Because the craziness of my world is finally slowing down, I thought I’d spend some time introducing some of the beautiful people I work with in the wedding industry.  Hopefully on a weekly basis, I’ll give the lowdown of what its like to work with some industry professionals (from a wedding celebrant’s perspective).

This week, to kick us off, is the amazing Tom Hall Photography.  Like me, Tom travels a lot – he goes anywhere but is based near Brisbane.  As a Marriage Celebrant I can only marry people within Australia (but usually around Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Gold Coast) – Tom gets asked to places like Bali and Fiji! (I’m jealous does it show?)

Tom said to me a few months ago: “I really like photographing your weddings – I like to take pictures of the guests – and with your weddings, they’re always laughing and smiling.”  Nice – thanks Tom 

Tom is an absolute pleasure to work with – he is the ultimate professional, and relaxed and happy and stable   and most importantly, his work is A.Mazing!

Wander over to his website www.tomhallphotography.com and check out his work

Check out his facebook site for regular updates of his latest works of art : www.facebook.com/TomHallPhotography?ref=ts&fref=ts

and his website has a beautiful gallery of work :  http://tomhallphotography.com

These pics are of Dale and Kirra: I married them in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and they’d booked Tom as their photographer.  The heavens opened up right in the middle of the ceremony.  The couple were gracious and beautiful – and Tom handled himself perfectly, no stress, no panic – just a smile and calm demeanor which I think is one of the essences of his beautiful work – he is actually a beautiful person    (Trust me I’ve seen some industry ‘professionals’ go to water in a crisis).

After a wedding washout - look at the beautiful skies

Having fun

One of the amazing things about Tom is he’s multi-talented.  Not only does he take brill piccies he’s an internet singing sensation and was recently awarded the international “Singer of the Year” on an international online voting contest and he attended the 2010 Grammy awards in Los Angeles.  Check out some of his tunes and you’ll be a fan too

She don’t need no Hollywood by Tom Hall

enjoy 

For me, an important factor in guaranteeing a fantastic ceremony is the interaction between the bride and groom.  If you’re having fun – trust me, so will your guests.  You can set the mood.

On Friday I married the loveliest couple, Jules and Luke – and they had a ball – laughing and joking with each other and the crowd.  The wedding was amazing!

The week before I married Jules’ friend, Erin to her man Rece – or as they have been fondly renamed Elin and Frank.  It’s usually a Celebrant’s worst nightmare to have the names mixed up but, thanks to a slip of the tongue by Rece, it turned out to be a fabulous contribution to a really lighthearted ceremony.  So Good.

So keep it real people.  Have fun!

Check out this gorgeous pic from Shellbells Photography – Dan and Sara marrying on a beautiful May afternoon.  We had a ball!

19 May 2012 at Alex

Hi all

Just letting you know I’m off to China (woot!) from 15 July to the 01 August, 2012.  Apparently the phone coverage isn’t too flash over there and I’m not really sure what the internet coverage will be like …?  (and apparently Facebook is banned! ….? …..)   so if you send me an email, please be patient.  I’ll respond when (and where) I can – but will definitely get back to you by 3rd August 

Hi all. Im hoping you will want to take a walk down memory lane and help me out while you do it.

Im a PhD candidate researching reading trends for teens from 1930-current. I have developed a survey which I’d ask you to complete and share with all your friends and family over 18 – it only takes 5 minutes. I’m hoping to get over 1000 respondents 

I’d really appreciate your help! https://survey.usc.edu.au/opinio/s?s=4593

thanks – and once you’re done, would you mind sending it onto your family and friends – I will love you long time 

I heard something today which got me thinking about a ceremony i conducted several years ago.  I was in the midst of an intensive uni semester – and a busy wedding season – and, like the idiot that I am, I had agreed to do Jury duty.  In short – I was super busy.  So this particular Tuesday, I’d been called for Jury service and was back at home by 11am.  I had assignments to finish and nothing would deter me.

Until …

I received a phonecall from a man who said his son wanted to marry the love of his life.  Only problem is – his son was dying from liver cancer.  I told the fellow I could get to him on the Friday and he said he thought that would be too late.   So, stuff it … i thought – sometimes priorities can just smack you in the face.

I was with the family within the hour.  I helped them complete the Noim and sighted all the relevant paperwork – then rang the Magistrates Court in Maroochydore to organise a shortening of the month’s notice.  The bride went to see them with my support docs at about 2 – all was approved.

I called upon some beautiful people (flowers and photography) and this wonderful and loving couple were married that afternoon (3 hours notice).  it was one of the most beautiful and touching ceremonies i have witnessed.

They loved each other with every fibre of their beings and i am so proud to have made myself available from the silliness of my urbane existence, to witness such beauty..

That was a Tuesday – by the following Sunday, the groom was dead. He was 24.

Recently on fb i asked for my brides to send some fave piccies of their weddings (where i married them of course) ….  this from Tamika and Steve – what a brilliant couple – married at The Little White Chapel at Maleny … followed by sky-writing and a beautiful reception … xo

Tamika and Steve

I’ve finally had some time to sit down and update my website … so while not a whole lot has changed, I’ve updated my I LOVE page and took some peeps out and added some new ones.  Obviously, there’s a heap of people I’d recommend but the list has to stop somewhere!  My latest “find” is the gorgeous Sandy (an ex bride of mine actually) who is now doing floristry work and will save you a bomb.  Shoot me through an email and I’ll send you her details.  My list of photographers was difficult – I put a range of prices – Kerrie who is the lower end of the market (but still great) to the awesome Tom Hall whose work belongs in Vogue – and of course Ben and Melissa and Karen – three photographers I work with alot.  Ben was doing videography but is moving to all photography – a loss for the videography on the Sunny Coast.

So check them all out – I dont recommend people i dont know – so I can guarantee the work/services of these people 

Check out this gorgeous pic … a perfectly captured moment of Carly and Sam’s wedding at Twin Waters ….  another one that makes me smile 

Having a moment

Every so often I meet a couple who are just ALL about having fun and going all out to make it happen.  Christian and Katie were sensational to work with – just a blast !  Fairly sure Christian wrote his vows in the car on the way to the ceremony !  lol ! … they married at the Spit atMooloolaba.  Pru Edwards did makeup and Karen Buckle was the photographer … this pic of the gorgeous duo just makes me smile!!