Your ceremony is arguably the most important part of your wedding day and sets the tone for the rest of your marriage celebrations, so how can you make sure it’ll look as beautiful as you’ve been imagining? Whether your theme is rustic boho or beachy glam, these are my best tips to ensure your ceremony is a photographer’s dream! SCOUT IT OUT First things first, visit the venue and look at options for the location of your ceremony. It’s important to plan a layout that will accommodate all your guests comfortably and have space for your wedding party to stand beside you – no-one wants to feel cramped! Don’t forget you will need to leave room for a signing table nearby and have space for your photographer(s) and/or videographer(s) to move around. Other considerations might include whether it is easy access for your elderly guests or child-friendly for those with little ones attending. HAVE A RUN-THROUGH Now that you’ve picked a location, start creating a layout for your ceremony and enact how you will stand on the big day. Ideally you’ll want to do this in the same month and same time of day as your ceremony so the conditions are similar. Is the ceremony location in shade or sun at your chosen time? Keep in mind that dappled light can be unflattering in photos so it is best to choose full shade or full sun, and make sure you don’t position anyone to look directly at the sun. Lastly, check that the background is clear of distractions – including where the wedding party will enter from! Another helpful hint is to mark out exactly where you’re going to stand during the ceremony, there’s nothing more disappointing than realizing you stood off-centre from the wedding arbour you spent hours choosing and all your photos are unbalanced! PLAN FOR THE WORST An important question for every couple planning an outdoor wedding to ask – is there a backup plan for excessive heat or rain? We have fabulous weather most of the year in Central Queensland, but it always pays to be prepared! Check with your chosen venue about alternatives for the ceremony if conditions are unfavourable and ask your photographer for their thoughts as well. Any professional should have alternative options in mind and come prepared with umbrellas for you. THINK ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE While your ceremony may be the main event, don’t forget about some little details that can make a big difference. Get your guests on board with the ‘unplugged’ concept (this means to turn off cameras and mobile devices) so they can be truly present as you say ‘I do’ and allow your vendors to do their job uninterrupted. Confetti, bubbles or rose petals can also be a great way to start the party when you walk back up the aisle as newlyweds! You’ll likely have family portraits taken straight after this, so allocate a spot suitable for group photos and have people on hand to help out where they’re needed. Oh, and always consider ways to put your own twist on the traditional - doggy ring bearer, perhaps? I hope these tips were helpful to plan your ceremony!

Although I specialise in portrait photography, I am also a qualified graphic designer and love combining these two passions. It makes me the perfect person to put together save the dates, invitations, signage and any paper goods you may need for your wedding! Your wedding stationery is one of the most important details to organise – let's face it, your guests may not arrive without it. It also gives a first impression of your wedding by setting the tone on formality and theme. So, what do you need and when do you need it? Save the Dates should be sent 6–12 months before the wedding for your guests to make work and travel arrangements, which is especially important for destination weddings. These can be simpler than your full invitations and make a great opportunity to use your engagement photos. Your official invitations should be posted out 8–12 weeks before the day to provide all the information your guests need and to gather final attendance numbers. However, it is becoming more common to send invitations earlier than this - especially if you have skipped sending Save the Dates. Most couples elect to include matching RSVPs, additional information cards and printed envelopes. Wedding stationery doesn’t end with invites so don't forget about any paper goods you will need on the day such as seating plans, menus, place cards etc. Custom signage is also important to keeps guests informed – consider having an ‘Unplugged Ceremony’ sign, seating plan etc. made to match your invitations. Lastly, thank you cards should be sent approximately three months after the wedding to express your gratitude for each guest's attendance and well wishes. Most couples incorporate a few of their favourite wedding photos and match the design to their Save the Dates. The images above include my previous custom wedding stationery orders and I also have a variety of pre-made designs available in my Etsy store which can be customised to suit your wedding at no extra cost. If you would like a quote for your own invitations please send me a message!

