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Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Engagement – Maryam & Scott

April 30, 2016/in Engagement, Wedding, Wedding preview
  • Maryam & Scott

    Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Engagement

    Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

The amazing autumn colours of the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens were the backdrop of Maryam & Scott’s engagement shoot, and I must say it was a fantastic choice. We walked around the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens for around an hour, dodging the hundreds of tourists that also had the same idea and took advantage of the wonderful yellows and oranges that mother nature had provided. Once the gardens closed at 5pm, we headed to Veale gardens on south terrace for a couple more shots and a bit of a dance! Maryam & Scott had some friends with them, along with family members so we had a bit of fun with the situation 🙂

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

The Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens are a marvellous site in the Adelaide Hills, opened to the public in 1959 after having been in development since 1911, the gardens sprawl an incredible 97 hectares with a huge diversity of native and imported plants and trees, it’s a beautiful place to visit and take it all in.

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Proposal
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Proposal
Amongst the green
Amongst the green
Walking by the gazebo
Walking by the gazebo
Group shot
Group shot
Kissing under a tree
Kissing under a tree
Engagement ring in flowers
Engagement ring in flowers
Lovey dovey shot
Lovey dovey shot
Autumn colours
Autumn colours
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens
Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

After, Maryam & Scott asked be for suggestions for a second location to take photos in between Mt Lofty and their house in Mawson Lakes, so I suggested the Veale Gardens. I knew from multiple previous weddings I’ve covered as a wedding photographer here always turn out great, so we headed down there 🙂 While there, we got out a small handheld stereo and had a bit of a dance! Was a lot of fun 🙂

Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Birds
Veale Gardens Birds
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Engagement
Veale Gardens Engagement
Veale Gardens Dance
Veale Gardens Dance

Best Man origin story

April 25, 2016/in Interesting, Wedding
Best man putting on groom tie
Best man putting on groom tie

Best Man origin – A History

As a wedding photographer with over 350 weddings to my belt, I have a bit of interest and knowledge of the historical traditions that come with he whole wedding scene the Best Man origin story is one of the least politically correct origin story of many of the different wedding traditions around, but this is the case with many things that have their roots many hundreds of years ago.

In modern times, being asked to be the ‘Best Man’ at a wedding is seen as a great honour and a sign of friendship and trust between the groom and the Best Man. This is of course very similar to the different members of the bridal party. The Best Man is supposed to make sure the day runs smoothly by organising things like seating, helping the groom get over nerves and ensuring he doesn’t party too hard the night before.

All this of course before delivering a comical speech designed to embarrass the groom in front of their wedding guests. The history of being the Best Man is actually quite different.

Groom and best man on motorcycle
Groom and best man on motorcycle

The Best Man origin story

Back in the 16th century Britain, the practice of abducting brides from neighbouring towns was quite commonplace. It was the role of the Best Man to join the groom  and his entourage in their quest to kidnap the Bride from the comfort of her own home. This was of course all before the women’s rights movement, so men who had decided upon a wife often had to forcefully take her with him (or kidnap her) if her family did not approve of their marriage. Our custom of the best man is a throwback to this kidnapping custom.

Best man with the rings
Best man with the rings

This however was not the historic Best Man origin story, as the practice of having to kidnap the bride goes way back to Gothic Germany (0-200AD) where it was customary for a man to marry a woman from within his own community. When women came into short supply “locally,” bachelors would have to seek out and capture a bride from a neighbouring community.

This was of course not a one man job, so the ‘Best Man’ for the  job of helping the groom in this task was chosen to help. Unlike in Britain however, where this was a somewhat accepted practice, in Germany there was a real threat of the woman’s family taking up arms to retrieve her. As such it was then the Best Man’s duty to help fend off any attackers. The Best Man and his entourage were often heavily armed and stayed by the groom’s side throughout the marriage ceremony.

This is why it’s tradition, especially in the UK to have swords being worn by the men involved at a wedding.

Groom going postal on groomsmen
Groom going postal on groomsmen

Why does the bride stand to the left?

Not really to the Best Man origin story is that traditionally the bride usually stands to the left of the groom. This is again due to the unfortunate truth that she may actually be there due to being kidnapped, so the groom, and his best man need to have their sword hand at the ready to defend against any family members disapproving of the marriage.

The St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (August 24, 1572), depicted below, was a bloody day in the history of France. The murderous events following the marriage of the Catholic princess Marguerite (Margot) and the Protestant ruler Henry of Navarre. History states that the wedding was not one that princess Marguerite really wanted and when the priest asked the equivalent of ‘Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband’ she did not say ‘I do’, then all hell broke loose.

This may have been an over dramatisation of actual events, embellished for later plays and books, but the massacre did actually happen.

Best Man wedding painting
Best Man wedding painting

 

This also one reason why men in modern weddings will wear their ‘flower’ on the left side of their suit jacket – it not only covers the heart, as is the reason why most people attribute this traditon, but it also represents what was once worn on the left – their sword.

Also originating from this practice, which literally swept a bride off her feet, sprang the later symbolic act of carrying the bride across the threshold of her new home. The honeymoon is also related to this event, as presumably the bride’s family would still be quite upset about all of this that the newly weds would have to ‘disappear’ for a time so that to give the bride’s family time to come to terms of what has happened.

Best man origin
Best man origin

Thankfully modern society has no need for sword wielding best men and entourage to protect a bride and groom from ill-wishing relatives! However, the role of the best man in a general sense really hasn’t changed all that much, they are still supposed to make sure the day runs smoothly, be it from rampaging in-laws to negotiating with the reception venue over the price of the drink package.

The Best Man is still about mateship, only in the old days this often meant putting your life on the line for your mate, where as today its more about poking fun at each other in your speeches 🙂 But hopefully you’ve enjoyed this little tidbit of history – who knows? perhaps the Best man origin story will pop up inconversation during the wedding?

Barossa Weintal Wedding – Shelley & Chris

April 20, 2016/in Wedding preview, Wedding
  • Shelley & Chris

    Barossa Weintal Wedding

    Bride and Groom

Shelley and Chris held their wedding at the Barossa Weintal resort, located in the beautiful Barossa, and I had the privilege of being their wedding photographer. Shelley and Chris opted to take advantage of my flexible customizable wedding package so they had me at their wedding for 4 hours. Both Shelley and Chris looked spectacular in their fully white getups, and their supporting family and friends made for a beautiful day.

Barossa Weintal Wedding Ceremony

Shelley and Chris’ ceremony took place in a small courtyard on the grounds of the Barossa Weintal resort which was shrouded in the most wonderful creeping vine. When the sun was out from behind the clouds, the vines caused the most wonderful of dappled light throughout the ceremony adding to the atmosphere.

Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony
Barossa Weintal wedding
Barossa Weintal wedding
Barossa Weintal Hotel Wedding
Barossa Weintal Wedding
Marriage Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Wedding ring exchange
Wedding ring exchange
Bridal entrance
Bridal entrance
Bridal entrance
Bridal entrance
Grooms vows
Grooms vows

Barossa Weintal Glamour Shots

Shelley had only recently suffered from a medical condition so much of our time was spent in and around the gardens right near the courtyard their ceremony took place in. There were plans to use their limousine to travel to a nearby winery for a larger variety of shots, but unfortunately we weren’t able. Be that as it may however, the gardens in and around the resort were quite awesome in their own right, lending some amazing green hues and tones to my wedding photography.

Bride and groom with limo
Bride and groom with limo
Wedding ring
Wedding ring
Bride and Groom
Bride and Groom
Bride and groom at Barossa Weintal
Bride and groom at Barossa Weintal
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bridal party
Bridal party
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bride and Groom
Bride and Groom
Bride and groom
Bride and groom

Barossa Weintal Reception

It was only a few months since I last visited the resort for a wedding, and last time I had trouble figuring out what their reception room was actually built for. I had speculated that it used to be a barn of some sort, but it was all actually purpose built as a function room for the resort. The area is circular, with a huge pointing roof, not unlike a circus tent, only made of brick. Its a beautiful room and a lovely space for a wedding reception.

Wedding decor
Wedding decor
Fun wedding guest
Fun wedding guest
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bride and groom entrance
Bride and groom entrance
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake

Thanks go to Shelley and Chris for having me be their wedding photographer, your day was an absolute joy to be a part of and I wish you both the best!

Saint Francis Winery Wedding – Lucy & James

April 9, 2016/in Wedding preview, Wedding
  • Lucy & James

    Saint Francis Winery Wedding

    Saint Francis Winery Wedding

Lucy & James held their surprise wedding at the Saint Francis Winery in Old Reynella. If you aren’t aware of the dynamics of surprise weddings, they can be a lot of fun to be a part of, particularly as a wedding photographer. It’s fun as you generally turn up to a party that is otherwise going swimmingly, when a photographer with a giant camera shows up and starts taking your picture 🙂 Now obviously it’s not often you attend a small party, even an engagement party – as is what Lucy and James’ guest thought they were attending, where there is a professional photographer in attendance. So there was a bit of surprise.

Before Party

Lucy & James’ guests were invited to their engagement party and were treated to a lovely spread put out by the Saint Francis Winery, including cheeses, fruits and meat platters, including an open bar. The congregation was located out the front of the Winery, near the famed pond next to South road when I arrived amd all were having a great time 🙂 Not many even noticed Lucy and James slink off to change into their wedding finery.

Engagement party
Boys and gran
Boys and gran
Lucy and James engagement sign
Lucy and James engagement sign
Food
Food
Engagement party
Engagement party

Lucy & James’ Saint Francis Winery Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony was set up within around 30 minutes, before the ceremony, but after everyone had arrived so that the secret was not blown. In past weddings I have covered at the Saint Francis Winery, the ceremony itself has taken place next to the lake, out the front of the winery, however as this one needed to be ‘hidden’, the ceremony took place in the grassy courtyard area surrounded by hotel rooms.

Wedding setting
Wedding setting
Wedding setting
Wedding setting
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Wedding setting
Wedding setting
Bride and groom
Bride and groom
Bride and groom holing hands
Bride and groom holing hands
First kiss
First kiss

Glamour photos

Between their ceremony and their reception, Lucy and James had barely 40 minutes of sunlight in order to walk around the winery grounds for their glamour photos. But we made good use of the available light and took some crackers.

Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Francis Winery Wedding
Francis Winery Wedding
Francis Winery Wedding
Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding
Saint Francis Winery Wedding

Wedding reception

I was only able to stay for a portion of Lucy and James’ reception as they had opted for having me at their wedding using my very affordable 3 hour package. In the limited amount of time I was there for, I was able to cover their first dance, speeches and even their wedding cake cutting.

First dance
First dance
Little dancer
Little dancer
Wedding cake
Wedding cake
Signing guest book
Signing guest book
Through the doors
Through the doors
Bride groom and little one
Bride groom and little one
First dance
First dance

Thankyou Lucy and James for having me at your lovely surprise wedding, it was a lot of fun to be a part of!

McLaren Vale Wedding – Bek & Spud

April 4, 2016/in Wedding preview, Wedding
  • BEK & SPUD

    Mclaren Vale Wedding

    Kuitpo Forest wedding

Bek and Spud were a blast to be around and be their wedding photographer at their McLaren Vale wedding. Such a laid back and quirky couple the entire day was a joy to photograph 🙂 They opted to take advantage of my very reasonable full day rates, coupled with the rental of my photo booth, complete with a customised green screen background. Usually when I’m asked to cover a McLaren Vale wedding, I assume the venue would be a winery, however Bek and Spud’s wedding took advantage of the public speaking platform on the main street of Mclaren Vale, and then had their reception right next door in the McLaren Vale remembrance Hall. It was great little location, easy to navigate and nice to navigate. After their ceremony, we all hopped in a bus and headed down to a piece of Kuitpo forest I knew to take some photos amongst the tall pine trees in the area.

Preparation photos

Both Bek and Spud were being prepared on different levels of a two story rental beach house in nearby Aldinga Beach. Preparation was a fun affair, with both groups, the grooms men and bridal party quite keen on being as light hearted as possible. This is great as a wedding photographer as it allows me to capture their own personalities so much better while they are having fun and just being themselves. Was a wonderful morning.

Bridal makeup
Bridal makeup
Flower girl looking out window
Flower girl looking out window
Groomsmen
Groomsmen
Bridal preparation
Bridal preparation
Bridal party preparation
Bridal party preparation
Groom being chased
Groom being chased
Bridal party preparation
Bridal party preparation
Groomsmen
Groomsmen
Wedding dress
Wedding dress
Bride looking out window
Bride looking out window
Wedding dress
Wedding dress
Bridal gown being prepared
Bridal gown being prepared
wedding rings
wedding rings
Makeup going on
Makeup going on
Engagement ring
Engagement ring
Groomsmen
Groomsmen
Groom in irirror
Groom in irirror
Bridal preparation
Bridal preparation
Groomsmen
Groomsmen

McLaren Vale wedding ceremony

The public space next to the McLaren Vale Remembrance Hall is just off the main road of McLaren Vale and features a huge permanent awning that provided some much needed shade over Bek and Spud on what was a very sunny day. It’s a very open place, very suited for weddings, or other public events such as concerts or rallies having a small stage under the awning and a huge open concreted space for onlookers.

Holding hands
Holding hands
Bride and groom hugging
Bride and groom hugging
Wedding
Wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding
Exchanging of rings
Exchanging of rings
Mclaren Vale wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding
Grooms men hugging
Grooms men hugging
Groom looking nervous
Groom looking nervous
Wedding singers
Wedding singers
Groom seeing bride
Groom seeing bride
Flower girl
Flower girl
Groom speaking
Groom speaking
Mclaren Vale wedding
Mclaren Vale wedding

Kuitpo Forest wedding photos

The Kuitpo Forest was the first of many forest plantations in the Mount Lofty Ranges, planted in 1898 to ensure a sustainable timber supply for South Australia. Today the Forest serves as a popular hiking and camping location covering an area of about 36 square kilometres. The tall, slim and straight pines of the forest lends itself well to wedding photography providing a unique location not often seen in South Australia. I absolutely love heading here to make use of the incredible s-curves in the walk ways and straight leading lines of the trees! Unfortunately though, I feel as though I may have asked a little too much of Bek and Spud to climb a few hills to get some good vantage photographic compositions (sorry about that!) But I hope the photos I’ve produced make up for our little adventure!

Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding
Kuitpo Forest wedding

Mclaren Vale wedding reception

The McLaren Vale remembrance hall served as a nice open and airy reception location with ample dance floor and space for quite a few tables. Bek and Spud had a buffet style sit down dinner where their guests served themselves and had some friends manning a bar for drinks. It all worked very well and was very personable.

Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
SvenStudios Photo Booth
SvenStudios Photo Booth
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception
Rememberance Hall wedding reception

Thankyou Bek and Spud for having me as their wedding photographer, the entire day was a blast to attend and I hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

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