Reviews and great Wedding Vendors from the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.
Hello and thank you for stopping by. My name is Anthea and I like colourful things, this may be obvious already... you should see my house!
I am terrible at social media.
I thought I should lead with that in case you send me an instagram message and wonder why the rude photographer hasn't replied for ages! I will strive to do better. It's my New Years resolution. That and eat more leafy greens, lose 5kgs, drink less coffee...
I have photographed a lot of weddings, over 250 and I still get excited and nervous before each one. I think I feel like this as I really want you to have the best day and love your photos.
Before every wedding I head out to the venue and surrounding areas to find the best and most beautiful spots for photos.
I am paranoid about traffic jams so will no doubt turn up early on your wedding day. In my car I have a ladder and always carry around clear umbrellas, you just never know in good old New Zealand summer.
I have photographed weddings in Canada, Bali, Tahiti, Raro, Australia and South Africa. I love to travel, you name the place and I will be there!
I am terrible at social media.
I thought I should lead with that in case you send me an instagram message and wonder why the rude photographer hasn't replied for ages! I will strive to do better. It's my New Years resolution. That and eat more leafy greens, lose 5kgs, drink less coffee...
I have photographed a lot of weddings, over 250 and I still get excited and nervous before each one. I think I feel like this as I really want you to have the best day and love your photos.
Before every wedding I head out to the venue and surrounding areas to find the best and most beautiful spots for photos.
I am paranoid about traffic jams so will no doubt turn up early on your wedding day. In my car I have a ladder and always carry around clear umbrellas, you just never know in good old New Zealand summer.
I have photographed weddings in Canada, Bali, Tahiti, Raro, Australia and South Africa. I love to travel, you name the place and I will be there!
Camera shy? I hate having my photo taken aswell!
A lot of my couples tell me they are camera shy and hate having their photo taken. I can relate- I am super awkward in front of the camera.
I will do my best to make your experience as fun and painless as possible! I want you to enjoy your day and the photo time with your new betrothed and bridal party should be part of the fun, not an unavoidable torture! This is a chance to hang with all your favourite people.
I will give you gentle directions if needed, such as hold hands, walk, have a hug to help you relax and focus in on each other.
Also I really do give it my all at every wedding and this often means I may end up swimming in lakes or lying awkwardly on the ground.
You will probably have lots to laugh at.
I will do my best to make your experience as fun and painless as possible! I want you to enjoy your day and the photo time with your new betrothed and bridal party should be part of the fun, not an unavoidable torture! This is a chance to hang with all your favourite people.
I will give you gentle directions if needed, such as hold hands, walk, have a hug to help you relax and focus in on each other.
Also I really do give it my all at every wedding and this often means I may end up swimming in lakes or lying awkwardly on the ground.
You will probably have lots to laugh at.
What do I do when not photographing weddings?
Being outside and active makes me happy. I have not seen a winter in 9 years!
I work as a white water raft guide on the Kicking Horse River in Golden, BC, Canada from May till September.
So don't worry organising your group photo is not a problem for me, I am used to telling slightly anxious people what to do.
I also photograph weddings for my business in Canada. The scenery in the Rocky mountains is amazing.
I love Mountain biking and the trails in the Rotorua Redwoods are incredible.
And I love all things retro and visiting thrift shops...often. If you are selling a ceramic pink flamingo please contact me!
I work as a white water raft guide on the Kicking Horse River in Golden, BC, Canada from May till September.
So don't worry organising your group photo is not a problem for me, I am used to telling slightly anxious people what to do.
I also photograph weddings for my business in Canada. The scenery in the Rocky mountains is amazing.
I love Mountain biking and the trails in the Rotorua Redwoods are incredible.
And I love all things retro and visiting thrift shops...often. If you are selling a ceramic pink flamingo please contact me!
Great Vendors
A brilliant guide to Tauranga weddings -taurangaweddings.com/
Celebrant Jill Fuller - http://www.weddingcelebrantrotorua.co.nz/
Flowers - Bloom Art - http://www.bloomart.co.nz/weddings.aspx
Pure Cruise, get married aboard a luxury yacht- http://www.purecruise.co.nz/
Make up artist- http://finaltouchmakeupartistry.co.nz/
Celebrant Wendy Barton -https://wendybarton.co.nz/
Videographers Indigo Moon https://www.facebook.com/IndigoMoonProductions/
Celebrant Jill Fuller - http://www.weddingcelebrantrotorua.co.nz/
Flowers - Bloom Art - http://www.bloomart.co.nz/weddings.aspx
Pure Cruise, get married aboard a luxury yacht- http://www.purecruise.co.nz/
Make up artist- http://finaltouchmakeupartistry.co.nz/
Celebrant Wendy Barton -https://wendybarton.co.nz/
Videographers Indigo Moon https://www.facebook.com/IndigoMoonProductions/
Venues
Mount Manganui main beach-https://www.mountmaunganui.org.nz/our-beaches- one of my favourite beaches. the rocks and pohutakawa trees provide endless options for scenic and memorable wedding photos.
