Jason - WE DO Photography & Design - WE DO Photography & Design

Jordie & Dusty

backyard marquee Ōtaki wedding

Leap day, 2020.

Jordie & Dusty were married at Jordie’s childhood house at Ōtaki Beach, under the family tree.

The best vendors from across the Kapiti Coast and Wellington were involved. It was the biggest party in town, on the most unique day of the year.

other vendors who made this backyard wedding awesome:

Clear Marquee: Hiremaster
Celebrant: Leland Ruwhiu
Hair & make up: Makeup by Seborah, Lana Rose Makeup, Jamie Daly
Lighting: Grouse Lighting
Tables & Chairs: Mustard Folk
Coordinator: Kelly Lensen, wedding planner
Florist/ Stylist: Wild Rose Levin
Cake: That Little Cake Shop, Paraparaumu
Catering: Sunday Cantina
Photo booth: Wild Mint Photo booths
Drinks Caravan: Sadie Swoon
Musician: Bailee Tava
DJ: DJ Atu-D2
Ōtaki Coffee shop: Lean-To Coffee

the wedding photos

If you loved this, you may like the backyard weddings of Bridget & Nick and Zoe & Myles.

Bridget & Nick

Rustic Backyard Festival Wedding – Pukerua Bay, Wellington

Who says a wedding dress needs to be white?

Who says it needs to be a dress at all?

Bridget & Nick’s rustic wedding was a backyard festival wedding of the very best kind – at Bridget’s parent’s house in Pukerua Bay, Wellington.

There was food truck deliciousness, live band raucousness, and majestic sunset goodness.

Yep, a festival in the backyard. How everyone should get married in 2020.

other vendors who made this day awesome

Venue: Bridget’s Dad’s house, Pukerua Bay
Marquee: Stretch Tents
Food Truck: Beat Kitchen weddding food truck
Coordinator: Kelly Lensen, wedding planner
Band: Zephyr, Wellington covers band

If you loved this, why not check out other backyard weddings on our blog, including Zoe & Myles on the Kapiti Coast!

Zoe & Myles

Te Horo, Kapiti Coast

Zoe & Myles – a rock n roll backyard Te Horo Wedding on the Kapiti Coast in Zoe’s parent’s house – marquee & food trucks and all round goodness.

’til death indeed.

Food Truck: Dutchy’s Burger Joint
Bar: Sadie Swoon
Band: The Ratbags
Hair: Studio 191
Makeup: Emma Doolan
Cake: Vicki Eats
Flowers: Central Wellington Flower Market
Prop Hire: Made Lovely
Neon Sign: Neon Light Lab
Photography: us of course!

Zoe & Myles’ wedding has also been featured over on Rock n Roll Bride – the ultimate guide for alternative brides.

If you liked this, why not check out more backyard or marquee weddings on our blog?

If you loved our creative documentary style, why not get in touch?

Hannah & Phil – Foxglove

Foxglove Wedding, Wellington

What happens when two gamers get married?

They throw a wedding like Hannah & Phil, full of colour & life, in-jokes and geek references, and invite the who’s who of Wellington’s gaming and cosplay scene.

Venue: Foxglove Bar and Kitchen

Bridal gown: KAREN WILLIS HOLMES

Hair & Makeup: Vanessa Sutton & Sadal&co

Flowers: Scent Floral Boutique

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Wedding Photography Business Coaching

Danielle & Callum had lots of ideas and goals for their wedding day, but they basically just wanted to throw a big party – the dancefloor went off like I’ve rarely seen and I think they smashed all their wedding goals out of the park!

Venue: The Landing Masterton
Dress: Pronovias
Flowers: Bride’s grandmother

Henri & Pulu

Old St Pauls & The Pines

If you asked me to describe the perfect wedding day, it would be a mixture of cultures, it would include singing and dancing – lots of dancing – and it would look something like Henri & Pulu’s extravaganza. I never get tired of Siva Samoa!

