Pretty florals by On my Hand and Vela Images

How gorgeous are these floral combinations from Shaye of On My Hand? Shaye is quite the talent when it comes to gorgeous blooms and together with Greta from Vela Images who shot these, they're becoming quite the team! If you're on the lookout for a fabulous Photographer/Stylish duo, look no further!! For a breakdown on the florals see below...

Yellow bouquet | David Austin roses, ornithogalum, alstromeria, solidago 

 Pink bouquet | Peony, fennel, hollyhock, carnation, sweet pea and thaio vine

Dark mixed protea bouquet | Peony, grasses, carnation, viburium, thaio vine, chive flowers and leucospermum 

Bright mixed bouquet | Parsley flower, pink rose, ornithogalum, rosemary, hydgrangea and passionfruit vine.

Waiheke Island Inspiration Shoot by Vela Images

Hello lovelies!! How was your weekend? We spent a successful one in the garden getting some new things planted... got some lovely hollyhocks in, star jasmine all along the fence line, a gorgeous climbing rose and some other goodies... can't wait for them to all start flowering... although the jasmine already is and smells amazing!! I'm definitely no green thumb... but thankfully have parents who are and are very happy to help out!! And it's certainly a very satisfying feel when you're done!

We're starting off the week with a whole lot of Waiheke Island prettiness in this collaboration between Sophia of My Waiheke Wedding & Events, and Greta of Vela Images. Sophia is planner extraordinaire over on Waiheke, so if you're considering a wedding on the lovely island (I got married there myself so I'm a huge fan... feels like you've completely escaped Auckland!!) get in touch with her to start off on the right foot. She shares a little about the shoot and the appeal of Waiheke...

Waiheke has long been a favorite for weddings, and there is nothing better than discovering that gorgeous vineyard with stunning sea views... which is what you find at one of our latest venues Casita Miro. Offering that unique mix of Spanish/Tuscan surroundings, rustic décor, rambling gardens, olive groves, Cyprus trees and wonderful rolling vines, this place is truly something special! It’s always a delight finding venues for our clients, and then putting together their special day on Waiheke Island...now more than ever there is such a selection to choose from, and we’ve built an amazing team of talented professionals to help create the full package. Our venues are beautiful canvases in which to produce amazing occasions, and it’s such a pleasure working with the community of talented vendors we have both here locally and from Auckland. Waiheke Island allows guests to drop into that relaxed holiday vibe, which is felt almost instantly as one steps off the ferry! With over 30 local vineyards and a wonderful array of private venues available it allows couples to choose venues that suit their own style and look. Waiheke is big on character, and is a location well suited to those that like to enhance the personalised elements of their wedding. It was a pleasure putting this shoot together with Greta from Vela Images, and we look forward to sharing more from Waiheke soon! 

Styling & Shoot Coordination | My Waiheke Weddings & Events, Photography | Vela Images, Dresses | Kelsey Genna, Cake | The Cake Parlour, Hair | Amanda Sands Hairdressing, Make-up | Island Beauty Venue | Casita Miro, Onetangi Waiheke Island, Flowers | Wildflower, Stationery & styling | Amanda Wright Studio Hire | Figment Outfitters, Jewellery | Lindi Kingi

Stylish Garden wedding by Vela Images

I have the sweetest of weddings for you this Friday afternoon, with one of my favourite photographers behind the camera and another acting as Bridesmaid for the day! Lauren & Bryn were in safe hands when they hired Greta from Vela Images to capture their pretty garden wedding. As Lauren said "From the moment I met Greta I knew my wedding photos were in safe hands. Greta was confident, experienced, creative and positive which made us all feel comfortable and natural. The day goes so fast but she has captured moments we will look on and love forever.” I couldn't agree more!

