Tag Archive for: ideas

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Pepper Tree Cafe Wedding – Amanda & Daniel

  • Amanda & Daniel

    Pepper Tree Cafe Wedding

    Under the gate

I was super excited to be a part of Amanda and Daniel’s wedding at the Pepper Tree Café due in no small part to Daniel’s enthusiasm and endearing eagerness to hold the most perfect wedding possible for his bride to be. He was in constant contact, making sure I knew all the details including how well the dancing lessons I had got them at Dance Amor were doing, and how the Pepper Tree was going to be set up on the day.

Everything he had planned came to fruition on the day, with the slight unfortunate hiccup of a bit of rain directly after the ceremony. Fortunately it let up a bit for us to get out and about in the garden for a few photos J

Preparation

I started the day as I usually do at Daniel’s place of preparation. He and his boys were all getting ready and were in various stages of undress when I arrived. Daniel was keen on having everything set up and running smoothly – he was obviously excited!

I then head over to where Amanda and her bridal party were being prepared – the atmosphere was noticeably more laid back and fun filled with the ladies, with laughter and fun times being had. Emotions were high when gifts were handed out which made for some marvellously genuine photos!

Pepper Tree Cafe Wedding Ceremony

The Pepper Tree Café was a wedding venue I had not yet had the privilege of visiting, but it turned out to be a lovely little intimate space in Aldinga, featuring a large Pepper Tree (naturally) alongside a rustic live music and dining area surrounded by a nice mix of curated garden and wilder natural scenes. Quite a nice spot for photography.

Their wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area in the centre of the gardens, with all the guests standing either side of an aisle lined by small lanterns. The rain was threatening by this time, but thankfully held off until after I had my drone in the air and took a couple of group photos.

Glamour Photos

Directly after the ceremony ended we had to rush into the Café area to avoid the rather heavy rain that was now falling. We made use of the time to take family photos on the stage and have a bit of a mingle with guests. Once it was evident that the rain had set in a bit, Amanda and Daniel decided we’d need to head out in the rain for a few photos, so that’s what we did. Thankfully soon after this decision, the rain stopped for long enough for some proper shots around the garden.

Pepper Tree Wedding Reception

The reception area at the pepper Tree Café is an intimate, rustic little area, decorated with steel and wooden styling, akin to an old wool shed. The area boasts a nice live music stage and room enough for a modest congregation.

Amanda and Daniel’s reception was a lovely display of heartfelt speeches, impromptu bagpipe recitals and high running emotions, it was a ball to be a part of, and I thank Amanda and Daniel for having me be a part of it! 😀

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Common wedding planning mistakes and how to avoid them!

Wedding planning mistakes and how to avoid them

Having attended quite a few weddings as a wedding photographer, and also having had gone through the process of being my own wedding planner for my own wedding within 5 months last year, I’ve put together a little list of common wedding planning mistakes that I see happen all the time.  It’s not an easy task planning a wedding, and it certainly isn’t a cheap one either. Combining these two aspects causes a lot of stress and quite a few of these common mistakes!

Planning a wedding is made up of dozens of little jobs that range from super important things like choosing and booking a venue on a wedding date you like, down to the simple things such as choosing the groom’s socks. All put together makes a monumental task. Just remember however that with so many things happening, something is bound to not go to plan so try not to make it impact your day too much.

Common wedding planning mistakes

Budgeting mistakes

Perhaps the most common mistake that people stress over on their wedding party is how much everything adds up to. I myself was guilty of this, spending around 30% more than our budget allowed. But planning a wedding is expensive. Try to factor in what you can afford along with what your family are willing to pitch in, then prioritise what is the most important for you. For me personally the most important parts of our day was the wedding photographer, and the reception venue. For other wedding vendors it may be the bridal dress, perhaps a videographer?

The point is, dont go cheap with the most important parts of your day, then you can go a bit cheaper with the parts that don’t matter as much. There’s always going to be some hidden costs too, so when working out your budget in your planning process – add a little to it so there are no surprises. The goal is to save money, not jeopardise your weding style!

Letting others organise your guest list

Your parents probably have a bit of a dream in their heads about what their perfect wedding for you looks like. Hell, they’ve probably been planning it in their head and their own wedding guest list since you were born! So cut them some slack when they insist of inviting family members like second cousin three times removed just because they shared a carrot when they were growing up. But on the other hand make sure they are clear on your budget restraints and that the day is your day, not theirs.

A wedding day is supposed to celebrate your own personal love for one another with your closest friends and family. Just make sure everyone knows your intent in regards to your guest list upfront and you’ll avoid one of the most stress-inducing common wedding planning mistakes.

