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.