AlRu Farm Wedding – Emma & Brad

Emma & Brad
AlRu Farm Wedding

I was priviledged anough to have been asked to be Emma and Brad’s Wedding photographer at their stunning AlRu Farm wedding towards the end of May!

The setting, the atmosphere, the weather and just about everything came together to form the most perfect day for these two newly weds, and it was an absolute joy to be a part of!

Preparation

I began the day with Brad and his groomsmen getting prepared in the on-site International Suite accomodation which boasts a large living area lots of beautiful natural light streaming in throught he rustic windows that line the rooms. The setting is delightful for preparation photos with such a lovely, rustic backdrop.

We also made a point of walking about the grounds a little but – without sneaking a peek of Emma as she was also being prepared on site in a different area.

Groom’s shoes

Wedding rings on tie 2

Groom reading letter

Groom putting on tie in window

groom pacing AlRu Farm

Suit Jacket hanging on windowsill

Groomsman looking in mirror at AlRu Farm

Groom looking out doorway

groom and groomsmen having fun on driveway

groomsmen shot

groom and groomsmen lost shot

Groomsmen together

Emma was being prepared also on-site in the Garden Pavillion, which is in my experience the best place for the bridal party to get ready due to it’s wonderfully huge windows lining the entire length of the cottage making for a stunning backdrop for bridal portraits and shots of the dress. AlRu Farm has such a wonderful set up in regards to accomodation, providing 3 separate, wonderful spots for preparation photos on a wedding day – which makes it one of my favourite wedding venues in Adelaide.

Emma and her bridesmaids were really relaxed all morning leadning up to the moment where we head out for Emma and Brad’s ‘first look’ amongst the gardens of Alru Farm. We even had a bit of fun tryign to get the cork to fly off a champaign bottle! Lucky we had 2 to get it right!

Bridal shoes

Putting makeup on

Wedding dress hanging at Alru Farm

Helping with brides hair

Engagement ring in amonst the flowers

bridal party with champaigne

Bride and bridesmaids in gowns

Wedding dress hanging above bridal party

Wedding dress hanging At Alru Farm wedding

bridesmaids helping put on bridal gown

bride having a wine while getting dressed

Buttoning up bridal gown

Smiling bride in windwo at Alru Farm wedding

Alru Farm wedding bride

First Look

Emma and Brad opted to have a first look done before the ceremony, having the nerves and pent up energy of the day shared with their bridal party rather than the entirety of their guests at the ceremony itself.

We also made use of the time before the ceremony to walk around the grounds a bit to take some glamour phtoos with the bridal party with the idea that they will have more time after the ceremony to spend with their guests rather than taking phtoos all day.

Groom waiting patiently for his first look

bride approaching groom for first look

nervous groom waiting for first look

grooms first look at Alru Farm wedding

Smiling bride during first look

Glamour Photos

We walked around the grounds of Alru Farm making use of the overcast day to really allow the yellows for the dying autumnal leaves to come through as much as possible in their photos. We also made friends with the local wildlife while walking about!

bride and groom amongst the long grass at Alru

Guinea Fowl

bridal party on the driveway at their AlRu Farm Wedding

bridal party looking at bride and groom on bench

bride and groom on bench

Groomsmen sneaking up on bride and groom

Bridal party Charlies angels

bride and groom sharing a kiss in the gardens

bride and groom under veil before their ceremony

Laughing bride and groom amongst ivy

AlRu Farm Wedding Ceremony

Emma and Brad’s AlRu Farm wedding ceremony took place in the shaded grassy area nearby the on-site pond, allowing the bridal procession to walk through the famous romanesque pillars as they approached the wedding ceremony.

The area allows for the bridal party to be elevated in front of their guests on the stairs, while having the pond and parts of the pillars as a backdrop.