Venues: Old St Pauls & The Pines, Wellington
Singers: The Musical Island Boys

Donna & Scott

Tarureka Estate, Featherston

Donna & Scott, getting married at Tarureka Estate. Donna & Scott did 4 of my favourite things at weddings: 1) they involved their kids; 2) they got married at one of our all-time favourite venues; 3) they included the Kombibooth, which is the second-most fun you can have in a stationery vehicle; and 4) they brought all the emotions to the party. This is how you do weddings!

Venue: Tarureka Estate
Catering: Chef On Demand

Charlotte & Peter

Castlepoint, Wairarapa

Charlotte grew up in the Castlepoint area, so this location was completely apt for their wedding.

This working rustic woolshed was completely transformed, Peter hunted the game for their meal, and they threw the biggest party in town!

Venue: Woolshed, Castlepoint

This post “Charlotte & Peter” first appeared on WE DO

Charlotte & Peter

Engagement session, Makara Beach

Peter designed & built this house truck and they’ve done plenty of miles around the country. At the start of spring we ventured out to Makara Beach, folded down the sides, pulled the beers and cheese&crackers from the fridge and enjoyed the sunset.

Their wedding at Castlepoint is coming next, wait for it!!!

Heather & Nick

Greenmantle Estate, Kapiti Coast

Venue: Greenmantle Estate, Kapiti Coast
Celebrant: Brian Ross

Marama & Jason

Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds

When you invite your friends & family over from Australia and the weather gods don’t play nicely, who cares when you’ve got the attitude of Maz & Jase – just keep laughing and enjoying your kick-ass wedding day!

Venue: Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds

Sophie & Rory

Tongariro Lodge, Turangi

Sometimes you meet are couple that are so unbelievably lovely, the world would be a better place if everyone could have them in their lives.
Sometimes you meet a couple with a daughter with the same name as your daughter, and it’s like fate brought you together.
Sometimes you meet a couple that are so damn right for each other, it reminds you how beautiful marriage can be.
Sophie & Rory had exactly the wedding they wanted: just their family & a couple of close friends, for a weekend at Tongariro Lodge, and it was perfect. Sometimes it really is.

Venue: Tongariro Lodge
Makeup: Nicole @ Beautology

Rebecca & Mike

Martinborough Hotel, Wairarapa

Rebecca and Mike brought their family & friends over to Martinborough for Mike’s birthday. Just a casual birthday celebration at the Martinborough Hotel.

SURPRISE!!! Wedding time!

Tears flowed, wine was consumed, fun was had, and to top if off, there was even birthday cake. :) 🎂

Venue: Martinborough Hotel

Lucy & Ants

Worser Bay Boat Club, Wellington

Have you ever seen anyone enjoy their wedding day more than Lucy & Ants? Smiles and laughter and love ALL DAY & NIGHT LONG.

With possibly the loveliest friends you could meet, the greatest taste in music, they achieved the greatest transformation of the Worser Bay Boat Club and celebrated in style.

Oh, and Lucy designed and crafted their wedding rings. Yeah, you read that right.

Venue: Worser Bay Boat Club, Wellington
Hair: Scout Hair
Wedding dress: Sophie Voon
Flowers: Twig & Arrow
Wedding Rings: bride’s own designs!

Jen & Andy

The Landing, Masterton

Jen & Andy’s The Landing – Masterton wedding was a special one. Not many brides can say they were walked down the aisle by their Dad, and married by their Mum.

Venue: The Landing at Homebush, Masterton
Celebrant: Jen’s Mum!

Melissa & Elliot

Black Barn, Hawke’s Bay

The Black Barn brought the amazing food, the Hawke’s Bay brought the perfect weather, and Melissa & Elliot’s guests from Australia brought the tears and laughter, for the best party the Hawke’s Bay has ever seen. And nothing completes an Australian wedding more than the men dropping their pants during Eagle Rock!

