In case you missed it, Rebecca and LJ were married last year in a beautiful garden ceremony at the Benowa Botanical Gardens on the Gold Coast. Rebecca wore an AMAZING wedding dress that was made by her mum (right?!) and had to be one of the most radiant, ecstatic brides I have ever photographed.
This is Rebecca’s advice to future brides:
Ensure you get to know your photographer by having an engagement shoot, so you’re comfortable in front of the camera. That was one of the best things we did before our special day! It meant that we were way more relaxed in front of the camera for the actual event. Also, booking your reception at a venue that does everything for you makes everything so easy; you just walk in and walk out and don't have to worry about a thing on the day. Try having your ceremony and reception close by so that guests who are travelling don't have a long drive between venues. And if, for unavoidable reasons, you have a big gap between the ceremony ending and the reception starting (like we did), make sure there is a pub or a cafe nearby for your guests to hang out at for the time in between! Surround yourself with the people you love, keep it simple and don't sweat the small things. Keep that in mind and your day will be bliss. :)
Thank you Rebecca! I hope you, LJ and puppy Chino are enjoying family life!
When I was a little girl, my best friend’s name was Rebecca.
It totally spins me out to think that…. when we were those little girls, up in that picture there, we could never have imagined our futures… and now we’re both married in the same year, in the same month, a few weeks apart, and I was her wedding photographer. Even after having lost touch for so many years, I was a part of one of the biggest days in her life. That’s really, really special to me.
And Rebecca’s family are just the coolest people. Like ever. Like, they’re all so close and wonderful and awesome. I feel sad that Bec and I lost touch for so many years, because I wish I could have stayed a part of her life, but fate does funny things, and now we’re back in each others lives. Which is just the bomb.
… what the hell is in my HAIR in the picture up there?!
ANYWAY. Back to this beautiful wedding. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more happy, beaming, excited Bride. You couldn’t wipe the smile of Rebecca’s face. Everything about her wedding made her happy. She was SO STOKED to be marrying her best friend (to the point where, right after the vows, Rebecca yelled out, “I HAVE A HUSBAND!” with the most gleeful look on her face. Yep. That was the general feeling of the whole day). And that, to me, is the epitome of weddings. THIS is what it’s supposed to be about. THIS is how it should be. Everything was perfect, because Rebecca and LJ were so happy. (Oh, btw, Rebecca’s mum MADE her wedding dress. Just try to get over that, will you?)
This is Rebecca and LJ McDonald. Married.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to Rebecca and LJ for letting me capture the awesome. Thank you to Rebecca’s family for, just, everything. And thank you to LJ’s family for being so lovely. :)
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