Albert Hall Wedding
Rachel & Alister are both savvy and intelligent people who wanted to share the party and celebration of a great Australian wedding but not take part in the waste and over expense that usually comes with it. They sewed their table cloths and bought all the cutlery, crockery and glassware from local charity shops only to re-donate them after their wedding. They made their arbour, organised their flowers, and Alister even brewed his beer for the event. Rachel & Alister’s wedding cake wad different varieties of stacked cheese wheels; some guests brought their dessert creations as gifts.
It was a rainy overcast Canberran day, and Rachel & Alister decided to relocate the ceremony from The Macarthur Rose Garden to inside Albert Hall wedding venue. A few weeks earlier, a golf ball-sized hail storm almost destroyed the Macarthur Rose Garden. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only misfortune for the day…
First Look
Rachel and Alister were getting ready in separate Barton rooms of Hyatt Hotel Canberra; this made it very easy for me to go between them to capture them with their special guests.
They planned a first look in the breezeway around The Rose Courtyard. Even though we made a plan, there was some confusion about how Rachel decided to walk and surprise Alister. The moment was extraordinary and as imperfectly perfect as it should be for a couple that is madly in love with each other. After I captured the first look, it was a short walk over to Albert Hall for their ceremony, and Rachel & Alister walked down the aisle together.
Rainy & Romantic
After the ceremony, we shot some portrait photos around the Parliamentary Triangle and then back to Albert Hall wedding venue for Alister’s Planned entrance on his motorcycle with Rachel riding on the back…. However, Alister’s motorcycle broke down halfway around the back of Albert Hall, and he couldn’t get it started again. Later determined to be a flat battery. All of the guests were waiting outside under the Porte-cochère, and there were many puzzled faces. Then all of a sudden, Rachel & Alister appeared hand in hand raised, and the crowd roared with excitement.
Woodbrook was the catering company Rachel & Alister chose for dinner, and the choices were lamb or chicken. The food for the guests looked fantastic, and by the time they got around to bringing me a plate, the food quality was nothing but scraps. I was starving from all the hard work, so I forced myself the eat the gristle.
Lighting, not a sparky could not fix
Sophie Edwards Music filled the Albert Hall wedding with a beautiful atmosphere as guests mingled with a smoked salmon appetiser, followed by speeches and the main course. As the sun started to set, the Hall grew darker, and Woodbrook caterers, followed by the guests, began to look for the light switch to illuminate the Hall. A slight panic set in as no one could get the lights to work. Alister and Rachel knew I was an electrician, and they asked me to help. I discovered that the main hall lighting switchboard was removed from my investigation. Albert Hall facilitators before the event had failed to communicate that the lighting system was under construction.
You can’t tell that the lights didn’t work because I use flashguns with my photography. It was disappointing for Rachel & Alister; however, it didn’t affect the mood or happiness as everyone had a great time dancing together at this great Albert hall wedding! So if you are planning an Albert Hall wedding and you’ve read this far, your most significant takeaway should be to check with the venue that everything is working correctly before your event.
Vendors
Prep… Hyatt Hotel Canberra
Venue… Albert Hall Wedding Bookings
Band…Sophie Edwards
Are you planning your Albert Hall wedding? Check if I am available for your date.
