After the ceremony, we wandered around the grounds of The Gables and headed inside for many group and family shots. The gables has a little ’sun room’ at the front of the venue with orchids and other exotic flowers growing. Priscilla and I spent a little time together in there. I stayed until their luncheon before I bid them farewell… It was a lovely day spent together.

Jessica and Jason were married in a civil ceremony at the Rotunda on Sandringham Beach. After the ceremony, we shot family and group shots at the base of the rotunda overlooking Port Phillip Bay. We wandered down to Sandringham Beach for some shots with just the two of us. There is a lovely sweep to Sandringham Beach with some rocky outcrops that make for interesting shots within the images.

Our next stop was the Brighton Beach Boxes. The bathing boxes are so colourful… with a blues sky, there are images full of saturation and ‘pop’ all around.

Our last stop was at the reception at the Pier Hotel in Port Melbourne. It was my first visit to the Pier – I’m sure it won’t be my last. The decor is contemporary and interesting – it could have been designed by a photographer. Textures and colours are everywhere – it’s a great place to take interior shots for portraits and weddings. Jessica, Jason and I spent a lovely time together… they were a joy on the day.

Lisa and Michael were married in the Chapel at Ashton Manor in Diamond Creek, right next to Eltham. I met Michael prior to the ceremony in the morning to get some ‘nervous groom shots’ and was there to greet Lisa as she arrived in her bridal car. The ceremony was emotional and full of fun. Afterwards, we all stepped outside for several formal family and group shots, before heading into the main reception area for pre dinner drinks. I used this time to shoot the bridal party in the ‘ready room’ and take some candid shots of the guests talking, laughing, eating and drinking in the foyer.

When Lisa and Michael entered the reception and were formally introduced they cut their cake and went straight to the dance floor for their bridal dance. After enjoying an entree (which was lovely) I headed home for a few hours until we met up again in Collins Street at the Westin Hotel. We shot at Hosier Lane and the archway at the back of the cathedral in Flinders Lane. We wandered around the city streets stopping here and there as we found places of interest in which to shoot. We ended up at a bar in one of the laneways where we took a few staircase and couchy shots before we called it a day.

After an emotional ceremony, we did some formal family and group shots, then headed off to the vineyard for some casual relaxed shots. There are plenty of lovely places around the grounds for shooting.

We headed back to the Vines Restaurant to reception, where I stayed to capture Linda and Scott and their bridal party be formally introduced. I took several mood shots of the guests and the room and ended my stay with them cutting their cake. A lovely day was had by all.

I met with Kristin and the rest of the girls at Rydges on Bell in Bell Street, Preston. I shot candids of Kristin getting ready and took some shots of the bouquet and other special wedding day momentos. After some portraits of Kristin, the bridesmaids and Mum on their suite’s balcony, I headed off to the church to meet the boys.

After the ceremony, we took all the family portraits and proceeded down to Darebin Parklands – a location I didn’t know of. It certainly expanded my knowledge of the local area, it really is lovely, with a stream, bridge and lovely countryside in which to frame and shoot. We stopped by a couple of local graffiti spots for the boys and headed back to the Mandalay in Northcote, a beautiful stately house. The Mandalay has a lovely spiral staircase that leads up to a private room with city views. A secret ladder and a very steep climb take you to the roof. At sunset, the views were stunning. I’m looking forward to Kristin and Duane getting back from their honeymoon, so they can see their photos.

I met up with Emily, the bridesmaids and her family in Templestowe on a stormy Saturday morning to take some “getting ready” shots. After some candids and formal family photos, 3 tiny Austin wedding cars arrived and we shot around them for a while.

From there, I headed off to the church to get some shots of Chris and the boys and Emily arriving in the cutest little wedding cars you’d see. After the ceremony, there was afternoon tea in the church hall, a few more family shots and we headed across Melbourne to the Yarra Valley & Wonga Park  for Kellybrook Winery. Kellybrook sports some of the most beautiful grounds of all the venues around Melbourne, with a rustic charm, not associated with many of the more ‘chic’ Yarra Valley wineries. The venue itself has no pretense, and the owners I found to be lovely to deal with.

Malcolm and Jacinta were married in the Fitzroy Gardens, with their reception at The Pavillion and a honeymoon suite at The Windsor hotel. I arrived at the gardens to meet up with Malcolm and the rest of the guests waiting for Jacinta to arrive. When she did, she was being chauffered in a Rickshaw with her father – that’s what I call arriving in eco friendly style…

After a moving ceremony, we took some photos of family and friends in the gardens before they hopped into the Rickshaw for some shots of the two of them. We sauntered around the Fitzroy Gardens before heading down to the steps of parliament house – a favourite photographers location. I must say, on a Saturday afternoon in October, there is virtually a queue to take shots there – it is worth the competition though, we got some lovely shots.

As Malcolm and Jacinta were staying in the Windsor Hotel for the night, we headed down there for a few exterior and casual interior shots in the stately old hotel. When we were done, Malcolm and Jacinta hopped back into the Rickshaw and were ridden back to The Pavillion – nestled in the heart of the Fitzroy Gardens. I went back by foot and shot them entering the room and cutting their cake. They had a pair of retro DJ’s for entertainment and I couldn’t resist a few shots of them… After taking some mood and detail shots around the Pavillion, I was done for the day – three hours of action packed photography…