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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
 