Akaroa-Mt Vernon Lodge Wedding Photography

Caroline is the sister of the owner of Mt Vernon Lodge, so it’s always an added responsibility but a great privilege being recommended to a family member.

The weeks before the wedding the weather was quite miserable, so we all had our fingers and toes crossed it was going to be a beautiful day. I think everyone breathed a sigh of relief when we woke the morning of the wedding, and the sun was shining – admittedly it wasn’t super warm when the day first started, but that’s to be expected at the beginning of May.

We arrive just before 10 am,  as the hair and makeup people were setting themselves up.

Caroline and her girls got ready in Mandy and David’s house. Caroline had one of her best friends, her daughter and son in her bridal party. Gabe was pretty lucky; he got to spend time with both Mark and Caroline getting ready.

Caroline had bought them all beautiful blankets and had them embroidered as well, just what you need on a winters day.

Once all the girls had their hair and makeup done Gabe came over all dressed from the boys, and we got the girls into their dresses.

We had plenty of time before the ceremony was starting. We like to guide our brides with the timeline for the day and suggest that they aim to be in their dress an hour before they want to leave for the ceremony.Believe me, when I say, there comes a time with every wedding day where time truly starts to fly – so we suggest this to give the bride plenty of time for photos with family and the bridesmaids beforehand and it gives everyone a chance to have an opportunity to relax and just take at the moment.

Believe me, when I say, there comes a time with every wedding day where time truly starts to fly – so we suggest this to give the bride plenty of time for photos with family and the bridesmaids beforehand and it gives everyone a chance to have an opportunity to relax and just take at the moment.

Mark and his boys got ready in one of the Chalet Cabins. I arrived at lunch time, and Oz stayed with the girls. The boys had a pretty relaxing start to the day, just some finishing touches to the ceremony and reception areas.

Just as I arrived Mark was jumping into the shower, and his best man has taken off to finish his speech, so this gave me a chance to do a few detail shots. Mark had his good friend and his son in his bridal party. It was great to see how involved the kids were in the wedding.

So this gave me a chance to do a few detail shots. Mark had his good friend and his son in his bridal party. It was great to see how involved the kids were in the wedding.

Caroline and Mark had chosen to have the ceremony on the lawn area overlooking the harbour – this spot on the property is one of my favourites. Caroline rode in Mark’s other baby (a classic black Ford) from the house up to the lodge, you could hear her coming.

They had chosen Kate as their celebrant, Kate has such a lovely way of performing each ceremony and gets emotionally invested in each couple, and this truly shines through.

Caroline’s daughter sang during the ceremony, and this not only got everyone laughing but also welling up.

The wedding couple decided they wanted to do some photos with the entire bridal party on site.

We used a barn that’s behind the lodge. The beautiful warm light made for some amazing photos.

We then took just Mark and Caroline along with their best man and maid of honour down to the waterfront for some more pictures and an opportunity to use Mark’s car.

On our way back to the venue we made one more quick stop where we had a view overlooking the harbour, I thought the light in the barn was fantastic, but this was just incredible.

The first thing Mark and Caroline did when we got to the reception was their first dance. They had this choreographed, and I think they were a bit nervous about it so wanted to get it done and dusted so they could then relax.

The speeches followed, and not long after dinner, the couple cut their wedding cake.

As wedding favours, each person got a cupcake in a decorated small square box with the names of the bride and groom on the outside of the box.

We soon said our goodbyes but not before we had a play with some sparklers out on the lawn and running circles the bride and groom.

And as we drove off, we were both pleased with how the day had gone.

Wedding Celebrant: Kate Clark PH-021 126 4797

Photography: Wedding Photographers Christchurch Pip and Oz

Venue: Mt Vernon Lodge Akaroa

Catering: Verve real food catering