As a Central Coast wedding photographer, there is nothing I love more than heading out in the Hunter Valley and capturing some love. As an LGBT wedding photographer, I love capturing within the community. It’s always a very special moment for me. Chloe & Brydee got hitched in April in Pokolbin, and to say they put on a show would be an understatement. Chloe & Brydee’s Hunter Valley Wedding was originally to take place at Polkobin Park as a small, intimate wedding. But approx 6 months before the wedding, I got a message with a change of plans, and The Rydges was now on the books.
The day did not start out well on the Central Coast. The roads were flooding, and the wind was coming in sideways. And in all honesty, I was a little worried about what the weather would look like for Chloe & Brydee. I headed out to the Hunter, and the weather wasn’t much better. The road into Singleton from Pokolbin was closed, so their wedding coordinator had packed a bag since she couldn’t get home, and the golf course at The Rydges was flooding.
Whilst we didn’t have the best start to the day, and we crammed into a foyer for the ceremony instead of the gorgeous golf course, everything changed the minute Chloe walked down the aisle. For many LGBT couples, it can be a daunting moment walking down the aisle. There’s the pressure of walking down the aisle, but it can also feel disingenuous to yourself. But there was none of this during this moment. As an LGBT wedding photographer. These are the moments that mean the most. It was clear that the connection that Chloe & her dad have is special. And whilst Chloe played it off in our meetings. This was an important moment for her.
Brydee quickly followed with her dad and mum walking her down the aisle. And this is the moment you could see how special this day was going to be. Chloe was at the altar holding back tears, and Brydee is walking down the aisle beaming. This was going to be a special day.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, with cute little moments between the two of them, which really solidified that they were meant to be together. During the entire ceremony, it poured, but something strange happened. Chloe and Brydee started their recessional, and then the rain stopped. It was torrential rain all day. Enough rain to put a damper on your day. But the second they were legally wed, the clouds cleared, and we could head outside.
When moments like this happen at weddings, it’s hard not to see this as a sign. We headed outside and started the family portraits, bridal party portraits and then Chloe & Brydee’s portraits.
As an LGBT wedding photographer, my favourite part of the day is the portraits. This is the moment a couple gets to shine, their personalities come out to play, and the stress of the day kind of melts away. Because of the rain, I didn’t want to keep them away from the party for too long. But you can see from these photos that their love is something really special. Not once did they let the weather alter their mood or anything. They were here to celebrate their love, and that’s that.
Once the reception started the couple was surprised by a handmade book made by Brydee’s sister. The book made its way all around the reception throughout the night, with tears and laughs echoing through the room.
I didn’t stay the whole reception, only up until the end of the first dance. But celebrating lesbian love like this and being able to capture the LGBT community as a member of the community is something I truly find so special.
If you’re looking for an LGBT wedding photographer to capture your NSW wedding or elopement, I’d love to capture your day!
Get in contact below and let’s make some magic happen!
