Burbrook Wedding – Amber & Angus | Kuitpo Forest Wedding

Angus’s preparation

Our day began on the outskirts of McLaren Vale, where Angus and his groomsmen were getting ready at a cosy little bed and breakfast. The accommodation had that lovely, homely atmosphere that makes wedding morning preparations feel a little less formal and a whole lot more comfortable. No enormous hotel suites or elaborate getting-ready arrangements here, just a group of guys enjoying the morning before one of the biggest moments of Angus’s life!

By the time we arrived, the boys were already dressed and pretty much ready to go. Clearly, they weren’t interested in spending half the morning fussing over ties and cufflinks! It made for a refreshingly easygoing start to the day, with plenty of time to capture some relaxed portraits without interrupting the atmosphere. Sometimes the best wedding photography comes from simply working with what’s happening rather than trying to manufacture a moment.

The bed and breakfast had a collection of smaller rooms, which gave us a few interesting spaces to play with for photographs. We made use of the natural light filtering through the windows, the cosy interiors, and whatever little pockets of character we could find. A smaller space can actually lend itself beautifully to intimate, candid wedding photography, especially when everyone is comfortable having a laugh together.

We also headed outside into the backyard for a few portraits of Angus and his groomsmen. The greenery and sunshine gave us a lovely change of scenery from the indoor photographs, and the boys were more than happy to have a bit of fun in front of the camera. With the formalities of getting dressed already sorted, there was no need to rush or overcomplicate anything.

It was exactly the kind of laid-back preparation that suited the feel of Amber and Angus’s rustic Kuitpo wedding. A few great photographs, plenty of smiles, and we were on our way to catch up with the girls!

Amber’s preparation

Amber and her bridesmaids were getting ready a little further away in Littlehampton, nestled in the Adelaide Hills. Their accommodation was a quaint two-storey bed and breakfast with plenty of charm, and it offered some brilliant opportunities for creative wedding photographs. The girls were enjoying the final stages of their preparations when we arrived, surrounded by all the lovely excitement that comes with a wedding morning.

One of my favourite features of the accommodation was its upstairs balcony. As soon as we saw it, we knew we had to make use of it! Amber’s bridesmaids were wearing dresses in a gorgeous assortment of colours, creating a beautiful rainbow effect when we arranged them together along the balcony. Rather than having everyone dressed in identical shades, the variety brought a playful splash of colour to the photographs and perfectly complemented the couple’s relaxed wedding style.

The balcony also became the setting for a fabulous little first-look moment, although not quite the traditional bride-and-groom reveal! Once Amber was dressed and ready, her entourage gathered below while she made her grand appearance from above. There was something wonderfully theatrical about the whole arrangement, with everyone looking up in anticipation before getting their first glimpse of the bride.

Naturally, the reactions were brilliant! Plenty of excitement, beaming smiles, and a whole lot of happy energy made it such a fun moment to photograph. It’s these little personal touches that make every wedding unique. A first look doesn’t always have to involve the couple; sharing that anticipation with your closest friends and family can be just as memorable.

Amber looked absolutely beautiful, and the soft natural light around the accommodation was perfect for capturing a few portraits before we headed out. Her preparation had such a cheerful atmosphere, with everyone enjoying themselves rather than worrying too much about the clock.

The colourful bridesmaids’ dresses, the charming Littlehampton accommodation, and that fabulous balcony reveal all gave us plenty of variety in the photographs. With everyone looking gorgeous and ready to celebrate, it was time to make our way back towards Kuitpo Forest for the ceremony.

Burbrook Wedding Ceremony

There are very few ceremony locations around Adelaide quite as distinctive as Burbrook Forest. Tucked away amongst the tall, straight pine trees of Kuitpo, its famous old dead tree creates one of the most striking natural wedding backdrops in South Australia. The enormous, twisted branches stretch out in all directions, forming an almost sculptural canopy that feels completely different from the neat rows of surrounding pines.

That contrast is what makes a Burbrook Wedding ceremony so incredibly photogenic. The gnarly, weathered limbs of the old tree seem to dance against the straight vertical lines of the forest, creating a beautiful combination of texture, shape, and natural drama. It’s a location that really doesn’t need much decoration, because the landscape itself does all the hard work!

Having been married beneath this very tree ourselves, Luisa and I always find it especially lovely returning here. Seeing Amber and Angus standing in the same beautiful spot where we exchanged our own vows brought back plenty of happy memories. It’s one of those places that somehow manages to feel both grand and intimate, with the surrounding forest creating a peaceful little world away from everything else.

