I had known the groom, Glenn, for awhile and when I mentioned to him that I would love to fly to Melbourne to film his wedding he was stoked. I had been to this fabulous city last year for a wedding down in Port Sea so of course I was thrilled to go back. The ceremony was held at St Vincent’s Garden in Albert park and was conducted in traditional Vedic style containing mantras, samskaras and not to mention lots of color!
“The ceremony contains significant rituals known as samskaras which all contribute to making the ceremony auspicious and envoking happiness, love and prosperity for the couple. The father of the bride welcomes the groom with ornaments as a sign of acceptance and respect as the bride is given away to her new family. The chanting of mantras purifies the atmosphere and certain parts of the ceremony are conducted in Sanskrit, the original language.”
“Tieing the knot between the bride and groom literally happens, symbolising the unity between the couple. Taking seven steps through flower petal circles represents their vows of strength and commitment. Traditional Vaishnava weddings are celebrated with lots of color, flowers and music to gain the blessings of all those present including the supreme Lord Krsna and the demigods. It is a beautiful ceremony that holds much significance and meaning. Geoff was there before anyone else and is such a pleasant man to talk to, throughout the whole day you wouldn’t even know he’s there… secretly capturing everything.” – Glenn
Of course what would Melbourne be without the unpredictable weather! By the time we arrived at Soul Mama’s in St Kilda for the reception, the sun went away and was replaced by hail, flash floods and fierce winds. By the time I left the party the CBD of the city was covered in knee high water!
I had a great time and loved filming such a unique style of ceremony. I also made two new friends. Congratulations Glenn & Kate!
Geoff wrote:
No that wasn't this one Sarah, luckily. How come you are always so quick to comment on my blog!? :P (April 14, 2010 - 12:08 pm)
Sarah wrote:
I remember seeing this "once in 100 years" weather event on the news. There was also footage of a wedding outside in the hail! That wasn't this one was it?? (April 14, 2010 - 12:04 pm)
Anna & Ben organized their wedding from Hong Kong and I didn’t get a chance to meet them until the day of their wedding. But what a fun couple they turned out to be! They chose Cedar Creek Winery on Mt Tamborine for the big event.
The rainclouds threatened, but it it turned out to be a perfect day for filming. Not many couples know that a nice and even overcast day is the ideal light for a shoot. It makes the colors come out so well and there’s no glaring from sunlight.
I worked alongside photographers Leanne & Mario from Brischetto Photography for the first time. It’s always takes awhile to get a feel for new people, but after we had lunch with the bridal party later in the afternoon, we gelled quite well together.
Once again I used my Canon 5d Mark II as my main camera and the footage coming out of it are just marvelous. This is really a great time to be in the wedding video industry. As always you can see the video in high definition by clicking the HD button in the playable window. Slower Internet connection please hit Play then Pause and let the video load before viewing.
Anna chose a beautiful song called “Let’s Start from Here” sung by Joanna Wang in Mandarin.
Anna & Ben wrote:
It's so beautiful! You just captured the precious moments in our wedding! Thank you so much! (April 5, 2010 - 8:11 am)
Jacqui wrote:
Oh wow! What a fantastic job Geoff! (April 1, 2010 - 1:37 pm)
Amber @ Brush and Blush wrote:
Was lovely to meet and work with you Geoff!! Your work is amazing !! I really love the footage where the autumn leaves r on the ground and Anna and Ben are in the background!! (March 31, 2010 - 8:50 pm)
Leanne wrote:
WOW!! Geoff that looks FANTASTIC! Both Mario and I love it. We'll definitely be showing off the video on the blog and facebook. :D (March 31, 2010 - 6:35 pm)
Beverley Watson wrote:
Beautiful song, beautiful couple. They are so cute together! (March 31, 2010 - 6:23 pm)
Amanda & Steve had their entire day at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast with some added photos taken at nearby Porto Bellago in Emerald Lakes. This was the first wedding where I really utilized my Canon 5d Mark II as the main camera and the results were absolutely amazing. If you really want to see the full effect click the HD button in the playable window to see the video in it’s best resolution.
I had the privilege of working alongside Brad & Kara of Photographic Art. Not only are they immensely talented photographers, but they are great people and know how to have a lot of fun. I think it’s so important when professionals can work together at such an important event and it shows in the final product.
One of the highlights included Amanda arriving to the ceremony in her husband’s ‘67 Ford Mustang! The brides’ little cousin, Rylee, is also featured a bit in the clip as she had some adorable reactions during the shoot. This wedding was also the first time I have been completely doused with champagne as the bridal party celebrated during their photo session. But I didn’t mind much as it was an amazing shot!
The soundtrack, “Feel Like Home to Me,” was played during the couples’ first dance together.
Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think! Enjoy.
David Rilestone wrote:
This video is absolutely stunning. Your many handheld shots are amazingly steady. You also opted for very shallow D.O.F. on many of the closeups which you pulled off very well -- you effectively kept the moving subjects in focus which couldn't have been easy. I may have closed down a bit for more D.O.F. with the bride/bridesmaids shots to keep them all sharp, but I realize you probably decided to keep the focus (literally) on the main subject -- the bride. All the technicals - exposure, lighting, white balance, colour, etc. were spot on.
A Glidetrack would perhaps have served you well, although that would've required a bit of setup when time may have been an issue (especially if you're operating solo). Choice of music was excellent and struck the perfect mood. It was a real pleasure watching this bit of work. (April 18, 2010 - 10:46 am)
Kimberley wrote:
It looks beautiful - we had all the girls in the office watching! (March 31, 2010 - 11:33 am)
Tracy Davidson wrote:
Absolutely breathtaking. It brought a tear to my eye!! Well done. (March 31, 2010 - 6:33 am)
Michele Provest wrote:
WOW!So beautiful to see in motion again such a special moment!! You really captured it well Geoff!! Great to be part of the team on the day, Michele (March 30, 2010 - 10:58 pm)
Kara & Brad wrote:
Wow Geoff, always a pleasure working with you Mate & what a gorgeous highlight for Many & Steve. True Talent. (March 30, 2010 - 5:39 pm)
Taylor Lawson wrote:
Simply amazing! The little girls are so cute. :) You really do wonderful work! (March 30, 2010 - 3:21 pm)
“I just watched our video for the 40th time (lol) and I had to email you to thank you! You did an amazing job of capturing us at our best on the day and I cannot wait to see the full version You have an amazing gift and are doing something very important- best of luck with everything you do in the future and once again- thank you!!” - Michelle
Michelle booked me way back in 2008 and it was well worth waiting for. With all the wacky weather going on around the Gold Coast we were lucky we didn’t get stuck in too much rain and it stayed away for most of the ceremony. Umbrellas always add a nice touch to a photo / video shoot anyways.
Avalon Gardens up on Mt Tamborine was the setting for the nuptials and the reception was held at Albert River Wineries. Tom Baker from Tom Baker Photographics and his assistant Kate provided the photos – two people I have worked with before and have such an easy time with.
You can see this video in high definition if you choose but make sure you have a decent internet connection first. Just hit the HD button in the playable window. Your comments are most welcome.
Grandpa wrote:
Video showed the real affection of love between the two of them ...A most beautiful wedding....Great Job!! (April 13, 2010 - 10:59 am)
Libby wrote:
What a beautiful bride!!! (April 6, 2010 - 9:05 am)
Parents of the Bride wrote:
Geoff wonderful job. It brought back the joy of the day perfectly - and we loved the music. We are looking forward to seeing the rest of your work. (March 31, 2010 - 7:18 pm)
Michelle Dean wrote:
Awww Geoff thanks so much for the great job you've done capturing all of the special moments of our wedding. That was amazing :) (March 28, 2010 - 10:49 am)
The Crew wrote:
This has truly captured the loving emotional feel of THE MOST gorgeous wedding we have been to. I am looking forward to seeing the whole video. AWESOME job. (March 26, 2010 - 9:41 am)
Suzanne wrote:
Video captured the love between them...Great job!... Beautiful wedding. (March 26, 2010 - 7:59 am)
Your #1 Fan wrote:
Nice Geoff! Cute couple too. (March 25, 2010 - 10:57 am)
Sarah wrote:
I love Lifehouse! Great video Geoff! (March 24, 2010 - 11:37 am)
Jaqui Terulagar wrote:
Awww...love the dress! Avalon has such a nice atmosphere too. (March 23, 2010 - 2:55 pm)
Zoe wrote:
Wonderful! Is that Lifehouse!? I love them :) (March 23, 2010 - 2:19 pm)
Last week I had the opportunity and privilege to spend four days with StillMotion – considered to be one of the best wedding cinematographer companies in the world. The workshop was held in Sydney and the time was spent evaluating the work of the attendees as well as seeing how they do things through their eyes and understanding how they approach each wedding and each couple.
On Day 2 we were broken up into teams and were asked to film and produce a few different projects under a tight deadline. One of which was a 30 second commercial about an airline which had to be fun and lighthearted. It had to include the “founder” and owner of the airline and paper airplanes. Our team won the challenge! Have a look:
We didn’t touch any “video cameras” the entire time and instead used HD DSLR’s for our shoots. The Canon 5d Mark II and the Canon 7d are two cameras have been changing the industry over the past year and what they can do is amazing.
My team for Day 2 of the Evolution Experience. Great group of guys!
