Everything about Angela & Josef’s wedding day was beautiful.  Starting with Angela.   She was breathtaking  in a Darb Bridal Couture gown with Louis Vuitton shoes.  Her simple hair style gave her whole look a feel of easy, relaxed glamour.  No wonder Josef is in love with her.  Their ceremony was at the Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, followed by a reception at Palazzo Versace  on the Gold Coast, which is also where they both dressed for the big day.   As if there wasn’t enough magic in the way that everything looked at this wedding, Angela & Josef sprinkled in a little more for good luck. Before the reception, their guests wrote messages of love and good wishes which were tied to a balloon that Angela & Josef set off into the sky – sending all those wishes into the heavens to come true at just the right time.  Then, a magician entertained guests at the reception and set the tone for a life of magic and wonder together.

Adam did a fine job to capture the feeling at Angela & Josef’s wedding. I can’t decide if my favourite shots are the series of Angela dancing with her father or the series as she walks down the aisle toward Josef.  When I saw those images I couldn’t help but think of that quote you see so much lately “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away”.  I think this is the kind of moment the person that wrote that meant – a life measuring moment.

To Angela & Josef, thank you for choosing Studio Impressions and for taking our breath away.

You know how sometimes in life things just don’t go according to plan? Well, I’ve always thought that there are two kinds of people. Those that throw their hands up and give it all up when things don’t go the way they expected, and then there are those that just say “Oh well” and then face challenges head on…  They not only adapt, but make it even more special.  Cheryl & Tim are those kind of people.  When life threw their family a curve ball, they didn’t wonder what to do about their wedding.  They just decided what was important and changed their plans.  The wedding was brought forward and they adjusted whatever they needed to.  And voila! …. A day that little girls dream of. Magic just seemed to flow.

Cheryl got ready with a gorgeous view of the River at the Stamford Plaza and then married Tim with an intimate ceremony at Our Lady of Graces. We then got some fantastic shots that just scream Brisbane to me – everything from New Farm Park to the Story Bridge & the Brisbane skyline, to the great little workers cottages that make the history of this city.   In keeping with celebrating the beauty of our little hometown, Cheryl & Tim celebrated their newlywed status at the fantastic  Watt Restaurant, right on the river at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

I loved this wedding for its timelessness, simplicity & class. Cheryl made an absolutely stunning bride. A photographer’s dream. We’ve been featuring a lot of bigger weddings on this blog lately.  It is nice to share a smaller wedding.  It also goes to show that weddings come in all different shapes & sizes – just like the people getting married.

Cheryl & Tim, we are so very glad that we got to share this day with you.  It was my privilege to be your photographer.  We hope that these images bring back some very special memories for you in years to come.

Marie & Fabio ’s service was performed by a close family friend Fr Pat Doran at  St Stephen’s Cathedral  and celebrated all night with a reception at  Moda Events Portside.  With the help of the ever lovely Danielle from White + White Weddings & Events, Marie & Fabio had a truly stylish and just perfect wedding day.  And Adam was the lucky guy that got to capture it all.    Marie’s  custom made gown, with a train over 3 metre long  designed by Brad Webb from Darb Bridal Couture, was complimented by Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that Marie flew to Melbourne to purchase.  The bridesmaids were dressed in Rachel Gilbert dresses encrusted in Swarovski Crystals, with Abigail Johnston and Linda Watt taking care of Hair and Make-up, and making these gorgeous girls look even more so.   Fabio, one of Brisbane’s favorite baristas, opened one of his coffee shops between the service and reception, for a very special customer, his new wife, making her and the bridal party’s coffees.  No mean feat dressed in a three piece suit.  The reception was themed with Tiffany Chairs, brought in  especially for the occasion, and it was  made extra special with 80cm grand floral centerpieces from Baggaley’s Florist, who also created the beautiful bouquets on the day .  That stunning 8 tier cake  - Cake & Icing Centre , which was made quite the highlight during its cutting with a fireworks display organized with the help of Spectrum Fireworks.    But what really made this wedding so beautiful, was the people, and what they mean to each other.

Marie & Fabio, thanks for choosing Studio Impressions to be part of your magical day.  I know that Adam loved every minute of being your photographer – and it shows in these images.   We wish for you a lifetime of this kind of love.

