To finish of 2023 I had the absolute pleasure of capturing every magical moment of Natalie and Sam's epic wedding at their private paradise on the Kopu Hikuai, Thames, Coromandel.
Picture this: a stunning summer afternoon, the air filled with anticipation, and vibes so chill you could practically bottle them. Natalie and Sam's getting-ready session was the epitome of relaxed elegance. Fun fact: I first met Natalie when she dazzled as a bridesmaid at another wedding I shot years ago. Fast forward to now, and I was over the moon to be behind the lens for her own special day. So grateful.
The venue? Their own lush property nestled in regenerating bush. No need for elaborate setups when nature does the decorating. A few white lanterns adorned the trees, adding a touch of enchantment to the already breathtaking setting. Oh, and did I mention their furry friends played a role too? Jack, their fur baby, took on ring bearer duties, while a curious chook decided to crash the party. The goats didn't make the guestlist!
As the celebrant spun the tale of Natalie and Sam's journey, I couldn't help but marvel at how darn gorgeous they looked together. The revelation that Sam once rocked a mullet added a hilarious twist – a far cry from the suave groom in front of us! Their families beamed from haybale seats, witnessing the duo officially tie the knot.
Post-ceremony bliss led us to Natalie's family farm for a reception to remember. A marquee courtesy of Make Your Day Events set the scene, while the Coromandel Caravan Bar brought the sophistication (and the drinks!). Shoutout to Burtons catering for a mouthwatering spread that had everyone licking their lips.
The speeches were on point - Sam, claimed "nerves" all the way back to the reception, but then totally nailed it! The heartfelt toasts from friends and family painted a vivid picture of a tight-knit clan overjoyed to see Natalie and Sam embark on this adventure together.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the festivities, I couldn't help but feel grateful to have captured such a special day. To Natalie and Sam, the damn good-looking couple, may your future be filled with joy, laughter, and countless moments as beautiful as your love.
Cheers to love, laughter, and happily ever after!
![Wedding dress prep for Thames Coromandel Wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/2ed8ac2a93609fabfd2c6c2f48a5978d-c7bd762b-1500.jpg)
![Wedding details for Thames Coromandel Wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/71c094bf374f6c1214bdc8b197ba79bf-19f431cc-1500.jpg)
![MUA and bride during wedding prep](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/11dca58850a3754bfff5318e28749242-6678303b-1500.jpg)
![Jack the dog rests during wedding prep](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/4170374474fefcc9d21696cf862c79ef-94cfb2c8-1500.jpg)
![Bridesmaid smiling during wedding preparation](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/4fe8f3962b0f81469aaff78ea204cf0a-24f3bd1b-1500.jpg)
![Jack the dog being geared up as ring bearer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/c2bb674332314494788f04279c56c011-d6443fe8-1500.jpg)
![Bridesmaid and bride post wedding prep](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/551f69d16d7e15635bcb184c42004cac-778179f8-1500.jpg)
![Bridesmaid and bride post wedding prep by pool](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/281ab9e4a4368b7fafc145b8befb55e4-8536fb0b-1500.jpg)
![ceremony venue in the bush in Thames, Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/cf5bdd5b40b5ce617c07524683d45abf-a0e5a65a-1500.jpg)
![Bride's father walks her down the isle](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/67d056da280ed08cfd2898e0006b403c-525224a9-1500.jpg)
![Groom smiles at his bride walking down the isle in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/0db511688604861311c7350ee6a092f0-e523b8de-1500.jpg)
![bride and groom exchanging vows in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/03ae7a20fe02176ee6806980927ab957-17943a2d-1500.jpg)
![Guests witness vows at Thames wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/53ef862a293859eb1588aaba4754c78d-b6517c3d-1500.jpg)
![Guests witness vows at Thames wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/f3e5fbd7fac15ef82e5ddc81e1f76b4a-44e6fece-1500.jpg)
![Dapper groomsmen witness vows](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/f75a1e6ec64a43d1b61fcbd07f9904b2-f4daf11d-1500.jpg)
![Groom smiling at his bride in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/263cb0ea7bf99387cbf9c5210ba50c0e-066d73ee-1500.jpg)
![Chook crashes the wedding ceremony in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/21224c103eec505a0f0d8e51aec797e0-a7a835fe-1500.jpg)
![Jack the dog is ring bearer at ceremony in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/586ee0369f9ffe7de330a12860b10441-551fb70d-1500.jpg)
![Exchanging vows at ceremony in Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/94ce533316eea1c51d122ab766cea14c-70ccea5c-1500.jpg)
![Bridesmaids witness vows in Thames Coromandel wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/5073377e878d37de00865281af4d3e6b-827b68af-1500.jpg)
![Happy couple during their ceremony in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/0bacb57418fe4aee16118bedc90aa6f4-07d93abc-1500.jpg)
![Guests enjoy the witnessing the vows in wedding ceremony Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/d328825bb16ea982f0643a9630cba1a5-f56eb84f-1500.jpg)
![Guests enjoy the witnessing the vows in wedding ceremony Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/46c8a728542d3a808b6aad3a2bb609d8-54abfe5f-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom celebrate their union in Thames Coromandel wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/d685cf70fdf022e62133c48781621b1a-a61c7cac-1500.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/aabbe6d127e79c8cc213beb9986ac9e3-1620737f-1500.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/fa40f24059c7fb426a3b06a8ca67135b-e497f18c-1500.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/ce6f1ead971d53a27aeffa359a40c1de-4552b79c-1500.jpg)
