Scented Garden and Acqua Viva Wedding | Kristyn and Chris

Who would have guessed, the beginnings of this love story was back in 2005, 3000km away in Bali. Back when Chris was on a holiday to Bali with his mates. Kristyn was in Bali her girlfriends ready for some relaxation. Their story could be straight off the script for a romantic comedy! Kristyn alleges that Chris and his friends first noticed her when she did a bombee in the hotel pool, the boys claim she’s so tiny she wouldn’t even make a splash for them to notice, and in fact they’d all noticed her and her friends from the minute they’d arrived to check-in to the hotel.

Whatever the truth, Chris had his eyes on Kristyn for a while as the two groups of friends relaxed around the hotel pool. But it wasn’t until Chris had consumed a few Bintangs he had the courage to go and talk to Kristyn. Once they got chatting they found out that they had a lot in common, plus they were both the eldest of four siblings, and both from neighbouring suburbs in Perth, what are the chances?! Over the period of two years their friendship grew until they knew they wanted to be together forever…

And thus we arrived at the boys, ready to photograph their wedding preparations. Chris and his groomsmen Vinny, Daniel, James & Andy were fully dressed minus their jackets, they even had their shoes on which is very impressive. Having been in several bridal parties before, the groomsmen were keen to get Chris to have some photos in sexy 80’s poses they’d come across before. Needless to say it was laughs around. We even had time to wander down to a small park down the road. Even though the guys all thought the park was ugly with its weird yellow dead grass and lone olive tree the pics of the boys came out pretty speccy. We next visited Kris and her bridesmaids Natasha, Erin, Hollie and Jaime, where things were pretty organised as well, just a little hectic!

The ceremony was held at the Scented Garden in Sir James Michelle Park, South Perth, a stunning outdoor ceremony location with so much variety for photos within walking distance. Surrounding the hidden garden itself, there are white sands on the river foreshore, city views, a patch of long grass, a lookout platform, a wooden boardwalk through native bush, a huge field and pretty trees. I would say the venue was perfect minus the group of possibly drunk, possibly paint sniffing people who were quite interested in being guests at the wedding. What’s a wedding without a little bit of drama and a police appearance?

After the romantic ceremony, there was some drizzle which was a great excuse for the bridal party to get out the esky and relax in one of the picnic shelters. The bridal party photos were all taken in South Perth, in the park surrounding the Scented Garden, mostly as quick dashes in between the rain. Very fitting for their “coastal chic” theme.

The reception was held at Acqua Viva in Nedlands. The venue is right on the water, looking out the window it felt like we were on a boat. The place looked amazing, with the flowers and stunning arrangements organised by
Katie from Katie Cooper Floral Design. Chris’s sister Christine had made the cake, lolly table and the many of the stunning details and his since started a little business – Le Cupcake House.The speeches were both hilarious and very touching and emotional. The dancing started early into the night, way before the official “first dance” and I hear the partying didnt stop until 4 o’clock the next morning at a club in Leederville!

Its not everyday you get to shoot a wedding for a couple who both have the same name… Chris and Kris. Which makes it even weirder that my awesome second shooter for the day was also a Chris #3. So the entire day was like a giant tongue twister for me: “Chris give Kris a kiss”. A big thank you to all the (K)Chris’s for such a great day!! :)

