We've known Patrick & Mary for well over 6 years and they are one of our best friends in New Zealand. We go out camping, surfing, enjoy beautiful dinners and hang out with their two fur babies, Kitty & Dude. When Patrick decided to propose and they were officially engaged (after being together for more than 8 years), we knew it then that we would gift them a wedding video & wedding photos, which for us would mean sacrificing a bit of daytime drinking (haha!) but creating lifelong memories for them.
Both are minimalistic and as they're avid free divers, the wedding was always going to happen on a north island New Zealand beach. Mary is the queen of DIY and she put these skills to great use while planning. Davies Bay in Northland is their go to summer hangout place, it's off the grid so the only source of power was a generator. We arrived a day prior and everybody contributed in setting up the place. Patrick's best man, Jeremy went for a night dive to catch some crays (came back with six!) while the rest of us were enjoying a few beers by the campfire and enjoying our 5 billion star view. We brought our motorhome and after the place was set up, got our gear organised (so happy we use minimal gear for weddings!) and planned for the day ahead.
The next day, we captured a bit of Mary getting ready at a cottage her friends hired while Patrick made sure he finished writing his vows (haha!). Thomas from Christchurch, friend of both Patrick & Mary, was the celebrant and he really told their story so well. The ceremony was beautiful with the ocean as the backdrop and songs from Engelbert Humperdinck filling the air. All us friends came together to make the wedding happen and no one was more important than Grace, who brought her food truck, Gracefully Jerked, to cater the most delicious sliders, curries and other mouth watering goodies.
The night ended with speeches, a beautiful campfire and fireworks followed by a bit of drinking. We had to let go of our cameras after the speeches to join in the revelry!
P.S: The drone shots were captured the day after as we stayed another night. We had the most beautiful sunset and if you look closely, you can see a ray swimming away when Patrick & Mary went for an afternoon swim!
If you are reading this and want your own beach wedding video, we'd love to hear from you!
Dress: Trish Peng
Photographer: Valo