No plan ‘B’ for weather

Now living in Adelaide, we tend to be very lucky when it comes to the weather during our wedding season. Adelaide is the driest city in the driest state on the driest continent in the world. It doesnt rain much here, and when it does it doesnt stay long. But it does happen, and if you have no backup plan for your wedding ceremony or your reception, it can be devastating. The best venues I’ve found actually have a plan B set up for just an occasion, but other locations it just may not be possible. Marquee hire is a common backup plan for locations where there isn’t a convenient building to use.

The only good thing about having a wedding in the rain is that it’s supposed to be good luck, and you get some great unique photos out of it! 😀

Look after your guests

The common timeline for a wedding day usually calls for a 1-2 hours photoshoot in between the end of your wedding ceremony and the start of your reception. This means that your guests are left to entertain themselves for that period of time. If your venue is out of the way, this may cause some distress with your guests. Try to entertain them with something, give them something to do! Be it lawn games at your venue, or makes a game of it like a scavenger hunt, with a prize given out at your reception?

At the very least suggest a local attraction or a nice pub for them to visit while they wait for you. Some wedding websites can provide insights on hotel rooms and ways to help guests to arrive, or perhaps deal with too many guests. Just remember you have the final say on everything, and your guests may either like or not like your desicions, so act wisely 🙂

Spray tanning, or changing your look too much

Please, please don’t suddenly decide to go get a fake tan for the first time a week out for your wedding! If you’ve had a spray tan before, and you were happy with the result, then go for it, but only if you go back to the same place. Nothing worse than being an oompaloompa in a wedding dress! Same goes for dying your hair, or drastically changing your makeup. Always trial it all several months before your wedding to make sure you’d be ok looking like that on your wedding day.

Eating

Crash dieting in the weeks leading up to your wedding day can cause sickness and just isn’t a great idea in general. The idea is to be as happy and healthy you can be on your big day, so try not to do anything to jeopardise this. Same goes for eating on the day. Often nerves get to brides and grooms on their wedding day, which causes a loss of appetite, but eating and keeping your fluids up (not alcohol) is very important!

Many brides fall into this trap – hopefully your bridal party can help out – as that’s what ther job is!

Seating arrangements

Perhaps one of the hardest part of planning a wedding is sorting out where everyone is sitting at your reception. It’s one of those common wedding planning mistakes that can really cause people to get upset if they are sitting next to someone they despise, or something. One big problem people overlook is placing all the single guests on a ‘singles table’. Having everyone single at a table together is rather uncomfortable for them, so try to mix them about on other tables, hopefully with guests who share a common interest.

Sort out your clothes in the days prior

Another one I’m guilty of. To all the men and grooms to be out there, get out your shirts and wear/iron them at least once in the days leading up to your wedding! Shirts come with an ugly crease through them brad new and need to be ironed! Brides out there, pick out some comfy undies, preferably white so that they can’t be seen through your dress! I can’t count how many times I’ve had to awkwardly point out that your black panties can be seen in your photos. It’s one of those small common wedding planning mistakes you don’t often think about.

If you’ve sorted out what you’re wearing you hang it up and not think about it until the day right? Ladies put on your dress as often as possible too, make sure it’s comfortable. If you’re wearing high heels and planning on having photos done at the beach or in a forest, perhaps pack a change of shoes too.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Perhaps the most important thing of all, don’t let small issues dominate your thoughts. Remember what the point of the day is – to get legally married. Things are bound to go wrong, that’s life, but don’t let it phase you. Just be thankful you don’t have to contend with a cyclone, or fires on your wedding day. Enjoy yourself!

Same goes for wedding traditions. If they don’t mean anything to you, dont think they will magically ruin your life just because you don’t follow something! Then again if it is important to you to have the perfect wedding – by all means plan for it – don’t expect everything to just ‘happen’. Worrying too much about stuff like this is how so many couples can lose sight of the end result and caught up in the small stuff.

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Why rain is good luck on your wedding day

What is the old saying about rain on your wedding day? Often the first thing you hear on your wedding day if it starts raining is that it’s ‘good luck’. Followers of my blog will know that I’m an avid fan of researching the origins of such quirks behind wedding traditions, so I did a bit of digging and found out why rain is good luck on your wedding day.


The origin of the superstition about why rain is good luck on your wedding day may stem from the reasons I’ve discovered, or the general fact that saying something like that will somewhat ease the mind of the bride who had their heart set on a beautiful sunny day. I mean most people would plan their wedding expecting great weather, only to be disappointed with rain – kind of like what Alanis Morissette was talking about in her song ‘Ironic’.

Why rain is good luck on your wedding day

So where did the origin of the superstition come from? What does rain on your wedding day mean? The truth is that rain represents a multitude of different things depending on your culture of origin.

