Yandina Station (Sunshine Coast) is one of Queenslandβs most respected and loved wedding venues, so it was an easy choice for Leisa and Mark to hold their ceremony and reception there. It was an absolutely perfect Yandina day for this fun-loving bride and groom - the sun was out all day and smiles were shining on everyoneβs faces.
Leisa and Mark both got ready in separate cottages on the gorgeous Yandina Station property. Everyone in the bridal party was very relaxed during this time when the bridesmaids were getting their makeup on and hair perfected and the groomsmen were drinking beer and figuring out how to attach the corsages to their suit shirts. On a side note, the bridesmaids were drinking beer too!
Naturally the nerves hit when it was time for the groomsmen to gather at the rustic wooden arbour and the bridesmaids to start walking down that, what feels like, ever so long wedding isle. The wedding ceremony itself was full of fun and laughter which reflected perfectly on the nature and relationship of these two awesome humans. The bride and groom both have a great sense of humour which made for not only an enjoyable ceremony but such a fun-filled day where all the wedding guests felt so comfortable to be themselves.
After the wedding ceremony the bride, groom and bridal party came with us, adventuring around the stunning Yandina Station property taking some portraits. Then we took off to some special photography spots just with the now happily married couple to take some artistic wedding photos. Not only was the weather calm and clear but the moon also made a special appearance at just the right time of the day - it was the most epic orange colour!
We ventured back to the Old Dairy and Dairy Barn where the bride and groom were met with a rapturous applause from their friends and family. The night kicked on with plenty of laughs during speeches, a cake cutting, first dance, bouquet toss (epic!), garter toss and some absolutely fantastic and enviable dance moves - even from grandma who owned that dance floor!
We wish you all the love and happiness possible Leisa and Mark!
Big Love,
Jesse & Mikala
Maleny Retreat Wedding - Sunshine Coast, Australian Destination Photographers - Martina & Aaron
Martina and Aaron, two super kind souls, hosted their wedding with the ones they love dearly at Maleny Retreat. Breathtaking views of the Glasshouse Mountains, rolling hills and expansive grounds are some of the stunning features of this epic wedding venue.
The gorgeous bride and groom skipped many of the typical formalities at a wedding like speeches, a cake cutting and first dance. They asked us to focus on capturing candid moments throught their special day. So there are no getting ready photos and no formalities except for the ceremony which was run by lovely Cassie from Wish Ceremonies.
The ceremony was so sweet, with plenty of tears as the stunning bride was walking down the isle. Thankfully their trusty celebrant Cassie had some tissues to offer!
Martina and Aaron were congratulated by all of their guests after their ceremony then everyone made their way to the festival style reception, under a huge tent. There were games like giant jenga, giant connect four and croquet for the young ones and the young at heart! All the while the epic backdrop of Maleny to the Glasshouse Mountains and all the way to Brisbane was right there for all to enjoy.
Mikala stayed with the guests, capturing candid moments while I took off for a while with the newlyweds to take a few creative portraits around the spectacular Maleny Retreat property. The bride and groom were treated to not only a perfect day for their wedding but also a perfect sunset and evening - the weather was AMAZING.
The night kicked on with great food and wine from the boys at Something For Catering (seriously good food), loads of laughs, selfies and good old fashioned frivolity.
We wish you all the love in the world Martina and Aaron!
Big Love,
Jesse & Mikala X
Maleny Retreat Wedding
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian
Destination Wedding Photographers Blog
Ballilogue, County Killkenny, Irish Wedding - Sunshine Coast, Australian Photographers - Nicola & Chad
Nicola and Chad, a Sunshine Coast based couple, decided to get married in the brideβs native country of Ireland. Weβre 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 βI do.β 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 Chadβs 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 couldnβt 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
Ballilogue, Kilkenny, Ireland Wedding
Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australian
Destination Wedding Photographer
Gabbinbar Homestead Destination Wedding - Sunshine Coast Photographer - Isaac & Eunice
Isaac and Eunice were treated to perfect weather at their perfect wedding venue, Gabbinbar Homestead (Toowoomba). The bride and groomβs friends and family travelled from around the world including Singapore, Sydney, Brisbane and many of other places to witness these two beautiful souls marry each other.
To say Gabbinbar Homestead (3 hours from the Sunshine Coast) is grand is an understatement. Gabbinbar is opulent, historic and magical yet still so welcoming, rustic and natural. It is truly a one of a kind wedding venue that is without a doubt one of Australiaβs best and most loved.
Eunice got ready in what is one of our favourite rooms in Gabbinbar, the luxurious brides retreat. The curtains, the oversized mirror, the chandelier, the couch - all the details create an absolutely stunning yet relaxed atmosphere which the bride, her bridesmaids and her family all loved being in while preparing for what was an unbelievably memorable day.
Before the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom held a tea ceremony in the Gabbinbar Homestead library (another of our favourite rooms - theyβre all amazing rooms though, even the toilets are!). Some of Isaac & Euniceβs family members took turns in sitting on the couch in front of where the now married couple were kneeling. Each time a new family member or two sat on the couch, one of Isaacβs brothers brought a tray over with a tea pot and two tiny clay tea cups. The bride and groom then gave a tiny cup of tea to each person who was sitting in front of them. The couple then received a gift. This was a wonderful family tradition to observe and photograph.
The bride got dressed post tea ceremony, then had some final moments with her bridesmaids and close family members.
Isaac and Euniceβs Nephew was the pageboy and he was looking very dapper in his little outfit. Instead of walking down the ceremony aisle he was sitting in a large toy car which was steered with a remote control by his Mum. This was one very unique way for a pageboy to make his way down the wedding aisle!
The wedding ceremony was so lovely and relaxed. The bride and groomβs vows were said under shade of a stunning tree surrounded by all their loved ones.
After all the formalities of signing their marriage certificate, being congratulated by all their guests and family photos we took a walk around the Gabbinbar Homestead grounds first taking some bridal party portraits. Then we took some photos just with the bride and groom who were SO much fun to photograph. Theyβre a playful, thoughtful, kind and happy couple which definitely shines through in the photos taken.
The wedding reception was in a word, magical. The pink candles added an intimate touch to the styling and atmosphere, highlighting the gorgeous flowers and greenery laid out on each table. There was an enormous amount of effort put in to the design and decoration of this beautiful wedding reception.
The now married couple enjoyed some wedding games when they first entered their reception, followed by delicious gourmet meals (which are a guarantee at Gabbinbar Homestead), hilarious and heart felt speeches, cutting of the cake and what was one of the most entertaining first dances Iβve seen to date! These two had a spectacular day with their nearest and dearest friends and family which finished with some let-your-hair-down dance moves. So. Much. FUN.
We wish you all the love in the world Eunice and Isaac!
Enjoyβ¦!
Jesse & Mikala X
