I am usually the person caught in photos with their eyes scrunched up, mouth in a grimace, looking slightly gormless. I didn’t just want – I needed – an engagement shoot to help me relax in front of the camera, get to know what my photographer was telling me to do, and then to forget he was even there.

Buzz and I first came across our photographer, Justin Hill of Dekuji Photography, at our dear friends Carly and Rowan’s wedding in January 2010. Buzz and I weren’t even contemplating engagement then (well I was but he wasn’t!), but when we saw the photos that Justin had produced for Carly and Rowan, we admired his artistic, modern, natural style so much that we knew we’d go back to him when it was our turn.

Our engagement shoot was held on grey day in the backstreets of Collingwood and Fitzroy. Smith Street plays a large part in our relationship; our first two dates were held there, and Buzz lived a stone’s throw away for quite a while, meaning there was a mandatory breakfast each weekend, often with fuzzy head and bleary eyes, and even though we now live a couple of stones’ throws away, we still end up there most weekends. We love the urban landscape and the history in every alleyway; we love pints in pubs on sweltering summer afternoons and on crisp winter evenings; we love the explosions of street art;  and we adore the Miniature Schnauzer, Toby, who sits outside Horton’s Bookshop welcoming browsers. It’s our home away from home, our ‘hood, and our favourite place to stroll and be together.

We particularly like Justin’s philosophy that he is there to record the day, not to artificially create ‘moments’ to photograph. What we want from our wedding photography is natural, intelligent, documentary-style images with an eye for detail – and that’s what we’ve got in Dekuji.

We enjoyed the shoot a surprising amount, and you can see how silly we are in some pictures, but my favourite pictures are the ones at the end, when we ended up in a bar with a pint and just chatted away – just like us.

Photography by Dekuji Photography

Ms Gingham says: “The more I read about pre wedding shoots the more I think that they’re a necessity. I think back on my own special day, where I specifically told my photographer in our meeting that I didn’t want to spend much time shooting in the park, only to find myself spending the majority of the time where? … in the park … freezing … grumpy … being told to just go with it. To think, I could have found out how difficult our communication would be if I had just had an engagement shoot.”

Miss T says: Organised to the max; fan of all things sparkly and organic; vegan (but no hemp or dreadlocks); proud mama to a Chihuahua princeling and two snooty cats; drinker of beer; and thrilled to her little cotton socks to be marrying the sweet, silly, smart and snuggly Buzz.

Miss T has more fabulous stories to share here.

Read about pre wedding shoots from a photographer’s perspective here.

Engagement Shoots, Weddings | Comments 3

Mark and Lisa

I fell for Mark when I was in my first year of high school. The first time I laid eyes on him I knew that he was the man for me. After a few years playing cat and mouse, we got together. Mark proposed when we had been together for 6 1/2 years and as waiting wasn’t a big deal to us, we had a look to see when our next anniversary fell on a Saturday and to our surprise it was our 10 yrs! What a perfect day to celebrate our wedding.

I knew I wanted the feel and style of the day to be Romantic, elegant and fun, to make people really feel like part of the day, not just guests. To me that meant involving loved ones, lollypops for the kids at the end of the aisle, roses on the mothers’ place settings. Really capturing the essence of love.

My dress was purchased from Bridal Collections at Erina. I knew it was the base of what I was after but I had some alterations in mind that would make it the perfect gown for me. I took it to Kelley Heaney Bridal Couture and discussed with her the large textured, floral shoulder I wanted to add. She was flawless in her delivery and the outcome was exactly what I had envisaged. We changed the neckline and backline and added a long, stunning veil from french tulle that complimented the dress perfectly.

The bridesmaids dresses were purchased from Forever New and were perfect for the occasion.

Keeping with tradition, Mark and I bought each other gifts. We wanted them to be something we could wear on the day and that we could pass down to our children one day. I got Mark a beautiful Citizen watch from Times Square on our trip to New York and he bought me an antique freshwater pearl bracelet from a cute local antique shop.

The Ceremony location was stunning. We chose to be wed above the waterfall in the Hunter Valley Gardens with a long wisteria walk way as our aisle.

Our photographer was Ben Adams Photography. He is amazing and I fell in love with his work from the word go. He was exciting and fun and on our shoot throughout the hunter valley gardens all I remember hearing was laughter from all in the bridal party.

A few of my favourite pics of Mark and I!

The reception was at the Sebel Kirkton Park. The property was our favourite! The room shouted old world elegance with detailed cornices, chandeliers and elegant filigree curtains.

As I wanted to have the personal touches as a big part of our day, we did all of the decorating except for the chair covers. Our centrepieces were ivory ceramic cake stands filled with candles, pearls and sweet avalanche roses nestled in.

The bonbonnieres were homemade jams from Aunty Evas Preserves. We had strawberry and vanilla or Blackforest for the guests labelled with ” Spread the Love”. Love, laughter and happiness was the feel of the night!

Our cake was made by Analee at Cakes to Dream On and was Cherry Ripe chocolate cake and Caramel Mud. We had the pattern of the lace on my dress trailing up each layer of the cake and fresh flowers to finish.