Rain represents fertility

One of the obvious merits of rain is the brings of new life into the world. Without rains new grass and plants cannot grow and hence represents fertility. Always a nice thing to be reminded of on your wedding day if you’re planning on starting a family with your newly wed.

Rain represents Unity

It’s not all that common at weddings in Adelaide but, a handfasting ceremony was common at all weddings in years part symbolising the combining of two souls into the union of marriage This also happens to be the origin of the saying ‘to tie the knot’. Rain would cause this ‘knot’ to become wet and hence become difficult to untie, signifying unity.

The handfasting tradtion originated from Europe and celtic roots, as as the Celts hailed from areas in Europe where it was often raining, this stands to reason.

Rain is Cleansing and Pure

Rain causes the world to become clean and represents purity. using water to cleanse one’s hands if paramount in many of the world’s religions, so rain on your wedding day is supposed to represent a clean and pure start to your lives together. It’s also supposed to represent renewal, in that you will be born again as a couple forever. It’s supposed to wash away all prior bad experiences and memories, leaving only the good for the future.

It’s very similar in the reasoning why brides traditionally wear a white dress.

Before brides wore white dresses to their weddings, the traditional colour was actually pale blue – symbolising the virgin Mary. As pale blue is also the colour often associated with water, one can make the link with rain.

Rain on wedding day represents tears

Now this could be interpreted as a good or a bad thing, but rain can represent the last tears the bride is to shed for the rest of her life – hence a good thing. But it would also represent tears that the couple is getting married! Which is a bad thing.. Depends on how you look at it this way 😛 Another origin story of this representation can be allocated to the virgin Mary in christian tradition where she would cry for all the sins in the world, thereby washing them all away.

Adaptability and Resilience

Another reason why rain might be considered good luck on your wedding day revolves around the attributes of adaptability and resilience. Just as couples face unexpected challenges and twists throughout their journey together, rain on your wedding day serves as an immediate test of adaptability. Couples who face the sudden change with grace and poise demonstrate resilience and a willingness to work together to face challenges head-on.

Overcoming such unexpected obstacles on one’s wedding day sets a precedent for the marriage ahead. It suggests that the couple can weather any storm together, facing trials and tribulations with love, understanding, and cooperation. In many ways, this adaptability in the face of rain symbolizes the flexibility required in a successful, enduring marriage.

So, instead of viewing rain as a damper on your big day, consider it a blessing in disguise, symbolizing the strength and unity of your bond that will carry you through all of life’s unpredictable moments.

Rain on your wedding day meaning?

These superstitions have a range of different origins so it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where and when people started saying why rain is good luck at weddings. But most of the resources I’ve looked at having originated from Hindu custom. But honestly, rain doesn’t originate from India, or Hindu-dominated countries so the sentiment of why rain is good luck at weddings can be as wide and varied as the world itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is rain on your wedding day considered good luck?

Yes! Many cultures see rain as a sign of fertility, unity, and a fresh start. It’s also thought to symbolise adaptability and resilience in your marriage.

2. Is rain considered a blessing on your wedding day?

Definitely. Rain is believed to represent blessings like cleansing, renewal, and even a strong, unbreakable union as it “ties the knot” tighter.

3. How can I prepare for rain on my wedding day?

Be ready with umbrellas, a backup indoor venue, and a positive attitude—it’s all part of the adventure.

4. How can I make the most of the rain on my wedding day?

Embrace it! Rain can create beautiful, unique photo opportunities and bring a romantic, fresh atmosphere to your celebration.

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Essential Wedding preparation tips for the Groom

Wedding preparation tips for the Groom and Groomsmen

While most blogs generally relate to the wedding preparation of the bride and her bridal party, there’s not much out there about Wedding preparation tips for Men. So when bespoke diamonds – a wedding ring designer from Dublin, Ireland – sent me this infographic to share on my site, I figured it was a fairly good idea!

As a wedding photographer based in Adelaide, I’ve been to hundreds of weddings, and at every single one, the men tend to need as much help as possible. I mean sure, some are better than others, but even at my own wedding I mistakenly forgot a few of these tips despite being a wedding professional! – pro tip men, iron your shirt BEFORE your big day 😉

This list of Wedding preparation tips for the groom and the men of the wedding would be perfect reading for those of you planning a wedding together, but sometimes the groom doesn’t have much of an idea of what, or how to contribute. So if you brides out there looking for some help, send him this way to have a little read. It’s his big day too, so it can’t hurt of brush up on the basics.

I love infographics like this, that outline quite complicated concepts such as organising a wedding in such a simple way you’d think that it’s the easiest thing in the world. It really isnt though, and having as much help as you can get should be a welcome sight to anyone going through the process. Organising the men can often be even more complicated so having this list of Wedding preparation tips should help out quite a bit. Enjoy!

