Mikhayla + Declan

A sunny family filled afternoon at Sunnybrae Estate was the perfect way to start November with Mikhayla and Declan. Full of tears, cheers for their daughter and a little Holden vs Ford debate. Ultimately what started as some nerves ended in a big beaming smile and a next day text proclaiming “We love you! Thank you again x1000000. It was absolutely perfect!!”

Photographer: Paused Love Photography

My recollections:

I first met Mikhayla and Declan at the Sunnybrae open day and at the time Mikhayla was pregnant with their second little one. Fast forward to their wedding day and the theme was very much about celebrating Mikhayla and Declan, their evolution as a couple and partying with their family.

Mikhayla and Declan both arrived separately and early to Sunnybrae to chill out in separate spaces, jump in the air conditioning and get excited for their wedding to begin. I love when couples get ready on site or arrive early to their venue, it relaxes couples so much more than worrying about the clock on the way to a venue. Mikhayla was naturally a little edgy, some Tik Toks helping calm the nerves a little, but just excited to get the ceremony under way.

The ceremony began with their eldest daughter sharing more than her fair share of rose petals down the aisle as she made her way towards Dad. You could see the nerves peeling away on Declan, to be replaced with emotions.

As the sun glistened through the gum leaves, “A thousand years by Jonah Baker” danced amongst the landing ceremony space as Mikhayla entered with Dad Michael, the silence amongst their guests was stunning, the eager excitement and pride beaming from Declan as he awaited Mikhayla was beautiful to witness.

I left Mikhayla and Declan to embrace, a big handshake and final kiss with Dad and he returned to his seat, tears rolling down his face. I grabbed Mikhayla’s bouquet and popped down towards Michael to hand them over, I paused to chat with him and acknowledge what a special event had just occurred and what a moment this was. Emotion will pop up in different ways for different people and it’s almost my favourite thing at weddings, those unexpected candid moments that you will remember forever.

Music still playing in the background, I’ll always pop up and chat with my couple, ensure they are settled, not packing themselves too much and ensure final positioning is centered. I then walked off to the side, fade the music and welcomed all guests to the wedding of Mikhayla and Declan, before a rapturous applause broke out. Guests were then seated, and I moved off to the side of the ceremony space to begin their story.

Like most modern romances, it started with social media and a little snap chatting. They set up a first date to the ever classic and romantic movie “IT”, a movie about a terrifying clown. Declan offered to pick Mikhayla up from the family home and Michael had a few pieces of advice for Mikhayla about a potential suitor.

“The first of three pieces of advice:

They will park on the road then they arrive:

Second:

They will knock on the door then proceed to introduce themselves.

Tick and tick so far, and now the third and final.

They will drive a well-presented Holden.”

 As Mikhayla and Declan’s guests were well aware, Declan quite possibly drove the opposite of the tongue in cheek suggestion, instead Declan turned up in a rattly old Ford that Mikhayla offered a little bit of feedback about.

We found out that Mikhayla found out about an engagement ring but was sure it wouldn’t be too long until Declan proposed. Declan may have got a sniff of this and 8 months later on their doorstep as they were about to turn the key on their new family home. Sweet right.

Mikhayla and Declan chose not to share personal vows and then their daughter once again stole the show as she toddled up with the rings and stayed to play with the flowers before watching on as Mum and Dad exchanged rings, I ducked out of the ceremony space and across the garden beds before announcing them as married and a smooch proceeded between the newlyweds.

Up next was getting their guests ready, dried petals handed out and back down the aisle.

We signed their certificates post ceremony in the stunning gazebo and joked about how the ceremony wasn’t all that scary. I’m led completely by my couples, the questionnaires you complete separately, our ceremony planning meeting, emails, conversations, text messages, vows (if applicable) and the vibe I get from you. Each ceremony is completely written with you in mind. Some like a funnier script, some love banter, some are more romantic, some will have a strong theme. Declan and Mikhayla had a good sense of humour but were really nervous about being in front of people. I specifically wrote a lighter, funnier and shorter ceremony because that’s what fit them. Their feedback was testament to this and I was so pumped they had a fantastic wedding.

I left them to enjoy their champagne and dance floor and returned to my other full-time job*, being a Dad where I popped in for the last 30 minutes of my kid’s school disco where I helped with a balloon drop, clean-up of the previously mentioned balloons, that were popped by 6-year-olds and went out for a pizza to celebrate a great time had by all.