Coombs Hill Wedding - Ernest & Grace
“Jon is a creative genius. I love his ability to perfectly capture all the emotions of our special day -from our happy tears while exchanging vows to celebratory cheer amongst our beloved guests! His photos are exceptional with the magical ability to transport me back to relive all the happy memories of our wedding. My favourite photo was us against the backdrop of a double rainbow at golden hour..it was simply perfect!” - Ernest & Grace
I first met Ernest during a workshop that I ran with The Robertsons back in 2014. And I met Grace, or as I know her - Sue Lynn, in 2008, a year after arriving in Melbourne. Sue Lynn has been a big part of my life since, and we’ve seen each other through different seasons of life - so I’m very grateful for our friendship. So when they got together, I was so happy for them - and even more delighted when they got engaged.
They asked me to photograph their wedding and I was very much humbled that they did. Ernest is a wonderful wedding photographer himself, and it’s always an honour and a privilege to photograph someone who is in the same industry. Grace is a stylist herself, so the pressure was definitely on.
Their wedding is held at Coombs Hill, a 160 year old American Barn imported from America, restored and rebuilt at Merrijig looking out to Mount Buller. Styled by Curated Details, the ceremony and reception look impeccable. Being about a 3 hour drive from Melbourne, most guests have made a mini getaway weekend out of the wedding celebrations. Unfortunately, Grace’s father is unable to attend, summing up Australia’s visa shortcomings despite having applied well ahead of time. I know how close Grace is with her father, so I know this is not what she had hoped for. But she presses on, with smiles knowing God has ordained the day ahead. With the mountains as the backdrop, Grace’s mother walks her down the aisle. The ceremony is full of joy - songs of faith, stories of love - everything Ernest & Grace represent. As we take some portraits, it starts to rain. That golden sunset light we hope for is now fading away. No matter, we press on. We finish and head into the house for some canapés, and I realised I made a mistake and didn’t capture some of the portraits shots properly. As I walk into the room, Grace is wiping her shoes down from the wet residue of the portrait session. I sheepishly ask them whether we can head out for another 10 mins, they obliged. And as we emerge from the barn, we are greeted by a rainbow. It was almost as if God was smiling down at the happy couple.
After the reception has ended, as I speak to some guests, I learn that Ernest started going to church after meeting one of the attendees back in 2014 at the workshop I ran. And in that church, he later meets Grace, and now they are call each other husband and wife.