With a best friend as photogenic as Gabby and her handsome fiancee Nat, it was the perfect opportunity for me to plan something a little out of the ordinary and celebrate their engagement in the process. We organised a day trip to Blackdown Tableland NP, styled outfits, scouted locations, put on makeup at the side of the road and hiked to this breathtaking location. It rained, I broke in my brand new camera, we fought off flies in plague proportions, they kissed and had a waterfight, I climbed a waterfall and in the end we got some pretty epic engagement photos. If you are an adventurous spirit at heart too, I have dedicated adventure sessions where we can plan your own special photoshoot somewhere scenic or sentimental. Be prepared to get your shoes dirty, your hair messy and maybe hike/climb/get your clothes wet in the name of a great photo! I'd love nothing more than to combine my love of nature and 4WDing/camping/SCUBA diving with my passion for portrait photography, so tell me all your backstories and wild ideas!

The Rockhampton Grammar School formal is always a big date on my calendar, and this is one of several sessions I was lucky enough to capture for our 2020 seniors. The owners of Dingles Cafe Bar kindly let Mikaela & Lucas use their beautiful venue for some photos, after which we went to a nearby alleyway and they jumped into their ride for the night - an old school Chevy Impala. I'm sure they had an absolute blast, and the pictures prove it!

Kelly had mentioned the idea of a beach session to celebrate the impending arrival of their second baby, so off I set to scout locations and found these wild sunflowers blooming at the perfect time! We got a great mixture of images among the dunes and at the waterside to celebrate their growing family - it is easy to see how excited Charlotte is to become a big sister alongside proud Dad Chris and Mumma Kelly (who makes pregnancy look so effortless)!

This session is what my photographer dreams are made of! A vintage VW Beetle, rainbow balloon garland and fabulously styled family - what more could you ask for? Cat has always had an amazing eye for colour which really shines through in her family photos each year, and I have loved getting to know the Brown family through their annual sessions. In fact, the boys call me Aunty Maddy now and we finished off their photoshoot with a visit to Baskin Robbins!

The textured boho vibes of this wedding were so soft and elegant, matched perfectly to country venue Lazy Acres and pops of rusty orange throughout the styling. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Skoric on finally saying 'I do', it was an honour to be part of such a heartfelt and significant celebration. If ever there was a couple who encompassed triumph through tragedy, these two are it! Jess & Mark's wedding was also featured on Your Queensland Wedding, head over and have a read of their story and all the special details that brought their day together! Venue: Lazy Acres. Videographer: Brandon Lees. Photobooth: The Mobile Studio. Hair: Floss’ Hair Studio. Makeup: Envy Beauty Therapy. Bridal Gown: Mason Bridal Boutique. Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Stewarts Menswear. Flowers: Lilly & Lotus. Celebrant: Danielle Hempseed Civil Celebrant. Cake: All That Cake. Styling/Hire Items: Lilly & Lotus, Coco & Bleu, Vintage Hire, Ace Wedding & Party Hire, Personal Touches Wedding & Party Hire, National Hire Supplies & Little Wooden Barrels. Wedding Planner & Coordination: Coco & Bleu. Catering: Dunlop Catering. Entertainment: Dave Dow.

What an honour to capture not only the wedding of one of CQ's wedding planning/styling/coordinating extraordinaires, but simply two such beautiful souls on the biggest day of their lives. Ashlee & Grant put their own twist on the recent burgundy wedding trend by tying in pastel pinks, tulip-adorned florals and rose gold accents - wait, did I mention Grant's burgundy fleck suit complete with black velvet bow tie?! Can't forget the groom, especially one this dapper. Thank you both for having me capture your special day, it was truly an honour - I am so excited to share all the special details and fleeting moments from your wedding. Venue & Catering: The Old Station, Raglan. Celebrant: Friend of the couple. Bride's Dress: Gladstone Bridal Boutique. Bridesmaid's Attire: Gladstone Bridal Boutique. Hair: Classic Hair Design. Makeup: Chamay Brown Hair & Makeup. Florals: Shannon Hawkes Artisan Florals. Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Swarv Menswear. Arbour, Styling and Coordination: Indigo Bunting Events. Hire Items: CQ Party Hire, Little Wooden Barrels. Videographer: Levi Appleton Studios. Cake: Family friend.

