Mayli and Nathaniel held their Morphett Vale Church wedding at the local Seventh Day Adventist Church on a lovely day with family and friends. Their day was full of fun, faith and lovely people who all combined to create a super memoriable day!
It was a little fun for me too, having had only just recently moved away from living pretty much next door to the Morphett Vale Seventh Day Adventist Church which Mayli and Nathaniel held their ceremony and lunch time reception in – so I felt like coming back home!
Preparation
I begun the day with Nathaniel and his groomsmen – all 8 of them! Coupled with Mayli’s 8 bridesmaids, that made a bridal party totalling 18 people! It’s pretty special that Nathaniel and Mayli were able to accomodate that many close, special people into their bridal party!
Nathaniel and his groomsmen were in good spirits when I arrived, watching TV and generally slowly getting dressed. One thing that caught my eye were the dress watches that each of them were wearing – I thought they were all pretty cool!
rings on shoes BW
Watches on tie
Jacket hanging on door in hallway
helping out with grooms tie
groom looking out window adjusting tie
groom next to window adjusting tie
Close up of grooms flower
Mum helping out get ready
groom and groomsmen in front of BMW
Groom and groomsmen group shot
Mayli and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a different house, nearby Flinders Univeristy and the atmosphere was decidedly more rushed 🙂 Girls running about making sure Mayli was properly prepared, and cramming together to take some nice shots together in the front room – but it all worked out wonderfully!
Bridesmaid dresses closeup
Wedding dress hanging in lit window
Engagement ring in white rose
bridesmaids helping put in brides dress
Strapping up the back of the brides dress
Smiling bride in front of bridesmaids
Bride looking out window with bouquet
bride walking out front door BW
Morphett Vale Church Wedding Ceremony
Mayli and nathaniel’s Morphett Vale Church wedding took place at the Morphett Vale Seventh Day Adventist Church – one of several churches on the same block on which I used to live.
The insides of this modern church was bathed in blue light, with ample room for a large congregation to watch mayli and Nathanienls wedding ceremony take place on the stage below. The ceremony was backdropped nicely by a yeallow-lit cross which added nicely to the overall theme of their ceremony.
The highlight of their wedding ceremony would have to have been the performance of two skilled musicians who sang and played guiter for a reasonable amount of time during the cermeony.
Mayli arriving in car
bride anxious to start walking down aisle
groom waiting patiently in church
Bride entrance at Morphet Vale Church Wedding
Grooms first look as she walks towards him
Morphett Vale Church Wedding Ceremony
Holding each others hands during Morphett Vale Church Wedding
Smiling bride during ceremony under blue lights
Playing guitar under cross
band singing during wedding ceremony
Holding up hands during chior
Celebrant holding microphone
Morphett vale Seventh Day adventist church wedding
Bride looking at her groom during the ceremony
Groom looking at his bride during the ceremony
Exchanging wedding rings at Morphett Vale Church Wedding
First kiss at Morphett Vale Church wedding
Signing the registry on stage
Happy groom while signing documents
Bride and groom with wedding certificate
Celebrating being married
bridal exit from Morphett Vale church wedding
Morphett Vale Church Wedding Reception
Directly after the ceremony, and the mandatory family photos outside under a tree, Mayli and Nathaniel held a simple wedding reception within the church hall. This took place just after lunch time, and made it possible for all their guests at the ceremony to attend their reception, before retiring to a more intimate family reception at a private property in Crafers.
Their Morphett vale Church Wedding Reception was where they held all their important speeches, cut their wedding cake and mingled with family and friends.
Wedding cake in front of brick wall
Bride and groom feeding doughnuts to one another
Cutting the wedding cake with guests behind
Speech giver
Laughing bridesmaid during speech
bridesmaid speech
Laughing bride durig groom speech
Kiss after speech
Glamour Photos
Before leaving the church, I made sure to make use of the blue lights and in house smoke machine that was on stage to take some nifty glamour shots of Mayli and Nathaniel within the church before heading out for some glamour photos.
We drove all the way up to Mt Lofty Summit to use the lookout up there overlooking Adelaide – unfortunately the day was fairly overcast, but we made the most of the little bit of sunlight poking through. We then head to a private property in Crafers where mayli and Nathaniel held their smaller, family based wedding reception.
