The secret plan was to tell everyone it was a surprise birthday party for Danielle, so they gathered for a fun evening event… what happened though was Jonathan and Danielle got married earlier in the day and turned up as a bride and groom! Preparations were in Raglan and then everyone headed off to the ceremony at Whale Bay Reserve. It was a hot but beautiful day for a Raglan wedding!

Joyful newlyweds celebrate after outdoor waterfront wedding ceremony, bride in white gown, groom in gray vest.

THEIR STORY…


WHY A RAGLAN WEDDING?


We chose our ceremony venue in raglan because we wanted a beach wedding, but not on the sand so a grass setting was ideal and as for the reception, we are having that at Danielle’s father’s house. We are very laid-back people and like the idea of a more casual, fun, and relaxed vibe for our wedding.


HOW DID YOU MEET?


We met over in Mexico, we were both working as dancers/ entertainers at a resort together.


WHY DO YOU WANT YOUR WEDDING CAPTURED?


We want to capture our wedding so we are able to look back on memories of a fantastic day celebrating our love for each other.


WHY DID YOU PICK ME FOR YOUR SECRET RAGLAN WEDDING?


We chose you because 8 years ago you did a dance photoshoot with me (Danielle) and I absolutely loved those photographs. You knew about me heading off to Mexico and it just seemed fitting that you were the one to photograph our wedding!


TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL?


So he proposed 7 years ago on Christmas Day and I said yes but both agreed afterward that we weren’t quite ready for that next step, haha but we have taken our time to get married and couldn’t be happier about making the decision to finally tie the knot.


YOU GUYS… WHAT DO YOU DO? HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DAYS? WHAT’S IMPORTANT IN LIFE?


Jonathan is a machinery assembler and Danielle is heading into her 2nd year of study to become a midwife. Jonathan is passionate about soccer and plays for the Ngaruawahia club. Danielle is passionate about dance and takes classes and performs in local musicals every now and then. We are parents to two boys 7 and 3. They keep us busy! Family is probably the biggest importance in our life, we love being together and creating memories. Jonathan hasn’t seen his family in 7 years so it has been hard for him. We both want nothing more than to be able to travel back to Mexico to see them and finally introduce them to our boys.


SO RAGLAN WEDDING… WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU WANT TO GIVE TO YOUR GUESTS?


We just want everyone to have a good time. If our guests walk away at the end of the night with big smiles on their face and feeling the love then we have accomplished our idea of a perfect wedding.


IS THERE A HONEYMOON PLANNED?


Yes, we are headed to Nelson for 5 days after the wedding. It will be our longest outing away from our boys so it’s bittersweet. But absolutely looking forward to having time just the two of us.


WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?


It’s a hard one to answer however we would love to be in Mexico. It’s definitely something we have talked about a lot and we would love to give our boys a chance to live and breath their Mexican heritage and make memories with Jonathan’s family too. Hopefully, Danielle can practice Midwifery over there and Jonathan can