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/c95ae4622d792692a46b61ce68f7876a-b7e5356f-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom celebrate their union in Thames Coromandel wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/a84e6a81e82100d2e432f953893cdf9b-9236683e-1500.jpg)
![Lush bush wedding in private property in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/68833f3276df0067013a42020de74204-d1ca7bcd-1500.jpg)
![Outdoor toilet setup at bush wedding venue in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/e165bf15fc5cb13245445996fbcb3195-700f3ddd-1500.jpg)
![Bridal party at private property in Thames Coromandel wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/57f8e98a037e9e0f9bca7361ec4f8637-6081eacd-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom together post ceremony in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/96ef4adcaa2a6854a6ebc7bb1e6e1d16-d7f076ba-1500.jpg)
![Bridal party celebrate in Thames Coromandel after wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/a0c38e79054b9ffd752d72b5eb20065f-2547f449-1500.jpg)
![Bride and groom with Hauraki Gulf in the backdrop](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/81e843bf390ec125ddbc30eb701ded2d-8482b259-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom landscape with view of Hauraki Gulf in the backdrop](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/ee2a84f83137290216e79a93a872394b-af1373a7-1500.jpg)
![Bridal party celebrate](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/a1e16dcb71e8c6e4de6bef3e1369bff7-1f2f7c74-1500.jpg)
![Bridesmaids together](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/20bff7638cf5a37d92ffcfa0a31ce7d9-ed98fe87-1500.jpg)
![Groomsmen shenanigans in thames coromandel wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/552f0643085783149235d8946fbc64bd-4c5db897-1500.jpg)
![Bridal couple in their private bush setting](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/550b850f6331e119709b685474e632c5-beea3a64-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom in their private bush setting Kopu Hikuai, Thames](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/61ff589934251ae0a63a510592906bdd-9b396735-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom enjoy their private bush setting Kopu Hikuai, Thames](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/ca480161b12f095c16fa3053cc30d9ee-698ee5c6-1500.jpg)
![Bride and Groom in their private bush setting Kopu Hikuai, Thames, coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/83de2a13eef1ae57f6bcb8e38cb77d9a-7eace1bd-1500.jpg)
![Make Your Day Events Marquee for the reception](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/8ff7bf7da02e1ab382b51c6bd117d29d-ae85adbb-1500.jpg)
![Make Your Day Events Marquee details for the reception](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/f3943dc4ce33295a0ac8a23231cc6fcf-237df93e-1500.jpg)
![Make Your Day Events Marquee setup for the reception](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/658493210312a30b7a177792b594c803-9341f6ed-1500.jpg)
![Make Your Day Events Marquee table details for the reception](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/79c850ccdb05a3a34fbe1fe9083477cb-5c322f48-1500.jpg)
![Bride in front of Coromandel Caravan Bar](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/0ee7bcda02e5302a740055b75192ed0f-82b8bf2e-1500.jpg)
![Bride enjoys reception](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/4cf5258521cde44fef658a7e68cdd905-8c1b634e-1500.jpg)
![Speech toasts](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/ccdc6a46b16d91cedcb83fed9ab8e07b-2dde255e-1500.jpg)
![Mother of Bride enjoys speeches](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/102d493d991a1c4f5e31f086911ed394-df69a7ad-1500.jpg)
![Guests amused by speeches at Coromandel wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/472b8226afc21c23b59c5c7609590c3f-6f55a87e-1500.jpg)
![Guests amused by speeches at Coromandel wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/d710f2b06fbe4dc276541330ac5c2948-7742ae79-1500.jpg)
![Groom delivers speech at Coromandel wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/1bb6deaa07bac4e202766db852cb443b-85f52c8a-1500.jpg)
![MC makes a toast at wedding in Thames Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/fc404aa74ee2c9eef31e3c6a85d00c4b-3284b0fd-1500.jpg)
![Guests enjoy speeches at a wedding in thames coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/de375f0e85ce32b45561e0a9b69f8b90-9de22a8d-1500.jpg)
![Angus the groomsman enjoying the reception at Thames Coromandel Wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/66753607e0bb95ecc461a27d0367254c-c033320e-1500.jpg)
![Guests enjoy reception at thames coromandel wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/1a91b30dc4d8801134f1a13073355c66-61f6741e-1500.jpg)
![Guests pose for photographs at Thames Coromandel Wedding](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/c760701cf822e52005960d260e475dfe-3c276c9d-1500.jpg)
![Burtons Catering provides delicious buffet food](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/8c4948d7d0dbb94f05380b1b059ce78d-a76be27f-1500.jpg)
![Burtons Catering provides delicious buffet food](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/52e6f478bc4f99223ecc356e8236d660-55dc608c-1500.jpg)
![wedding cake by Rheana McNabb](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/8baa7798f734eb59081f3bfd45c787de-350af4d8-1500.jpg)
![cutting the cake at the wedding reception, Thames, Coromandel](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/6e158911f9240fc1379aa3ef1c370cc7-ce90ee6e-1500.jpg)
![Make Your Day Events - evening marquee](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/742804983/d7360da7b89534fafb2069a51f3187f0-eb43b33f-1500.jpg)