Catherine & Justin’s Regina Coeli + Pilu @ Akuna Bay Wedding

Catherine & Justin’s Regina Coeli Wedding + Pilu @ Akuna Bay

My first face-to-face meeting with Catherine and Justin took place at their engagement party, at the Golden Barley in Enmore. I wasn’t sure who to look for, and turning up to a room full of guests I aimlessly meandered in the assumption that a concerned partygoer would send them my way. Well, it didn’t take long for a few guests to notice the confusion on my face, and a small group decided to approach with caution…

“Hey mate, you want a drink?”

It was at that point that I knew it was going to be a great wedding. Not because of the beer, but because it was pure hospitality from the get go, and a good group of people always coincides with a great time. It wasn’t long before I met Cat and Justin and they are some of the most accommodating people around (and surround themselves with the same) who always made it a point that we were enjoying ourselves as guests. They made sure we were well nourished throughout the day, and when food and sugar are a high value commodity for wedding photographers it was like striking gold in the 1850s.

The wedding itself was held at the beautiful Regina Coeli Memorial Church in Beverly Hills, with a reception at Pilu in Akuna Bay. After a short stint at Pymble Soldiers Memorial Park we headed towards Akuna Bay. The drive down was too nice to pass up, so we stopped for a few photos in the trees before continuing down to the bay and settling in for the night…

 

Engagement ring in Beverly Hills Sydney NSWBridal shoes in Beverly Hills Sydney NSWBridal wedding gown in Beverly Hills Sydney NSWThe bride has her hair done in Beverly Hills SydneyBride and Bridesmaid hug before the wedding ceremony at Regina Coeli ChurchFlorist arrives with wedding flowers in Beverly Hills SydneyBridesmaid selfie before the wedding ceremony at Regina Coeli SydneyThe bride has her makeup done in Beverly Hills SydneyThe bride's engagement ring in Beverly Hills SydneyCat the bride has her makeup done in Beverly Hills SydneyBride gets dressed before her wedding at Regina Coeli in Beverly HillsBride's portrait before her wedding at Regina Coeli Church in SydneyPortrait of the bride before her wedding at Regina Coeli in Beverly HillsPortrait of the bride before her wedding at Regina Coeli church in SydneyPortrait of the bride before her wedding at Regina Coeli ChurchWedding rings in Beverly Hills SydneyThe groom's shoes before his wedding at Regina CoeliGroom gets dressed before the wedding day at Regina Coeli SydneyGroom gets dressed before his wedding day at Regina Coeli SydneyThe groom looks at the time before leaving for his wedding in SydneyGroom wedding portrait before the big day at Regina Coeli SydneyGroom and Groomsmen loosen up during morning prep in Sydney AustraliaGroom wedding portrait before the big day at Regina Coeli SydneyThe wedding venue: Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Sydney AustraliaThe priest walks down the aisle at a wedding at Regina Coeli ChurchThe bride enters the church at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyThe bridal party enters the church at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyThe bride enters the church at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyThe Groom watches the Bride during the procession at Regina Coeli ChurchThe bride enters the church at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyThe bride walks down the aisle at Regina Coeli Church in Beverly HillsWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyBride and Groom first kiss at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyBride and Groom first kiss at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyWedding ceremony at Regina Coeli in Beverly Hills SydneyBride and Groom photography at Pymble Soldiers Memorial ParkBride and Groom photography at Pymble Soldiers Memorial ParkBride and Groom photography at Pymble Soldiers Memorial ParkBride and Groom photography at Pymble Soldiers Memorial ParkBridal party photographed at Pymble Soldiers Memorial ParkPortrait of the bride and groom in Akuna Bay, SydneyWedding portrait with bride and groom in Akuna Bay, SydneyBride and Groom wedding portrait at Akuna BayThe bride and groom photographed in Akuna BayBride and Groom kiss during photoshoot at Akuna BayWedding reception decorations at Pilu Akuna BayMC introduces Bride and Groom at Pilu Akuna BayBride and Groom enter their reception at Pilu Akuna BayGuests at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionBride and Groom laugh during wedding speeches at Pilu Akuna bayCandid wedding photography at Pilu Akuna BayThe view of Akuna Bay at sunsetThe bride and groom at Pilu Akuna Bay in SydneyBride and Groom portraits at Pilu Akuna Bay in SydneyBride and Groom photography at Pilu Akuna Bay in SydneyBride and Groom dance during their reception at Pilu Akuna BayGuests dancing at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionBride throws her bouquet at Pilu Akuna Bay in SydneyGuests dance at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionGuests dance at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionGuests dance at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionGuests dance at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionGuests dance at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding receptionThe bride and groom's final farewell at Pilu Akuna Bay wedding reception

