Every year, I hold a contest for all the married couples whose weddings I covered in the previous year (2022). I request each couple to choose their favorite photo from the wedding photos I took on their big day and nominate it for the ‘SvenStudios 2022 wedding photo of the year’ title. The winning couple receives a $500 voucher to use in their personal cloud-based store to produce and print whatever products they want.
I maintain a hands-off approach with the selection of the images, leaving it entirely to the couples to choose their favorite pictures, even if they differ from my personal selection. I have created a slideshow video of my favorite images from each wedding I covered in 2022, in case anyone is interested.
To encourage more participation, I offer a cash prize of AU$100 to a randomly chosen voter after the voting period ends. To maintain fairness, I have an anti-duplicate detection system in place to deter any cheating or duplicate voting. This year, I am also adding an extra entry to the draw for anyone who shares their vote on social media.
Please note that sharing on social media is not mandatory to submit a vote, as not everyone has social media accounts. However, in past contests, the winning image has been the most voted and shared on social media. Therefore, every individual vote and share counts and goes into the draw to win the cash prize.
So, vote for your favorite photo and share it on Facebook to show your support. Remember, each vote and share is a chance to win the AU$100 cash prize.
The wedding sparkler exit is a popular and exciting way for the newlyweds to leave their reception.
As a photographer, adding light from sparklers to the dark is a sure-fire way to spice up your end of the night photos, so we really look forward to it whever a couple says they are planning on hosting a wedding sparkler exit!
However, things can sometimes go wrong. Here are some tips to make sure your exit is picture-perfect and unforgettable.
Wedding Sparkler Exit Tips
Check with Your Venue
It’s important to note that sparkler exits can (or should) only be done outdoors. This is due to fire regulations and smoke alarms. Before planning your exit, check with your venue to ensure it’s possible. Some wedding venues have banned sparkler exits because of safety concerns, so make sure you get the go-ahead before making any plans.
Beresford estate wedding exit
Display the Sparklers
Make sure to have the sparklers on display during the reception so guests can see what’s going to happen. Also, make sure to have a time written down somewhere so everyone knows when the exit is happening. This will prevent guests from leaving early and minimize the need for reassembling everyone.
What I’ve found to be best is to actually stage your exit earlier in the night so that everyone can be involved – not all of your guests are going to stay until you leave at 11:30pm (or later!) This allows for the elderly in your guestlist to join in, and everyone shouldnt be (too) drunk too!
First dance with sparklers
Have Enough Efficient Lighters
Sparklers burn quickly, so make sure to have plenty of lighters available. The more lighters, the faster everyone can be lit and the smoother the exit will be.
The best lighters aren’t just a smoker’s lighter, but rather butane torches that are readily available from Bunnings or any hardware store. These torches last forever, and emit a short, powerful flame that will light sparklers quickly and easily.
Use Long Sparklers
To ensure a successful exit, use long sparklers, not short ones. Long sparklers are sold specifically and marketed for a wedding sparkler exit,. and gives you enough time to get through the guests and make a statement. Short, regular sparklers you would buy from a supermarket burn too quickly and will be out before you’ve even made it past the first few guests.
Have Enough Sparklers for Each Guest
Even if some guests don’t participate, it’s still important to have enough sparklers for everyone – and I’m sure some of the more boisterous amongst your guets would be keen on having more than one! Younger guests may take a couple of sparklers and light them early, so having a full number of sparklers will ensure that everyone has one.
Sparkler exit at Chateau yaladara wedding
Make an Announcement and be ready!
Your MC should take charge of organizing the exit and instructing guests. They should make an announcement reminding everyone to form two lines and wait until everyone is outside to light the sparklers. This will prevent half the guests from lighting the sparklers immediately and having them burn out before the exit line is formed.
Make sure the couple is ready to leave before lighting the sparklers. Say your goodbyes to your family first and then light the sparklers. Avoid getting stuck talking to relatives or friends as this will result in a tunnel of smoke. This is another reason why you might opt to mock exit earlier in the night.
MC doing his thing on dancefloor
Create a Wide Tunnel
Instruct guests to hold the sparklers up high and have a wide enough tunnel for the couple to walk down. Walking down a path of fire and sparks is dangerous, especially if the bride is wearing a flammable dress and has a lot of hair spray. A wide gap will ensure everyone’s safety.
Be Safe and don’t run!
Don’t light a bunch of sparklers together. Doing so can cause a mini explosion and embers can fly everywhere, potentially burning someone. Also, your time walking through the tunnel. It’s better to walk, stop for a kiss, say goodbye to friends, and look at each other. Running will make the moment feel over too quickly, and running around flames isn’t smart!
It’s also smart to organise multiple buckets of water, and have the venue spread them out where you’re plannig on doing your exit – that way no random sparks from otherise dead sparklers won’t get anyone into any trouble.
