I just got a lovely email from one of my mother-of-the-bride’s from a wedding I shot two weeks ago.

You’ll remember Joel & Anna from November 19, well Anna’s Mum, Tina, sent me through this shot of Dad and I with the stunningly beautiful bride. I love, love, love this photo, because it reminds me of how much fun we had on the day - it doesn’t always have to be hard work!!! Hat’s off to Anna for even getting my Dad to strike a pose!!

It was 37 years ago today that my own parents tied the knot. I spend so much time around weddings, I often forget that my folks experienced that same nervousness and excitement so many years ago.

They were younger than I am, which I admire, because even now I’m still not ready to get married and settle down. I think about what they were like back then, and what their wedding day was like. I wonder if my Grandpa had a tear in his eye as he walked his only child down the aisle, or if my Grandma was running around like a mad woman like most mother-of-the-bride’s I’ve seen.

I’ve dug up some pictures from their wedding. I didn’t know Mum had a straight dress and a long veil - a combination that some of my brides this year have been wearing! They look so young, so happy, and so skinny!

This one is my absolute favourite - just the look on Dad’s face as he looks at Mum, and she looks so pretty…

Congratulations Mum & Dad. I am so lucky to have two fantastic role models, who support me in everything I do. I am very grateful for the amazing relationship I have with them.

It seems fitting that my last wedding of the year featured what can only be described as my “miracle” bride. Less than six months ago, Erin was dangerously ill in hospital, but today she was a picture of radiant perfection!

I photographed Derek’s brothers wedding in September last year, so my biggest problem was remembering to call him the right name!

Derek & Erin were married at the Glebe Road Uniting Church in Ipswich, and her entrance was one of the most uplifting moments I’ve had, as the church band played. And by band I’m talking drums, piano’s, guitars, and voices worthy of an Australian Idol entry, played through amplifiers that rocked the church - it was stirring. I managed to sneek a shot of Derek as he watched Erin walking down the aisle, the smile said it all.

After the ceremony we headed in to the Rocks Riverside Park at Seventeen Mile Rocks, for some very relaxed formal shots. These guys love to have fun, so our afternoon was filled with laughter and a lot of larrikin antics (mainly from the groomsmen). There were thrills, and spills, when Erin ended up flat on her back after Derek lost his footing when picking her up. But Erin picked herself up, and dusted herself off, and kept on going.

It was a great note to end the year on, and I thank these guys for being such great sports!!

Today was my Dad’s birthday. He celebrated by watching cricket all day. Makes me wish it was my birthday! It’s also my best friends Dad’s birthday tomorrow, so our two families got together, and went for dinner out at Springfield Garden’s Chinese Restaurant. Good food and a good time was had by all.

Mum, Dad, and I…

It is also my great pleasure to announce that my best friend Kelly, and her husband Matthew, are expecting their first baby in May! After some misfortune earlier this year, this is the news we have all been waiting for! I am so thrilled for them, and am just dying to play Aunty Toni to their little one.

Kel & I…

Kel is enjoying a very healthy appetite at the moment, and who can blame her! As she says herself “One for me, one for the baby, and one for the country”. Amen to that!!

If there was one word to sum up today - it would be magic. You felt it from the moment you walked into the room at the M1 Resort where Anna was getting ready. Anna was simply breathtaking, there was no other word to describe her, and she has this cheekiness about her that is just so infectious. You couldn’t help but feel a part of the day, as if you had known her forever.

Anna was right at home in front of the camera, and she completely blew me away. Watching all those episodes of “America’s Next Top Model” definately paid off!! Joel was looking equally as gorgeous, albeit somewhat nervous anxiously awaiting his bride.

The ceremony was held in the school chapel of Stella Maris, and we then went down to Cotton Tree for some relaxed formal photo’s. A big thankyou goes to the bridal party Heidi, Zoe, Glenn and Adam for helping to make this such a fun, and enjoyable afternoon. The stars of the show, of course, were Joel and Anna, who were unable to keep their hands off eachother for most of the afternoon, resulting in pure photographic magic!

Nothing was too much trouble. We walked along the beach, took the limo through a caravan park, and made friends with some holiday makers. It was all in a days work for these guys, who appeared to be loving every minute of it!

It was a hard job to narrow down my favourites for the day. Seeing this is my second last wedding for the year, and there are some people in England stalking the blog waiting desperately to see some pics…I lashed out a little.

We caught a glimpse of what life will be like in the future when Joel and Anna are “grey nomads”…

And this one managed to sneak its way in…

The bride forgot her jewellery, the groom was a nervous wreck, and we were the starring attraction to a group of Japanese tourists! Yes folks, this day had it all!!

Just over an hour before the ceremony, Louise discovered that she had left her wedding jewellery at home. Thankfully a quick trip by her Mum up to Bead’s and Bead’s saved the day!

The ceremony was held at the historic St John’s Church at Bulimba. Brendan was rather nervous before the brides arrival, and even Louise was emotional as she entered the church. There were smiles all round after the ceremony, and we popped up to the Kangaroo Point cliffs for some formals.

