Erana & Michael - Oct 2008

Erana & Michael are a great couple who were fun to photograph. Erana is of Maori decent and Michael of Australian origins and they had selected me to cover their special day. After their wedding ceremony we journeyed into Sydney city and went to Harry's Cafe De Wheels at Woolloomooloo, for a hot dog and their famous fare of a pie and peas which was a wonderful move on their part. The reception was at Kirrawee where about 200 people gathered to celebrate the evening. The bridesmaids were Erana's sisters, Tiana & Jessie-Rae and Jonathon, one of the groomsmen was Michael's brother, who himself will be getting married in November, Brendan, the other groomsman is a friend of Michaels. The reception was a very relaxed and heartwarming atmosphere peppered with singing by a live and very accomplished band, individuals and families who sang after the speeches, a Maori tradition called a waiata. The highlight of the evening was the singing of a song by Michaels niece after Michaels father spoke. One of the gifts they received was an actual money tree as well. Someone had painstakingly added fanned $5 notes to the branches of this little shrub. Whilst the couple were were dancing in their bridal waltz they had layered end to end streamers of actual dollar currency layed upon and pinned to them which was a special treat for the couple and a wonder to all who pinned and watched. Michael's Mum Maree had done so much work to organise not just this wedding but Jonathon's as well in a few weeks time. She also made the cake and her work is exceptional - tasted great tool! Loren, my assistant who did a wonderful job and I, wish Erana & Michael all the very best for their future lives together.

Sharon (Fono) and Herman - Sep 2008

This wedding was a lot of fun. I really enjoy islander weddings like those of the Tongans, Samoans, Maoris and fijians. They all know how to celebrate! They are people given freely to dancing and have few if any inhibitions when it comes to expressing themselves. One thing I love about them in particular is their acceptance of themselves as they are, and others as they are also. They don't seem to be afflicted with a western influence of self loathing about how they "look". These people are happy in the moment. How refreshing. As for Fono and Herman, what a wonderful couple. Fono had picked me to cover her wedding as I had covered the two weddings of her two sisters previously and they were so easy and relaxed about the day, inspite of the heat. Herman was quite the gentleman and very courteous and at great pains to ensure all that were in attendance were adequately catered for with food, drink and hospitality, even though it was his wedding day. I have tried to highlight images here that would show the colours and the overall feel of the day which was bright and comfortable. I am confident they will be truly happy together and have seen them since the wedding day together and they just seem like they are peas in a pod. They are very happy. Thank you for choosing me to cover your wedding day!