JEMMA & KELLY'S WEDDING - WONGANELLA ESTATE - PORT STEPHENS

Jemma & Kelly's wedding day was all kinds of awesome. They both really know how to throw a super chill, super stylish party!

I first spoke to Jem over the phone when she was on the hunt for a wedding photographer. She gushed to me about how amazing the venue was that her and Kelly had booked. How it had such a relaxed vibe,  natural surroundings and it matched their vision for their day perfectly. Wonganella did not disappoint. Nestled in the Port Stephens bushland, a hidden 'jem' of a venue. A huge homestead, ample ceremony locations and a brand new decked outdoor reception area overlooking the breathtaking view of Bob's Farm.

Jem & Kelly's wedding day was them all over. Relaxed, creative, quirky, and trendy.
Kelly is an architect, and Jemma is a graphic designer, so I knew their day would be overflowing with details and homemade pieces. I spent the whole day in awe of how much Jemma & Kelly and their families had done themselves. Kelly and his groomsmen made the ceremony benches, Jemma's stepdad made their timber arbour, Kelly's sister created the 3 tiered cake, Jemma put together the bouquets, and the bridesmaids made their own hair pieces.

Jemma is the brainchild behind Elska Creative ( check them out!!) and designed and created so many of the little details - the laser cut plywood invitations, the hanger engravings, the recycled timber wedding schedule and the table decor pieces, just to name a few! I absolutely love that each and every part of their day was personal and has a unique story behind it.

Jemma and Kelly really hold a special place in my heart. After their engagement session (you can see it here) I knew we just clicked. We didn't stop talking and laughing and I wanted to know more about them. I am now lucky enough to call them my friends!

Relaxed (I know I've used that word a few times, but it really was) and fun vibe, super friendly guests that really made me feel so welcome, everyone having a damn good time, food to die for, listening to the epic voice of  Tim Rossington outside on a warm summer afternoon under a killer pink sunset. The kind of wedding I'd love to shoot every weekend.

Some of the brilliant folk that brought this day to life!

Venue: Wonganella Estate

Catering: Amanda Douglas Catering

Music: Tim Rossington

Celebrant: Beautiful Memories Marriage Celebrant

Decor and Invitations: Elska Creative

Hair & Makeup: Makeup By Bonnie Lee

Wedding Dress: Blanche Bridal

Jemma & Kelly were kind enough to leave these words for me!

"HOLY BALONEY! Mel is one of a kind!

Her photos are amazing... as anyone could see looking through her photos... but it is who she is as a person which is the real decider!
Mel, my husband and I have hit it off from day one. She is personable, relaxed, funny, energetic, thorough, attentive, silly, happy, curious, smart and full of great ideas!
She makes you feel so comfortable, makes you laugh and brings out the true personalities and relationships with a click of a button!
She was and still is the talk of the town from our wedding. She has captured the true essence of every being at our wedding... and I haven't even seen all the photos yet!!
Not only is she a big fan of photography... she would give you a whirl on her love for Harry Potter as well.

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY X SQUARED X A MILLION CHOOSE MEL FOR YOU PRECIOUS DAY.... YOU DON'T GET MANY SPECIAL HUMANS LIKE HER!"