wei wei + a wedding = Aweiding: Paula + Thomas: The Wedding at Fergusson Winery and Train Trak Winery

" Lift "

by Zerbin

Love is what has brought us here

With the courage to come near

Chase away our pride and our fear
With the light to carry it
With the light to carry on

So lift your head up so high

Lift your head up so high

I can see the dark clouds fade away

♥

It was a great wedding indeed.

Thomas sent me a text messaged in September last year saying that:" Hey keep May next year free! #wedding ;) " I was confused after reading his message, because another couple at church, James and Rebecca Hills just got engaged a few days before Thomas texted me. So initially I thought Thomas asked me to save the date for James and Rebecca's wedding. It also happened that we photographed James and Rebecca Hills's wedding too, which was just 9 days after Thomas and Paula's wedding.

I started to notice Thomas playing drum at church in late 2013. I was so amazed by his talent and thought he looks cool, because he hardly smiles, just like me haha! He plays drum like there's nobody else watching him, he plays with all his heart and soul, he plays for God. Few months later Thomas started to help church in managing their social media. To be honest, I was be given the chance to work with this legend. Since then, we only communicate through emails whenever I do photoshoots for church, but we never talked in person.

Back in late 2010, Thomas was playing on the stage at a church rehearsal, he saw Paula worshipping in the crowd. This girl caught his eyes (yes, when he was checking out girls while playing drum). He added Paula on Facebook and they started chatting and got to know each other better at an Ignite Camp April 2011, that was held by the church, and they started dating on 1st May 2011. Funnily, it was one of Paula's bridesmaids- Maddy who noticed Thomas first.

It was a happy wedding indeed.

Because Paula is a happy girl. She carries a happy vibe wherever she goes. The wedding day was filled with her joyous laughter, and I personally love the photo of her chewing the candy- that cheeky smile just too precious. On the other hand, Thomas shed a lot of happy tears during his wedding. He started his speech as this:" Have been crying the whole day!" Oh we laughed out so loud hearing this! Everyone told me Thomas will surely cry during the wedding ceremony, which he really did and it's really touching. James, Thomas's third older brother/bestmen even posted a post on facebook with this funny hashtag " #bestmenranoutoftissue ".

We thanked God for the beautiful golden sunset on this mid Autumn wedding. Paula said to me happily:" Wei Wei, I've always dreamt of having golden sunset on my wedding day!" The luxe rustic winery wedding was beautiful in it's unique way. The ceremony was held at a barrel room at Fergusson Winery. They chose gold and fuchsia as the theme colour. What a brave colour combination and everything turned out so well! Definitely loving the boys having succulents as their boutonnieres, and Thomas's brown leather bow-tie was a winner.

Paula's mother called me "the professional stalker" when she noticed me taking photos of the bridesmaids getting ready but without them knowing... She is a super woman- she baked Paula's wedding cake and she planted succulents for the guests to take home as gifts. Paula's father is a cute man. I would never forget about his speech that cheered up the whole room:" ............ It says here, ends with a word of wisdom...." Oh that made us laughed so hard! It was a great honour to get to know Thomas's parents, Ian and Fiona, who have musical background and raised up four beautiful sons. And this was one of the funny parst of Ian's speech:" Thomas was our fourth attempt in trying to get a Christie girl..."

Carlie, the talented hair and make up artist for Paula, who is also Thomas's sister-in-law cut out a piece of lace from the fabric of Paula's wedding gown, and sewn the lace on Paula's low bun. Everything turned out magically beautiful under Carlie's hands. I also love love love the rustic decor at Zonzo, where the reception was held. Secret Blossom, the florist did a great job in adding autumn colours to the atmosphere. Gourmet pizzas and roast lambs at reception? It was unique and awesome! The pizzas were really really great. The night was really really fun. I found myself obsessed in taking photos of the details and lightbulbs, I just couldn't help myself.

Then there came the dancing part- live Greek dance! Paula's stepfather and uncle played Greek folksongs. Josh the groomsmen wanted a quicker song after the first round of Greek dancing, and it was so hilarious to watch him mimicked the Greek dance movements. But thanks to him for living up the dance floor. I also noticed something funny: Thomas only has one dance move, which is walking forward and backward haha! Highlight of the night would be Thomas playing the drum during the dance bracket!

Surprisingly, Thomas gave me a hug before they left. Thank you Tom, you made us felt appreciated.

It was a fun wedding indeed.

Dear Paula and Thomas, you have no idea how honoured I am to be chosen to be your wedding photographer. Thank you for the trust that you have in me. Thank you for visiting us with Grace Christie the dog. Thank you for loving my home cooked nasi lemak. Thank you for submitting the photos to easyweddings (http://www.easyweddings.com.au/real-weddings/diy-delight-paula-thomass-luxe-rustic-wedding/). There's nothing more meaningful than spending our own anniversary witnessing your happiness. I am sure there will be more happy tears to come in your marriage :)

Date: 1.5.15

Ceremony: Fergusson Winery, Yarra Glen

Reception: Zonzo, Yarra Glen

Brides Gown: Karen Willis Holmes Pty Ltd

Brides Shoes: ASOS

Bridesmaid Shoes: ASOS

Bridesmaids Accessories: Mocha, Forever New

Bridesmaids Dresses: Sheike Boutique

Cake: Homemade

Ceremony Music: Daniel Kelaart

Entertainment: Farace Band, My Sweet Event

Flowers: Secret Blossom