Tory & Bianca Wedding Photography & Video, Sanctuary Cove Chapel Ceremony & Surfers Paradise Marriott Ballroom Reception Gold Coast

Hi my name is Natarlie I am a Video editor as well as Videographer. It puts me in the unique situation of getting to not only know our couples on the day but also in the editing process, I hope you enjoy my blog about Tory and Bianca's wedding day. 

Tory and Rob have been friends since high school and it's always great to have that connection and trust, Tory & Bianca have been following J'adores work for a long time and knew that it was going to be a great fit, so after getting engaged, Rob meet with them a fair few times so they could work on creating a vision for there wedding photography and video. A lot of what happens on a wedding day is documentary related so we just record what's in front of us, but what we can control is how it's recorded with a end goal in mind and it's important to us that we work closely on that. 

Tory's best man who is his brother Jeb and some of the other family got ready in Tory and Bianca's House with with Tory's building skills, being converted into their dream home. The guys where very relaxed in getting ready and just couldn't wait to get the day's proceedings started.

Seeing Bianca done up from head to toe in her princess themed gown, made my heart stop so I can't be too sure on how Tory reacted, but she was just simple divine. With dimontee encrusted sleeves draped over each shoulder and long curly brown hair to match a dazzling smile, Bianca completed her look with a white bouquet and neutral natural colour dresses for her made of honour/ bridesmaid to have. 

Previously shooting at Sanctuary Cove Chapel only two weeks prior to Tory & Bianca's wedding, we were lucky enough to be apart of another fun filled day at this extravagant wedding chapel complete with floor to ceiling glass windows to overlook the tranquil lifestyle of Sanctuary Cove.  

While only staying at Sanctuary Cove for the ceremony, we decided to stay at this amazing venue for a bit longer as we went from an array of locations including the fountain Terrace surrounded by lush gardens and the open air Marina Lawn overlooking the Coomera River.  As it was such a great day, Rob even got the drone out to take some landscape video's of the whole venue and the couple above the waterfall at Sanctuary Cove. 

Walking into the Surfers paradise Marriott Resort Hotel and Spa , it was like stepping into a whole different setting, a movie even. As you look above and notice intricately woven fan boards blowing back. This was our location for the rest of the photos and the reception. We tucked amidst the sparkling lagoons and shooting between tree's where the pool's were to get those extra creative/cool shots. 

we then took it another step further by getting some glamorous shots of the couple and Bianca standing along the grand staircase, bouquet resting to the side.  As we extended our stay up into the reception area we noticed the backdrop was done elegantly and to perfection. The ballroom looked etherial as all of the candles placed around the event room made the ambiance more intimate. 

A huge thank you to the event planner at the Marriot; Sarah Fraser , as the rooms were done to perfection; we had our own private section where we could edit a few images quickly to post up for Tory and Bianca as we love doing this for a our clients especially when everyone is eating at the reception and we have a bit of spare time. The rest of the guests were starting to pour in by this stage, so we were quick to decide where our tripods would be situation before the speeches were conducted. This is always a hard task as we aim to capture 100% of the speeches, but if they move we have a harder time, this fortunately didn't happen and we were treated to an accordion song played by Bianca's father. Listening to the speeches we got to learn a lot about the couple. 

How they met at a party, and how one date changed everything as they kept at it, through buying a house together and then Tory finally proposing, J'adore was soo lucky to be apart of their lucky day. 

Written by Natarlie Weller 

  

Currumbin Wildlife Wedding Venue with Wishes Events

We love being able to check out all the different venues on the Gold Coast & Tweed Heads area. This one was a new one for us and pretty exciting one at that, Rob has often made ventures down to Currumbin Wildlife sanctuary to spend that day taking images and video of the animals, So being able to do his other passion and capture weddings was rather exciting. So we have J'adore Weddings teaming up with Wishes Events and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a styled shoot along with some help from the Academy of Design. We can't wait till we can shoot a real wedding here and hopefully get our Wedding Videography team involved as well. 

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique wedding venue with natural rainforest, lush bushland settings and secluded surroundings. You will find intimate hideaways to wild theming options, where you can create a wedding event to suit your personality and budget.


Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary boasts a number of beautiful and breathtaking locations to host a wedding or intimate function. Tailored for different quantities of guests, there is the perfect location for your event here at the sanctuary.
Styled in opulent gold and white, the Sawrey Room is the perfect venue for your wedding, complete with outdoor deck area for canapes and pre-dinner drinks.


Styled by one of the premiere Gold Coast’s Wedding Stylists, Wishes Events has been operating since 2007 and specialises in creating unique designs with a clientele focus. Director Cindy Paterson is well known on the Gold Coast for her distinctive style and creative flare and the Wishes Events team believe that life is meant to be celebrated in style.
Always delivering an amazing event, helping you to achieve your event goals by designing décor and decorations to suit your theme and individual touches for your special day.


