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Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding – Claire & Nathan

Claire and Nathen really had the pick of the weather at their Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding! The day was sunny, warm – but not too hot and made even more special by the beaming smiles and well wishes from their friends and family who really made the most of the day!

I was with them all day, while also having my photobooth set up for the reception, and it was an absolute blast!

Preparation

The day began with Nathan and his groomsmen being prepared at a bed and breakfast nearby in the town of Mclaren Vale along side his parents. As is often the case as I arrived for preparation photos with the boys – they were all huddled around a game they were playing on their switch and having a nice laid-back morning.

Everyone was super keen on having a fun time throughout the morning, with nathan’s parents happy to jump in for some nice photos in front of the main bedroom’s window, then a little walk to a nearby park for portraits.

Grooms shoes with button hole
wedding rings perched in vines
Groom adjusting tie in wall mirror
Best man helping
Groom smiling as tie is tied
Dad helping groom
groom helping with cuffs
Groom peering out window
Placing button hole flower
Smiling Mum looking at son
Groom wandering down hallway
Groom squad

Claire and her bridal party were just finishing up their makeup as I arrived at their bed and breakfast, just a few streets over. Again the amosphere was quite laid back with the bridesmaids keen on keeping Claire nice and calm.

We had a bit of fun out in the backyard while still in their gowns, oepning and spraying a bottle of bubbly 🙂

Engagement ring in peach flower
Putting flower on Mum
Bridal perfume
Wedding dress hanging through 4 post bed
Putting button hole on
Bride pensive in window
bridesmaids fussing about on train
Close up of brides hands
Bride silhouette in window
Father of the bride first look
Bridesmaids smiling at bride standing in front

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony

Claire and Nathan’s Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding ceremony was set up so that the picturesque hills of the famed Mclaren Vale wine region was in the background – which is lovely, but unfortunately due to the perfect, sunny weather a lot of sun was thrown into the bridal party’s faces!

On one hand you really want that backdrop for your wedding ceremony, but on the other you unfortunately have the sun to contend with on days like this!

Diddnt have any bearing on this happy couple’s big moment though as the ceremony took palce without a hitch, and even did a bit of a lap of their guests before heading over to sign their marriage documents.

Groom seeing bride for first time at Ekhidna
Bridal approach in front of Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery
Smiling bride under arbour and flowers
Smiling groom in the sun
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding ceremony
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding ceremony behind barrels
Exchanging wedding rings during ceremony at Ekhidna
bride and groom under the arbour at Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding ceremony
Bridal exit at Mclaren Vale Exhidna Winery wedding ceremony
Bridal party in heart shape

Glamour Photos

For glamour photos, after using the nice little road out the front of the winery, we head into town to the Olive Grove, nearby the Mclaren Vale RSL to make use of what might be my favourite spot to head to while in town.

This olive grove makes for some stunning scenes when the light it just right and mixes up the backdrops from a winery wedding nicely without having to rely soley on vineyards in every photo.

There was also a fun little detour onto the play equipment for this fun loving group!

bridal party walking along road
bridal party popping cork
Bridal kiss on road in front of Ekhidna Winery
Bride and groom together in portrait
Bridal party under the olive grove in Mclaren Vale
Bride and groom looking at camera with aprty behind
Bridal party on play equipment
Bride and groom walking down olive grove
Dipping the bride under the olive grove
Leaning on one another in the olive grove
Walking in the Mclaren Vale olive grove together
Gender bender cheesey wedding photo

As sunset rolled around, we certainly made use of the well-aligned Ekhidna wiery vineyards! I say well aligned as they point straight into the sunset, allowing for some beautiful scenes to be captured, both on the ground and from the air with a drone.

Finally, as night begane to fall, we head out into the vines again to use a bit of smoke and lights to have a bit of fun with them!

Bride and groom standing in the vineyard under sun
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding vineyard photo
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding vineyard photo of bride and groom
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding vineyard photo sunset
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding vineyard photo sunset walk
Smoke in the vineyard wedding photo

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding Reception

Claire and Nathan’s Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Winery Wedding reception took place out in the semi-outdoor space available on site, allowing for a sit down dinner of this many people without having to worry about pesky indoor COVID restrictions. The weather was fantastic all night – so why not make the use of it anyway!

3 tiered white wedding cake
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna winery wedding outdoor wedding
Listening Bride
Cheers to the bridal couple
Speech laughing
Bride and groom cutting their cake
Photobooth fun
Groom having fun with mates

Thanks so much to Claire and Nathan for having me as your wedding photographer! I do love shooting weddings in Mclaren Vale!

