Wedding reception venues Articles
Chen & Denis (Balmoral Beach)
11 November 2011
We absolutely love this wedding! Chen & Denis’ gorgeous album includes so many beautiful images taken at one of our favourite Sydney locations – Balmoral Beach. The lovely couple were married at the NSW Marriage Registry which provided a unique backdrop for us to play with our creativity and capture their intimate ceremony in a modern and photojournalistic way. The following week they held a classic reception at Bathers’ Pavilion, which followed a comprehensive location shoot at Balmoral. Chen wore a gorgeous Collette Dinnigan gown and Denis wore Emporio Armani. Cake by Faye Cahill and flowers by Susan Avery. So beautiful.
Celeste & Robert
9 November 2011
Couture Wedding Planning styled Celeste & Robert’s beautiful wedding. Here’s their stunning album layout. Their ceremony was held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Mosman, with reception at Sergeants Mess in Chowder Bay. Celeste’s gown by Abbey Bridal, menswear by Hornsby Tailors, flowers by Divine Events, cake by Mancuso Cakes, cars by Mosman Wedding Cars, videography by Untitled Film Works.
One of gm photographics favourite wedding venues opens it’s doors for Breakfast & Lunch
7 November 2011
DUNBAR HOUSE OPENS GLAMOROUS WATERFRONT CAFE
One of gm photographics favourite wedding venues opens it’s doors for Breakfast & Lunch
Dunbar House, one of Australia’s oldest standing buildings, has opened a sophisticated, fully-licensed café that boasts million dollar harbour views, excellent service and a chic daytime dining menu offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Located just 30 metres from the shores of Watsons Bay, the stunning heritage building, originally built in the 1830s, re-opened earlier this year after a major refurbishment transformed it into one of Sydney’s most impressive event venues. Now, due to its increased popularity as a landmark destination, the venue has expanded operations to include a waterfront café, expected to become a hit with locals and visitors alike.
Dunbar House is operated by Grand Pacific Group, of acclaimed Sydney venues – The Tea Room QVB, The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks and Sergeants’ Mess. With a reputation for transforming historic Sydney buildings into unique event and dining venues, the new café features all the elements of the Group’s signature touch – beautiful interiors, breathtaking views and world-class dining.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday from 8am, guests can dine outside on the deck, or inside one of two rooms where William Morris wallpaper sets off custom-made furniture upholstered with colourful Missoni fabrics. Meanwhile, whimsical pastel-coloured Wedgewood china tea cups, saucers and stands from the Harlequin collection make the venue’s afternoon tea service a delight.
Breakfast at Dunbar House includes traditional favourites such as eggs benedict and bircher muesli through to delectable temptations such as buttermilk pancakes with caramelised banana and maple cream and waffles with honeycomb butter. The lunch menu is fresh, seasonal and high in flavour with a focus on quality local produce and simple presentation. A simple high tea will also be available from 10am until close. The kitchen is headed by Irish-born chef Keith Murray, who joins Dunbar House from The Tea Room QVB and brings more than 14 years of experience including twice working in Michelin Star restaurants in the UK.
Dunbar House is located at 9 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay. The upper level of Dunbar House is still available for exclusive hire seven days a week. For more information on Dunbar House visit www.dunbarhouse.com.au.
The leading Wedding venues of NSW magazine features Kristy & Michael and their Catalina wedding
4 August 2011
We had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful wedding at Catalina. It has just been featured in the latest issue of The Leading Wedding Venues Of NSW.
It is said absence makes the heart grow fonder. This was certainly the case for Kristy and Michael. After meeting through mutual friends back in 2003, the two knew they had found something worth holding onto to. After three years long distance between Sydney and Melbourne, the couple new it was time for their love to share the same postcode, with Michael following his heart to Sydney. “We knew quite early in our relationship that we were in it for the long haul- having a long distance relationship allows you to work these things out very quickly,” Kristy says. From Sydney to the slopes, Michael decided it was time to take the leap, quite literally. The couple went to Thredbo for a weekend in the snow when Michael, determined to surprise Kristy, popped the question mid incline. “We were away on the side of the slope amongst the trees when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He then pulled a bottle of French champagne out of his backpack for us to celebrate right there and then.” Michael sealed the deal with a specially designed engagement ring. “It was just perfect – I felt like the luckiest girl in the world!” Kristy recalls. Planning commenced from day one, with the ceremony and reception venues being secured within the first week.
Wanting to enjoy their engagement however, the couple took 15 months to plan their big day. “It was wonderful having some time to plan and I would recommend it to anyone who is engaged – it really reduces the stress,” Kristy says. True to the their style, the couple went for timeless elegance.
Fairytale at Opera Point Marquee
16 March 2011
We couldn’t wait to share this beautiful wedding with you! The wonderful team at Nightingales Wedding Designers worked their magic to create a breathtakingly magical scene at Opera Point Marquee lit with crystal chandeliers and gorgeous pink floral arrangements.