See Laura and Ben's sunny beach wedding here.
See Laura and Ben's sunny beach wedding here.
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Coromandel beaches are also some of the most beautiful places to get married, Mangawhai is one of my all time favourites.
See Sam and Erin's beach wedding here.
See Sam and Erin's beach wedding here.
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L'orangerie -www.lorangerie.co.nz/. I was just blown away by the beauty of this Tauranga venue. The buildings, plants and that incredible ceremony view. A photographers dream! See Chris and Monique's stunning wedding here.
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The Red Barn Matamata is set in an amazing farm setting with rolling hills and amazing views. You will also get some incredible sunsets.
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The Redwoods Rotorua- http://www.eventimpressions.co.nz/redwood-forest-rotorua-weddings/- Say your vows surrounded by bird song and towering redwood trees. Makes for a magical tranquil atmosphere.
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Lakes Lodge Okataina - http://www.lakeslodge.co.nz/ is a stunning Rotorua venue located right on the edge of Lake Okataina. Its is such a special place. Friend and family can stay and visit with you for the whole weekend in beautiful cabins
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Ataahua Garden Venue - http://www.ataahua.co.nz/ is a stylish Tauranga venue with amazing grounds for your wedding photos.
So many gorgeous options for your ceremony location.
So many gorgeous options for your ceremony location.
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Eagle Ridge- www.eagleridge.co.nz/weddings tucked up in the tauranga hills. Also boasts phenomenal views for your ceremony and such a beautiful room for a bride to get ready in.
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Waihi Water Lilly Gardens -https://www.waterlily.co.nz/service/weddings located just out side Waihi has a waterlilly filled pond, swings, bridges and a waterfal down the road! So many amazing options for great photos.
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Kind words and reviews from my couples.
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Shantel & Nick
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My god the pictures are stunning! WE ARE SO BEYOND HAPPY WITH THEM!!!! Thank you so much for everything, you were absolutely hilarious on the big day and made it so enjoyable to be photographed. Our wedding party, who are not used to being in front of a camera, also felt a lot more relaxed because of it! The pictures are exactly what we wanted, detailed, action shots, emotional shots, romantic shots.. it is so fabulous! We will definitely be recommending you to everyone!!!"
Shantel & Nicholas Carels
Shantel & Nicholas Carels
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Chrissy & Chris
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We absolutely love the photos! We had such an awesome time with you! We are still laughing and giggling about you sitting on something prickly. We will never forget our photo session with you. You are amazing at what you do. Please never stop photography, you have a great gift & talent.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Kelley & Travis
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I love so many of them!! Thank you so much!! Also, it's insane how quickly you posted them! You're amazing! You were so awesome to work with and to meet. I am disappointed it will be such a long time until we get to hang out again! I am so excited because I now know that the wedding pictures are going to be amazing too. I can't wait. : )
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Stacey & Paul , Oteti , Taupo
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I HAVE NO WORDS FOR HOW AMAZING THESE ARE!
Honestly you have made our wedding that much more special. All our guests have been singing your praises and they have all acknowledged how impressed with you they were. Us too- we couldn't be luckier to have had you as part of our day. You made it all so easy and relaxed and you made us all have so much fun and gave us many a good laugh throughout the day! So thank you thank you thank you!
Honestly you have made our wedding that much more special. All our guests have been singing your praises and they have all acknowledged how impressed with you they were. Us too- we couldn't be luckier to have had you as part of our day. You made it all so easy and relaxed and you made us all have so much fun and gave us many a good laugh throughout the day! So thank you thank you thank you!
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Alison and David, Taupo
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We are just so wrapped with the photos you did Since you're back in the country now, you can expect an email from Luke at CBK in Rotorua with a gift voucher for you. It's still not much for the incredible job you did. Thanks again and let us know if you're ever down Taupo-way!
Catriona and Inigo, Ohope
We love looking back at our photos and remembering how much fun we had - just wanted to do it all over again straight away :) You were amazing and I have been recommending you to many of my friends who have recently got engaged!! Hope the rest of your season goes well.
Rebecca and Richard, Falls retreat, Waihi, 8th March
I just went back to work today and opened my package, with a very adorable box inside :D xoxo I am really amazed :) xoxo you do such a fantastic job!! :) The box and all the little touches like the lavender, the string and the photo on top and decoration on the side is so very adorable. You are very thorough xo :) You are a fantastic photographer. :D :D
I have only viewed the album disc at the moment and you do such a great job :) I really want to tell everyone how fantastic you are!! :) Well I am already, but none of them need a photographer. But I will find people who do, and I will send them your way! :)
We really cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you do and service you provide!!
