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Selecting your wedding venue – 5 Things to think about

  • Carclew House

 

Selecting your wedding venue – Things to think about

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 Things to think about when selecting your wedding venue

In this article, we will share with you five things to think about when selecting your 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 things to think about when selecting your 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

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

The golden hour! Have you heard of it? If you are planning for your wedding or have spoken with a photographer, then, it should be in your lexicon. But what does it mean, especially with weddings?

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.

As you plan for your wedding day, you must consider golden hour wedding photos and find an expert that knows how to leverage on this hour to make your day as memorable as it ought to be.

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 The Golden Hour So Unique?

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

Lighting Can Make or Break Any Wedding Photo

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. The magical imagery created during the golden hour can make your wedding photographysomething to be  cherished 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

Hire a Professional Photographer For Your Big Day

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.

Coriole Winery Wedding
Coriole Winery Wedding
Kisses in the Coriole Vineyard

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 wine bottles
Woodstock winery at dusk
Woodstock winery wedding ceremony

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.

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

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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Belair National Park Wedding – Ellie & Nick

  • Ellie & Nick

    Belair National Park Wedding

    bride and groom standing in the Belair National park

It was a wonderful day that was laid out in front of us for Ellie and Nick’s Belair National Park wedding! The sun was out and everyone involved had a wonderful day celebrating the coming together of these two wonderful people! They turned out to be very lucky with the timing of their wedding being only a week before the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in South Australia.

Preparation

My day started by shooting photos of Nick and his groomsmen who were being prepared at a house in Ingle Farm. Nick and his groomsmen were having a bunch of trouble tieing their ties before Nick’s best man and father stepped in to help! It was important for Ellie and Nick to get some shots of their dog in some of the shots too, so we had their fur baby model for us occasionally 🙂

Nick was a little distracted while getting ready partly due to nerves, but also because one of this groomsmen had a shirt that was a little too small for him – so they had to rush off and get a new shirt quickly before the ceremony.

Father of the groom
Groom and groomsmen on road
Groomsman helping out
Groom looking in mirror
Groom putting on tie
Groom getting ready
Groom putting on jacket

Ellie and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a lovely bed and breakfast along Waterfall Gully road. We were so close to the waterfalls it pains me to know we diddnt use them for any photos! The girls were all in high spirits all morning, singling songs and making Elllie smile while doing silly things, the atmosphere was quite laid back and fun!

Bridal party in kimonos under tree
Bride holding bouquet as she gets ready
bride getting her hair done
Smiling bride as she gets ready
Bridal party helping bride get ready
hanging wedding dress
bride getting ready smiling
laughing birdesmaids
smiling bridesmaid as she helps
Rear of wedding dress
bridal jewellery
wow a ring!
Bride looking pretty in wedding dress
engagement ring in bouquet
bridal party in mirror

Belair National Park Wedding Ceremony

Ellie and Nick’s Belair National Park Wedding Ceremony took place in the ‘Joseph Fisher‘ picnic grounds which boasts some very tall pine trees surrounding a lovely grassy area, perfectly suited to a wedding ceremony. Theres also a covered area and toilets on site. The only issue I had was that as it was a very sunny day, the sun was very harsh coming in one direction – thankfully the ceremony itself too place under the shade of one of the pine trees.

Part of Ellie and Nick’s wedding ceremony included a creation of a time capsule where they will open it again if they ever find the need to remind themselves why they married one another and read love letters they write each other while drinking the wine inside. It’s a nice addition to a wedding ceremony to do this, or something similar as it breaks up the usual talking and reciting of vows. Another way to incorporate a time capsule is allowig youselves to open it each anniversary.

Bridal motorcade arriving
Bride meeting flower girl
Groom waiting
Bride arriving
Grooms first look of bride
Smiling bride looking at groom
Groom looking at his bride
Belair National park wedding ceremony
holding hands during the ceremony
Wedding ceremony in Belair National Park
Belair National Park wedding in shade
belair National park wedding under tree
Smiles all round
wedding ceremony
Nailing the time capsule
Bride and groom exit

Glamour Photos

For Ellie and Nick’s glamour photos we began on site within the Joseph Fisher picnic area and made use of a love heart someone had engraved into one of the trees. Ellie was quite keen on getting that shot here! We then moved on throughout the national park to the Old Parliament House and then on to behind the Belair Train Station for more Belair National Park wedding photos.

The photos at the Old Parliament House were rushed a bit due to a small mix up of times which the area was booked – turned out the attendant on site expected us a good hour before we turned up for our photos – but she turned out to be a good sport and stuck around for us anyway 🙂

Close up portrait
bride and groom standing in the Belair National park
Belair National Park wedding photo
Standing together under a tree
Bride and groom standing together in forest
Bridal party photo at old government house
Bride and groom standing in the sun
Walking together in the garden
Bride and groom in an embrace
Belair National Park wedding photography
Leaning against a lamp post
Bride and groom walking together
Belair National Park wedding photo 3
Wedding photo in the Old Government House garden
Bride and groom dancing
Belair National Park wedding photo 2

The Summit Cafe and Function Center Wedding Reception

Ellie and Nick’s wedding reception took place at the Summit Cafe and Function Center at the Summit of Mt Lofty. It’s a nifty little spot, perfect for photographing the sunset from the top of the tallest mountain in South Australia and also the city lights during the night – although it was fairly cold and windy!

Wedding cake
Mt Lofty Summit cafe and function center
Mingling
Bride and groom cutting the wedding cake
Bride and groom at sunset
Bride and groom silhouette
guests having fun
Bride and groom on Mt Lofty Summit
Head table
Maid of honour speech
First dance
Smiling bride and groom
Nutbush at wedding
Bouquet toss

I’d like to thank Ellie and Nick for having me as their wedding photographer at their Belair National Park Wedding!

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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.