I love the look of these bridal party shots... some of my favourites, and I especially love the get up the groomsmen are rocking!! About their ceremony at Brookegreen Park in Coatesville, Lauren says “Bryn always wanted a garden wedding, and he found the most amazing, private, romantic, diverse, beautiful garden I have ever seen! Willows, geese, manicured lawns lakes and bridges were just some of the features in our dream venue. The sun came out and made everything shine!”

More from Lauren: “It is hard to pinpoint one moment, every single part contributed to the whole day being personal and impacting! Having family and friends being a support and seeing and hearing their happiness for us was so overwhelming. Enjoying the outworking of all the time and effort you put into the day is an amazingly satisfying feeling. And to top it all off you promise to spend the rest of your life with your best friend, pretty cool!!

It was really special having 3 flower girls and 3 page boys. They are all my family and were so excited to be involved. The oldest flower girl Sara was extra special as my mother had Sara’s mother Tammy as her flower girl and I was Tammy’s. I hope that one day the tradition will continue and Sara will have my daughter involved when she gets married.”

For our reception we headed to the Wharf, which is so stunning – right on the water with 270 degree views of the harbour. It was on two levels and in a circle shape so it was easy to see everyone. There were chandeliers over every table, one giant one in the middle, everything sparkling and a menu designed by a celebrity chef added glitz and glam to party the night away in.”

Originally featured on Polka Dot Bride.

Check out their engagement shoot here too.

Photographer | Greta Kenyon of Vela Images with Jessica Sim second shooting, Cinematographer | Cat Goodey, Bride’s Dress | Sera Lily, Bride’s Shoes | Glassons, Bride’s Jewelry | Red Current, Groom’s Attire | Top Man, Groomsmen Attire | Top Man, Bridesmaid Dresses | Forever New, Flowers & Decor | Wild Bunch, Invitations & Stationery | Jess Holdaway, Hairstylist | Blaze, Newmarket, Makeup Artist | Kate Solley – M.A.C, Ceremony Venue | Brookegreen Park, Coatesville, Auckland, Ceremony Officiant | Paul Bohane, Reception Venue | The Wharf, Auckland, Ceremony Musicians | The Right Ones

Mexican Chic shoot by Vela Images

I was very privileged to play a small part in this stunning shoot for {MAG}rouge by Vela Images. Greta kindly asked me to create a stationery suite for it and with such a fun theme how could I resist. Together with Shaye from On My Hand, Greta styled this beautiful shoot with a subtle Mexican influence to it. Didn't they do a beautiful job? So much to love about it... the incredible flowers by Melissa Greenough, the ever so stunning dresses by Rue de Seine, and the most gorgeous of locations at Kelliher Estate. Go ahead... feast your eyes!

Photography | Greta Kenyon, Creative, styling & props | Greta Kenyon & Shay Woolford of On My Hand, Stationery | Ruby & Willow, Bouquet | Melissa Greenough, Location | Kelliher Estate, Dresses & Bridal Accessories | Rue de Seine, Food | Dawsons Catering, Hair & Make-up | Alexandra Clark, Models | Annalise & Lydia from Clyne Models, Jewellery | Silk & Steel, Pink Candlestick | Collected, Shoes | Trousseau Bridal Shoes

Beach wedding by Vela Images

Hello lovely people!! Did you have a nice weekend? The sun was finally shining here... the clocks sprung forward, it was lovely and warm outside and it certainly seems like spring had finally arrived!! (fingers crossed it stays!!). Pure bliss... makes me so excited for summer!! And I'm also very excited to be starting the week off with this gorgeous beach wedding from Greta of Vela Images. I love the soft colour palette with the lavender bridesmaids dresses, and the Bride's stunning dress for Natalie Chan is just wow!! The gorgeous bride Samantha shares some details about their day. Congratulations to you both!

Aaron and I met at a local bar where we both grew up - we actually went to the same school but never knew each other as he is a few years older. 9 years later whilst travelling around Europe on our way home from a 5 year stint in London, Aaron proposed on ancient castle grounds overlooking Lake Como in Italy. It was very romantic and he had the whole day planned - it was magical. 

