Froggies Beach Coolangatta, Gold Coast Wedding Photography
CARRIE + DANIEL
When a couple walks in your door searching for a wedding photographer and they have no clue what an adorably cute couple they make, this was Carrie & Daniel. Well this photographer wanted to photograph them on their big day. That totally summed up my first meeting with Carrie & Daniel.
Hearing their love story and love of their two dogs, I was excited to be photographing their wedding day.
Photographers will tell you the worst time of day for photography is during the middle of the day when the sun is at its brightest. As wedding photographers we don’t always get to choose the best time of day for the best (softest) light for the ceremony. Carrie and Daniel were having their ceremony on the beach at 11.00am. Worst possible time for photos. But by keeping the sun behind us, meant I was able to capture beautiful photos without harsh shadows on their faces. So while it’s not the best time of day, these wedding photos demonstrate it’s absolutely possible to have a daytime wedding in the middle of the day in sunny Queensland. It did help being the middle of winter here in Queensland and the sun is lower in the sky.
Carrie & Daniel had gathered driftwood from Froggies Beach in Coolangatta after the big storms in June to make their driftwood arbour. It was a team effort by the boys to build the arbour on the beach surrounded by rocks. Then the girls came in and add the prettiness with flowers and some sheer white fabric.
A barefooted Carrie made her entrance with her sister alongside her. Climbing the rocks to stand on the beach, to join Daniel who was waiting for her. With 30 of their closest family and friends, and some beach goers, watching on under the big green frog perched up on the rocks. Carrie & Daniel were married by Kay Walding.
Following the beach ceremony, we did some photos out on the rocks at Froggies Beach. The guests headed back to Carrie & Daniel’s house to start the celebrations. I love backyard weddings! Everyone brought a plate of food to share.
Because we were shooting in the middle of the day and the sun was shining, my aim was to find shade. We headed to the forest area on the hill at Snapper Rocks.
Then we drove out to Currumbin Valley rock pool. It was an absolute pleasure spending time with these two and having the chance to document their love story.
We arrived back at Carrie & Daniel’s to join in the afternoon celebrations. Yummy nibbles on the table. Drinks flowing from kegs of beer. A pig on the spit. A long table seating 30 people was beautifully styled in tones of soft pink and gold with beautiful posies of flowers. The sound of a ping pong ball in a game of table tennis. Chatting and laughing.
The dogs were in the yard – so of course I had to grab some photos of the cute puppies!
The sun began to set and with a chill in the air, a fire was started in the fire pit. Cocktails were appearing and even the groom insisted I have an Espresso Martini – how could I say no! ;)
Then it was time for the pig to be carved up and dinner served with an array of beautiful salads.
A few speeches over dinner.
It wouldn’t be a proper wedding party without dancing … and these two have some moves!
