Wow. I think I had to pinch myself more than a few times at Jade & Lian’s wedding, I could hardly believe how lucky I was. Stunningly deliciously beautiful bride, handsome groom, gorgeous bridal party and a fabulous location!

We kicked off with the girls at the Stamford where they were all looking amazing thanks to the fine effort put in by A Time To Indulge. It’s the second time in recent memory I have come across these ladies, and their work is superb. It also helps that you have a really really really ridiculously good looking bride to begin with! Lian wore one of the most stunning (and bloody heavy) Winnie Bridal gowns I have ever seen. I have it on good authority that Lian was nervous. I won’t tell you how I know that, you’ll just have to take my word for it!

Then it was over to Glengariff Estate where the guests all arrived on buses from Brisbane. It was touch and go for a minute or two where it did look like we could get rained on, but the sun stayed out, and turned on a beautiful afternoon. After the ceremony, we had about 45 minutes to do our “thing”, but it was really one of the easiest afternoons I’ve ever had. Glengariff is so beautiful this time of year, and with a very enthusiastic bridal party, and a bride and groom whose chemistry was just smouldering - it could only lead to one thing - KICK ASS PHOTOS!!

Thank you one and all for an amazing day - and for making sure I got away on time to make it to the Kenny Rogers concert!!! xx 

Always popular with the ladies…Poo proves that he’s still got “it” (whatever “it” is)…

Previous Toni Snell couples Brett & Kali & Terry & Nicky. Both Kali & Nicky are expecting babies early next year. An extra-ordinarily large number of my clients are now pregnant. I think it’s more than just a coincidence. I think I may have a hand in this. Hang on, that sounds SO wrong…but you know what I mean!!!…

And with Lian & Jade…

Last Sunday week, Poo and I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of Paul & Sarah at St Ignatius Church in Toowong.

The rain that had plagued us the day before was gone, and had been replaced by a perfectly overcast day. We caught up with Sarah & the girls at her parents house on the northside, before heading over to the church at Toowong to see Paul.

Sarah arrived and she was so excited to get down the aisle to see Paul. After their nuptial mass (with a very cool priest I might add) they emerged to greet their well over a hundred guests, with laughs and hugs all round. I was especially taken by Paul’s Nonno, who was just the sweetest grandpa anyone could ask for.

It was off to the Powerhouse for the formal shoot where we all had a great time, even if we did get roused at by the Powerhouse Duty Manager (on a power trip). Once it got dark, we then made our way over to Vic Park where the marquee looked simply stunning for the reception!

Pull a face like this for me, and I promise you - I WILL put it on the internet…

With the happy couple…

And with Hayley & Michael who are getting married next month…

It may have rained for most of the day, but that did nothing to dampen the spirits of Ben & Renae’s family and friends as they celebrated their marriage.

Both Ben & Renae were in the bridal party of Ben & Tania in May, so they made easy work of their photos. It also helped that a majority of the bridal party were returning contestants, so it was just like hanging out with old friends.

The wedding took place at St Bernards Catholic Church at Mt Gravatt, where fortunately everyone was inside the church as the rain started to pour. Once we emerged there was no sign of the clouds that had been menacing us most of the early afternoon. We got away from the church and headed on into the Kangaroo Point cliffs, and then afterwards down to Captain Burke Park.

I wouldn’t normally let just anyone handle my equipment, but these guys are as good as family now, so it was one in all in. This shot was courtesy of whoever was holding my camera at the time…

And then Ben E and I had a bit of a duel…

Before Ben & Renae decided it was self portrait time…

A parting shot with both of my couples…

Last Saturday week, Poo and I headed way over to the far north side of Brisbane to shoot Brett & Kelly’s wedding.

Kelly got ready at an apartment overlooking the beach at Redcliffe. She didn’t seem to be showing any signs of being nervous at all. She’d been booked in with me for a good 18 months, so usually by this stage, most brides just want to get to the church and get married!

Brett was a tad late getting to the church, but I was able to forgive him when he co-operated with me fully - even though he doesn’t like getting his photo taken. I think by the end of the day though he was quite used to it, and maybe even secretly enjoying it!!!

The ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Sandgate, which can only mean one thing - that we head down to the Sandgate Pier afterwards. There were quite a few bridal parties with the same idea, but we all managed to get along - and as promised, of course Kelly was the hottest bride there!! 

It was a lazy Sunday afternoon for the last wedding of September, that of Wayne & Evelyn.

We caught up with Evelyn and the girls at her sister’s house, before heading over to Boulevard Gardens for the ceremony. During the ceremony Wayne & Evelyn released butterflies, the first butterfly release we’ve had in quite a while. Unlike most of the other times though, the butterflies were awake and ready to fly.

As it was a later 4pm wedding so we only had a limited amount of time for photos. We got in the car and headed down the road for a quick photo shoot which everyone was in great spirits for.

Me with Brad & Katrina, the parents of little Joshua you saw a few days ago….

