January 27, 2011

SUZY & IAN REAL WEDDING

In September last year we were thrilled to be flown over to Morocco to cover the incredible wedding for Suzy Pickthall & Ian Wheal. The idea of a sunset ceremony at a boutique hotel underneath the Atlas Mountains in Marrakech sounded like a photographers dream come true & the landscape delivered everything we imagined on the day. Bride to Be Mag (Aust) have just featured our work over 4 pages in their Your Day Annual on sale
The incredible Atlas Mountains were an incredible backdrop.
Boutique Hotel Tigmi was the couples chosen venue in Marrakech. Serendity stepped in on a steam train pub crawl through the Worchestershire in Central England when a friend mentioned his family owned a hotel in Morocco. The couple were keen to shown their Australian family & friends an experience of a lifetime in a magical location.
The natural colour palette of the building and fixtures were perfect for the couples additional jewel coloured theme. Splashes of colour on cushions & scarves were added, perfect for the Northern African light.
It was hard not to photograph all the interiors and traditional artefacts at Tigmi, the hotel had surprises hiding behind every corner for us!
The ceremony took place in one wing of the hotel and the poolside candlelit dinner in another giving guests maximum exposure to the location. The wedding doubled as a 3 day getaway for most of the couples guests with "relaxed and romantic" becoming the buzz words of the trip.
Colourful fans were perfect for beating the summer heat, Moroccan designed table seating plans were hung from the roof top down one of the building columns with the pink & purple ribbons mirrored in the bridesmaid dresses. Multi coloured sparkling butterflies were attached to the place cards by Not on the High Street
Natural flower arrangements of pink and purple cockscomb, white chrysanthus and Moroccan daisies along with euculyptus leaves in jam jars decorated the banquet tables.
Over 100 metres of floating pink fabric hand dyed by the Bride's Mum & Sister were added to the ceremony & reception areas and swayed in the light breeze throughout the evening.
The hotel wing used for the ceremony wing. Simple flowers were used as the altar backdrop.
Suzy's maid of honour Tessera and bridesmaid Davina wore one-shouldered purple dresses from London's Monsoon.
Travelling to the flower market two days before the wedding was enough planning time for Suzy to choose a bouquet of fuschia roses surrounded by euculyptus leaves put together by school friend Vicky.
The brides gown was by Jane Bourvis. The modern corset featured ivory antique beaded lace from France dating back to around 1900.
Tiffany Chairs were assembled in the ceremony wing poolside.
Pale pink & white rose petals were on hand to celebrate the couples i-do
Congrats by family & friends were enjoyed over canapes and cocktails.
Suzy's other two bridesmaids Kate & Arabella wore strapless raspberry coloured chiffon dresses found in Sydney. Floaty maxi-dresses were perfect for a relaxed and glamourous setting like Morocco.
We were spoilt for choice for photographic backgrounds to use on the day
A stroll around Tigmi for thirty minutes for our photo shoot. The couple chose not to venture off site to allow for maximum time spent with family & friends on the day.
On the way to the rooftop in the ceremony wing of the hotel.
The highest point usually provides the best light, wow what a sunset!!
Suzy & Ian were so natural in front of the camera & so head over heels in love...we were not in the least surprised to hear they are now expecting their first baby this year!!
A perfect prop for a moment of heat relief on the rooftop.
Strings of mini lanterns provided ambient light around the pool. A pre bridal dance rehearsal in one of the hidden corridors enroute to the dinner table.
Candles are lit and it is time for a Moroccan feast with all the guests
An evening of cute moments & lots of laughter in Marrakech
The cake cutting and moonlight in Morocco was an incredible experience we will never forget.
We all thought it was fate that SugarLove was already assigned to cover a wedding in Florence, Italy just 5 days after Suzy & Ian's wedding so we were thrilled to be booked to cover their day as well. After all Morocco is not too far from Tuscany right?
It was impossible to travel to such an incredible location and not cover their day on video as well. Suzy & Ian said "without a doubt our favourite wedding present" when they received the surprise gift in the post with their wedding photographs. Here is a sample of our work below which you can see online at our White Designs site as well. To Suzy & Ian - thank you for such an incredible opportunity to cover your day in Marrakech. It was the stuff dreams are made of and the memories will last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you & meeting baby in Sydney next year, Leigh & Bradley x

