Keira + Jack // The Country Trader Wedding

I get vibes from emails, sometimes I just know that it’s going to be something special, and Keira & Jack’s wedding was indeed something special, they truly did things their own way which was so wonderful to see!

There was something about there ceremony that really struck me, everyone was so present. I didn’t think twice about it at the time, but I remember the joy in taking photos of their friends and family laughing along with the ceremony, enjoying the day and I remembered the sign “no photos during the ceremony please” a little reminder to their guests to actually participate in the day. Now, you could say that I’m biased because I’m a photographer, but having recently been a guest at a wedding for the first time in… oh… about 2 years, I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to enjoy a ceremony without a camera in front of me. You actually get to be much more present and in the moment when you’re not thinking about what you’re taking photos of and I cannot express what a wonderful idea it was by Keira and Jack to do it!

The Country Trader provided such a unique backdrop for their reception, it was like a photographer’s paradise. So many wonderful nooks and crannies and so many gorgeous couches for everyone to relax on. It was a perfect representation of Keira & Jack’s amazing style and attention to detail.

Keira and Jack’s lovely wedding was featured on Rock ‘n’ Roll Bride. Below are some of the people who contributed to making their day.
Ceremony Venue: NSW Writers’ Centre
Reception Venue: The Country Trader
Bride’s Dress: Couture by Francesca
Bride’s Shoes: Louboutins
Bride’s Headpiece: Couture by Francesca
Bride’s Jewellery: Dracakis
Groom’s Outfit: Ted Baker
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Alannah Hill
Cake: Patisse
Flowers: Ria Gradon, Pollen
Hair: Marie Gutteridge
Make Up: Christina Cleary
Caterers: ARIA Catering
Transport: Sydney Mustangs

B & D // Botanic Gardens wedding

From the very first email from the bride, I knew that we would be fast friends.The first time we met, it felt like a meeting with two old friends, we bonded over our mutual adoration of dumplings, kraft paper and wonderful buildings. There are some things that feel like fate, destiny, kismet, whatever you wish to call it and meeting B & D felt like an aligning of the planets to bring us all together.

Meeting B& D and now having the great blessing of calling them friends, I can’t imagine a couple more well suited to each other and more balanced. They have such a respect and a deep love that you can practically see how it binds them. Their ceremony was one of the most moving and intimate that I have ever witnessed with not a dry eye in the house (or garden, if you will).

The bride’s sister did a reading form one of their favourite authors, Arundati Roy:

“The only dream worth having is to dream that you will live while you are alive, and die only when you are dead. To love, to be loved.
To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and vulgar disparity of the life around you.
To seek joy in the saddest places. To pursue beauty to its lair.
To never simplify what is complicated or complicate what is simple.
To respect strength, never power. Above all to watch.
To try and understand. To never look away.
And never, never to forget.”

I can’t think of a more perfect way to describe them. Thank you both so much for finding me, allowing me to be a part such an intimate and wonderful celebration and thank you for your friendship.

Celebrant ~ Robyn Pattison
Bride’s Dress ~ Custom designed by Bride and her sister and sewn by Bride’s mum
Groom’s Suit ~ Vintage inspired 3 piece suit from Politix
Hair & Makeup ~ Amelia Axton
Flowers ~ Buds & Bowers, Surry Hills
Ceremony Venue ~ Herb Garden, Botanic Gardens
Reception Venue ~ Tea Rooms, Queen Victoria Building
Cake ~ Brides in Bloom
Wedding rings ~ Custom designed by Rox Jewellers, Strand Arcade
Transport ~ Broadway Limos

So long and thanks for all the fish //2012

I should preface this post with I am a monstrous geek. Absolute. Total. Utter. Geek. And in thinking about the year that was 2012, a Douglas Adams quote from Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy popped into my head:

“The Guide says there is an art to flying”, said Ford, “or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning
how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”- Douglas Adams

2012 was a year of a lot of throwing myself at the ground for lack of a better word, and I won’t lie, it’s left me a little battered and bruised, but 2012, you were a year of personal growth, more than any other. I’ve been lax on blogging, because sometimes growth is hard to quantify, but I have to say thank you so much to each and every one of my wonderful couples. I am beyond fortunate to get the couples that I do, you are all so much a part of my family that I cannot imagine the year that was without you all.

I feel like I tinker in my own little world most of the time and one of my tinkerings this year came in the form of my album templates, that have been so lovingly supported by the photography community, I am so thankful that I can give back to the community and help in some little way.

Thank you all for your support, your hugs, your friendship, your openness, and of course letting me into your lives.