REAL WEDDING / ANDREA + COLM

THE COUPLE /

From the second I met Andy and Colm, I knew they would be an easy breezy couple to spend the day with and as soon as they said they had chosen me as their wedding photographer, I could not wait. Their storytelling about how they first met, their connection and their playfulness was so warming, I knew they would be a pleasure to shoot.

THE SET UP /

Andy and Colm opted for an intimate wedding at a unique and private wedding venue in the Gold Coast hinterland, with just 16 guests in attendance made up of immediate family and their absolute closest friends. (Having shot a wedding with a 150 guests just days earlier, this was a great change of pace.) Hamptons Hinterland Retreat was a relaxed and beautiful backdrop, full of light, bright, white rooms and Hamptons styling - a photographer’s dream!

THE CHALLENGE /

The mini wedding guests melted me with cuteness, but when the Bride told me that her 3 year old niece hates the camera and it would be impossible to get snaps of her looking and smiling, well… Challenge accepted! You can see the results below...

THE CEREMONY /

As laid back as the couple both were leading up to the day, the Groom surprised me with anxious anticipation in the moments before the ceremony. Lucky to have the support of his family who travelled from England to be part of their day, Colm waited at the end of aisle jittering and positively beaming.

Proving that even the most planned weddings can sometimes go off script unexpectedly, the Bride laughed when she took her first steps down the aisle and her veil (worn by her Grandma on her wedding day) caught on the grass and was ripped from her hair. A seemless recovery once the lovers locked eyes and celebrant Kristy Harper delivered a beautiful ceremony.

Marry Me Kristy Harper Wedding Celebrant

Hamptons Hinterland Retreat Wedding Ceremony

Hamptons Hinterland Retreat wedding photographer

THE DETAILS /

Every little detail was so well thought out from the table setting colours matching the Moss and Stone bouquet so perfectly, to the fun custom stubby holders, to the greenery adorning the open marquee. The dinner party set up was so on point that the caterers actually thought the DIY Bride was a wedding stylist! The couple set up the entire tablescape and festoon lighting, with the hero of the table oh so cute! Mini personalised Bailey’s bottles for the guests, handmade by the Bride (the labels, not the alcohol!)

Andy and Colm also taught us how to settle an argument about which cake flavour to choose - por que no los dos (insert cute cheering Mexican girl here!) Confetti Cake Co created a stunning chocolate mud cake with Bailey's cream filling (drool!) for the main cake and the Bride’s favourite, carrot cake in cupcake form.

THE LOCATION PHOTOS /

An early ceremony and conveniently located venue meant that we had the luxury of time for the location photos - music to my ears! Living on the Gold Coast, Andy and Colm wanted to make the most of the coastline having their couple photos taken at North Burleigh Beach and the Burleigh Hill for sunset, luckily, Tuesday afternoon at the hill is a little less busy than a Sunday session!

Nervous about how they would perform in the photos, in lieu of a Bridal Party, the couple brought along two of their funniest friends… (well most certainly their funniest friends at the wedding) to put the couple at ease, pulling faces, reenacting dance routines and cracking jokes.