Jessica and Shannon

Venue: Mount Keira Scout Camp
Celebrant: Hand in Hand Ceremonies
Post-Wedding Celebration: Figtree Hotel

This is the most epic rainy wedding I have ever captured.

The rainforest truly lived up to it’s name on 22/2/22 – the day that my amazing friends Jess and Shannon were hitched. The road to Mount Keira Scout camp was actually closed due to flood damage only a couple weeks after this – it was a particularly soggy month. But this did not at all hinder or dampen the day – in fact, it allowed us to get creative and capture some truly extraodinary moments.

The couple incorporated viking elements and celtic elements into their day with their hairstyles, jewellery, and a few extra details (including REAL swords!).

Jess and Shannon were hitched surrounded by their closest friends and family, with some truly heartfelt personal touches to the ceremony. Just before that was underway, we captured a tear-jerking first look with Jess and her 3 boys. This moment was truly a testament to how beautiful a mum this woman is and I was truly honoured to capture it.

Jess was escorted down the aisle by her eldest son, following closely her two younger boys, her sister, and her soon-to-be husband’s daughters. You can see the love in this tight-knit family the minute Jess rounded the corner, as there was barely a dry eye in the house. Some would try to tell you that they weren’t crying – it was the rain! But I will admit to being teary as well.

The ceremony included a handfasting, each ribbon being draped by each child, bringing the family together with the kids all giving their blessing as they carefully wrapped the ribbon around the joined hands. On 22/2/22, at exactly 2:22pm, this knot was tied and the union was official.

The sprinkles of rain falling throughout the ceremony quickly turned into a downpour as the sky opened up during the signing. Initially we’d hoped during our indoor pics the rain would ease off, so we donned our umbrellas and headed further into the rainforest to the stunning Bush Chapel. The rain continued showering our couple with it’s own blessings, and this also happened to be the day I truly discovered how weather-proof my gear actually was!

Not much needs to be said about the images during our session – I got creative with the off camera flash to make the best of the rain and created some really ethereal images that were a story all on their own.

Afterwards we got dry, had a few drinks and some meals with an unofficial post-wedding celebration at the Figtree Hotel.

Absolute Magic.

Published by Chloe Ianni

I am a Wollongong based photographer who specializes in small weddings and on-location portraits.