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Pt Willunga Beach Wedding – Georgia & Chris

I was super excited to cover Georgia and Chris’ Pt Willunga Beach Wedding in front of the famed Pt Willunga Jetty ruins as I knew they were a couple that were keen on doing anything for the best possible photo opportunity – and boy did we managed to get some wonderful photos!

More of an elopement than a wedding – Georgia and Chris had me cover their short Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony as both their photogrpaher and videographer, before heading over to Mclaren Vale, and finally Blanche Point for their glamour photos.

Preparation

Both Georgia and Chris got prepared at the same bed and breakfast nearby at Sellicks beach. Georgia and her bridesmaid tried to keep away from Chris and his groomsman as much as possible while being prepared, but despite the plan being just to have photos done of Georgia beign prepared, it enabled me to also grab a quick few shots of Chris too.

Boys about to get dressed
Wedding bands on shoe
Engagement ring amongst white flowers
Groom getting help on tie
Bride getting help with dress
Bride getting help with dress smiling
Bride admiring in mirror

Pt Willunga Beach Wedding Ceremony

I arrived at the beach only to notice that there were a few other weddings having their shoot done in front of the jetty ruins – momentarily being worried that Georgia and Chris may not be able to use the vista as their ceremony backdrop – but they moved on before they arrived.

Having a Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony is quite special in that not many people know this but this beach has a reputation of being the most photographed beach in all of South Australia – the unique forms of the sticks from the ruined jetty make for a stunning contrast to the serene waters that surround them.

Georgia and Chris’ Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony was beautifully intimate with both members of their bridal party also making a contribution in the way of a heartfelt speech – which was quite unique, before Georgia and Chris also reciting their own vows for one another.

Groomsmen arriving with celebrant
Bride and bridesmaid about to walk down to beach
bride approaching her Pt Wilunga Beach wedding
bride approaching her Pt Wilunga Beach wedding ceremony
Grooms first look of bride at beach
Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony
Bride looking around her
Bride listening
Groom vows
Pt Willunga Beach Wedding Ceremony in sun
Smiling bride at the beach
Smiling groom at the beach
Wedding in front of the Pt Willunga Jetty
First kiss at Pt Willunga Beach Wedding
Congrats from groomsman
signing registry in beach cave

Glamour Photos

After the marriage documents had been signed within the famed beachside cliffs, it was time to make use of the dying sun for some glamour photos! The beach was rather busy at this time, so it was rather tricky to keep the beach loking pristine for Geaorgia and Chris, but I think I managed with clever angles – and of course that ol’ Photoshop chestnut.

Bridal party walking together on beach
Wedding photo at beach with drone
bride and groom holding hands at the ebach
Groom tickling his bride
Black and white closeup of engagement ring
Closeup of bridal bouquet on ground
Pt Willunga Beach wedding photo
Pt Willunga Beach wedding photography
Bride and groom looking out
Wedding photo at Pt Willunga Beach wedding

Chris was quite adament on having a variety of backdrops in their wedding photos, so we head into the center of Mclaren vale to make use of the delightful Olive Grove set up for anyone to use. It’s one of my favourite spots in Mclaren Vale to photograph at this time of day due to the amazing light that filters through the trees!

We also found a quick spot to stop at to make use of some vineyards.

Kiss with sunlight
Laughing bride and groom
Under the Mclaren vale olive grove
Under the Mclaren vale olive grove with sunlight
Bride and groom amongst some vines
Bride and groom amongst some vineyards

Heading out to Blanche point at sunset for a wedding shoot was always a dream of mine – I’ve been shooting weddings for 10 years now and within the last few months I have head here twice now, but only once at sunset. This spot really allows my landscape photographer head come into play to create some stunning vistas for my couples!

Helps too that the sun set was absolutely spectacular! We had to squeeze through no less than 3 other weddings also using the location, but we found our own little spot and it turned out fantastically!

Popping champaigne at Blanche point
Blanche Point wedding photo
Bride and groom at sunset Blanche Point
Blanche Point sunset
Blanche Point sunset looking out
Bride and groom looking at camera at Blanche Point
Blanche Point wedding photography
bride and groom on the snad dunes at Blanche Point
Sunset silhouette

It’s honestly not common to manage having a bride climbing over rocks and cliffs in heels and a dress – so I thank Georgia for being such a trooper and I hope you enjoy your photos!

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Rivers End Retreat Wedding – Skye & Brandon

 

At the end of January, I was down at Goolwa for Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat wedding in the shadow of the impressive Randell rd bridge, and withing a stone’s throw of the Goolwa warf and Cockle Train station!

The Rivers End Retreat is a large, well presented bed and breakfast that usually caters for large group tour bookings, and not weddings overly often – so it was a delight to head to a new, and rare venue like this one!

Preparation

Brandon and his groomsmen were being prepared nearby at a separate bed and breakfast – with the highlight being the box and scrap book that Skye had prepared for him as a morning gift. Tears were flowing and Brandon’s groomsmen certainly played it up nicely!

