This wedding was certainly a long time coming! It was originally scheduled for October 2008, when Jamie was sent overseas on military duty, plans had to change. I have a special clause in my contract that covers members of the armed forces for this very thing, it’s a lot more common than you think!

Everything worked out well for Jamie & Melissa, as everthing seemed to fall into place, albeit 12 months later. It’s a day I loved for it’s beautiful simplicity. Doing away with tradition Jamie & Mel opted to have their formal photographs taken before their wedding. I can’t say enough how much I love this back-to-front format. It’s not for everybody, but for anyone who wants to have a really laid-back day, and get to spend quality time with their guests and not disappear for hours taking photos, this really is the way to go.

Jamie & Melissa met up at the Stamford where they saw eachother for the first time. We then got to spend a rather leisurely afternoon with the bridal party wandering around the gardens, gearing up for the big evening ahead!

Jamie & the boys then got themselves over to the Rugby Club, while the girls had a relax and prepared for the ceremony. Mel doesn’t give too much away, but I think she may have been quietly nervous as she walked along the river from the hotel. It was a lovely 5pm ceremony, held against the backdrop of the Story Bridge, and Jamie & Melissa were FINALLY married! 

Here’s the best bit. Instead of having to head off for photos leaving guests to make small talk amongst themselves, Jamie & Melissa got to enjoy cocktails and canapes safe in the knowledge they didn’t have anything else to do except RELAX and enjoy the company of the people they love.

Jamie & Melissa, I hope it was the day you dreamed of and you enjoyed every moment of it. Thankyou for letting me share it with you….finally!!!

Slideshow time…

On this day she was a bride, but to Lilly she was still Mum and someone to play silly games with!….

I mentioned how Gary & Shannon hired a photobooth at their wedding reception, and Shannon has sent me through some of the incriminating evidence of the hijinks that went on! The booth was a HUGE hit with the guests, thanks to The Photobooth People, and I’m seriously considering hiring them for my 30th next year!

Gary & Shannon…

Poo & I had a go, and then jumped in with Tony & Cathy…

Even the guys got in and had a go, before Shannon & I got up close and personal…

If I remember rightly, I was sitting in my hotel room in New York when I first began emailing Shannon. I pretty much knew instantly she was my kind of bride. Any bride who is willing to book me solely on the back of my website and blog, without even meeting me, must “get” me. I always find in these cases we have a similar sense of humour, and we ALWAYS get along famously!

It was to be a good 18 months later until we finally met, just a week or two before the wedding. Exactly as I thought, Shannon was a gem. Laid back, easy going, with a bright and bubbly personality, you already knew this day was going to be awesome come rain or come shine.

We arrived at the Mantra at Mooloolaba where the final touches on hair and makeup were being completed. Danielle Robinson was on makeup, and Rolling Scissors did the girls gorgeous hair. I love love love it when my brides book really wonderful vendors like these, because it really does help the day run so much smoother. It was relaxed, and stress-free, and more than anything Shannon was so excited. She’s also one of these girls who when she laughs, her face literally lights up. And fortunately she laughs, A LOT!!

Shannon went above and beyond to be an awesome bride. Breaking her wrist about a month or so before the wedding, she only got the plaster cast off a few days before the wedding (even if she wasn’t ready!!). Getting through the day can’t of been easy for her, and there were quite a few times that I could tell she was in pain, but she sucked it up and got on with the job, and not once did she let it stop her from having an amazing day. 

Gary & Shannon were married in the same church as Gary’s parents in Nambour, which added another special touch to a day that already had a close-knit family feel. We then started making our way up to the reception at Flaxton Gardens stopping off along the way on random driveways to take a few photos. Not only did we have an awesome bride and groom, but the bridal party were an absolute riot. Absolutely nothing was too much trouble for them, and they even took the whole “Silence of the Butterflies” episode in their stride. Gary & Shannon couldn’t have asked for more than to be surrounded by their closest friends to help make their day memorable.

I was booked to kick on and enjoy the reception (and take photos!). A fabulous touch at the reception was the inclusion of a photo booth, courtesy of The Photobooth People. The guests loved it, and even I got to get in there and get my groove on!

This was one of those weddings that just made you happy. An amazing couple, so much in love, who just want to be together, surrounded by the people they love. These are the days I love most, and I can’t thank Shannon & Gary enough for letting me be a part of it. xxx

Poo earnt his keep, and caught me these shots…..

See more in their slideshow….

With a wedding as fun as this one, there’s bound to be outtakes aplenty!! Starting with my standover tactics…..

But Shannon and I soon kissed and made up….

We got a quick snap with the brace on so Shannon could show her doctor she was doing the right thing….

We were joined again by the awesomeness that is Tony & Cathy from Brisbane Wedding Videos. They are my most favourite video people in the whole wide world. I can totally be myself around them, and not feel like I’m being scrutinised. I heart them so much!!…

I’ve been finalising my sister Lisa’s wedding album, and my Mum has been bugging me to get to see it. So just to make her happy, here it is.

 I caught up with Michael & Kate, whose wedding I shot in May, for their “Just Because” session. They have an awesome property out my way that is completely cut off from civilisation, and is about a days trek by 4WD to get to (well not quite, but almost). Michael & Kate had really wanted to get some photos in this place that they love, in their wedding attire.

From rainforest to rolling hills, cows to farming equipment, we spent the afternoon getting around seeing what we could find. Kate & Mike were brave amongst the long grass, and weren’t scared of stepping on any snakes (although I was). Having already been through an e-session, and a wedding day, this was a breeze for them as they worked it like it was no-ones business!! I had a fabulous afternoon bumping around in the 4WD, thanks for having me!!!

