mike and i generally laugh and enjoy ourselves immensely at weddings
its a happy day, and we are surrounded by happy people in love
james and victoria’s wedding day, however, was an extreme exception
we have never laughed so much or so side-splitting, jaw-aching hard than on this sunny day in april
but before we start…a few yummy portraits
james and vicki have been waiting a long time for their wedding day - life just seemed to get in the way - and with james often working away
the timing had to be just so…
james makes us laugh, he should be on stage
vicki lovingly smiles and continues the conversation, she should be his wife
and then the day is upon us…
…we caught up with james and the men all relaxing and practising speeches…
far removed from the when we arrived at the house of the bride…
vicki’s sister decorated her lovely home with sparkly and pretty wedding-ness…
stunning
when i saw this little gown, my heart melted and i was very keen to meet the little tot who it belonged to…
vicki and james told us they were both very close to their nieces and nephews - who were all going to be in the bridal party…”unreal” we said
at no stage did they inform us that there was 8 - yes EIGHT - flowergirls and pageboys…”unreal” we said
we met three of the boys in the games room…
and during the course of the morning, said hello and found out lots of info from the remaining crew…
the home of vicki’s sister was filled to the brim
there was make-up and kids and dads and flowers and hair dryers and kids and food and clothes and kids
at no stage did vicki’s sister become stressed…
this extremely patient beautiful woman floated around her home, fixing this and that (i think even sewing!) whilst attending to her 5 children and 3 extra children and a houseful of extra oddbodies…
i exclaimed to mike “where is all the shouting, why is she not throwing cartons of milk at the wall, why is there not a kid locked in the attic”
(to which mike just flicked me one of “those” looks)
she is my current idol… 
calmness and patience is obviously a virtue in their genes, as vicki was a tranquil bride amidst all of this
i break the rule of no posts of my butt to show how i captured the above image in the best lit room…
…and also the room where the kids were being dressed…
count them…EIGHT i tell you - EIGHT!!
then father of the year bundled all dressed up and excited kids and a few rice crackers into the tarago to head to the harvey weir for the ceremony
and we were left with peace and quiet and one amazingly beautiful bride…
arrived!
the kids had their own processional song to walk to…it bought tears and laughter to the crowd…
as did the ceremony, which was sweet and funny and conducted by the beautiful cavelle monck
last few images of these amazing children before we depart for location shoot
james’s brother and his family travelled from NZ for the wedding…it was so nice to meet you guys!
harvey weir (or harvey dam and amphitheatre as it is now called) was a high school stomping ground for me and many before me…
it is a stunning garden lake area now…perfect for a little late afternoon frivolity
this is where i fell of the boardwalk and mike dropped his camera because we laughed so much
i asked the fella’s to “bark like a dog” - normally they look at each and crack up - good photo…check
james’ brother actually gave me a sexy snarly rottweiler growl…
during the course of the set, james informed us he could do the splits…and he did
the sun was setting and we had to head off…but just a few more for “mr try out new lighting techniques”
we thought we would try a few casual walking shots back to the cars…
but this group of 6 adults - combined with a little alcohol and bucket loads of laughter - were just a tad off being in sync…
(mike completed this on his own - i was rolling around on the grass holding my sore stomach)
james asked his brother “they want us to walk in unison???”
“sorry no can do…”
“did they say look backwards? what do they mean - walk and look?…”
james had a touch of the “isnt this my right?”
and then a touch of “i would try another suggestion if i were you”
and then to finish “a touch of this is my right i tell you”
the weir is truly amazing for dramatic sky
this is my fave
another stomping ground, the harvey town hall…
(dont tell mum, first place i discovered parents are unable to detect vodka on your breath)
fave aunty vicki had a kids table and kids stuff and kids ate first…woo-hoo for aunty vicki!
speeches continued the laughter into the night, but brought tears also when the oldest nephew presented his word perfect speech
on how much they all love their aunty and uncle and their antics and how they make them laugh
and how they should possibly do a couple of parenting courses before having kids of their own…
the old hall was romantic and not very well lit…
shoes off and time for cartwheels
except for the littlest poppet…
stumps and lights out everybody home…
although i have my suspicions the party rocked on well after we packed up the Booth and went home…
james and vicki…we truly hope you enjoyed the trek you have been waiting so long for…
thank you for allowing us to share in an incredibly happy laugh a minute day and for not telling us there was eight
thanks for your patience with this post (the biggest ever - ssshhhh - dont tell mike)
and for your understanding during our trying times at home…
p.s mike must have won this day - he was kissed no less than 6 - SIX - times by the bridesmaids!!
and i think the dad sneaked one in as well…
