What is the best time of the day to get Married?

A lot of clients ask me what time of day is best to get married I often out of curiosity ask them what time they think? Especially for outdoor Weddings most of which are on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Byron Bay and Mount Tamborine. So all fairly warm sunny areas. Most people reply with lunch time.

What do you think? As for lunch time its actually the worst time of day unless its a really overcast day there will be a shadow in your eye when you think about it as if the sun is directly above you. I often think with all my experience shooting over 50 weddings per year for tha last few years what time would I pick for my ceremony?

The answer is This say there is a 6pm sunset we want our photoshoot to end as the sun sets and have at least 90 min of time put aside for that. Say 30 after the ceremony for congratulations group & family photos. Which leaves 30 min for the ceremony which takes us back to around 330 and with a good photographer that uses flash which means you can shoot a little bit past sunset which I like to do we can push that to 4pm.

It also means that you have the best chance of nice light during your ceremony and again with the chance to use some flash hopefully a few clouds and some colour in the sky.

Here are a few examples of some images in the last few hours before the sunset.

The Southport School TSS and Southport Yacht Wedding Photography and Videography

Right from the start i knew that Robert and Grace’s Wedding at The Southport School TSS was going to be beautiful. I've always wanted to go inside, but as its a boy's school I’ve never really had a reason to. So when i found out that Robert was an Old boy which is needed to get married at the school's chapel and that this beautiful location was going to be the place where this amazing couple was going to get married, I was thrilled.

They were married on a beautiful day at the Southport School surrounded by their family and a multitude of friends. We had talked earlier about some of the great locations on the grounds and I mentioned that I thought their wedding was going to be fun and spontaneous, Robert did not fail to please. Grace looked amazing and Robert scrubbed up quite handsomely, their ceremony was held in the chapel on TSS grounds.  A beautiful String quartet played as everyone mingled and waited for Grace’s arrival. It was a beautiful heartfelt ceremony with chaplain of the school that used to the school's service when Robert went to school there and still does to this day and is a personal friend of the family.

After the service everyone enjoyed time chatting and mingling under the trees while we photographed the formal family photos.  After the ceremony we spent some time with the bridal party. This is generally my favourite part of the day as we can really bring them out of their shells and get some great shots on the school ovals and by the river having some fun portraits before going over to the Southport Yacht Club for the reception. The Southport Yacht Club was decorated simply with Fairy lights and a great colour light display from the Dj booth. The building  has million dollar views of the marina. They had a table full of props set up in the corner and we made our own version of a photo booth, they are so much fun at weddings and really get everyone in a fun party mood. Near the end of the night is always some of the best parts for us as photographer and videographers as this is generally when everyone has had a few drinks and is ready to get down on the dance floor and at this wedding the groom Robert was definitely one of these people, finally coming out of his shell and really having some fun dancing with all his friends and family and of course his beautiful new bride. I think personally my favourite part was the last song, sweet and slow and really beautiful as the couple have their last dance of the night they hold each other in a sweet embrace, as she whispers something in his ear. You see him smile and hold her closer and they both wipe a tear from their eye, this was so beautiful and as i did then seeing it as i do now, i wipe my own tears away just remembering this moment. Being a part of someone's special day is such a beautiful experience seeing them laugh, dance and cry seeing the first day of the rest of their lives together as husband and wife, how could we wish for anything more. 

Please enjoy Robert and Grace’s Gold Coast Wedding at TSS and The Southport Yacht Club 

Jessica Mcguiness

Mildura Destination Wedding Video & Photography Adventure

Adam & Danielle... What a match, Timmy and I left Mildura with big smiles on our faces. We met some great people, had some new amazing locations to work with. They made us feel like part of the family which is fast becoming a tradition, It even went as far as for the bride to announce that who ever caught the bouquet got to marry me..... Until her 17 year old sister caught it.

Having not met the clients before we arrived into town a day earlier to goto the rehearsal and meet everybody and check out the Ampelon Gardens in Gol Gol which was the Ceremony location and as we arrived and started walking through the gardens we couldn't help but wipe the smiles of our faces as it really was a amazing venue. I ran into Danielle and she pointed me towards Adam and said he's the black guy. That got a laugh out of us and we didn't stop laughing for the rest of the trip. We make it a fun atmosphere and it really does affect the way we do our job, looking back through the images we see lots of smiling and laughing.

There is also times to fade into the background and let the LOVE take over, its also our role to sometimes take the initiative set up our couple maybe give them a little inspiration get our groom to whisper in the brides ear his thoughts in the moments as his wife to be was walking down the aisle. Being there for those moments are priceless and such a honour to be a part of.

There where a few of those magic moments in Mildura and the best part of getting Video is that you can relive them time and time again. Danielle's dad singing "I loved her first" after she had walked down the aisle as a surprise. This certainly brought out the water works and for those that know me well... Well I was one of the first to follow Danielle once she started crying. There where also some really nice moments during the speeches with, Adam's brother and Danielle's sister both crying and at which time I followed and hid behind my camera. 

I truly believe that with great people around this couple that they are set up for a Amazing future. Danielle's Dress was supplied by Cinderella's Bridal World, Flowers by Green Goddess Flowers, Hair by Cutting it Hair & Beauty and Make up by Beautique. 

Finally a massive thanks to Tim you are my best mate and a amazing photographer. 

Please leave a comment as we would love to hear from you.

Ryan & Helen's Love Story......

I meet Helen at the end of 2012 before her and Ryan got married early in 2013 and I was given the job of doing the wedding video and flew over from the Gold Coast. I spent a few days with them and there close friends and family before the wedding and really felt at home.

So with another Adelaide trip booked, I was keen to spend some time with them again and after a quick chat with Helen decided on a couples photo shoot that then turned into a video/photos session. 

I also learnt that Ryan had recently received some devastating health news being diagnosed with lung cancer, I am emotional at the best of times especially with a couple like this that meant alot to me. There wedding video certainly helped kickstart my career. 

I love both these guys and I have put together a video that I hope will speak for itself as I am a little lost for words.

I really Hope you took the time to watch the video and that you enjoyed it. Here are a few of the Images from our catch up .