First dance with fireworks at Adelaide Hilton Hotel
Think about who’s at the end of the wedding sparkler exit
Some might have your parents at the end of the tunnel so they can be the last people you say goodbye to, or whomever really – could be your dog? That’d be cute! Give them a farewell hug and kiss, it’s just a nice way to end your night.
Have Fun
Enjoy the exit! Dance, jump, sing, and kiss. Be in the moment with your family and friends and do whatever you want. Don’t worry about the camera or posing, just have fun and soak it in!
Bride and groom kissing at end of sparkler run
These tips will help you plan an awesome wedding sparkler exit. With a little planning and preparation, you can make this moment unforgettable.
How To Transform Your Wedding Photos Into Fun Family DIY CraftsÂ
Photographs are visual representations of various vital memories in your life. That’s why many households frame and display them where guests can also view those moments. But there are other ways to turn them into arts and crafts that you and your family can create. For instance, you can transform your wedding photos into more eye-catching and dramatic ones. Here are craft ideas you can have fun making with your loved ones.Â
Some ideas to transform your wedding photos!
Diamond PaintingÂ
If you’re unfamiliar with diamond painting, it’s an excellent time to get introduced to a fun and easy crafting experience that even older kids and teens can enjoy. Diamond painting is much like painting by numbers, where colors have corresponding numbers. With diamond painting, patterns come with symbols matched with colored resin rhinestones. It’s similar to cross-stitching but with different materials. Â
You can turn any of your wedding photos into a personalised diamond painting set. Websites that offer this service allows you to upload your favorite wedding photo, choose the shape and size you want and place an order for the pattern along with the tools. Once you have everything, you can start diamond painting and allow your family members to try it. It’s a fun and engaging hobby that anyone in your family can do. You can also frame the finished product and hang it on display. Â
custom_diamond_canvas_kit_img_2
Glowing Photo LuminariesÂ
If you like to light scented candles at home, you can create a luminary using some of your wedding photos. Luminaries are decorations made of paper that have candles inside. An example is a white paper bag containing a candle that makes a simple but elegant visual. It invokes a feeling of peace and serenity, which is likely why homes have it.Â
To create this project, you must print your favorite wedding photos from a barn-themed or winery wedding on vellum paper. You’ll need four different pictures to create a box-like luminary. Trim vellum photos to smaller sizes. Â
Source four picture frames and ensure they are the same size and design. Remove the frame backing because you won’t need them. Add the trimmed printed vellum paper onto the back of the frame, and then add the glass cover. Do all four frames. You can choose three frames instead of four to create a triangular-shaped luminary. Â
Use industrial glue or a glue gun and attach all the corners of the frames, ensuring that the sides with the glass will be facing inwards. The glass protects the vellum paper from the candle flame. You can also substitute a battery-powered flameless candle as a safer option. Â
The fridge door is one area you and your family see daily, making it the perfect place even for your wedding photos. You can create fridge magnets that your kids can do in as short as 30 minutes. You’ll need wedding photos, bottle caps, strong glue, and small circular magnets. Â
First, print your wedding photos. You’ll need to print them smaller since you’ll put them on bottle caps. Trace the bottle cap around the areas you want to fit into and cut them. Get some glue and attach the pictures inside the bottle caps. Then get the magnets and glue them at the back of the bottle caps. Â
You can use these magnets to hold receipts and notes while your wedding photos are in perfect view. Â
DIY Photo TreeÂ
A photo tree is a unique way of using natural materials to display your wedding photos. You can source small dried branches. However, if you can’t find one, gather twigs and sticks, and make your own. Get a vase and place them inside. Doing this can also double as an outdoor activity for your kids as it creates a good excuse to get them walking around in nature.  Â
You can glue loose ribbons at the back of the photos and tie them to the branches. Make sure to spread them around to make them more aesthetically pleasing. You can place this inside your living room with the rest of the family photos.  Â
white wall with photos of the family in various photo frames
Modge Podge Photo CoastersÂ
Transform your wedding photos into beverage coasters. You can ask your kids or other family members to apply the mod podge glue. It’s easy to do, and it doesn’t take long before you can use them immediately. Â
You’ll need 4 x 6 inches of printed photos, unfinished coasters with grips, Modge Podge glue in the finish you like (matte or glossy), scissors, and a sponge or paintbrush. Â
Trace the coasters around the area of the photos and cut them. Using a brush or sponge, apply the glue onto the coaster and stick the picture. Then apply the glue onto the surface of the photo and let it dry. Â
Printed wedding photos with the bride and groom, a vintage black camera and woman hands with photo. Cropped image
Wedding photos don’t have to be kept inside a photo album. You can print out copies and transform your wedding photos use them to make crafts with your family. You can turn them into a diamond painting kit, luminaries, fridge magnets, or a photo tree. There are many more DIY craft ideas that you can find online to make with the rest of the family. Proudly display your wedding photos in different forms that your whole family can see as a reminder of your union.Â
You may have noticed on my socials, or on my website a new logo popping up about the place? Well this is part of the SvenStudios Rebrand – a simple refresh on what SvenStudios is all about and how we go about things.
