Melanie Birt Photography

Just a quick update to let you know that Sarah and Andrew’s image gallery is ready for viewing. Family and friends would’ve received the details about passwords at the wedding but if you need help logging on, please contact Sarah and Andrew.

Enjoy your weekend!

Sometimes when you meet a couple, you can not only see how in love they are, but you can sense that kismet has played a part. I love a good “how did you meet” story and Sarah + Andrew’s didn’t disappoint. Sarah is from Switzerland, and when her good friend Claudia met an Aussie, she needed somewhere to stay for the wedding. Who should the Groom ask to help out but his good mate Andrew (can someone say “matchmaker”).

Sarah not only enjoyed the wedding, she also caught the bouquet! And she obviously liked her digs in Sydney as well because after the wedding she shortened her travel around Oz to come back and stay with Andrew. Twelve months and thousands of frequent flyer points later, Sarah + Andrew were married on Sydney Harbour last Saturday.

I was super excited to be asked to photograph such a special day and I asked my good friend and fellow photographer Lisa Huelin to help me out with the photography.

No wedding is ordinary, but this one was up there for unique and fun. Sarah and Andrew held their ceremony on the Harbour, and because they needed their guests to wear appropriate shoes for a boat (i.e.  not high heels), what better way to make sure they got the message. The invitations were printed on a pair of thongs that were given to each guest {this was one dress code I was happy to conform with for the day }

The girls got ready at the Sebel Pier One. Some of the details…

Sarah…

Sarah, with her bridesmaids and Mum and Dad, who flew out from Switzerland along with 19 other friends to make up the “Swissies” contingent…

There was a queue for this couch!

Meanwhile Lisa was hanging out with Andrew and the grooms. Though Andrew made some notes for his speech they probably weren’t necessary as he has a bit of a talent for speechmaking. Among other things, he’s also a photographer so no pressure for us!

The boys looked pretty dapper!

Then it was off to the pub for a quick bite, followed by Taronga Zoo to meet the guests before heading to the wharf to board the boat.

Mind you, it wasn’t just any old boat though… introducing “Platinum”

The bride arriving…

The logistics of photographing this wedding pretty challenging, and Lisa did an amazing job securing her pozzie on one of the top decks to capture these awesome shots of the ceremony.Can you think of a more picturesque backdrop?

It’s worth mentioning here that there is a Swiss tradition of singing “Ewigi Liebi” to the bride and groom following the ceremony. The bridesmaids decided that being on another continent shouldn’t stop that tradition and so they literally spent about 6 months rehearsing for this moment.

Ewigi Liebi literally translates to Eternal Love and you can hear a version of it here on You Tube {but I have to say it pales in comparison to the bridesmaids version!}

The post ceremony cruise allowed us some time for group shots, which were full of fun and MORE singing, plus some great live music and spectacular harbour views.

On our return to Taronga Zoo we were ushered towards the Sky Safari for the short trip up to the Harbour View Garden Court but I couldn’t resist the sunset and called the bride and groom back to the Taronga Zoo Wharf…

It had been a long day, so we took our time heading back up to the reception…

But the entrance was worth it!

If I could sum up this day I would use the following words… genuine, fun, emotional, heartfelt, honest, loving. The following images of the speeches by the bridesmaids and best man probably some it up best. At some point throughout the day everybody shed a tear, but they also went home with their jaws aching from the laughter {even I was busted getting teary by the bridesmaids!}.

The details:

Ceremony: on board Platinum

Reception: Taronga Function Centre – Harbour View Garden Court

Bride’s Gown: Halo

Brides’ Shoes: Alan Pinkus

Makeup: Kerrie

Hair: Claudia Marques 0417 696 293

Flowers: Arome Living, Petersham

Music: Juicy Fruit

And to finish… I love this one because of the constant eye contact they had. There was no-one else in the room….

Settle in, there’s a few images here to share, and these really are a small selection. But I really, really, really *loved* being part of Shelley & Dave’s day, and their story is so gorgeous it’s worth sharing.

Did I mention there was a golf cart? While the walk to the beach was really v. pretty, the girls arrived in style. Lisa catpured these ones…

And the ceremony…. just beautiful, and on such a secluded beach. Everyone involved had done an amazing job putting it all together. And the look on Dave’s face as he watches Shelley walk down the aisle is priceless, full of love, pride and admiration.

A lovely ceremony, and the kiss…

After the ceremony we got to have some fun with location shots at another beach. It was just before sunset and our bridal party was willing to play along. Here’s just a couple…

And a beautiful sunset…

Then onto the ceremony at Mumm’s on the Myall Restaurant and with a grand entrance, speeches, and the cutting of the cake, the DJ cut some grooves and the party started.

Shelley and Dave, Lisa and I LOVED being your photographers for the day. There’s so much more to share, but we wanted to let you see a few for now. Thank you sooo much for looking after us so well, and we’ll see you soon, Mel & Lisa xox

Now, I’m not trying to be this suspenseful on purpose…. I blame it on my computer, or the changeover to my new one, which has taken far longer than it should have…. Sorry for the delay.

Now where were we…. oh yes, the boys were ready and on their way, and the only thing Best Man Scott had to remember were the rings…

Just a few doors down the street, Shelley and her gorgeous bridesmaids and family were getting ready. Lisa did an absolutely awesome job of capturing the details that had been meticulously put together by Shelley, her Mum and loads of other helpers.

One of the best things we can do as photographers is try to capture the love and pure emotion that flows on a special day… I really love this one Lisa took of Shelley being dressed by her Mum and the girls, it really speaks of the closeness, love and friendship in the room.

Guess who’s proud of their little girl…

And with everyone ready, excited, and looking sooooo gorgeous it was time for a wedding. And yes, you’ll have to wait…. but not for long

Mel xox

They’ve been together for seven years, their love for each other, their families and friends and life is truly evident, and last Saturday I was there to look on and get teary as Shelley & Dave got married.

Actually, I was helping out my good friend Lisa Huelin document their day and I loved every second of it. While Lisa has known these guys and their families for a long time, I only had the pleasure of meeting them more recently and they couldn’t have been more welcoming. I love them!

Despite a howling thunderstorm that kept everyone up the night before, the sun was shining and everything around was cleansed and fresh. We’d travelled to Hawks Nest, which holds a special place in Shelley & Dave’s hearts as they’ve holidayed here since they were kids, and I can see why it’s gorgeous and relaxed.

While Lisa was with the girls, I went down the road to hang out with the boys, and spend some time with Dave as he got ready. Having already gone for an ocean swim that morning (there were no waves), Dave and his crew were chillin’. Dave’s Mum made sure we were fed, then Best Man Scott and brother-in-law to be Brendan saw to it that he was ready by giving him a shave.

After taking in the ocean views, there was nothing more to do than get ready…

Oh, and I may or may not have waited until they were appropriately dressed before putting them up to playing with the digger…

There’s so much more to share, and tomorrow we’ll be stepping over to Shelley’s getting ready shots by Lisa. Stay tuned…

Mel xox