Also, Thank You for just being you! xoxo
It is not often at all that you find a beautiful, bubbly and genuine person these days, but you most definately are that :)
Never Ever change :) You are simply adorable xo
Let me know if and where you would like a review and we will do that for you. As many places as you want :)
kindly, (with hugs)
Bex and Richy
xoxo :D
I have only viewed the album disc at the moment and you do such a great job :) I really want to tell everyone how fantastic you are!! :) Well I am already, but none of them need a photographer. But I will find people who do, and I will send them your way! :)
We really cannot thank you enough for the amazing job you do and service you provide!!
Also, Thank You for just being you! xoxo
It is not often at all that you find a beautiful, bubbly and genuine person these days, but you most definately are that :)
Never Ever change :) You are simply adorable xo
Let me know if and where you would like a review and we will do that for you. As many places as you want :)
kindly, (with hugs)
Bex and Richy
xoxo :D
Kaylene and Tom, Taupo yacht club, april 5th
Your photographer and favourite photo? Our photographer Fantail Photography in Rotorua - she has such good energy and she really fit in with the feel of our day. After seeing her website and the style of her photography I knew that I needed Anthea to photograph our wedding.
We met her for a coffee and afterwards we just knew that she was perfect for the job. It took us forever to decide on a location for wedding party photos, but when I told her about the harbourmaster's building and she took a look, that was it.
All of the photos are absolutely beautiful, of course, but our two favourites would have to be all our guests in the shape of a heart, and our final photo of the night in the sunset. You can just tell that we are so relaxed, happy and in love.
Kaylene and Tom, featured on stuff.co.nz
We met her for a coffee and afterwards we just knew that she was perfect for the job. It took us forever to decide on a location for wedding party photos, but when I told her about the harbourmaster's building and she took a look, that was it.
All of the photos are absolutely beautiful, of course, but our two favourites would have to be all our guests in the shape of a heart, and our final photo of the night in the sunset. You can just tell that we are so relaxed, happy and in love.
Kaylene and Tom, featured on stuff.co.nz
Lexia and William, The Black House, Rotorua
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OMG!!! What can I say??? Absolutely beautiful...I for once am lost for words!! I have had nothing but beautiful comments about you & your work. My friends and family couldn’t believe that you jumped in the lake fully clothed...Looking at the photos we can see why! I don’t know how to thank you. You are amazing! Everybody has been constantly looking at your website & are totally amazed at the photos! I would like to catch up soon when you are available...My turn to buy you a smoothie.
Lexia
Lexia
Sam and Amie, Waihi
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Thank you for the wonderful pictures, you are such a great photographer and heaps of people have made comment of this !! So it was a absolute pleasure to have you as our photographer, I will be telling anyone who will listen about your great work !!!! Amie
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Anne and Glen, Turangi
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Yes, we saw them and LOVE what we’ve seen so far :) I cannot thank you enough. I know you must be busy, so we appreciate that you took the time to get some of our shots up for us to see. We love going through them and we’ve laughed remembering the day and how much fun it was to run all around with you - what a day!!
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Sarah and Steven
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We are totally in love with the photos on fantail photography ,I have been raving about you before the wedding even happened and I have to say you are completely amazing and blew us away with your fantastic approach and fun loving creative attitude. Everyone who attended the wedding was also raving about how great you were.Thank you so much for making our day so wonderful and making our memories even better with your creative flare.
( PS the day after the wedding I saw two future brides at waihi waterlily gardens and told them all about you. So hopefully they have contacted you so that they can have the very best experience like we did.)
( PS the day after the wedding I saw two future brides at waihi waterlily gardens and told them all about you. So hopefully they have contacted you so that they can have the very best experience like we did.)
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Sharyn and John, whitianga
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John Stokke
Thanks so much!! You did an incredible job taking our wedding pictures!!! I can't believe you climbed and practically swam to get the perfect shots! I would strongly recommend you to anyone. Thanks for making our day extra special!!! The groom :)
Sharyn Stokke
She is awesome - full of energy all day long! She got everyone smiling and laughing. She goes the extra mile to get an interesting shot (its raining, she's holding an umbrella in one hand, her camera in the other, kneeling in the sea with water up around her waist!)
I climbed over a fence in my dress and down onto a cliff to get a few extra shots and she willingly followed. If you want a fun photographer - a perfect choice. Thanks so much for making our day fun and relaxed. Sharyn - the bride : )
Thanks so much!! You did an incredible job taking our wedding pictures!!! I can't believe you climbed and practically swam to get the perfect shots! I would strongly recommend you to anyone. Thanks for making our day extra special!!! The groom :)
Sharyn Stokke
She is awesome - full of energy all day long! She got everyone smiling and laughing. She goes the extra mile to get an interesting shot (its raining, she's holding an umbrella in one hand, her camera in the other, kneeling in the sea with water up around her waist!)
I climbed over a fence in my dress and down onto a cliff to get a few extra shots and she willingly followed. If you want a fun photographer - a perfect choice. Thanks so much for making our day fun and relaxed. Sharyn - the bride : )