The Wishes Events team come from a diverse background including wedding, event and conference sales at a five star international hotels and this experience working with world class brands has put them in great stead to deliver the highest quality standard of wedding styling.
For further information visit their website www.wishesevents.com.au or search for ‘Wishes Events’ on Facebook.
Wishes Events knows weddings, and we deliver stress free creativity…on time, on budget and beyond your expectations!

Milka & Mladen's Traditional Serbian Wedding Photography & Video Gold Coast

One of the main things that make us different from a lot of our wedding companies is the fact that we try to personally communicate with our clients, gauging what they're wanting on their big day, and how we are able to make their dreams become a reality. Milka & Mladen first contacted us November of last year which was great timing as we had just finished editing the video for our first ever Serbian wedding for Dean & Dijiana, because of this we were more than prepared to jump back into this cultural wedding. While it's different compared to a lot of weddings we shoot today, we aren't afraid to jump out of our comfort zone and take a risk no matter how unusual or different it is. 

After seeing our highlights video of Dean & Dijiana and loving how we managed to capture all of the slight details, we managed to seal the deal, this was an exciting moment for us, as since then we've accrued more cultural weddings after shooting the first one. We must be doing an excellent job in recreating all of the key moments if we managed to get Milka's bridesmaid and sister's wedding in September. 

With a team of four getting ready to shoot both photo and video of Milka & Mladen we split up in two's; one team going to the boys and the other going to the girls. With Milka's dress fitting her perfectly she accentuated her looks with smokey make up and her hair done up with a long veil matching. Collaborating her choice of gown was her three other bridesmaids all dressed in fuchsia pink. 

Walking into the brides house the place was blaring with traditional Serbian music as people were running around, making the finishing touches. The best thing was the Kolo dancing and drinking started way before the ceremony was conducted. One of the things that are always to be admired about is their carefree nature, and their readiness to let go, we spent most of the morning alternating between both the bride and the groom and venturing downstairs to get some amazing footage of both guests singing in their traditional language with an accordion, never too far in the background playing.  At one stage the music got loud enough that the police got called to Milka's house to turn the music down, still this didn't deter anyone and the lovely police decided that this was a special occasion and they werent going to be the ones to ruin there big day. As the girls decorated all of the cars for their guests in white ribbons spreading across the windshields in a traditional manner, this didn't stop the whole house from being lit up in hues of pinks and whites.

Before Mladen and Milka are to see each other, first  the Groomsmen must eat and drink then commence the tradition of buying the bride (bartering, fake bride presented) This further progresses by Milka going down the stairs and greeting the groom’s parents and main family members. After the formalities are conducted, traditional sashes are placed on the male bridal party members. We were all in for a bit of a surprise when Milka took the the streets, leading the rest of the guests into a traditional folklore dance in front of house on the road. 

One of the older traditions we've seen previously before is the “Apple Shooting“. An apple is hung in the courtyard of the bride's house, on the top of the tree. The groom has to shoot the apple, only when he takes off the apple from the tree, he is allowed to enter the bride's house. This isn't exactly done with a bow and arrow anymore, more so a fishing line with an apple attached to the hook. By capturing the apple, it's showing the Grooms readiness to get married to his bride to be. 

Looking back on the footage, I remember one particular encounter/ tradition of sorts. One of the groomsmen had to pay money to get the traditional bottle of drink open (Rakia). while the father of the bride kept saying no to the lack of money provided. Before the ceremonial drink was opened, they eventually got to around $500.00 before the commencement started, and the drinks started to freely flow.

When arrives at the Serbian Orthodox Church Gold Coast in Arundel. We love seeing the traditions take place, from the typical symbolic crowning, to the walk and the lighting of candles. 

The candles symbolise the perpetual light of Christ, and remind the couple that from now on they must shine in virtue and purity with good deeds. The rings are first blessed by the priest, who holds them in his right hand and makes the sign of the cross over the couple’s heads.  The rings are then placed on the 4th finger of the right hands of the couple. The rings are then exchanged between the couple three times. The right hand of the bride and groom are joined when the priest reads the prayer that beseeches God to "join these servants, unite them in one mind and one flesh." The hands are kept joined throughout the service to symbolise the "oneness" of the couple.

The crowns are said to represent the martyrdom, sacrifice and unwavering devotion. The priest takes the object and makes the Sign of The Cross three times over the couple. The crown is then kissed by the groom before it is placed, then the same with his bride. Then the crowns are exchanged between the heads of the couple three times.
The couple will drink wine from a chalice to symbolise that they will be sharing the happiness and sorrows of life together. They do this three times. The priest will then lead the bride and groom three times around the alter on their first steps as a married couple.

Before leading the couple on their first walk together as husband and wife, following in the footsteps of Christ, the priest ties the right hands of the couple together while praying for their marriage, the act signifying their “Oneness” from now on. As Milka and Mladin excited the church as a married couple it's tradition that the Best man throws coins out of a bag for the children to collect. This shows by gaining coin and placing it in the foundation of a house, this ensures luck for the property. 

