NEW YEAR PROMISES

It is hard to believe it was just over a year ago I was inspired by my upcoming wedding anniversary to start the SugarLove Weddings blog. Every year on December 31st I sit down with a little yellow book and read all the New Year Resolutions made the year before & make my new list for the year ahead. This New Years Eve was extra special - it was 10 years ago that my wonderful husband Bradley proposed under the moonlight in Bali.......January has always been our busiest month for new bookings and we are sure it is due to all the Christmas & New Year engagements, let us know if you agree and if you have a special engagement story to share. Here are our New Year Resolutions for the SugarLove Weddings Blog; -

Number 1: We promise to update our blog weekly.

Number 2: I will continue to post each entry myself. Colleagues have suggested that having staff post in our busy times may be helpful. It sure would, but nothing beats first hand experience and nobody knows SugarLove like me. Number 3: We promise you more interviews & bride tips from our lovely SugarLove clients.

Choosing from over 70,000 images in 2009 was not easy but to celebrate the new journey ahead here is a small sample of our favorites shots from last year. (Sorry we could not include December weddings as these are still in final client delivery but I am sure there will be some amazing features on the blog throughout the year from those too!!).....Enjoy, Leigh x The bridal preparations... divine dresses, exquisite details, sweet smelling flowers and my favorite of all.... the jewellery. As anyone who has visited my office will attest being a long time fan of Tiffany & Co this image taken in Hamilton Island has become one of my favorites. Traditions - to garter or not to garter? Considered by some to be the oldest wedding tradition dating back to the 14th Century. In North America the Bride wears two garters: one for the groom to throw and one for the groom to remove privately during the wedding night.

Loving the details and embellisments from Alison's wedding day. Bridal Prep photographs are certainly not always about the posed shots at SugarLove. Beautiful memories can be as much about a charming pearl bracelet or a single soft curl.

My favorite grooms socks and cufflinks of 2009 belonging to the ever stylish Jason & Ali's wedding. Look out for our new feature ad from their wedding in February 2010.

Always love an original bridal prep location, Rockridge has long been one of my favorite "to stay at" beachhouses so naturally we were very excited to hear Meg was getting ready there.

The soft beautiful blooms from Bianca's wedding day by Summers Florals.

A simply stunning bride, Tiffany had such a calm & relaxed approach to the day it made our job a pleasure. My favorite shoes of 2009 must go to Ilana for her unique design & colour palette.

Sharing a nervous champagne with the girls, a moment to remember.

A rainy Melbourne drive to the ceremony but nothing could dampen the spirits with a classic mustang or two.

The most beautifully decorated chuppah of the year goes to Amy & Gabriel photographed by one of Senior crew, Phil on location at Middle Harbour.

Now we've arrived at the church....last minute checks. This is one of our most gorgeous bridesmaid moments outside St Marks, Darling Point.

A last minute makeup check in the car is captured on Jodi's wedding day.

A romantic setting was set for the official marriage signing by Style Salon at Ilana & Benjamin's wedding overlooking the harbour at The Tearoom, Gunners Barracks.

Best "We're Married" shot taken in tropical north Qld with Womens Health Editor, Felicity Percival and Ex-AFL Geelong Captain Tom Harley.

Elyse & Radek's wedding: voted most classically timeless church exterior.

Most gorgeous warm & friendly family hugs with Mavournee & Kane.

You carn't beat couple shots on Sydney Harbour. Caitlin & Rupert journeyed to Fort Denison with their bridal party and enjoyed the refreshing water spray.

Emma & Vitas went to the lighthouse at Kiama for the perfect lighting for our photography & video by White Designs. It is such a joy having crew to cover both areas for clients.

Another water journey for guests to the beachside ceremony for Mariah & Michal's wedding at Pearl Beach photographed by another of our Senior crew, Glen.

The ocean baths were the perfect setting for a relaxed couple shoot.

...and Pearls on the Beach was chosen for all the laughter on the day...

One of my favorite weddings of the year, M&M's day was recently featured in Bride to Be Magazine. Love the casual rockstar/beachside chic vibe and the bride letting her hair down.

Sometimes a couples shoot is best timed for prior to ceremony. For winter couple Amy & Dave, their understanding of what was required to get the perfect image was a photographers dream. One of the best kissing shots of the year was taken by our Principal, Bradley Patrick.

One of our Senior Crew, Glen ventured to Mount Kembla for a wedding at the brides parents hotel which following a private civil ceremony at home with the family pooch.

A bridal party shoot can look relaxed and candid when everyone is allowed to be themselves & chill. Good direction should allow best friends to cherish the moments together.

First comes love...then comes marriage...then comes the baby in the baby carriage..not always...our lovely clients Rebecca & Anthony celebrated on a perfect March day with baby Hugo. Adorable....and such a sweet thought that he will have the memories to treasure.

2009 Cover Girls: Alice on Real Weddings and Morgan on Bride to Be's Flower Annual were a nice surprise!! Thank you to Amelia & Kirsten for your ongoing support x

Morgan & Elton are so much in love and it shows in all their heartfelt moments captured on film. We are eagerly awaiting the news of their first baby this month.

And covergirl Alice epitomises the very best of what charm getting married in the country can bring to the style of your wedding day.

