Whangamata Beach Wedding: A Vibrant New Zealand Celebration on the Coromandel Coast

Earlier this year, I had the absolute joy of traveling to New Zealand to photograph a wedding—and I’m still dreaming about it. This was my first time visiting the beautiful town of Whangamata, and wow, did it leave an impression. Famous for the iconic “Beach Hop” festival, Whangamata is nestled on the Coromandel Peninsula and offers the perfect blend of lush rolling hills and pristine coastal beaches. It’s a wedding photographer’s dream.

Brogan and Dylan’s love story is one for the ages. These two first crossed paths at just 11 years old, only to reconnect years later thanks to Tinder (modern romance at its finest!). Fast forward to today, and they’re living the dream by the sea with their adorable daughter, Quinn.

Brogan and Dylan got ready separately, building the anticipation for their beautiful “first look”—a private and heartfelt moment that’s becoming more and more popular with couples. It's a wonderful way to slow down the day and take in the emotion before the big walk down the aisle.

They chose to say their “I dos” with Dylan's father as the celebrant on the sand at Whangamata Beach, with the ceremony bursting with colour thanks to vibrant florals by Flour and bloom. The energy of the day was infectious—from their fun-loving bridal party to the joyful vibe that carried through the whole celebration.

The weather kept us on our toes with light rain in the morning, but the skies cleared just in time for their ceremony on the beach. We made the most of Whangamata’s epic natural beauty with bridal party portraits among the sand dunes and along the coastline.

From there, we cruised into town in vintage cars and made a quick detour to an old cinema for a few timeless shots—an unexpected and super fun location.

The reception was held on a private property, styled to perfection with a marquee from Make your day events nz. Drinks flowed from a charming caravan bar from Coromandel caravan bar, and dinner—provided by Roam food caravan—was hands-down some of the best wedding food I’ve ever had. We ducked away again for some golden hour magic down by the water before a quick dress change, returning to dance the night away under the stars.

This wedding reminded me why I love what I do—documenting stories in beautiful places with people who are all in for the adventure. I shoot a mix of digital and 35mm film photography, which lets me capture both the sharp, candid energy of the day and the soft, nostalgic beauty that only film can bring. The combination tells a story that feels timeless and full of soul.

Photography by Lustre and Rune

@lustreandrune