simon and bree 26th april 2008

love at first sight for two gorgeous people...after working together for many years - even changing jobs to keep close - simon knew it was serious when he asked bree to help him shop for shoes...bree, who knew all along, sighed 'about bloody time'...

in late afternoon light, simon and bree exchanged personal, unique and beautiful vows on the steps of the old school house at alverstoke...

we arrived at bree's parents home to be greeted by organisation! tons of people, loads of curlers, mountains of make up brushes, fresh sandwiches, and labelled shoe boxes!...

divine bridesmaids dresses...

and a gown straight out of beauty and the beast...but more on that later...

meet jade, mariclare and brittany - three of the most amazing sisters any woman could ask for...these girls did not stop smiling once all day...more on that later too...

four spunky stud muffins who were ready way before anyone else...

gotta love pink shoes for a bride...suited bree to perfection...stylish, individual, unexpected and cheerful...

the very first bride we have met who has chosen dark jewellery...again, a perfect choice..

bouquets were so pretty i could not stop at posting just one image...

a gift from mum and dad...a pretty little bag that contained...

a pretty little pandora charm...

here is the stunning bree...loooooove this one...as you will see, bree has the most amazing, soulful eyes...combined with a dazzling smile...

a little help from mum...

just divine...(pssst...one of mine...)

as i mentioned, the home was a buzz with busy-in-ness...i can only imagine what mum and dad have experienced as the four girls were growing up...this home is so full of love and happiness you can not help feel it in your heart...bree's dad - after an ale or two - told us many a hilarious tale of boyfriends he has warned off (ala 'meet the fockers')...

a few portraits before we leave...

just another image of smiling sisters...

dad spent many an hour finishing the awesome outside entertaining area...just for this day...

off to alverstoke, and where handsome simon catches a glimpse of his bride arriving...

loooove this one too...

pretty much everyone was pretty much gobsmacked at how unbelievably beautiful bree looked...

bree and her dad have an amazing bond...but i love this image of the connection between bree and simon...even though dad still has the grip (again...that whole 'meet the fockers' scenario just wont leave my mind...)

heres simons mum...just overwhelmed at how lovely her only son looks...

now, two very strange (but true) events happened during bree and simons highly emotional ceremony...one - this little fellow happened to neigh in all the right places...and two - some clumsy, awkward and ungraceful photographer managed to ring the very loud school bell (when it got stuck on my shirt as i was trying to sneak past)...but luckily - this was also at the right moment so i bowed and accepted the applause like a star...there is no evidence of this as mike was rolling about on the grass cacking himself...

a few portraits of very proud parents...

the vows truly were just perfect and a reflection of the love simon and bree share...here is jade a little overcome...just before i had to dig deep for a tissue myself...

finally...now i can stop sobbing...

group hugs were the favourite of the day...stay tuned for more...

but simon...being a boy and all that...couldnt resist stirring his sisters one last time before succumbing to being an old married man...

heres those sisters again...what, oh my goodness, they are still laughing...what ever you girls are on...please give me some!

...hey...i figured it out...brittany is just glowing from the inside as she is with child, jade is studying to be a doctor so she is over the moon not to be cramming for exams, and mariclare is ecstatic as she has the most beautiful name...how did i do girls?...

they certainly passed some happy thoughts on to the groomsmen...

and then i spotted this baby...aaawwwwww...

on the way to alverstoke, mike and i spotted this grungy chimney stuck on its own in a paddock...and little light bulbs flashed on both our heads...so off in the classic fj from australias own (thanks for staying!...glad to know bribery and corruption is thriving in the wedding industry) with incredible willingness to experiment from simon and bree...mike (the man!) captures the following which are nothing short of spectacular...

we return to alverstoke to catch the last of the light around the homestead...

the next two were just hilarious...you never quite know what reaction you will receive asking non-couples to kiss after the count of three

are you freakin kiddin me...i'm surpised the girls dad doesnt own a shotgun, rocking chair and whittling stick...

a little knowledge goes a long way...nobody bothered to tell me (the set-er-upper of shots) that groomsman #3 has just had a knee operation...didnt think it important at any time fellas?

love these glam shots...love the way the gown suits bree to perfection and love the pink shoes...and love the sassy-iness of this gorgeous young lady...

mike spotted this hidden vine covered greenhouse (so reminds me of the secret garden) where we both rocked these images...helped of course, by heavenly bree and her loving simon...

the images evoke a certain 'period drama circa 1800's - like what i make mike sit through (and suffer?) on sunday nights on the abc...

time for one more group hug before losing all visible light...

the barn at alverstoke was beautiful beyond words...it took our breath away how stunning the girls had decorated to create an atmosphere and ambience never before seen...

brees mum was so happy it all looked perfect...

once bree and simon had devoured a sumptious meal, provided by the amazing crew and ronnie and nick from amorish, loaded up our trusty light and headed back out into the grounds for these mind-blowing...and winning...images...vote for you fav...last wager of the wedding season...who shall claim the kick-ass photographer crown????

simon...you humphrey bogart you...

we love staying for speeches...if by fat chance, we dont yet know enough about our families to be invited for christmas lunch - we certainly find out all by the conclusion of speech time...what we heard at alverstoke as the fog started to set in and overcoats were drawn closer was moving, affectionate, witty, and revealing...topped off with an outstanding acoustic perfomance by brees uncle...

time for a romantic dance...

then time for simons dad to get down...

and theres always time for a little hucklebuck to nut bush city limits...

this quiet, unassuming highly intoxicated boyfriend of jades was the source of much amusement as he tried his hardest to participate in a game that should be played in an un-inebriated state...

simon and bree, mums and dads, and all who made us ever so welcome at this enjoyable, entertaining and super cool wedding celebration...thank you in abundance...especially for happily taking part in our inaugral photo booth!

simon and bree, we hope you relaxed during your 'mini-moon' and we wish you all of the good things in life, and many many blessings for your future togetherness...

last comp update...you lovely people decide...i am too exhausted to fight for the crown...heres to a few saturday nights at home watching the bill before wedding season swings into action again...probably be bored by july!...lol...