Basket Range Wedding at The Manor – Leah & Wes

Leah’s Preparation

My day began at Leah’s parents’ home where she and her bridesmaids were busy having their hair and makeup completed. The house buzzed with excitement as everyone moved between appointments, checked dresses, and shared stories. Leah’s mum was keeping a close eye on everything, making sure the day remained on track and that no detail was overlooked.

One of my favourite moments from the morning happened when the girls discovered Leah’s baby photo albums. Before long they were gathered around the books, laughing at old photos and reminiscing about childhood memories. Those unscripted moments often become some of the most meaningful photographs from a wedding day. The room was filled with laughter as pages turned and stories surfaced.

Black hammered wedding band and gold crown ring on a reflective surface.

Bridal makeup artist applies foundation as the bride prepares for her wedding day.

Ivory lace bridal gown hanging from a tree branch in lush garden greenery.

Bridal party in green robes celebrates on a historic castle balcony.

Bride and bridesmaids in sage green robes smile together on a rainy wedding morning.

Once everyone had arrived at The Manor Basket Range, the girls took over the upper level of the castle while the boys made a strategic retreat downstairs. Surrounded by her bridesmaids, Leah stepped into her wedding gown and completed the final touches of her look. Excitement filled the room as dresses were adjusted, bouquets were gathered, and everyone admired how beautifully everything had come together. The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful, with plenty of laughter echoing through the historic halls.

Before heading to see Wesley, Leah shared a special first look with her dad. Standing together inside the castle, he got his first glimpse of his daughter ready for her wedding day. It was a lovely moment between the two of them, filled with proud smiles and quiet appreciation before the celebrations moved outdoors.

Diamond engagement ring nestled in a crimson rose with romantic wedding florals.

Bride admires her lace wedding gown in a mirror as an attendant adjusts the train.

Bride smiles in a full-length mirror wearing a sparkling wedding gown and holding a burgundy bouquet.

Bride in an embroidered wedding gown holds a burgundy bouquet beside a softly lit window.

Bride in a lace wedding gown with a dramatic train poses by a sunlit window holding a burgundy bouquet.

Smiling bride in a lace wedding gown holds a burgundy bouquet by a sunlit window.

Bride holding a wedding bouquet with blue heart charms.

Bride and groom share a joyful first look in a rustic chapel wedding venue with arched stained-glass windows.

Bride pins a boutonniere on her father before the wedding ceremony in a sunlit stained glass chapel.

Wes’ Preparation

When I arrived at The Manor, the boys were already deep into their preparations. Wesley was having his hair and beard professionally styled, and it quickly became clear this wasn’t going to be your average groom prep session.

The impressive collection of beards among the groomsmen became part of the entertainment. Flowers, metal ornaments, and decorative pieces were carefully worked into the facial hair, creating some truly memorable photographs. It was impossible not to laugh while documenting the process. Even the couple’s young son joined the fun and had his own hair styled alongside the adults.

Smiling bearded man reflected in a handheld mirror in a backstage dressing room.

Man checks his cornrow braids in a handheld mirror while a woman styles his hair at home.

Purple satin rose with a black grosgrain bow and gold chain on a pale wood surface.

Family comforts a young child during a cozy at-home hair styling session.

Polished black leather Chelsea boots resting on a white windowsill in soft natural light.

Bearded man buttoning a black shirt by a window in soft natural light.

Two men in black formalwear share a quiet preparation moment by a bright stained-glass window.

The boys spent most of the morning joking with one another and keeping the atmosphere relaxed. There was plenty of friendly banter, playful teasing, and the kind of camaraderie that makes groom preparations enjoyable to photograph. Nobody seemed overly concerned about formalities. They were simply enjoying the experience together.

Once the boys were dressed and ready, they retreated from the upper levels of the castle to allow Leah and her bridesmaids to take over the space. The changeover happened smoothly and gave everyone a chance to prepare for the next part of the day.

Men reflected in an ornate gold mirror backstage in a dressing room.

Groom in a burgundy suit shares a candid wedding prep moment with groomsmen on an autumn terrace.

Groomsmen help the groom adjust his suspenders during wedding day preparations.

Man in black formal attire stands in a dim doorway beside a sunlit window.

Bearded man in a tuxedo gazes out a window in a dramatic black-and-white formal portrait.

Groomsmen in black and burgundy suits pose in a lush woodland garden for a formal wedding portrait.

