Campo was back on board with me as we headed out to shoot the wedding of Elliott & Shirley on the Gold Coast.

Our first stop was to go and check out the action at Elliott’s house, and see how the boys were coming along. It was a very laid back feel for the boys in the house, I think they were waiting for Elliott’s Mum to get home and whip them into shape!

Over to Shirley, and things were much busier. Hair and make-up were running VERY far behind, which left us tight on time, but I am a firm believer in making the most of the time that you have (no matter now short that may be), and we managed to nail some awesome shots before rushing out the door (only about five minutes ahead of the bride!).

The ceremony, however, went off without a hitch and you couldn’t stop Elliott & Shirley smiling. These two are really the sweetest couple, and very much in love! They jumped into the awesome combie van and in true surfer fashion we headed down to the sand at Broadbeach. It was blowing an absolute gale, and was cold, but we got through it.

We retreated to Lakelands, where the reception was being held, and got out onto the course for some more fun. The personalities of the bridal party really came out, and they were in fine form as the afternoon progressed. We made it back to the clubhouse where Elliott & Shirley had a traditional tea ceremony with their parents. 

Elliott & Shirley booked me to stay on for the reception, which allowed me to indulge in my second passion - The Nutbush. I pride myself on getting my feet up and kicking it no mattter where I am, and no matter what shoes I’m wearing - for the entire duration of the track. Don’t believe me? I’ll happily prove it for you!!

More in the slideshow….

My first wedding back after my holiday, and I wasn’t going to be disappointed!! Edo & Jen are a very cool young couple, who had a beautiful intimate wedding planned, taking place at the Conrad Treasury Hotel.

With the nuptials taking place just down the hall, we had to be careful as we were photographing Jen, not to walk her out into full view of the guest, and most importantly, Edo. Not that I think he’d of minded one bit, as he was grinning from ear to ear, and looking awesome in his kilt which was a nod to his Scottish heritage. 

A particuarly special moment for me was when Jen walked down the aisle as the song “18 Yellow Roses” was played. It’s a particuarly special song to Jen’s Dad, and it wasn’t until the final two lines of the song that I understood why, and even I shed a little tear (or two).

This was my first time to have the pleasure of watching celebrant Reg Read conduct a ceremony. Seriously, this dude is nothing short of amazing!!! In all the weddings I have seen to date, I have never seen a celebrant of any kind conduct the ceremony totally off the cuff. No palm cards, no book to read from. He commits all his services to memory, and delivers them flawlessly. I was in awe. I’ve found out I will be seeing Reg again in a few weeks, and I’m super excited to watch him do it again. Reg doesn’t have a website, but you can contact him on 07 3355 0001.

After the ceremony, we assembled the bridal party and took it out to the street. We didn’t have an agenda as such, just going for a walk around the block to see what took our fancy. I love afternoons like that. Showing just how awesome they are, Edo & Jen sent one of the boys for an impromtude trip to McDonalds, from which they returned with 20 cheeseburgers. Good times!

We made our way back to the Treasury for a well earned break, before Edo & Jen were then piped into the reception by Edo’s Dad, who can play a mean bagpipe!

I couldn’t have asked for a more awesome wedding to come back to, thankyou Edo & Jen for making my job so easy!! Big thanks also to my dear friend Michael Camplin, for venturing up from Canberra, and being game to second shoot with me while the Poo was on his Arctic adventure.

This is one of my absolute favourites. Even if some guests accused me of trying to see up Edo’s kilt as I was taking it, it was worth it…

More in their slideshow….

It’s good to be back!!

So my parents have fled the country again, this time to the North Pole. Why? Who the hell really knows. Maybe after their trip to Antarctica in February they just had this urge to conquor both the North & South Poles in the same year. Perhaps they wanted to go see Santa?  One thing is certain, they seem to have been having a fabulous time, and just might of fulfilled their dream of seeing Polar Bears on the tundra.

I miss them. I haven’t seen them in about six weeks since I left for Europe, as they flew out the day I flew back in. No welcome wagon, no home cooked meal, and no big hug from my Mum. I had this conversation with a friend of mine this morning, that no matter how old you get, you never stop needing your parents. And I don’t just mean needing them to do stuff for you, but to simply know that they’re there. I can’t wait to have them back.

You can see what they’ve been up to on my Mum’s blog. She’ll be glad you stopped by. 

This will easily also be one of my favourite weddings for 2009. And not because it was the last wedding I shot before my trip, but just because it was a gorgeous bride, amazing couple, great people, and a day that just had a feel like it was meant to be. Tim & Lauren were awesome, and I’m very happy to bring you their slideshow.

Tonight I finally finished a project dear to my heart that has been sitting on my desktop for the past year. Sadly, in this business it’s always the personal projects that never get ticked off the list. With some free time on my hands, and jetlag keeping me up till all hours of the night, the Millypede Project has been completed.

Before Milly was born, I had an idea that I wanted to document the first year of her life at different stages, and compile it into an album just after her first birthday. Well, Milly is two now, but at least my heart was in the right place. As I’ve sat here and watched this album come together, it’s hard to believe she’s the same little girl who now gives me hugs and kisses on command, and calls me “Aunty Todi”.

So Kel, suprise!! I was going to wait and give you the album once it was ready, but I really didn’t want to wait any longer. Love you xxxxx

The weekend before I left for Europe, I shot two weddings. The first of which, was Charlie & Cassie.

Now that I’m home, it’s time to share the slideshow of their perfect day. Enjoy!