 

Globetrotters

Bride and Groom at the ICM College at Manly beach, Sydney

Whitney and Fran, globetrotters. These two cats got hitched in Italy and partied in Manly. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Nikon D3S
AF-S 35mm F/2.8 @ 2.8
iso400

International College of Management, Sydney

Sam & Nicola’s Lavender Bay & Kirribilli Wedding | Sydney Wedding Photography

Sam & Nicola’s Lavender Bay & Kirribilli Wedding | Sydney Wedding Photography

Some of the best weddings in the world are those that break convention, the ones which scrap the rules in favour of the flow and ‘whatever goes’. It’s refreshing to photograph a bride and groom prepping together in the morning, or a formal shoot before the ceremony where the dynamic is a far cry from the norm. It’s loose, relaxed and carefree. Take Sam and Nicola for example, two of the most chilled people I’ve met in recent years. When I first spoke with Sam over Skype she was adamant that ‘nothing would be flashy’, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special. I arrived to find the girls collaborating on their own hair and makeup with the guys suiting up in an adjacent room, ducking in and out to check each others’ progress and share advice for the upcoming festivities. Safe to say it was initially evident that this was going to be a great day… and that was before we got to the champagne and rub-on tattoos.

I’ve left the photos in chronological order because that’s how it all played out, a location shoot at Wendy’s Secret Garden in Lavender Bay followed by a gorgeous ceremony at Dr. Mary Booth Lookout in Kirribilli, where the rain held out just long enough for the first kiss but hardly a second more. I’m there to document the day from start to finish, and it’s always fun to look at things in a different light and to discover what a wedding means to every couple. Sam and Nico didn’t let the stress of formalities stand in their way, but instead they focused on being awesome party hosts and let the formal stuff just take its course. It paid off.

Big shout out to the bridal party who never lacked a sense of humour throughout the course of the day, and an even bigger congrats to Sam and Nicola. Enjoy!

