Paradise Country Wedding Open Night with Wishes Events

We here at J'adore Weddings where recently invited to take some images by Wishes Events, In the process we discovered the Gold Coast's hidden gem, A great place to create memories with a wedding on location at Paradise Country.

With a unique rustic charm to the location, this venue is ideal for both your ceremony and reception and with a large number of photo locations, you’d be thrilled with the amazing photos you would capture on the day.

Styled by one of the premiere Gold Coast’s Wedding Stylists, Wishes Events has been operating since 2007 and specialises in creating unique designs with a clientele focus. Director Cindy Paterson is well known on the Gold Coast for her distinctive style and creative flare and the Wishes Events team believe that life is meant to be celebrated in style.

Always delivering an amazing event, helping you to achieve your event goals by designing décor and decorations to suit your theme and individual touches for your special day.

The Wishes Events team come from a diverse background including wedding, event and conference sales at a five star international hotels and this experience working with world class brands has put them in great stead to deliver the highest quality standard of wedding styling.

For further information visit their website www.wishesevents.com.au or search for ‘Wishes Events’ on Facebook.

Wishes Events knows weddings, and we deliver stress free creativity…on time, on budget and beyond your expectations!

We hope you enjoy our photography here at J'adore we class our-selves as being the Gold Coast's premiere wedding photography & videography services. 

 

Rob Bampton

Dean & Dijiana's Wedding Photo & Video Gold Coast

In life there come certain times known as “lightbulb” moments. Its when the light switches on in your head and you can see something so clearly that right away, it all makes perfect sense.

Preparing for Dean & Dijiana wedding day as exciting yet nerve wracking, at this stage we'd never seen even what a Serbian wedding entailed, so we were going in pretty much blinded. Still our enthusiasm to get the best photo/ video footage propelled us forwards. A Serbian wedding is great tradition with a lot of interesting and symbolic “rules”.  The Groom and bride spend the day before the wedding partying separately with their own friends. Groom’s guests come early in the morning at groom’s house usually around 9am. The bride’s guests come at the same time at bride’s house. Car from every guest has to have colourful towel or blanket tied onto the car’s mirrors. The bride and groom’s car, the main and the first car in the column of all guests’ cars, is all in flowers and decorations.

Helping Dean prepare for his big day was his three other Groomsmen all done up in black and white suits and a white bow tie to complete a look of sophistication.

Also, groom’s brother carries the Serbian flag. After serving a little food and usually a lot of Rakija, they form a column of cars with the bride and groom’s car in the front, and they then go to purchase the bride. All the way towards bride’s house cars from column don’t respect traffic rules and honk all the time.
When they arrive at bride’s home, the groom has to use the weapon and try to shoot the apple from great distance to show that he has become a man, and that he deserves a bride. Also, hitting the apple is permission for the guests to come into the yard or house. If he misses the guests join him with their weapons until they blow up the apple. When they come into the house, the bride is locked in the room and groom’s the brother goes to negotiate with the bride’s brother about the price.

When groom’s brother pays for bride he walks out with her to the yard. In the yard guests can enjoy Serbian food, a lot of Rakija, and guests usually dance to a Serbian national dance called “Kolo”, then they all go to groom’s house. There the bride has to throw a colander full of wheat and candies on the roof of the house, and if it stays on the roof; the bride is going to stay. Wheat in the colander symbolises fertility of the bride, and candies symbolise a sweet, beautiful life.

Bride also has to throw little child called “Nakonjce” in the air and catch him a few times to show that she is strong enough to give birth and raise children. After getting Dijiana ready with her three bridesmaids in tow wearing strapless light blue gowns, they all waited for one of Dean's groomsmen to deliver Dijiana a shoe before venturing off to the Serbian Orthodox Church in Arundel where everyone had to stand. 

The priest started the ceremony with the preamble, and continues with putting crowns on both Dean and Dijiana's heads, and ties their hands together with a piece of cloth which symbolise unity in their marriage. In one part of the ceremony they go around the priest, three times around table which symbolises the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the godfathers followed them with candles in their hands. When priest pronounced them as man and wife if bride step onto groom foot, she is going be in charge for everything, she is going to be the head of house and vice verse, and then the groom kisses the bride. 