Emily & Ryan were married at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia. Emily wore two stunning gowns by Alex Perry. The first was a White Cathedral Dress and the second was an Ice Pink Evening dress. Cinematography by Untitled Film Works. The night ended with spectacular fireworks by Foti Fireworks.
We’ve made up some simple inspiration boards so we can share more of their day with you. xx
Dunbar House
8 March 2011
We are loving the newest venue from the Tea Room Group, Dunbar House. Having only just opened in February 2011 and with its beautiful harbour views the Watson Bay location is an absolutely spectacular and already sought after reception choice. gm photographics have been lucky enough to spend a few days and nights capturing the beautiful venue.
Here are some of our favourite images as well as an album showcasing the venue’s charm and versatility.
Rebecca & Danny, Gunners Barracks
2 December 2010
When Danny and Rebecca set of on a holiday to Thailand to celebrate three years
as a couple ‘ Danny had a few plans of his own’
Rebecca tells gm photographics, ‘The evening of our anniversary Danny led me to the beach, where a boat was waiting. We were whisked away to a tiny private island, where on the shore was a romantic table setting of candles and flowers. On sunset Danny got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. We celebrated with champagne and dinner by candlelight.’
The moment when a mother sees her daughter in her wedding gown is often very emotional.
For Rebecca it was this moment, as she stepped into her gown by Elizabethe De Varga, she
knew by the tears in her mothers eyes, that this was the dress she would marry her love in.
‘The moment my mother saw me she burst into tears and I knew I had found my wedding gown.’
Danny and Rebecca said their ‘I do’s ‘ at the Tea Rooms Gunners’ Barracks. ‘The sandstone courtyard, where the ceremony was held, had a beautiful old world feel- like being in a little open-air church. The Gunners Barrack’s is such an elegant and romantic venue, and being such an intimate setting we knew it represented the feel we wanted for our day perfectly.’
The moment captured below, I am guessing, would be a very treasured photo for Rebecca as it was these fleeting moments
that she recalls as her favourite memory from her wedding day. ‘Walking back down the aisle with my husband, to the cheers of our family and friends, as they showered us with rose petals.’
Dannys favourite moment was one of pride and joy ‘Being announced “Husband and Wife” and kissing my beautiful wife for the first time.’
After a photoshoot at Balmoral Beach with their bridal party Danny and Rebecca joined
family and friends for an intimate reception at The Tea Rooms, Gunners Barracks.
We asked Rebecca and Danny what advise they would have for soon to be married couples on their day.
‘Enjoy every moment. It’s one of the most beautiful times in your life. Also, invest in what is most important for you- for us the photographs are one of the lasting memories you take away from the day, so we wanted the best!’
Also we thank you on your kind words on gm photographics.
‘Dear friends our ours were married a few years earlier. Upon seeing their spectacular wedding photos we knew that gm Photographics would be the team we would one day use for our own wedding. Graham, Angela and Simon (our photographers), Lauren and the team were amazing. The whole experience with gm has been such a pleasure.’
Danny and Rebecca may your lives be full of hopes and dreams fulfilled.
Thank you for sharing your day with us.
Julia & Matthew- by gm photographics
12 November 2010
Finding the perfect wedding dress is sometimes hard, but for Julia after seeing this gown by Vera Wang, and visiting countless bridal salons in New York, her decision was made.
‘ I just couldn’t stop thinking about one exquisite gown by Vera Wang. After our third visit to the salon in as many days, I knew, this was the One. It was everything I had dreamed of for my wedding, a gorgeous modern gown, beautifully crafted and unlike anything I had ever seen or worn before. It was truly the most wonderful experience and I cannot speak highly enough of the incredible attention and service provided by the staff at Vera Wang.’
Julia carried a bouquet of white tulips, while her bridesmaids carried fushia pink.
The bridesmaids wore black strapless knee length dresses.
The groomsmen and Matthew wore classic black suits, and crisp white shirts.
Julia and Matthew’s dream was ‘to have a small intimate church ceremony for our wedding’,
so they chose to get married at St Ignatius College chapel, at Riverview, where Matt went to school.
After a stunning location shoot, Julia and Matthew, and their bridal party, made their way to
Catalina Restaurant in Rose Bay, Sydney.
Here they spent the evening dining and dancing amongst their dear friends and family.
Guests came from all corners of the globe to celebrate their wedding day,
including Matt’s parents and many friends all the way from USA, England and Nigeria.
Julia describes how they added a personal touch to the reception..
‘At the entry table at our reception at Catalina, we arranged for framed wedding photos of our parents, grandparents, and siblings to be placed amongst the flowers and tealights. It brought a lovely personal touch to the gorgeous venue and turned into a wonderful talking point with friends and family throughout the night.
