Manawatu | Palmerston North
Cody and Sean’s Sentimental Camp Rangi Woods Wedding
Some love stories unfold in the most unexpected ways. For Cody and Sean, the spark was anything but traditional. They had known each other since school, but back then they weren’t exactly close — in fact, they didn’t even like each other much. Life took them both on bumpy roads, and by the time they crossed paths again, they had almost given up on the idea of finding “the one.”
That changed on a summer’s day when Cody went to her friend’s house for Crate Day — not knowing that Sean lived there too. She was more interested in dancing on her own than meeting anyone new, but a few days later, fate stepped in. Over a casual coffee catch-up with her friend, Sean walked in, and the rest of the day was spent singing, dancing, playing games, and making music together.
Because they were a little older, with life experience behind them, they knew what they wanted — and what they didn’t. Four years later, they share two children together (alongside Sean’s older son) and run a business as a team. Their life is busy, sometimes chaotic, but always full of love.
A Wedding That Felt Like Them
When it came to planning their wedding, Cody and Sean wanted it to feel like them — relaxed, eclectic, and personal. There was no set theme, no Pinterest-perfect checklist, just a collection of things they loved and created themselves.
The morning began with Cody getting ready at Ngapuke Lodge, while Sean prepared nearby at Camp Rangi Woods in Pohangina. By the time they came together, the atmosphere was already buzzing with laughter, support, and the joy of being surrounded by friends and family.
The celebration that followed was sentimental and heartfelt, a blend of personal touches, handmade details, and the people who mattered most.
A Day of Laughter & Connection
From emotional moments to carefree dancing, Cody and Sean’s day reflected their journey perfectly — a celebration of love built on resilience, creativity, and togetherness. Their wedding wasn’t about perfection, it was about meaning.
Being able to document their day at Camp Rangi Woods was such a privilege. As a wedding photographer in Auckland, I travel often to capture love stories across New Zealand, and celebrations like this remind me why I love what I do. Every smile, every handmade detail, every sentimental moment told the story of a couple who found love when they least expected it.
Why Their Story Inspires
Cody and Sean’s wedding is a reminder that the best celebrations aren’t about sticking to tradition — they’re about authenticity. Their story shows how love can grow out of unlikely beginnings, and how weddings become most powerful when they reflect the real lives of the people at the center of them.
It’s stories like this that inspire me in my work as a wedding photographer in New Zealand — capturing the raw, real, unscripted emotions that couples will treasure for a lifetime.
Venue/Reception/Groom getting ready location: Camp Rangiwoods, Pohangina
Bride getting ready location:Ngapuke Lodge, Pohangina
Celebrant: Candace Higgie - Married by Ace
Wedding dress: Dylins Bridal - But altered quite a bit by Alena Hume
Cake maker: Cody & Sean
Hair stylist: Nicci Reynolds
Makeup artist: Hayz for makeup
Band:Pandamania
Videographer: Jared Hunt - Hunt Photography
Photographer: Wanting Huang Photography
