It was a hot hot hot day! Even arriving at Penell’s place in the morning you could already feel the humidity in the air. You could have cut through it with a knife. Fortunately for Penell and the girls the aircon was keeping everyone comfortable, and we didn’t leave the house unless it was absolutely necessary!
With a midday ceremony, things were just as hot over at Broadway Chapel. Jason was working up a sweat, but we weren’t sure if it was the heat, or sheer nerves of awaiting the arrival of his bride to be. That little chapel was packed to capacity as Penell made her way down the aisle to her very relieved groom.
From there it was into the Retro Rides Chevy, and off for an afternoon of photos above and below the Kangaroo Point cliffs. To the person who called out my name and waved from a passing ferry, I still don’t know who you are, but ummmm “Hi!”.
So, totally worn out, exhausted, and slightly sunburnt, we made our way back to Rydges hotel where we found ourselves a hotel room, and relaxed and put those tired feet up. It was straight to work for me though, as I had to prepare my first ever same day reception slideshow. I was nervous and excited as I paced up and down waiting for that DVD to burn, and then it was straight upstairs to drop it off so it could be shown after the speeches. You just never know how something like this will be received, but the tears in Jason’s eyes made it all worthwhile.
Hard to believe, but it’s my Daddy-Poo’s 60th birthday today (or, as I told him this morning, the 1st anniversary of his 59th birthday!).
I don’t really see my Dad as getting older, because to me, he’s invincible. He’s my hero, and the backbone of what I do. He’s the one who makes sure I’ve always got batteries charged, who formats my cards, gets my gear together and packs it in the car every weekend, and makes sure we’ve got enough food and drinks to last us the day. Not only that, he’s my alarm clock, my chef, and my go-to-guy whenever I need a sounding board, or if I need something heavy lifted. Through all of this, he doesn’t ask for anything, and he never complains (except for that episode over my failure in keeping his “Poo’s Pics” updated, but it’s his birthday, so I’ll let that one slide…). Love you Daddy!
If you are so inclined, feel free to leave a comment and share some birthday love for “The Poo”.
It was touch and go with the weather for a while there, but Noel & Melanie’s day went off without a hitch. But then, I don’t anything could have dampened their spirits!
I loved Noel & Mel’s day for a number of reasons, but I especially loved the way they incorporated Noel’s Scottish ancestry into the wedding. The ceremony was held at the chapel on the Robina Woods golf course where Mel’s sister, and Noel’s brothers (all proudly wearing their family tartan) stood by their sides.
As we headed off onto the course for some photos, I wanted to stop in amongst this nice leafy section of rainforest for some pictures. Problem was, a lady golfer had the same idea and thought it would be a good place to answer the call of nature. The look on her face as we came charging through the scrub was absolutely priceless.
From there we made a quick stop off down at the beach to round out the day, before getting back to L’Esprit On The Water at Southport for the reception.
You couldn’t have asked for a better day, and I couldn’t think of any two people more deserving. Hey, anyone who brings me a kebab when they stop by the stoffice has to be a.o.k. in my books! xx
People don’t take me seriously when I threaten that if they play silly buggers with me, I WILL put their photo on the internet!!!…
Two weeks ago, Poo and I headed out for Tony & Donna’s wedding, but we didn’t have to head very far! It’s not often I get a wedding on my home turf, so it was rather refreshing to only be a stones throw from my house at the end of the day!
We caught up with Donna and her bridesmaids Nikki and Rachel at the new Oaks Apartments in Ipswich. The girls were really, really relaxed and just ready to have some fun. We spent most our time paying out on eachother about where we were from (I was born in Ipswich - and let me tell you, that NEVER gets away from you!!) and generally mucking around and being silly - which for me is just another day!!
This was my first wedding ceremony to be held at Woodlands of Marburg. It was a small intimate gathering of their closest family and friends. They exchanged wedding vows on the back lawn with the beautiful backdrop of the mansion, and the gorgeous purple Jacaranda’s around them. Both Tony & Donna looked happy, and relieved as they were prononced husband and wife - with beautiful content smiles on their faces.
After some drinks and nibblies, we wandered on down through the grounds to the vineyard for some fun with the bridal party. They were a crazy bunch, but we all shared a similar sense of humour - and had a blast! Thanks guys!!
This wedding was like a who’s who of suppliers on my preferred vendor list. We had the team from Beautiful Images By Toula on hair and makeup, Anne Campbell performing the ceremony, and Cake That! serving up a gorgeous cup-cake cake.
Graham & Gillian are too cute for words! Kind, sweet, funny - and best of all I got to bust out my English alter ego, and not be out of place!
Graham & Gill’s wedding was a very special day. Their lives together have led them here from England, so a lot of their families and friends travelled great distances from all over the world to share in their day.