Venue: Black Barn River Room, Hawkes’ Bay
Kombibooth: ours

Melissa & Elliot

Engagement, Wellington

Melissa & Elliot flew to Wellington from Australia to prepare for their wedding, so we couldn’t resist wandering the urban landscape of the capital city for a wellington engagement session – one of our favourite places for some great photographic opportunities.

Look to see their wedding posted next!

Imogen & Euan

Tarureka Estate, Featherston

Imogen & Euan might be 2 of the coolest cats we’ve ever photographed.
When they performed their first dance to “Fortune Teller” by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, I knew it was so.

Rock on!

Venue: Tarureka Estate, Featherston, Wairarapa
Caterers: Crescendo Cuisine

Stacey & Sasha

Old Forest School, Vintage Wedding Venue

Stacey & Sasha – and 25 of their closest friends and family – made the trip from Australia to the Old Forest School, Pongakawa, Bay of Plenty. In one of the most magical of wedding venues, there were tears, there was laughter, there were festivities and shenanigans, and some of the nicest people we could imagine spending a day with.

This is their day.

Venue: Old Forest School, Pongakawa
Celebrant: Sarah Lockwood
Wedding Stationery: WE DO <- that’s us!
Makeup: Lillybeth: A Beautiful Education
Event styling & florals: Two Foxes
Kombibooth: WE DO <- that’s us too!

Jen & Rusty

Moke Lake, Queenstown, Otago

Jen & Rusty, all the way from Louisiana, on the shores of Moke Lake, Queenstown, NZ.

If you’re going to elope, elope with style, to one of the most beautiful parts of the planet.

Breakfast: Joe’s Garage
Hair: Hair On Church St
Makeup: Collective Hair & Makeup
Celebrant: Philippa Thomas
Lunch: Smiths Craft Beer House

Nat & Greg

Tarureka Estate, Featherston

#happilyeverduckett

Lydia & Yu Kai

The Milk Station, Otaki

Venue: The Milk Station, Otaki
Florist: Yvette Edwards
Catering: Simply Food
Cake: Sweet Bakery & Cakery
Games: Handmaid NZ

The blog post “Lydia & Yukai” first appeared on WE DO

Narelle & Hadyn

The Boatshed, Wellington

Venue: The Boatshed, Wellington Waterfront
Celebrant: Megan Whelan
Custom beers brewed by: Tiamana, Parrot Dog, Garage Project

#greensmithmashup

Angie & Michael

Boomrock Wedding, Wellington

As the official photographer for the Prime Minister, Angie wanted creative, emotive, story telling – well that’s exactly our approach and style!

The unplugged ceremony was at Old St Pauls, followed by cupcakes and champagne, and then we took a helicopter ride to Boomrock for the reception.

Of course, we provided a Photobooth because what party isn’t complete with a little bit of hidden fun behind the curtains? :)

Venue: Old St Pauls & Boomrock, Wellington
Hair & Makeup: Rebecca Connor
Videography: Wedding Films by Jono Tucker

Angie & Michael’s Boomrock Wedding first appeared on WE DO

NZIPP Iris Awards 2016

Classic & Creative Category Finalists

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Once again – 5th year in a row – Jason was honoured to be a finalist in the 2016 NZIPP Iris Awards Wedding Creative category.

Oh, he was also a finalist in the Wedding Classic category, just to be thorough.

Stoked.

Here’s his top 6 scoring images.

Diana & Tony

Milk & Honey, Hunter Lounge, VUW

Venues: Milk & Honey, The Hunter Lounge (VUW, Wellington)

It’s a great honour to be asked and trusted to photograph a wedding. It’s an even bigger honour when the bride & groom are relatives of previous couples – when we’ve met them and hung out before.

I couldn’t tell you how many weddings we’ve seen Diana & Tony at, and we couldn’t wait to spend more time with them and their family & friends.

Here’s Diana & Tony’s huge celebration!

Love our work? Get in touch: get in touch

Sarah & Mark

Brackenridge, Martinborough

Sarah & Mark held their super-stylish winter wedding at Brackenridge Country Retreat & Spa, nestled in Martinborough in the Wairarapa.

