Surrey + Mark

Surrey and Mark brought everyone together in just four weeks, shaped by tender family circumstances, and somehow the day that unfolded was gentle, deliberate and full of care.


They were married at Craighead Chapel, a place that felt both timeless and intimate for them to exchange vows. The day wasn’t about fuss or grand gestures – it was about the steady, simple things- hands finding hands, parents watching close, friends leaning in.


My favourite part of the day came after the ceremony. The three of us climbed into the car with no map and no timeline, and us chasing the light. Those pockets of unplanned time always reveal who couples are when they’re just being themselves, and we made some of the most honest images of the day in that quiet stretch.


We moved on to The Oxford Restaurant in Timaru for the reception, and it was exactly the kind of room they needed – warm, relaxed and full of life. The speeches were one of those moments I’ll keep coming back to- everyone clustered together, laughter folding into a few gentle tears. Being there to witness and try to do those moments justice is always humbling. Even after years of photographing weddings, I still feel that nervous, grateful weight of responsibility; to be trusted with these memories is a privilege I don’t take lightly.


Surrey and Mark’s wedding was a beautiful reminder that a day can be planned quickly and still be deeply intentional. They chose what mattered- family, presence and a room full of people who would carry them gently through it. It was an honour to be there and to capture the small, true pieces of their story.

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Ceremony- Craighead Chapel
Reception- The Oxford
Flowers- Floral Harvest  
Hair- Colour Lounge Hair Studio  
Makeup- Beauty Hub
Photography- Laura Johns

Huge thanks to the wonderful vendors and to Surrey and Mark for inviting me in.