I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that someone looked at a patch of land in Ōhaupō and thought, you know what this needs? A church made out of actual living trees. But I’m so freaking glad they did.

Tiffany and Josh chose The Tree Church & Gardens in Ōhaupō for their wedding, and we spent nine hours together photographing everything from getting ready through to the reception.

I’ve photographed at The Tree Church a number of times over the years and it’s such a fun venue to work at because there is SO much packed into one property. The church itself is obviously the main event, but then you’ve got gardens, pathways, huge established trees and loads of little pockets that photograph completely differently.

Which means we can get a lot of variety without loading everyone into cars and disappearing across Waikato for two hours.

Getting ready for the wedding

We started the day with Tiffany and Josh getting ready before heading into the ceremony.

I had Kate helping assist me for the day, which meant we could cover what was happening without me also playing co-ordinator, packhorse and photographer.

This part of the day is never just about photographing the dress hanging somewhere pretty. I’m looking for the people, reactions, chaos, quiet moments and all the little bits that you’ll probably miss because you’re busy actually getting married.

Getting married inside The Tree Church

Then it was time for the part everyone had actually turned up for.

Tiffany and Josh held their ceremony inside the living Tree Church, surrounded by their family and friends.

And yes, it really is made from trees, don’t ask me what kind but they’re pretty and they flower.

The structure is grown around an iron frame, with the plants forming the walls and canopy of the chapel. It’s one of those ceremony spaces that doesn’t need an enormous amount added to it because there is already so much going on naturally.

From a photography perspective, I also love that the light changes throughout the structure as the sun moves and filters through the leaves, although it’s still a location where I’d suggest timing the ceremony so you’re not staring into the sun.

Wedding photos around the gardens

After the ceremony, we stayed on the property for Tiffany and Josh’s family photographs, wedding party photos and portraits.

There is absolutely no shortage of places to go.

The Tree Church sits amongst established gardens with pathways, mature trees, flower beds and plenty of different little areas to work with.

And because I already know the venue, I have my favourite spots already in mind, always based on the light we’ve got, what’s flowering, how much time we have and what will actually suit the two of you.

That last part matters. I don’t want every couple I photograph here to come away with exactly the same wedding photos. Even if the birch trees and the tree church itself are basically the most requested photo spots ever.

Sneaking out for sunset

Later in the evening, the light was looking very promising, so I stole Tiffany and Josh again for a few more portraits.

And by stole, I mean about 15 minutes.

I’m a massive fan of getting back outside around sunset when the light is good, but I’m equally a fan of not making you miss your own wedding.

We’d already created plenty of portraits earlier in the day, so this wasn’t another enormous photoshoot. It was a quick wander outside together, a completely different bit of light and then straight back to everyone waiting for them.

Easy.

Reception inside The Gantry

Tiffany and Josh held their reception in The Gantry, the indoor event space within the Tree Church & Gardens property. It was originally a 1970s barn and engineering workshop before being converted into the event space that’s there today. I had to look this up, I didn’t actually realise this because it looks so good!

Josh’s uncle Craig and aunty Tania took on MC duties for the evening, and then we rolled into dinner, speeches and the rest of the celebrations.

This is also why I love photographing a decent chunk of the reception rather than disappearing immediately after portraits.

By this point everyone has relaxed. The formal bits of the day are mostly done. People aren’t thinking quite so much about the photographer anymore.

And things tend to get considerably more entertaining.

Planning a wedding at The Tree Church?

If you’re getting married at The Tree Church in Ōhaupō, you really can have almost your entire wedding day in one place, even the getting ready in the apartments upstairs.

The ceremony, gardens and reception spaces are all there, and the property has enough variety that we don’t need to leave just to find somewhere different for photographs. The venue also has covered and indoor options on the property, which is particularly handy because this is still Waikato and the weather occasionally enjoys freelancing.

It makes for a really easy wedding-day flow. You can get ready upstairs, head down for the ceremony, wander the gardens for photos and then move into The Gantry or under the sail for the reception without spending half the day getting everyone in and out of cars. And if the evening light is looking particularly good, it’s easy enough to duck back outside for ten minutes before getting straight back to the party.

Vendors:

Venue: The Tree Church & Gardens Ohaupo
Cake: Sweeties By Dan
Dress: Astra Bridal
Florals: Blooming Bouquets
Makeup: Artistry By Alice
Hair: Styling by Von
Rings: Showcase Jewelers Te Awamutu
Catering: Southern Spit BBQ
Suit: Tarocash

Wedding Vendors

• Celebrant: Lyn Allen
• Venue: The Tree Church & Gardens (Bev & Chris, owners)
• Wedding Dress: Astra Bridal
• Florist: Bridget McLaughlin – Blooming Bouquets (Fresh flowers)
• Suits: Tarocash
• Makeup: Alice Drury – Artistry by Alice
• Hair: Shavonne Coromandel – Styling by Von
• Cake: Danielle Higgs – Sweeties by Dan
• MCs: Craig & Tania
• Catering: Southern Spit BBQ
• Rings: Tiffs Rings, Navyea & Sloan; Showcase Jewelers Te Awamutu
• Stationery: Made by Tiffany herself on Canva