It was a wonderful experience covering Linda and Jonothan’s Sunnybrae wedding in early November. The day was filled with fun filled family and friends, with a delightful dash of tradition and a bit of fun dodging the weather!
The day began with a traditional tea ceremony, photos at Port Adelaide’s Crozier Street and reception back at one of the Sunnybrae wedding reception spaces.
Preparation
I started my day, quite early in the morning with Jonathon and his groomsmen getting ready with his groomsmen. The morning was quite relaxed with plenty of coffee and fun trying to attach those annoying flowers!
I then head over to where Linda was being preparaed for a quick shoot of her and her being preparaed with her red dress, and some group shots with family before Jonathon arrived to begin their tea ceremony.
Chinese Tea Ceremony
Linda and Jonathon had me with them from quite early in the morning in order to cover their tea ceremony conducted with their family.
The best part in my opinion of a traditional Chinese tea ceremony like this is the fun trials the groom and his entourage have to go through in order to enter the home where they can see the bride! In Jonathon’s case, Linda had her bridesmaids ask Jonathon and his groomsmen to drink odd things, transfer a piece of seaweed between each other using only their lips and of course sing and dance so Linda could hear them!
Linda and Jonathon held tea ceremonies at two houses – the first where Linda was being prepared with Linda’s side of the family, and another at their own home with Jonothan’s side of the family.
White dress preparation
After the trea ceremonies, Linda had to change out of her red dress into her white bridal gown in preparation for the ceremony. So Jonathon left for Sunnybrae earlier while Linda and her brides maids prepared.
Sunnybrae Wedding Ceremony
When we arrived for their Sunnybrae wedding ceremony, the weather had taken a turn for the worse with a bit of rain hampering the preparations. Jonathon was weighing up their options, on whether or not to move the ceremony inside or wait until the rain passed to have the ceremony outside as planned. With the help of my weather predicting apps, I suggested we wait 15 minutes after the scheduled beginning time as the weather radar looked as though the rain would pass – and it did and they held the ceremony outside.
The Sunnybrae wedding ceremony location Linda and Jonathon chose is a permanent set up out the back of the Sunnybrae complex, complete with concrete state and permenant large wooden armour under which the ceremony takes place. There is ample room for the largest of wedding congregations on the grassy area at the fore of the stage, while the bride makes a majestic entrance walking through a wooden pargola.
Sunnybrae Wedding Glamour Photos
After the usual group photos which we took on top fot the concrete stage, we head out for a walk around the Sunnybrae gardens for some glamour photos.
Crozier Street Glamour Photos
We then went for a short drive to Port Adelaide’s famed Crozier street for some industial styled wedding photos. I love heading here as the lines and run down industrial nature of this road just makes for some stunning scenes!
Sunnybrae Wedding Reception
Linda and Jonathon’s wedding reception look place at the SUnnybrae Coach House, withis is a huge, rustic space suited for large wedding parties with a delightful old-time flair that sets the mood nicely!
The evening was fun to be a part of, complete with mirror photobooth, and a gelati stand for guests everyone had a great time, and even coaxed the DJ to play a few more songs after closing time!
I managed to take Linda and Jonathon around the Sunnybrae grounds for some night time shots too which I thought turned out pretty spectacular! But not as spectacular as Jonothan serenading Linda on the dance floor a bit later in the night!
The whole day was perfectly ended by a delightful sparkler send off with all Linda and Jonathon’s guests lin=ing the walkway with sparklers in hand.
It was a super long day, but there is no better job in the world than being a wedding photographer! Loved every minute of it! So thankyou Linda and Jonathon for having me and I hope you enjoy your photos!
