Lifestyle Magazine

A Sophisticated Love Story Set in a Rustic Hillside Retreat by Kate Wark

By Jax

Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography25 Todays wedding is a little bit (ok a lot) fabulous. The color palette, the beautiful dresses, the touch of bling set against a rustic backdrop, and the venue set in the hills near Huntly looks so freaken romantic. Lisa & Norm are so obviously head over heels for each other and the whole wedding looks like a stress free shindig filled with laugh and laughter. Perfectly captured by the oh so ridiculously talented Auckland based photographer Kate Wark (who loves to travel for weddings fyi!) this wedding is filled with inspiration for an elegant love filled day. Enjoy! Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography26 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography27 How did your love story begin? My husband and I worked together at a gym and that is how we met. We didn’t really talk for the first six months because he worked the morning shifts and I worked evenings. We then went to a work party together and got talking and had a great night partying together. A few days later he asked me on a date and we never looked back from there. Best six years of my life so far and can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives has install for us. Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography28 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography30Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography29Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography31 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography33Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography32Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography34 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography35 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography36 Why did you say ‘YES’?  My husband and I had been together for 5 years when he proposed so I knew he was the one. He is caring, loving, supportive, fun and my number one fan. So there was no question in my mind what my answer was going to be. He also proposed at his work Christmas party so I had 100 people staring at me so I couldn’t really say no hehe What was your inspiration or theme for the day? The venue that we had was really rustic so that was the theme that I was going for. I still wanted it to be soft and romantic though so I had to find a fine line between the both. Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography37 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography38 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography39 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography40 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography42 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography43Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography1 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography2 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography3 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography4 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography5 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography6 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography7 What were your Save & Splurge items? Save I actually saved a lot on my flowers because I had a friend do them for me. I was really lucky because flowers can be very expensive and it is a really important part of the day because generally they are in all of our photos. I also used my contacts for all the invitations and design work, cake, hair and our wedding rings. It is very important to use contacts where you can because it can save you a lot of money. Splurge I splurged on my dress and my shoes. It’s my day and I will NEVER spend that much making myself look beautiful again so why not go all out! I splurged on the entertainment because I wanted to have a really big celebration and I think that music was an important part of that. Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography8 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography10 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography11 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography12 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography14 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography16 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography17 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography19 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography20 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography21 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography22 What music did you play for those special moments? Walking down the aisle - Jason Mraz I wont give up– I had chosen this song before my husband even proposed. This is because all I thought about when this song played was my husband so I thought it was appropriate. Signing the registry - John Legend All of me – This was chosen by both my husband and I because we both love this song and felt like it was meaningful to us and our relationship. First Dance – Barry White You’re the First my Last my Everything – We chose this song because it is my in-laws first dance song at their wedding so if was very meaningful to my husband. Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography23 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography24Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography44 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography45 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography46Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography53Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography47 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography49 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography50 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography51 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography52 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography54 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography55 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography57Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography56Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography60Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography58Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography61Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography59Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography62 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography63 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography64 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography65 In hindsight, is there anything that you would have done differently? I defiantly would have chosen a new honeymoon destination because my husband and I got sea sick on our cruise. But for that actual day there is nothing I would have done differently. I enjoyed every minute of it. What advice would you give to future brides to be? At the reception, I would suggest sitting with your new husband away from all the chaos and watch everyone enjoying your wedding and spend a little time as newlyweds to reflect on the day. Everything goes so quickly and I think this is important to get perspective and remember that the day is about you to and the love that you share for each other. Remember it is yours and your future hubby’s day. It is important that you do and have everything that you both have ever wanted. No one else’s opinion should matter in the planning stages. And remember enjoy every minute of the planning, the build-up and actual day because it is an event that you will remember FOREVER!!! Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography72Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography66Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography71Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography69Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography70Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography68Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography67Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography73 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography74 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography75 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography76 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography77 What do you love most about being a MRS? I am a secondary teacher so taking his name was a big thing for me and I love it. It makes me feel like we are an actual little family. I also love calling him my husband it makes me feel very secure in who I am and where I am in my life. Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography79Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography78 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography82 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography83Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography81 Kate Wark - Auckland Wedding Photography84   credits

Photographer Kate Wark  // Flowers Terry Hooper (friend) // Brides Hair Coralie Wood (friend)

Bridesmaids Hair Brooke Fairgray (friend) // Makeup Shae Ralph // Cake Zeena – Miss Piggy Cakes

Brides Dress Felicities Bridal // Brides Shoes Trousseau Bridal and Evening Shoes

Bridesmaids Dresses Forever New // Grooms Suit Munns // Groomsmen Suits Hallenstines

Venue/Catering Hillside Hotel Huntly // Invitations Cherise Geyser (Sister in-law)

behind the lens

Kate Wark Wedding Photographer

My passion for photographing weddings began in 2007 when I shot my first wedding on film. Since then, I have spent many summers capturing those special moments and precious memories for numerous couples and families. I have such a soft spot for those candid, spontaneous moments that show genuine joy and emotion, and I like to focus on these while keeping my aesthetic light and romantic.

My first camera was given to me by my grandfather, and it started me on the most incredible artistic journey- from hibernating in the school darkroom to studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Auckland University of Technology. My studies led me to fall in love with both documentary and portrait photography, and I adore bringing them together in my work. There is nothing more exciting than meeting new people and sharing in their lives and memories with a camera in hand.

I have the travel bug, bad. I would love to hear from any bride and grooms about international/destination weddings.
Please follow this link to read a bit more about how I want to combine my two main passions!  

Kate Wark Wedding Photographer


Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog