Mia and James
Mia and James Castrission
Rayavadee Resort
Krabi
Thailand
I met James almost a decade ago, we used to rock-climb together when I lived in Sydney. I hadn’t seen him in seven years, but definitely kept up with his adventures. Not only is James an inspiration to me, he is an Adventurer, Author, public speaker, outdoor enthusiast, and with his buddy raised 10s of thousands for children’s cancer centers. With his best friend Justin, he was the world’s first to Kayak from Australia to New Zealand and recently was the world’s first to walk from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back. A feat he completed only a few weeks before his wedding day. When he sent me a facebook message asking to shoot his wedding, I may have done a happy dance, or two! If you have a chance, please watch these movies, they make me cry, http://casandjonesy.com.au/sunday-night-reveal-all/.
I had never met Mia until Thailand, and immediate was drawn in by her warmth, friendliness, laid back personality and huge contagious laugh. Getting to know her a bit I realized just how inspirational she is herself, let me just say, I was very impressed. She planned her wedding while her fiance was close to dying in Antarctica, and instead of trying to stop him, she encourages him to follow his dreams. She has a way of making everyone feel special and making everyone around her happy. I could not be happier for my friend to have found such an amazing women.
The wedding was just amazing. I was worried, you see, photographically it is easy to make a mediocre wedding look spectacular, but it is a challenge making a jaw dropping wedding show the awe that was present. This wedding was the most spectacular wedding I have seen. The day started with groom doing a mulitpitched climb on his wedding morning, while the women got to sleep in a bit. Mia surprised all the groomsmen with custom underwear that read the role each of the guys had in the wedding, and these guys are not shy. I am used to girls not being shy around me, but wow, they had no problems changing underwear right in front of me (as you can see the groom changing his undies behind his best man a few images down – don’t hate me James). During the reception (and on other occasions) the guys were pantless, showing off their underwear. There were fire-twirlers, late night runs for the ocean, a wooden boat I got to ride on with the newly married couple, amazing Thai food, and a reception under a huge sky of stars. Crazy amazing!
I have many people I want to thank here, first and foremost, a huge thank you to Thu Tran, for coming all the way to Thailand to shoot this wedding with me, and coming to Borneo and letting me drag you all around Australia after the wedding. This was the trip of a lifetime and I love that we got to share it. You are one of the most amazing people I have met in my lifetime and your photography rocks, thank you a million times! My husband for letting me travel for 6 weeks. Amy and Holly for joining the adventure 
Jame’s family for making us feel like part of the group, and for inviting us to their home for Sunday dinner, what a great night. Sarah and Ben for putting us up and being so amazing. The way you two welcomed me back to Australia meant the world to me, and also made my cry while sitting alone at the airport trying to leave Sydney. I miss you guys. Zander for lending us his car, taking us climbing in the mountains, and for just being tons of fun to hang out with. And last but not least, a big thank you to Justin Jones for letting us in your home. Thank you for housing and letting us hang out, we had a ton of fun with you. I feel very blessed to have each of you as part of my life, thank you.
Feel free to follow James and Justin’s adventures on http://casandjonesy.com.au/ or on their facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/casandjonesy.