Kristyn and Chris kiss on a jetty at dusk in South Perth, veil drifting under a deep blue twilight sky.
Groom Chris fastens a cufflink and adjusts his black bow tie in soft window light during preparations.
Chris and his groomsmen laugh together in black vests and bow ties against a terracotta wall.
Groomsmen in sunglasses smile beneath a dramatic clouded sky, Chris grinning at the centre.
The groom's party goof and wrestle playfully under brooding clouds in two candid frames.
Loose makeup palettes, brushes and powder compacts spread across a red table during bridal preparations.
Kristyn's bouquet of cream roses and blue thistles beside rings threaded through spiky blue blooms.
The couple's stationery card resting on twine bundles beside Kristyn's sparkling royal blue stiletto.
Blue crystal-encrusted heels and peep-toe wedges lined up on an ornately painted timber chest.
A pearl-topped perfume flacon glints beside a jewelled bracelet in soft morning light.
Bridesmaids in floral robes have makeup applied near glass doors as morning light fills the room.
A makeup artist touches up blonde bride Kristyn's lipstick in soft sidelight before the ceremony.
Kristyn and her bridesmaids beam in matching floral robes, hands on hips against a pale wall. Kristyn's lace-detailed gown hangs from a stairwell railing beside a wire 'Mrs Le' hanger.
Bridesmaids in royal blue kneel to arrange Kristyn's train and fasten the back of her gown.
A bridesmaid in cobalt blue laughs behind Kristyn as her curls are finished beside framed art.
Kristyn spritzes perfume in her lace gown while a bridesmaid clips on her pearl bracelet.
Kristyn descends a carpeted staircase in her backless gown, then gazes down at her white lily bouquet.
Kristyn and four bridesmaids in cobalt dresses laugh together holding white and blue bouquets.
Bride Kristyn holds her lily bouquet in profile, then smiles beneath a sheer veil in close-up. Sunlight breaks through towering gums over wedding guests gathered on the Scented Garden lawn.
Guests mingle beneath a broad leafy tree strung with white hearts in the South Perth garden.
A woven rattan heart hangs between blue letters K and C on strings from a garden tree.
A white limousine waits under blue skies, then Chris and Kristyn toast beside beaming bridesmaids.
Kristyn throws her head back laughing, veil aloft, reflected in the limousine window with bridesmaids.
Two bridesmaids in royal blue walk the petal-strewn aisle past seated guests under leafy trees.
Chris and his groomsmen in black tuxedos share a last laugh before the ceremony beneath the trees.
Kristyn walks arm in arm with her father along the brick garden path, then down the tree-lined aisle.
Kristyn and her father walk down the aisle as guests line the leafy South Perth garden ceremony.
Kristyn's father lifts her veil as she joins Chris beneath the trees at the garden ceremony.
Chris holds Kristyn's hands and gazes at her while groomsmen line up under soft garden light.
Wedding guests on white chairs fan themselves and smile as petals scatter across the brick aisle.
Kristyn and Chris hold hands before the celebrant, flanked by blue-dressed bridesmaids and tuxedoed groomsmen.
Kristyn beams at Chris mid-ceremony as bridesmaids in cobalt smile behind them among the trees.
Close-up diptych of Kristyn and Chris exchanging quiet vows, greenery blurred behind them.
Close-up of Kristyn sliding the wedding ring onto Chris's finger, her jewelled bracelet catching light.
Kristyn and Chris smile at the signing table beneath a maroon pergola, bouquet of white roses beside them.
Bridesmaids clasp bouquets of white roses, blue hyacinths and thistles tied with royal blue ribbon.
Kristyn and Chris share their first kiss and a laughing embrace under golden garden foliage.
The newlyweds walk back down the aisle hand in hand through petals and confetti as guests applaud.
Four bridesmaids in one-shoulder cobalt gowns laugh while holding blue and white bouquets in the garden.
Kristyn wipes away a tear as Chris smiles at her beneath the pergola, guests soft in the foreground.
Chris greets smiling wedding guests in suits and a red lace dress outside the garden ceremony.
Kristyn and Chris kiss beneath towering clouds, beside a chalkboard reading happily ever after.
The couple embrace beneath a tree hung with lace hearts, glass lanterns and dangling white blooms. Kristyn and Chris pose on a limestone wall, then kiss under the branches with their full bridal party.
Chris kisses Kristyn's cheek beneath hanging wicker hearts and blue letters K and C in the garden.
Kristyn and Chris stand on the river foreshore, Perth skyline rising behind dramatic storm clouds.
The full wedding party lines the sandy riverbank under heavy skies, Perth towers behind them.
Kristyn and Chris gaze at each other among towering gums, veil lifting in the dappled light.
Kristyn and Chris lean in for a kiss on the South Perth foreshore, the city skyline hazy across the water
A wide view of Kristyn and Chris walking hand in hand down a timber boardwalk beneath sprawling gum trees
Chris kisses Kristyn's cheek as her long veil lifts in the breeze on a wooden deck among the trees
Sheltered under one umbrella, the couple stroll the boardwalk while Kristyn carries her sparkly blue heels
Chris holds an umbrella high against the misty sky as he and Kristyn pose before the Perth skyline
Bridal party in cobalt dresses and dark suits line the waterfront rail beneath the stormy city skyline
Kristyn and Chris kiss beside their white stretch limousine as storm clouds gather over the Perth skyline
Two-panel night portrait: the newlyweds embrace on the beach at dusk, then toast with champagne on the jetty
Silhouetted against a violet twilight sky, the newlyweds stand close together on the jetty above moored boats Kristyn's veil streams in the night breeze as the couple smile before the illuminated Acqua Viva pavilion
The couple stand silhouetted at dusk on the jetty, warm pavilion lights glowing behind moored yachts