The bright colours featured in the styling of this day are sure to make your heart sing - and a perfect example of how magic happens when you trust in your vendors to do their job. Plus, leaving experts to work on the details meant Graesenne & Brock were free to party. I was lucky enough to consider these two friends before had the pleasure of both designing stationery for and photographing their wedding - truly an honour! This wedding was also featured on The Wedding Playbook, please pop over and have a read about all the details from their big day! Stationery: Madelyn Holmes Photographics. Venue: Kanangra Heights. Officiant: Brenda Fisher Authorised Celebrant. Flowers: Lilly and Lotus. Cake: A Piece of Cake. Entertainment: Dusty Dreams Entertainment. Transport: Private. Wedding Dress: Mason Bridal Boutique. Bridesmaid Dresses: Forever New, Twosisters The Label, Boohoo. Hair & Makeup: Wink for Hair. Suits: yd. Preparations Venue: Salt Yeppoon.

Sausage dogs, country fields and a super photogenic couple would be the perfect summation of this engagement session. Prue & Alister are such lovely people and I had a blast capturing some fun photos for such an important time in their lives, bring on the wedding in December! If these images are anything to go by, their big day is going to be even more amazing. Makeup: Makeup Artistry by Rachael.

Talk about showing up for your special day in style! While the wedding party arrived to Deidre & Thomas' ceremony in a Dodge RAM, our beautiful bride surprised everyone with her arrival via helicopter. This is the first wedding I've had the pleasure of photographing at The Orchard in Yeppoon and what a special location place it is - nestled amongst a mango plantation complete with quaint old tin sheds and a tree swing. The day was planned and styled beautifully to a crisp white garden them by the couple with help from Ash at Indigo Bunting Events, enjoy! This wedding was also featured on Modern Wedding, please pop over and have a read about all the special details from their big day! Venue: The Orchard Yeppoon. Wedding Planner: Indigo Bunting Events. Celebrant: Peter Van Gestel. Bride's Dress: Gladstone Bridal Boutique. Bridesmaid's Attire: The Gown House. Hair: Fl'Hair. Makeup: Bloom Makeup Artistry. Florals: Cheree's flowers. Groom and Groomsmen's Attire: YD. Videography: DejaVu Photo & Film. Styling/Hire Items: Personal Touches Wedding and Party Hire, Ace Wedding & Party Hire, Final Touches Event Hire, Strong Images. Wedding Transport: Rockhampton Helicopters. Cake: Whisk Yeppoon. Catering: Dunlop Catering.

Henderson Park is easily one of my favourite Central Queensland venues, and this wedding - with a refreshing theme of teal, rose gold and white - was such a joy to capture. Cameron handcrafted their beautiful hexagon wedding arbour which was adorned with florals for their ceremony set on the banks of Hedlow Creek. We then headed off with the bridal party for photos, with one of the groomsmen even letting me get on his shoulders for the perfect photographic vantage point - whatever it takes to get the shot, right?! Jodie wowed in her delicate lace gown and full length veil despite near-cyclonic winds on the day - luckily, after seeing the photos she said the sore neck was worth it! Venue: Henderson Park Farm Retreat. Celebrant: Carolynn Farmer. Bride's Dress: Gladstone Bridal Boutique. Bridesmaid's Attire: Gladstone Bridal Boutique. Hair: Mirror Mirror Hair and Beauty Room. Makeup: Bloom Makeup Artistry. Florist: Simplicity Market Fresh Flowers. Groom and Groomsmen’s Attire: Stewarts Menswear. Cake: Hey Sugar. Cakes by Ayden.