Wedding rings on wooden table
Grooms shoes on wooden table
Groom putting on shirt in window light
Groomsmen helping out getting dressed
Groom throwing on jacket
Buttoning on fower
Groom admiring himself in mirror
Groomsmen listening to bride’s letter
Groomsmen walking along road

Skye was being prepared with her bridal party at the main bed and breakfast on site, which allowed them to spread out quite a bit as the main living space is huge!

Skye also recieved a gift from Brandon, but could not open it before heading out for the cermeony, so we made sure we opened that a bit later.

Wedding dress hanging in Rivers End Retreat hallway
helping with flower girl’s shoes
Engagement ring perched in bouquet
Bridal makeup next to window
Flower girl looking at bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride in sunlight
Bridal party cheers
Bride standing with long train
Bride holding yellow bouquet
bridesmaids admiring bride

Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End retreat wedding ceremony took palce on a strip of grass, leading into the rustic brick wall that surrounds the property making for the Goolwa stretch of the end of the river Murray their backdrop.

Their ceremonyt was lovely and simple, with vows being exchanged defore the mandatory kiss and walk back down the aisle!

Brandon was an absolute trooper throughout the ceremony as apparently he was not feeling overly well throughout, and soon after the ceremony retreated to his room for a bit of a lay down before emorging again later in the day.

Groom waiting at Rivers End Retreat Wedding
Sunflowers on wedding arbour
Bridal approach at wedding ceremony
Holding hands unser sunflowers
Smling bride during wedding ceremony at Rivers End retreat
Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony
Smiling groom during his ceremony
Bridal exit at rivers end retreat wedding ceremony
Rivers end reatreat wedding congregation with drone

Afternoon Glamour shoots

Directly after their ceremony and drone group photo in front of the homestead, the bridal party and I quickly head down to the nearby train tracks where we knew a scheduled Cockle Train was about to set off on it’s short trip to Victor Harbor.

It was quite exciting as Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony took place right in front of the beginning of the railway, so we managed to get in front of the train just as it began it’s journey!

Poor Brandon wasn’t feeling the best just prior to this, so the shot we got of the train heading past was taken only moments after he had been a bit sick on the ground behind – hats off to Skye for putting up with it for a kiss!

I’d just like to draw attention here to their little flower girl – who just so happens to be my daughter, Chloe – she was such a good girl all day!

Fuzzy headed friend
Bride and groom under parasols
Cockle Train wedding photo
Flower girl holding parasol

Later in the day, as the light was fading, and Brandon was feeling for up to it, we head out along the Goolwa piers, on the other side of the Goolwa railway station for a few photos with the bridal party and the nice colours the sun was making on the clouds above!

Bride an dgroom under lit tree
Bride and groom on train line
Bridal party on train line
bride and groom inbetween trees
Bridal party on the Goolwa docks
Holding one another with flying train
bridal party reacting to kiss on docks
bride and groom under the last light
goolwa docks last light
Bride and groom under Goolwa bridge
bride and groopm on docks through tree
Goolwa train station photo
Bride and groom at night

Reception

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat Wedding reception took place pretty much all afternoon, with lawn games, furry friends and delightful surrounds to keep their guests occupied and having a good time right through to the late hours of the evening.

The lawns surrounding the old homestead was the main area for mingling along side the rustic old stables which have been converted to a lovely space suited as a small undercover dance floor, or just a place to chill.

playing with their fuzzy friends
Succulent guest gifts
bride opening gift
Groomsmen playing pool
bridesmaids playing with flower girl
Bride and groom giving speech under umbrella
Guests listening to speeches
Cutting the sunflower wedding cake
First dance at Rivers End retreat wedding

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat wedding was a delightful escape down to Goolwa for a beautiful wedding, surrounded by beautiful people – thankyou for having me Skye and Brandon, and I hope you enjoy your photos!

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How to plan a picture perfect proposal

Your proposal is a magical moment, one that you will likely tell all your family and friends about. Having photos of this once in a lifetime experience will make the story even better, and if you have any loved ones who live further away, it will allow you to show them the engagement ring in all its glory.

But how can you plan a picture-perfect proposal without raising your partner’s suspicions? Whilst they might have an inkling of what is going to happen, keeping it a surprise can make for the best photos, as you’ll capture the look of shock (and hopefully joy) on their face as you get down on one knee. Follow our tips and make sure your proposal is memorable for all the right reasons, so that you can cherish your photos forever.

How to plan a picture perfect proposal

Get the ring ready

The crucial element of any proposal is the engagement ring. After all, this is the traditional symbol of love that shows your partner just how much they mean to you, and that you want to spend the rest of your life with them. There’s no need to go flashy just because you’re having photos taken, though – the best ring is one that suits your partner well, and ultimately one that they’ll be happy with, whether that’s a huge diamond or a small band of gemstones.

