Hi guys!
On Friday, we headed North. Waaaayyy north.
Up past Kerikeri, just about to Mangonui… and then down to John & Karen’s gorgeous property in the bush.
90-odd acres, which they affectionately title ‘camp run-a-muck’… because that’s what the kids do there!
This beautiful Northland bush backdrop was the setting for their relaxed, intimate wedding on Saturday.
In the morning, we headed down to the campsite – where we found Karen & the girls preparing the daisies they had gathered. Apparently, the daisies are a bit late this year… and what should have been a simple snatch & grab from any given paddock turned into a huge mission, with much trekking, until enough flowers were found!
Throughout the whole day, it was awesome to see everyone pitching in & helping set things up. From blowing up balloons, to pouring huge amounts of lollies into the lolly bar…. (I don’t think that proved too difficult for the girs!)
Eventually, John had to resign to the fact that it was time to change from steelcaps & work clothes into his wedding attire… and we were waiting to pounce!!
John is also quite fond of his bulldozer – they had a custom cake topper fashioned in the USA, which arrived just in time for the wedding!
Meanwhile… the finer details were falling into place…
And the girls were getting ready – I love the makeup chair, just out in the trees!
Karen had John’s 2 daughters, and her daughter, as bridesmaids – and they all looked beautiful!
Karen looked amazing in her beautiful dress, custom made by Nicola Dawson. The pastel colours & the weave pattern just looked stunning against the green of the bush backdrop.
A proud father 
It was a short walk from the campsite, down to the grove of pine trees where they had the ceremony.
To the sound of ukelele being played by a nephew, Karen came down through the trees…
And John saw her for the first time.
They were surprised with some unexpected confetti at the end of the ceremony…
After which, we took a few photos of them with their kids…
And then we went bush – Karen donned her pink gumboots – although luckily the ground was fairly dry, due to the beautiful weather over the last few days.
Up near the camp, we took a few shots using the farm gate, and the side of John’s workshed…
Nearby, is the waterhole where (in the summer) there is great swimming – one of their favourite spots on the property.
I love the way the light naturally vignettes them in a little ‘spotlight’ – just the perfect amount of sun coming through the trees
I did test the water… COLD!
Our final spot was the ford on the driveway, where the stream feeding the waterhole runs through. That piece of driveway now wears a little bit of silver Mazda Atenza, courtesy of us scraping the bottom as we drove up… plus a few other makes & models, I’ll wager!
There were some beautiful rocks on the far side of the stream, complete with ferns & moss… but as it meant crossing over, we hadn’t really considered it as an option.
Lucky for us, Karen got down to the waterside & waded straight over!
Back at the reception – which was in the digger shed, and looked amazing – people were relaxing with a few drinks & a bonfire… games of touch rugby were happening on the grass… and marshmallows being toasted over the fire.
Just before sitting down to their dinner, there were a few speeches – I just love this little moment, captured as John talked about how amazing Karen is.
It was such a beautiful wedding to capture. So much love. So personal & intimate. So relaxed. Just an expression of two people’s love, and two families coming together. About all the right things. Sigh.
John & Karen – thank you both so much for sharing your day with us. We are privileged to have been a part of it.
Enjoy this little sneak peek of photos – there are many more to follow. Head along and ‘like’ our Perspectives Facebook Page to stay up to date with our latest creations.
Isaac & Amber.