They were married at the St Andrews Anglican Church, and Nana was the flower girl!

We drove to Lake Ferry for some glorious sunset photos, before returning to Brackenridge for some more wedding photos and all the crazy shenanigans of their reception.

Oh, and we snuck outside for some night photos and I whipped out the Pixelstick. Scroll to the bottom for that crazy creative night photo, one of my favourites ever!

Go Team Yardeane!

Vendors

Reception Venue: Brackenridge, Martinborough – Wairarapa
Ceremony Venue: St Andrews Anglican Church
Caterers: Providore

Enjoy these Brackenridge wedding photos!

You may also enjoy these other Wairarapa weddings:

Danielle & Callum @ The Landing, Masterton

Donna & Scott @ Tarureka Estate, Featherston

Charlotte & Peter @ The Woolshed, Castlepoint

Laura & Nick

Sudbury, Kapiti Coast

You call that a knife?

THIS is a knife!

Venue: Sudbury, Te Horo

Chloe & Carter

Whitemans Valley

Chloe & Carter were married, in the middle of winter, on Chloe’s family farm in Whiteman’s Valley.

No *ahem* fake wedding barn here – this was an authentic, working, careful-where-you-stand, sheep shearing shed.

Chloe’s family are renowned for their infamous Whitemans Valley parties, and this evening was no exception.

Congrats Chloe & Carter!

Aimee & Campbell

Foxglove, Wellington

Makeup: Rebecca Connor
Wedding dress: Pronovias
Florist & styling: Twig & Arrow
Venue: Foxglove Ballroom, Wellington
Celebrant: Rachel Dudfield
Musician: Conway Jeune

Cindy & ASH

Poppies, Martinborough

Cindy & ASH invited all those people that mattered to them. Just how a wedding should be.

Cindy & ASH brought their own style and panache to their wedding. Just how a wedding should be.

Cindy & ASH involved their family and especially their children, who are an integral part of their life. Just how a wedding should be.

You couldn’t wipe the smiles of their faces all day long. Just how a wedding should be.

Venue & Catering: Poppies Martinborough
Cake: Sweet Bakery & Cakery, Karori

Phoebe & Nick

Wallaceville House, Wellington

Phoebe & Nick were married in a Humanist ceremony outdoors at Wallaceville House.
This is their story.
Enjoy.

Jess & Brad

Sacred Heart & Te Papa, Wellington

Ceremony Venue: Sacred Heart Cathedral
Reception Venue: Icon Room, Te Papa Wellington
Hair/Makeup: Kendra Herrick

Abby & Mark

Sudbury, Te Horo

Venue: Sudbury, Te Horo
Makeup: Rebecca Connor

Rosie & Neil

Old St Pauls & The Boatshed, Wellington

“Marry Me! Marry Me, my wonderful, darling friend.” ~ Jane Austen

We loved Rosie’s gift to Neil: Ron Swanson inspired Lagavulin scotch whisky.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s love of books and literature.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s appreciation of architecture, archways, and silhouettes.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s walking bus to their reception.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s homebrew – something borrowed, something brewed.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s infectious smiles, and their guest’s willingness to have a great time.
We loved Rosie & Neil’s style.
But most of all, we loved Rosie & Neil’s love for each other.

As Rosie said to Neil, “Plan A was marrying you a long time ago.” It was meant to be.

Venues: Old St Pauls & The Boatshed, Wellington
Celebrant: Greer Berry
Caterers: Blue Carrot
Florist: The Piccadilly Flower Company

Congratulations Pingu & Goose!

Jen & Andrew

Tarureka, Featherston

Hussila & Sameer

Mahatma Gandhi Centre, Auckland

Sameer is one of our oldest friends. Not old in the octogenarian kind of way, rather in the known-a-long-time-and-still-hanging-out kind of way – 18 years after leaving college we’re still friends.

