Nicola and Chad, a Sunshine Coast based couple, decided to get married in the bride’s native country of Ireland. We’re so happy they decided this and also that they wanted us to photograph their gorgeous destination wedding there.
The beautiful, rustic, country venue Ballilogue in county Kilkenny was the chosen place for this bride and groom to say “I do.” From the old stone buildings to the rustic wood floors to the butterflies dancing around the gardens, Balllilogue is a venue with so much to fall in love with.
Nicola and Chad are two very relaxed people, so it comes as no surprise that their day reflected this quality in them both. In fact the bride was choosing which spot she would like to hold the ceremony, around the wedding grounds and gardens, just a few hours before the start time.
The bride and groom were surrounded by some of their immediate family and a few close friends from Australia throughout this very intimate wedding day. The ceremony even stopped mid-way through so she could feed her baby boy, Oisin. For the majority of the wedding ceremony Nicola and Chad’s little family of four were altogether in front of their friends and family.
After the ceremony we took a few family photos before exploring some of the gorgeous gardens and buildings on the property. The afternoon light was pure magic which was perfect for the couple to have a few moments to themselves.
Tears and laughter, food and wine, music and dancing were enjoyed by all the guests who attended this wedding. A local folk duo came along to so sing some old Irish tunes which everyone loved. The kids particularly were up and dancing at the sound of the first notes played. The musicians told hilarious anecdotes in between songs that only the Irish people laughed at, purely because the Australians couldn’t understand a word they were saying!
This was a very special, family-oriented wedding day with ups and downs but most importantly, a tonne of love and laughter.
We wish you solar systems of love and happiness Nicola and Chad, just as you deserve!
Big Love,
Jesse & Mikala
Our Favourite Wedding Photos of 2016 - The Sunshine Coast & Beyond!
2016 has been a HUGE year of wedding photography for us! We've explored some gorgeous cities, venues and properties for the weddings we photographed from Fraser Island & Stradbroke Island to The Sunshine Coast to Brisbane, Toowoomba, The Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Bangalow and beyond.
The love stories we have witnessed between the couples we've worked with have been nothing short of uplifting, moving, gut-wrenching and inspiring.
Mikala and I often say to each other after finishing a wedding that we feel like part of the bride's and groom's families - creepy but true :) We always get swept up in the relationships and emotions of what is one of the absolute most important days of their lives.
We really have met, worked and bonded with some extraordinarily loving souls this year. If we happen to bump into any of you (brides and grooms) post wedding, we're not stalking you just because we miss you and want to hang out with you some more - promise :)
The happiest of new years and a prosperous 2017 to all of you and to the amazing duo's we framed throughout 2016 in our camera lenses. Keep on loving each other just like the day you were married and we'll see some of you when we're the photographers at your friend's weddings soon!
Enjoy the year that was...
Jesse & Mikala X
Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Queensland
Australian Destination Wedding Photographers
Shelly Beach, Caloundra & One Tree Hill, Maleny Elopement
Maureen and Michael, this lovely bride and groom, chose to host their elopement at Shelly Beach in Caloundra (Sunshine Coast) which was quite a trek from their home in Melbourne, Australia. They both have a great love of nature and the beach so Caloundra was an extremely easy choice for their wedding to be held there.
This bride and groom were surrounded by 10 of their family members who witnessed their marriage ceremony. The intimacy of this elopement created an atmosphere so serene, sincere and full of love. Cloud Nine Weddings did a stunning job of adding to this intimate feeling with their gorgeous arbour design.
After the elopement wedding ceremony, the bride and groom enjoyed a quick picnic with their loved ones before heading up to One Tree Hill in Maleny for some portraits.
It was a very special thing to witness this duo in their element, in nature at it's absolute finest. One Tree Hill was all they dreamed it to be and so much more with the phenomenal sunset they were graced with to complete their amazing wedding elopement.
We wish these two only love in their life journey together in Melbourne and beyond!
Enjoy this perfectly serene elopement...
Jesse X
Caloundra & Maleny Wedding.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian.
Melbourne Couple Elopement.
Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville, Sunshine Coast Destination Wedding - Melissa & Mark (Brisbane)
These two quiet, Board game lovers from Brisbane hosted their beautiful wedding at the one and only Spicers Clovelly Estate in Montville (Sunshine Coast Hinterland).
Melissa was supposed to get ready in the spa suite but decided to swap with Mark, her husband-to-be, once she laid eyes on the gorgeous historical cottage, which was more her style. But Mark got to enjoy the luxury of the spa suite - both amazing choices! That is the beauty of Spicers Clovelly, they have something for everyone.
The famous Spicers Clovelly jacaranda tree was in full bloom which made THE perfect backdrop for this absolutely lovely bride and groom's stunning ceremony.
We then explored the Spicers Clovelly Estate (Sunshine Coast) grounds and took some jacaranda tree portraits with the bridal party. The bride and groom then embarked on a solo portrait mission with us to soak up the Spicers sunset and light up our camera lenses.
The loved up newly married couple (from Brisbane) then made their grand entrance to the reception in the naturally decorated library deck surrounded by lush forest. There were so many belly laughs throughout the reception - there would have been many sore cheeks the next morning (maybe a few sore heads too!).
All in all this was a spectacular day for the bride and groom and all of their family and friends. It was also a super special day for us having photographed the bride's sister's wedding last year and now getting to see all those lovely faces again - such wonderful people.
Oh and check out the guy doing "the worm" on the reception dancefloor - one for the ages!
Enjoy this beautiful day...
Jesse & Mikala X