I have been shooting weddings for over 16 years now – I’ve shot over 350 in Australia and around the world and over this time I’ve developed a bit of a unique mentality when it comes to shooting weddings. More recently my wife, Luisa has joined me primarily shooting the videography while I’m taking the photos – which is a bit of a change on how I would otherwise operate.
With a clear vision on what SvenStudios is all about when it comes to wedding photography and videography, and the changes in our underlying business model, the ‘SvenStudios rebrand’ was born!
First up is the new SvenStudios Logo – our new logo is representative of all the things that SvenStudios believes in and gives an insight into our goals when shooting at a wedding in an abstract way.
Old Logo
OLD LOGO
The old SvenStudios logo was modelled on the typical ‘camera iris’ motif that was quite common to use as a photographer’s logo back when I made it about 16 years ago. Back then my primary focus was landscape and travel photography – so I transformed the iris into a bit of a landscape scene.
If you look closely you can see me on the lower right standing with a tripod on a beach. Directly behind is a lighthouse, then a bird makes up the top of the logo, and finally a wave crashing into the beach where I’m standing. This creates a bit of a narrative for the viewer based loosely on how the fibonacci spiral works in the composition of photography – telling a story within an image.
As you can see the logo has undergone a radical simplification – making it more modern and simplified – but hidden in it’s simplicity is still quite a bit of meaning, just a bit more abstract than my old logo.
SvenStudios Logo Meaning
New Logo
NEW LOGO
I wanted the new SvenStudios logo to represent our past, but also what we are all about now. The past is represented in the new logo by keeping the circular shape – representing the camera iris. The center of the new logo is also still white showing that the attention to detail and development of stunning works of art in our photography is paramount.
There are two major factors in what we focus most on when producing our work, and that is the landscape surrounding us, and the married couple. These two factors are represented by the top section and the bottom section of the logo, which come together to make an ‘S’ for SvenStudios.
Here’s a bit of an animation illustrating this thought process.
SvenStudios Rebrand – Greener
It’s the focus on the landscape and producing works of art within the context of a wedding that has caused the development of our unique style of wedding photography – it’s an important part of why we have been so successful.
To show our connection to our surrounds and show it respect, we realised that we needed to preserve what we have.
SvenStudios has always been carbon neutral by offsetting 3 tonnes of carbon per year while also donating to the Australian disaster relief fund, while also giving discounts to members of the CFS and emergency services – but now we have become a member of 1% for the Planet.
This means that a minimum of 1% of all sales through SvenStudios is to be donated to an Earth Friendly charity.
1% for the Planet
This amazing initiative is geared towards businesses of all sizes across the globe and it’s a small price to pay for preserving what we have, and what we use to make a living – ie our surrounds! To date, the initiative has given over US$435 million in environmental solutions, and now SvenStudios – with your help, will also be contributing.
Have a look out for Ritamaree and Sydney’s wedding that was featured in the Sunday Mail today! It’s always fun to have a wedding I shot be featured in a big newspaper like the Sunday Mail!
It’s the 4th time I’ve had a Sunday Mail Feature, with the last being back in March of 2021 🙂
Sunday Mail Feature
Sunday Mail Feature – Jan 8, 2023
Ritamaree Varricchio &Â
Sydney Sparrow
Married at Sunnybrae Dunction Centre, followed by a celebration at the Donato Reception Centre
PEONY-loving bride Ritamaree chose the date for her marriage to Sydney based on when her favourite flower would be in bloom.
“I wanted peonies… yes, I based my entire wedding around these flowers,” she laughs.
“I also wanted a cake that would showcase some beautiful pink peonies and Rebecca (Rebecca’s Cakes) made this dream come true.”
The couple opted to have their ceremony, officiated by celebrant Annette Perry, in the pavilion at Sunnybrae Estate, which they say is a first, moving to an indoor location for their reception, sharing the special occasion with 170 guests.
Photos were taken in the garden at each venue, as well as Port Adelaide’s wool stores.
“Sydney used to live in Port Adelaide and the very first time we drove past (the wool stores) together he told me that we would take our wedding photos there.” she says.
Social Worker Ritamaree, 27, the daughter of Dernancourt’s Elisa and Silvio Varricchio, pays tribute to her sister and matron of honour Cassandra whom she says she couldn’t have done it without, in the lead-up to her specil day.
Cassandra was joined in the bridal party by bridesmaids Chelsea Marks and Medica Eliepa and Ritamaree’s godson, Miliano Di Pinto.
Sydney had two best men, Ashley Olsen and Kieran McCutcheon, accompanied by the bride’s brother, Luciano Varricchio, as a groomsman.
Draftsman Sydney, 29, proposed to Ritamaree, who he met on dating app Tinder seven years earlier, in the rose garden at the Adelaide Botanic Garden.
The couple plan to honeymoon in the US later this year.