This was where I was able to make use of the rather funky house overlooking the valley, while also mixing things up by going for a bit of a walk down the hill to make use of the Australian bush as a backdrop. Can anyone spot the photobombing koala? 😀
Much thanks to Mayli for making the effort to trek down there in her wedding dress and heels!
bride and groom under blue lights
Inside the Morphett Vale Seventh Day Adventist Church
bride and groom under blue lights and smoke
bride standing on Mt Lofty Obelisk
bride and groom sitting on Mt Lofty Obelisk
black and White Mt Lofty Summit Wedding Photo
bride and groom under the Mt Lofty Obelisk
Close up of bride and groom on Mt Lofty Summit
bridal party on the balcony
bridal party on the balcony looking at camera
bridal party photo at Crafers
Laughing bride and grrom from dress
Bride holding bouquet from dress
bride and groom on the balcony
bridal party sitting in the fire pit
bride and groom surrounded by Australian bush
Typical wedding photo
bride and groom looking at one another with sun in background
Weddings are life milestones that deserve every bit of your attention, but unfortunately, they’re not always easy to put together. You’ll need to consider every single aspect of the celebration, ensuring that even the smallest problem has a plan to set right. One of the most difficult things about wedding planning is following your vision.
As the bride, you will have a dream wedding in mind. You may want to incorporate the freshest tulips you can find, soiree music playing in the background, and a little touch of rustic elements for more personality. Your cake also needs to be decorated with the right elements, while your caterers need to provide not only the best menu, but topnotch service. More importantly, however, you’ll want your wedding to exude an all encompassing theme that will be the talk of the town.
6 Wedding Themes to Elevate Your Celebration
Unfortunately, choosing a wedding theme can be even more difficult. To help make sure you choose the right one, we’ve gathered the most popular 3 wedding themes of all time—and how you can make your wedding dreams come true:
Theme #1: Marry Me In The Countryside
For those looking for a rustic wedding
Rustic is one of the most popular wedding themes in the modern world. It’s so popular that it seems that most couples always choose this particular theme. Celebrations mostly happen in the countryside, with farms and lush rolling hills adorning the setting. There’s also a lot of green and natural wood involved, giving off a cozy and relaxing atmosphere that enables couples to focus on one crucial fact: having fun!
Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony
You’ll have all the liberty to incorporate do-it-yourself items into your overall wedding plans, especially when it comes to invitations and other decorations. For a nice touch of romantics, however, make sure to invest in flowers! The contrast of green and wood will look well in photos, perfect for display in your future living room!
Ivybrook farm wedding reception
Theme #2: Falling In Love During Afternoon Tea
For those looking for a garden wedding
If you wish to explore more of the outdoors but find rustic a little too relaxed for your tastes, a garden wedding strikes the perfect balance. You’ll get a sense of a rustic feel due to the use of greens and browns, but having your wedding in a sophisticated garden can easily make you feel like a queen. You could decorate the guest tables with floral arrangements, with afternoon tea and finger cakes served throughout the celebration.
Walking under the famed AlRu Farm Pillars
For a little bit more fun, make sure to bring out the rose and champagne glasses once the sun sets! You can easily convert the garden into a setting with twinkling lights, which can feel like you’re celebrating under the stars. Both day and night settings will translate beautifully across photos, leaving you with an album to revisit for years to come.
Kuitpo Hall wedding reception
Theme #3: Love In Glamour
For those looking to embrace contemporary
If you wish to wow your guests and truly become the talk of the town, you may want to go for a glamorous and contemporary wedding theme. These weddings are also known as luxe weddings, essentially focusing on all things glam, aesthetic, and maximalist. You’ll want huge floral installations, outrageous menus, tiers of wine glasses on display, and perhaps even an ice sculpture!
Wedding cake on display
For a truly fun night, consider incorporating some pyrotechnics on the dance floor, and oh–a cocktail bar will be a nice touch. These weddings will fair well with city locations, so make sure to choose a grand ballroom or perhaps a rooftop overlooking the city.
JDF Function Center Wedding Photo
Beach Wedding Theme Ideas
When it comes to relaxed, romantic, and visually stunning wedding themes, beach weddings never go out of style. With the ocean as your backdrop and the sound of waves setting the tone, it’s no surprise that beach weddings remain one of the most popular wedding themes for couples who want a laid-back yet unforgettable day.
If you’re on the lookout for wedding theme ideas that feel effortless and beautiful, here are a few beach-inspired options to consider:
Coastal chic
Think soft blues, sandy neutrals, and seashell accents. Use driftwood table settings, light linens, and sea glass details to create a fresh, modern coastal vibe. Perfect for seaside venues and sunset ceremonies.
Tropical escape
Turn your celebration into a mini island getaway. Go bold with lush greenery, bright florals, and pineapples or coconuts as centrepieces. Think flower crowns, barefoot brides, and steel drum music.
Nautical elegance
Add a classic maritime touch with navy, white, and gold accents. Rope details, anchor motifs, and striped fabrics work well for couples who love sailing or simply want a more structured beach look.
Boho by the bay
If you love a more relaxed, free-spirited feel, pair flowy dresses with woven textures, soft macramé decor, and muted earth tones. Rugs in the sand, barefoot dancing, and live acoustic music complete the vibe.
No matter which style you go for, beach weddings offer endless inspiration for meaningful, personalised celebrations. These wedding theme ideas not only photograph beautifully but also create a calm, joyful atmosphere your guests will remember long after the tide rolls out.
Vintage Wedding Inspirations
If you’re drawn to timeless charm and a sense of nostalgia, a vintage-style wedding might be the perfect fit. As one of the most beloved wedding themes, vintage weddings bring elegance, history, and personality into every little detail. From lace gowns to typewritten place cards, this theme is all about telling your story with a classic twist.
Here are a few wedding theme ideas to inspire your vintage celebration:
1920s glamour
Channel the elegance of the Gatsby era with beaded gowns, art deco stationery, and jazz music. Think champagne towers, feathered centrepieces, and candlelit tables for that luxurious, old-Hollywood vibe.
Rustic vintage
Perfect for garden or countryside weddings, this look combines antique furniture, lace table runners, and soft florals. Mason jars, vintage books, and pastel hues help tie the theme together in a simple yet heartfelt way.
Victorian elegance
For those who want a more romantic take on popular wedding themes, consider adding Victorian touches like corset-style dresses, candelabras, and ornate florals. Use calligraphy for signage and soft, moody lighting to bring out the drama.
Retro 1950s or 60s
Looking for something a bit playful? A retro wedding with polka dots, jukebox tunes, and soda floats can be both stylish and fun. It is perfect for couples who want a celebration full of colour and character.
Whether you go full Gatsby or just sprinkle in a few old-world touches, vintage weddings are all about creating a unique atmosphere that feels both personal and timeless. These classic wedding themes offer something beautiful for every couple and every photo.
Travel-Themed Wedding Inspirations
A travel-themed wedding is more than a celebration. It’s a reflection of your shared adventures and dreams. It allows you to personalise every element, from table names and decor to music and food, all inspired by the places that hold meaning in your journey together. Whether you’ve explored bustling cities, quiet countryside escapes, or tropical beaches, these memories can shape a wedding experience that feels uniquely yours. What makes this one of the most popular wedding themes is how effortlessly it blends sentiment, creativity, and fun. It also gives your guests something to talk about, especially when the details reflect real stories from your travels. If you’re looking for wedding theme ideas that feel both meaningful and memorable, a travel-inspired setup is the perfect way to celebrate where you’ve been and where you’re headed, together.
Work With The Best Wedding Photography Services
Finding the right wedding theme can be extremely difficult, but the results are always worth it. Once you find the perfect one, everything will fall into place—your cake, your menu, your flowers, and even your invitations and playlist choice! The most important thing to remember is to be yourself—it can be easy to be overwhelmed with other people’s opinions, but remember that this is your wedding. Make the most of it by celebrating your love!
To help your wedding become more memorable, Sven Studios has you covered. We offer you the best wedding photographers in Australia, dedicated to helping you encapture all the precious moments. Your love story is worth remembering—contact us today to learn more!
