Lauren + Troy | Gold Coast Wedding

When they say word of mouth is the best form of advertising, they are absolutely right! Lauren attended her Cousin, Steph’s wedding here in Bendigo a year and a half ago which I photographed and when it came time to looking for a photographer for her own Gold Coast Wedding, she was so overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start looking so she got in touch.

*So* happy she did!

At first I was thinking “How am I going to do this?! Be away from the kids and Husband? Take them with me? Eek! But if there is one thing about myself that I am proud of, it is the fact that I take opportunities outside of my comfort zone. I said “Hell Yes!” and knew I would make it work somehow.

~

I have to say the wedding day did not start off so great… For me anyway. Let me set up the story for you…. I have 2 great fears in life.

1) Snakes

2) Magpies (Troy shares my fear of magpies so he can sympathise!)

Me being such a stress-head about being on time, I set off early from my accommodation (which was about 1.5hrs away from the venue) to make sure I got there early.. Y’know, just in case something happened on the way (Eg: Driving my car off the bendy swurvy narrow roads of the mountain).

So I didn’t drive the car off the side of the mountain cliff (Almost, but that’s another story) and I did get there early, so I opened up my sandwich from my 4 year old’s Minion lunch box. Life is good. Until Magpie #1 spots me and flies over to the tree I was sitting under. My heart starts to pound… “Relax Leah, it’s *just* a magpie”… Magpie #2 and Magpie #3 also make their way over with their beady evil eyes and sharp beaks. This is too much. I swiftly pack up my Minion lunchbox and run (literally) around the corner to a covered verandah to try and eat the rest of my lunch in peace. Nope… Magpie #3 has found me, he has perched himself on a branch and is ducking his head under the verandah to watch me. Gahhhh! My palms are sweaty (then, AND right now thinking about it again) – THIS IS ENOUGH!

 Bugger lunch, I’m going to start work, I can’t deal! So I walk around the corner and a little gecko runs across my path, I stop still in panic as I immediately think “SNAKE”.

Phew! No snake…. Oh but WAIT! 10cm to the left of said gecko is a flippin’ Coastal Taipan (Yes, I did go home and google it that night) up on it’s rear licking the air and looking at me, probably wondering what my pasty Victorian skin will taste like!

FML, seriously… FML! I froze and backed off in slow mo while trying to stop myself from A) shaking and B) vomiting and made my way up to the Sky Lodges like nothing happened!

Sooooo…… Not the best start to my day! Next rainforest wedding I will be wearing full metal armour.

Anyway… Back to the Love Story of Lauren + Troy!

Lauren + Troy chose Binna Burra Mountain Lodge because, well look at it!! The views from this place are INCREDIBLE!

~

This was a special place to them nestled up in the Gold Coast Hinterlands, and it suited them perfectly.

I’d actually only met Troy the day before the wedding, and knowing a lot of Groom’s aren’t really into having their photos taken was a bit nervous about it. I like to met them before so they are not so nervous on the day and *hopefully* they feel comfortable with me.

This was not a problem. Troy’s smile is infectious, and he and his Groomsmen made me feel so very comfortable straight away.

What a bunch of hilarious dudes.

SOOOO many jokes. A lot of them inappropriate. Which I totally appreciate and made them all the more funny.

These guys clearly are the best of mates, the way they laughed with and supported Troy was really magical.

Probably a bit mushy talking about dudes like this, but hey, it’s true!

They are really *that* nice!

~

Off to visit the girls who were getting ready in the Sky Lodge next door!

An air of calm as I walked in. No panic, no hype. Lauren was all but ready, and her and her Maids were just sitting around the table listening to music and chatting away.

Talk about calm! I quickly scurried around to capture some of the amazing detail Lauren had put into this day. The amazing bouquets, and *that* Anna Campbell dress.

Wowza.

Lauren’s Bridesmaids were made up of her Best Friend, her 2 Sisters, and Troy’s Sister. The perfect people to have around on the morning of her wedding.

…And the perfect people to help you watch the bow tying tutorial and get that *perfect* bow on your dress!

^^^ Did I mention that dress? ^^^

Lauren was seriously so calm (or hiding her nervousness very well!)

As we watched the clock and decided it was time to go, the girls gave Lauren a last spritz of perfume and a hug of support.

Lauren + Troy chose for the ceremony to be on the edge of the mountain at the Lodge’s Coomera Terrace where the view goes on until you can’t see any longer.

It is simply amazing.

As Lauren + Troy read their vows to one another, it was clear that aside from all the amazing bells & whistles, they were there for one reason.

To marry their best friend.

These two treat each other with the utmost respect and are really, truly, abso-flippin-lutely in love.

It is so wonderful to see love like this the world, it really is.

I quickly snuck into the reception area to capture the amazing efforts Lauren (and Troy I’m sure!) have put into their guests! A dessert buffet, polaroid camera’s and sensational table decor!

Hanging out with this bridal party was *pee pants funny* – So many jokes, one liners and LOL’s.

A huge thank you to the entire bridal party who made capturing these beautiful photos so effortless!

These two are made for each other.

Lauren + Troy… Thank you!

Thank you for trusting me to work for you all the way from VIC to QLD.

Thank you for entrusting me with capturing your wedding day.

Thank you for giving me the chance to photograph where I never have before.

Big Love, Leah
~ xoxo ~

Suppliers:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Binna Burra Mountain Lodge

Lauren’s Dress: Anna Campbell Bridal

Bouquets: Kate Dawes Flower Design

Troy’s Suit: Jack London

Troy’s Bow Tie: Hugo Boss

Troy’s gift from Lauren: Persol Sunglasses