Our Huge Weekend - Wedding Two - Stacey and Chris, 8th May

While Alex was in Brisbane shooting the three day wedding, I was flown to Canberra for the wedding of Stacey and Chris. From the moment I saw Stacey's smiling face at the airport I knew I was going to have a great weekend.

I arrived on the Thursday before her wedding and the first thing we did was head to a shopping center to buy me a decent jacket. Canberra was cold! I was expecting that, but being a Queenslander I don't own a lot of gear that's suited to very chilly temperatures. I found a jacket and Stacey then took me on a bit of a drive around to show me the sites and run a few last minute errands. Stacey talks... a lot. I got to hear all about the plans, the family, her gorgeous dogs Orson and Oi, her shoes, Chris's cufflinks that still hadn't arrived, her flowers... I loved it. Her excitement was contagious and I was just wanting to get into the job of shooting! It was all sounding like Stacey and Chris's day was coming together so perfectly.

That night, Stacey and Chris took me out for Kevin's Chinese - I was a little dubious heading into a place named, "Kevin's" to eat Chinese food but I shouldn't have been worried. I recommend the duck. The dinner was a good chance for me to sit down and chat to Chris and meet him properly and over dinner I got to see such a cute connection between Stacey and Chris and it was really heart warming. It's definitely a dinner I won't forget in a hurry.

The next day was full of errands for Stacey and I accompanied her on the trip (and the cufflinks arrived! Yay!). It was the first chance for me to get a look at the reception venue, Poacher's Pantry. On the drive out there I was getting excited at the gorgeous countryside we were driving through. I knew that I had to find a way to shoot out there because it was so beautiful and the autumn colours were magnificent. That night I dined with Stacey's mother, sister and partner, a couple of their very good friends and of course, Stacey. Another night of meeting wonderful people and having a great time out.

The wedding day started early as I arrived at Stacey's hotel just after breakfast to capture the first of the traditional ceremonies. The mother of the bride brushes the brides hair and prepares her for the day ahead. A short time later the hairdresser and make-up artists arrived and so did Robyn Geering who is a fab Canberra photographer who was helping me out for the day.

There were just so much that happened on this wedding day and amazingly, it all went off without a hitch! There was a Chinese tea ceremony, Stacey and Chris's dogs as ring-bearers, amazing scenery and delicious lighting conditions, an athletic Chinese lion dance, great food and lovely people.

Really, what more can a wedding photographer ask for?

Thank you so much Stacey, Chris and family for making me feel so welcome during my time in Canberra. I had a great time and I loved every minute of my stay and congratulations on your marriage.

Another big thank you to Robyn for heading out with me and doing a stellar job (particularly on all the detail photos) - you rocked it!