First Look

Behind The Manor’s chapel sits a beautiful garden area that offers privacy while still showcasing the venue’s gorgeous surroundings. It was the perfect location for Leah and Wes to see one another before the ceremony.

Many first looks are filled with tears and overwhelming emotion. Leah and Wes took a slightly different approach. The moment was full of laughter rather than tears. They spent most of their time joking around, smiling, and enjoying each other’s company. It perfectly reflected their personalities and relationship.

Garden wedding first look with a burgundy-suited groom and bride walking through lush greenery.

Couple shares an intimate garden wedding moment with a lace gown, burgundy suit, and lush bouquet.

Joyful bride, groom, and bridesmaids pose on a lush garden path during a vibrant wedding celebration.

Laughing bride with groomsmen posing on a stone path in a lush garden wedding portrait.

Bride in a lace wedding gown smiles with bouquet on a garden path as the groom waits beneath a white pergola.

Joyful bride and groom pose in a romantic garden wedding portrait with a vibrant bouquet.

Their relaxed attitude made for some wonderful candid photographs. Nothing felt forced or overly serious. They were simply happy to be together and excited for the celebrations ahead. Those genuine interactions often create the most natural images.

The first look also allowed us to complete family photographs before the ceremony. With guests beginning to arrive, we were able to capture group photos while everyone was fresh and relaxed. This planning made the rest of the day flow beautifully and reduced the amount of formal photography required later.

Bride poses with flower girls and ring bearer in a lush garden wedding portrait.

Wedding party children with flower girls and ring bearer gather on a lush garden path before the ceremony.

Bride hugs a smiling young boy during an outdoor wedding, holding a colorful bouquet in a romantic garden setting.

Flower girls in red dresses escort a purple-eared wedding dog along a garden path.

Wedding couple poses with their dogs in a rustic stone courtyard.

Wedding couple embracing in a Gothic stone castle window.

Cream poodle with lavender ears standing on green grass.

The Manor Basket Range Wedding Ceremony

Guests gradually gathered around the picturesque garden ceremony space in front of The Manor’s charming chapel. The setting couldn’t have been more beautiful. Despite the threatening skies above, conditions remained perfect as everyone took their seats.

Leah made her entrance down the winding garden path, accompanied by her bridesmaids. The backdrop of lush greenery and historic stonework created a stunning scene. There was plenty of anticipation as guests turned to watch her approach.

Rustic garden wedding chapel with floral doorway, stone courtyard, and ceremony chairs surrounded by lush greenery.

Gothic wedding party poses by a rustic stone arch with burgundy groom’s attire and moody floral decor.

Bride in a white lace wedding gown holding a red rose bouquet on a lush garden path.

Grooms first look as bride in a lace gown walks down a lush garden aisle with groomsmen at a rustic stone ceremony.

Flower girls in red dresses blow bubbles during a romantic outdoor garden wedding.

Bride and groom hold hands during a rustic garden wedding ceremony with bridesmaids and a floral stone arch.

Bride and groom exchange vows at a romantic garden wedding ceremony beside a rustic stone chapel with their bridal party.

The true stars of the ceremony, however, may have been the children armed with bubble guns. Throughout the proceedings they enthusiastically filled the air with bubbles, creating a playful atmosphere that had guests smiling from ear to ear. The floating bubbles looked incredible in photographs and added an unexpected layer of fun to the ceremony.

At one point, one of the young boys decided the ceremony wasn’t nearly as exciting as exploring elsewhere and made a break for freedom. Poor grandma immediately sprang into action and chased after him while guests tried to suppress their laughter. It was one of those perfectly imperfect moments that everyone will remember.

The ceremony itself was sweet, heartfelt, and deeply personal. Leah and Wes exchanged meaningful vows before taking part in a handfasting ceremony, symbolising their commitment to one another. Family remained at the centre of everything, making the entire experience feel incredibly intimate despite the large gathering of guests.

Woodland garden wedding ceremony at a stone chapel with bride and groom surrounded by autumn florals and greenery.

Bride smiles during outdoor wedding vows with partner in a burgundy suit.

Rustic garden wedding ceremony at a stone chapel with the bride, groom, and bridal party in autumn jewel tones.

A couple shares a joyful handfasting ceremony beneath a rustic stone arch with lush wedding flowers.

Bride and groom share a kiss at a rustic stone chapel during a romantic garden wedding ceremony.

