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The Best Wedding Photo Locations in Darwin

From the weather, the people, and the incredible sunsets, shooting a wedding in Darwin has always been an incredible experience for me and I’d like to share some of my favourite wedding photo locations in Darwin.

My goal here is to provide a simple list of locations in and around the Darwin general area, without having to force bridal couples to travel too far. I’ve also restricted this list to free to enter locations – that is photo locations that do not require a permit in order to be allowed ot have photos taken there or even an out-and-out Darwin Wedding Venue. An example of an otherwise obvious addition to this list would be the Darwin Botanic Gardens which do require a permit.

A list of my favourite Wedding Photo Locations in Darwin

Nightcliff Jetty and Surrounds

The Nightcliff Jetty and surrounding parks is a popular spot for locals and tourists a like to bask in the glow of the famous Darwin sunsets that light up the sky in a glorious orange glow during the Darwin wedding season. It’s not uncommon to see multiple weddings having their sunset photos done here in the evening.

It’s the uninterrupted view of the sunset and the wonderful rocks that emerge from the ocean that draw people here to have their photography done!

Darwin wedding sunset

East Point Reserve

Similar to the Nightcliff rocks, the East Point reserve has some incredible rock formations you can have an adventurous bridal couple climb over for some epic scenes – particularly at sunset. Also if you’re able to time it right, at low tide you can walk down from nearby Pee Wees on the Point to the beach with some incredible rocks, mango trees and coloured cliffs that make for some great backdrops! Just takes a bit of planning from the bridal couple to get down there. You can also use some of the World War 2 historical buildings nearby.

Darwin’s Pride rock
Out on pride rock
Darwin wedding photo

SunSet Beach / Fannie Bay Foreshore

Just down the road from the East Point reserve is SunSet Beach which is one of my favourite wedding photo locations in Darwin largely due to it’s so easy to get to. Both Nightcliff and East Point rocks require your bridal couple to be ok with traipsing over rocks – where as its the same with Sunset beach, but it’s a lot easier to get to, and less dangerous.

Out on the water

Lake Alexander

Right across the road from SunSet Beach is Lake Alexander. If you’re looking for a little more greenery in your Darwin wedding photography, then heading to the Lake Alexander park would be your best bet. With curated lawns and green trees bordering the lake itself, it makes for a nice change in pace from the dark greens, and yellows you would get from shooting in front of cliffs, beaches and rocks all day.

Walking together
Holding one another

Gardens Park Trees

When covering a wedding in Darwin I always try to visit the incredible trees located on Gardens rd, just outside the entrance to the Darwin Botanic Gardens. The  unique trees that are growing in Gardens Park make for an incredible backdrop for wedding photography. And it’s not just one or two of thetrees here, it’s pretty much all of them! They are climbable, huge, always green and would not look out of place in any Harry Potter movie.

Under a tree
Bridal Party under a tree
Darwin wedding trees

Vestey’s Beach Rocks

If you’re looking for a relatively quiet sandy beach, and a few rocks, then Vestey’s beach is a good bet. It’s a beach that’s closed off from the famous Mindil beach next door, but usually without the crowds that usually go along with Mindil beach during the dry season due to the Mindil beach markets. The rocks a short walk from the boat ramp make a nice frame to any shot too.

Vesteys beach rocks

Darwin Waterfront Precinct

If you’re after a more industrial feel to your wedding photography, the Darwin waterfront precinct would be one of my favourite wedding photo locations in Darwin. Away from the restaurants and tourists, there are some fun walkways and industrial looking walls lining walkways with the bay in the background.

There is also the Bicentennial park nearby, which I have not made one of my favourite wedding photo locations due to the fact that it’s nearly impossible to go there without getting others in the background which is usually the aim win wedding photography.

Bride and Groom walking together near Wharf One
Bridal Party

Rock formations on Casurina drive

It’s really hard to get a bridal couple to head out here for photos, but when they do it always pays off. The famed ‘fingers’ rock formation is difficult to get to, due to the long walk, or jumping over a fence to get to, it’s also a fair way away from any other photo spots – so to get here it can eat up a bit of time which is usually at a premium on a wedding day. But just look at this place!

Darwin Fingers Rock Formation

Darwin Surf Club Beach

It’s not so much the Darwin Surf club, but rather the beach out the front of the wedding venue. The beach not only goes on for miles in both directions, but also boasts hundreds of meters of sand between the land and the water at low tide. The reflections you can get in water pools at sunset are absolutely awesome.

Darwin Surf Club

There are so many other gems of wedding photo locations around Darwin, but these are a few of my favourite wedding photo locations in Darwin to get you started exploring the wonderful photo opportunities that this city offers.

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Choosing a wedding venue: 5 Tips to Think about

  • Carclew House

 

Things to Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Venue

Your wedding venue is as important as your wedding dress. It’s one of the things you will remember vividly from your big day as either fantastic and perfect, or rather dull and a horrible choice. This is because it is where the ceremony takes place, and where your guests will stay or go to during reception It’s where your whole day happens. It also affects how your wedding would look and feel like, both in your memories and in your wedding photography. No matter how good you planned your wedding program, if the venue doesn’t do it justice, your wedding will turn out not as expected, which is the last thing you will want on your special day.

Before visiting your potential wedding venue

Doing venue visits is tiring and costly, which is why you should review the place first with the information that you can find online. Do your initial check remotely to see if the venue is fit for you. I’ve put together a large list of wedding venues in Adelaide for anyone looking for their perfect Adelaide wedding venue. You can sort them by location in Adelaide and also by their type.

Aside from how good a venue looks, there are several factors that you should consider when choosing the right venue for your wedding. Whether you’re planning to hold it on a hotel, garden, beach, or an overlooking hill, you must take into consideration the following:

  • Availability: Is the venue available on your desired wedding date?
  • Cost: Is it within your budget range?
  • Alcoholic beverages: Do they permit the serving of alcohol in the venue?

Most soon-to-be brides and grooms always prioritise the aesthetic appeal of a place when deciding on a venue. They choose a place that they know will look great in their wedding photos. But also keep in mind that your venue will affect the mood of your wedding, which is why you should choose a place that makes you feel comfortable and delighted.

Glanville Hall Wedding

5 Tips to think about when Choosing your wedding venue

In this article, we will share with you five tips for choosing a perfect wedding venue:

  1. Sufficient Capacity

The capacity of the venue should always come first on your venue checklist. When checking the holding capacity of the location, plan in your head how you will arrange the tables, chairs, and decor. Doing so will help you decide whether the place is a good fit for your planned wedding activities.

Serafinos Wedding Reception
  1. In-house Catering

Although you can get a separate food service, having in-house catering will help lessen your planning responsibilities. In-house catering can give you plenty of options from their menu, and you can ask for special servings if you would like. Let the venue staff help you out and allow them to take care of this matter.

Also, ask if the chairs, tables, utensils, and table arrangements are part of their package. If they are, then that’s one less responsibility that you’ll have to think about. This said however, opting to self cater and doing a DIY wedding may help with the budget.

Kuitpo Hall wedding reception
  1. Parking Area

When thinking of things to think about when selecting your wedding venue, this is possibly the most overlooked aspect. Make sure that the venue has adequate parking spaces to accommodate your guests. If there isn’t enough, see if there are nearby ones where your guests can park. Although, keep in mind that doing this can be risky since you wouldn’t want your guests to wander on unfamiliar streets. Also, make sure that the venue is accessible because you wouldn’t want your guests to come to your wedding looking all tired and haggard because the road is sketchy.

Cars arriving
  1. Covered Facilities

You will never know if the weather on your wedding day will be great or not. Especially if you’re planning on an outdoor wedding, make sure that there is a covered facility that you can use in case it rains. If there is none, ask at least if they have marquees or anything similar that they can provide. If not you can hire them, or if you’re budget concious, Bunnings actually offer some cheap alternatives.

Surprise Backyard wedding under the marquee
  1. On-site Accommodation

If you have guests coming over from different states or overseas, make sure that they have a place to stay after the reception. Once the day is over, you would not want to leave your guests on their own, especially if you’ve done your wedding away from the cities. Check and see whether or not the venue has facilities to accommodate your guests after the long night.

Guests enjoying themselves

Your wedding day is a celebration of love, not only with your partner but also with the special people in your life. Let them know that you appreciate their presence at your wedding by making them feel comfortable throughout the day. Hopefully this list of tips for choosing a wedding venue will help in your selection of the perfect spot to hold your perfect day!

If you are looking for a professional wedding photographer in Adelaide to capture the best moments during your wedding, and to help you plan out your day get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

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The Golden Hour: Why Is It The Best Time For Photos?

Ekhidna wines wedding vineyards

Why Golden Hour is the Perfect Time for Wedding Photography

Ever noticed how some wedding photos have that warm, dreamy glow? That’s the magic of golden hour—the time just before sunset when natural light makes everything look incredible. If you’re planning your wedding, knowing when to take advantage of this perfect lighting can make all the difference.

Golden hour is that magical hour just before sunset when the atmosphere beams lighting that is perfect for taking photos. Before now, you must have seen some glowing wedding photographs of couples, and you can’t help but imagine when it was taken. No doubt, it’s possibly the golden hour. Finding the perfect time to capture priceless moments during a wedding ceremony can make all the difference.

But you shouldn’t be thinking about this on your wedding day, you have more important things to worry about. That’s why you need a photographer. And not just anyone will do. You need to hire a professional that understands the significance of this “hour” and what it means for your wedding.

When planning your wedding, think about golden hour photography. The right photographer will know how to use that soft, golden light to capture stunning, unforgettable moments.

Semaphore Beach Sunset

Sadly, many wedding photographers fail to take advantage of this hour during a wedding ceremony. The fact is that someone that lacks the intricate photography skills can easily get stuck up in the reception and watch the sunset waste away without taking any photos. Therefore, it takes an expert to know when the sunset is likely going to occur and how to take advantage of it to create images that the couple would be glad to look back on for many years to come.

What Makes Golden Hour Photography Unique for Weddings?

It’s hard to discuss creative wedding photography without mentioning the golden hour. Why is this so?

First of all, during this time, the sunlight is less harsh and softer and usually a golden colour – hence the name. Therefore, your photos will radiate a beautiful soft glow due to the beautiful bright flares that hit the lens of the camera. Photos taken during this time are also devoid of squinty eyes and strong shadows. This makes the job of the photographer a bit easier as he won’t have trouble trying to make the faces of those starring at the camera less awful.

The golden hour helps in creating astonishing images for any wedding. Here are more reasons why you should treasure this precious hour.

  • It brings out the best look in the couple.
  • It doesn’t limit the extent of creative photoshoots.
  • Photo editing is a lot easier (at least for us)
  • The unique sunset that follows a wedding day is important to capture
Ekhidna wines wedding at sunset

Why Lighting During Magic Hour Photography is Essential for Wedding Photos

You must have realised how valid these words are if you have ever seen an awful wedding photo that makes you wonder if the photographer threw his skills to the donkeys during the wedding. You might be the most stunning bride in history, and your partner might be looking his best too, but if the lighting is not right, then your photos are not going to be the best.

If you are preparing for your wedding and you desire the best possible photos, there is no other better time to plan for it other than now. Golden hour photography brings a warm, natural glow to your wedding photos, creating timeless images you’ll cherish forever.

The truth is that any experienced photographer must have realised that no matter how hard you force a smile from the faces of guests when taking photos, if the sun is too hot in the sky and the photos are taken outdoors, you might not get the best shot. It’s a big reason to have photos done during this time of day, other than the amzing golden light. Therefore, taking wedding photos during the golden hour does not just help to bring out your best look during your wedding day, it also makes the job of the photographer easier.

But… what if the golden hour is not our best time for photos?

It’s common for me as a photographer to wish we were out taking photos during golden hour, only to be stuck inside for the reception.  In adelaide the golden hour tends to be around 7-8pm, and most receptions start at about 6-6:30. have a think about whether or not having sunset photos in the golden hour is worth popping out again during your reception. Often is well worth the effort! In the end, you will love the soft ambiance that this hour creates and the magical light it radiates.

Santorini Sunset

Why You Should Hire a Professional for Golden Hour Photography

There is nothing as devastating as hiring someone that can barely tell the difference between sunset and sunrise and how it affects wedding photos. That is why it is paramount to hire the best hands for your wedding. Fortunately, you have an expert photographer at your beck and call. I have worked with many clients all around Australia and the world and help them to take advantage of this precious hour. We can do the same for you. Instead of wondering what time is best to take wedding photos, let us help you plan it out.

We would love to hear from you and discuss your wedding photography needs as well as help you figure out the perfect spots to take advantage of this short time.

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Mclaren Vale wineries – 8 of my favourite

  • Above the Ekhidna Winery vineyard

 

A list of Mclaren Vale wineries

Being a local to the area, having grown up and still living nearby to Mclaren Vale and also being a wedding photographer that is often asked to cover weddings in Mclaren Vale, I’ve come to really enjoy heading to Mclaren Vale and thought I’d list some of my favourite Mclaren Vale wineries. This list is based on my own personal preferences and is not ranked from most favourite to least favourite – it’s just how lists go, they need to be numbered! 😀 Also most of the photos I’ve featured in the list were photos I’ve taken at weddings I’ve covered at that winery.

Mclaren Vale boasts some of the most world-reknown best vineyards and wineries that create some of the best wine in the world. The scenery available in the region is also sometimes absolutely incredible. The entire town of Mclaren Vale is under strict government ordnance no not develop too much so as to preserve the unique charm the area has developed over it’s long history. I love heading down to Mclaren Vale as it feels like a beautiful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – and you can enjoy some great wine and food too! I’ll be writing up a short personal description of each winery and also giving my choice of my favourite drink produced at each!

1. Ekhidna Winery

Ekhidna Winery is a small little winery located off a short dirt track, but still pretty much right in the middle of the Mclaren vale wine district. The winery is backdropped by the stunning southern hills and the cellar door itself is surrounded by vineyards that light up spectacularly during sunset. Although it’s a winery my favourite drop from here are the alcoholic ginger beers on offer here – they are just great!

Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony
Ekhidna Wines
Walking amongst the Ekhidna Winery vines

2. Coriole Winery

Coriole was always my own personal choice of winery to host my own wedding at, as the whole set up is nothing short of spectacular. The grassy area where a wedding or event would usually take place overlooks the whole valley of Mclaren Vale, while there is a small intimate courtyard in amongst the garden and heritage building that makes up the establishment. My favourite wine would have to be the 2016 Cabernet Merlot.

Kisses in the Coriole Vineyard
Coriole Winery Wedding
Coriole Winery Wedding

3. Woodstock Winery

Woodstock Winery has one of th enicest settings for an upper class restaurant in the region in my opinion. I always enjoy heading out here for a nice lunch with the family – although it can be a little pricey. As for an event venue, it boasts a large grassy area surrounded by gum trees and vineyards which makes for a beautifully intimate setting. The Woodstock winery ‘Ruby Velvet’ Sparkling red is my choice of wine from here!

Woodstock winery at dusk
Woodstock winery wedding ceremony
Woodstock winery wine bottles

4. SC Pannell Winery

SC Pannell is one of the few Mclaren Vale wineries in this list that faces East to West, rather than North South – this is important when you’re thinking of sunset photos. I’m not entirely sure if they still offer wedding ceremonies or receptions as last time I was here they were changing hands and werent sure on the furtue of weddings at their venue. The winery has a very nifty motif for their logo and their bottles stand out amongst the rest because of it. My favourite wine from here would have to be their 2016 Tanino.

Walking down the SC Pannell driveway
SC Pannell wall
SC Pannell Wedding Reception Hall

5. Maxwell Wines

I feel as though Maxwell wines was never really set up to host large events, but as a venue it can handle smaller gatherings and weddings rather nicely. It’s restaurant isnt huge, nor is there much flat grass to stand on, but there is an awesome maze to venture through and a wonderful aged cellar that is great to take moody photos in. Maxwell may also be a name better attributed to it’s Mead production too as the winery produces one of the most well known brands of Mead around!

Maxwell winery wedding ceremony
Maxwell winery Cellar wedding photo
Winery wedding

6. Paxton Winery

Paxton Winery is a delightful little spot hidden on one of the backstreets leading into Mclaren Vale. I say it’s hidden as it’s located on a little dirt road and can be a little tricky to get to if you’re already in Mclaren Vale itself. Whats great about this little winery is it’s stunning vistas available form it’s cellar door, coupled with the wonderful heritage listed buildings around the place that adds to the charm of this wonderful spot. I’m going to have to go for the Pinot Gris from here.

Paxton Winery Roof
Bride and Groom in Pepper Tree

7. Serafino Winery

Serafino Winery is perhaps one of the most popular spots in Mclaren Vale to host a wedding as it can cater to both high and low budget weddings, while also being able to be set up to reflect the budget. The main event hall is stunning with a domed glass roof, and it’s wide open grassy areas make for some wonderful spots to walk about or host an event. Talking of events, Serafino wines usually hosts some of the bigger music festivals in Mclaren Vale like Hot Dub Wine Machine. My favourite drop from here would be any of their award winning Terremoto Syrahs.

Serafino winery’s reception hall
Serafinos Wedding First Dance
Serafino wedding

8. Olivers White Hill Estate

Olivers is an interesting one to add to this list as the winery itself is not the same as the bed and breakfast I usually visit for weddings – so sorry to say thT i cannot recommed a wine from this particular winery 🙂 The appeal of this spot is the fact that it’s one of the oldest houses in Mclaren vale and the gardens overlook a beautiful little pond surrounded by native gum trees.

Cake in Olivers Chaff Shed reception hall
Olivers Chaff Shed grounds
Olivers Chaff Shed reception area

There are so many more Mclaren Vale wineries so this is by far not a complete list – I will however be adding more to this list as I sample more Mclaren Vale wineries!

