3999 days of love - Brisbane Wedding Photographer

Sometimes, everything in life just lines up perfectly. Nick and Renaye didn’t rush into marriage, instead they grew together and laughed and enjoyed the journey. And then after 11 years together, they recently said “I do” and it was a wedding that was filled with so many sweet moments, excitement, joy and love. It even rained and they still weren’t fazed by anything, embracing the umbrellas and having fun even with the grey skies.

One of the standout moments was a wedding gift that Renaye made for Nick which was a book of their memories from their relationship and the first page said “I have loved you for 3999 days”.

We love to know what our brides and grooms are thinking, feeling and experiencing on their wedding day and in the days and weeks beforehand. We chatted to both Nick and Renaye and asked them all about their magical day.

Describe your day in one sentence.

Renaye: Our absolutely perfect day filled with lots of love, emotion and joy.

Nick: The best day of our lives.

What was your favourite moment from the day?

R: It’s hard to pick just one moment from the day as there were so many special moments. I loved

walking into the church to meet my future husband. The love in the room was amazing as we were greeted by family and friends for the first time as husband and wife.

N: looking over my shoulder and seeing my beautiful wife to be for the first time.

The first thing you thought when you woke up was?

R: When I woke up, I was elated – today was the day I got to marry my best friend. I was super excited.

N: OMG I get married in a few hours!

The most surprising part was?

R: How quickly the day went. Everyone always says to you to take it all in. I did make conscious efforts throughout the day to stop and appreciate all the love that surrounded me.

N: Renaye really put some thought into the gifts she bought me. She put together a photo book of our last eleven years together and bought me cufflinks with photos of me and my mum. It was a really touching way to start off the day.

Would you change anything about the day?

R: Absolutely nothing. Everything came together beautifully and was our idea of a perfect day. Maybe I’d just ask for it to go for longer!

N: I wouldn’t change anything, it was perfect

Advice to other brides-to-be and grooms-to-be?

R: Don’t let the small things stress you along the way. It may all seem a little overwhelming, but everything will come together in the end. Break things down into smaller tasks and everything is achievable. We had a few mishaps along the way that were totally out of our control, but I just kept a positive attitude and didn’t let anything ruin my vision.

N: Try and take it all in, as it is over so quick.

Was it everything you imagined it would be?

R: Everything, and more. I wish I could have bottled all the love and happiness in the room.

N: Yes, it was great.

What were you feeling when you walked down the aisle?

R: I was quite emotional walking down the aisle. I think at that point it all hit me that this was really all happening. Plus it didn’t help having my Dad start crying.

N: I was quite nervous but excited at the same time.

Tell us about the dress?

I knew from the time we were engaged that I wanted to have a custom dress made. There just wasn’t anything available off the rack that I wanted and I didn’t even bother going for fittings at any bridal stores. I had a clear vision of what I wanted and set out to find the designer to turn this into a reality. I came across George Elsissa on Instagram and instantly fell in love with this couture gowns. It took one trip to Sydney with my Mum and my sister and I knew I wanted George to make the dress. We discussed what I was after and his sketch was exactly it.

It was a fun process having my dress made as I was able to see it come to fruition from beginning to end. We got to go shopping for the lace, plus we worked closely with George and his team along the way, making changes to the original idea. George is so talented at what he does.

George describes the dress as a ‘beautifully-fitted fishtail gown evoking a classic design, featuring French beaded lace with long sleeves’. I was so in love with my dress.

What do you think about the photographs that Andrew took? Did they capture the day?

R: Absolutely. They are perfect memories that will last us a life time. So much happens throughout the day that you don’t realise. The photos allowed us to sit back together after the wedding and share in the day again together. I also loved how we were able to incorporate Nick’s mother, who is no longer with us, into some of the family photos when Nick was getting ready.

N: The photos were great, there was a good combination of of portraits, natural and I really liked the ones with an artistic twist.

Do you have a favourite and why?

R: I’m not sure I can pick just one favourite, however the one’s taken on location at The University of Queensland are pretty amazing. They are very art deco, with Andrew using poor light and rain to add to the atmosphere and theme of classic romantic.

N: I liked quite a few of the after ceremony photos at UQ

Were you worried about the weather at all?

R: I was a little disappointed when we saw the weather forecast in the lead up to the wedding, but kept positive about it. On the day, there was only light rain which cleared early morning and allowed us to enter and exit the church. This was all I asked for. Rain during the photos didn’t worry me. We had spoken about it previously with Andrew and I had decided I wouldn’t be precious with my dress. We had also chosen a venue that had wet weather options, so it wasn’t like we had to completely change our direction. Plus, I had always been a fan of wedding photos with umbrellas, so I suppose it all worked out in the end. Andrew did a wonderful job to make the umbrellas a subtle inclusion to infuse mood.

N: I wasn’t too concerned, it was only light rain. Also, I had previously seen some other of Andrew’s photos in rain, and they were really great. The umbrellas added to the effect.

Everyone said you two were just the happiest couple – tell us about your love story. How did you meet? When did you know you were soulmates?

R: Nick and I had been together ten years before he proposed. We had been introduced through his cousin, who I went to school with. I knew he was the one from the beginning. The proposal totally took me by surprise and I had no idea it was coming.

N: I knew we were soulmates when she told me she likes fishing.

How do you complement each other? Are you similar or very different?

R: Nick and I are different, but these differences complement each other. I like to be super organised, and he’s more laid back. But when it comes to hobbies and interests, we are very similar.

N: I think we’re very similar. We’re both perfectionists.

Best advice about love you’ve ever received and from whom?

R: We’re received a lot of advice along the way, but I think it’s important to do what works for you. We’ve been together 11 years now so you learn what works for you. Time has only made our relationship stronger.

N: Happy wife, happy life!

The talented team who helped make Nick and Renaye’s vision a reality…

Cake – Deliberately Delicious

Reception – The Greek Club

Hair – Indigo Cut and Colour

Make up – Sanaz Fakhra

Bridal dress – George Elsissa

Cars – Kenz Classic

Flowers – Perfect Petals

Theming – Celebrating in Style, AvIdeas, Elegant Settings

Stationery – Invitation Station/ Cara Maree Designs