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This TreeChurch wedding photography session captures Meryla and Hamish’s summer celebration in Ohaupō, one of the most beautiful and unique wedding venues in New Zealand. Set within a living chapel grown entirely from trees and climbing roses, their day unfolded with energy, heartfelt tradition, and pure joy from the very first moment. As a wedding photographer documenting weddings across New Zealand, it was a privilege to capture a celebration so rooted in culture, connection, and fun — and TreeChurch provided the perfect natural backdrop for a story like theirs.
The morning began quietly, long before the ceremony bells could be heard beneath the trees. Meryla took a calm moment to herself, coffee in hand, wrapped in a soft white robe as her Filipiniana-inspired gown hung nearby, catching the early light against a rustic wooden barn door. These quiet getting-ready moments are always some of our favourites within any TreeChurch wedding photography collection — there’s a stillness to them, a sense of anticipation, before the whirlwind of the day truly begins. Her white heels waited patiently below the gown, a small detail that spoke volumes about the excitement building in the room.
As the day carried on, portraits were captured throughout the surrounding gardens, with soft summer light and candid, joy-filled moments guiding the storytelling. Every image was photographed naturally, favouring genuine connection over posed perfection, allowing Meryla and Hamish’s energy and their beautiful fusion of Filipino tradition and modern wedding style to shine through in every frame. From quiet, tender exchanges to bursts of laughter shared with family and friends, their wedding day captured everything that makes TreeChurch such a sought-after location for couples planning an outdoor, culturally rich celebration.
The ceremony itself took place beneath the leafy arches of TreeChurch, where dappled sunlight, a rustic wooden cross, and wild climbing roses created a warm, natural setting unlike any other wedding venue in Waikato. Hamish stood at the altar in a beautifully embroidered Barong Tagalog, its light, breathable fabric glowing softly in the forest light, while Meryla arrived in her Filipiniana-inspired gown with romantic lace butterfly sleeves and a cathedral-length veil — a heartfelt nod to her Filipino heritage. Guests dressed in dusty teal and forest green lined the aisle, and the emotion between the couple was electric and unfiltered, full of laughter, tears, and stolen glances that spoke to the deep love shared between them and their families. It’s this exact blend — Filipino wedding tradition meeting a modern, nature-filled ceremony — that made this TreeChurch wedding photography session so special to capture.
One of our favourite moments of the day came just after the vows, when Meryla and Hamish’s veil lifted and settled softly over both their heads. Beneath the delicate tulle, framed by soft summer greenery, they shared a private, joy-filled moment — foreheads close, smiles wide, completely lost in each other. It’s a portrait style that has become a signature of TreeChurch wedding photography, and one that couples continue to request again and again for good reason; there’s a dreaminess to it that no other setting or pose quite matches.
Meryla and Hamish’s TreeChurch wedding is a reminder that the most memorable celebrations are the ones that stay true to who you are. Their day beautifully proved that tradition and modern romance can exist side by side, wrapped in the natural beauty of one of New Zealand’s most iconic living chapels. If you’re planning a culturally rich, nature-filled wedding and are looking for a wedding photographer experienced in TreeChurch wedding photography to tell your story, I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s coordinate schedules to ensure our availability aligns with your wedding date. We recommend securing your photography appointment well in advance to guarantee our dedicated focus on your special day.