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The bread and salt wedding tradition

I’ve been to a number of weddings now as a wedding photographer and I’ve seen quite a few different wedding traditions and one I quite like is the bread and salt wedding tradition. If you consider the fact that marriage is the supreme bond of love and affection, and wedding is the ceremony of this holy union. Weddings give you an ultimate chance to proclaim your love to the entire world, perhaps most importantly, to the people that matter to you.

From the day you first met, shared your first kiss or proposed may forever be imprinted in your mind, not a single memory will come close to your wedding day. It is a day to enjoy endless luxury, happiness, enthusiasm, good food, champagne, and never-ending opulence, just to celebrate the one you love.

The epitome of any wedding day is of course the declaration of wedding vows. A proclamation that declares unflattering commitment, admiration, promises, and legally claims one another. This day is truly the day of days for all love birds, and for this reason, should be made meaningful and personal, and people like to do this by incorporating traditional wedding customs such as the bread and salt wedding traditon.

The Bread and Salt Wedding Tradition

The bread and salt wedding tradition is an European tradition usually accredited to Poland, but many countries in Europe follow something similar from Russia through to the UK. It’s basically a welcome greeting ceremony in several Slavic and other European cultures and in Middle Eastern cultures. As a welcome ceremony its a nice way to celebrate the coming together of two families and welcome the bride and groom’s guests to the ceremony.

Ukrainian Bride and Groom sharing the bread and salt wedding tradtion

What Is Meant by The Bread and Salt at A Wedding Reception?

For the bread and salt wedding tradition, the bride and groom meet both sets of parents at the wedding reception. The parents will have a loaf of bread, which will be sprinkled with salt and will also have a goblet of wine. The parents say a toast to the couple so that they have good luck during their marriage. It also symbolizes that the parents hope that their children will never go without and that they have an abundance of what they need. In more detail, this is what is meant by the bread, salt, and wine during the wedding reception:

1. The Bread

In the bread and salt wedding tradition, bread is a symbol that is sweet, and it is given by the parents to the bridal couple. They hope that the couple never has to want for much. It is their hope that they never go hungry and always have enough.

bread-delicious-eat

2. The Salt

Salt usage during the wedding reception is so that the couple understands that life will not always be easy. This part of the tradition conveys that the parents want their children to know that life will have its difficulties at times, but the two must learn how to deal with and handle their struggles. It will make them grow stronger as a couple when they learn how to get through the harder times together.

salt

 

3. The Wine

The wine is there to show that the parents hope that the couple never goes thirsty. It also symbolizes the wish for the couple’s life to be filled with joy and happiness for many years to come. The parents want the best for their children in all ways, and they are showing this through this tradition.

 

Woodstock winery wine bottles

Breaking of The Plate and The Glass

This occurs when the bride and groom each take a piece of the bread and sip of the wine and then throw the plate and the glass to the floor so that they are broken. The parents give each of them a kiss, and then the wedding reception carries on. It is to show the beginning of their life as a couple.

The singing of The Song Sta Lot

In order for the bread and salt wedding tradition to be final, the song Sta Lot is played. It means that the wishes for good luck to the couple last for 100 years. This a huge celebration and people really enjoy it as they watch the bride and groom begin their life together with all of their loved ones close at hand. Having all of their closest friends and family there to witness their vows and traditions for their wedding means so much to the couple.

Where Did This Wedding Tradition Originate?

The roots of the wedding tradition are part of Slavic, European, and Middle Eastern cultures. People love to see this tradition at weddings because they referred to it as sweet and they know that the parents of the bride and groom really want their children to be happy. That is why the symbolization of the bread and salt tradition is so important, and it occurs before the rest of the wedding reception begins.

The Type of Bread, Salt, And Wine to Be Used

In the past, it was a loaf of bread. In modern wedding ceremonies, it can just be a couple of pieces of bread, regular salt, and any kind of wine or champagne that is used for their tradition. They are merely symbols of the meanings behind the tradition, so there are no strict rules when it comes to what is used by the couple for the reception.

Making It A Point to Have This Tradition at The Wedding Reception

A wedding symbolizes the union of two souls and often the continuation of tradition. Although in modern times, this tradition may seem a little odd, having the bread and salt wedding tradition in a modern marriage can mark that day with a time to reflect on old ways that were handed down from generation to generation. They will never forget how much it means for their parents to wish them good luck during those moments of sweetness and tenderness at the wedding reception.

This is to many couples the most important moment of the entire wedding experience. Traditions create a bond that is truly unique and beautiful. And many couples cherishing traditions that stem from their cultural roots can put special imporntance on different things. Embracing the tradition of bread and salt in their weddings is one such way to celebrate the delights associated to their cultural heritage.