Shortly afterwards we were inundated with a bus load of tourists who took quite the liking to our stunning bridesmaids! They posed for photo’s much to the delight of the fellas, who were so excited to be photographed with “aussie women”.

We made our way back via the riverfront at Stamford Plaza, and Restaurant Two, before landing back at the Royal on the Park for the reception. We had a great afternoon, and these guys were really great to work with.

My favourite last shot of the day was of Brendan carrying his bride over the threshold…

And a couple of extra-curricular shots - Firstly of Dad carrying the dress when we moved suites…

And a moment in the elevator when two brides collided…

Brisbane turned on the most spectacular day for David and Carly’s wedding!

Carly was so cool, calm, and collected before the ceremony. This was a stark contrast to David’s nervousness as he waited for Carly to arrive! The ceremony was held at the glorious Corpus Christi Church at Nundah, and from there we headed to Captain Burke Park for our formal shoot.

It was unusually busy under the bridge this afternoon, with a few different wedding parties vying for positions. Maybe the word is spreading about this great location!!

We finished up at Gianni Events at the Portside Wharf, a brand new venue down at Hamilton with spectacular water views!

It was a great afternoon, and special mention has to go to the irresistible pageboys Alexander and Dominic. These little guys were two of the most well behaved attendants I have ever seen, and it was a pleasure to have them with us!

For the second time in just over a month, I got to catch up with one of my favourite former couples, Travis & Belinda…..

I thought I’d take the opportunity to showcase a selection of my Dad’s work. Sure, most of the time he stands around being “shade boy”…

But I’d be lost without him, and he does a great job behind the camera getting a different perspective…

Tonight I attended the 2006 City South News Business Achiever Awards, which recognises excellence in small business.

I went in support of my landlord/travel companion/mentor, and most importantly friend, Karen Devereux, who was nominated for her business KD Designs. Karen has built her business from the ground up, and in less than 2 years has become an icon in her field of interior design. I can still remember the day that Karen threw in her high paying job to chase her dream, and she inspired me to do the same.

I went to see the girls at Beautiful Images & Mint Haircutters to prepare for the evenings festivities. You have to treat yourself to a haircut at this place - the reclining massage chairs are simply out of this world! It was great to catch up with Toula and talk shop for the afternoon!

After meeting up at Karen’s house, we headed into The Greek Club for the awards dinner. We all got a big kick seeing Karen’s business name on the VIP list.

My other assistant Rick also moonlights as an event photographer, and was covering the awards tonight. He also took some great photo’s (but hey, he’s had a pretty good teacher!!)

Then there was a bit of clowning around, and my favourite, self portraits!!

But the most exciting part of the evening was when Karen took out the award for her category “House & Home Trades”. We were just so proud of her, because she has worked so hard in such a short space of time to get where she is, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down!

I promised a shout out to the girls from Synergise Exercise who shared a table with us, but lost out in their category to some mungbean eating hippies.

It was great to share in the success of an amazing woman! Thanks for a great night guys.

Whilst I mightn’t have been seeing double, there was certainly double trouble today, when I shot some family portraits for my other assistant Rick and his family. Rick and his lovely wife Megan are the proud parents of twin one year olds, Bella & Griffin.

Rick & Megan must be the best parents in the world, because every time I have seen these kids, they are always smiling and happy. Today was no exception. They mightn’t have been able to sit still, but seeing their little faces all lit up and smiling, there’s really nothing like it.

There was a little bit of monkey business..

But Bella wasn’t going to let her brother have all the fun to himself..

I couldn’t just let the kids steal the limelight, Mum and Dad had to have some special treatment too!

It was bound to happen sooner or later. You get a run of picture perfect days, and then you’re hit with a dismal rainy day. Things don’t always go to plan, and the best advice I can give any couple in this situation, is roll with it. You don’t get another go, so make the best of whatever the day throws at you. Regardless of what happens along the way, you have eachother - next to that, nothing else matters. So when you get given lemons, you make lemonade.

David & Michaela were perfect examples of always looking on the bright side of life. Today was probably the worst day for a wedding, weather wise, that I’ve seen all year. The ceremony, that was meant to take place on the beach, was moved. Even the reception marquee had to be moved after being inundated with water. But through it all, David & Michaela were absolute troopers, and the smile never left their faces all afternoon. At the end of the day, they still got to get married, and celebrate this amazing love between the two of them. And that was all that mattered to them.

The wedding was held at Surfair at Marcoola Beach on the Sunshine Coast. The theme was simple, but elegant, with lots of detail. Michaela is an incredibly talented woman, who even made her own wedding dress! We briefly stole the couple away up to Point Arkwright for a very brief photo shoot, before being drenched by, you guessed it, more rain.

All things considered, it was still a great day! These guys are such a great couple, and you really felt like you were a part of their day, and had known them for years.

A very unimpressed David & Michaela, when the sun decided to come out, just as we were about to make our way down to the reception! (At least they could see the funny side!!)

I got to catch up with previous Toni Snell couple Kellie & Derek.. (Thanks for the referral guys!!)

Poo finally got to be in a group shot, instead of always taking them!!!

Congratulations guys! Here’s to ALWAYS making lemonade!!