US based clients Annie & Paul chose our Senior Studio Photographer, Lauren to cover their harbourside wedding at Mosman. My favourite grooms tie & lapel flowers of the year.

Little guests relaxed under the Jacaranda trees post ceremony. Pillows supplied by the bride & groom for a quick siesta.

Heading north to the Hunter Valley the flowergirls at Olena & David's wedding had a lot of fun twirling by the lake at sunset.

Tania & Andrew were married at Guillaume, Opera House - this is my pick for best veil of 2009.

Statistics show that 70 percent of brides opt to wear one. Elyse incorporated her veil into a sweet fashion shoot after her marriage to Radek in Brisbane, QLD.

Best dress of 2009 was extremely hard to pick but my vote goes to Bonnie in this Pallas Bridal design. Her dreamy softly lit fashion shoot reminds me of vintage posters from the 1970's.

Our brides were suggesting all kinds of original ideas for the photography last year. We loved this vanilla vespa shot by our Senior Photographer, Saffrine at a Pittwatter beach house.

The most interesting bridesmaid dresses were also chosen by Jodi at her wedding. Apricot chiffon sheaths from Bardot dressed with silver shoes.

Fashion Photographer, Jason & his Art Director wife, Ali were blessed with just enough cloud cover for perfect beach shots on their wedding day in Mollymook. This is one of my favorite candid moments of couples shoot together. In November we flew to Hamilton Island for Perth clients Summer & Cameron and the tropical rain set in for the 4 day stay. It has long been believed that rain on your wedding day is goodluck. Some cultures believe it signifies "fertility", others believe the rain symbolises washing away the past and starting afresh. Either way the most important thing you can do is embrace whatever weather plan is served on your big day.

Summer & Cameron's photographs were stunning and it is hard to tell that it is anything less than sunshine & blue skies. Another favorite couple shot from 2009 was Rennae & Todd, our clients from Hong Kong. This was in my top 3 sunset couple shots and we loved her gorgeous Carolina Herrara gown...very Veronica Lake...

The original ideas kept coming last year. Novart suggested a lollipop for her photos which came in very useful later during the candid guest shots. Everyone was trying hard not to take a bite! Meg chose sweet hanging glass balls filled with green florals to decorate her ceremony.

Our most exciting International wedding of the year took place in Santorini, Greece. Yes my favorite place in the world so the frequent flyers came in handy when I chose to join the crew (Bradley/Hubby & SugarLove Principal Photographer) & (Yuji/Cameraman/White Designs) on the 10 day trip in June. Looking forward to another gorgeous trip in Sept 2010 - this time to Florence, Italy. Still channelling anything in the Hamptons or Carribbean x

Best rainforest kiss, all natural light these shots took place in a matter of minutes in Noosa at Melanie & David's wedding. A joy to work with on all stages of their big day.

Tom Harley wins the best "Entourage" shot on Mission Beach, QLD.

Since opening the doors to our Palm Beach showroom in September 2007 we have covered so many stunning weddings on the Northern Beaches. This is my new Palm Beach pier favourite of Natalie & Aaron.

And then onto the reception and celebrations...best use of lanterns and candlelight in 2009 must go to Alice & Adams country setting in rural NSW.

Best Wedding Night sunset, of course the Pittwater, Palm Beach. We were working with the lovely Meg & Andrew on this night.

Long tables for dining in a large space continue to be popular. This is one of our favourite rooms styled for Leanne & Adam's wedding at the very Tuscan inspired Centennial Vineyards, Bowral.

The candles make quite a statement all brought together by spectacular florals designed by the legendary Susan Avery

A polaroid tree was another cute idea for the couple to keep as a memento with guests taking their own shots and adding them with plain wooden pegs throughout the wedding. Anna & John enjoying a toast.

We loved the back detail of Dao's dress at her wedding to Ephram. And nothing beats the glamour and opulence of chandeliers, the more the merrier. These gorgeous tables by Style Salon were from Kate & James wedding day at Doltone House

One of our Senior Crew, Phil captured a stunning set of images for Grainne & Glyn's wedding at Balmoral Beach in November. This is one of our favourite post reception moments.

Our first wedding at Peppers Creek in the Hunter Valley, love the framed dining area. A Sydney Harbour cruise at twilight is simply divine on a balmy summer night.

Our Principal Photographer, Bradley capturing all the hidden memories of the evening - the light peeking through a sheer piece of lace draping, the rain falling on the decking outside the main dining room and the detailing on the back of the brides dress during the bridal waltz.

My favourite chandelier & cake of 2009 - both from Deborah & Robert's wedding styled by the best of the best, Anthony Del Col.

It was officially the year of the photo booth and every second client had one. Guests looking at some treasured prints and a secret kiss from the bride & groom were captured at Ilana & Benjamin's wedding.

And lastly to the bridal waltz...these are 2 of our favorite moments. Bianca & Jonathon under the fairy lights at The Tearoom, Gunners Barracks and the classically beautiful Lara who married Gareth and celebrated their dance at Guillaume, Opera House.

Congratulations to all our 2009 clients and thank you for choosing SugarLove to cover your wedding, it truly was an amazing year.

Happy January x