Two wedding rings, a gold diamond ring and a black and gold band, resting on white lace fabric.
Panoramic view of turquoise harbor waters surrounded by lush green hills under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A bride sits calmly in a white pajama top while a hairstylist works on her updo, photographed through a window.
Hairstylist placing a gold floral hair comb into a bride's elegant dark updo hairstyle.
A makeup artist applies makeup to a bride while a bridesmaid watches in a mirror during wedding preparations.
Elegant white wedding dress with gold lace bodice and cathedral train hanging in a bright bedroom.
Elegant nude strappy block heel wedding sandals with ankle strap displayed on lace bridal veil backdrop.
Elegant white wedding dress with intricate lace cathedral train spread on carpet.
Bridesmaids in pink pajamas styling hair together in a bright room before a wedding celebration.
Boho bridal bouquet with blush peonies, white roses, burgundy blooms, pampas grass, and eucalyptus held by woman in pink dress.
A man helps a young boy adjust his formal white shirt in a bright living room setting.
Four women in matching white shorts sets laugh together in a sunflower garden on a sunny day.
Groom adjusting his tie in a living room while groomsmen prepare nearby before a wedding ceremony.
A bearded groomsman adjusts the bow tie of a groom in a gray vest before a wedding ceremony.
Three men smiling outdoors at a waterfront venue, one in a suit with tie flanked by two in casual shirts.
Two women adjusting a white wedding dress on the floor, wearing heels and a red polka dot skirt.
Bride in white lace wedding dress smiles as woman in red polka dot dress fastens the back of her gown.
Bride in white lace wedding gown being helped by bridesmaid in red polka dot dress during bridal preparations.
Smiling bride in elegant white lace mermaid wedding gown with train, posing in a bright room.
Two women smile warmly at a bride in a white veil during wedding preparations indoors.
Bride in white gown embracing guests outdoors among lush green trees on a sunny wedding day.
Bride in white veil walks toward two men on a garden path surrounded by lush green trees at an outdoor wedding.
Couple kissing at outdoor wedding ceremony with white doors arch, floral decorations, and ocean backdrop.
Bride in white gown walks with escort across green lawn toward outdoor wedding ceremony on sunny day.
Guests seated on white chairs under large umbrellas on a sunny lawn at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Outdoor beach wedding ceremony with guests seated on white chairs under umbrellas by the ocean on a sunny day.
Couple exchanging vows at a waterfront wedding ceremony beneath a floral arch with white doors.
Outdoor coastal gathering on green lawn with umbrella, trees, and stunning blue ocean views on a sunny day.
Groom placing a wedding ring on bride's finger during outdoor ceremony, close-up of hands in sunlight.
Outdoor beach wedding ceremony with bride, groom, and young boy standing beneath a white door arch by the ocean.
Bride smiling as groom places wedding ring on her finger during outdoor ceremony.
Bride and groom signing wedding documents outdoors by the ocean on a sunny day with guests watching.
Bride and groom celebrating under floral arch by the sea.
Bride and groom sharing first kiss under white floral arch by ocean.
Joyful newlyweds celebrate after outdoor wedding ceremony by the ocean, bride in white gown, groom in gray vest.
Bride in white dress hugging guests at outdoor wedding reception on sunny green lawn.
A happy family of four poses outdoors on a wedding day, with parents in formal attire and two young boys smiling.
Large group of people posing outdoors near trees with ocean views on a sunny day.
Bride and groom sharing a romantic dip kiss on a grassy cliff overlooking a scenic blue bay on their wedding day.
A bride and groom share a romantic moment by the ocean, she holding a floral bouquet in a white gown.
Bride and groom embracing on rocky shoreline with ocean waves crashing around them and mountains in the background.
Bride in white mermaid lace wedding gown holding floral bouquet, posing under trees near beach.
Man proposes to woman on grassy coastal cliff overlooking ocean under blue sky.
Bride and groom stand on rocky coastal shore with ocean waves and blue sky backdrop on their wedding day.
Bride and groom holding hands on a coastal cliff overlooking a turquoise ocean under a bright blue sky.
Bride and groom share romantic kiss on coastal cliff with turquoise ocean backdrop on sunny wedding day.
Groom carries bride in flowing white dress on coastal cliff with ocean backdrop on their wedding day.
Close-up of newlywed couple holding hands showing wedding rings, bride in lace dress, groom in suit.
Guests clapping and celebrating outdoors at a backyard party with string lights and a modern house.
Bride and groom walk through white arch doors at outdoor wedding venue with umbrella and rustic decor.
Bride and groom share first dance at outdoor backyard wedding reception with guests applauding around them.
Bride in white gown hugs guest surrounded by smiling wedding party outdoors under string lights.
Bride and groom posing elegantly in front of a classic black car at their outdoor wedding venue.
Bride and groom share a romantic embrace in front of a classic black vintage car decorated with white ribbons at their wedding.
Bride celebrates with two friends under festive string lights at outdoor evening wedding reception.
Bride and groom share romantic moment in field, her veil flowing in wind, surrounded by trees at golden hour.
Three women celebrate at an outdoor wedding reception under string lights at night.
Couple shares first dance at outdoor wedding reception under string lights with guests watching.
Guests dancing and celebrating at an outdoor wedding reception under string lights at night.
Bride and groom sharing a lively first dance outdoors at night under string lights at their wedding reception.
Three men smiling and posing together at an outdoor night event with string lights.
Wedding party toasting drinks outdoors at night under string lights.
Bride in white lace gown laughs joyfully with female wedding guests under string lights at outdoor reception.
Two-tier white wedding cake with bride and groom topper and white orchids on glass stand.
Bride and groom laughing joyfully while cutting their white wedding cake together at an outdoor evening reception.
Bride and groom cutting wedding cake at outdoor reception under patio lights at night.
Outdoor evening wedding reception with string lights, white chairs, and guests mingling on a lawn under a night sky.

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