Several weeks ago I caught up with former clients of mine, Brad & Katrina, to photograph their little boy Joshua. Brad & Katrina were married in 2006, and Brad was also the dealer who sold me my new car last year.

Joshua was so good for the shoot. He didn’t get cranky with me, even with my camera in his face for the best part of half an hour. Most people will know I’m not really good with kids, but this darling little boy made things easy for me!

Joshua telling me what he thought of me!!!…

This wedding was a bit of a gift for me in how it came about. I shot the wedding of Kirsty’s cousin, Sara, last year on very short notice when her wedding photographer bailed at the last minute. I really have to thank that guy, because I wouldn’t have shot that awesome wedding last year, and I would never have got to hang out with the amazing Scott & Kirsty!

I love these two. They are the kindest, sweetest couple you could ever hope to meet. But not just them, their entire families. All three of Kirsty’s sisters were bridesmaids, and I have never seen a group of sisters who are so close, and genuinely love eachother (I know, I’m one of three girls myself!).

Both the bride and groom got ready at Crowne Plaza with the ceremony and reception held next door at the Club Pelican Golf Club, up at Caloundra. Scott & Kirsty were in rooms next to eachother, so we dropped in to catch Scott & the boys getting ready. I love the fact I can walk into a room and say “OK boys, shirts off”….AND THEY DO!! I love this job!!

Kirsty and the girls were so excited and couldn’t wait to get downstairs to the ceremony. It was a very special moment as Scott & Kirsty exchanged their vows. Afterwards the looks on their faces was just beautiful as they looked at eachother as if to say “I can’t believe we’re married!!”.

We jumped in the cars and headed on down to the beach to hang out under the pier, and frolick on the beach. We laughed ourselves stupid, and drew a little bit of attention from some revellers on the beach, and in nearby apartments (but I fixed them!!). Then we got sand all through the convertible Mustang - I do apologise to whoever was responsible for vacuuming that thing out!

We had a fabulous afternoon hanging with these guys, it was another one of those weddings that makes you greatful to be able to do this job everyday. Thanks guys xxx

Hanging out…

Me with Kirsty and her sister Mel (or is it Britney?)…

….and the happy couple…

I remember the day like it was yesterday. The day, well over 18 months ago, when I first met “little” Lauren. She spoke with such excitement about her wedding day - a day you could tell she’d planned since she was a little girl. She even took me upstairs and showed me the dress. It was so hard to believe that the day was finally here!

Lauren has had a year and a half to prepare for this, and she didn’t disappoint. She worked that camera like she was on “Make Me A Supermodel”. She could even do my favourite look - the “laugh……and close” like a professional. It was funny, but I felt that Lauren really wanted to do a good job for me, when I was the one wanting to do a good job, for her!

Garth & Lauren were married at Albert Street Uniting Church, which looks pretty fabulous now with the roadworks completed outside (but between you and me - parking is a bitch!). Lauren was doing so well until she walked up the stairs to the church, before being overcome by emotion. Once she made it down to Garth’s side she was a.o.k.

After the ceremony we cruised around a few different locations. Garth & Lauren were awesome and allowed plenty of time in between the ceremony and reception so that we could take in a few locations, and not be rushed off our feet.

Finally, we then arrived back out at Mt Ommaney just in time for the reception, before a massive storm unleashed itself. Talk about timing.

Mike loves Susan. Susan loves Mike. I love Mike & Susan!!

We had so much fun together shooting Mike & Susan’s e-session. We met up over at Southbank Parklands on a lazy Tuesday afternoon. Now, Susan has no trouble being in front of a camera whatsoever, Mike on the other hand needed a little more convincing! We stopped off for a coffee first of all just to relax Mike a bit. It didn’t take Mike long to realise that an e-session is just a really cool excuse to make out with the woman you love all afternoon, and then he was right into it!

They are seriously so cute together, and would put most couples half their age to shame. I can’t wait for their wedding in April!!

I was on the phone to one of my photographer friends this week, and I was telling her how I actually really enjoy not blogging weddings the next day like I used to. I’m getting ten times the enjoyment out of my images now. I’m not sure why, maybe it’s because after a week or two they bring back memories, rather than just being “the wedding I shot yesterday”. You notice the little things. Things that in the frenzy that is the wedding day, you might have “seen”, but you didn’t really “see”.

One of the little things I noticed about Brett & Carmen’s wedding was how much in love they were. Of course, that was obvious on their wedding day, but even more so when I looked at their images. Simple things - like the way Brett looks at Carmen, and how tender the two of them are towards eachother. Brett’s tears of joy as Carmen walked down the aisle, and the gentle way Carmen would stroke his cheek during the ceremony.

Brett & Carmen made their way over from their new home in remote W.A. for their long awaited wedding at the Caboolture Historical Villiage. It wasn’t your “traditional” wedding, but it was their day - their way!

And it was perfect!