Wedding preparation tips for Men

Men

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Wedding Shoe Game – How to play this fun reception game!

One of the most prevalent and interactive games that’s bound to put a smile on your wedding guest’s faces at your wedding reception is the Wedding Shoe Game. As a wedding photographer, I’ve come across quite a few different little fun games the bride and groom can play with their guests, or for their guest’s amusement, and the Wedding Shoe Game is one of my favourites!

How to play the Wedding Shoe Game

Basically, the idea of this fun game is to make your guests laugh at your antics as you answer wedding shoe game questions about your relationship together, and to see if you both have the same answer to questions that you ‘should’ have the same answers to 🙂 For example, a common wedding shoe game question might be “Who of you said ‘I love you’ first?”. Now if both the bride and the groom were paying attention to their relationship, one would assume both would answer the same – but this is where the fun comes in as sometimes answers differ.

The reason why it’s called the ‘Wedding Shoe Game’ is because in order to play, both the bride and groom sit on two chairs back to back from each other – usually in the middle of the dance floor – and take off their shoes. They then trade one of their shoes for their partner’s shoes so that each has one of the groom’s shoes and each has one of the bride’s.

The MC, or whomever, then reads out a list of questions about the couple’s relationship. In order to answer, the bride and groom holds up one of the shoes – if the answer in their mind is the groom, then they hold up the groom’s shoe, if the answer is the bride, then the bride’s shoe.  Hilarity ensues when they both hold up different shoes as neither of them know what the other’s answer is.

Sample Wedding Shoe Game Questions

The great thing about the Wedding Shoe Game is that you are able to customise the questions that are asked based on the bride and groom’s personality and interests. There are the usual overarching questions such as the ones below, but say for example the bride and groom used to play against each other in Table Tennis; perhaps one of the questions might be ‘who is better at table tennis?’

The idea is to keep the questions not too serious, but light and fun, also it might be an idea to narrow the list down to around 20 questions, just so the game doesn’t take all night.Whose idea was it to play this game?

  • Who said “I love you” first?
  • Who is more romantic?
  • Who is a better dancer?
  • Who is the most organized?
  • Who has the most clothes?
  • Who has the most shoes?
  • Who spends more time on Facebook?
  • Who spends more time on Instagram?
  • Who eats the most junk food?
  • Who will fall asleep first tonight?
  • Who is the better driver?
  • Who calls their parents the most?
  • Who will pay the bills?
  • Who will wake up first?
  • Who works out more?
  • Whose friends will be over more?
  • Who buys the best gifts?
  • Who is more likely to be running late?
  • Who is in better shape?
  • Who is a better dresser?
  • Who has more shoes?
  • Who spends more money?
  • Who will be doing the grocery shopping?
  • Who has the best taste in (anything)?
  • Who is more likely to get a traffic ticket?
  • Who will be doing the laundry?
  • Who has the crazier family?
  • Who is the biggest baby?
  • Who is the loudest?
  • Who has the smelliest feet?
  • Who did more of the wedding planning?
  • Who planned the honeymoon?
  • Who is the better shower singer?
  • Who has the better shower singing voice?
  • Who has a better fashion sense?
  • Who eats healthier?
  • Who has a better taste in music?
  • Who wears the pants in the relationship?
  • Who is the better kisser?
  • Who is the bigger party animal?
  • Who will be making dinner every night?
  • Who always replaces the toilet paper roll?
  • Who chooses where you eat for dinner?
  • Who is the better cook?
  • Who got better grades in school?
  • Who has a bigger butt?
  • Who usually falls asleep first?
  • Who plans the best date nights?
  • Who tells the best jokes?
  • Who has the better hair?
  • Who made the first move?
  • Who is better at keeping secrets?
  • Who is the messiest?
  • Who would drive on a road trip?
  • Who remembers family and friends’ birthdays?
  • Who will squeeze the toothpaste from the middle of the tube?
  • Who will make the bed?
  • Who loses things the most?
  • Who will make the coffee in the morning?
  • Who has had more car accidents?
  • Who is better at sports?
  • Who is more creative?
  • Who watches the most tv?
  • Who is more likely to kill a spider?
  • Who mows the lawn?
  • Who wants a baby first?
  • Who will pick your next vacation spot?
  • Who will clean the house?
  • Who will use up all the hot water?
  • Who always knows what time it is?
  • Who will determine the next car you buy?
  • Who has the craziest family?

And of course the last wedding shoe game question that should be asked is

  • Who loves the other more?

Alsways gets a bit of an ‘awwww’ from the guests!

It’s a great game to play to break up the evening, and there are tonnes more silly little games that people have thought up over the years, but if you’re looking for a sure winner that will make people laugh, try the Wedding Shoe Game!

Tag Archive for: ideas