I met Gemma and Scott a few years ago on a trip in Europe. We’ve kept in touch, so when I found out they were engaged, it was beyond my wildest dreams to be asked to shoot their wedding….in AUSTRALIA, where they live! Nothing could have stopped me from this. I. Was. Elated. Gemma, Scott and the family did a BEAUTIFUL job with their DIY wedding. From the handmade invitations to the centerpiece flowers coming straight from Gemma’s mother’s gorgeous garden, to the custom made seating arrangement. I’ll let you go and see everything for yourself. It was all so lovely.
The day of the wedding, it was sprinkling on and off, and we were lucky for the ceremony, because no one had to use an umbrella. By the time we went for formals with the wedding party, it was pouring, so we took advantage of shooting in the historic Stannum House which had plenty of photo opps. I couldn’t resist though, and had the party take one shot outdoors, with the wedding party up top on the balcony and the bride and groom below under an awning. It was pouring down rain at this point, but luckily, the pictures still turned out beautifully.
Back at the reception, things got into full swing with eating, drinking and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Australians KNOW how to party. The whole gang was asking me if I was familiar with a few songs playing, which were anthem songs for Australia, and the guys were amazed I didn’t know them 😉 While staying with the Stanford family in the days leading up to the wedding, I was given a few new names from Ron, Gemma’s dad. They were ‘the girl’ and the more popular ‘Philippa’ or ‘Phil’. He had it in his head that that was my name, and so it was. It stuck. All through the reception, the wedding party would catch my attention by shouting, “Hey, Phil, come over here!” It was such an incredible time. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!
Gemma & Scott, you showed me so many amazing things and I am so forever grateful for being able to come over to share your beautiful incredible day. It was brilliant!
Look at Scott there on the lower left, below…he looks like a happy puppy dog, hahahaah!!
I love these two. These are Gemma’s parents. They still know how to party!!
Gotta love it when the groomsmen find a creative way to use their party favors… …as shot glasses!
Since Gemma & Scott were married at a private residence, they didn’t do a grand exit. I took the opportunity to shoot a few dramatic lighting poses with them right outside the reception marquee. It had been raining, and we were up in the mountains, so there was a fog bank settling on the mountain side. I couldn’t be more happy with how they turned out.
One thing to all you brides…remember that no matter the weather on your big day, there’s ALWAYS something good that can come of the situation if you look for it. 😉
Flowers: Catherine Hay
Caterer: Kim Rhodes
Hair: Gemma Radin
Makeup: Cassie Croft
These are great!!!!!! Can’t to hear more about it! My favorite is the photo you got between the bride and her father with their full reflection in the mirror! What a neat shot!
Ahhh!!! SO good!!!!