Whatever style of ring you choose, making sure that it fits well can be crucial to a successful proposal. Nothing will ruin the ultimate shot of you sliding the ring onto your new fiancée’s finger than it getting stuck at the first knuckle, or twisting around because it’s too big. If you’re uncertain on your partner’s ring size, try measuring an existing ring at home, or asking their friends and family, providing you trust them to keep the secret. If you still don’t know, then you can usually ask the jeweller to opt for a standard ring size, but just check that they’ll be able to adjust it after purchase.

Bride and Bridesmaids looking at ring

Choose your outfits

Being able to do this will really depend on whether your partner will be happy for you to choose their outfit for them. If they are, then choose an outfit that is complementary to your own for the most cohesive shot. If they would find it odd if you suddenly developed a fashion sense, then you can try and match your clothes to theirs instead, or opt for neturals so that you don’t clash.

It’s likely that your outfits will fit in with whatever you’re doing the day of the proposal, so make sure to take this into consideration. Remember that you can always have an engagement photoshoot afterwards if you really want to have photos in more formal clothing.

Engagement

Think about location and timing

Working with a photographer does require a bit of preparation and setup, but it also means that you’ll get the best advice on the scenery and lighting for your proposal photos. Talk with your photographer when you plan a picture perfect proposal to come up with a plan of action, and check in with them again on the day to make sure that the weather hasn’t changed your plans.

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Proposal

Taking advice from a professional photographer is a sure-fire way to plan a picture perfect proposal that you’ll cherish for the rest of your lives together.

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The best spot for your ‘trash the dress’ wedding photos

After the big day, brides are presented with a dilemma – what to do with their wedding dress? It’s a tough question; after all, this is probably the most expensive item of clothing you will ever own, but the chances are you are only going to wear it once! Some brides like to hang on to their dresses for sentimental reasons, or to pass it on to younger members of their family. However, there is a third, more dramatic, theatrical, and photogenic option – a ‘Trash the Dress’ photoshoot!

If you’ve not heard of the concept, ‘trashing the dress’ does pretty much exactly what it says. ‘Trashing the Dress’ photos are when the bride (and often the groom) get together for one final shoot after the wedding, and quite literally trash the dress. Whether it’s playing together in the surf at a beach wedding, slinging paint bombs at each other, or even getting wet and wild under a waterfall, trashing the dress is enormous fun, and makes for some spectacular wedding snaps.

Bride and groom walking in waters of Lake Louise

Trashing the dress often goes hand to hand with beach or outdoor weddings, as there’s a certain romance and drama in getting up close and personal with nature directly after your nuptials. So if your destination wedding this year involves taking a western Caribbean cruise or hiking up a mountain, why not consider a ‘trash the dress’ wedding photoshoot! Take a look at the following ideas and get inspired!

The best spot for your ‘trash the dress’

Standing in the surf

An absolute classic beach wedding shot, a photo with the couple standing in the surf as the waves roll in (ideally at sunset) is absolutely stunning. If you are going full on in your trash the dress shoot, you can wade in a little further, away from the sure, for extra drama.

Bride and groom on Maslins Beach

In a cloud of color

Smoke and paint bombs are an amazingly photogenic way to create a cloud of color, and shower your shots in joy and vibrancy. Normally used in the Hindu festival of Holi, paint bombs are non-toxic yet stunningly dramatic, surrounding bride and groom in a halo of gorgeous hues, and contrasting beautifully with the sheer white of your dress!

First dancing in smoke

Beneath the waves

If you are getting married by the sea, why not go one step further and get a few photos underneath the waves? Diving underwater and taking some careful, clever shots is an amazing way to create magical memories. The otherworldly vibe of the ocean floor creates an atmosphere that is hard to match, and once again the contrast between turquoise or deep marine blue of the water and the white of your dress makes for an amazing image.

pt willunga jetty wedding photo

Under a waterfall

If your wedding is outside in the great outdoors, in a forest, a National Park, or up a mountain, why not try and find the nearest cascade and create some truly memorable photos? It is hard to think of a more romantic image than a kiss between bride and groom under the raging torrent of a glittering waterfall, and you can really conjure up some passionate, poignant photos that will stay with you forever.

Waterfall wedding photographer Hobart

Covered in paint

While smoke and paint bombs are the fun, simple, and easy way to go, why not go full Jackson Pollock and cover each other with splashes of neon paint? For starters, it will give you an incredibly fun experience that might release some of the tension of the big day, plus it will create awesome, color-filled photos. What is a better canvas for your artistic skills than your bridal gown?

Stangate House wedding Light Painting