn't blow out the candles! And I think that is an awesome picture of what marriage is all about... having the support of a community around you throughout your marriage, to ensure your flame doesn't weaken.
Patrick searched the other groomsmen's pockets before finding the rings! ;)
Pure happiness.
Richard vowed to continue making Victoria a cup of tea at least once a day using an egg timer to get the perfect strength, to always be chivalrous even when old and wrinkly, and to maintain a weekly romantic date night!! What a guy!!
Husband and wife!!! The wedding march music began, but quickly mixed into "Poi E" which they danced out of the aisle too! I had to turn it on while I was editing these so I could get into the groove...
After an awesome time of congratulating and mingling (and adoring the random cat who stood proudly at the front of the family photos!), we set out around Grandview with the bridal party! Sooo many awesome locations here... Jo and Wayne do such a wonderful job of upkeeping this incredibly gorgeous venue. It is a huge asset to the wedding industry in Dunedin!
Victoria and Richard proved immediately that they were so natural and beautiful in front of the camera.
Awesome big bridal party! These guys were seriously amazing and fun!
This is what you get when you tell 11 people to pretend to be trees.
Victoria's brother, Edward, and Richard's sister, Roseanne, played the part of both bridesmaids and groomsmen!
Victoria's smile is so captivating! And it didn't leave her face all day! Such a beautiful bride...
Richard and Victoria are big adventurers! They love tramping and the outdoors... and one of Richard's favourite things to do is climb trees (he nearly jumped out of the boat in the middle of the pond when I mentioned climbing a tree!) They didn't hesitate at all to get in the row boat. But the groomsmen tried it out first for a lovely little bit of bromantic time...
They were, um, really good at going around and around in circles.
Time for the bride and groom... who were much better at rowing in a straight line!
As I said, these guys love the outdoors. They had a 'native bird' theme throughout their reception details - including little birds nests that they had collected over the past few months! 'The Velveteen Rabbit' childrens book was their guest book for people to sign, and was part of their ceremony readings.
What they don't know is that when we were inside waiting for them to be introduced, I noticed them outside by themselves having this gorgeous wee moment.
I have never heard the introductions and house keeping all being rapped... but there is always a first!! Dan was a hilarious and awesome MC. He had put some serious time into prepping for his role.
Victoria and Richard, what a magical, fun day!! You guys were just perfect - it was obvious that the guests had such an awesome day, and you both just overflowed with love!! Thanks you for asking me and Liam to capture the hundreds of special moments during your day. We loved every minute! Hope married life has been amazing so far... I have no doubt it will have been! xoxoxoxo
