Hibernating for Winter

As the days grow shorter, the weather colder, and the skies greyer, and my 'wedding season' comes to the end for a little while, I look back over these weddings that I have done this year, and how they sum up everything I love about my job - the power of family and tradition, of celebration and friends, and of course the visual gorgeousness that all weddings offer - large or small, extravagant or on a budget. I consider myself incredibly lucky and honoured to be invited to be a small but vital part of a couple's day, and even more blessed that by a combination of luck and clever marketing I seem to bypass the 'Bridezillas' that are out there (and trust me - they're out there!). Through good fortune and 'serendipity' I tend to have couples finding me who realise that while it's great to have a gorgeous dress, and all the trimmings that make a wedding 'beautiful', the most beautiful thing that I see through my lens transcends all of that superfluous stuff - it's about the love and joy, things that are personal touches to give the day 'heart', and realising that although it's an important day, it is only one day out of many more to come... and there's a whole life together ahead of them.

So for now, I'll be taking a few months to relax a little, fill my camera with images of interiors, corporate types, babies, families, food and lifestyle, and focus on that other inspiration, my gorgeous hubby Matt, and my beautiful little Finlay. (She got her first tooth the other day... they grow up so fast!) I shall endeavour to get to the gym a little more, catch up on some sleep, and add some new dishes to my culinary repertoire. I also look forward to meeting many newly engaged couples who will hopefully be appearing on this blog in the next twelve months or so, updating my proper website, and becoming part of a 'collective' of boutique Melbourne based wedding businesses being founded by my friend and colleague Kim, to be called "Portobello Bride" - a group of small to medium wedding suppliers breaking away from the 'Wedding Factory' to offer a one-stop shop for couples who don't want all the hoopla, sales pitches, and big price tags, but still want a great, gorgeous wedding experience... keep an eye out for that one, there will be a website and mini expo coming around soon!

So, until next time, stay warm, take care, and here's just a couple of my favourite images from years past (pre-blog) to savour with your mug of hot soup. See you in Spring! Lisa xx

Fiona & Dean - 18th April 2009

It started in the 1930s with six pieces of lace purchased by Fiona's great grandmother. From those 6 pieces, one was made into a wedding dress which, in the past 70+ years, has been worn by 8 women, (and has even been worn to a meeting with the Queen), including Fiona's Grandma, Mum, Cousin, and of course, Fiona herself as she married Dean in the Royal Botanic Gardens on a perfect Autumn afternoon. Talk about 'something borrowed'! See the image above for the four beautiful women present at the wedding who have made the dress their own.

After a simple beautiful ceremony, and of course sufficient time to mingle with friends and family, we all traipsed up to my favourite part of the Gardens - the Temple of the Winds pavillion high up on hill overlooking Alexandra Ave, with views to the city and MCG, and then down to the bridge at the bottom of the Anderson St hill, in perfect time to watch the sun go down and watch the golden light bathe the Nylex sign. We could have looked the other way to the city skyline, but that's a little too predictable, and those silos with the clock and temperature readings say 'Melbourne' more than rows of tall glass buildings ever could.

Cool details: In wanting to preserve Grandma's dress for future generations (daughters of her own one day perhaps?) to enjoy and carry on the tradition, Fiona made the smart move to change into a 'reception dress', a divine ivory cocktail length 'art deco' style gown she found in... wait for it... a second hand store!

Rachel & Rick - 10th April 2009

I have been so lucky this year to have been a part of many genuinely warm, joyous celebrations, and this was definitely one of them. Such a happy, relaxed, fun couple, Rachel and Rick just exuded joy and it rubbed off on everyone around them. The ceremony took place in the beautiful bluestone surrounds of Melbourne Grammar School (Ricks alma mater), at the school's Chapel, and after a brief stop at the Observatory at the Botanic Gardens for a few pics, the party kicked on at historic Quat Quatta (which underwent a fantastically funky renovation a couple of years ago - keeping to its traditions but with a gorgeous, quirky twist)... unfortunately my night ended not long after the bridal pary were announced in, but I have no doubt this happy bunch kicked on till the wee small hours! COOL DETAILS: Would you believe that for the first time I can remember during a wedding ceremony (and let me tell you, I've been to a few...) the question was asked "If anyone can show reason why this man and this woman should not be bound in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace". Now maybe I've been watching too much Bold and the Beautiful, but I couldn't help but have a little glance over my shoulder, just to make sure Ridge Forrester wasn't bursting through the door!

Sheridan & Ross - 3rd April 2009

A self-confessed bag and shoe addict, Sheridan had very specific location ideas for her wedding photos... Chanel & Miss Louise! So despite a blustery, cold, stormy Melbourne Friday, we headed into the city to photograph Sheridan with her three passions...shoes, bags, and Ross of course! I must say the security guard on the door at Chanel did seem a little bemused, but was a good sport and let us stay to get some shots. And as for the credit card she was waving around? It was for prop purposes only - it was mine!

Cool Details: A details girl through and through, Sheridan had planned the black & white theme (Chanel influenced of course!) which included designing her own dress, a perfectly form fitting white satin gown with black details and black lining, a black & white wrist corsage as an alternative to a traditional bouquet, and black Manolo Blahnik (!) heels. (And let's not forget those sparkly little entwined 'c's on her ears...)

Alisa & Ben - 21st March 2009

This wedding marked for me the second time this 'season' I have photographed the sister of a favourite 'past bride'... this time it was Alisa, whose sister Sarah tied the knot with Cameron a few years back in St Vincents Gardens. Sarah and Cam's wedding was a beautiful, happy occasion, and so I looked forward to Alisa and Ben's as being equally as gorgeous in it's own way and was absolutely not disappointed.

Working with people who you've worked with before has the bonus of already having established a deeper level of rapport and understanding and familiarity of family dynamics etc, so it makes my job that little bit easier.

The other thing that makes my job more than just a little easier, is when a wedding is this stunning, and I have to say everything about it (especially the couple involved!) was just beautiful. I have now discovered a new 'favourite 'photogenic' church... St Thomas Aquinas in South Yarra, an unassuming little church tucked into a back street with a facade that looks more Mediterranean Europe than Melbourne.

The reception was held at another favourite Melbourne landmark, one which I had also forgotten how impressive it was having not been there for a couple of years...Persimmon restaurant at the National Gallery of Victoria. Having parts of the NGV space to ourselves (with lots of security of course!)after the doors had closed and the crowds had departed just helped to give an extra appreciation of how iconic this beautiful building is to our city.

Cool Details: Sarah and Alisa switched bride / bridesmaid roles this time around, and as an extra update on the story, Sarah's beautiful little 20 month old daughter, Izzy played flowergirl... I love a good happy ending!