Blue-lit decking leads to the glowing Acqua Viva pavilion where the newlyweds stand beside the dark water
Styled shelves of white and blue blooms, candles and K and C letters sit beside a goblet candle centerpiece A cream rose in a twine-wrapped bottle stands among blue glassware and softly glowing votive candles
Blue hydrangeas in a vintage labelled bottle flank a shelf of framed family photos and candlelight Blue bottles of roses and hydrangeas crowd the table before windows framing yachts in the marina
Blue and white iced cookies share a two-panel frame with a candle lantern hung from a fig branch
Smiling bridesmaids in cobalt gowns walk arm in arm with groomsmen in bow ties into the warmly lit venue
Two more bridal party pairs enter laughing, blue bouquets swinging past the softly glowing wall sconces
Kristyn and Chris make their entrance hand in hand, then laugh together with champagne in hand
A suited guest speaks at the lectern while wedding guests crowd the candlelit tables listening closely
Guests watch intently before Kristyn laughs while dabbing frosting from Chris's nose in the second panel
Chris grins into the microphone mid-speech, white rose boutonniere bright against his black tuxedo
Guests raise their champagne flutes in a cheer around Chris amid the lively reception crowd
A groomsman in a checked shirt and bow tie sweeps a laughing guest in pink off her feet against the wall
Kristyn and seven friends strike a hand-on-hip pose, her white gown popping among their colourful dresses
Foreheads nearly touching, Kristyn and Chris share their first dance as guests watch, blurred behind them
Kristyn and Chris peek playfully through parted strands of a white string curtain, backlit and grinning
Photo booth friends mug for the camera, a man in white lifting a guest in a floral dress between two women
Two-panel booth strip: guests in red and black share stools, then flapper-dress antics with a peace sign
Kristyn hurls her bouquet over her shoulder toward the waiting bridesmaids packed beneath the pavilion ceiling
Guests leap and stretch toward the tumbling blue-and-white bouquet as laughter fills the reception room
Dancing cheek to cheek behind falling strands of white curtain, the couple sway bathed in backlight
Chris twirls a delighted guest in coral under flare from the dance floor lights behind them
A packed dance floor swirls around a smiling Chris in black vest amid guests in coral and floral dresses
Chris sings along pointing at the camera, drink raised, as dancing guests crowd the purple-lit floor

Behind a just married bunting with a blue heart, Kristyn and Chris embrace against the damask backdrop

Supporting Cast
Ceremony venue: Scented Garden South Perth
Reception venue: Acqua Viva
Brides dress: Anastasias Bridal, Mt Hawthorn
Hair Stylist: Nicole Palotta
Makeup Artist: Brittany Sribley
Flowers & Styling: Katie Cooper Floral Design
Wedding cake: Christine Le from the Le Cupcake House
Celebrant: Shannon Fleming
DJ: Friend Clint Farmer
Cars: Richmond Palace Limousines
Veil: The brides mothers
Shoes: Steve Madden
Decor: Villa Kula
Jewellery: Infini Jewellery, Garden City
Bridesmaid dresses: Custom made

This wedding, in context

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