Anna & Andre / Vava’u / Kingdom of Tonga

When I think of Anna & Andre’s wonderful wedding, I think firstly of how welcoming and fun they and their families are, all the preparations for the traditional Tongan feast, travelling to Andre’s grandfathers land to take sunset photos amongst the coconut trees, the smell of the Umu, the taste of taro and Lu Pulu, the watermelon drink Otai, heavy tropical rain downpours and diving into the ocean.

Their heartwarming ceremony was held on a pier just outside the house and was only interrupted by the sea snake swimming past. I loved documenting this special wedding and of these two families becoming one, and I’m still daydreaming about going back and swimming with whales.

view out aeroplane window approaching vava'ucoconut milk makingfamily tending the umubride in robe fixing table settingstropical fruit for wedding day on benchkids playing on dusty road vava'uchurch fence in vava'upilot tending small plane on runwaygroom and father preparing the umuumu preparationsclose up of hands making coconut milkcows on dirt roadbride in robe kissing flowergirl on cheek with dress hangningclose up of table decorationtable reception sceneclose up of groom getting dressed featuring shoegrooms accessories on tableclose up of groom fixing badge pin to jacketcloseup of groom doing up watchprofile of groom doing tie against windowgift from bride for groomgroom walking up stairs ready for ceremonybucket of ice with drinks in itbride doing her makeup and getting hair donebrides dress being done upsea snake in oceanbride and father walking to ceremonybride hugging fatherbride looking at groom in ceremonybride and groom on wharf during ceremonythe first kissfamily enjoying watching ceremonya hug after the first kissgroom hugging father after ceremonychampagne in glassesbride kissing flowergirl on lipsband playing in reception roomshot of wharf and oceanbride and groom walking up hillbride and groom on wharfbride and groom on wharfcandid of groom kissing bride on headbride and groom touching hands in jeepview of cows out the jeep windowbride and groom sunset in coconut treesbride and groom beneath coconut trees and skybride and groom walking in plantationbride and groom in distance wide angle coconut plantation and ocean viewbride and groom walking into coconut plantationbride and groom on wharf surrounded by village kids jumping offbride and groom on wharf surrounded by village kids jumping offclose up b&w bride and groom embracingb&w close up groom kissing bridejeep travelling along the villagetraditional Tongan wedding feastgroom giving speechfather giving speechbride holding grooms hand during speehgroom speaking to bride during speech

flower girl looking at bride and cake cuttingtwilight outside receptiontable decorations

candles and ocean twilight outside reception

 

Venue: The Whale House, Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga 

Dress: Bedgley Mischka

Suit: Crane Brothers

Ring: Naveya & Sloane

Jewellery: Chanel