It was an absolute privilege to photograph Sharbel and Christie’s wedding day right through to their reception at The Kyle Bay on Georges River. The joyful thing, as the photographic witness, is so often getting that front row seat to see the way different cultures celebrate. Sydney is perfect for that.

This all started when a message came through saying, “You did my sister’s wedding, and now I’m getting married. Available?” The privilege is seeing a continuity with the families on these happy occasions, watching how the relationships develop, and being made to feel a part of the celebrations, almost like a family member. And it’s even more fun to witness it with people who have wanted you there.

Every now and then we get to do weddings that have included a Chinese tea ceremony. I continue to really enjoy them, and think that having either old traditions, or starting new ones, is such a thoughtful part of the wedding day. Within Australia, it’s the Chinese-style ceremony I am becoming familiar with, most obviously where an element of Chinese heritage is celebrated. And that crosses through a lot of different national boundaries.

The ceremony recognises, “I am marrying into this family, I will show my respect by serving tea to the elders”. Tea is offered between each elder, and there is an exchange of gifts, jewellery that is predominantly gold, and those lovely red envelopes which are handed around between family members. Family members are more formally introduced to the in-laws. All the while, there is an expression of welcome. Sometimes they’re a little more formal, sometimes relaxed and fun.

The team ceremony took place on a different day to the wedding. And that’s a good idea. Often, the wedding day can become really crammed with formalities, so it’s nice to break up the get-togethers which gives the family and friends more time to be with each other, rather than just moving to the next event.

Wedding preparations were at the family home.

Being rudimentary, there’s two ways of doing prep. One is pared back to the number of necessary participants in the bridal party. Sometimes even the parents and siblings aren’t there. The other is an almost open door of visitors including extended family and neighbours calling through. The former is calm and usually controlled. It allows some more time for formal images. Obviously the latter is a bit more chaotic, random, off-the-cuff. But it adds to the colour and liveliness of the day. The images can be more random. Uncle is making jokes in the background. A cousin is getting a car finished. There are people half way through eating and drinking in the kitchen.

For almost too obvious reasons, the ceremony took place at Lebanese Maronite Parish, St Charbel’s, in Punchbowl. Immediately after the ceremony, outside, there was family dancing. Interesting to watch the two different sides of the family approach this. Christie’s side, watching. Sharbel’s side, in there and physical, encouraging some of the other side to join in. All up, a great spectacle.

At the wedding reception, held in the galley at The Kyle Bay, there were different celebrations amidst the formalities. Happiness is being caught up the middle of a dragon dance as the dragon dives from ceiling towards the dancing couple, seemingly swallowing them. Later on, the drums were brought out, and absolutely rocked and echoed through the space. More dancing, interspersed with lots of eating and drinking, and a few speeches. You have really celebrated if your head is still reverberating to the drums hours later.