As the ceremony was conducted and finished, we all went back to the grooms house for some food and to do all the traditions left on the day.  The youngest and therefore the (lightest) male member of the family was lifted above the brides head 3 time; they went on to start the red apple and wheat throw over the Grooms house. This is a tradition to expel evil spirits from the house hold. After Mladin had carried Milka over the threshold, the Grooms mother greeted both parties at the front of the door with honey. The Bride then placed traditional sash's around the edges of the icon of the grooms families patron saint.

There was an experience for everyone was we travelled to the Bundall Botanical gardens on the Gold Coast for our photo/video sections of the day. With open green fields surrounded by lush terrain, we were able to get some stunning photos of the couple by themselves and also some amazing family photos on the day. 

We were also lucky enough to be shooting around the same area in Bundall, precisely at 'The Hellenic Function Centre' . With the reception perfectly situation in the heart of the Gold Coast, The function room choose gives you the advantage of choosing a small get together from 20 people to the maximum of 600 or more guests.  As the night set in to be a memorable occasion we spent most of our time shooting and capturing the traditional Serbian dancing played to their unique and vibrant tunes. It was such a pleasure shooting for Milka and Mladen, from the start to the finish of their day, we managed to get all of the key elements, swiftly capture all of the traditions, and snap a few smiles that they're able to put away in the memory box. 

Daniel & Karlee's Intercontinental Sanctuary Cove Wedding.

in , ,

We are always delighted when we hear we are going back to one of our favourite venues at the Sanctuary Cove Chapel, Daniel & Karlee story is a great one. Having been brushed off a couple of times previously, Our couple had briefly meet out partying but it wasn't until Daniel's sister worked at a vet's clinic with Karlee until Daniel really made a impression. Things didn't truly progress until Daniel's nieces 1st birthday, where they both attended before things finally took off, and here we are now.

Starting off at Karlee's place, Jess's, Rob's and I made it our priority to make this the best day possible for both Daniel and & Karlee. 

While Daniel was just getting ready down the road, this led to our job being so much easier. Rob ended up leaving jess and I with the girls for a bit while he went to shoot the girls, so in that time, we decided to get all of the detail shots, that way we weren't missing anything from the day between the three of us.

Featured from the floor-to ceiling windows that illuminate the whole area, the Sanctuary Cove Chapel was perfect for Daniel and Karlee, it also couldn't help being a 5 minute golf cart ride away from saying I do.  We managed to get everything set up effectively, checking the audio, and camera placement. It's always a difficult decision deciding where to place the camera's for ceremony, as no on wants to miss anything. Karlee came down the aisle looking as pretty as ever, as she clutched her bouquet to her face, smiling and grinning, as Daniel turned away trying to get a hold of the situation.

We love seeing these moments of raw emotion, in a way it's what makes us love our jobs even more.  As we travelled through the photo section we started off at The Sanctuary Cove Resort which was perfect. With a garden pavilion and man made beach, we took to all of the best locations and decided to fool around with the lighting. As the sun was going down we were keen to taking some videography of the two individuals together before we set off sprinkling petals over the beach. We then ventured to the courtyard where we did a series of situations ranging from the bride being picked up by all three groomsmen, when we tried with the situations reversing things took a rapid decline.... But the girls still maintained their wit and held Daniels flailing body for a few good shots!!

One of the best photography/videography features about Sanctuary cove is the reflection pool, here we can get some of the best stuff. As the sun was setting we decided to get out our LED lights which really got things turning a different way in a sense of our camera image.

The intercontinental always features and highlights some of the best theme's for weddings, whether you're looking for the glamorous themed wedding or you like the rustic or elegant themed, the Intercontinental resort can spaciously provide. The reception area, was decked out with round tables filling up the foyer, pale white and peach flowers littered the whole event as we were preparing to set up the speeches gear while also listening to Jackson James Smith providing some soulful acoustic cover tunes. 

As the couple came in through the reception area with a crowd loudly cheering behind them, Karlee's gleeful laughs could be heard around the whole venue as Daniel took to carrying his bride in to the reception in true gentlemanly fashions. Daniel and Karlee's night was filled was the prettiest cake, layered from gold, to hues of pinks and creams. From there on, their night was filled was soo many memories they get to look back on with their video.

From the Shannon Noll singing Marathon to techno beats, "what about me", to Daniel's deceleration of love, for his Wife, we got to be apart of an amazing day courtesy to this funny and flamboyant couple. We wish you the best!!

Samuel & Samantha Melbourne Wedding Photography

We are lucky enough to get to travel Australia doing what we LOVE, It's not just about taking the photos and video's but meeting the people and going through a new adventure each wedding day. This adventure entailed Rob in Melbourne he had a video to shoot and one of our other photographers Tim had a photography job booked in so Rob decided to join as a 2nd shooter which he hadn't done for awhile he said it was great having the pressure of for Samuel & Samantha's big day and be creative. The venue was Bluestone Lane Vineyard in the Melbourne suburb of Balnarring, It was a great all in one venue, with ceremony and reception just a walk away with the vineyards and a lake to use as photo settings. Here are my images that we feel tell a story of the day I hope you like!!