As Maid of Honour, I was delegated the role of finding a Wedding Photographer for The Out-of-town Bride. “No problem”, I said. Ha! But as painful as scrolling through (many many MANY) portfolios, and talking to many MORE photographers was, we found one to our liking. We settled on Melissa from takemyphoto.co.nz.

As the Out-of-town Bride is actually IN town this week I set up a meeting between the photographer and the wedding party. There was much too-ing and fro-ing (also a case of “No Problem!” and then “Ha!” at my folly) before we managed to find a time suitable for everyone.

I was impressed with how the photographers dealt with us. Never did they appear frustrated, or upset at my need to change the time, or the place yet again. Or to ring back five minutes later with a new requirement.

But what I was *most* impressed with was that they sent out a bottle of wine to say thank’s for dealing with us. And the best bit? They didn’t send it to The Out-of-town Bride, oh no. They sent it to me, The Maid of Honour. And it was titled ‘To Elly: The Best Bridesmaid Ever’.

Oh yes. Money shall be spent, and recommendations shared. The wine was awful, but the title of ‘Best Bridesmaid Ever’? Best Marketing Ploy Ever.

It appears that stylish, cute Photobooths (for example, something like this) are all the rage in Australian Weddings at the moment. And for good reason – they are super fun!

For example:

These were taken at the Wedding Expo in Melbourne, when I was there with The Bride-to-be and Bridesmaid Number Two.

Unfortunately finding a stylish equivalent in New Zealand is becoming more and more frustrating, and I’m beginning to loose hope at finding a decent photobooth in time for March. If you know of one, kindly let me know?

So, I’m in Melbourne!! It’s cold, but no colder than home (I lost the assumption that Australia = hot + beaches + dessert outback just as I walked out of the airport doors) and mostly it’s nice here. There is lots of pretty pretty sculptures everywhere, and the best bit is that all the fantastic art features are designed *into* the architecture, and not just tacked on like in Auckland.

Mm. And Melbourne is bigger. ALOT bigger. They have trams (!), and big fancy train systems, and their town is more than just a main road with a couple side streets, and they have SO MANY GINORMOUS (and pretty) BUILDINGS! The feel of the whole city is alot different, and I’m pretty down with that.

Also down with the cute Krispy Kreme stores, and eating Choc covered raspberry filled donuts on the way to the train station. And after dinner. And for breakfast this morning.

And today is a new day, where The Out-of-town Bride and Bridesmaid Number 3 and I shall be frolicing around the city in search of art supplies, bridal dresses and most probably, good times.