5 weeks ago Dale & Brooke tied the knot and it sure was entertaining. They mentioned to me in the weeks before that Brooke’s grandmother was turning 95 on the very same day and they wanted to celebrate that too. After the ceremony- Brooke’s grandmother was the first person that she went to and during the reception the 95th bday cake was the cake that made the biggest fuss. Little things like that- putting other people first on your own wedding day point to good things.

Don’t get me wrong- THEY had a great day too. Brooke and the girls had a blast upstairs at Mantas, while Dale and the boys helped keep things on track from Echelon. Kudo’s to Dale for arranging a couple of very special visitors after the ceremony too. Cutest. Dogs. Ever.
Forgive the 10+ pics of that moment… Love your work Dale. ; ).

The reception was a small one- but a meaningful one. During the speeches- you could just feel that EVERYONE was paying 100% attention. So congrat’s all around guys! Hope you enjoy life in the big city. ; ).

I got to drop them back to Echelon at the end of the their day- and for some reason that meant lots. It’s nice when people trust you enough to ask that. It really was an honour. They loved their day- they didn’t want it to end. Maybe that’s why they did farewells only to come back in and mingle with guests. After the drive back to Echelon they insisted to help me carry my gear to the car- I mean who does that. ; ).

Of course you can’t help but like those kind of people. Then there’s the bridesmaids (especially Tam). Simply they couldn’t do enough to help. I know Tammy (and her husband)- and  she would have walked on hot coals if it meant Karyn would have a better day. That’s the kind of people these guys attract.

Otherwise- my second ever marquee wedding. First being a little shin-dig in April 2010 when I got married. Hats off to CQ Party hire- marquee looked magic. Anyways- proud to finally get the blog up at last and show off your day.

Good luck with the house in 2012. ; ).

After that night I could tell they were the kind of people who were going to enjoy their own day. Not stress about it being perfect- just enjoy being around the people they care most about. While most brides keep quiet in their room before the ceremony- Alysha was racing around in golf buggies. No concern for the hair dropping- just wanted to enjoy her day. Riki was just happy to know Alysha was having a good day. And then there’s their little boy Archie- the cutest little fella you’ll meet. Scared of me for a while- but got used to me soon enough (which was a relief). He’s the centre of their universe- and even on their big day he was right their with them through all of it. Spitting image of his dad.

Got to mention Michelle’s speech- which choked up everyone one who tried to read it. Each of the bridesmaid had a go- each developed a shake in their voice. Fun & emotional. Check.

Finally- just a big thanks to you both. Couldn’t have been made more welcome. Hope you love the pics and thanks for the bottle of Jimmy. ; ).

I was out in Emerald shooting mid week when I took a call from Melinda- she had changed her date and we were talking about options. I was heading back to Rocky that evening and she offered to catch up. I was welcome to drop into see her and Shanan at their place in Blackwater. At that point I was a friend of a friend- pretty close to a stranger. But you get a feel for people when they start off treating you with that kind of warmth- offering you the privacy of their own home when meeting someone for the first time. And it just continued on. So thanks.

On their day you could tell that they just couldn’t wait to see each other- there was anticipation and then some. After the ceremony some of that emotion came out- but it was the reception where I noticed most things. Nicole Johnston- great job on the poem- and to think you weren’t going to read it. Thing like that and Shanan with the rest of the boys running the bar for the guests. Just a great sense of fun. Maybe that’s why they didn’t leave til 3am. ; ).

Proud to have been there for it guys. Hope married life is treating you well. ; ).

I wasn’t sure where to start really- but on the most simple level- there’s 1 couple who haven’t yet seen the images from their wedding. They’re on holidays- keen to see more then the half dozen I’ve sent. And I owe them. I owe lots of people. That’s why I’m going to pretty much chain myself to the table and get writing.

But enough about me- this is about Dave & Mel.
Lovely, warm, positive people. Dave’s dad verbalised what I couldn’t quite put my finger on. They are best friends. People you feel like you’ve known for years. Their bridal party were champs too. Smashed 5/6 different locations in no time at all- all because that’s the kind of people that Dave & Mel attract. As for the mystery of the Dave’s pirate ginger bread man- it’s because he tell’s pirate jokes a few sherberts.

Thanks for the patience guys. Will look forward to catching up in 2012! Enjoy the last days of your honeymoon!

Same goes for Justin’s mother. I’d had a bit to do with Sharon in relation to real estate photography. She too has been good to me- a card before my own wedding back in April last year- little things like that are nice. So thanks. ; ).

With families like these, as well as a lovely collection of friends (some of which I’m proud to call my own)- you’d expect Carmen and Justin to be the people they are. Generous, positive and a bit of fun. And best of all they just seem to make each other happy. While the bridal preparations in the morning went off without a hitch- there was no mistaking how much Carmen was looking forward to seeing Justin. They were just so happy to be re-united at the ceremony.

And while I knew them before our first wedding meeting- I’m happy to say I’ve gotten to know them pretty well over the last year and a bit. Like all good wedding day scenarios- they felt like (and I hope to say ARE) friends of mine.