The pressure of planning what we’re all told will be the best day of our lives can all seem a bit much right at the start of the process, so I thought the way Mirize and Alistair elected three aspects that mattered most to them and focused their ideas and energy around them was a brilliant way to create a wedding with wow that was unique to them. The top billing thing for them was location. They wanted a place that was central for guests coming from across New Zealand and Australia and somewhere that was an awesome destination in its own right, not just for a wedding.

There are lots of things that can feel overwhelming and even a little intimidating about getting married. A photographer (or two!) following you about for the day is definitely one of those things for some people, so I really love it when a couple decides to spend some quiet time alone with me to get used to the process during an engagement session.

Spending time with Mel and her family made me want to rush home and create more babies (briefly!). As a mum-of-two, normally even the thought of more would seem beyond exhausting but an hour spent with the four Macredie kids and their folks made me appreciate what an amazing unit they’d created, and I absolutely wanted to capture this while we were shooting.