Blog

Nicolle & Ryan
Lake Rotoiti,
Bay of Plenty,
New Zealand

Nicolle and Ryan are two top-shelf people who are as well-matched as hops and malted barley.

I photographed Nicolle’s older sister’s wedding years ago and since then I’ve shot the weddings of several of their in-laws, all in spectacular places like Taupo, Rotorua and Clevedon.

Nicolle and Ryan had their wedding at Lake Rotoiti, nearby Rotorua. Nicolle knows a thing or two about wedding planning, it being her profession. Guests were in for a treat.

They said their vows at the water’s edge, arrived back from their photos on a friend’s boat and celebrated late into the night under a marquee overlooking the glassy lake.

Border restrictions kept Ryan’s brother from being able to attend in-person.

He witnessed the entire celebration via Facetime. Guests and family members teamed up to keep the iPad close to the action from the beginning to the end.

Amber joined me to cover the wedding.

On our drive home to Auckland, we reflected that we felt like we had witnessed “family” at its best. Both Nicolle and Ryan are clearly treasured by their respective families. Speech after speech was filled with wholehearted joy in welcoming the new person to the whanau.