Jetties, Old Servos and Riding in Elevators

On the 8th Feb, another warm summers day, I spent the day with Rachel and Clinton at their beautiful Lake Macquarie wedding. Merindah spent the prep time with the boys and got to have a whole bunch of fun with the Hummer while the girls got beautified (is that even a word) and we all admired the stunning gold disco ball that was Rachel's beautiful gown!

As guests started arriving for the ceremony, which was to be located just outside the room the girls were preparing in, the nerves started to kick in as Rachel peered out through the curtains to see who had arrived. The ceremony was held on the banks of Cockle Creek in the shade of the trees, with beautiful golden light streaming through the leaves. After the ceremony had finished, we made our way off to the old Boolaroo Servo for some photos. Many laughs were had, and everyone enjoyed the shade the old structure provided for a brief while. We then made our way down to Speers Point to get some photos on the Jetties. After all the photos were done, the bridal party hopped back in the Hummer and we all made our way back to Club Macquarie for the reception.

It was when we arrived there that some absolutely amazing light started to happen outside and I couldnt help but drag Rach and Clint outside for some photos in the glorious golden light (thanks for being so cooperative guys!), which then turned into some photos throughout the club as well, including riding in the elevators, hiding in stairwells and playing the pokies.

Thank you for allowing me to share your day with you Rachel and Clinton. Both Merindah and I had an absolute blast! And Rach, your dress was so sparkly and gold and fun and I think I was in love!

Sunny days and Green Golf Courses

Its been a flat out few weeks, and I'm a bit behind on my blogging... sorry about that! but never fear! I am back!

On the 1st February I woke up, looked out the window and was faced with a beautiful sunny day, just perfect for a wedding out at Chateau Elan! As the day warmed up and I finished packing the golf (yup, I took a manual car further than Tocal!!), I made my way out to Cessnock to photograph Amanda's bridal prep and Merindah made her way off to meet with Daniel and the boys.

The girls were all very chilled out and Amanda looked stunning with a gorgeous hairstyle that Marilyn Monroe would be jealous of! When everyone was ready, we all climbed into the stretch Chrysler and made our way out to the Chapel at Chateau Elan. It had turned into an extremely sweltering day, so everyone was glad of the air conditioning in the chapel. And I will admit I may have had a bit of a Marilyn moment myself standing on top of an air conditioning vent to cool myself down!

After a gorgeous ceremony and some family photos, we made our way off to Peppers Convent for some photos. We then headed back to The Vintage to do some shots on the green where we got to ride around in a limo golf buggy! Very cool!

As the reception started, the temperature outside started to cool down, which was a very welcome change, and we finished the night off with some backlit photos under the rotunda. Thank you Amanda and Daniel for allowing me to share your day with you. I hope you had as much fun as I did!

Slushees, sea green gowns and an orange sunset...

On the 4th of January, I woke up and started to get ready for the first wedding of 2014. It was a bright, sunny and warm day and perfectly reflected the personalities of the couple I was to be photographing that day.

I arrived just after lunch at Erin's house to photograph the girls getting ready, and I was completely pumped (also a little bit of fist pump moment was had as it was my first wedding in a manual car!! Haha, small things!). The atmosphere with the girls was so calm, yet excited, and they all looked stunning in their sea green gowns. And of course, Erin looked just the picture of perfection!

Jake and Erin's ceremony was held under the big fig trees at one of my favourite venues, Tocal Homestead. I loved the little handmade touches they had added to their ceremony. They had constructed some stunning curtains out of hessian to hang behind them during the ceremony, and had some cool old wooden doors that Erin made her grand entrance through before walking down the aisle to meet her hubby to be.

The portrait session was awesome, as it always is at Tocal, but it helps even more when you have a couple who is keen for awesome photos! At the end of the portrait session, we were all very hot, sticky and exhausted, so a stop off at the slushee machines Erin and Jake had organised was a must before making our way to the reception. And I do love a good slushee!!!

The reception had so many cool little touches, from the handmade backdrop made out of paper pinwheels in shades of green and white, the surprise slideshow that had everyone including myself in stitches, the dippin-dots ice cream favours, to the caricature artist who was working the room drawing portraits of all the guests! And that cake! Need I say any more!!!

Needless to say, Erin and Jake started my year off with a complete bang, so I know its going to be a great year ahead! Thanks for having me there with you guys!! It was a blast!!! And you guys really knew how to help people cool off on a hot day! Slushees and ice cream! Perfection!!!