Spring pastels shoot by Katie O'Neill

Good morning... how was your weekend? I spent it on cloud 9 over your lovely comments and feedback for the first issue of the Magnolia Rouge magazine, and it has me so excited to start working on the next one!! Oh the plans I have going around in my head right now!! I absolutely love working with the many amazing photographers and vendors whose work graces the pages, they are all just so so lovely, and make my job super easy! I'll be sharing the features from the magazine here on the blog over the coming weeks but to start this week off we have a sweet styled shoot by Katie O'Neill Foto, out of Taranaki. How incredible is that beautiful pastel peony bouquet? And I'm especially loving the statement necklace that the bride is wearing!

Photographer | Katie O'Neill Foto, Florist | Eliza Jane Flowers, Make-up and Hair | Kim Jordan, Dress | Kelly and Shirley of Churchwood Bridal

Beautiful Kumeu wedding by Jess Sim

Oh boy do I have the sweetest of weddings for you today!! Jessica Sim's work has graced the insides of many a fashion magazine (I urge you to go and check out some of the fabulous shoots on her blog right now!!) and now we have the pleasure of seeing her capture the beauty of weddings... first up Aana & Jason's incredible Kumeu, West Auckland celebration. Inspired by the gorgeous location, this couple said their "I do's" surrounded by nature, and had a wedding day that was real and authentic and all about 'them'. With their two darling children their to witness, their big day was made all the more special with a haka being performed for them by the bride's father and brothers, followed with a waiata karakia (a prayer sung in Maori) to bless the ceremony.

Aana's advice to other brides... "Enjoy the planning process and make sure you have everything organised prior to the wedding so that when the day comes you can relax and feel 100% happy with how everything looks and the flow of the day. Surround your self with people you trust, so that everyone can have a hand in making your wedding memorable."

And that most memorable moment for them was the ceremony. "You spend so much time thinking about and planning the rest of the day, it was so nice to turn up and be reminded that actually, this is what we are all here for! Our celebrant, Sally Guest did such an amazing job – the ceremony really was something special."

Photographer | Jessica Sim, Cake | Aanas mum, Croquembouche | Ma Cherie, Florist | Devonport Flowers, Stationery | Jaimee Clapham from Pixels&Light, Venue | Vineyard Cottages, Dress Designer/Shoes/Jewelry | Chelsea Thorpe, Bridesmaids Dresses | TopShop, Caterer/Menu | Vineyard Cottages

Beachside engagement shoot by Benjamin & Elise Photography

Sorry I've been awol for the last couple of days!! These past few months have been crazy crazy busy with invites, and the lead up to Christmas trying to get all jobs out the door is always rather manic. This year I made yesterday my absolute deadline for getting all jobs back from the printer and out the door and I'm SO happy to say I stuck to it and achieved it!! I'm taking a bit of a break from Ruby & Willow for the next 4-5 weeks to catch up on life... (seriously that's how it feels at this time of year), and also work on the magazine. I also find that I'm so busy, that any thought of Christmas - decorating, present buying or entertaining - takes a back seat, so I'm really quite excited at the prospect of having 10 days ahead of me to get my Christmas on! In fact no sooner did that last job go out the door, my first decorations came out!! Next week I plan to take plenty of walks with Charlie on the beach, have my nieces over to stay and do some baking and fun things with them, and go shopping without stressing about the time factor!! Woohoo!!

Anyway I'll leave you on this stunning Saturday (seriously this past week of sunny weather is already more than what we had the whole of last summer!!), with this sweet and simple beachside engagement shoot from Benjamin & Elise Photography.

Bohemian Inspiration by Benjamin & Elise Photography

I hope you're having a lovely Friday afternoon (or Thursday evening depending on where you are)! It's been a crazy busy week for me... especially in the Ruby & Willow studio. The next few weeks are crazy busy getting lots of orders our prior to Christmas so I can take some time off in January. 

Benjamin & Elise did this pretty little mini shoot for Issue 4 of {MAG}rouge magazine... don't you just love the colours in this table setting? And those gorgeous dresses are by two fabulous New Zealand talents; Sally Eagle and Kelsey Genna (who's bridal collection debut I featured earlier last week).  

Photography | Benjamin & Elise, Dresses | Sally Eagle Bridal & Kelsey Genna, Florals & Styling | The Piccadily Flower Company, Hair & Make-up | Dominique Whittaker, Menswear | Crane Brothers, Models | Sophie & Regan at Kirsty Bunny Management, Jewellery | Karen Walker & The Bead Gallery, Venue | Horrobin & Hodge

Stunning Auckland wedding by Danelle Bohane

My goodness! Lighting doesn't come a lot more magical than this!! Danelle Bohane has captured just that - magic - in this winter wedding. Seriously that girl is a genius with the camera... she's going places I swear!!

After adding Luke to her facebook friends in error (thinking he was another Luke!) and discovering how cute he was, Nicola had to figure out a reason that she would need to meet with him, so after a bit of research she came up with a legitimate idea and basically the rest is history. Skip forward four years and Luke had come up with an elaborate plan for the proposal. A relaxing spa treatment was followed by Nicola being kidnapped by Luke's friends in disguise as masked hoodlums! This eventually led to a beach where Nicola followed signs to a beautifully decorated cove, complete with flowers, champagne and bunting strung up - that he'd impressively made himself. After the big question was asked, and she had excitedly said yes, all their friends and family popped out from nearby bushes to celebrate with them. After a ceremony in the city, Luke & Nicola headed out to Coatesville for their reception. Under the most perfect blue skies on a bitterly cold day this southern winter, they snuck into the forest for their photos just as the sun began to set.

We loved the idea of a whimsical winter wedding - low light, cool temperatures, and the raft of winter foods we could choose. And also, it meant I could have a long sleeved dress... I'd always wanted something classic with a difference and knew winter was the perfect season to work this dress I loved. 

We decided to keep the ceremony short & sweet and make the reception the best party we could possibly conjure. We worked out what was most important to us and that was the people. It was a communal celebration. Everyone had such a fun time, and we got to speak to people throughout the entire night, not stuck behind a bridal table.

Photographer | Danelle Bohane, Venue | St Michael’s Parish Remuera & Coatesville Settlers Hall, Florist | Urban Flowers, Dress | Design by bride, Dressmaker Bobby Lee Designs, Stationery | Luke Winslade (groom), Cake | Bite Sized Patisserie, Day of Coordinator |  Debs Stanton, Caterers |  The Difference, Furniture | Luke Winslade (groom), Hair & Makeup | Abigail & Caprice

Waiheke Island Wedding by Jo Wickham

What a nice way to start off the day... oogling over this stunning bouquet! Isn't it gorgeous? Created by Enchanted Rose Styling on Waiheke Island, it has the perfect composition in my books! Likewise the brides bouquet with it's trailing ivy. I love this type of unstructured look. Brodie & Simon got married at the gorgeous Mudbrick Vineyard and had Jo Wickham on hand to capture the day, with Sophia from My Waiheke in charge of styling. Beautiful photos Jo... thanks so much to you and the lovely couple for sharing with us!!