Serjana and Jean-Paul – Caversham House Wedding

23/06/2019

Golden hues complement blended wedding for Serjana and Jean-Paul

If ever there was a marriage to attend with a difference, it would have to be that of Serjana and Jean-Paul. Their day on April 27, 2019 was a sweet hybrid between Bangladeshi and Seychellois cultures and traditions, where two worlds collided in unison to see the start of a new family.

Not one to be shy in front of the camera, Serjana was picture perfect for the lens as she got ready in her room at Crown Perth – her collectively golden dress, which featured an abundance of intricate details, gave me ample room to play with angles and capture delicate materials with fine embroidery and embellishments.

Serjana was so at ease getting ready, it made my job easier to really get in and be creative before moving on to standard family and bridal party portrait shots. The golden hues of her wedding dress with the whites, soft pinks and reds that surrounded her flawlessly complemented everything and everyone close to her.

To add to the list of differences in this particular wedding, Serjana’s fiancé Jean-Paul planned to meet his bride at Crown Perth for a first reveal, a relatively new and modern trend in weddings. So rather than meet the groom, his groomsmen and immediate family for preparations, I met them downstairs of the hotel as they awaited Serjana’s arrival.

Jean-Paul truly lavished it out with his navy suit and deep red tie, certainly a matching look to Serjana. He waited nervously on site, but we took this time to take advantage of the hotel’s backdrop and take modern photos. He started to unwind as the lens clicked away, feeling what I thought to be more relaxed in anticipation of seeing his future wife within minutes.

One of the most memorable events of the day is when a bride and groom see each other for the first time. For a brief moment, the nerves and anticipation disappear as they enjoy an emotional connection that forever binds them. Serjana and Jean-Paul were no exception, their modern tradition of a first look cultivated with cultural tradition tied seamlessly well together.

Their first look allowed the bride and groom to slow everything down and bask in their affection for one another before the rest of the frenzied wedding day. When Jean-Paul turned to see Serjana up close and personal, it became a quiet moment just for them; they could get out the nerves and comfort one another that everything will be just perfect.

First looks are a wonderful opportunity for couples to get more time together; the day will be filled with spending time with other loved ones, so getting this photo session done allows for the happy couple to do something completely unheard of – actually enjoy their time with guests after the ceremony!

Caversham House in Caversham, WA was the setting for Serjana and Jean-Paul’s ceremony and reception. Located on the foreshore of the Swan River, their gardens provided a renaissance feel to their nuptials thanks to breathtaking terraced gardens, hand carved statues and a sandstone balustrade.

The red carpet was the ideal touch as the couple said their vows in front of much loved guests, and despite the idea of a traditional wedding dress as well as an Islamic ceremony, they mixed a civil Australian ceremony into it as well so that their marriage could officially be recognised in Australia.

It was a day full of culture and modern living, the blend working astronomically well together.

And whilst there were tears of joy coming from guests, there were smiles of happiness as everyone witnessed the love Serjana and Jean-Paul felt for one another.

As everyone mingled and prepared to leave for the reception, the newlyweds decided to get away from the crowd and spend some extra quiet time together with a quick trip to Lilac Hill Park in Guildford for sunset photos.

One of the best times of the day for a photographer is during this golden hour, and with the glorious sun setting in the background, perfection next to Serjana’s wedding gown, the happy couple made their way through Western Australia’s natural landscape to take bridal shots and create more happy memories.

Of course, with Jean-Paul being a yogi, there was bound to be a moment while he took a load off and practised some poses for the lens, and later as the three of us continued to move along nature’s paths, the photos just came easily for the happy couple and I could have continued snapping away for hours on end.

But at long last, we needed to make our way to the reception back at Caversham House where Serjana and Jean-Paul’s beloved guests were waiting. And whilst the four-tiered wedding cake had its first cut, which was followed by speeches filled with heartfelt words and moments of laughter, the party was indeed a celebration of two worlds colliding in perfect harmony.