marla and pat

centennial park wedding

I knew from the start this would be a good one. When I first walked in to each of their houses for the morning (Marla already surrounded by a community of people probably numbering in the 20s, Pat surrounded by family and his closest friends), each of them gave me a big hug, and told how excited they were for me to be there.

I say this not as a reflection of me, but to illustrate something of each of them. Welcoming, warm, the kind of people who treat everyone like family, even someone they had only met once a year or so ago. It was reflected back at them this day by the multitude of people who flew from all over the world to jubilantly and raucously celebrate with them, by the warmth with which they were repeatedly embraced all day, by the tears that were shed by those who crossed oceans to be there.

Let it not be said that Filipinos don’t know how to have a good time. From the wedding wide game of scissors paper rock that ended with one winner (seriously, keep an eye out for everyone absolutely losing their minds, particularly Marla’s dad), to Pat’s brother giving the entire wedding a salsa lesson to kick off the dancefloor, the day quickly descended (or ascended) into joyous revelry.

A few moments to look out for

  • As aforementioned, Marla’s dad and the rest of the revelers absolutely losing it during a wedding wide game of scissors paper rock during the reception

  • Pat’s mum walking him down the aisle

  • One hell of a sunset on the streets of Paddington

  • An AFL worthy leap for a bouquet

  • Marla and Pat acting like a couple of naught kids, whispering to each other during the ceremony

  • The cheeky grin on Pat’s face all day

  • Marla, in general, looking beautiful and joyous as hell all day

Enjoy

Dane


“I’ve always believed that life is divided into two parts: what is and what should be.

And with a lot of effort, hard work... and maybe a bit of luck, there are moments in your life that the two parts touch.

‘What is’ and ‘What should be’ are the same.

I just can’t help but think that standing here next to Marla, next to my wife, gathered here in front of friends and family from across the world.

I can’t help but think that this is one of those times.” - Pat

 

INSTAGRAM @THESALTYSHUTTER

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