Carly and Nick chose the perfect locations around the beautiful Swan River, for their Perth Summer wedding. Working in Yarrie and Port Headland they are no strangers to the heat, so a forecast in the mid 30′s didn’t faze them in the least.

Carly was well organised when we arrived at her parent’s apartment in Burswood. The flowers (created by Poppy’s) had arrived, her friend Tash Walker had styled her hair, her make up (by Clare Mac) had been finished and her bridal gown was hanging in the bedroom waiting to be worn. After taking some great bridal protraits at the apartment we headed to meet Nick and the guys at Bay View Park in Mosman Park. The ceremony was set high on the hill in Bay View Park and took place under the shade of some old eucalypts with views over the river and local boating clubs. Celebrant Kevin Clune conducted the marriage ceremony and music was supplied by Tod Woodward (the Dinner Singer). Once congratulations were over the guests made their way across the road for drinks at the Mosmans Bowling Club while Carly, Nick and their bridal party went down the hill to have wedding photographs amongst the bush and against the limestone cliffs. We then continued walking down the hill to the river for a few shots before the bridal party made their way to the reception at Mosman’s.

Guests were enjoying horsd’oeuvres and drinks on the jetty bordering Mosman’s Restaurant when the bridal party arrived. They were soon seated and enjoying the fabulous food and taking in the wonderful setting that Mosman’s boasts.

Wow and OMG what a day, Macedonian’s sure know how to party!! What a thrill to be involved in the celebrations that surrounded Angela and Zivko on their wedding day. By the time we arrived at Angela’s home at 9.00am we could barely find a parking spot, the cars of friends and relatives had already filled her street. Angela was tucked up in the main bedroom not being allowed in view until Zivkos’s family came to meet with the men of her family and to “seal the marriage deal”. Mean while traditional wedding celebrations were in process at Zivko’s home; guests were arriving, Zivko was being given a traditional shave by his Godfather, (with a rather alarmingly large blade), a live Macedonian band was playing traditional music, food was being prepared, there was dancing in the kitchen, there was preparation of the flag to carry to Angela’s home and bread being baked as part of the tradition of sharing the “breaking of bread” with the bride’s father.

Walking into the main bedroom we found Angela, her bridesmaids, hair dresser Jodie Fiannaca and makeup artist Barbara Mordini all hard at work. There was a huge lead up to the day and Angela had had little sleep, so had taken a power nap while the preparation was going on. With Angela not allowed in view of the guests until she was handed to Zivko’s family, we needed to take all the home photographs in the main bedroom.

At just after 11.00am Zivko’s relatives assembled at the bottom of Anelga’s street, the musicians began playing and led by the flag carrier, the family danced and sang their way up-to Angela’s home. Zivko and his groomsmen arrived and were greeted by Angela’s brother and relatives who brought him to meet with Angela’s father. Zivko’s father presented Angela’s father with the huge freshly baked bread loaf and they jointly broke bread with much merriment from both sides of the family. All the while the traditional Macedonian music was playing, guest were singing and dancing and we were madly capturing it all!

At the other end of the home Angela was doing her own deals with the groomsmen. They had brought wine and wedding shoes stuffed with $50 notes, however many more $50 notes were stuffed in the shoe until Angela was convinced it was the right shoe for her! Once the shoe fitted Angela was guided by her brother to say good-by to her family then handed over by her brother and cousin to Zivko.

Everyone headed to the Macedonian Church in Angrove Street where the wedding ceremony took place. After the cermony there were many family photographs before Angela, Zivko and the bridal party headed off for wedding photos. The reception was at the Burswood Summer Marque.

The marque was decorated in black and white by a number of Perth stylists including Nikki from Sweet Floral, Perth Classics and Wed on Beaufort. Jane from Queen of Theme decorated the outdoor area with garden furniture which made a nice retreat for a summer night. Angela and Zivko made their entrance at 6.45, and were straight into the dancing. After the first bridle waltz they were joined on the dance floor by their guests. The music and dancing went all night, stopping only briefly for the speeches.

At 12.00am an arch was formed and Anglea and Zivko made a dash for the exit. Wow, what a day and what a night, Anglea and Zivko must have felt like they’d ran a marathon!

When Gosia and Tom planned their wedding in the beautiful South West it was done with a sense of honesty and integrity. A smallish wedding with around 100 guests and no bridal party was arranged under the peppermint trees on Geograph Bay in Dunsborough. Every venue was with in easy walking distance, from the villa where Gosia prepared and dressed, to the ceremony, to the wedding photographs on the beach to the reception in Dunsborough town. No transport was necessary.

Gosia booked a fabulous roomy villa at Whalers Cove in Dunsborough. The villa, constructed from mud brick and floored with pavers was light and spacious. It had views over the grassed parkland dotted with peppermint trees through which there were glimpses to the famous Geograph Bay. When we arrived at the villa there was a sense of excitement. Gosia could barely contain herself, so eager she was to get into her bridal gown and get the show on the road. She was joined by her mum and sister as well as a few girlfriends who all shared her excitement and helped her prepare to walk down the aisle.

Meanwhile Tom was outdoors with friends adding a few touches to the area to be used for the ceremony. It was a relaxed and free spirited ceremony, in which everyone was included. The rings were passed around the guests for each person to hold and add their special blessing for Gosia and Tom. After the ceremony and while the family photographs were being taken their guests enjoyed drinks outside their villa under the peppermint trees.

As the guests departed on foot to the Samudra Restaurant in Dunsborough we photographed Tom and Gosia. We made use of the late afternoon golden sun, the beach and the wonderful colours in the coastal vegetation. The scene made for magic wedding photographs , not to forget the fabulous couple!

Gosia and Tom arrived at Samudra entering along a path lined with tea lights leading to the open air decking and a group of applauding guests. At Samudra they pride themselves on ensuring their produce is “organic, biodynamic, fair trade and sustainable”. The food was delicious and wholesome and the amazing cocktails ensured minimum damage from any alcohol the guests may have consumed. During the night the band “Spoonful of Sugar” and vocalist Karin Page (all friends of Tom’s and Gosia’s) played out on the decking and had everyone up dancing. The wedding favours provided were yummy delights from Samudra, including seeded paper for guests to plant and watch grow and flower and be reminded of a very special day with Gosia and Tom.

This wedding certainly made me think that with consideration to our environment (and perhaps our own stress levels) and being true to ourselves, how relaxed, simple and eco friendly a wedding can be.