We asked the married couple why they chose gm photographics as the photographers to
capture their day and they replied . ‘We had both seen GM’s work before and loved their gorgeous natural style.
After meeting with Graham and Angela at the studio we knew they were the perfect choice to capture our wedding day.’
Thank you to both Matthew and Julia for sharing your love and special day with us.
We wish you many, many happy years together.
Karina & Donovan, Whale Beach
4 November 2010
We are so happy to share with you the wedding of Karina and Donovan.
After meeting in Whistler, where the couple both worked for the winter ski season,
Karina and Donovan’s love survived the test of long distance love.
Donovan’s surprise proposal took place on the Amalfi coast of Italy in September 2009, followed by selecting the engagement ring in Florence.
Above hangs Karina’s stunning ivory lace wedding gown.
It seems that this dress and Karina were a perfect match. About the same time as Karina found her dress
at Suzanne Neville, London her aunty Fran, back home in Australia, also spotted the dress in UK Hello.
‘When she saw it she mentioned to my Mum that she had seen a dress she could just imagine me in and it happened to turn out to be the exact same dress I had my eye on in London.’
Karina and Donovan are both very fond of the ocean, and Karina has fond childhood memories of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Living in London I guess they miss the ocean, and so they chose Jonahs at Whale Beach as the perfect place to unite friends and family to celebrate their wedding.
Most of Donovans family traveled from Canada and a bridesmaid and cousin from New York and friends from Perth.
‘ When we saw the pictures of the beautiful view of Whale Beach from Jonah’s and heard reports of the amazing food, we knew we had found the venue without even seeing it in person.’
A vintage feeling wedding set by the sea was pulled off with perfection and the help of Karina’s mum who she described as having ‘a great eye for all things creative, did a magic job bringing my concepts to life by putting together all the table settings and decorations together with the florist.’
The bridesmaids wore black dresses, all different and chosen by each of the girls themselves. They also wore vintage inspired
beaded headbands and pearls to tie in with Karina. Each of the bridesmaids carried cream and pale pink bouquets.
Karina spoke of the ceremony and vows as a very special part of her day.
‘ Getting to stand there and say our personal vows to each other in front of all the people most special to us, from all around the world, was a very emotional moment that brought not only us, but almost all our guests to tears.’
The bride and groom ended their day with a gorgeous relaxed reception back at Jonahs Whale Beach, which was exactly as they planned.
‘We… really wanted an intimate candlelit atmosphere at the reception, but the most important thing was for it to be a fun night with plenty of dancing and laughter rather than being too formal and stuffy. This was made easy having a band like Monsieur Camembert who instantly created the atmosphere we were after as soon as they started playing.’ said Karina.
The team as gm photographics wishes you both a wonderful future as husband and wife,
and have no doubt you will treasure these memories for many years to come.
Keep your eyes peeled as Karina and Donovan’s wedding has captured the of attention from wedding magazines and blogs alike.
Allison & Brandon
12 October 2010
Allison and Brandon were married recently in Sydney after a special proposal on holiday at the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia.
Above hangs Allison’s Essense wedding gown as she prepares for her wedding day. The ivory dress and roses were combined with diamonte detailing that flowed through to the bridesmaids dresses and stationary for the wedding invites.
Allison spent the night before the wedding at the InterContinental Sydney. ‘My family and I stayed in a suite at the Intercontinental hotel the night before – I really enjoyed all of us getting ready together on the day and I’m glad I chose to have my two sisters as my bridesmaids.’
Allison and Brandon chose to get married at St Thomas Anglican Church in North Sydney. ‘We wanted our vows to really mean something so we agreed to commit to a marriage preparation course run by Reverend Richard James. It was great to be married by somebody we respected and who had gotten to know us prior to the wedding.’ said Allison.
We asked Allison her most memorable part of the day, and as many brides feel the overwhelming joy of walking down the isle,
this too was one of Allison’s best memory from her wedding day.
‘For me, walking down the aisle and seeing my husband smiling back at me is something I’ll always remember. ‘
Allison’s bridesmaids wore floor length deep chocolate gowns and matching ivory roses.
The groomsmen wore black suits, with ivory ties to match the girls bouquets.
o finish their night the newly weds celebrated with guests at L’Aqua, Darling Harbour. It was the perfect venue for Allison and Brandon as they ‘wanted a traditional, classy and elegant feel’ to their day. Allison spoke fondly of this celebration and the moments that will stay with her for a long time ‘ Brandon’s speech when he acknowledged me as his wife for the first time. My Dad’s speech was very moving too. It was great to see all our family and friends having such a great time on the dance floor!’
‘We chose Frank Sinatra’s “Fly me to the moon” for our first dance – we took dance classes to put together a routine and I think we pulled it off .’
Thank you to Allison and Brandon for sharing your day with us, and for your kind words about gm photographics
‘After researching competitors we felt that your portfolio was truly outstanding.’
