Lara & Phil – 28 August 2009

Loads of style, love, laughter & tears – this wedding had it all! Lara & Phil chose to host their wedding in beautiful Hunter Valley. Their day started with had a beautiful traditional ceremony at St Peter’s Anglican Church in East Maitland, followed by spectacular location photos at Tyrell’s Vineyards. The fun filled reception was held at the stunning Peppers Creek Barrel Room.

Lara & Phil’s Favourite Image

“We love this image of us kissing, yet cracking up at each other in the vines. We love it because it is just so us… A posed shot but somehow we make it not. Such a beautiful tender moment, full of laughs & happiness, just like our whole life together!”

Advice From Lara & Phil

“Just relax and enjoy! It’s such an amazing day – everyone close to you gathering to celebrate your love for one & another.”

What We Loved…

The tears of happiness, the laughs and well everything really!

Lara & Phil are so relaxed & full of life. Right from the first time we met them at their Wedding Design Consultation we had loads of laughs.

They have amazing families that have made our entire family (Israel, Bel, Indrani & the Israel Smith Team) feel part of their family. And we love the tears of happiness cried at this wedding. Just take a look at the images of Lara with her parents before the ceremony, then the look on Phil’s face as he first sees his gorgeous bride walking down the aisle.

And talk about a photographers heaven – glorious sunshine in Tyrells Vineyard with a fun bridal party. The sunlight was so warm & yummy, shining through Lara’s veil and sending a beautiful sun flare across some of the images, almost as though it was encasing Lara & Phil. And have a look at just how relaxed Lara was as a bride – even when the wind whipped her veil from her head & it got caught in the vines she laughed.

Peppers Creek Barrel Room was also sensational – the ambience of the room, the table settings & the food were all amazing!

Lara just loves her shoes & so do we – they are amazing. She says she looks at the everyday & why wouldn’t you!

The Finer Details

Lara & Phil describe the theme of their wedding as “Winter White”.

Lara says her dress is “romantic, feminine & mesmerising. Cathy at Pallas was so amazing with my ‘Gloriana’ gown – it was everything I had imagined & more.”

“My hair and veil were really simple and complimented my dress perfectly.”

Lara says she “loves that Phil and our amazing jeweller Aaron designed my rings without me knowing & they are so perfect.”

We just love the beautiful emotion of these images of Lara with her dad & then with her mum. They say it all!

The Ceremony

When we asked Lara what she loved most about their ceremony she said quite simply “Marrying Philip”.

Lara & Phil exchanged vows at the beautiful old sandstone St Peter’s Anglican Church in East Maitland. This church as so much old world charm and the length of the aisle is just fantastic for building the anticipation for the bride and groom coming together for the first time.

We just love how these 2 images of Phil show how seeing Lara for the first time takes his breath away – the biting of the lip as she first enters the church, then the little gasp and look of “OMG she is so beautiful” as she gets closer.

Then this look on Lara’s face – it says I know I look great and I am about to be your wife! And dad, well he’s doing his best to keep it all together!

Location Shots

After the ceremony, we headed to Tyrell’s Vineyard for some stunning location shots. Lara & Phil unwound by sharing a bottle of Moet with their bridal party, then sitting down on their own for a few moments just to take in that they were finally man & wife.

The Reception

What an amazing venue the Peppers Creek Barrel Room is.

Lara & Phil invited 110 of their closest friends and family to be part of their day. “We wanted our reception to be a huge celebration. It was so much fun, it was difficult for our MC to get us to leave! … I think we would have been there all night!”

“The Slideshow at the reception that Israel prepared of the day was so special. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room!”

Lara & Phil’s Illuminating Team

Photography: Israel Smith and Sami Gale

Dress & Veil: Pallas – 02 9358 5761

Hair & Makeup: Lesley Cameron – 0411 173 175

Shoes: Cosmopolitan Shoes (Rene Caovilla) – 02 9362 0510

Rings: Quinn Fine Jewellery – 02 4325 7292

Grooms outfits:  Peppers Formal Wear –9953 4261

Florist: Julie Pilcher Flowers – 9516 4792

Cars: Exclusive Vintage Wedding Cars – 0409 346 534

Stationery: Artisan Press – wayne@artisanpress.com.au

Church: St Peter’s Anglican Church, East Maitland

Reception venue: Peppers Creek Barrel Room – 02 4998 7780

Cake: The Sweetest Things – 0402 263 877

Music: Slide McBride – 02 9388 9771