I have to admit I’m a little over the whole “trash the dress” thing (sometimes something becomes so mainstream it’s not cool anymore). It wasn’t my original intention to necessarily get shots like this, but we were there, the creek was there, and it just kinda….happened…

Slideshow…

A few weekends ago I stepped out to shoot Matt & Jacqui’s e-session. These guys are getting married in May next year, and their good friends, Tarrant & Mel, arranged the session as their engagement gift. 

They chose UQ as the location, as this was where their romance blossomed. We wandered around the buildings and the grounds, finishing up at the lake where they had their first unofficial date feeding the ducks.

I had a lovely afternoon hanging out with you guys (thanks for bringing the Fantales Jac!), and I can’t wait for your wedding!!

Some more in the slideshow….

It was the week of the Brisbane dust storms, and another one came back that night, but it wasn’t going to make it up to Mapleton in time to cloud Nathan & Helen’s big day!

What I really loved about Nathan & Helen’s wedding, was that it was totally and completely THEIR day. Originally planning a wedding at a popular venue, they changed their plans, and their date, and brought their celebration to a place that was special and significant to them, their home.

After settling in Mapleton, Nathan & Helen planned the perfect outdoor celebration right outside their front door. There were many other special touches that brought the day together, one of which was Helen wearing her mothers wedding dress. It’s not often I have a bride wear her Mum’s dress, especially given the fashions of the 70’s and 80’s. Helen’s Mum must have been lightyears ahead of fashion at her wedding, because Helen looked like she could have come off a catwalk!

Nathan & Helen were married in a lovely ceremony that also reflected Nathan’s Indian heritage. As soon as the ceremony concluded, Nathan & Helen immediately began to relax with their guests as the bar opened and the celebrations began. Once they’d had time to mingle, we briefly stole the away for some photos on the property, before making a quick trip up to a random paddock at the top of the mountain. It was then time to return the happy couple back home to their guests who you could tell were enjoying the laidback hospitality!

It was a perfect day for these two, and I’m so glad I could get to be a part of it! 

More in the slideshow…

Possibly the most awesome and life-like cake toppers I have ever seen. They looked so real it was freaking me out!!!…

Another album to feature, this time from Michael & Patti’s wedding earlier this year.

Here is their combination album design:

I first met Bevan & Tamara back in 2006 when they held down video duties at two of their friends weddings. I knew, even back then, that one day I’d be seeing these two walk down the aisle, and a few weeks ago, it finally happened!

Tamara wore a stunning gown, and accessorised with an elegant birdcage veil. And she was an absolute delight to photograph.

Bevan & Tamara’s wedding plans changed suddenly some months ago, and the new venue they chose to celebrate their nuptials was the Botanic Gardens at Toowong. Bevan was ready and waiting, and boy did he have the ruggedly handsome look down to a fine art.

These guys not only share a love for eachother, but a love for travel, and a love for photography. Bevan & Tamara allowed plenty of time between their ceremony and reception to allow them to make the most of the available light. We wandered around the gardens stopping for photo opportunities as they arose. We even managed to sneak in a trip up to Mt Cootha to see if we could catch a sunset.

Tamara invited me to stay on as a guest, so I got to indulge in a superb meal, get teary at her father-daughter dance, and to get to do the Nutbush. All in all, a pretty fantastic day and evening!!

Time for a slideshow…

I loved this little guy who wanted to get in on the act…

Jason & Michellle are the sort of clients who make me so happy that I get to do this job. An awesome couple who want nothing more than to affirm their committment in front of their friends and family, and to have a great time doing it! No fuss, no fanfare.

The wedding was originally scheduled for October, but after seeing a wedding on my blog shot at Glengariff Estate, their plans soon changed. I got the call at 8am one morning asking where the location was, and by midday another call to officially change the wedding date. A decision that some couples would agonise over for some time, these guys made it on the spot.

Michelle and the girls got ready at the Stamford in the city. Michelle was a very relaxed bride, but I wouldn’t have expected anything else. You also couldn’t stop her from smiling. And when you see her smile, you just want to join in with her, it’s so infectious!

We then headed over to Dayboro to see how Jason and the boys were going. They’d been ferried out there by Luke from Retro Rides so we had some time to get some cool shots of the boys with the Chevy.

As a huge dog lover myself, the best part of the ceremony for me was when Jason & Michelle’s dog acted as the ringbearer, and they paused for a moment to give him a big cuddle. Jason punched the air as they were announced husband and wife, and the celebrations began.

With the ceremony getting off to a late start we headed straight down the paddock to have some fun. Jason’s Dad stepped in at the last minute when one of the groomsmen couldn’t make it to the wedding. He loved being part of the bridal party and added yet another special touch to the day. This was one of those afternoons where it was hilarious from start to finish. Even as I’ve been working on the images I have been laughing out loud. The bridal party clicked together so well and bounced off eachother all afternoon. Loud, funny, and wildly inappropriate - just my kind of afternoon!!!

Then it was back inside, where Jason & Michelle danced their way into their reception, and the REAL party began.

Jason & Michelle, I had an absolute BALL at your wedding. Thankyou for letting us be a part of it!!! 

Oh, and guys, one more thing……men men men men manly men men men….  xxx

Slideshows rock!!

Jason & Michelle love pulling funny faces in photographs. They’re probably going to kill me for posting this, but that’s a risk I’m prepared to take!!…

In the closet again….

Two ladies just hanging out having a chat…

Poo getting in my photos again…

I forgive him when he gets me great stuff like this….

Cuddles and kisses from an awesome couple…