We really wanted to get married in Whangamata. We have spent a lot of time here as a couple as his parents own a batch so it is a special place for us as well as being a place Aaron spent a lot of time as a child. We chose a beautiful, leafy spot near the beach for our ceremony and discovered our reception venue, Lakes Resort, a 20min drive away in Pauanui set in a picturesque valley surrounded by forest.

My dress by Natalie Chan was amazing, I went in with a picture of what I wanted and she worked her magic, sourcing the most beautiful French Chantilly lace and the outcome was a unique dress that I absolutely loved. 

All the styling and decorations were done by me, with a lot of help from friends and family leading up to and on the day. We didn't really have a set theme or colour palette, more a jumble of ideas and inspiration from wedding blogs and magazines which became an unhealthy obsession! When we first started planning the day, we knew we wanted an Italian influence as that's where we got engaged and it is also one of our favourite countries that we have travelled to. Each table was named after an Italian city and included a photo taken by me on our travels. From there the styling evolved to include a lot of natural elements such as hessian, twine, wild flowers and driftwood collected from Whangamata beach. This all worked in well with the natural surroundings of both the ceremony and reception locations. To top it all off, we also had an underlying vintage feel as we both love old things so we used vintage milk and medicine bottles, preserving jars, suitcases and photos of our parents and grandparents wedding days. 

Seeing each other for the first time on the day as I walked down the aisle was my favourite memory of the day and also hearing our celebrant announce us as husband and wife was pretty special! Also our photographer took us outside in between courses at dinner as the sun was setting to take a few shots in the beautiful light - it was really special to take a moment then, just us, away from everyone, to reflect on the day before the partying commenced! 

It was incredibly special to us that my Dads band was our entertainment. And in fact one of the very special memories from the day was my Dad singing our first dance 'That's Amore'.

It sounds cliche but keep calm through out the whole process and on the day and stay true to who you both are and what you want out of your day. Do little jobs often to keep on top of things so you don't have lots to do last minute. A lot of people will try and give you their two cents and although they mean well it isn't always what you want to hear. Stick to your guns, it's your day! And finally make sure you take regular moments throughout the day to stop and take it all in. The day is such a blur and goes so quickly, you'll give anything once it's over to go back and relive it! 

Photography | Vela Images, Brides Dress | Natalie Chan, Shoes | Badgley Mischka, Reception | Lakes Resort, Grooms suit | Working Style, Rings | Tony Lodge @ Precious Gem Setting Flowers | 107 Flowers Hair | Revamp and Revive Bridesmaids dresses | Kookai, Next, Principals and Calla Bridal Celebrant | Angela Besant @ Celebrant Matters

Board#207: Country Chic

I'm dying over that big long banquet table!! Isn't is just divine? Throw in some lovely lantern light and some dinner plate size dahlias and you have yourself a perfect reception look if you ask me! Oh and a donkey perhaps?

Photos from top left: Centrepiece by Amy Merrick Florist, Hanging Lights | Pottery Barn, Donkey | Vela Images, Chair details | Martha Stewart Weddings, Bride & Groom | Vela Images, Banquet Table | We love Pictures, Cake | 509 Photo

Rue de Seine Bridal Fashion shoot by Vela Images

Rue de Seine is a stunning new bridal boutique which has recently opened up in Newmarket. Owner and designer Michele Corty began her fashion career apprenticing in NYC's garment district, which was then followed up with a lengthy stint heading a design office in Paris. She has had her work showcased on pages of major international press: French Vogue, Marie-Claire, and Elle magazine, and well as collaborated with and designed for people such as Gwyneth Paltrow. Now New Zealand brides are in for a treat as she brings her talents to these shores and offers stunning vintage inspired dresses for the modern bride.
My good friend Greta from Vela Images took these stunning images of the Rue de Seine boutique... doesn't it look like the most exquisite place to head to try on pretty gowns?

Check out Rue de Seine at 6a Kent Street in Newmarket