On the drive down the Riverside Oaks Country Club for Samantha and Samuel’s wedding of the year I was excited and keen to get started! We had our whole team geared up for this epic day – both Ellen on photography and our new video team Dave and Chris. We were all excited!
I was keen to catch up with Maid of Honour Mel and Best Man Rob who’s own shoots I have done over the years including with their daughter Charlotte who was today’s flower girl. It’s always so special to me to come back and spend time with old clients who really become friends over the years.
As soon as we arrived we were greeted with a calm and collected Samantha who was taking everything in her stride. All the lovely ladies of Samantha’s family were gathered together during the prep and it was such a lovely vibe to have everyone sharing the morning together. The lovely Amanda La Monica hair and make up artist did such a fantastic job on all the girls- they all looked stunning and clearly felt that way too!
With Ellen and Chris were with the boys, they too had a fun and chilled morning getting ready and sharing stories before the ceremony was to start. Sam’s beautiful daughters Holly and Eboni were able to help their dad get ready while also joining the ladies for at the cabin as well and walking down the isle with the bridesmaids and Charlotte.
The ceremony had so many moments where I was fogging up my viewfinder!!! I think everyone present cried at least a little as the vows, and shared sentiments were read out. Celebrant Andrea Calodolce worked so closely with Sam and Sam to create such a beautifully told story of their love.
“For some couples, it’s love at first sight. For others, it’s a slow journey made up of serendipitous encounters and taking the time to really get to know each other. Samantha and Sam fall into the latter group. Love crept up on them slowly and then bowled them head over heels.” – Andrea Calodolce
Both Samantha and Samuel shared such deeply emotional personal vows, which moved everyone sharing their day. The looks between them – you could see there was no one else in the world but each other right at that moment. The inclusion of Holly and Eboni with promises from both Samantha and Samuel for their collective family meant so much to the girls – and so much to all the wider family members. It was very touching to be able to capture those very moments for them.
After the ceremony we moved out into the fantastic grounds at Riverside Oaks. I have to say I love shooting here every single time! There is so much space, beautiful locations and the golf buggies for transport make for some really extra fun moments too!
Sam and Sam along with their bridal party – Mel, Rob, Sarah and Tom really got into the swing of things letting their hair down so to speak and their personalities shine. I haven’t laughed so much during location in a long time!! Having Davinia from Riverside drive as around and provide a picnic during our time was great. The bridal party didn’t want for anything!!!!
I remember how much Rob laughed at us while we were ogling the beautiful golden light, thinking about hilarious it was to have a team go nuts over something as simple as a sunset! But boy was the light amazing – and as photographers- that’s what we live for! The light really bought that extra magic to Sam and Sam’s images on the day!!! It doesn’t always happen and you can’t plan for it so we were so thankful it turned out that way!!! Magic!
As we wound up on location we finished with some hilarious shots of Mel dancing under Sam’s long veil – a fun way to show the friendship, connection and fun times which Samantha and Mel have shared over the years. The friendship between these two ladies is truly something special.
Entering the reception was like stepping into a fairly tale! Rochelle from Events and Wedding Hire had outdone herself with the amazing cherry blossom trees and the elaborate table decorations. The room looked truly stunning!!!! I have never seen quite a reception like it in all my 15 years of photographing weddings!
The reception was a fun filled evening with lots of laughs, heartfelt speeches (sweaty eyeballs again!) dancing, cake and good times!!! It seemed no one wanted the evening to end and Sam and Sam made sure to say goodbye to everyone before being whisked away on the back of a golf buggy!
Thank you Sam squared for sharing your amazing wedding day with the team at Natural Lights Photography! We all felt so honored to capture your day to keep your memories safe forever.
We wish you a long and happy life together and may you love each other for 61,009 days and beyond! Congratulations!
Hair and Make Up by Amanda La Monica –www.amandalamonica.com
Celebrant- Andrea Calodolce Civil Celebrant – https://andreacalodolce.com.au/
Venue and Styling- Davinia from Riverside Oaks Golf Resort – http://www.riversideoaks.com.au
