02/07/2026
I feel like I want to start every social post with 'this was my favourite wedding of the season because ###' but honestly, every one feel this way to me, but always for a different reason. Want to know why?
Yes, the format of a wedding is roughly the same all the time (and after shooting 800+ I say this with some authority š¤£) but the people are NEVER the same and working out fast who they are, and who I need to be to capture their spirit and energy makes what I do endlessly awesome and challenging.
I could easily have made an assumption about Dean and Lauren. They chose one of NZs most beautiful and exclusive hunting lodges for their wedding (Poronui near Taupo), we were buzzing all over the place in helicopters and all the elements of the day were extraordinary and considered.
But these two, together 16 years and hard working dairy farmers, were as down-to-earth, relaxed and 'Kiwi' as it's possible to be. 0% pretentious, 100% in it for the good times, and to give those they loved the most epic day they could imagine.
Within about 10 seconds I felt like one of the family and when I left after a really long day and drove back to Hawke's Bay, I felt genuinely gutted to leave them all behind.
Being real and being beautiful can definitely be the same thing at the same time. See more of what I mean here:
www.evabradley.co.nz/weddings