The weather was just perfect for their ceremony, with the sun making an appearance right towards the end, allowing for some awesome group photos at the end!

bride approaching her wedding ceremony

Happy bride and groom during ceremony

Groom glancing at celebrant

Alru farm wedding ceremony on steps

smiling bride listing to vows

Alru farm wedding ceremony on steps 3

Exchanging wedding rings in front of celebrant

Wedding ceremony at AlRu Farm

First kiss on the steps at Alru Farm

Signing documents over the pond

Bride and groom with signed wedding documents

Bridal exit from their ceremony

group photo at Alru Farm wedding

Alru farm wedding ceremony on steps 2

More Glamour Photos

After the group shots – which Emma specifially requested we do while moving, allowing for different backdrops in a majority of their group photos. I was keen to make use fo the dying sunlight that was making a beautiful specticle of itself shining through the foliage at AlRu Farm.

This is the best thing about having an AlRu Farm wedding – the whole place seems to be geared towards precisely this time of day, with the sun dropping down over the horizon, and it’s beams shining through the trees like it does – just makes for an amazing time as a wedding photographer!

At night time too! An Alru Farm wedding would not be complete if I diddnt fill the on-site greenhouse with a bit of smoke and create some amazing silhouettes!

Alru farm wedding photo

Fliying veil at Alru farm wedding

bride and groom walking along driveway

bride and groom hugging on driveway

bride and groom hugging on Alru farm driveway

Bride leading groom holding hands

bride and groom amongst the gum trees at Alru Farm

Smiles all round in the gum trees

Bride and groom leaning against big gum tree

bride and groom on the driveway at Alru Farm wedding

bridal party in the Alru Farm pillars

Dancing in the pillars

Alru Farm greenshouse wedding photo

Wedding photo in the alru farm greenshouse with stars

Wedding photo in the alru farm greenshouse

AlRu Farm Wedding Reception

Emma and Brad’s Alru Farm wedding reception took place in the old barn house that’s on site. It’s a rustic space, lined with floor to ceiling mirrors that accomodates more guests than you would expect!

Emma and Brad’s love for animals was on display all night, with multiple references among the speeches which sometimes made for some fun listening hearing about the exploits they get up to in regards to adopting too many furry friends!

The night was full of fun, dancing and interesting customs, including shuffling along the dance floor duing one’s head like a broom. It was a really fun night that I was super glad to have been a part of!

Wedding cake on display 2

Table place settings

Speech giver

Smiling bride during speech

Toasting best man

Bride thanking her wedding planner

Cutting the wedding cake

Guests being silly

First dance together

First dance together closeup

First dance together at ALru Farm wedding

Dessert

Dacning bride on the dancefloor

boys group shot

Dancing guest

Head dragging along the dance floor

Thankyou Emma and Brad for having me capture your AlRu Farm wedding day!

July 7, 2021

Wedding preview, Wedding

National Wine Center Wedding – Pat & Kat

Pat & Kat
National Wine Center Wedding

Pat and Kat held a stunning National Wine Center wedding early in April surrounded by delightful family and friends who all made sure that Pat and Kat had an absolute blast on their big day!

The sun was shining, the Adelaide Botanic Gardens looked amazing and the National Wine Center Wedding staff were top notch! They even helped me find a park right outside – which is often very tricky around the Botanic Gardens!

Preparation

I started out the day at Patrick’s place of preparation with his groomsmen and his parents. They were all in good spirits, with Patrick’s parents super happy to be as helpful as possible!

Wedding rings on grooms tie

Cufflinks lined up

Smiling groom staring at camera

Groomsmen getting ready on couch

Through the doorway at groom getting ready

Mum looking on proudly

Groom staring out window

Dad helping son put on tie

Mum helping son get ready

Smiling Mum as she helps with tie

groomsmen ready to roll

Groom looking great in the ally

It was a treat to head to Katerina’s place of preparation – what a stunning house almost on the waterfront at Semaphore! I was super lucky to get a park as the entire area is always swarming with beach goers, but I lucked out right outside the house!

Inside there was a hive of activity, from the bridesmaids fussing about trying to fix broken earrings to little babies being fed by grandparents, and of course the bride herself getting herself ready with makeup, and hair.

The house afforded quite a few nice vantage points to take some lovely photos – and we simply ran out of time using them all!