Martin & Nan’s wedding day had a bit of everything. Singers, ballerinas and a mixture of two cultures.
The ceremony was held at Sacred Heart Church in Clear Island Waters and the couple celebrated the night away at the Sheraton Mirage in Main Beach. Taking photos on the day was David Magahy of Advanced Gold Coast Photography – who I have known for awhile but never worked with. The weather didn’t always cooperate for us, but the day went smoothly and we were able to capture many wonderful moments throughout.
This video can be viewed in high definition by clicking on the HD button in the playable window. You may also leave a comment below. Enjoy!
Melynda & Michael were married at the Sheraton on the Gold Coast. The daylight was perfect for this shoot which made so many colours stand out.
The ceremony had a very special moment when Michael actually made vows to Melynda’s daughter, Bailey, which you will see a snippet of in the clip. It was quite a touching moment and something I have never witnessed before.
Alongside me was Derek Smith of Derek Smith Photography who I have worked with many times this year. The ceremony service was performed by civil celebrant Marilyn Gall who is also the bride’s Aunt. It always makes the day go so smoothly when you are surrounded by talented professionals and a great, easy going and fun couple.
This will be our final wedding highlights video for 2009 and we look forward to discovering new places and meeting many new people in 2010. Enjoy!
*This video can be seen in high definition if you choose. Just click the “HD” button in the playable window.
Melynda wrote:
Hi Geoff, Just wondering if its normal to watch it over and over and over again???? ; P (December 4, 2009 - 4:03 pm)
lisa.G. wrote:
Wow,I have to wipe the tears again,That was beautiful nothing was left out,very greatfull to share that specail day with you both xox (December 2, 2009 - 4:34 pm)
Shannyn wrote:
Hey there. That was incrediable. So amazing and sends goose bumps down my spine watching it. There is a real talent in doing this stuff. Well done Geoff and to the stunning couple Mel and Mick. All the best and thanks for letting us be apart of it. We love you lots..xxxx (December 2, 2009 - 1:58 pm)
Lacey wrote:
Absolutely amazing brought tears to my eyes again, was a beautiful day, you both looked great and this video captures just a glimpse of your happiness together as a couple and a family with that speech to Bailey. Just brilliant love you xo (December 2, 2009 - 12:33 pm)
kirsty wrote:
That was the best wedding video i have ever seen. It was so beautiful, it was amazing how you captured all and everything. It was something you could watch over and over again. It was such a beautiful day. You have done an amazing job. Well done and congrats to mel and mick aswell. (December 2, 2009 - 11:37 am)
Janelle wrote:
That was beautiful - Melynda looked amazing and I have never seen Mike look so happy. Everyone looked spectacular and I am certain that everyone enjoyed the day. Congratulations again to both of you. (December 2, 2009 - 11:17 am)
Maria wrote:
Brought tears to my eyes. It was a beautiful day and something I will always remember. Thanks for letting me share this day, the video is beautiful. (December 2, 2009 - 9:39 am)
Carla wrote:
Awesome job it was a beautiful day!!!! (December 2, 2009 - 9:30 am)
Melynda wrote:
Thankyou Geoff so Much! You truly are talented..... Just when I thought Our wedding day was over, I feel like I have just re-lived every moment, I didnt stop crying.... Cant wait to share this with everybody!!!!
Your The Best...... (December 2, 2009 - 9:17 am)
Tina Masterson wrote:
Geoff! Beautiful! Can't wait for my turn! (December 2, 2009 - 9:13 am)
Mick wrote:
Geoff,
Mate awesome job. Thanks so much for making our day so memorable. Was a pleasure to work with you..... (December 2, 2009 - 8:57 am)
Eva H wrote:
I love the baby!! You really capture some great moments Geoff! (December 2, 2009 - 8:18 am)
Jenna & Jamie were married on North Stradbroke Island at Point Lookout. These two were such a fun couple and it showed with a very coordinated and unique reception entrance that involved the entire bridal party. They also wowed the guests with some moves on the dancefloor with some ‘Dirty Dancing’ inspiration.
The entire reception dance entrance can be seen HERE.
(UPDATE. January 1st, 2010) – Jenna & Jaime’s first dance together can be see on Youtube as well by clicking HERE. Both can be seen in HD if you wish.
