Felicity & Ronan | Settlers Country Manor, Waimauku
There are weddings that unfold with quiet, ordered elegance, and then there are weddings that crackle with life from the very first moment. Felicity and Ronan's day at Settlers Country Manor was firmly, wonderfully, the latter — a celebration packed with laughter, tears, spontaneous joy, and the kind of energy that fills a room and refuses to leave.
Getting Ready
I arrived early to document the bridal preparations, one of my favourite parts of any wedding day. There is an intimacy to the getting-ready hours that sets the emotional tone for everything that follows — the quiet excitement, the tender details, the gradual transformation. Fliss and her bridesmaids were in wonderful spirits, and the anticipation in the room was palpable.
The grey winter sky outside hinted at rain all day, but our luck held beautifully. Settlers Country Manor has a warmth and character that makes it a joy to photograph in any weather, and it is a venue I know well as a preferred vendor there. That familiarity means I can move through the spaces confidently, making the most of every corner and every moment.
An Arrival to Remember
When the time came, Fliss arrived at the venue in a manner befitting the occasion — conveyed in a stunning vintage Silver Bentley alongside her two bridesmaids. It was an entrance with genuine grandeur, and the images of that arrival are among some of my favourites from the day.
Shortly after, the dress — as beautiful as it was — needed a little emergency attention. A seam had given way, but in a moment that perfectly captured the spirit of the day, a quick-thinking friend stepped in with needle and thread and had everything looking flawless again within minutes. You would never have known. Fliss carried the whole episode with complete grace and humour, and the dress looked absolutely stunning from that point on.
The First Look
Before the ceremony, Fliss and Ronan shared a private first look — just the two of them, away from the crowd, seeing each other properly for the first time on their wedding day. It is always a privilege to witness these moments, and Ronan's reaction said everything. He shed a quiet tear, and in that single unguarded moment, the depth of his love for Fliss was written plainly across his face. They looked stunning together — two people completely at ease in one another's presence.
Portraits in Winter Light
With winter light in mind, Fliss had wisely chosen to take some of her couple and bridal portraits before the ceremony. This is an approach I always recommend during the cooler months, and it allows for a relaxed, unhurried session while the light is still generous. We worked through a beautiful selection of images across the grounds of Settlers, taking full advantage of the estate's gorgeous setting.
By the time we were shooting group portraits after the ceremony, the light was fading fast and we were truly racing against the last of it — but we got there, and the images are all the more atmospheric for it.
Lumi
A special mention must go to Fliss and Ro's dog, Lumi, who attended the ceremony and promptly became the most beloved guest at the wedding. Calm, friendly and completely irresistible, Lumi drew admiration from absolutely everyone. Pets at weddings always add something irreplaceable, and Lumi was no exception.
The Reception
With the formalities complete, the party well and truly began. Fliss and Ro made a high-energy entrance into the reception that set the tone immediately — there was no easing gently into the evening here. The speeches that followed were deeply moving. Ronan's family had travelled all the way from Scotland for the occasion, and they came armed with wonderful stories of a younger Ro — exuberant, spirited, and full of life — that had the room by turns laughing and wiping their eyes.
Then came the first dance. Fliss and Ro are a couple who do nothing by halves, and their first dance was flamboyant, joyful, and absolutely electric. It was the kind of moment that has everyone on their feet before they even realise it, and it sent the party into full celebration mode.
Between the dancing and the revelry, I managed to slip away with the couple for a final set of portraits beside the fire in the venue's beautiful leather chairs — a quiet, warm contrast to the energy of the dancefloor, and some truly lovely images to close out the evening.
Before long, it was time to say goodnight. A long, full, magnificent day — rich with laughter and tears and everything in between.
Congratulations, Fliss and Ro. What an absolute pleasure it was to be part of your story.