Wedding dress reflected in mirror

Wedding dress hanging at end of hall

Bride walking towards her wedding dress

Perfume

Hugs with bridesmaid

bride having her makeup done

bride having her makeup done smiling

bridesmaids helping with earrings

bridesmaids having fun in gown

OMG an engagement ring

Bridesmaids seeing bride in dress

bridesmaids helping sort out wedding dress

bridal party together

bride standing in front of front door in wedding gown

Finishing touches on brides hair

Bride looking in mirror as Dad looks on

National Wine Center Wedding Ceremony

Pat and Kat’s National Wine Center wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area just beyond the main bulding, while it was a very sunny day, the surrounding foliage of the bushy trees provided for quite a bit of shade for the ceremony and guests and provided a lovely green backdrop for all their photos.

Groom waiting patiently under the trees

groom and groomsmen lined up at front of ceremony

Bride and father walking towards ceremony

Bride approaching ceremony at National Wine Center

grooms first look at the National Wine Center

bride and groom holding hands during ceremony

National Wine Center wedding ceremony

Bride looking at her groom during the ceremony

Bride turned towards groom

national Wine Center Wedding Ceremony under sun

Groom reading his vows

Exchanging wedding rings at the wedding ceremony

First kiss at the National Wine Center wedding

Bride and groom newly wed

Bride and groom under petals

bride and groom showing off their wedding rings

Adelaide Botanic Gardens Photo Shoot

As the National Wine Center shares a border with the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, I often like to refer to the venue as the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s unofficial 10th ceremony location where there are normally 9 within the gardens proper. As such we spent a little while walking about the Gardens for glamour photos – even venturing into the nearby Botanic Park to make use of the stunning moreton bay fig trees.

National Wine Center Wedding Photo

bride and grom under hollowed out foliage

Passionate kiss in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

bridal party selfy

bridal party surrounding a tree

Closeup of wedding rings on hands

Sitting on a bench together under a tree

Wedding photo in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Bridal party together in the botanic gardens

bride and groom leaning against the gate house

Together sitting on the roots of a large fig tree

Enjoying the yellow colours of leaves in Botanic Park

Botanic Park wedding photo

Standing together near a large fig tree

bride and grrom under the veil together

Bride and groom leaning against a fig tree

Bride and groom amongst the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

bride and groom in front of a doorway

Sunset in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Closeup of bride and groom amongst the trees

National Wine Center Wedding Reception

Pat and Kat held their National Wine Center wedding reception in the Exhibition hall, on the second story of the wine center. The appeal of this particular function space for a wedding reception is the wide open, but segmented spaces for each part of the wedding reception. As you walk in the main doors, there is the bar and where I set up my photobooth alongside the tables for gifts, and other wedding knick knacks, then there is a central area for the dance floor, and finally the seating areas with ample room for hundreds of guests.

The walls of the exhibition hall is lined with wine bottles and iinteresting tidbits on the history of wine making in South Australia and Australia as a whole. It’s a very nice space which oozes elegance and formality.

One fun thing that Pat and Kat decided to do for their wedding that was quite unique was create a bit of a ‘couple’s logo’. They used their graphic design skills to produce a logo based on their P & K initials which they then used on pretty much everything to do with their wedding day – from invites, cufflinks, photobooth printouts, even a giant decal the National Wine Center had placed on their dance floor. I thought it was pretty awesome, and a very neat way to personalise everything in a simple, but smart way.

Towards the end of the evening we managed to duck out to the main entrance to the National Wine Center to use from smoke in a can and lights to take some after dark photos, and Pat and Kat also organised some sparklers for a sparkler send off which was pretty enat walking down that long, curving walkway!

PK decal on dancefloor

Wedding cake on display

bride and groom entering National Wine Center wedding reception

bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

Guests enjoying the photobooth

Succulant

Speech giver

Bridal party at head table

Bridesmaid having fun

First dance closeup

Groom concentrating on first dance

National Wine Center Wedding Photography

Kiss on the dance floor after first dance

Father daughter dance

Hugs after Daddy daughter dance

Starting the dancing off

Guests having fun on the dance floor

Smokey wedding photo at National Wine Center Wedding

National Wine Center Werdding photo with smoke

Dancing guests green light

Getting the bride to dance more

Exit under sparklers

National wine center wedding Exit under sparklers

Thanks so much to Pat and Kat for having me be your wedding photographer! I had a great day and I hope you guys enjoy your photos!

