A Family Love Affair - Joe & Debbie at Craggy Range Winery
If good things take time, it makes sense that truly GREAT things can take what seems like forever. Joe and Debbie’s absolutely spectacular Hawke’s Bay wedding at Craggy Range Winery proved this, taking place 17 years after they met, fell in love and created their family. The benefit of this, perhaps, is that Debbie and the couple’s three lovely daughters and clever family and friends had years to dream of and then execute a day that was as beautiful in spirit as it was in the styling and details.
I knew I was going to be in for a treat when I learned Debbie’s aunt, Lynette Robertson, was designing and making the bridal gown and three flowergirl’s dresses. Having shot her daughter’s wedding a few years back, I knew the Australian-based theatre and movie costume designer would pull something spectacular out of the bag and wow I was not disappointed. As well as getting to be part of the ‘grand reveal’ of these amazing gowns, I felt so lucky to just get absorbed into the organised and happy chaos of prepping for the wedding as the girls got ready at the spectacular Craggy Range Lodge. Just along the river, my awesome second-shooter, Andrew Caldwell, was documenting the somewhat more low-key preparations of Joe, and his dad.
When I first started out shooting weddings, I used to often find myself quite emotional during the ceremonies. After 15 years, I still can’t stop grinning foolishly behind the lens but I definitely don’t cry anymore. Except at this wedding! Joe had described to me how he was going to dance down the aisle and greet each of his three daughters and escort them to the altar before waiting for his bride. I rolled with that plan not thinking much more about it, but my gosh when it actually happened it was the most moving father/daughter moment and said so much to me about what sort of dad Joe was that I simply couldn’t hold it together. Tears/sunblock in eyes and not a tissue in sight to blow my runny nose. Just as well everyone was looking the other way! During ceremonies, Andrew and I like to be super low-key, shooting from the back and sides with a long lens. At this wedding it was just the most perfect way to capture all the sweet, unscripted moments young children bring to a wedding ceremony.
Now if you want to know a first-world problem it’s this; Craggy Range drives me CRAZY because there are simply so many mind-blowing spaces and places both on-site and very nearby that it’s impossible to do justice to them all in an hour, but hey, I always give it my best shot…or about a thousand shots. Added to my challenge at Debbie and Joe’s wedding was that their three girls were just so lovely to shoot and their dresses so perfectly toned to the dry, muted tones of the Hawke’s Bay hills that I could have spent all day shooting them and still kept going. But one thing I always tell my couples is that as important as the photography is, it’s just one big thing in a line-up of other aspects that make a wedding day awesome and getting back in good time to celebrate has to be a top priority.
It’s hard to imagine a more lovely reception setting in the entire world than inside a Flagship tent draped over the vines at Craggy Range Winery, which itself is nestled under it’s namesake, the monolithic Te Mata Peak. Having renowned landscape photographer, Andrew Caldwell, as the one who always shoots our receptions is a huge advantage at weddings like this as he’s in his happy place capturing wider scenic shots as the party warms up and the day cools down.
I left this wedding with a smile on my face so big it hurt. What a joy to be part of it and a big thank you goes to Debbie and Joe for allowing us to share their wedding with you all. Thanks also to their dream team:
VENUE: Craggy Range Winery, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
TENT: Flagship Events
MAKEUP: Vania Bailey
HAIR: Pure Hair
DRESSES: Lynette Robertson (Bride & flowergirls) Shona Joy (Bridesmaides)
SHOES: Jimmy Choo (Bride) & Mi Piaci (Bridesmaides)
GROOM’S SUIT & SHOES: Payne Tailors (custom)
STYLING HIRE: I Do Glamour,
FLORALS: Kellys Flowers, (Wellington)
NAKED CAKE: The bride and friends
VIDEO: The Way Home