New Zealand Beach Wedding // Jess + Gav
Although we are Canterbury based wedding photographers our love of travel allows us to shoot weddings all over New Zealand. Jess + Gav’s North Island wedding celebrations embodied the spirit of a laid back, New Zealand beach wedding and this gorgeous couple were able to host a super fun and relaxed day with their family and friends in one of the most beautiful wedding locations in Auckland.
We loved photographing ‘first look’ for the happy couple at North Head before their wedding ceremony at Takapuna Beach. Gav wore a very cool Samoan lei while he patiently waited for Jess to join him at this Devonport beauty spot which juts out into the Waitematā Harbour. With views of Rangitoto Island and the Sky Tower we couldn’t have wished for a better location to do their Auckland wedding photos.
As Jess walked up the headland to meet Gav she looked absolutely stunning in her Jorge Alfaro custom designed wedding dress. She was beaming when she saw Gav and needless to say… Gav was blown away by how incredible she looked too! It was great to capture that priceless moment for them.
Relaxed, natural wedding portraits is our thing and these guys rocked it! It was so fun to spend time doing the wedding portraits ahead of the ceremony in such a beautiful location with our couple who were so happy to spend time together before the big day ahead. Jess + Gav were able to focus on each other without feeling rushed or worried about being away from their guests. This precious time was for them and their photographs.
After ‘first look’ and portraits we headed to the wedding ceremony at their favourite local beach - Takapuna Beach. Jess was barefoot on the sand while friends and family gathered together and blew bubbles as she walked down the beachy aisle towards a wooden arch which beautifully framed Rangitoto. The best bit? Gav was serenading Jess by ukulele with a song he had written especially for her! Now that’s what we call a ‘next level’ groom!
After the ceremony we captured some pretty joyous wedding dress shots for Jess on the beach which fully show off the amazing work that went into this bespoke design created for her by Jorge Alfaro. We did plenty of lively group shots on the beach too and it was great to capture the close relationship Gav has with his brothers.
The wedding party kicked off in style back at McHugh's of Cheltenham which is an awesome beach wedding venue in Auckland. Jess and Gav rolled up to the party in their black Mini Cooper and Gav had also had a quick outfit change… from linen suit to a tropical short-sleeved suit jacket and shorts with palm trees and pink flamingos. Again… ‘next level’ groom!
The tables at McHugh’s were decorated with photo face masks of good friends from London who weren’t able to make it to the party due to border closures and Jess’s family Zoomed in from Canada to make some really beautiful speeches. We couldn’t help but notice how truly blessed this couple were to be celebrating together in such a dream wedding location in the glorious Kiwi summertime surrounded by such lovely and supportive family both near and far. The atmosphere was full of positive energy and good vibes!
Jess + Gav needed very little guidance from us in terms of posing, and we just let them be themselves, super in love and relaxed together while we captured their day as it unfolded. The whole day was a wedding photographer’s dream, from ‘first look’ to lots of lively Samoan dancing at the wedding reception… we felt very lucky to have been chosen by such a gorgeous and fun couple to capture their unforgettable wedding in Auckland.
Jess + Gav: “The moments that Robin + Andie captured were amazing. We couldn’t be happier!”
Here are a few highlights…
New Zealand Wedding Photographers: Robin + Andie
Dress: Jorge Alfaro jorgeadrianalfaro.com
Hair: La Luna lalunahair.nz
Make up: Beauty Merchants/Frenchie and Co frenchieandco.co.nz
Heels: Number One Shoes numberoneshoes.co.nz
Jewellery: Solstice necklace to celebrate the date - Walker and Hall walkerandhall.co.nz
Suit: Linen - Hallensteins + Tropical - Opposuits opposuits.com
Venue: McHugh's of Cheltenham mchughs.co.nz
Florals: Florienne Florist Takapuna florienne.co.nz
Celebrant: James McRobie celebrants.dia.govt.nz
