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Camilla + Toby - Wallalong House, Hunter Valley
Camilla and Toby are the epitome of humble. So down to earth, so kind and caring, and so in love with each other. I was delighted when I found out they were getting married and they wanted me to be there to capture all of the magic. And oh how magical it was! It was a total DIY wedding, from the flowers to the forks, and it was all done with such style. I was in a photographers dreamland the whole day and night, surrounded by natural beauty everywhere (the couple and the setting), wonderful people and a magical sunset, I couldn’t stop clicking away. I gotta say, Wallalong House is up there for my favourite venues!
Camilla and Toby are amazing, their relationship is amazing, their wedding was amazing and I am certain they are destined for an amazing future.
Alyssa + Owen - Holuakoa Gardens, Kona, Hawaii
I got the pleasure of meeting Alyssa a few years ago on a commercial shoot. We spent a few days together amongst the vineyards in the Hunter Valley, we worked together so seamlessly and, huge bonus, got on like a house on fire. So when I see an email from Alyssa regarding her wedding to Owen, I could not be more over the moon for her!! She also happened to mention it was going to be in Hawaii Trying to contain my excitement and picking my jaw up off the floor, I met with Alyssa and Owen and chatted about all of the fun details over a few wines and a delicious dinner. Next minute I had a flight booked to The Big Island in Hawaii and I was gearing up for my first US wedding (with one half of the party flying from Ireland, and the other visiting from Sydney).
Kona is a gorgeous town and, like the rest of Hawaii, is surrounded by stunning beaches (sans the sand, replace it with black lava) and lush rainforests. Then, way up in the mountains, tucked away, is the historical village of Holualoa. It is a breathtaking little town, full of charming art galleries and stores with colourful facades, and history within their walls. Alyssa and Owen were lucky enough to tie the knot in gardens overlooking the expanse of Kona and the ocean beyond. With Big Island receiving the largest amount of rainfall in the US per year, we were pretty destined to get a bit wet. Thank Mother Nature it only rained (poured) for a small part of the ceremony, then the sun popped out and we were shower free for photos amongst the palms and bamboo, and a delicious dinner of local Hawaiian cuisine under the starry sky. It was a true delight to capture all of the smiles and laughter, the sun and the rain, the look of pure adoration and joy on Alyssa and Owen’s faces. I cannot thank them enough for welcoming me into their ohana and offering me the privilege of documenting their day, in literal paradise.
I feel so blessed to get to meet people like Alyssa and Owen and have the opportunity to travel to places near and far, all while doing what I love. I don’t mean to gloat and rub the whole “I love what I do” in your faces. But I’m just going to take a little moment of appreciation for all of the people that make it possible!
Annabelle + Matt - Moby Dicks Wale Beach
It’s like these two were picked straight out of a magazine! Honestly, such dazzlers! They had such a deep connection, and it was so special to see Matt’s reaction during their first look* when he lay eyes on Annabelle for the first time in her wedding dress under the fronds of the palm trees in Palm Beach. They took some time to take each other in, celebrate their relationship and wedding day with a champaz, and snap a few family photos before heading off to the rest of their friends and family waiting for them at Whale Beach. With a ceremony that continued to bring the special vibes, flowing into an afternoon full of sun and lens flare and empty beaches, we all could not wipe the smiles from our dials. Moby Dicks brought the goods as always, with flowers, food and wine to die for, and a dance floor to kill. It really was such a joyous time, one for the memory bank.
* The “first look” (so it’s been coined) is a time before the ceremony when a couple takes a few moments to be with each other and tell one another what a bombshell they are marrying, and how excited you are for what lays ahead. It can also be a great time to take some pictures so that later on you can prioritise time with your guests and crucial party time.
Grant + Kirsty - Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
When Grant and Kirsty told me they were engaged and wanted me to shoot their wedding, I was ecstatic. They are such an outstanding couple, I have been lucky enough to get to work with them both over the past few years (he a brilliant landscape designer and owner of Fig Landscapes, and she an entrepreneur and owner/designer of Yin Yoga mats) and I was counting down the days until their wedding! It’s so nice to have been able to get to know them both over many a shoot, see their business grow, capture the beauty they create, and now I get to capture their love in their little love bubble.
Set in the backyard of their humble abode in Watson's Bay (one of my favourite homes ever) and surrounded by the joyous faces of their loved ones, Grant and Kirsty were all smiles all day, even when Mother Nature decided to open up and cry mid-ceremony. The three of us popped down to Parsley Bay and we strolled around the rocks and waters edge for a little while before heading to Watsons Bay Hotel to indulge in an extravagant seafood platter and cheese spread. Friends and family celebrated with wine and champagne, laughter could be heard all around and everyone was looking mighty happy with a giant piece if lobster in hand. I had to give my cheeks a good massage on the way home that night, they were damn sore from all of that smiling!
Hannah + Chris - St Edwards of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga
Blessed with a beautiful day of sunny blue skies, and the sweet scent of love in the fresh country air, Hannah and Chris had a ripper of a wedding in store for themselves. They were both ecstatic about marrying each other, Chris was floored when he saw Hannah for the first time (don’t blame him), Hannah had love heart emojis popping out of her eyes when she saw Chris, and the whole day and night continued on encased in that delightful love bubble. Their families and friends were so excited to be there to celebrate such an amazing couple, their bridal party brought only positive vibes and St Edwards of the Riverina put on quite a show with a cracking sunset and a delicious dinner, I should also mention the dance floor under the stars got a pretty good work out.
I loved every second of shooting this wedding, every second of getting to know Hannah, Chris and their family and friends, and I feel the warm and fuzzies every time I look back on these photos.
Jesse + Claudia - Jonah’s, Whale Beach
Ohhhh, Jesse and Claudia, what a couple they are! I always knew this day was going to be special, but it went above and beyond any of my expectations thats for sure. Claudia walking down the aisle towards Jesse, the two of them locking eyes with each other and then spending the rest of the day and night like that, hand in hand, was a truly beautiful thing to witness and be a part of.
After the ceremony in Mona Vale we popped down to the beach for some drinks and photos and it was a pretty darn dreamy portrait session! Gorgeous people, gorgeous weather, gorgeous dresses, suits, settings, flowers…ahh it was just so lovely. Then back to Jonah’s for a very elegant reception, hilarious and heartfelt speeches, and a raging dance floor. What a time!
Charles + Alexandra - Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli is one of the most incredible settings for a Sydney wedding. No wonder Charles and Alexandra chose it as the spot they wanted tie the knot at. With the backdrop of the gorgeous Sydney harbour and under the colourful and unique arbour, it was pure joy to capture Alexandra and Charles say "I DO! The incredibly beautiful and ever so happy Bride in her stunning Yves Saint Laurent dress and one of the most beautiful flower crowns I have ever seen, Charles being the dapper Frenchman he is and dressed to impress, the boats, the birds, flowers and joyful faces, it was the recipe for an incredibly delicious wedding filled with so much love!