June 19, 2021

Wedding, Wedding preview

Currant Shed Wedding – Stephanie & Gino

Stephanie and Gino held their Currant Shed wedding ceremony on a wonderfully sunny day almost an exact year later than what they planned to due to the unfortunate events of COVID – but you wouldnt know it! Stephanie and Gino were all smiles all day, and super keen on sharing their big day with all the family and friends who made the trip down to Mclaren Flat for their delightful Curant Shed Wedding!

Currant Shed Wedding Ceremony

Stephanie and Gino were both prepared at the on-site bed and breakfast that was conveniently a stone’s throw away from the Currant shed’s restaurant and cellar door which was where they held their ceremony.

The area is a lovely grassy field, surrounded by small fruit trees which provided for a lush, green backdrop to their sun-lit wedding ceremony. Their ceremony was a lovely, simple affair with a reading or two conduceted by friends, while the ring bearer and flower girl were sons and daughters – which was a nice way to include them too.

The entire time leading up to the ceremony, and directly after was very laid back, punctuated by a nifty band who marched about the place after the ceremony. All throughout the family photos, all the guests were relaxing and enjoying the nice weather while sipping on the Currant Shed’s delectible drinks.

Flower girl walking at the Currant shed

bride and groom approaching ceremony at the currant shed

bride and groom approaching ceremony at their currant shed wedding

Bride and groom on the grass at the currant ched

Groom watching the ceremony

The Currant shed wedding ceremony

Bride looking at her groom on a sunny day

Exchanging wedding rings amongst the trees

First kiss at Currant Shed wedding

Excited bride and groom

Bride and groom exiting ceremony at the Currant Shed

The Currant shed wedding

Currant Shed Wedding Glamour Photos

For glamour photos we went for a bit of a walk up and around the Currant Shed’s grounds towards the nearby Shottesbrooke Winery making use of the Australian bush scenery and backdrop of vineyards – although not being actually allowed in them, so we avoided that.

the liught was dying ever so nicely behind some clouds towards the end of the day which made for some great subtle light seeping in though the trees of the driveway which was absolutely awesome!

Bride and groom in embrace

Bride and groom bumping heads under the trees

Newly weds under green tree

Gloomy wedding photo

Having some fun in the Currant Shed’s b&b

Wedding rings in Australian flower

Bride and groom in front of purple flowers

Bride and groom walking along driveway together

newly weds leaning against a tree

newly weds leaning against a tree together

Bride and groom in the long grass

Newly weds in the long grass

Newly weds looking at the camera

Bride and groom holding hands in vineyard

Amongst the Currant shed trees

Amongst the Currant sheds trees

Currant Shed Wedding photo in trees

Hugs in the trees

Walking back to the wedding reception

Thanks a bunch Gino and Stephanie for having me as your wedding photographer at your Currant Shed wedding! Hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

June 1, 2021

Wedding preview, Wedding

Kangaroo Island Elopement – Claire & Jacob

Claire & Jacob
Kanagroo Island Elopement

Claire and Jacob held a super secret Kangaroo Island Elopement unbeknownst to all their family and friends except for their witnesses! From the moment I met with Claire and Jacob I knew their elopement was going to be a special one, and it certainly turned out to be a fantastic day starting from sunrise on pennashw’s beach, up to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse before finally heading to Pennington bay for their elopement ceremony.

Morning Photoshoot

We began the day at the crack of dawn – hoping for a stunning sunrise to illuminate the sky behind the lovely rocks at Frenchman’s rock. Unfortunately that wasn’t to be with a rather overcast beginning to the morning, we made use of the rock formations anyway, before finally slivers of the sunrise revealed itself towards the end of our time there.

As a result Claire and Jacob’s Kangaroo Island elopement photoshoot began by getting our feet wet a bit, which in my books is the best way to start a day of photo taking! Next stop was scaling cliffs near the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse!

