Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

In recent years, wedding trends have shifted towards simplicity and intimacy, with many couples opting for minimalist celebrations that focus on meaningful moments. The rise of elopements and micro weddings reflects a growing desire for personalized experiences, where the setting and details truly resonate with the couple’s vision. With this in mind, we’re thrilled to showcase a stunning "Retro Western" styled wedding shoot at Starling Homestead, a picturesque wedding venue nestled in North Canterbury.

Starling Homestead is the perfect canvas for a relaxed yet elegant celebration. Whether you’re envisioning a chic, dressed-up affair or a laid-back gathering that feels effortlessly natural, this venue offers the versatility to bring your dream wedding to life. Its idyllic surroundings, rich history, and warm, rustic charm make it an exceptional choice for couples seeking an unforgettable experience.

Catering to elopements and micro weddings, Starling Homestead provides a cozy, intimate setting for small celebrations that don’t compromise on style or comfort. With on-site accommodation, it’s also an ideal retreat for couples to unwind and create lasting memories with their closest loved ones.

This styled shoot brings the Retro Western theme to life with a blend of vintage allure and rustic sophistication, capturing the essence of modern minimalism while celebrating bold, nostalgic aesthetics. Collaborating with a talented team of vendors from North Canterbury and Christchurch, this shoot is a treasure trove of inspiration for couples dreaming of a unique and timeless wedding day.

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

The Venue and the Idea

The idea for this styled shoot was born over a glass of wine with Natalie from Unic Picnic, sparked by a shared love for the bold, nostalgic charm of a retro Western wedding theme. Starting with a Pinterest mood board, we envisioned a celebration that combined vintage Western aesthetics with modern wedding trends, blending earthy tones, rustic elements, and timeless details. It was clear from the start that Starling Homestead, nestled in the heart of Waipara’s rolling hills and wine country, would be the perfect backdrop for bringing this concept to life. With a list of trusted vendors from North Canterbury and Christchurch in mind, we started reaching out before we had even finished our first glass.

The homestead’s owner, Jodie, was immediately on board, her enthusiasm matching ours as we began planning the shoot. The collaborative energy and shared excitement from the team made this project feel like a natural fit from the start.

Starling Homestead offers a truly unique setting for weddings, combining natural beauty with charming, versatile spaces. Beyond its picturesque outdoor areas, perfect for an al fresco ceremony, the property features The Stables—a lovingly converted AirBnB cottage that provides cozy and convenient accommodation for newlyweds. It’s an ideal retreat for couples to relax and reflect as they embark on their new chapter together.

The venue also boasts The Barn, which exudes rustic charm and provide a relaxed yet romantic atmosphere for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Whether couples are drawn to the idea of an intimate elopement or a micro wedding surrounded by their closest loved ones, Starling Homestead offers the flexibility to create a day that’s effortlessly tailored to their vision. For this styled shoot, its laid-back elegance perfectly complemented the retro Western theme, offering the ideal canvas to inspire couples dreaming of a wedding that’s both timeless and uniquely personal.

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

The Photographers

Capturing the essence of this retro Western styled shoot was entrusted to two talented photographers, each bringing their unique perspective and expertise to the project. I would be the lead photographer, Kathryn Louise Weddings. I specialize in candid photography that beautifully showcases emotion and connection.

Joining me was Chaznel Steenkamp Photography, another Canterbury photographer with a passion for adventure and a knack for capturing the details that make every wedding unique. Chaznel primarily works with elopements and collaborates closely with several of the vendors featured in this shoot, thanks to her involvement in bespoke elopement packages. Her adventurous spirit and keen eye for behind-the-scenes moments brought an additional layer of depth and texture to the shoot’s imagery.

Both of us share a love for natural light and a distaste for stiff, awkward posing. Instead, we focused on creating an atmosphere where authenticity could shine, allowing the models and details to be captured in their most natural and beautiful form. I concentrated on the main elements of the shoot, including the couple’s portraits, while Chaznel turned her lens to the intricate details and the behind-the-scenes magic that brought the vision to life.

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

The Details and The Team

Bringing the retro Western vision to life was a talented team of vendors, each contributing their creativity and expertise to the shoot. From floral arrangements to styling, makeup, and refreshments, every detail was thoughtfully curated to complement the theme and inspire couples planning their own unique wedding day.