Bride and groom enjoy a joyful garden wedding bubble exit with flower children and cheering guests.

Glamour Photos

With the ceremony complete, we moved quickly into glamour photos. Time was not exactly on our side, but The Manor Basket Range offers such a variety of beautiful locations that we were able to work efficiently while still creating a diverse collection of images.

The castle-inspired architecture provided a dramatic backdrop for many of the portraits. Stone walls, elegant staircases, grand windows, and sweeping views across the Adelaide Hills gave us countless options without needing to travel far. Every turn seemed to reveal another perfect spot.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand down a winding country road in a romantic rural wedding portrait.

Joyful bride and groom share a playful dip in a lush apple orchard wedding portrait.

Bride and groom share a romantic dip kiss in a lush apple orchard wedding portrait.

Smiling bride and groom pose for a romantic outdoor wedding portrait in a lush garden.

Bride and groom share a romantic moment by a wrought iron gate in a rustic outdoor wedding portrait.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand through a romantic castle garden courtyard after their wedding.

Leah and Wes remained wonderfully relaxed throughout the session. Rather than focusing on posed perfection, they spent most of the time laughing together and enjoying a few quiet moments away from their guests. Their natural connection made photographing them incredibly easy.

The overcast skies actually worked in our favour. Soft, diffused light covered the venue throughout the afternoon, creating flattering conditions for portraits. While we had been watching the weather all day, the clouds ended up providing beautiful lighting without delivering any rain.

Bride and groom share a romantic moment by a castle garden gate in an elegant outdoor wedding portrait.

Wedding party walks through a historic castle courtyard surrounded by autumn foliage.

Bride and groom pose in a romantic castle courtyard with stone walls, glowing stained-glass windows, and lush greenery.

A bride and groom kiss on a lush forest garden path beside a hidden woodland chapel.

Bride and groom kiss beneath a rustic stone archway in dramatic backlight.

Bride and groom twirl during a romantic castle wedding dance in a misty moonlit courtyard.

Bride and groom share a magical first dance in fog outside a romantic stone castle wedding venue.

The Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception

Following the portrait session, everyone made their way upstairs for the reception celebrations. The atmosphere shifted immediately as guests settled in for an evening of food, speeches, and dancing.

One of the standout features of the night was undoubtedly the roaming cannoli bar. Watching trays of freshly filled cannoli making their way through the reception had guests very excited. It quickly became a crowd favourite and added a unique touch to the evening’s catering.

Elegant rustic rose bouquet in white wrap displayed on a wooden wine barrel.

Stylish man in a police costume with red sunglasses and a purple rose lapel pin.

Three elegant women cheer behind a colorful wedding bouquet at a formal celebration.

Elegant antipasto platter with cured meats, olives, creamy cheese, and prosciutto appetizers at a festive dinner party.

Bride and groom enter their rustic wedding reception as guests applaud under warm string lights.

Bride and groom share their first dance under string lights in a rustic wedding reception hall.

Wedding guests pose at a photo booth with toy swords and fantasy props.

The speeches were heartfelt, funny, and packed with stories from throughout Leah and Wes’ lives together. There were plenty of laughs, a few emotional moments, and countless reminders of how loved the couple are by those around them.

As the formalities wrapped up, the dance floor came alive. Guests wasted no time filling the space and keeping it busy for the remainder of the evening. Every time I glanced over, there seemed to be even more people dancing than before. The energy remained high right through until the end of coverage.

A groomsman gives a wedding toast in a rustic stone venue as the bride listens under warm string lights.

Guests celebrate on a lively wedding reception dance floor with a DJ, colorful lights, and glowing foam sticks.

A cannoli server entertains guests as the bride and friends dance at a rustic wedding reception.

Wedding guests dance joyfully on a crowded reception dance floor under warm string lights.

Bride dancing with guests under colorful lights at a lively wedding reception.

Joyful wedding guests dance at a lively reception with golden light trails.

Bride shares a joyful hug with a guest at a rustic wedding reception in a historic stone venue.

Leah and Wes created a wedding day that perfectly reflected who they are—family-oriented, relaxed, welcoming, and full of fun. Their Basket Range Wedding at The Manor combined beautiful scenery, meaningful traditions, plenty of laughter, and a wonderful group of family and friends. It was an absolute pleasure to capture every moment and celebrate alongside them in one of the Adelaide Hills’ most iconic wedding venues.