Month / March 2011

If I had to sum up in one word MarieAnne & Lee’s wedding on Sunday, it would be “FUN”. Everyone was so relaxed on the day, they couldn’t help but have a great time. The bridesmaids dresses were simply fabulous and MarieAnne’s gown was a vision in lace – simply stunning. Just in case anyone thought that ivory lace could be a bit traditional, MarieAnne knocked that on the head lickety split with a sensational pair of electric blue satin platform shoes! The flowers included jonquils, hydrangers and Lily’s.

The weather held off at the appropriate times so that the ceremony at Star of the Sea, Watsons Bay, went off without a hitch. MarieAnne’s brother Stefan did a stellar job standing in for their beloved Dad and gave the Bride away with style. A beautiful reading (only my humble opinion – the priest certainly thought it was unusual) preceeded the crescendo of applause that accompanied the bride and groom’s kiss. It has been a long time that I have seen a wedding where every single member of the congregation stood out of their seats and went simply bananas as the priest announced the bridal couple as husband and wife. The tumult was almost deafening in the old stone church.

Photos at Watsons Bay lighthouse and beach followed which we were very lucky to avoid the rain yet again. MarieAnne & Lee – I don’t know who you’ve got up there, but there’s certainly someone in heaven on your side! The reception at the Gap Bluff Function Centre was catered for by MarieAnne’s best friend Natalie’s husband Mauricio. He has a fabulous Spanish restaurant at Crows Nest called Extra Virgin Fine Foods. Everyone must experience this food! Check it out at www.extravirginfinefoods.com.au

MarieAnne’s Maurician heritage gave the reception an extra special flair, especially with the traditional Maurician Sega dancers that entertained the crowd. The piano man kept the dancefloor full all night and I’m sure everyone would have partied into the wee hours had National Parks let them! Thanks for a great day guys and enjoy the honeymoon! You certainly need a rest after all that dancing!

Marie Anne’s Dress – Zoe Marie Couture San Souci
Bridesmaids – Unique Vintage USA
Groomsmen – Hira’s Bespoke Fashion Hong Kong
Entertainment and/or DJ –  Sega Down Under & The Piano Man – Scot Finnie
Cake –  Made by a family friend
Floral Artist –  b’leaf in Crows Nest
Caterers/Reception venue –  The Gap Bluff Watsons Bay catered by Extra Virgin Fine Foods Crows Nest
Ceremony decorations –  Our Lady Star of the Sea Watsons Bay, set up by b’leaf
Reception Set up & decorations – Cakes, Covers & Candlesticks Taren Point and Oliver Party Hire Balgowlah
Honeymoon destination – Two weeks on Boracay Island in the Philippines

Not even the wettest March weekend on record could dampen the spirits of these two! Jenny and Anthony were married in a lovely ceremony at Star of the Sea Miranda. After family photos inside the church as the heavens opened (again), we braved the weather and headed down to my favourite wet weather location in the shire – Tom Ugly’s boat ramp. It’s not glamorous, but we were lucky to catch the low tide and we got some great shots on the sand.

The bridal party arrived at their reception at Shipwrights in style aboard a baby Riviera. They were greeted with a traditional Lithuanian bread and salt ceremony to reflect Anthony’s mother’s Lithuanian heritage. The traditional Lithuanian wedding cake was simply spectacular and so it should be – it took 3 days to make! After the formalities, the guests were herded outside for a “group shot”, only to be amazed at the surprise fireworks display Jenny and Anthony put on for them! I’m not talking a couple of sparklers, it was a display of NYE harbourside proportions! It was so huge it even woke up my 3yr old at my place at Como! Needless to say, that put everyone in a party mood and the rest of the night went of like a cracker.

I always know when a wedding will be really special, and it’s usually when the bride mentions something about “fireworks”!

Everything about Sarah’s day was sparkly! Her fabulous gown with the belt that every lady at the wedding wanted to get her hands on, the jewellery and even the sparkling tiara worn by Sarah’s diva dog Bella. This was a day not to be missed and even Sarah’s bridesmaid Blair was not going to let a 20hr flight from Toronto Canada stop her from being here for Sarah’s big day.

The lovely ceremony at South Cronulla Uniting was followed by photos at Darook Park. We were having so much fun that we decided we didn’t need to go down to North Cronulla beach for more shots and headed straight to the reception.

Then, just when you thought things couldn’t get any shinier, fireworks no less greeted Sarah and Graham as they entered their reception at Summer Salt. More fireworks at the cake cutting and just for those that had been asleep thus far – fireworks during the bridal waltz! Sarah and Graham certainly had the time of their lives and that was the quintessential wedding dance song from Dirty Dancing that kicked the party off proper.

Enjoy your honeymoon in Thailand guys! After such a sensational wedding day, you deserve a relax on the beach. But Sarah – stay sparkly!

Melinda & Stephen’s wedding at Belgenney farm was everything a country wedding should be – laid back bride & groom, welcoming guests, great weather and unbeatable scenery!

Camden’s Belgenney farm didn’t dissapoint and delivered a spectacular venue that all the guests thoroughly enjoyed and just quietly – it’s a photographers nirvana! History, sweeping vistas and character laden farm buildings.

Delivered to the ceremony in nothing less than 3 ’57 Chevvies, Mel and the girls arrived in style! Mel was attended to by no less than 4 bridesmaids and her two gorgeous kids – 7yr old Shae and 2.5 yr old Ryan who truly was so cute he almost stole mum’s thunder! After the ceremony on the lawn which was celebrated by close family friend Graeme Morn, we ventured into the vineyards and farm buildings for photos that are nothing short of spectacular.

The reception in the Granary rounded out the day with perfection. Heaped with character, the service and food was awsome and the atmosphere was just great. Thanks Mel & Stephen, Alex and I had a ball!

The heatwave broke just in time to birth a perfect day for Rebecca and Seyfi. Their wedding was held on the lawn outside Dunbar House at Watsons Bay. The bride and groom prepared at the iconic Watsons Bay Hotel then after some photos by the beach, they strolled together to their wedding place.

Such a romantic day would not be complete without photos under the enveloping Morton Bay Figs by the water. Rebecca and Seyfi’s union is an example of perfect cultural blending. Rebecca’s Spanish background fits perfectly with Seyfi’s Turkish heritage, complete with family that made the journey all the way from Europe especially for the big day.

Dunbar House was the perfect reception venue and all the guests appreciated it’s newly renovated & sumptuous interior. Fabulous food, smart service and flamenco rounded out a beautiful day.