The photos on your wedding day are crucial because they will last for a lifetime—they have to be perfect, and every detail must be captured. After all, you only get married once, and this is a huge milestone in your life. The task to find the right wedding photographer may feel a bit overwhelming for soon-to-wed couples because of the many choices available, so I hope I can help out!
5 Tips to Help You Find the Right Wedding Photographer
If you are in the process of choosing a photographer for your big day, here’s a simple guide to help you hire the best one that will suit your needs:
Consider Your Style
It’s your wedding, so you need to consider the style of photos you want to achieve on the day. You might want something fun and quirky, or perhaps something relaxing and more intimate as you dance with your partner. You can check out our portfolio to get some ideas of the styles we can produce for you. As you browse through photography styles, narrow your list of photographers that match your taste.
Their experience is instrumental in achieving the images that you want because it’s extremely useful in high-pressure situations like weddings. If a photographer doesn’t have a lot of experience in weddings, they may end up feeling overwhelmed in the “chaos” behind-the-scenes just to capture moments of your big day.
Read Customer Reviews
After narrowing down your prospective list of wedding phtoographers, you still need to know what clients say about them to get an idea on their service and work ethics. For this reason, you need to take some time to read reviews, and the easiest way to find reviews is online—whether on their website, social media, or other platforms.
Likewise, keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with asking for referrals directly from the photographer, but online reviews on platforms that cannot be surated by the photographer tend to be more reliable to get a better idea.
By reading reviews, you get a firmer grasp on the service you will receive. There is an organisation called ABIA that has wedding vendors rated not just on the product produced, but also the clients experience with them, so have a look at the reviews posted there along with the usual sources like Facebook or Google.
Inglewood Inn Wedding Photo
Guarantee Consistent Quality
At this stage, you’re almost about to hire a photographer—they have an excellent portfolio, years of experience, and positive reviews. However, you also need to check their level of consistency. You need to make sure the style you want will flow through the whole album––one that is filled with an album of stunning photos, not only one or two beautiful captures.
Make sure the quality of photos remains consistent all throughout the day as well. If you want to confirm this, you can ask for several wedding albums to check their consistency.
What I like to do is walk a prospective new wedding couple through a similar wedding I had covered in the past. That way a couple can imagine themselves in those photos much easier! To find the right wedding photographer you really need to check what it is exactly you’ll be recieveing as a result of their services.
Being a registered business, being adequately insured and being a member of professional bodies can also help you make up your mind!
Close up of presentation USB
Always follow what your instinct tells you when you need to find the right wedding photographer for you. Although it’s crucial that you go through the factors we’ve listed above, you should also consider how you feel about the photographer as you interview them. Remember, you will want to be able to work with someone you know and will be comfortable with!
Are you looking for excellent wedding photographers in Australia? At Sven Studios, we will craft precious memories of your wedding day that will last a lifetime. We cover weddings in Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart and Canberra, and willing to travel wherever else we may be needed! Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!
Ameeta and Brenton’s wedding at the Manor Basket range was certainly one to remember! It was a lot of fun being a part of a traditional wedding I had not seen before now, while also being in the stunning surrounds of The Manor, Basket Range! It’s the best part of being a wedding photographer, and I can now add a Hindu wedding ceremony onto the list of different traditions of ceremonies I have now photographed!
Ameeta and Brenton then also held a shorter Lutheran ceremony making use of the Manor basket Range Wedding Chapel before holding a lunch time reception in the venue’s lower reception hall.
Preparation
Before heading out The Manor Basket Range I head into the city where Brenton and his groomsmen were being prepared at a hotel. The morning was jovial, with the boys making jokes while brenton’s parents and family got ready within the same room.
Wedding rings on groom shoes
hanging suit jacket
groom getting ready in black and white
Gran helping out
Dad watching son get ready
groom and groomsman through door
Watching on
Groom putting on tie in hotel room
Groomsmen helping put on grooms jacket
Ameeta was prepared before the Hindu wedding ceremony in the small room reserved for bridal preparation above the Manor’s main doorway. The colours and intricate dresses and decor on display rally made for some striking scenes and I was really enjoying myself!
