Phil and Leesh’s wedding day at Mali Brae Farm was no ordinary wedding – so forgive me for being a bit personal about this day and this couple. The Southern Highlands provides a beautiful backdrop at any time of the year. Mali Brae nestles in amongst the rolling hills and valleys as a tribute to perfect landscape, both natural and man made.
I think those who were there would have no doubt that Mali Brae will become one of the most sought-after wedding venues.

As a family we’ve known Phil and Leesh for many years. They are part of our family for we’ve had the pleasure of being at the West Ryde Family Church with them.

Leesh teaches our middle one Sunday School and both our girls adore her (as do all the other children there, and her nieces and nephews) – and that says a lot about a person, the way they readily embrace a child. Phil runs the coffee machine every now and again. If he was only known for that it’d be enough but he’s much, much more and one of the loveliest (I know that’s an awkward word for a dude!) calm, concerned and most sincere individuals I know.
So to be at their wedding was a pleasure, to witness their vows and their pledged love for each other. My cousin Andrew was their celebrant and a mutual friend, Alan was the officiant. (On a side note this is the first wedding we’ve done where we’ve broken double figures for our past couples. In other words, there were ten of our former wedding couples at the wedding day).

It’s always a delight to hear the speeches from their families, to laugh a lot and to tear up too. You learn a lot of great things about people at important times like this – milestone birthdays, weddings and funerals too!
Leesh’s father gave a beautiful speech comparing his four daughters to different flowers and talking about their characteristics. Not an easy speech to give or to listen to without feeling a lump in the throat.
The whole day was a lot of fun, with lots of conversation and laughter, great food and drink, beautiful music from the jazz band, and a sense of everything right in the world especially with Leesh and Phil falling into each other’s arms after seven years.

A couple of weeks prior to the wedding Phil came up and asked if I’d do a closing prayer for the wedding day, I guess some last thoughts for the day before they left in that fantastic Triumph. I don’t normally get to dual service at weddings so it was lovely to be asked. Part of that prayer, partly based on the Song of Songs was: We rejoice that Phil has found, in Leesh, someone who delights him so much, who is more valued than rubies, whose beauty is like the pomegranates in bloom, and whose heart and soul is even more beautiful. And we are thankful that Leesh has found, in Phil, someone who understands her so precisely, who listens to her so fully, who is her beloved. Part of marriage is, after all, seeing in each other the very best person for you. Phil and Leesh found that.

Okay, no more words for this post –

Ceremony and Reception: Mali Brae Farm. Bride’s Hair: Spoilt Hairdressing. Food: Sassy Catering. Flowers by Linda Jamieson. Videography by Shem Jamieson

If you’re taking the plunge into marriage and would love beautiful wedding day at mali brae farm or any other gorgeous location then it’s time to talk to us. We take compelling, elegant and timeless stills. We capture the most valuable images in the world. Yours.

David