We had the honour of photographing the double wedding of Hussila and Sameer – a traditional Indian ceremony, followed by a civil service.

It was exciting enough to be invited to their beautiful wedding, and an absolute privilege to be asked to photograph it.

Hussila and Sameer, congratulations.

Venue: Mahatma Gandhi Centre (MGC), Auckland

Jess & Hayden

Lacewood Tuhitarata Estate, Wairarapa

After Sarah & Mike’s wedding a couple of years ago, it was an absolute honour to be asked to photograph Mike’s sister’s beautiful wedding at Lacewood.

Jess and Hayden made this Lacewood wedding day their own: a westernised wedding on the lawn; followed by a traditional Chinese tea ceremony; cocktails and canapés with their guests; rip-roaring speeches; and hard partying through the rest of the night.

Congrats to Jess & Hayden, it was an honour, we loved spending time with both you and your families.

Other vendors

Jess & Hayden’s wedding is also featured over on one of NZ’s best wedding blogs: Paper & Lace.

Their wedding photos from the most creative Lacewood wedding photographer in the Wairarapa!

If you loved this wedding, you might enjoy some other Wairarapa weddings:

Imogen & Euan @ Tarureka Estate, Featherston
Sarah & Mark @ Brackenridge, Martinborough
Charlotte & Peter @ Castlepoint

Veronica & Deon

Black Barn, Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay

What I remember most from Veronica & Deon’s wedding is the celebrations. The laughter. The fun. The love. The Singapore wedding toast, delivered by Wei and Rob.

This was no ordinary wedding toast.

Here’s to a blissful marriage, eternal love, and fertility.

Yum seng!

Venue: Black Barn
Celebrant: Father Kevin
Tears: Veronica & Deon’s own

Amy & Tim

The Lodge, Pauatahanui

Amy & Tim were married at the beautiful Lodge At The Inlet, Pauatahanui.

I could have blogged the whole wedding. You’re lucky I stopped at 100 photos.

Enjoy!

Sarah & Paul

Otaihanga Boating Club, Kapiti Coast

Sarah & Paul were married in a beautifully intimate and personal wedding ceremony at the Otaihanga Boating Club on the Kapiti Coast: the venue styled by family; married by an uncle; catered by a sister. Family and friends all chipped in, and followed the ceremony with quite possibly the best 1-2 combination of wedding food: burgers and ice cream.

We then spent the afternoon chasing the even light around Otaihanga and Titahi Bay.

It was a privilege, thanks Sarah & Paul!

Venue: Otaihanga Boating Club, Paraparaumu, Kapiti Coast

The blog post “Sarah & Paul” first appeared on WE DO

Aileen & Kieran

Foxglove, Wellington

This Saturday was a blast. I had sore cheeks by 4pm, and I wasn’t the one meant to be smiling.

I don’t know if it was Aileen’s cats running amok during the morning, the Cardinals beating the Dodgers, those tequila shots during reception, or simply two people in love, but Aileen & Kieran seemed to be having a blast too.

Thanks for kick-starting our wedding season with such a beautiful celebration – congratulations!

Venue: Foxglove
Florist: Best of the Bunch
Celebrant: Miranda Grange
Catering: Foxglove, Wellington

Jay & Louis

Breaker Bay, Wellington

2014 NZIPP Wedding Album of the Year

Rachel & Sam

In addition to the Wedding – Classic category, Jason also took home the trophy for Wedding Album of the Year.

The judges called it “great photography meets great design“, and that’s something we pride ourselves in. It’s even in our name! We’re not just photographers, we’re an all-round creative team, and every aspect of our presentation is carefully considered.

As with previous years (2012, 2013) we’re always aiming to create something different, something unique, something not seen before.

Rachel & Sam’s theatrical wedding was an obvious choice, even before we’d started on the design, and during brain-storming and concepts, we started creating the idea of a movie/theatre “storyboard”.

The following design was born. Rachel & Sam, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream“.