Charisse and Chris’ Cinematic Wedding at Settlers Country Manor: Part I

Weddings

12 Feb

Charisse Uy, who you might know from Shortland Street, and her husband Chris Groen, tied the knot on a beautiful spring day in Auckland, New Zealand. The theme was the perfect mix of their favourite cinematic film and TV influences: Lord of the Rings, Bridgerton, and the Wes Anderson look. In attendance were their beloved family and friends, some of whom flew in from overseas.

Held at the historically charming Settlers Country Manor, the venue could not have been more perfect for the theme they were after. From the statues scattered around the premises, to the grand ballroom where the reception was held — complete with a cosy fireplace — it felt nothing short of luxurious and fit for a grand, royal affair.

Morning Prep

Here we got to play around with some fun Wes Anderson-inspired poses. With the help of Hayley from Beau and Arrow Films who was the videographer for the day, it was a great collaboration between everyone involved. It was the perfect symmetry of the frames, as well as the serious but unbothered expressions, that reminded us of Wes Anderson’s work.

Together, but momentarily apart

Charisse and Chris wrote letters to each other, and read them the morning of the wedding. A sweet reminder of their togetherness, though they are temporarily apart in the chaos of the preparations.

There is nothing quite like a bride getting ready for her wedding. Her entire vision comes to life — the dress, the makeup, the hair, the jewellery, the shoes. All these decisions are made separately beforehand, but they only come together on the day. Paired with the anticipation of getting married to the love of your life, it’s no wonder this time of day can get very emotional. So it’s great to have your best girls by your side in these final moments before the wedding.

*One of my favourite shots from the day — I just love the ornate detail on the mirror, and the classic reflection shot. In this frame, Charisse’s sister Ina assists her with her veil.*

An emotional first look

Instead of doing the “traditional” first look with her husband-to-be, Charisse opted to share this moment with her family — and leave the mystery for Chris until the aisle. It was a beautiful, emotionally-charged moment, and I could really feel how close-knit they are watching from the sidelines.

As a photographer my approach is unobtrusive which, in my humble opinion, is not just a nice-to-have or a brand buzzword, but absolutely essential for moments like this where the family is sharing a special milestone, and each other’s company.

The Ceremony

As the guests were filing into their seats, Concerning Hobbits played in the background - perfectly setting the scene for the grand celebration.

Their entire family also played a part in the entrance, with the couple choosing them all as the “flower family” instead of just flower girls. A sweet way to get everyone involved without needing too much work behind it.

The ceremony was short and sweet, with a message centred on God reflecting their faith in Him, as well as heartfelt vows that just screamed romance from the start. Charisse’s vows included excerpts from letters to her “future husband”, which were written before she met Chris. It was so heartwarming to see that they have been preparing for this day even before they met, and what a special privilege to witness this union.