The stunning floral arrangements were created by Cassie of Flourish Events, who provided the fresh blooms for the barn décor, tabletops, and bouquets. The bouquets, in particular, were close to Cassie’s heart—concepts she had been eager to bring to life based on current wedding trends. Her attention to detail and passion for her craft shone through in every arrangement, adding texture, depth, and romance to the shoot. The butter bouquet was her particular favourite, and mine!

The styling was led by Natalie of Unic Picnic, whose vision for the shoot began with the disco ball décor that became a standout feature of the setup. Natalie’s thoughtful table styling balanced retro and rustic elements, creating a perfect harmony between the vintage Western theme and modern minimalistic wedding aesthetics. Her creative touch elevated the shoot and provided endless inspiration for couples looking to make a bold statement with their wedding décor.

For makeup, Lauren of Proud Beauty worked her magic, creating soft glam and natural looks that perfectly complemented the models and the theme. Having worked with Kathryn Louise Weddings many times before, Lauren brought her experience and expertise to the shoot with ease. Her background includes work for magazines, and her ability to enhance natural beauty with subtle, glowing finishes made her a perfect fit for the romantic and candid vibe of the shoot.

Refreshments were served from Fancy a Drop, a stylish drinks caravan trailer that added a touch of charm to the setup. Built from scratch for their own wedding, the owners of Fancy a Drop began hiring out the trailer due to its popularity. The caravan was not only functional but also added an eye-catching feature to the shoot, perfectly blending rustic and retro vibes to tie the theme together.

Each vendor played an essential role in making this styled shoot a success, showcasing their talent and creativity while highlighting how personalized touches can elevate any wedding day.

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

The Models

For this shoot, we were lucky to work with Izzy, a talented model from Portfolio Model Agency, whose natural beauty and effortless presence made her the perfect choice for our retro Western concept. Her relaxed and easy-going nature allowed her to embody the free-spirited yet elegant vibe we envisioned,

bringing an authentic charm to every shot. To make the imagery even more organic and heartfelt, Izzy’s real-life partner, Alfie, was encouraged to join her. This decision added an extra layer of sincerity to the shoot, allowing the couple’s genuine connection to shine through.

Using a real couple for a styled wedding shoot makes a world of difference in the final imagery. Natural chemistry is something that can’t be faked, and when two people are truly comfortable with each other, it translates beautifully on camera. Instead of stiff or overly posed shots, Izzy and Alfie were able to interact naturally, laugh together, and share genuine moments, which made for stunning, emotionally rich photographs. Their familiarity with one another meant they could move seamlessly through the shoot, responding to each other intuitively rather than following rigid directions. This approach not only enhances the authenticity of the images but also serves as a perfect example for couples looking for inspiration on how to embrace candid, unforced moments on their own wedding day.

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

Images taken by Kathryn Louise Weddings

This retro Western styled wedding shoot was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and inspiration. Set against the breath-taking backdrop of Starling Homestead, the shoot brought together a talented team of vendors from North Canterbury and Christchurch to craft a vision that beautifully blended rustic charm with bold, vintage aesthetics.

From the romantic florals to the carefully curated table settings, the glowing soft glam makeup, and the charming drinks caravan, every detail came together to create a day filled with warmth and personality. Captured through the candid and emotive photography of Kathryn Louise Weddings and Chaznel Steenkamp Photography, the shoot serves as a testament to how much magic can be created when a shared vision is brought to life.

For couples dreaming of a wedding that’s both stylish and meaningful, this shoot offers plenty of inspiration for creating a day that reflects their love story while embracing a relaxed and timeless vibe. Whether you’re planning a micro wedding, an elopement, or an intimate celebration, the vendors and venue showcased here are ready to help make your dream day a reality.

Featured Vendors

• Photography:

  • Kathryn Louise Weddings

  • Chaznel Steenkamp Photography

• Venue:

  • Starling Homestead

• Florals:

  • Flourish Events

• Styling:

  • Unic Picnic

• Makeup:

  • Proud Beauty

• Drinks Bar:

  • Fancy a Drop

• Models:

  • Izzy of Portfolio models and Alfie