There’s something extra-beautiful about photographing the wedding of a friend. I’ve known Helena (or Noon, as she will always be to me) since we were both eleven years old. It was incredible to see her marry her dream man and help them and their family remember their beautiful day!

Helena and Damian are what I like to call a Disney couple. They are perfect together. Helena absolutely adores Damian. Damien is completely besotted by Helena, and he loves surprising her with the most romantic things – like a smoke-covered dance floor for the first dance as husband and wife (which was a little last minute and required some kitchen-sink dry ice experimentation that morning). Best of all, they’re both completely in awe of their gorgeous son Jonathan. There is so much love in their little family, and it’s obvious at a glance.

Take a look and tell me if you can see it too; the air of Disney one-true-love that this couple’s joy radiates. Congratulations, my beautiful friends!

Ceremony and reception venue: The Abbey Cobaki

There was so much that was special about Tess and Chris’ wedding day. It was the first sunny weekend in months. The boys went skydiving in the morning. Chris survived, so it’s obviously meant to be! Tess and her girls practised the first dance in their hotel room with sparkling eyes. Tess looked like a vintage doll. The two were married by their very charming longtime family friend, father Gerry, in Chris’ school church. EVERYONE got their best dance moves out for the celebration, even Tess’s 100 year old grandmother. Chris’ dad serenaded us all with a sterling rendition of the Joker. And, having lived “down the road” from Chris and his family my whole life, I felt like part of the family. It was a day I’ll never forget.

Vendors
Ceremony: St. Anthony’s Parish Kingscliff
Reception: Cudgen Leagues Club
Band: Fathom

Holly ‘s name fits her beautifully. She has all the radiance of a famous flower, which is lucky because she married a Tulip. Pete Tulip. Excuse me while I get a little cheesy… Their wedding planted the seeds for their incredible future together.

… Maybe that’s why it rained so much.

At the beginning of the day, Holly told me she’d be happy if the rain let up for half an hour for us to get their wedding portraits. Later she said fifteen minutes. She didn’t even get five – it rained non-stop all day – but she didn’t let it get to her. Instead, she hitched up her dress and conquered the rain with some admirable umbrella wielding (with a little help from her new husband and a very chilled out bridal party) and we all made it to the reception smiling, if a little soggy. We were also super-blessed to have the beautiful undercover facilities at Amore Gardens in the Currumbin Valley to keep us dry!

Botanical references abound, even if it hadn’t rained on Holly and Pete’s wedding day, there wouldn’t have been a dry eye at their wedding ceremony. I’ve been to a fair few weddings these days, and even I got teary at Holly’s mother’s proud expression as she walked her daughter down the aisle.

Congratulations, Holly and Pete!

There’s something extra-special about weddings that bring together two cultures.

Steve is a great Aussie bloke. Lovely Shirley is from Malaysia la. Together they are one seriously adorable couple.
Shirley was determined to stick to tradition as much as possible, but I loved to see the Chinese-Malaysian touches that crept though – thank you gifts for important people in Chinese New Year red packets, LOTS of photos taken by her friends and family at the reception, and a huge emphasis on celebrating with family – not necessarily the people you’re related to, but the people who make life amazing.

They really made me feel like part of the family, which made their wedding particularly special to me, too.

Ceremony: Hinterland Baptist Church Worongary, Gold Coast
Bridal portrait locations: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens  and the Spit, Southport
Reception: Southport RSL

There’s nothing more adorable than a groom who cries when he sees his bride. That was Leigh.

There’s nothing more beautiful than an already-stunning woman on her wedding day. That was Amy. Who could blame Leigh for getting teary.

There’s nothing more fun than photographing a friend’s wedding day. That was me. I giggled and chuckled and chortled my way through the day with Amy, Leigh and their hilarious bridal party (hands down, most entertaining speeches I’ve heard yet!) and I may have sneakily wiped away a few tears of my own during their ceremony.

Check out all the smiles and some of the tears below.

Vendors:

Ceremony and reception venue: Pottsville Golf Course
Hair: Erin Strong Hair Artistry
Makeup: Makeup By Lorina (0401 243 663)