Gill had forewarned me that her dress was pretty big, and she delivered on that! It was one of the puffiest, yet gorgeous dresses I’ve come across. But she did look like a princess, which no doubt was exactly what Graham was thinking as she walked down the aisle. I was actually moved to tears just before the ceremony watching Gill’s Dad look at his daughter with tears in his eyes.
The ceremony was held at Victoria Park Golf Course, and afterwards we all piled into the limo to head into the city for a great time, and some fabulous photos!!
ETA: I nearly forgot to mention the girls fantastic hair and makeup was courtesy of Danielle Robinson. Danielle is one of my favourite makeup artists, who never fails to deliver absolutely gorgeous brides!!!
I enjoy putting my bridesmaids to work as light stands!…
And the day wouldn’t be complete without a picture with the happy couple…
I’d been looking forward to Luke & Renee’s wedding for ages! I shot Luke’s sister Wynita’s wedding back in April, so I already felt like I was part of the family.
Renee made an absolutely gorgeous bride in her beautiful Elizabeth De Varga gown (which in itself is a very funny story about sheer luck and crazy dressmakers!!). As Renee was getting ready, a storm went over, hail fell, and the power went out - but this wasn’t a sign of things to come! The rest of the day was going to go off perfectly!
After the ceremony at Broadway Chapel, we headed off for some photos. Luke & Renee wanted photo’s that were different from any of their family and friends wedding photographs, so I’d gone on the hunt for locations where I hadn’t shot before. I had found a vacant block of land that was perfect, and then slipped in an old favourite down by the Kangaroo Point cliffs. Then, the ace we had up our sleeve saw us shooting in one of Brisbane’s newest and most opulant drinking establishments. I have to go back there as a patron!!
By this stage we’d said goodbye to Poo and I was riding around in the limo with the bridal party, and we were on our way to Gambaro’s for the reception. Luke & Renee had very kindly invited me to stay for the reception, so it was time to relax and put my feet up and party the night away!!
It was one of the BEST nights I’ve had in a long long time. Thankyou so much for letting me share it with you, and Reubin & Wynita - thankyou for the burgers at the Boomerang Cafe at 2am!!
In a former life, Luke was a prarie dog…
Check it out - my own place setting AND on the guest list!!…
Partying on with my new hat that Reubin & Wynita bought for me!…
A couple of weeks ago, I headed on up to Redcliffe to catch up with Michael & Kate for their E-Session. It was blowing an absolute gale which was wreaking havoc with Kate’s hair, so I handed over my trademark headband to settle things down. It worked like a charm!
These lovebirds are getting married in May next year and are so excited about their photos, which makes me excited too!!
Technically, it was a warm Spring evening, and it wasn’t really that warm… but that wouldn’t sound the same.
Anyway, a few weeks back Poo and I shelled out 100 bucks a piece (a wise investment in these recessionary times), to see Kenny Rogers play live at the Brisbane River Stage. After shooting Jade & Lian’s’s wedding, we hotfooted it into the city and met up with my friends Nat, Doug & the kids. After some pre-show entertainment from Troy Cassar-Daley and Felicity Urqhart, Kenny finally made his appearance. We had a great night under the stars singing along with the classics - he might look a little bit different these days, but his voice has lost absolutely nothing.
I had promised Terry that I would call him when he played “The Gambler”, but my phone battery was dying. So instead I made a really bad recording on my camera so everyone could enjoy!!
With so many weddings going on over the last couple of months, I haven’t really been posting any of my personal work, which includes catching up on what Milly has been up to.
On one of my rare Sunday’s off in October, I spent the afternoon with my best friend and her family. I’ve known Kelly since I was 12, so her family are kind of like my own family in many ways. We had a lovely afternoon lazing about, and tucking into Danny’s grappa cherries (that stuff WILL take your head off). I also wanted to get a few shots of Milly hanging out with her Grandpa for the family album…
Brent & Andrea’s wedding was a couple of weeks ago now, on a glorious Saturday afternoon. Andrea had been booked in with me for well over a year, but we only met a few weeks ago. I have quite a lot of my brides in similar situations, but they all have one thing in common - they’re freakin’ awesome brides!!
Andie was rockin’ it early in the piece with the girls, turning on the style and the charm. Nothing bothered her, and she can work it like it’s no ones business.
Brent & Andrea were married on the lawn at the Indooroopilly Golf Club. Golf Club = Golf Buggy’s, and we all hit the course to have some fun!
We don’t tend to work with video too much these days. I don’t know why, but they’re just not as popular as they used to be. Such a shame when you’ve got an awesome team like Tony & Cathy from Brisbane Wedding Videos. These guys rocked, and even put up with me and my sometimes unorthodox methods. Here they are hanging out in the buggy…
At the reception, I ran into one of my former grooms, Julian, working there…
