Photos by Kate Robinson Photography
When you are wedding photographers planning your own big day, a ‘same old same old’ venue simply will not do. You look for a place with star quality, multiple location options on-site, and ideally new territory so you will only associate it with your wedding day.
Professional photographer Jono Tucker and his bride Jenny Head solved that challenge by choosing Ruth Pretty’s extensive Springfield property with its spacious garden and natural surroundings for their January wedding. Jenny said "the day was relaxed with a natural garden theme, was everything we had hoped for, and we really felt like VIPs.”
Jono asked a fellow professional Kate Robinson to record their big day with stills, and Mike Heydon (Jet Productions) to shoot the film, creating a documentary style combination for the couple to treasure.
"For a bit of fun, we also hired a We Do Photography Photo Booth, and it was hilarious as our guests really got into the spirit. They wore costumes and let their hair down in the privacy of the booth, and we would highly recommend it,” Jenny laughed.
Talented family and friends were very involved in bringing all the details of the day together. "Mum made 35 metres of colourful bunting for the tables and the marquee ceiling, and our families helped put that and the festoon lights up, and rolled out the hessian table runners. We couldn’t have done everything without them.
"We picked up some lovely small detail ideas from weddings we have shot, and the Style Me Pretty website is a great source for brides.
Jenny’s mother Graciela is Chilean, and many guests came to New Zealand for the wedding. She said "It was important for us to incorporate many Chilean cultural aspects, so for example we served Chilean bubbles and traditional empanadas during the passarounds, as well as Graciela’s Punch, refreshing and colourful with pomegranate seeds and mint leaves.”
Soft pink and gardens were recurring themes, brought out in the bridesmaids’ dresses, ruffled blooms and even herbs in the bouquets and button holes. Pretty blush table flowers were set casually in jam jars on natural brown hessian, and guests threw pink rose petals after the ceremony.
"Having seen Ruth Pretty’s team in action at wedding shoots we were always very impressed with the professionalism and quality of food that was served. We had many meetings with Paul Pretty and wedding planner Janine to make sure all the details were covered. They were very organised with everything well-documented so we all kept on track.
"The Ruth Pretty team was very flexible about incorporating our ideas and wishes, down to providing separate menus for several guests with specific dietary needs. The relationship worked well for us.
"We knew we were in good hands. We appreciated Paul being there, very hands-on, on the day. Our guests have raved about what a perfect day it was – food, weather and setting.
Photographer Kate commented "It was definitely a treat to photograph a wedding photographer’s wedding. Because they understood light and location, it made our job super simple. We absolutely loved photographing at Springfield; it's a beautiful place to get married in”.
The last word goes to Jenny and Jono: "Now we know what it’s like from the other side: the day just whizzed by and we are looking forward to seeing all the photos and video to remind us of such a happy day in our lives,” they smiled.
