Bracu Wedding

Years since we received the booking, and delayed and postponed like so many other weddings affected by Covid restrictions.  Finally, Eugene and Deanna could come back across the ditch and tie the knot with their friends and family in New Zealand, and starting the day by getting ready in Deanna’s beloved childhood home in Grey Lynn.

Even though it was a little bit of a trek to the Bombay Hills from Grey Lynn on a Friday afternoon, it was worth it!  Eugene and Deanna chose the exclusive all-in-one venue, Bracu Estate for their Big Day – they’d be able to have everything at the one venue, meaning more time with their guests!  And bonus, the Groom and Groomsmen had a fun wedding morning activity of clay target shooting at Beretta at Bracu (click here to check out this gallery we shot for Beretta at Bracu for Father’s Day last year).

Ceremony Peace of Mind

The Marquee is perfect as an all-weather location for wedding ceremonies, regardless of what weather Auckland throws your way!  Plus, it has a lovely bright and airy ambience and delivers a blank canvas for you to add your theming, colors and florals.

Wedding Ice-Cream Stop – it’s a thing

The first stop after the ceremony and group photos was a trip to the dairy.  The bridal party piled into the bridal cars and we all convoyed South down SH1 to Pokeno (in actual fact, it wasn’t far, just a couple of exits South).   The Newlyweds wanted photos at the world-famous in New Zealand Pokeno Ice Cream Shop. If I could have taken photos and eaten ice-cream I definitely would have, but we didn’t have long and I had work to do, lol.  Loved this undeniably Kiwi addition to the creative shoot!  We dashed back to Bracu and did photos at the iron gate, then the bridal party walked back down the driveway singing Backstreet Boys songs and Eugene practiced his MJ moves for his reception entrance.

No Set Tables, No Head Table, No Set Meal Time

The Pavilion was set up in various zones so that the guests could mix and mingle easily.  There was a Hotshot Photobooth (always such a popular wedding activity).  Tables set up for those that wanted to park up at a table.  There were a few lounge areas set up with couches and the dancefloor was always ready for anyone in the mood.

Deanna and Eugene didn’t follow a template with their wedding plans and just stuck to what they love.  They love yummy food (me toooooooo!) and rather than opting for a fixed menu or buffet at a set time, they had a Walk-and-Fork option where each course is in bite-size portions, that the serving staff keep handing out, and if you want another, you grab another and keep chatting away.

Tell us what matters to you!

As you look through their photos below, you might notice there are “extra” photos of the street and house.  So special is the home she got ready in where her Aunty lives, and the house next door where she used to live, that Deanna asked if we could pay special attention to capturing this too.  She explained that these two homes were like an extension of her family, like well-loved characters from her childhood.  After the first dance, I asked the Bride if she planned on doing a Siva Samoa, the answer was no.  But the Mother of the Bride encouraged the Bride to do an impromptu dance, and it was awesome!!!