This video can be viewed in High Definition by clicking on the HD button in the playable window. Please leave a comment and enjoy!
jenna wrote:
GEOFF!!! its just perfect ... so glad you were there to capture these beautiful memories for us. Im just absolutely dying to see the whole thing ... i'm in total suspense. Thank you x (December 2, 2009 - 7:20 pm)
Andie wrote:
Such a special day, thanks to you Geoff we can relive it over and over. You are amazing !!! (December 2, 2009 - 8:34 am)
Caitlin wrote:
It's so great to be able to look back on the entire day!! What a fabulous job! (November 30, 2009 - 9:18 pm)
Lauren Nicholson wrote:
wow, thats so so good you did an amazing job . beautiful day (November 30, 2009 - 8:45 pm)
Merryn wrote:
Well done, you captured some beautiful moments! (November 30, 2009 - 5:25 pm)
Kelly & Andy were married at one of my favorite places to shoot – An Island Hideaway on South Stradbroke Island. Of course there’s always good scenery with such a secluded setting, but it was the first time I have ever seen a sunset on one side of the horizon and a lightning storm right next to it! It was amazing and you will see it in the video. I think their reactions when they walk out of the chapel as husband and wife really sums up how they felt.
I worked with photographer Vaughan Kidd of Vaughan Kidd Photography who does make a few cameos in this video. The thumbnail picture you see for the clip is actually one of his stills. Reverend Col Shenfield conducted the ceremony.
You can view this in high definition by clicking on the HD button in the playable window. Please feel free to make a comment and enjoy!
Fiona wrote:
That would have to be the best exit ever! What an adorable couple- what a treasure:) (March 23, 2010 - 12:30 pm)
Jimmy Nixon wrote:
Corinne and i just wanted to say congratulations!!! It looks like it was a wonderful day. We're really happy for you guys and i'm sure you're gonna love married life. (November 20, 2009 - 8:27 am)
Susan Johnson wrote:
OMG!!!!! Kelly you look sooooooooooooo mega mega beautiful. I was crying at how lovely and happy you and Andy are. Congrats. This is a fantasic video. Good work. AMAZING> (November 12, 2009 - 1:17 pm)
Kristie wrote:
Awwwwww!!!! I had goosebumps and nearly tears as they left the chapel and I don't even know the Bride and Groom, lol! Seriously, amazing job Geoff! (November 10, 2009 - 9:45 am)
Vincent Swift wrote:
Great work Geoff! (November 4, 2009 - 3:39 pm)
Melanie wrote:
WOW, absolutely breathtaking, what a video. You both look gorgeous and of course so happy together. (November 3, 2009 - 3:11 pm)
Cath wrote:
just magical, no other words to discribe, the wedding everyone wants. long and happy lives kelly and andy. (November 3, 2009 - 10:21 am)
Vaughan Kidd wrote:
Mate – that is stunning. Lovely work. (November 3, 2009 - 10:20 am)
Sarah Harrison wrote:
OMG! That was so beautiful! What a reaction of them coming out from the chapel! I cried!!! (November 3, 2009 - 10:19 am)
Kelly Belcher wrote:
WWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!! Oh my goodness gracious me!!!
Geoff – you did the most AMAZING job!! We can’t thank you enough – it’s truly fantastic!!
Thank you so much for the time you spent on our video and making it just perfect – it really is more than perfect!!
If you ever need any references at all both Andy and I would be more than happy to refer you to anyone at all!!
Thanks again for everything!
Take care
Mr & Mrs Belcher!! :)
xx (November 1, 2009 - 12:04 pm)
Michelle wrote:
Geoff… what an amazing job once again, & what a great couple to film!!! See you on the Island again soon….. (November 1, 2009 - 10:21 am)
Meriska wrote:
Amazing! I can really see a change in the way you film Geoff since we first met you. Can’t wait til my turn! :) (October 30, 2009 - 10:19 am)
Lauren and Nathan were friends of another couple I filmed for in February this year – Kristy & James Mason. Barbara traveled down to Kingscliff to shoot this one for us at Peppers Resort. The Contemplation Pond in the gardens provided a great backdrop for the ceremony.
Natasha Smith of NSP Studio Photography took the photos on the day which saw the bridal party hop a party bus to take them to their location shoots. There were many laughs along the way – one of which you will see at the very end of this clip.
You can view the video in high definition if you choose by clicking on the HD button in the playable window.
Chayne (Best man) wrote:
Great video. Can't wait for the full version. Such an awesome day. Enjoyed every minute of it especially the kiss with Jono. Haven't kissed many blokes before but that was definately the best kiss from a man I have ever had. Can't stop thinking about it. Jono, I know you will read this.. Call me. xx (November 7, 2009 - 8:12 am)
nath the groom wrote:
What an awesome day!Great bridal party around the 2 min mark clearly shows the drunken bridesmaids YES thats you Carly and Adrianne.The passionate kiss between Chayne and Jono is just absolutly beautiful. (November 4, 2009 - 1:23 pm)
Sue Foster wrote:
What an amazing day for two very special people.
I t was everything you would want a wedding to be.
FAMILY FOREVERxxxxxx (November 4, 2009 - 9:49 am)
You have an amazing gift and are doing something very important- best of luck with everything you do in the future and once again- thank you!!” 
