Mel

August 14, 2018

Wedding

Sophie & Dylan | Newcastle Museum Wedding

Mel

August 14, 2018

Wedding

Sophie & Dylan's Wedding - Newcastle Museum

So many people tell me they love this wedding.

They love Sophie's Made with Love Bridal dress (it has pockets!), the iconic Newcastle locations, the amazing styling, the doughnut wall and neon sign at their reception. While I love it for all of these things, I love it for so much more than that....
The love and respect that Sophie and Dylan have for each other just radiated from them all day. They weren't fazed in the slightest as it rained while we piled into the limo to head off for photos. They were just so happy to be in the moment together and soak up their first day of being a married couple.

Okay, I'm not going to lie...the doughnut wall may have also stole my heart.

Mel x

Some of Newcastle's finest vendors that were involved in the day:

Venue: Newcastle Museum
Styling: The Wedding Designer
Dress: Made With Love Bridal
Florals: Flowers by Lorey
Celebrant: Julie Muir
Doughnuts: Doughheads
Makeup: Inspiring Makeup Artistry

Mel

June 29, 2017

Tips and Tricks

4 TIPS FOR AMAZING WEDDING PHOTOS

Mel

June 29, 2017

Tips and Tricks

have an engagement shoot

I would have to say 90% of my clients tell me they hate having their photo taken or they are nervous about being around the camera. As scary as it may seem, an engagement shoot is the perfect way to loosen up and get comfortable around the camera before your wedding day.

The way I approach an engagement session with my couples is to create an experience and memory for them.
We generally go on a little bit of an adventure. Sometimes we go to a forest, sometimes we go to sand dunes, sometimes we climb up some cliff face and check out the view and I just happen to bring my camera along.
This is the perfect opportunity for me to get to know my couples and listen to their stories on how they met, what their plans are, how they got engaged and it really is invaluable to have this experience with my couples and allows them to be comfortable and at ease on their wedding day which = amazing natural photos!

LIGHTING IS EVERYTHING

The direction of light, the type of light (sunny day vs overcast) the amount of light and the time of day you have your photographs can all change how your photographs will look.
There can be too much light, or not enough light. Finding that sweet spot is what creates stunning wedding photographs!

One of the most important factors to consider when planning your wedding day is NATURAL LIGHT and the time of day you are planning everything. In order to create beautiful, light images - you need to keep natural light in mind! Once the sun has set, it is impossible to create this look. Within 2 hours from sunset, something magical happens. The sun is low in the sky, the lighting is soft, and you and your partner are going to look amazing walking through that field near your wedding venue. In the middle of the day, the lighting is kinda gross. It's patchy, uneven, harsh and unflattering. Aiming to have your Bridal Portraits within 2 hours of sunset means your photos are going to be dreamy and beautiful!

When choosing a location to have your ceremony, it is good to think about what direction the sun will be facing at the time you are planning your ceremony. Front lighting from the sun, back lighting (the sun behind you), mixed lighting (half shaded by trees and half sunny in the same frame) will all change how your photographs will look! If at all possible, try and have your ceremony in the shade if it is a hot sunny day (your guests will thank you too!), or where the lighting is even across where the whole bridal party will be positioned.

pad out your timeline

Romantic, fun and candid shots take time and can't be rushed. If you are rushed and worried about the time, your 'candid' shots are probably going to look pretty stressed!

There are so many parts of day that require preparation, so its quite easy to go overtime. You know those 100 guests you invited? That's 100 hugs and kisses and congratulations... each! These shots can be some of the most memorable! Putting a little padding into your timeline for this keeps your plans realistic and running on time.

Family photos are one of the biggest culprits for running overtime. Most generally go a little bit like this...

Ceremony has just finished, you are now married and your family and friends are gathering around for hugs and kisses. Then you move onto family photos (I will always have a family list that my couples have put together before they day, to try and reduce the chaos and to ensure I can get photos of all their nearest and dearest)
So as we start to gather all of the relatives, I call out to Uncle Bob......he was there a minute ago, but no one knows where he is. So someone is out on a man hunt, only to find Uncle Bob already hooking in at the bar. By the time Uncle Bob has made it over for the family shot there is a new search party for Aunty Barb who was also looking for Uncle Bob but is now M.I.A. Catch my drift?

Traveling to multiple photo locations, getting a car park, and getting the bridal party in and out of cars can also take more time than anticipated. Time seems to fly by 3 times as fast on wedding days!

just relax and enjoy!

Wedding days don't always go according to plan, no matter how much you plan.
Sometimes it rains, things run late, things are forgotten. Take the day in your stride and don't get yourself down if it isn't exactly the way you imagined it in your head. The day is about you and your partner and the big love you have for each other!

Relax and don’t think about having your photo taken. Just be yourselfand you will get the best natural results. Go with the flow of the day, soak up the atmosphere and be honest with your emotions, and most importantly have fun!

Want to see some awesome weddings!
Check out the Blog!

Mel

May 31, 2017

Wedding

RACHEL & KHAWAR | PORT STEPHENS WEDDING

Mel

May 31, 2017

Wedding

KHAWAR & RACHEL'S WEDDING - BROUGHTONS AT THE BAY - NELSON BAY

There needs to be more people in the world like Rachel & Khawar. They are beautiful inside and out, calm, mature, loving and so kind.

Rachel and Khawar's wedding day saw their families come together for the very first time. It was Khawar’s sister and brother-in-law's first trip to Australia, and the first time Khawar had seen them in 5 years! I could tell it meant the absolute world for them to be here for such a special day.

It was a beautiful and intimate afternoon and evening full of loved ones, running over sand dunes, and dancing the night away.

Rachel and Khawar chose Broughtons At The Bay for their ceremony and reception. I fell in love with Broughtons as soon as I stepped inside. You have to see it to believe it! Full of natural light, high ceilings, tiffany chairs and white features. It’s a photographers dream! The room was decorated simply, with rose gold accents and lush greenery.

Rachel & Khawar involved some of their dearest loved ones to play special parts on the day. Khawar's Mother and Rachel's Mother presented the rings, and their close friends played the part of celebrant, MC and cake creator!

"You were my yesterday, you are my today and you will be my tomorrow.”

Rachel was gifted a significant red scarf from Khawar’s mother to wear, a traditional colour for Pakistani Brides to wear on their wedding day.

The speeches were such an honest, heartfelt and hilarious window into the lives of Rachel & Khawar. It was easy to see from the tears and cheers, and their guests hanging onto every word that they are adored by everyone around them.

Khawar & Rachel - Thank you for such an amazing 12 months! I've loved getting to know you both and I will forever be grateful you trusted me with your engagement and wedding photos. I wish you both a lifetime of love, travel, happiness and chicken.. :)