Frenchmans rock wedding photo

Frenchmans rock wedding photography

Holding one another on the beach

Out amongst the Frenchmans rocks

Penneshaw beach sunrise

Kangraoo Island Elopement photoshoot

Penneshaw beach Wedding

Before heading out to the lighthouse however, we made use of the nearby Sculpture trail on Penneshaw beach to take some shots within some of the sculputes and on the lovely suspension bridge cutting across the gully.

The last time I was on Kangaroo Island before Claire and Jacob’s kangaroo island elopement was about 10 years prior, and I had just got into photography then. I ventured out this way myself hoping to capture some stunning landscapes and of course I did so – but that trip allowed me to remember some amazing spots bewteen Penneshaw and Cape Willoughby – including tree lines dirt roads and grass along the sides of some roads! made sure we made use of them.

Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail

Kangaroo Island Sculpture trail Photo

Bride and groom inbetween sculpture

On the side of the road in Kangaroo Island

On the roads in Kangaroo Island

under the trees on Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island road wedding photo

Our time at the Cape Willoughby Lighthouse was the moment I was most looking forward to before heading out for Claire and Jacob’s elopement. I remembered there was an amazing winding road leading to the lighthouse itself, and also some stunningly tall cliffs whcih I was keen to ask Claire and Jacob to scale for photos! I was lucky they were keen to do so! Not since Georgia in Hobart had I seen a bride so willing to run around on rocks in her wedding dress before the ceremony!

It was absolutely marvellous despite viewing the footage my wife took after the fact and realising how high the cliffs under us really were!

Walking to Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Walking up the road together

Together on the hill near the lighthouse

On the cliffs near Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Wedding photo on cliffs

Together nearby Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Bride and groom in front of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Wedding photo at Cape Willoughby Lighthouse

Kangaroo Island Elopement Ceremony

Claire and Jacob’s Kangaroo Island Elopement ceremony took place on a little secluded beach, surrounded by cliffs nearby the beautiful Pennington Bay. This secluded location allowed for minimal wind to interrupt the ceremony and it made for a lovely, intimate ceremony.

bride groom and celebrant at pennington bay

bride groom and celebrant

Bride smiling at her groom on the beach

Kangaroo Island elopement ceremony

Pennington Bay wedding ceremony

Pennington Bay wedding

Laughing bride on beach

Exchanging wedding bands at Pennington Bay

First kiss on Pennington Bay

Celebrating marriage at pennington Bay

Family photo on Pennington Bay

Pennington Bay Glamour Shoot

The waters around Pennington bay is beatifully clear and shallow enough so that Claire and Jacob could wade out a bit for some photos, so of course I made them do so! The scenery just called for another round of wading so we certainly made use of it all!

bride and groom in the water

Pennington Bay Kangaroo Island

Bride and groom walking along Pennington Bay

bride groom and dog

bride and groom walking with dog along beach

bride and groom amongst the pennington bay rocks

bride and groom on a rock

Thanks so much to Claire and Jacob for having me as your wedding/elopement photographer I know some of the things I asked you do do for the shot wasnt easy, but I am so grateful you gavClaire and Jacob held a super secret Kangaroo Island Elopement on the pristine sands of Pennington Bay after scaling cliffs and getting wet!e me the opportunity to take some amazing shots!

May 26, 2021

Wedding preview, Wedding

Old Oval Estate Wedding – Suzie & Jay

Suzie & Jay
Old Oval Estate Wedding

It was a stunning, sunny day for Suzie and Jay’s Old Oval Estate wedding in Mclaren Vale! The mood was laid back and jovial all day, with all involved just keen on making sure Suzie and Jay have a beautiful celebration of the coming together of their two families.

Suzie and Jay opted to host a ‘first look‘ within the beautiful Bone Gully section of Kuitpo Forest before heading to the Old Oval Estate and Fork in the Road Winery for their ceremony before heading all the way to Macclesfield’s delightful little Three Brothers Arms Pub for their family – oriented reception.

Preparation

I began my day with Jay and his groomsmen being prepared at their family house nearby Meadows. The weather was actually quite grim and foggy up there in the morning, but the weather certainly came out nicely for the rest of their day!

Jay and his groomsmen had a grand old time ripping on one another as they helped each other get dressed, while also making sure Jay’s cigar was lit and hip flask was full.