The sunshine was absolutely gorgeous for their ceremony, bringing warmth and life to the forest. Sunlight filtered between the pine trees, highlighting the textures of the old branches and adding a beautiful glow to the gathering. Kuitpo Forest has a wonderful way of making even a simple ceremony feel spectacular, particularly when the weather decides to cooperate!

Amber and Angus kept their ceremony refreshingly straightforward, allowing the focus to remain exactly where it belonged: on the two of them and the promises they were making to one another. Their heartfelt vows were a beautiful reminder that a wedding doesn’t need elaborate traditions or lengthy formalities to feel meaningful.

From behind the camera, I loved capturing the little expressions that passed between them throughout the ceremony. Those fleeting smiles, moments of laughter, and quiet looks of affection are always some of my favourite things to photograph. With such a spectacular natural backdrop, there was plenty of opportunity to capture both intimate close-ups and wider compositions showing the scale of the beautiful surroundings.

Their guests looked on as the couple exchanged vows beneath the iconic tree, surrounded by fresh forest air and the sunshine of a lovely South Australian day. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, and genuinely joyful.

For couples dreaming of a rustic outdoor wedding near Adelaide, it’s easy to understand why Burbrook Forest is such a sought-after ceremony location. It offers an extraordinary setting without losing that personal, down-to-earth feeling, and Amber and Angus made the most of every bit of it.

Burbrook Forest Glamour Photos

After the ceremony, we spent some time exploring the beautiful surroundings for Amber and Angus’s wedding portraits. One of the reasons I absolutely adore photographing weddings at Burbrook Forest is the incredible variety of images you can create without having to travel very far. The famous ceremony tree is obviously a standout feature, but the surrounding pine forest is every bit as wonderful for romantic photographs.

Those long, perfectly straight rows of trees are a photographer’s dream! They create beautiful leading lines that draw your eye towards the couple, while the repeating trunks give the photographs a wonderful sense of depth. On a sunny day, the effect becomes even more spectacular as shafts of sunlight filter through the forest canopy.

The afternoon light for Amber and Angus’s Burbrook Wedding photos was especially lovely. As the sun found its way between the trees, it created

gorgeous pockets of golden light, with long shadows stretching across the forest floor. The combination of soft sunshine, towering pines, and the natural textures of the landscape gave their portraits a beautifully romantic feel. We made the most of those glowing little spots, capturing everything from sweet moments together to some wonderfully playful photographs with their bridal party.

Amber and Angus were an absolute pleasure to photograph, happily wandering through the forest and enjoying a little time together away from the excitement of their wedding guests. I’m always a big fan of keeping wedding portraits relaxed rather than turning them into a lengthy, overly posed photoshoot. A little direction here and there, a few laughs, and plenty of opportunities for the couple to simply enjoy each other’s company usually result in the most genuine photographs.

Their bridal party brought plenty of personality to the session, too! With the colourful bridesmaids’ dresses standing out beautifully against the earthy forest tones, we had some fabulous opportunities for group photographs. The contrast between the vibrant outfits and the rich greens and browns of Kuitpo Forest was absolutely gorgeous.

While I was busy photographing everyone amongst the trees, Luisa headed over to Kuitpo Hall to capture the reception setup before the guests arrived. Having a second photographer along for the day meant we could cover both locations without rushing through the portraits, making sure all those carefully planned reception details were documented before the party began.

Amber & Angus’s Burbrook Wedding on Super 8 Film

One of the loveliest additions to Amber and Angus’s wedding coverage was the vintage Super 8 footage we captured throughout the day! Rather than joining me as our usual wedding videographer, Luisa was working alongside me as a second photographer while also bringing our Super 8 camera along for the celebration. There’s a beautiful nostalgic quality to real Super 8 film, with its distinctive grain, gentle movement, and wonderfully imperfect colours. It gives wedding memories a timeless, home-movie feel that’s quite different from modern digital video, and suits a relaxed, rustic Burbrook Wedding perfectly.

Between the spectacular forest ceremony, the sunshine streaming through the pines, and the celebrations at Kuitpo Hall, Amber and Angus had the perfect setting for a little vintage wedding filmmaking. Super 8 has a way of turning even the smallest moments into something wonderfully sentimental, preserving all those fleeting smiles, happy interactions, and little details in a format that feels like a treasured family keepsake. It’s such a fun way to complement traditional wedding photography, and we loved being able to document their day through both mediums!

