Every wedding I photograph is special, and every couple is different, but Rachael and Emma even more so. They’re the sort of people you leave wishing they lived closer so you could see them more and hang out.
Their wedding was at the stunning Mali Mali, just north of Port Douglas. The girls brought their own long boards.
Maria from Zen Photography came to help shoot the preparations, and when we arrived the girls from Port Douglas Hair and Makeup were in full swing.
Emma and Rachael were in opposite ends of the house, so they didn’t see each other before the wedding. The bridal party were going back and forth between them.
Emma, peeping out to Rach’s side of the house to see where everyone is.
There were presents for both girls, from the whole bridal party, and from each other.
When it came time for Rach to open Emma’s, present and card, the others left her alone.
Then it was Emma’s turn,
and again, alone with Rachael’s card.
Just enough time for a quick pillow fight before getting dressed.
One of the girl’s best friends Bec, unfortunately could’t make it, but luckily was able to see most of the day anyway.
The petticoats had been delivered by mail, and the parcel thrown into the yard, where Stella found it first. Both girls had matching dog-loved petticoats.
Before the wedding Rachel and Emma had a first look. The girls guided eyes-shut Rachael over to Emma.
The girls were given away by their parents, and there were hugs for everyone from everyone. 
The ceremony, which is a “Civil Partnership Declaration”!!! by Stephanie Milne was absolutely beautiful, and the first in the Douglas Shire. I think everyone there had tears in their eyes at some stage, even Steph had to stop for a moment! I certainly did.
After the ceremony, the guests played lawn games (mostly hand made by Rachael’s Dad),
and we went skating.
When I had initially met the girls, we’d chatted about how we both love longboards (and our dogs). I have a few at home, so threw them in the car for the rest of the bridal party, and off we went to the smoothest road north of Mossman.
Sometimes skating with a wedding veil can be tricky, although I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been done much, and it didn’t even rip!!
Then off to a creek
to drink some bubbles
and one more stop before we lost the light. (PS We did actually get some serious stand-in-a-line bridal party shots too). And those amazing flowers you’re just noticing now? Floral Edge of course.
The reception was on the tennis court and was a great night.
There were games,
cake,
and dancing and more.
The girls even left the party to come and say goodbye to the suppliers and walk us out. Brad from Port Douglas Catering, awesome food as always, and thanks for the out of focus photo of Ewan Cutler, fabulous videographer, and me. 
I had to think about why the girls left such and impression on me, and realised that out of all the weddings I’ve seen, Rachael and Emma struck me as being so completely themselves, with each other and everyone around them. It’s truly a beautiful love story.
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