Sydney city skyline from the Meriton Kent StreetSydney city skyline from the Meriton Kent StreetSam's Bridal gown during morning prep at the MeritonBride and bridal gown at the Meriton in SydneyBridesmaids get ready for the wedding ceremony in SydneyBridesmaids get ready for the wedding ceremony in SydneyThe bride getting ready before her wedding at the Meriton in SydneyThe bride getting ready before her wedding at the Meriton in SydneyBridal shoes and wedding ringsThe groom gets dressed before his wedding at the Meriton in SydneyThe groom adjusts his tie during morning preparation in SydneyThe groom getting ready before the wedding day at Meriton Kent StThe groom getting ready before the wedding day at Meriton Kent StView from Meriton Kent St in SydneyThe bride and her bridesmaids take a selfie before the weddingThe bride and her bridesmaids take a selfie before the weddingThe bride getting ready before her wedding at the Meriton in SydneyThe bride getting ready before her wedding at the Meriton in SydneyModern candid bridal portrait in SydneyModern candid bridal portrait in SydneyHarbour view from Wendys Secret Garden Lavender Bay SydneyGroom and Best Man get ready in Lavender Bay SydneyBride and Groom in Lavender Bay before their Kirribilli weddingBride and Groom in Lavender Bay before their Kirribilli weddingBride and Groom in Lavender Bay before their Kirribilli weddingBridal Party photography in Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender BayBridal Party photography in Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender BayBridal Party photography in Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender BayBridal Party photography in Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender BayBride and Groom in Lavender Bay before their Kirribilli weddingGroom wedding photography in Lavender BayBride wedding photography in Lavender Bay, SydneyBride and Groom wedding photography in Lavender Bay, SydneyBride wedding photography in Lavender Bay, SydneyBride and Groom wedding photography in Lavender Bay, SydneyBride and Groom wedding photography in Lavender Bay, SydneyBridal Party photography in Wendy's Secret Garden, Lavender BayDr Mary Booth Lookout Kirribilli Wedding PhotographyDr Mary Booth Lookout Kirribilli Wedding PhotographyDr Mary Booth Lookout Kirribilli Wedding PhotographyBridesmaids walk down the aisle at Dr Mary Booth Lookout, KirribilliBride walks down the aisle at Dr Mary Booth Lookout, KirribilliKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutKirribilli wedding ceremony at Dr Mary Booth LookoutBride and Groom exchange rings at Dr Mary Booth Lookout Kirribilli, during wedding ceremonyBride and Groom's first kiss at Dr Mary Booth Lookout Kirribilli, during wedding ceremonyWedding congratulations during Kirribilli wedding in SydneyWedding congratulations during Kirribilli wedding in SydneyWedding congratulations during Kirribilli wedding in SydneyWedding congratulations during Kirribilli wedding in SydneyWedding congratulations during Kirribilli wedding in SydneyView from St George's Motor Boat Club in San SouciWedding reception cake at St George's Motor Boat Club in San SouciWedding photography at St George's Motor Boat Club in San SouciWedding photography at St George's Motor Boat Club in San SouciWedding photography at St George's Motor Boat Club in San SouciBridal Party enters wedding reception at St George's Motor Boat ClubBridal Party enters wedding reception at St George's Motor Boat ClubBridal Party enters wedding reception at St George's Motor Boat ClubBride and Groom cut the cake at St George's Motor Boat ClubBride and Groom's first dance at St George's Motor Boat ClubBride and Groom's first dance at St George's Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubWedding guests dance during reception at St George Motor Boat ClubBride Bouquet Toss during St George Motor Boat Club wedding receptionBride Bouquet Toss during St George Motor Boat Club wedding receptionThe end to a great wedding at St George Motor Boat Club, San Souci Sydney

Vendors
Special thanks to my awesome second photographer for the day: Lauren Commens
Bride & Bridesmaid’s Gowns: Forever New
Jewellery: Lovisa
Rub-on Tattoos: “eBay! :-)”
Bridal Shoes: Charlie Stone Shoes
Groom & Groomsmen’s Suits: Tailormade
Groom’s accessories: IWC
Wedding Celebrant: Lucy Patruno
Ceremony Decoration: Events by Jennifer
Reception Venue: St George Motorboat Club
Reception Decoration: Fresh Creative Styling
Wedding Cake: Celebration Cakes
Invitations: Handmade

3…2…1… Action

Celebrating marriage and the New Year at Paddington Reservoir with newlyweds Katrina & Joe

With only a few minutes left in the archways at Paddington Reservoir, Katrina, Joe and their awesome bridal party definitely made the most of it.

Nikon D700
AF-S 35mm F1.4G @ f/2.8
iso 250

Ringing in the New Year!

Newlyweds getting it done at Regina Coeli Church in Beverly Hills, Sydney. The excitement is real.

What a way to start 2017, the excitement is real! Catherine and Justin getting it done at their Regina Coeli Church wedding on the first weekend of the year.

Nikon D3S
24mm F2.8 @ f2.8
iso400