Kuitpo Hall Wedding Reception

With their beautiful forest ceremony and portraits complete, it was time to head over to Kuitpo Hall for the reception! Just a short distance from Burbrook Forest, this lovely rustic venue was a perfect match for Amber and Angus’s laid-back wedding style. The hall has a wonderful country charm that lends itself beautifully to relaxed celebrations, with plenty of room for friends and family to settle in and enjoy a fantastic evening together.

Luisa had already been busy photographing the reception decorations and details while we were finishing up in the forest. Getting those photographs before everyone arrives is always worthwhile, especially when a couple has put so much thought into creating a space that reflects their personalities. From the overall layout of the hall to the smaller decorative touches, it’s lovely to preserve how everything looked before the festivities got underway.

We also had our photobooth set up for the evening, giving everyone another excuse to get a little silly in front of the camera! Wedding photobooths are always a hit, particularly once guests have settled into the party atmosphere. They’re a fabulous way to capture a completely different side of the celebrations, with plenty of hilarious expressions and memorable group shots.

Amber and Angus had a brilliant idea for their reception entrance, swapping the traditional sparkler exit for a sparkler entrance instead! Rather than waiting until the very end of the evening, when some guests might already have headed home, they invited everyone to get involved right at the beginning of the reception celebrations.

It was such a clever little change to the usual wedding timeline! With their friends and family gathered around, sparklers glowing and plenty of excitement in the air, the couple made their entrance surrounded by a gorgeous display of light. It created a wonderfully celebratory atmosphere and gave us some fantastic photographs. I’m a huge fan of couples putting their own twist on wedding traditions, and this was a particularly fun example.

Another highlight of their Kuitpo Hall wedding reception was a lively photo dash! If you haven’t come across this wedding reception game before, it’s a wonderfully chaotic way to make sure the couple gets a photograph with everyone attending. The idea is simple: the couple races around the reception, joining different tables or groups for a quick photograph before moving on to the next.

It’s always a hilarious experience to photograph, with guests scrambling together, squeezing into frames, and coming up with increasingly entertaining poses. More importantly, it gives the newlyweds a lovely collection of photographs with all the people who came to celebrate their marriage. It’s especially handy at a larger wedding, where finding time to take individual group photographs with everyone can otherwise be a challenge.

We also gathered everyone together on the dance floor for a big group photograph. Getting an entire wedding reception into one frame can be a bit of an adventure, but it’s absolutely worth the effort! There’s something so joyful about seeing every guest squeezed into a single photograph, all smiling and celebrating together. It’s the kind of image that becomes even more meaningful as the years go by.

The atmosphere throughout the reception was exactly what you’d hope for from a relaxed rustic wedding in the Adelaide Hills. Everyone was there to enjoy themselves, celebrate Amber and Angus, and make some fantastic memories. Between the photobooth, the group photographs, and all the fun on the dance floor, there was certainly no shortage of things happening!

One of the sweetest moments of the evening came right at the very end, when Amber and Angus shared a private last dance after their guests had departed. I absolutely love this wedding tradition. After a day filled with excitement, conversations, photographs, and celebrations, it gives the newlyweds a beautiful opportunity to enjoy one final quiet moment together.

Without a crowd gathered around or the pressure of the next item on the wedding timeline, they could simply hold each other close and soak up the feeling of being married. It’s such a lovely contrast to the energy of a busy reception, and a wonderful way to finish a wedding day.

Amber and Angus’s Burbrook Wedding and Kuitpo Hall reception was a gorgeous celebration of everything that makes weddings in the Adelaide Hills so special. From their laid-back preparations in McLaren Vale and Littlehampton to their heartfelt vows beneath the iconic Burbrook tree, their day was filled with sunshine, laughter, and plenty of personal touches.

Returning to the forest where Luisa and I were married made this wedding especially meaningful for us, and we couldn’t have asked for a lovelier couple to share the experience with. Between the stunning forest portraits, nostalgic Super 8 footage, colourful bridal party, and creative reception traditions, Amber and Angus gave us so many wonderful moments to capture.

A huge congratulations to you both, Amber and Angus! Thank you for inviting us to be part of your beautiful Kuitpo Forest wedding. We hope your photographs and Super 8 film bring back all those happy memories for many years to come!