We met about 15 months before Emma and Matt's big day for brunch at the Seashore Cabaret in Petone.   Such a great way to get to know each other, which is super important as we are going to be together all day on one of the biggest days of your life.  From our first meeting I knew then this was going to be a super fun wedding.

Emma and Matt picked the Silverstream Retreat for their wedding.  Such a cool place.  So many options for where to hold your ceremony and loads of great spots for photos.

Emma and Matt chose the beautiful light filled foyer for their ceremony, just like a chapel (but not religious).   

As often happens (for me) when it rains all morning and everyone is in dismay, the rain stopped 15 minutes before the ceremony and the sun came out and the steam rose.  It was pretty warm and steamy all afternoon but was lovely and cool in the ceremony foyer.

The morning of your wedding is super special.  It's the time when all those months of work come together and your besties pull out all the stops. 

Look at that beautiful makeup by Carra Deed.  Friends arriving.  Angel Sister-in-law arrives to the rescue with expert makeup blending for the bridesmaids and needle and thread for straps.  Who's got the rings?  Friend Lynette arrives with stunning flowers.   How do we hold the flowers? How to pin them on?  Have you eaten - yes, good.  Yes, Jo the celebrant is here :-) Where's the groom?  Yes he's ready - just gone for a nervous one.  Who's got the entrance music?  Yes, put your engagement ring on the other hand.  How long have we got?  Can we get a photo with my besties? Of course.  Just need a moment before we walk in - yes take your time - breath deep, no ones going anywhere without you.  Hearts are pounding. All the precious moments and people that make for a wedding morning. This is it - the big moment you've been waiting for.  

It's all quite normal, believe me.  And yes, I show you how to hold flowers and pin them on and fix straps and remind you to breath so you look and feel your best :-)

I'm waiting and focused.  We're all waiting.  But I'm waiting for something very specific!

That look on Matt's face when he first sees Emma.  It's the photo she wants more than any other.  And he didn't dissapoint.  I warned the Best Man to bring a hanky.  Just in case.  Yes it's usually needed ;-)

And Jo, the Celebrant created a beautifully heartfelt ceremony filled with love and laughter and just a couple of happy tears.

You're married and suddenly you relax and it's all fun from here.  Nerves gone - just pure excitement, celebration and joy now.

Silverstream Retreat gave us so many beautiful and varied settings for wedding photos. Gardens, rocks, walkways, bush, shiny new buildings with porches and riverstone facades, crazy ramshackle buildings with a healthy dose of grafitti even.

Photo time always goes in a flash and now that you're married time slows right down.  But we had to get back to the guests before they drank all the bubbles .

After a rapturous arrival annoucement Silverstream Retreat served up a super feast. 

"I'm not sure 5 stars do any justice to how incredible Celia is!

She is worth her weight in gold: her communication was top notch, well over and above our expectations. Her vision and then execution of the photos is beyond professional but more so, I felt like she really connected with us on our level. Understood the type of couple we were, and let us really show that in our pictures - she supported us, encouraged us to be our authentic selves and captured it forever.

Her skills "herding cats" were incredible when it came to the family and group photos - she never lost patience, kept her cool in very hot humid weather and the photos were perfect.

Celia made me feel so special, she was snapping away and it felt like there was nowhere else she would rather be than in that moment with us. She made me feel like she could truly see the love me and my husband have for each other.

She loves love and it shows in each of her photo's which are exceptional!

I couldn't recommend more".

Emma