My first encounter with Eloise and Grant was via email from the UK. They were looking for a photographer for their small and intimate wedding that would be held at Elephant Hill Estate & Winery, Te Awanga, on 30 January 2010 – was I available? At that stage I was and after the exchange of a number of emails we were set. I would meet them for the first time a week before the wedding once they had arrived in New Zealand. I really didn’t know what to expect of our first meeting and as it was they were there before me, happily ensconced in the sunken lounge area looking out toward the vineyard and ocean. It was a very relaxed and enjoyable first meeting. I had to ask them though, why choose New Zealand to get married, and in particular – why Elephant Hill? The answer was simple. Grant’s brother Scott was the Assistant Wine Maker at Elephant Hill. Eloise had never been to New Zealand before and Grant wanted to catch up with his brother and see a little more of the country. So they decided to get married in New Zealand, Scott had suggested Elephant Hill, and venue unseen, Grant and Eloise said ‘yes’. Little did they know the beauty in which it was set.
The day of the wedding dawned, a hazy sunrise after all the rain we had had in the week leading up to it. Fingers crossed it stayed that way!
The small gathering of family and close friends was perfect. The weather had been wonderful all day, the intimate setting for the wedding on the upstairs deck was spectacular, and the ceremony went without a hitch! What more could you ask for. A beautiful bride, a relaxed groom and happy guests. I had a great time working with these guys and I’d like to think they had a fun time with the photos – and I suspect the evening would have been a blast!
