Luke is just one of those perennially 'up' kinda guys - always brimming with energy and enthusiasm whenever our paths cross. But the best part about working beside him is how inspiring and talented he is as a wedding photographer and businessman. From the outside at least, he seems to do a stellar job of balancing his family life with his ever-growing business interests, which include yearly trips to the Maldives for work (yeah, right..!)

I caught up with Luke in his Colonel Light Gardens studio for a chat about his process and why couples really need a wedding photographer who is always 3 steps ahead.

I feel very fortunate to frequently work beside some of the most exceptional wedding photographers in South Australia. I can't help but admire their dedication to the craft and how talented they are. But the bonus for me, on top of their fun and friendly personalities, is their wealth of knowledge. They have shot hundreds of weddings in their time and know all the tips and tricks. So here are their little pearls of wisdom, their best ever advice, on how to look AMAZING in your wedding photos.

I can certainly understand how, if you don't use a mic in your line of work or on a regular basis, it can be a bit intimidating to have to use one on one of the biggest days of your life. 

In Giving good mic - Part 1  we learned that getting the attention of your guests (and keeping it) is as much about being heard as it is about a heartfelt and relevant ceremony. And now we can all (albeit begrudgingly) agree that mics are not evil and are in fact very helpful. 

So in the interests of keeping your stress levels low and your confidence high, here are my answers to the top 3 questions about mics that I am asked by my brides and grooms.

A good wedding photographer friend of mine once commented on how a handheld microphone (henceforth referred to as a 'mic') looks a little phallic in his ceremony photos. Some brides and grooms shriek with dismay when I let them know that, for their 100 guests to actually hear them, they will need to speak into a mic during their ceremony; "oh, I HATE the sound of my voice!"

Everyone wants to know why I (and every other registered marriage celebrant in Australia who is required by the Code of Practice to "make efforts to ensure that the marriage ceremony is audible to all those present, using audio equipment, if required")  believe that using a good quality mic properly is so important. Apart from having a mildly sadistic streak (haha!), there are several other excellent reasons why making the effort to use a mic will make your ceremony so much more enjoyable for everyone involved.

I think it's a common misconception that only the bride or groom get nervous at their wedding ceremony. But in my experience, most of the guests and in particular their immediate family, also have a ticket to ride on the roller coaster of wedding emotions. So I always love it when the bride and groom are as easy going and relaxed as possible because, as much as it allows them to experience a more calm version of their special day, it also sends a subconscious signal to their guests that they can just chill out and enjoy it too. 

The other great signal for wedding guests is the provision of a specialty drinks table. Nothing says 'time to celebrate' like a Pimm's drink station. 

Bronte and Tim's wedding was celebrated at the spectacular Longview Vineyard on a mild April afternoon. Their photos are courtesy of Angie from Mink Studio. 

Grab a Pimm's, sit back and enjoy!

Here's something to consider when you're hiring your wedding photographer; you may spend anywhere up to 10 hours of your big day with them and around 8 hours with your new husband or wife. Yep - crazy to think about, yes?

For me, Dan Evans of Dan Evans Photography is just a pleasure to be around - just like an old (or quite young!) friend. There is no pretence with him and he's also very passionate about what he does. We sat down for a coffee at The Edge Deli Brighton, just down the road from his studio, to chat about how to make the taking of your wedding photos fun and relaxed which in turn, translates into an awesome end result.

We've all seen the photos; black rivers of mascara streaming down the bride's cheeks and grooms gulping for air like a fish out of water. It's not an elegant look. It is also one of the most common concerns that my wedding couples have about their ceremony; "how do I stop myself from crying uncontrollably?"

The good news is that there are steps that you can take to minimise the 'damage' and prevent those embarrassing snotty snorts into the microphone as you're trying to say your vows.

Nothing can match the celebratory nature and heightened sense of anticipation that live music can impart on a wedding ceremony. In my past life, I was a performance music degree graduate and although I try to stay out of the way of the musos while I’m doing weddings, I can’t help but notice when an artist gets it right; there is a big difference between ‘just playing a song’ and performing an original interpretation with energy and integrity.

Brian Ruiz is one of the most soulful musicians and fun guys that I have had the pleasure of working with at my Adelaide weddings. It was great to sit down with him at Patch Kitchen & Garden, Stirling and have a chat about what he does and why he believes (contrary to musician snob rhetoric) that performing at a wedding is the best gig in town.

Jess and Ruby run the weddings at Longview Vineyard like a well-oiled machine. They are responsive yet measured and always very organised. But this is not to say they take a 'one size fits all' approach. To the contrary; the celebrations that I have been a part of at Longview are among the most unique and creative I've seen.So I was happy to have the chance to sit down with the girls over a hot chocolate at Chocolateria San Churro to chat about how they translate their couple's ideas into reality and how your wedding planning needn't be a stressful or overwhelming experience.

Elyce and Patrick are one of those warm and immediately friendly couples that, after meeting them for the first time, make you feel like you have known them for years. When I chatted with them in 2013 about their vision for their Golding Wines wedding, they described it as vintage/rustic with a relaxed atmosphere and the end result did not disappoint. It was, in fact, a DIY extravaganza which I would try to deter other couples from even attempting (DIY vs Delegation; a cautionary tale). But true to their tenancious yet caring natures, Patrick and Elyce pulled it off with aplomb.

Shots courtesy of Emma Sharkey Photography. Enjoy!