Deanne & Steve’s wedding is one of those that I can’t believe I haven’t posted already.  They had such an elegant wedding.  It was a classically beautiful wedding for a classically beautiful couple.  This wedding also showcases some of the best wedding venues in Brisbane, starting with St Mary’s church at Kangaroo Point, where Deanne & Steve held their very touching ceremony.  Their reception was at Customs House , which provides a truly elegant setting right on the river in Brisbane.  The room looked amazing.  Sometimes you just can’t beat traditional white table settings and white roses. Elegance as it should be. Really if you can’t get the candelabras & silverware out on your wedding day, when can you?  Deanne & Steve stuck to a simple colour scheme of white & dusty pink for the reception, flowers & for Deanne’s outfit & it worked a treat.    Deanne looked amazing in her  Elizabeth de Varga gown.

One of the things I thought was a fantastic touch at this wedding was the car.  It was a 1929 Hupmobile.  How cool is that?   What is even cooler is that it belongs to the Deanne’s Dad.  Now that is special.  Imagine, arriving at your wedding, seated beside your Dad who is about to walk you down the aisle, in a car that he lovingly restored.    I can only imagine how Deanne’s father must have felt on that trip to the church.   Here were two works of art – this car and his daughter - that (I’m guessing) have given him years of pleasure and probably years of pain and that his heart and his hands have lovingly moulded into things of beauty.   Not that I’m comparing Deanne to a car …..but hopefully you know what I mean.

Deanne & Steve, sorry it has taken me so long to post your gorgeous wedding on our blog.   You are two of the loveliest people I have ever met and it was my privilege to capture this important day in your life.    I hope your marriage is filled with times you will cherish forever.

Over the holiday break that is Christmas and New year, I take the chance to have a look back over my year in pictures.  Every year one image will stand out.  Sometimes it is an image that I took, sometimes it is one I’ve seen.  This year it is one I was given.  My favourite image from 2011 is very special to me because the first time I saw it was when I was taking it out of a fedex satchel on my 40th Birthday back in September.   It is an image from one of my favourite photographers Sebastio Salgado.  Besides just being an incredible portrait, I love this image because of the multiple meanings that it holds for me.  The image is of a father and son, which instantly resonates with me because it was partly due to my father that I became a photographer, and now I have 3 budding photographers of my own.  I also love this image because of the use of light – one of the things I like most to experiment with in photography.  It is also a powerful image of people in a landscape, stirring in its simplicity – all stuff I love.  But most notably, Salgado is one of a handful of famous photographers that provided me with inspiration in my early days in photography.  Elliott Erwitt and Henri Cartier Bresson are also on this list.  I looked at their stuff in awe, & it stirred a desire to capture the things I saw around me in that same ‘stop & feel it’ kind of way.  Who am I kidding?  The work of these guys still provides me with inspiration, and aspiration, today.

I love this image for all its meanings but mostly I love it because it reminds me that as much as i love being a photographer, it is not the most important job I have. The other special thing 2011 brought me was a poem that my eldest son Jackson gave me on Father’s Day, just a few days before my birthday (courtesy of his grade 2 teacher).  I’ve reproduced it below.   This poem + this image really helped ground me this year.   2011 was a year of ups & downs & challenges for almost everyone I spoke to.  It is great to have a reminder that no matter what is going on in the world, the ones you love will see you through.

Walk a little slower Daddy

“Walk a little slower , Daddy” said a little child so small

I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall

Sometimes your steps are very fast, sometimes they’re hard to see

So walk a little slower Daddy, for you are leading me.

Someday when I’m all grown up. You’re what I want to be.

Then I will have a little child who’ll want to follow me.

And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true,

So walk a little slower, Daddy, for I must follow you !