January 20, 2011

GOLDEN GLOBES BEHIND THE SCENES

If you follow us on twitter you would know that our week at SugarLove has been full of Golden Globes excitement -yes our very own Principal Photographer/Director, Bradley Patrick was invited to attend this year so we are sharing a few behind the scenes pics and favourite red carpet dress inspirations for you to consider on that big day.
Tick tock tick tock limousine is here to take Bradley & our dear friend, gorgeous Vesna to the red carpet at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel for the event....a little later - some amazing women to meet and celebrate with...Bradley with Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore & Kristen Bell
Golden Globe Award Dress Inspirations - what about opting for a low back sexy sheaf, princess A line with lots of sparkle, a daisy motif with soft drapes or a soft blush coloured gown with a hint of red sparkle on your wedding day? We think all of these actresses looked stunning at the awards especially Natalie Portman. Speaking of baby bumps - wishing our very own Senior Photographer/Lindy all of our love & well wishes as she welcomed her first little baby girl into the world yesterday..."Ivy Victoria Goodwin" born in Sydney....we can't wait to meet her
It was so great to see Anne Hathaway again since our shoot last month in Sydney, what a dress!! Reminds me a little of my own low back Helen English wedding design from 2001.
And lastly what about green for your bridesmaid dresses? Emerald Green was the standout colour throughout the evening. We dont recall seeing the colour on many SugarLove weddings but our prediction for 2011 - it is going to be a showstopper on an incredible wedding that we feature on the blog sometime this year. Have a great weekend & look out for all the gorgeous Moroccan pics from our Marrakech wedding being featured on the blog next week, Leigh x

January 12, 2011

SENDING LOVE TO QLD

Ask anyone and if tragedy strikes the top 3 things they take when leaving their home are their family, pets and wedding photos. What many people may not know is that SugarLove & White work regularly all over the sunny state of QLD. Many of our clients (both past & present) are in various states of despair at present. We wanted to let all of our clients know that we will always be here for you if you need us to replace your wedding dvds, prints or albums. We do not hold negatives, tapes & digital files for a few years.....your memories are safe with us for a lifetime....
We also wanted to take this opportunity to send our love and support by donating $100 from every new booking during summer to the QLD Govt Flood Relief Appeal. To our parents, friends and wedding clients we are thinking of you and sending you much love in this challenging time....stay strong....love all the team at SugarLove & White xx

January 5, 2011

REAL WEDDING - JESSICA & BRAD

We were thrilled to be flown to Lake Como, Italy for the stylish & elegant "i do" between Jessica & Brad in September. What an incredible place to be married and share a week long celebration with family & friends. Equally excited to be showcasing our first wedding online with US based top wedding site Style Me Pretty today. You can view more of Jess & Brad's images on their site and see our favourite pic selections below. Our photographer Lauren was the lucky team member chosen to stay with the couple & their guests at the historic Villa Passalacqua
Everywhere you look classic Italian interior furnishings and momentoes beg to be photographed as memories of the journey.
One of the grooms daughters prepares her flowers pre ceremony.
The brides bouquet and THE most stunning shoes ever by Mui Mui.
Jessica's dress was by Melissa Sweet for (Priscilla of Boston) in Atlanta.
Jess and 2 of her bridesmaids prepare to walk down the aisle. Bridesmaid "Butter" dresses were sourced from Butter by Nadia.
How many couples take their own snap everywhere they go on their own camera all over the world? We thought it was so cute that Jess & Brad chose to take a photo of themselves when Jessica arrived at the end of the aisle by Brad's side before they exchanged vows.
Grooms suit by Emporio Armani. Rings/Jewellery by Philip Press (LA).
A gorgeous spot for bridal party & family pics on Lake Como.
The gardens at the property provided the perfect backdrop for our shoot. The expert planning was looked after by Lucy at LM Weddings in Italy.
Vintage vespas were the perfect prop against the historic building.
Jess & Brad spend some quality time together before joining their guests.
Wherefore art thou Vespa........please Santa perhaps next year?
The locals sure do know how to relax over here in Lake Como....no wonder George Clooney moved in years ago.
One last moment to savour the view before party time begins.
The interior of Villa Passalacqua was every bit as stunning as the exterior for photography options on the day.
The weather brought some clouds and light rain post shoot which moved the party inside for a cocktail style evening with the incredible tunes of close friends - Nancy & Maya McClean.
Red Wine, White on White and Candlelight in the gardens.
Chocolate dipped strawberries by candlelight prepared on the spot.
Some of the best desserts in the world are the simplest.
Dusk in Lake Como brings a close to one of the most memorable destination weddings SugarLove has covered. Congrats to Jessica & Brad and thank you for inviting us to be part of such special moments with you. Wishing you lots of love & laughter always, Leigh & the SugarLove team x