Mum getting ready in traditional dress
helping
Smiling bride in Hindu dress
Bride in Hindu garb looking in mirror
Smiling bride in Hindu dress 2
getting ready for the Manor Basket range wedding
Placing the bride’s bindi
Placing the bride bindi
bride in front of arch
The Manor Basket Range Wedding Ceremonies
As Ameeta and Brenton’s Hindu wedding ceremony had to take place on the ground, they set up their wedding ceremony location to the left of where people usually hold their ceremonies at The Manor Basket Range; in front of the little stone chapel they have on site.
This allowed for more room to add more seating for all their guests while facing directly at the ceremony. The green foliage located behind the small chapel also made for a lovely backdrop to their photos.
Hindu Wedding Ceremony
As part of the Hindu wedding tradition, the groom arrives in pompmous style only to be greeted by the bride’s family where they assess the groom and allow him to pass in a ceremonial ritual that involves the spreading of ceremonial items and the groom stepping on and cracking an urn.
I wasn’t overly clear on the meaning of all the rituals, but it was a lot of fun to document both with photography, but also with videography which Ameeta and Brenton asked me to do in order to document their ceremonies.
Hindu affects
Limo carrying groomsmen arrives
Groom arriving in limo
Groom family dancing towards brides family
Brides mother greeting groom
Dancing groomsmen heading to ceremony
Holding urn
Brides mother performing blessings on groom
Brides mother performing blessings on groom 2
Brides mother performing hindu blessings on groom
groom entering the ceremony location
Smiling groom before the ceremony starts
Once Brenton had been allowed in, then the ceremony started proper with the Hindo priest presiding over various ceremonies while chanting in Hindi. I knew Hindu wedding ceremonies tended to take a long time, but Ameeta and Brentons was a little abridged and only took a little less than 2 hours.
While taking their photos I made sure to capture each individual small movement made by both Ameeta and Brenton, along side their parents and priest in order to make sure I did not miss anything important!
Mother of the bride
mother of bride performing in Hindu wedding ceremony
hindu wedding ceremony affects
Groom reaching for something
Hindu wedding ceremony
Hindu bride approaching ceremony
Sheet placed between bride and groom
bride being lifted on shoulders
jewellery between bride and groom
Smiling bride during Hindu wedding ceremony
holding hands during Hindu wedding ceremony
Preparing the bride during ceremony
Preparing the bride during ceremony 2
Hindu Wedding Ceremony at The Manor Basket Range
Hindu wedding ceremony custom
Touching toes
Feeding one another during wedding ceremony
Gifts recieved from Bride mother
bride and groom sharing a moment during ceremony
Hindu red book
Lutheran Wedding Ceremony
After a short break, Ameeta and Brenton also held a Lutheran wedding ceremony in the same area that was set up for their Hindu wedding ceremony. One of brenton’s entouage from the morning presided over the shoprter ceremony as a Lutheran priest which was spearheaded by a speech he made about the use of different items in ways not usually intended.
bride’s parents lighting candles
Lit candles
Priest running ceremony
Bride listening to priest
Lutheran wedding ceremony
bride and groom standing across from one another
Smiling bride during Lutheran ceremony
Wedding ceremony on the grass at The Manor Basket Range
Exchanging wedding rings during the ceremony
First kiss in front of the Greenery
The Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception
After the two ceremonies, Ameeta and Brenton hosted a lunch time wedding reception at The Manor Basket range’s smaller reception area on the ground floor. The area really seems like the inside of a castle and mades for a stunning atmosphere not often found in Australia.
Guests in love heart shape
Wedding cake on display at the Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception
MC doing his thing
bride and groom kiss in front of guests
The Manor Basket Range wedding reception
Cutting the wedding cake at the Manor Basket Range wedding
Feeding the groom
Parent speech
bride and groom speech
Glamour Photos
Both before and after their reception we made use of some of the nearby areas to create some glamour photos of Ameeta and Brenton, while family photos took place after both wedding ceremonies.
We first walked around the grounds of The Manor Basket range and used the small gardens, and of course the stunning castle-style building the Manor is famous for, and then drove down the road a bit to a small Australian forested area to mix things up a bit.