The great thing about where Jay and his entourage got prepared was the ability to wander off into some neat forested areas behind the house which we made use of for many of their photos.

Young ones clothes lined out

Helping young one get ready

groomsmen hip flasks

groom putting on tie in front hallway

Groom putting on suit jacket in hallway

helping tie tie

Groom and Groomsmen on street

Groom leanng against big gum tree

Groom walking out hallway door

Suzie and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a bed and breakfast, not far from the Bone Gully forested area where Suzie and Jay held their ‘first look’. The delightful little cottage boasted sweeping views of a nearby pond and a beautiful driveway flanked by tall gum trees which we most certainly made use of for their photos!

Suzie and her bridesmaids shared the jovial mood the boys displayed by making sure Suzie and the little one running about was having a great time – even to the point of having the little one treat a bed like a trampoline!

Opal necklace

Bride hanging wedding dress

Hanging wedding dress on cupboard door

Closeup of family photos on bouquet

Bridesmaid helping put dress on through doorframe

All the bridesmaids helping out

Smiling bridesmaid looking on at bride getting ready

All the bridesmaids together in front of pond

bride standing under arch of tree

bride standing by herself infront of gum trees

bridesmaids all standing together in front of gum trees

Silly bridal party photo

Bone Gully, Kuitpo Forest First Look

I just love heading to Bone Gully – a part of Kuipto Forest for wedding photos – I’ve taken a couple of bridal couples here – but it’s always a bit of a hrd sale to most due to the difficult terrain that a couple would have to traverse in order to make the most of the location – and wedding attire really isnt best suited for hiking.

That said though, when I finally do get the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Bone Gully, the tall trees and amazing scenery really makes it such a special place! So I was super exicited to learn that Suzie and Jay were keen to head there for their first look!

We made use of the well used BMX tracks, just inside the gates of the forest for the actual moment where suzie approached Jay for their first look, which when surrounded by the dappled light of the harsh sun beating through the trees made for an intimate moment shared by the two of them.

We then went for a bit of a walk up the hill a bit to take a few more shots of the bridal aprty as a whole and also made sure to make the best use fot eh sun shining through the trees.

groom patiently waiting for the first look

first look in Kuitpo Forest

First look in bone gully

Family together on wedding day

Bride and groom amongst the trees in Kuitpo Forest

Bride and groom amongst the trees in Bone Gully

bride and groom amongst the tall pine trees

Bridal party on the path in Bone Gully

bride and groom away from the bridal party

Bride and groom up the hill a bit in Bone Gully

Bride and groom up the hill a bit in Kuitpo Forest

Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony

Holding an Old Oval estate wedding ceremony usually means setting up on a grassy area, under a large gum tree, flanked on either side by vineyards. It’s a delightful spot to host an outdoor wedding ceremony – particularly when you also organise shade for your guests on such a sunny day as this was!

Suzie and Jay had one oof their friends act as an officient throughout their ceremony, who continually made jokes about swishing his mullet around and made in-jokes about Suzie and Jay’s relationship. This is always a nice way to include close friends, and also make the whole ceremony a lot more intimate for all involved.

After the ceremony, we took family photos under the large gum tree, before spending a little time having some leisurely drinks at the cellar door.

bride and groom arriving at their Old Oval Estate Wedding

Officiant

Smiling bride during her wedding ceremony

Smiling groom during his wedding ceremony

Under the tree at Old Oval estate wedding ceremony

Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony

Holding hands at Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony

First kiss at Old Oval Estate wedding ceremony

Exit from Old Oval Estate wedding ceremony 2

Three Brothers Arms Wedding Reception

Suzie and Jay’s wedding reception took place a fair drive away in Macclesfield’s Three Brothers Arms Hotel – a historic building in the town which Suzie and Jay were keen to make use of for some gritty, not quite so lovey-dovey wedding photos – which I had the most fun setting up and shooting!

We made use of the rustic front bar for some shots of the two of them reading their favourite books, and even finished the day with laying down in the gutter out the front for a ‘drunken’ photo anyone whould be keen on printing and hanging on a wall 😛