We were then fortunate enough to be able to view the best man throwing a bag of coins out onto the ground for all of the children to run in grab, this was done in a sign of good will, and running the bad spirits aways from this holly union of all days. The traditional Serbian music and dancing started to take place outside of the church's doors where dean and Dijiana shared their first kiss.

 

We flash forward to the photos sections for both photography and videography, and we were simply amazed by the footage we managed to get from this weddings, we couldn't have been happier with the bridal party, as they were full of jokes and smiles. Our next location was Emerald Lakes at the french quarter. 

As we get to the reception where it was held at the Mecure Gold Coast Resort, it was time to get into action as the night quickly sped up with a wild party brewing. With lot of food, luxurious cakes and home made cookies. Drinks like great Serbian plum homemade Rakija called “Sljivovica”. Also, there is lots of dancing and Kolos. We party until dawn; sometimes we party all night and all day tomorrow.

 

Sheraton Marina Mirage Wedding photography with Michael & Olivia Foster

 

Being apart of a wedding company, we encounter all aspects of love, all different types of couples, with their own unique twists on what they want out of their day. Michael & Olivia was no different. 

 On the 23rd of April, J'adore was turning up at Chevron island on the Gold coast with our head creative director Rob and our co photographer Leanne, we knew we'd be in for a big day. As they booked our premium package, we turned up just in time to get some exceptional footage and shots. Both Michael and Olivia were close in locations as both had booked holidays houses for their stay before continuing their journey throughout the day to the Sheraton Marina Mirage, where both the ceremony and reception was being held. 

First turning up to Michael’s holiday house house, we were pleasantly greeted with music, a bunch of people sitting around slowly preparing themselves, and the infectious laughter of Michaels four girls. Adjourned with navy suits that complements the suspenders  perfectly, Michaels smile was infections. The lighting in the main bedroom was perfect while the backdrop of the mirrors gave our team the advantage of slipping in some of our more creative techniques. With the three of Michael’s groomsmen helping him get ready, we were gone before we knew it heading off to our next location, his bride top be Olivia. 

A five minute journey away from Michaels house, we knew our bride to be was ecstatic, as we saw her counting down the days on Facebook, the team was excited to finally be apart of her grand day. Turning up at their doorstep packed fully with our camera's and gimbal (Videography material )We were greeted by Olivia’s flamboyant and exuberant family. With her make up and hair finished along side with her two best friends and little sister, she was glowing. Quickly setting up, our photographer  started snapping away. Whilst we looked at the main bedroom, We decided to change the look around a little, taking off framed portraits and clutter, leaving a bare backdrop perfect for starting Olivia’s video. With a keen eye for detail in mind, we went straight to Olivia’s accessories. Next we were on to the topic of where to put olivia’s strapless gown. We are always aiming to find the best lighting in any location for our clients, no matter the trouble, as we are determined to perfect the images/videography, this was shown through our constant shifting our the bridesmaids gowns.

Following that, Olivia came out of the bathroom, looking exquisite, with her platinum blonde hair curled gently around her face and pined to the side, her blue eyes glittered, reeling at what was to come in the next few hours. With an incrusted Diamante band wrapping around the waist, olivia’s lace dress fitted her figure perfectly. Adjourning the look, the bridesmaids dresses were a deep navy complimenting the different hues of purple for the bouquets. 

The ceremony was held at the Sheraton Marina mirage, and as the bag pipes started to play, it was queue for Olivia to start making her journey down the aisle and towards the Lagoon section located outside. The Mirage perfectly catered to the outside themed look as white flowers were centred down the middle of the aisle. At the front where Michael was waiting, white curtains were draped to the side. Throughout the ceremony our team was spot on. having two photographers and two videographers there to capture the moment, made sure that any unforeseen circumstances could be dealt with accordingly. 

The photo section was a bit of an adventure in itself like always as we roamed all over the Sheraton. While not wanting to go far away for family photos. We moved the white sets with ribbon tied around to the side after the ceremony. 

Next we took the couple to the beach outside. With such an easy access to all of the ammenities, it was incredibly easy for our team to get in touch with our creative side while encountering the natural elements ( Wind, Sun). Ironically it was perfect timing, as the sky lit up above us, our photographer Leanne decided to get a bit more creative using some lighting techniques to shadow the couple. 

