Glen and Bonnie’s Wedding - New Plymouth

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2 Mar

Glen & Bonnie’s Colour-Filled New Plymouth Wedding

Some wedding days feel gentle, soft and quiet. Others feel like an explosion of colour, personality and pure joy — and Glen and Bonnie’s New Plymouth wedding was exactly that. Their day was unapologetically them: vibrant, relaxed, a little wild, and full of meaningful, creative touches.

A Streamside Ceremony Full of Colour

They chose Audrey Gale Reserve, a beautiful park beside a flowing stream, for their ceremony — a spot that felt peaceful yet full of life, just like the two of them. With family travelling from near and far, the moment they all gathered under the trees felt incredibly special.

Bonnie arrived in the most romantic gown from Churchwood Bridal, paired with white Doc Martens — the perfect twist for someone who lives in her black Docs daily. Glen wore not one but two colourful suits throughout the day, complete with jandals and tattoos proudly on display. Their style alone could tell the story of who they are.

Celebrant Amelia Lett led a ceremony that was heartfelt, warm, and uniquely them with just the right amount of humour and laughter — including their candy ring-pop exchange, which had everyone smiling.

I’ve had the privilege of photographing Bonnie a few times before and it’s become tradition where she does the eyebrow hook look and it was awesome when I got that same look from her during the day and during the ceremony too.

Personal Moments That Made the Day

Bonnie had her aunt by her side standing in for her late mum, a beautiful presence on the day, and her dad’s first look was one of the most emotional moments, one which I will never forget. These small in-between moments brought so much depth and tenderness to the whole celebration.

Earlier in the morning, I photographed Glen and his son at the barber getting fresh cuts and a hot shave. From there, we headed to Glen’s home where he prepared the canapés (an impressive spread!) and showed me the wildflowers they had planted for the wedding. More on this below.

Bonnie also did her own makeup (she’s a photographer and makeup artist) and had her hair beautifully styled by Hair by Kate. I even teamed up with Kate and Bonnie in a hilarious mission to style Arthur’s hair without him knowing Kate was actually doing it.

DIY Florals & Meaningful Details

Bonnie grew, dried, and made her own bouquet — a gorgeous personal touch that fit the colourful theme of the day perfectly. Glen and Bonnie also chose wedding tattoos instead of rings. Bonnie’s tattoo is a poppy, matching Glen’s birth flower and Glen’s tattoo is the letter B on his ring finger. These details weren’t just aesthetic; they were deeply rooted in who they are.

When Glen and Bonnie sowed the wild flowers for their wedding they did not know what would grow. It felt like magic when bright poppies — Glen’s birth flower — appeared just days before. On the morning of the wedding, Glen found three blooming. As I photographed one in his hands, a bee landed on it — the perfect little sign.

Celebrations at Shining Peak Brewing

After the ceremony, everyone gathered at Shining Peak to celebrate with great food, drinks, and the best company. The atmosphere was relaxed, loud with laughter, and full of the kind of joy that comes from two people being truly themselves.

Sunset at the Wind Wand

We ended the day with portraits along the coastal walkway, with the islands and Paritutu Rock in the distance. The sky put on a full show, giving us a golden, fiery sunset that wrapped up their wedding in the most cinematic way.

Their day was everything — colourful, emotional, unfiltered, and overflowing with love. It was such a privilege to capture their story from start to finish. And Glen and Bonnie could be themselves unapologetically and I love that they felt comfortable enough to show that in front of the camera.

Glen and Bonnie, you are both so special to me. The love you have for each other is inspiring and you were an absolute blast to photograph.

Enjoy the photos!