What an amazing honour to have a childhood friend, Darby, ask me to do the wedding photography for his Palm beach wedding. I jumped (OK leaped) at the chance to spend this day with him and his stunning bride-to-be, Mel (I actually remember him telling me in year 9 that he wanted a girlfriend and she had to be a hottie! I think he married her!).
There are just so many beautiful things to say about the day, I really dont know where to begin! They have the most beautiful daughter, Elena, who I couldnt get enough of. She is such a perfect mixture of them both, and is so in love with her Mimmi (Darbys Mum). And at 22 months was a total ham.
The entire day was filled with so many personal touches, from Mels Korean-born mum finishing the fans for the maids, to each Darby and Mel speaking to eachothers Mums during the ceremony and the amazing bridal party filled with family and friends. Location shots were a hoot and we all had a lot of fun on the rocks at Palm Beach, and then over at the sea-plane wharf. It was all just so relaxed and EASY, everyone was great. How could locations like this disappoint???
The reception was loads of fun, having grown up in the area I knew a few of the guests so it was wonderful to catch up with everyone while working (errrr, even my old highschool science teacher!!). The speeches were out of this world, so heart-felt and so touching, and so so funny! At the end of his speech, Darby SANG to his brand new wife, ‘Peaches and Cream’ by John Butler and can I just say… no one has ever known Darby can sing!!! He was simply amazing and just briliant. Blew everyone away with this hidden talent, he was soooo good. Not a dry eye in the house and when he finished the crowd just errupted. It was magic!
Darby and Mel, what can I say? I sit here typing while you are in Thailand (pffft, surely you needed a loco photog to document the trip???) and I am still pinching myself that I got this opportunity. Your daughter is a shining star and you both just ooooze love that is so very real and so beautiful. I am thriled for you, my friend Darby, that you have found the most amazing woman, and you Mel, the most amazing man. I wish you both a spectacular life together xx
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Mels Mum, Yong, puts the finishing touches on the bridesmaids’ fans…
Mel making her bouquet, about oh, 30 minutes until we leave for the ceremony! Lunatic!
Elena helps Mummy pick the final music, about 15 minutes before I am due to leave!! Eeeeeeek!!
Mimmi helps Elena into the dress she made especially for today… very very special and just adorable. (And yes, you read right, this is Darbys Mum. She is simply exquisitely beautiful and looks like his slightly older sister!)
A special thankyou snuggle, so presh!
Maybe it was just me, but Darby was the most excited, happy, cheerful, joyful groom I have ever met. He smiled from ear to ear ALL day!
Little chicken, far too cute for it to be legal. She is all sorts of scrummy yummy toddler xx
I just adore this next image, who knows why as it is so technically all over the place, but I do. So there.
Home and Away image, it had to be done! “You know we belong to-geth-errrrrrr….”
Pure beauty, Mel is something else and a complete natural in front of the camera.
A bit of a different spin on those jumping shots, all Mels idea to do a heal-click jump and I tell you, I was in FITS looking at these. They look so funny, all they did was run and then jump on the count of three, but could not do it in time!
Wharf, love this image. Love love love.
Cons. Totally cool.
Love. LOVE!!!! The only thing Mel specified that she realllly wanted was some sunflare images. It was overcast one minute, bright the next, looking like stormy rain… so when the sun shone down I quickly snapped a few and we got them. Phew!
Darby announcing he will SING!
Mr Cool, he was awesome!!!!!!!!!
I had a great time away for the weekend, was so good to hang with some of my favourite people and eat Yum Cha and knuckle down and work hard. For all of those who remember my utter absession with Butter-ball Adela, I met with her again and she is just too much. Plus a gorgeous family of 4 girls, a beautiful belly shoot, a 4 week old baby girl and her 3 year old cousin the next day. Will blog these in the coming days while I rest for this weekends wedding!
10 comments