Shayna + Mike's Wedding | 5 September 2009 | Auckland

Delwyn and I first met Shayna when she was a bridesmaid for her sister last November. Jono and Jess [her sister] were super fun, so we knew that we were in for a blast with Shayna. The Dougherty's sure know how to put on a great wedding. Shayna texted me as soon as she got engaged, to make sure i was in on the action. [then an hour later Jess texted me to tell me the news :) lol]
We bowled up to the Dougherty's house to find a very excited household in a flurry of make up and dresses. We were there to capture all of the excitement, and get special photos of Shayna with her family.

They were married at their home church, Northcote Baptist in a beautiful ceremony, filled with amazing songs, laughter and love. Mike looked so proud seeing Shayna walk down the aisle, it was just perfect! Shayna's brother sang a song by the band Red acoustic style, it was beautiful.

After all of the formalities were over, we headed to Mike's work for a shoot with the machinery, and a picnic lunch. Then we headed to Greenhithe to the park and a couple of restaurants including Solstice, finishing off with watching the sun go down at Maori Bay.

The reception was held at the Greenhithe Village Hall, and the food looked amazing! I sneaked a few roast potatoes, oh YUM! Big ups to the lovely people who did the decor, it looked wonderful and had a nice cosy feel with candles and a jazz band playing. A perfect end to a perfect day!

Photographer | Lauren Indrisie
Co-Photographer | Delwyn Rutley

Fern + AJ's Wedding | 4 July 2009 | Mexico

After shooting Fern and AJ's wedding in New Zealand on the 8th April 2009, Fern demanded that i come over to Mexico to shoot her Mexican wedding.
Well. Ok.
If i must.
Oh. My. Goodness. I couldn't believe it was happening. We booked our tickets and paid for our travel insurance mid-april. A few days later Swine Flu broke out. Perhaps we shouldn't go...? Na! We'll still go. So we stocked up on some Tamiflu, hopped on the plane, and we were off!
After a lovely 12 hour flight to LA, heat sensor cameras, and people running around in masks looking for Swine Flu carriers, a fantastic 12 hour stopover in LAX [no-one told me it was such a BORING airport!], and a 6 hour flight to Mexico, i still thought that it was a hoax.
Really. Would someone actually fly me all that way to take photos? Yes. There at the airport was Aj, and Fern's Dad waiting for us. We cruised off to their place, showered and changed, then hopped in the car for a 6 hour ride to Acapulco. The scenery on the way was nothing short of amazing. The hills and fluffy clouds, even the light, all looks so different from here. And the motorways are HUGE!
We arrived and spent the next three days relaxing, swimming, eating and sunbathing. Even my legs tanned! Miracle! We did a great location shoot on the beach outside our hotel on Fern and AJ at 8pm, after we'd spent the whole day drinking and eating at a resort [bliss!]

Then back to Mexico City to get ready for the wedding a few days later.
What an experience. We started the day early at the salon, and we all had our hair and makeup done. Then home for a late lunch and to get dressed up. Then off we headed into Mexico City.

At 6.30pm, Fern and AJ had a civil ceremony first with close friends and family, with 16 witnesses to sign the papers.

Then 15mins for creative shots, family groupings, and then off to the catholic church for the Catholic ceremony at 8pm.

This church, i tell you, it's GORGEOUS! The ceremony was beautiful, with Fern's cousins doing beautiful readings.

As Fern and AJ turned to walk back down the aisle, her brother was standing there with a full choir, singing All You Need Is Love, just like the movie Love Actually, which Fern and her brother love. Complete with trumpeters in amongst the guests. It was magical.

At 9pm, Fern and AJ did the most amazing triumphant entrance in a glass elevator from 3 stories up to the trumpeting fanfare music off Love Actually. I cried. It was just magical. 350 guests were standing, clapping and cheering, welcoming them in to the most beautiful venue i have ever seen! There were tealight candles in glass balls hanging from wires strung two stories up. There were flowers everywhere. Oh and the food. YUM! Ask AJ about the tomato soup with the potato balls.

At 10pm, the dancing began. Fern's brother had discovered an amazing band, and had hired them for the evening. They played NON-STOP from 10pm - 5am. They had amazing outfits that they changed into, different band members so the music didn't stop and people dressed up handing out props for people to use whilst dancing, like masks, hats, light sticks. SO COOL!
I was photographing until about 4am i think, Fern kept telling me to put my camera down, but every time i went to, something else hilarious happened!

Most amazing wedding EVER! If you want to know more, you'll just have to ask Fern or myself, it'll involve at least two flat whites :)
We also went sightseeing with Ferns family. they took us to San Miguel, Puebla, the Pyramids, the museum...
It. Was. Amazing. I don't think i can possibly explain how mind blowing it all was. For a visual person, looking around and seeing all these amazing places, textures, colours, i thought my head was going to explode. I felt like just sitting down alot and spending time just staring at everything, i kept thinking that i would wake up and i'd be back home in NZ and it was all just a dream [i have very vivid dreams! lol]
So, finally, thank you Fern, AJ, Fern's family, AJ's family, and of course darling bodyguard husband Joseph for an amazing time that i will never forget. xoxo

See more reception photos here

Photographer | Lauren Indrisie