While driving them down to where they were staying in Adelaide, we even found a nifty little vineyard to take a few photos in!
Bride and groom standing in Garden together
Wedding photo in garden
Manor basket Range garden photo
Manor basket Range garden wedding photo
Hindu bride standing in garden
Smiling bride over groom shoulder
Close up of Henna Tattoos
bride and groom walking away from The Maor Basket Range
Against the gate of the Manor Basket Range
Black and white of Henna Tattoos
bride and groom in Australian bush
Bride and groom walking through long grass
Bride and groom in the Australian sunlight
Bride and groom in the Australian sunlight 2
Typical wedding photo in Australian bush
Bride and groom in vineyard
Bride and groom in vineyards
Ameeta and brenton’s wedding day was a blast to be a part of and I thank them so much for having me be their wedding photographer!
Romantic couple embracing in sunlit forest – Love and Nature
Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
Your wedding day is one of the most special moments of your life. This is why you will want every beautiful moment captured so that you can look back at it in the future. For that to happen, you will need a professional photographer that will take the best photos. Afterall, your photography is the most future proof way to remember your day.
However, with so many wedding photographers in today’s market, it can be overwhelming to choose one. An effective way is to ask the right questions when interviewing any prospects for your wedding.
5 Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer
If you want to hire the best photographer for your wedding, here are some important questions to ask your wedding photographer.
What Are Your Primary And Backup Plans?
A good photographer will always have backup plans if the primary one goes wrong. I like to say that being a photographer means your second name is ‘redundancy’. As an example I always have two cameras with me, backup lenses, a vast array of batteries, dual memory cards and backups when I get home, etc.
Also, keep in mind that there are many things that could go wrong on your big day that no one can predict—the weather may not cooperate, or an important person may fall ill. Because of this, you must hire a photographer who can handle all these last-minute issues and still deliver the best results, regardless if these situations happen on their end or your end.
The ability to do this simply comes from experience. you want someone who can work on the fly and still function despite what is thrown at them.
USB ribbon
Can I See Finished Albums?
Browsing through the photographer’s finished wedding albums, or sets of photos will give you an idea of their photography techniques to help you identify if the photographer’s style will match yours. Choosing a photographer based soley on their intagram or website portfolios is a bit naive due simply that the images put up there are purposefully the best images that photographer has ever taken – it’s best to see the entire product they have supplied their clients in the past to get a better idea of their overall quality.
I tend to like to show potential new wedding couples a similar wedding they are planning and hopefully while walking them through that wedding, they can gain ideas fro their own, while also guageing you as their potential wedding photographer.
Sunlight wedding phtoo
What Do You Love About Weddings?
Although this question may be odd for some, it’s still a vital question to ask. By asking this, you will be able to know if the wedding photographer is a good match for you. Do they match your excitement? Are they passionate about what they do? Moreover, this will also help you understand why they entered the wedding photography industry in the first place. When you see the passion, you can look forward to great wedding photos!
Smiling Bride
How Much Do You Charge For An Additional Hour?
When you get a wedding photographer, they will usually offer their services for a fixed amount of time. However, on the big day, you may want the photographer to extend more than the agreed period, and this will surely incur extra charges. When you know how much it will cost you, you will be able to plan your day well and know when you will need your photographer the most.
I tend to prefer to offer ‘full day’ wedding coverage so that I’m not constantly watching the clock and putting undue stress on the couple, but I do also offer hourly based wedding packages for those who prefer the option.
Bride and groom in the Ivybrook Farm vines
How Much For A Second Photographer?
If you’re considering getting a second photographer, you can ask your photographer if they can provide you with another one. Having two photographers on your wedding day is a great idea, especially if it’s a large wedding. This will help ensure that every angle or and every must-have shot is covered and no moment will be missed!
In amongst the pepper trees
At this point, you now realise that asking the right questions when interviewing several photographers for your wedding is important. These questions go beyond their portfolio, and they will help you get to know more about their styles, services, and prices. It’s crucial you get along with your photographer, and you match their style because you will be working with them for a good part of your wedding day. Hopefully these questions to ask your wedding photographer will help you select the best suited photographer for your wedding.