Our flowers were by Peter Herd Floral Design. There was a big heat wave in the earlier months of the year and due to this, the flowers I had chosen were wiped out. Rather than a worried call from the florist I got an excited man on the end of the line. As a fluke some beautiful David Austin’s from England had arrived and so these were showcased in my bouquet along with freesias and sweet avalanche roses. As you can imagine, I was very excited. The roses were wonderful and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

In the reception, Ben our photographer had provided a Crazy Photo Booth for all of our guests to enjoy. It was a fun, fresh and unique addition to the reception and had everyone up and mingling.

My dad is a really proud father so having our dance was something I felt a must for the night. During this we had the MC ask Mark and his mum up to join us and then hand us over to each other for our first dance as a married couple. It was one of the best parts of my night. The people we chose for readings and speeches, photos displayed of our parents at their weddings, all the little things I saw as part of the bigger picture. All of that really ended up making the experience that much more special to us.

Photography by Ben Adams Photography

Ms Gingham says: The photo of the dish running away with the spoon is so amazing! I love it. Thanks to the Littles for sharing their Little Wedding with us!

Lisa says:I love my husband, my family and my friends. Vintage inspired creations with a unique personal touch make my heart skip a beat! I believe happiness isn’t a destination but a way of living and making someone smile is one of the best things you can do.

Colours Nude PinkTaupeWhite | Tags www.benadamsweddings.com | Inspired Weddings, Inspired Weddings, Weddings | Comments 3

Kat and Corey

On the 16th October 2003 I met my future husband at a mutual friends going away party. I was 15 and Corey was 16. We have a constant debate about who “picked up” who at the party but all I know is by the end of the night I was completely smitten. We exchanged numbers with a promise to catch up soon.

Later that same night when I got home, I sent Corey a text saying how nice it was to meet him and I hoped that I would get to see him again soon. He instantly rang me back and we talked for hours. The following weekend we spent the whole weekend together and the rest as they say is history.

On June 29th 2010 after a massive day of snowboarding in Perisher Corey proposed in our hotel room and of course I said yes! It was the most amazing day of my whole life. We rang every person we have ever met to tell them the news. I remember being so ridiculously happy for the rest of our holiday. I wanted to tell every person I met that I had just got engaged. Even when I did an epic stack down a major hill on my snowboard I got and up was still smiling because I was getting married!

As soon as we got engaged I knew that I wanted to have engagement photos taken and I am lucky that Corey indulged me with this.  However, the universe had other ideas. We first booked our session for October 2010 on a Sunday but I was made to work that day so we rescheduled for February 2011. Unfortunately, a month prior to the shoot Corey was out of work for a while and with an overseas trip coming up in March that we desperately needed to save for we had to postpone again till June. The week of the shoot arrived and the heavens opened up. It poured and poured for a week straight so again we had to postpone. We finally managed to do our shoot a week later on the most stunning day on Currumbin beach. So it all worked out in the end if only 8 months later than expected!

Our photographer was the gorgeously talented Michelle Stewart from Michelle Stewart Photography.  Michelle will also be taking our wedding photos in November and after the engagement shoot I know that they will turn out amazing. With only about 4 months to go this wedding is going to be here before we know it!

Images courtesy of Michelle Stewart Photography.

Ms Gingham says: Thanks to Kat for sharing her beautiful engagement shoot with us! I’m a little disappointed though … where’s the picture of the epic snowboarding stack? By the way … loving the contrast of the yellow nails against the purple skirt!!!

Kat says: “I am 23 years old and I live on the Gold Coast, Queensland. I am currently planning my November 2011 wedding to my gorgeous fiance Corey. I work as an events coordinator and in my spare time I love to bake, knit, sew and blog. I love vintage clothing particularly from the 1950’s.”

Engagement Shoots, Weddings | Comments 3

I had a few simple New Year’s resolutions this year in preparation for our December wedding. Top of my list was to finally get on top of my skincare regime – or lack there of. Since I was about 13 I have had re-occurring acne, persistent blemishes, redness, then it would clear and then sometimes come back with full blown, scar inducing break outs. It was frustrating trying topical creams, a thousand different cleansers, toners, moisturisers and prescription medications only to end up back at square one again. I always had in the back of my mind “When I get married I will have perfect skin” (yes I was one of those little girls wearing a white tea towel on their head pretending to be the bride, dreaming of her wedding day). I believed clear skin = confident bride. It was one of those ‘one day’ goals. Well it turns out that one day is fast approaching.

The problem seemed to lie in the fact that I had combination skin – areas of dryness, areas prone to oil, areas of serious sensitivity. So when Aveeno kindly gave me their new Ultra-Calming Range to try I was sceptical to say the least, my skin has been through enough already in it’s young age! Often, introducing a new regime to sensitive skin can be a roller coaster ride. I was worried that it would be like some other cleansers and moisturisers I have tried – it would dry my skin out, make it itch, make it red, before clearing it (hallelujah!) and then my skin would react badly. I approached with caution.