Ironically it was perfect timing, as the sky lit up above us, our photographers with J'adore for the day Leanne & Emily decided to get a bit more creative, using some lighting techniques to highlight the couple by using shadows.  She then swapped using a flash, using a different creative method perfect for any wedding album.

Forwarding ourselves to the the reception. The Mirage set the whole venue up perfectly. Starting from the glass seating arrangements easily accessible to all guests. Upon entering the two glass doors, the purple ambience was all around, creating an intimate and personal touch.

From the start to the finish of the night, everything ran smoothly for the couple and their bridal party. From Olivia’s sisters heartfelt speech where Michael stood next to her side, to the mother of the bride pulling out the big guns, literally with Superman underwear, it was a heartfelt day with many pleasant surprises within the Mirage. 

We hope we could have made their day as spectacular as it was for us to be apart of.

Written by Natarlie Weller

Lennon & Emma's photography and videography Kangaroo Point Gold Coast

We are always keen to see which location will be our next in Brisbane as it’s one of our more popular destinations aside from our home on the Gold coast. On April 1st 2016 it was Lennon and Emma’s grand day. As relatives from all over the world ranging from Nigeria to the uk ventured to Australia to be here, nerves and excitement was in the air.

Our first location in Brisbane was the Grooms apartment, we turned up fully packed from head to toe in photography/videography gear as one of Lennon’s groomsmen lead us into the lounge room. Quickly setting up our equipment, Sunny the main photographer of the day launched into action to get some pre detailed shots of the rings/ accessories. Lennon had such a cheeky smile as he emerged from the room, ready to get the show on the road. As all of his groomsmen took turns in helping him put on his black and white suits, we were finished in no time, and off to our next location; the lovely bride to be Emma. 

Helping Emma prepare for her day was her two bridesmaids and maid of honour, her sister. Accompanying her was her immediate family joining in on the festivities.  We arrived at the location Emma was getting ready at in no time. Just as she was finishing getting her make up, we jumped into action, getting some great video shots, for their long/short version. After the make up artist was finished we took all of the girls into a room and had a bit of fun mucking around with some games, which created a break out of laughter perfect for video/ photos. 

Now it was time for the show to start moving, and this meant it was time for Emma to slip on her dress/shoes. With a dress made of lace with an open back, she looked simply radiant, not a veil on her head but an accessory still to feature, suited Emma's feature's well, as her smile came out. 

The ceremony was held at the Trinity Church in fortitude valley, with the style of the building resembling an early english gothic tone; the gable roof and arched doorways collaborate with our keen eye of taking the best creative shots.  On the interior an arcade of cast iron pillars define the edges of the nave and suppose the clerestory walls and roof. This quaint yet beautiful church was perfect for Emma and Lennon as it sufficiently housed all of their guests without being in the way of our camera and video crew. 

The reception/ photo section was being held in a completely different place. Located on the side of Kangaroo point Cliff and the other side you're looking at the stunning river city views. The Sunset Marquee is the perfect venue to hold an amazing venue. Spacious and fully closable, we enjoyed a spectacular sunset over the city, as the photos illustrated a 'Golden Twilight'. Poised on a rustic sandstone plinth, the venue's distinct differentiation and appreciation was themes tied in well with Lennon and Emma's rustic theme 

One of the more surprising details was the fact that this was the first wedding in Emma’s family, to make matters better; the whole entire family was there to support her, and you could feel the liven the air. 

One of the main speeches that stuck with me was the brother of Lennon’s. He was soo happy that they had another female in the family, aside from that he was genuinely ecstatic at his brother Lennon, finally finding happiness, finding this person that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Lennon shed a few tears between speeches and you couldn’t help but shed them with him. 

Boyce Avenue seemed to be a favourite for the couple as this was the first dance song played. It was full of infectious laughter and smiles, rather than tears per say, and this didn't stop the couple from breaking out right away. The guests surrounding the dance floor was all the more eager to get out their and have their own turn getting down on the dance floor.  So much great footage was shot, as all the hands clapped in the air and the music progressed on throughout the night. 

