Classic Coast and Country - Kaysha & Brad at Hygee, Clifton Bay

I was in my happy place at Kaysha and Brad’s Hawke’s Bay summer wedding. All my favourite visual elements came into play in a way that doesn’t happen often. It started with Kaysha’s classic, paired-back look teamed with Brad’s linen suit that melted into the soft tones of the dry rural landscape, and continued right to the last ray of golden sun backlighting these two as their beautiful wedding at Hygee Clifton Bay came to a close. Read about their day in their own words and soak up the photography at this beautiful, chilled-out Hawke’s Bay wedding venue.

* Tell us a little about your love story

We met in one of the only Christchurch bars still open post-earthquake. Back then it was called The Running Bull. I was still at University and Brad was still on the tools. We supported each other as we moved on up, Brad into the office and I moved to another city to pursue my journalism career. We did four years of long distance and even got engaged while still living in separate islands, Brad in Christchurch and me in Auckland. There wasn’t even a solid plan of where we’d move, we just knew we’d be together. Brad proposed to me in Napier, where I'm from, atop Bluff Hill. Walking up a hill is always on the list of things to do while visiting home, and that day Brad was rather keen to go for a walk. It was perfect. Things fell into place when I was offered a reporting job at Newshub in Christchurch. We chose to get married in Hawke's Bay, rather than Christchurch, because we holiday there and it brings about feelings of ease, our shared love of summer and just being happy.

* Describe the style of your wedding and what look and feel you were wanting

Both Brad and I love summer and we wanted to capture the warmth and carefree emotion that comes with the season so many of us wait all winter for. We knew we could rely on coastal Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay, where our venue was, to deliver 'quintessential summer'. It was also important to us to keep things classy, we went ultimate chic for the wedding party so our smart attire really stood out against that bleached weathered landscape.

* What do you think is important when looking for a Hawke’s Bay wedding photographer and how did you find working with me and Andrew?

Look at photos and get a feel for what you like, then find someone who takes similar shots. Capturing the landscape, some arty, moody and classic shots was our brief - and we got it. If location is important to you, like it was us, then make sure you get a local photographer who knows the landscape. You only have a short time to get the shots, and that may involve a four-wheel drive! A photographer with a few connections has its perks, too. We were lucky Eva is a Hawke’s Bay local and knew a nearby farmer which meant we all clambered into her car and drove up a nearby non-existent steep farm track to the top of a hill where we got our big landscape shots overlooking the Bay.

* What appealed to you about Hygge and looking back, what did you especially love about the venue?

Hygge at Clifton Bay in Hawke’s Bay was the perfect location for us because it offered so many different opportunities to harness the beauty of a summer wedding. The sun-bleached tussock, nearby hills for big landscape shots, just far enough out of town to feel like you're taking your guests to a special destination. There's also just a hint of the seaside, close to the beach, but not so close your guests feel it's ok to wear jandals. The building itself was also a major drawcard, it's a smaller, intimate space, we loved the laid-back feel of the wood, as well as the ability to open windows and doors so on a true Hawke's Bay summer evening guests can sit both inside and outside. I love telling people we got married at a cafe, it's very us, doing things just a little bit different, not breaking the bank for the sake of it, and pulling it off!

* What aspects were the most important to you when planning the day and what was a highlight?

We wanted our guests to enjoy the day, which factored into our decision to get married at Hygge and in Hawke’s Bay. Choosing the right venue also played into our non-negotiable of beautiful photos that we'd treasure always. A definite highlight was spending time with the bridal party away from everything while we had the wedding photography session. We both loved the ceremony, it was more fun than we'd anticipated! Walking down the aisle with my mum was a highlight. Heading up the hill for photos overlooking the Bay was a lovely time, as was nipping away for the golden hour shots where we squeezed in a quick run through of our first dance.

A big thank you to Kaysha and Brad for allowing me to share their beautiful Hawke’s Bay wedding photography with you. And to all of the wonderful vendors who contributed to making this day so perfect…

VENUE: Hygge, Clifton Bay, Hawke’s Bay

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Eva Bradley & Andrew Caldwell as second shooter.

DRESS: Brides of Merivale, Christchurch

SUITS: Uberstone

HAIR/MU: Debbie Pearce Hair / Josie Brenstrum

CELEBRANT: Huia Borrel