But after a few weeks of a) no dryness b) no itching or flaking and c) a gradual clearing of blemishes and redness rather than a miracle-then-flop-effect I am fairly sold that Aveeno’s new range of Ultra-Calming cleanser and daily moisturiser is just that – ultra calming. And for a busy bride-to-be trying to organise a wedding, work and stay relatively sane it was a sigh of relief. Maybe wedding day confidence is just around the corner …

Photography by Cinderella at Brindabella

Ms Gingham says: We all want a perfect day and that DOES NOT include zits! It’s good to know that there’s more out there than just Windex to treat them with.

Emma says:”I am a 24 year old country girl who lives on a sheep and potato farm in the beautiful green Gippsland hills, Victoria. My hubby-to-be and I are high school sweet hearts and are planning a early summer 2011 wedding on our farm, full of rustic elegant touches, hay bales, lace, kraft paper and logistical nightmares of having a marquee wedding in the middle of a paddock! I share all our adventures on my blog Cinderella at Brindabella.”

Read more about Emma’s wedding planning here.

Inspired Plans, Weddings | Comments 1

Tia and Eddie

With the dust barely settled from the marriage of my younger sister Kelly, I find myself flying high in the sunny skies of Sydney heading to New Zealand for the nuptials of my baby sister Tia. We don’t do anything by halves this family, two weddings in almost as many months, boy are we gluttons for punishment!

The youngest of three girls, my sister Tia or “TT” as we affectionately call her, is the kind of person who sets her sights in life and just goes for it. As a flight attendant she is beautiful, well travelled and intelligent. As my sister she is hilarious, stubborn and the cheekiest girl you’ll ever meet. Our Dad would often laughingly refer to her as his “spirited baby”.

So when Tia first met Eddie we wondered if he would be the man to rise to the challenge of winning our Miss Independence. It seems that, two years on, he certainly is. The calm to my sister’s storm, Eddie’s quiet confidence and laid back nature have been perfect for Tia. As their relationship has flourished, there is such an air of happiness and contentment about them that is special to see and are what life’s loves are truly about don’t you think?

Tia and Eddie wanted a simple, fuss free celebration and to enjoy a beautiful summers afternoon with the people they love, good food, fresh air and sunshine. So they decided on a picnic celebration at Muriwai Beach in Auckland’s west. These are my diary entries of their beautiful day …

They marry on a Monday. As I drive our bridal party through the winding roads of Muriwai in an old column change van, beeping and waving to wide eyed passers-by, crunching the gears the whole way and laughing hysterically, the tone of the day is set.

Tia and Eddie have filled their day with their own special touches. My two gorgeous sons and Eddie’s adorable nephew escort the bridesmaids down the aisle and my handsome nephew and proud mum walk Tia to Eddie who stands beaming under a beautiful bamboo canopy.

The ceremony is magical, directly on the beach. The waves crash, the sky shines blue and the romantic melody “Always” is whipped around by the wind. The exchange of vows in front of the intimate gathering of family and friends is poignant and simple.

We are welcomed into the reception by a sway of hips and a flash of pink as Eddie’s cousin performs a traditional Cook Island dance, it is beautiful and heartfelt and tears spring to my eyes. I sit and listen as my brother-in-law MCs us through a joyful and carefree afternoon. A mix of Maori, cook island and European cultures comes together easily and reflects who Tia and Eddie truly are. I clap, I laugh and I cry … and just for a little bit my chest aches as our Dad is lovingly remembered.

Champagne is flowing and the umu (Cook Island food) is sumptuous, the hard work of loved ones is acknowledged and appreciated, Tia and Eddie’s day, in a word, has been perfect.

And as the sun sets and the evening cools everyone rallies their tired children and rolls up their picnic blankets. I look to the newly weds and chuckle. My sister dances blissfully around in my aunty’s hat in danger of losing her champagne filled glass at any moment, her new husband watches her adoringly, shaking his head. The look on his face says everything, and for the second time I find myself thinking, kudos to you my baby sis.

All the other important bits! Tia’s dress by Anna Campbell from La Luna in Cronulla, Eddie and the groomsmen in Country Road, bridesmaid’s dresses bought online, beautiful hair and makeup by Sara Tomlinson, the lovely celebrant Peta Hardley, fantastic photographer Jack of Dream Life Photography, the most delicious wedding cake by The Cake Stall Royal Oak, flowers and decorations by us.

Images courtesy of Dream Life Photography

Ms Gingham says: “Nothing says cool better than a beach, picnic wedding! The bamboo canopy is so beautiful. Thanks to a very proud sister for sharing Tia and Eddie’s wedding with us!”

Tracy says: I am a busy mum of two small boys who have certainly kept me out of trouble these past few years! And as my two main men tottle off to school I look forward to this new year as a journey of self rediscovery both personally and professionally – bring it on 2011!

Read about Tracy’s other sister Kelly’s wedding here.

Colours Fairy Floss PinkPewter GreySparkling SilverWhite | Inspired Weddings, Inspired Weddings, Weddings | Comments 1