Ellie and Elliot often holiday at their family bach in Raglan. Their special connection with the area made it the obvious location for their wedding day. Friends and family flew from all over the world to celebrate with them at Rock It Kitchen. They put their middle fingers up to tradition and curated a day that fit them perfectly!
From the first time I met Ellie and Elliot, I knew we were going to get along. They wanted a wedding which made sense to them, and they weren't going to follow traditions that didn't align with that. In my opinion, these are the best weddings. Not because I dislike traditions, but because I love when couples make intentional decisions about why they are or are not following them.
Both Ellie and Elliot got ready together the morning of their wedding day at the Wainui Landing Apartments, located right outside of Rock It Kitchen. Ellie found her ideal dress second hand, as she's a huge advocate for sustainable living. Local vendor, Laura Adlam, complemented the look with natural and elegant hair and make up.
We took some pre-ceremony portraits together before their guests arrived at the venue by bus. Ellie and Elliot surprised their friends and family by greeting everyone at the gate. This was a beautiful way for me to get candid photos of their reactions as they were welcomed by the bride and groom. Both Ellie and Elliot were walked down the aisle by their parents, and just as the formalities begun the heavens opened! We didn't let the rain put a damper on things and luckily we had Ciara from The White Wedding Club co-ordinating the day, and she swooped in with one of her trusty umbrellas. The styling for their ceremony and reception space fit the rustic vibe of Rock It perfectly, with burlap table runners, brass vases filled with dried florals by Ella May Florals, and pillar candles to add pops of colour. One of the most important features of the day was their garnish-your-own Aperol station, available during cocktail hour as everyone mingled.
Ellie and Elliot opted for a casual approach to the dreaded group photos, and it couldn't have gone better. We weren't stuck in one place, they didn't end up with family photos that all look the same, and we had lots of fun in the process! I absolutely loved this idea, and I hope I see more of this at weddings in the future!
After speeches and dinner (the vege stacks were delish!), I was able to sneak away with Ellie and Elliot to Ngarunui beach. Sunset photos are a great way to have a breather from the chaos together while you soak in the freshness of being married. When we got back to the venue, the dance floor kicked off and it was the best end to a wonderful day.
I am so grateful to have been a part of this wedding. Ellie and Elliot, and their friends and family, treated me like I'd been part of the crew all along. I had the best time getting involved in all the celebrations and I came away from the day with a huge crush on everyone there!
Location: Raglan, Waikato Wedding guests: 80 Photography: 6 hours
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