It was a pleasure shooting for Lennon and Emma, this is the couple that managed to find each other, but also worked exceedingly hard to stay together no matter what was thrown in their way. From Lennon having to work free manual labour just to stay in Australia, to Emma making the decision to move over to England, I see this couple going for, and from J'adore we wish them the best life possible. 

Natarlie Weller

Sandi & Marina Videography Cloudland Gold Coast

As we are slowly heading into winter the days are getting colder, but that didn’t stop Marina and Sandi from getting married on the 14th of May 2016. Getting ready at the same place, it was a lot easier for our crew to capture every single detail. While Rob and and I went to Sandi and the boys first, Sunny our other videographer  head straight for Marina. 

We spent a bit of time alternating between the bride and groom, not missing a detail, but getting different view points. From Sunny's shooting up close to get Marina’s best make up shots, to Rob going wide to get Sandi’s sister Cindy putting Marina’s veil. With pearls going from the top of the bodice in lines straight down, Marina’s was a vision to see. Accessorising with her look was pale white roses that collaborated with three brides maids dresses she’d picked out. All three girls, with there hair out and curled to the side made a an excellent composition.

Having three Groomsmen and one ‘Mario’ the brother of the bride, everything seemed to be running smoothly.  And they were all full of smiles. One of the more sophisticated suits, Sandi had collaborated his plane black tuxedo with her crisp white shirt and bow tie to match the cheeky smile on his face. All four boys managed to get ready quickly, and we shared a few laughs as the nerves were starting to set in. 

Before Sandi ventured off to the ceremony. Marina had a few perfect/different idea’s for her photos. Grabbing Sandi’s hand gently from the other side of the door. it was cheeky as they both glanced at the door, an object parting them away, you could just feel the tension.

Yet another one of Marina’s quirky idea’s was tying a tie gently around Sandi’s face as she cups his cheeks and rests her head against his. They both have infectious smiles that it was hard not to not get caught up in the moment with the both of them. 

Turning up at the ceremony, we were fortunate enough to be shooting at Cloud land in fortitude valley Brisbane. Cloudland is a spectacular venue designed with luxury interiors on a scale unrivalled in Brisbane. Its unique style makes it more than just a venue, uplifting guests to a world of glamour, elegance and imagination. Once the top floor of the heritage Empire Hotel – a beautiful old grand dame of Fortitude Valley’s most treasured historic buildings – the Moon Room features the charm of massive floor to ceiling windows, private bar, ornamental wrought iron façade with balconies and ample natural light. 

During the ceremony, before it ended they had both written each other personal letters only to be read if the couple was in a time of great difficulty, this beautiful gesture was sealed with a case of wine. and the couple was off to start their married life together.

For the photo section we ventured to a near by park close to Fortitude valley. The park featured a wide open area, so it was a lot easier/safer for our videographer Rob to get out the drone and have a bit of fun with the bridal party. 

Turning back up to Cloud land in Fortitude valley, we came upon the discovery that the reception was being held in a completely seperate part of the venue. The Heritage Room offers an elegantly refined yet commanding presence to your function, reception or conference.  With frames lining the wall and chandeliers dotted along the ceiling, the Heritage Room is elegant and refined. Whether you are holding a business conference, a wedding reception or cocktail function, this space is set to impress. The Heritage Room can hold 120 people banquet style and 300 people cocktail style.

Later on at the reception, when the speeches were starting to be conducted, Marina’s father had brought a special present ‘her dummy’. This little notion was cute and personal. There was plenty of people that got up and wanted to say their praise to the happy couple, and each and every individual had their own personal story to tell. when the first dance came, it was a completely different song, that we'd not encountered yet. 'Close to you' a slow version by Calvin Harris featured in their night, and their first dance was beautiful.  As the song was nearing I could tell that Marina was starting to tear up a little. After the legalities had finished it was time to start partying! 

Their night was full of everyone belting out their favourite lyrics to a particular song, the photo booth was a great hit, as it always is, with all of the family members giving it a go. One of the best things about being apart of this job, is getting to be apart of the different cultured weddings.  We are always open to friendly people, and when we see a whole crew letting lose, it amazing to watch and just be apart of.