Ronald & Julie got married at  St John’s Cathedral here in Brisbane and had their reception at Goma, where they had also held their traditional tea ceremony before going to the church.   While Ronald & Julie were getting ready for the Tea Ceremony, I thought I’d get some detail shots.   As I moved the tea pot & cups around a little to get the right shot, Ronald’s Mum approached & chastised me with a tap across the back of the hand explaining these were for the ceremony.   Seems she thought I was helping myself to a cup of tea!   It was very funny!  It was also a great reminder that even though I do this every weekend and I know what I’m doing, the other people in the room don’t & as professional photographers we should always be mindful, respectful & aware of how our actions are interpreted.    Poor Ronald & his mum were very embarrassed, but they needn’t have been.  I give her full credit for taking care of her son’s day!

As you look through these images you will wonder – “who did her dress?”  Vera Wang.  “Where was that location shoot?”   Cloudland , and ”why on earth are those guys in animal costumes?”    It’s a great story.  When Ronald proposed he enlisted the help of his closest friends.   Ronald & Julie had gone on a ski trip to Japan with some of their close friends when Ronald decided to pop the question.   So Julie will never forget, Ronald and his best mates donned animal costumes and choreographed a dance declaring Ronald’s love to Julie & starring his proposal.   Julie was never expecting it.    Ronald’s marriage proposal had become so legendary among their broader group of friends and family, that he and his mates did an encore performance at the wedding for those that missed it the first time.    How good is that?   I don’t know many people who have friends that are so true that they would dress up in an animal costume, do a dance in public and keep it secret for days & maybe weeks before, all because they want to see this couple together forever.   And then, do it again for MORE people.   That is Ronald & Julie.  Completely genuine, so much fun and totally meant for each other, and their friends know it.

Thanks Julie & Ronald for sharing your happiness with me.  THIS is what weddings are all about.

Keirra & Chris had a gorgeous wedding on Keirra’s family’s cattle property at Traveston Park near Noosa.   It was stamped with touches that completely reflected them as individuals, their family, & upbringing.  It was beautiful.     Beedazzled Events helped Keirra’s family turn their shed into a stunning reception venue – bet you couldn’t even tell until I said it was a shed!     Blooms of Noosa provided the flowers.   Keirra, used to wearing sports attire, totally wowed everyone in a stunning dress by Pallas Couture.  Her hair was by Nut Salon  and makeup by Annette Cacciola.   The elegant cake was created by Cakes by Judith Brosnan.

Keirra & Chris, thanks for inviting me to capture your very special wedding day.    May you always have this much love & laughter in your life.   And I can’t help it….your wedding was on fire….just a little bit.

Lauren & Allan had a great wedding – elegant, glamorous, intimate and modern.  Breaking from tradition, they met before the ceremony and had some photos together, just the two of them.   Seeing each other for the first time without a crowd around them was such a private and special moment.  It was a real privilege for me to witness a moment in their lives that I know they will always remember.   It also gave them a chance to reflect on all the fun they have had leading up to the day while we took some snaps at one of their favourite places Zeta Bar in the Hilton, Sydney.   The Hilton was also where Lauren got ready while Allan got ready just a little distance away at the Westin.

Despite crazy hot weather the day before, Sydney put on a cold & wet day.  But Lauren and her butterfly-inspired bridesmaids shone through the rain and lit up the Sergeants Mess in Chowder Bay where they had their ceremony & reception.  Brilliant place! Centrepiece by design added sparkle to the room with some beautiful reception decor and Veritas did a fantastic job of ensuring that Lauren & Allan had a perfect wedding day.   Lauren’s gorgeous dress was by MXM and flowers by Lil Blossom.  A band made up of friends of Lauren & Allan’s rocked the reception and then the couple themselves really shook things up with one of the best choreographed wedding dances I have ever seen.  What a way to get the party started! And it didn’t stop until the wee hours with an after party at The Ivy.  I loved this wedding because I got to see many sides of this couple – the couple that like to have fun & mix it up a bit and then the couple they are when alone – gentle & in love – true companions maybe?

A couple of weeks ago Penny & I celebrated 15 years of marriage, and it still feels like we have only known each other for a short time.   Lauren & Allan, I wish that 15 years from now you one day hear a song that takes you back to this day, and realise happily, that it really seems no time at all.

Wedding guests are welcome to click on the link to view Lauren & Allan’s sneak peek slideshow.

Wedding guests are welcome to view all images on the online slideshow.

(Slideshow and Gallery are password protected. Please contact Lauren & Allan for access.)