Jason & Clara's Mt Vernon Lodge Wedding

Jason and Clara’s love story had an unusual beginning - and then an even more unusual second beginning.

They first crossed paths at a world-record speed dating event. Five years later, after a couple of breakups and a little better timing, they found themselves back in each other’s orbit.

Their first date started with lunch and somehow stretched into seven hours of talking, laughing, walking and sitting around because neither of them wanted it to end. Eventually reality intervened. Jason was already an hour late for his hockey end-of-year function, while Clara was beginning to feel guilty about the fines he was probably racking up.

By then, though, they'd found their person.

Fast forward through a global pandemic, multiple house moves, a home renovation and plenty of life in between, and their wedding day at Mt Vernon Lodge had finally arrived.

And honestly, it felt exactly like them.

Overlooking Akaroa Harbour, the day was never about creating a traditional wedding. It was about good people, good food, good drinks and having a bloody good time together. When asked what guests could expect, Clara said it would be a day filled with their favourite people, favourite food and favourite drinks. Jason's contribution was a little more concise:

"It'll be f%*&$n siiiiiick."

Pretty accurate, really.

One of the things Robbie loved about filming Jason and Clara was seeing how effortlessly their differences work together. Jason is a passionate spearfisherman, hunter and outdoorsman. Clara describes herself as "outsidey" - meaning she enjoys the outdoors as long as it's not too hot, too cold or too wet, and there's a proper bed waiting at the end of it.

They're opposites in plenty of ways, but fiercely loyal, competitive, hilarious and completely devoted to their people.

The morning preparations at Mt Vernon Lodge were relaxed and full of anticipation, with Jessica Kirner on hair, Stacey Banfield Collective / Jess Coleman on makeup and Clara looking incredible in her Grace Loves Lace dress. A Little Bit Floral took care of the flowers and bouquets, while Sarah Clements captured the day from behind the stills camera.

Then came an emotional First Look before Mark Sullivan led the ceremony overlooking the harbour, with Bex Down providing the soundtrack. Surrounded by family and lifelong friends, Jason and Clara finally made it official.

From there, the afternoon rolled into drinks, speeches, plenty of laughs and some seriously good food from Country Feats. Even our cameras weren't the only ones capturing the day, with Finn & Robyn roaming around with the retro camcorders and collecting the sort of wonderfully imperfect footage that makes wedding films even more fun.

As the evening kicked off, Four Days Notice took over the music and the dance floor got a workout.

And then came the Dirty Dancing-inspired first dance.

No pressure.

Thankfully, they absolutely nailed it.

Going back through the footage while editing, it wasn't one particular moment that stood out. It was the feeling of the whole day. Two people who genuinely love hanging out together, surrounded by people who are completely invested in their happiness.

Fun. Genuine. Unpretentious. Completely them.

Five years after finding each other again, the laughs clearly haven't stopped. Now they get to spend the rest of their lives sharing them together.

🎧 ‘Anyone Else’ - Better Love; ‘Ready’ - Chloe’ Caroline
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