Scott and Jo

I met Scott and Jo about a year before they got married, they were referred to me by the photographer they had chosen. They are one of the most organised couples I have ever worked with. When I first met them, they had a date, attendants, the wedding dress, bridesmaid’s dresses and photographer booked. By the time they signed their Notice of Intended Marriage in April last year, almost everything was organised.  They were fantastic to work with, giving me honest and heartfelt feedback to all the questions I asked them.

Jo and Scott have known each other all of their lives, their parents were at the hospital together when they were being born. They have been friends throughout the years and have always shared a connection neither of them could explain. Scott proposed to Jo when they were on a horse and carriage near to the casino, he was down on one knee when a drunk man asked Scott if he had just proposed.

On a beautiful Saturday in February they were married at Nathania Springs Receptions in Monbulk. The reception centre was stunning and the staff were among some of the most friendly and organised I have worked with.  Jo arrived in true Jo style – in a pink stretch limo. Four beautiful bridesmaids accompanied Jo, all wearing the same style dress, in four different beautiful colours.  Jo herself looked like a true princess – given away by her Uncle.

Their wedding was truly beautiful in a wonderful setting – the Dandenong  Ranges always look beautiful no matter whether it is summer or winter. Their special day was perfect for wonderful photos – not too hot so the boys wouldn’t be uncomfortable in their suits. It was a joy for me to get to know this lovely couple, and an honour to be a part of their big day.

 Thanks to the guys at JLB THE STUDIO for the photos from Jo and Scott’s beautiful day, you can contact them on 0430 303 323

Lovely Reception touches

I recently attended a wedding where the couple had a wonderful idea! Rather than having disposable cameras on the wedding tables, where usually only one or two are keepers from each roll, this couple decided to ask the guests to take photographs from a list provided and for them to upload them to instagram tagging #mr&mrs.

Not only is this a great, cost effective way to get people to take photos at your wedding, but also a great way to get people interacting. Most people have a smart phone and an instagram account. This method is a great icebreaker, especially if not all the people at any one table are aquatinted with each other. Some of the photos on the list were relatively straightforward, however, some were a little more obscure – a great way to get people chatting.

Another wedding I conducted included a quiz, made by one of the bridesmaids, each table had to answer – it was a great way to get everyone on the table interacting, including various questions about the bride and groom. They excluded questions everyone knew the answers to – a fun challenge for the guests. Not only was it a great way to start people talking, it was also a great way to get to know more about the bride and groom.

Have you been to any weddings that had a unique touch you thought was a great idea at the reception?

Suzy and Matt

Suzy and Matt had their wedding at Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience. Which is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary just outside of Wellington, in New Zealand.  They were officially married on the Wednesday before their wedding day, due to me being an Australian Civil Celebrant I wasn’t able to officially marry them. So they had a small legal ceremony with their families present a few days before and got all of the legal stuff done and out of the way. I have known both Suzy and Matt for about 6 years and knew them before they became a couple so they thought that it was only fitting that I should be the one that did their wedding ceremony. I was honoured when they asked me and thought  they may change their mind once they knew that they would have to get all of the legalities done by someone else, and that it might just be too much trouble, but they were determined that I would be the one to do their ceremony, and I am so glad that they did.  I had a wonderful time, and felt so happy to be a part of their day, again I cannot explain how lovely it is for me to help two people that I know quite well, exchange promises in front of all of their family and friends.

They met at their workplace through their mutual love of Photography and their love of music. Matt had asked Suzy to teach him to play some songs on the guitar.  Suzy remembers with amusement Matt declaring his interest during and Arnold Schwarzenegger movie one night, She also recalls spending their first date in an ER because she had dislocated her shoulder whilst removing a piece of clothing. That same night  Matt got food poisoning from the dinner he ate at the pub earlier in the evening and spent the whole night dashing to the bathroom. It did look suspicious when they both called into work sick the next day.  Suzy remembers them going  to Wellington for their first holiday together. She remembers injuring her back and how Matt came to the hospital everyday to sit with her and entertain her as soon as the hospital opened and stayed until they kicked him out.  Matt also remembers this time and knew that this was when he was in love with Suzy, instead of seeing the beautiful sights of New Zealand, he was sitting by her side, helping her use a bed pan, and he really didn’t mind.

The wedding was on a lovely Wellington day in March, Suzy and her 4 beautiful attendants all arrived on a lovely little boat and made their way to the beautiful little section of the park where the ceremony was being held. Matt and his 5 groomsmen waited patiently for their arrival. I will never forget the moment that Matt got to see Suzy for the first time. She looked fantastic in her 40’s inspired dress with her beautiful hair style and a stunning birdcage veil.

After the ceremony the 70 ish guests were treated to drinks and canapés by the lake and could take a scenic boat ride down the lake while the newly married couple were off having their photographs taken. Shortly after all of the guests were ushered into the beautiful  Rata Cafe that was all set up with some of the most lovely table decorations that you have seen. They had a lovely little cake that matched the wildlife theme of the day and so many little cupcakes so that those who wanted to eat cake could do so.

It was a wonderful evening full of dancing and great conversation, with guests from all over the world. I don’t think that I have been to a wedding for a long time that had so many people from so many different countries in the one place. I met some truly wonderful people, that were so lovely. In an amazing, wonderful country that I already want to go back to again.

Thank-you to Amy Schultz for the stunning photos from Matt and Suzy’s wonderful day. Check out her website here. Like her on facebook too, click here for her page. If you are in Wellington, check out Zealandia it is a beautiful place. You can look at their website here.