The Cedars Wedding – Sara & Zac

May 18, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Sara & Zac
The Cadars Wedding

Sara and Zac’s The Cedars wedding could not have taken place on any better day for the weather, and the incredible light that seeped it’s way through the trees!

It had been a while since I was last at the Hans Heysen House, or The Cedars as it’s now called for a wedding – and I had very much been looking forward to shooting here again as I knew that for a wedding venue, the gardens here literally inspired one of the defining Australian Artists in Hans Heysen.

Preparation

When hosting a wedding at The Cedars, it’s not unsual to take advantage of the package deals that The Haus group offers. The Haus group now being the custodian of the Cedars wedding venue also runs quite a few spots around the historic town of Hahndorf, including accomodation, and places to hold receptions – like The Haus Restaurant.

Sara and Zac were preparaed at one such hotel, and then held their reception at The Haus – which was all very convenient as everything was very nearby and travel time between locations was minimal for everyone involved. Particularly good in a tourist town like Hahndorf on a Saturday!

Sara’s preparation was a quick affair with me trying top hang her dress in a nearby tree first, then her bridesmaids came and helped her put it on – it was all done within 30 minutes.

Engagement ring in large orange flower

Wedding dress hanging on large tree trunk

Bride’s family out the door

Bridesmaids helping bride in hotel room

Bridesmaids helping smiling bride

Bridesmaids helping smiling bride on deck

Smiling bride on htoel room deck

bride holding bouquet in double doorway

Bride laughing with bridesmaids

The Cedars Wedding Ceremony

The first time I saw Zac was in front of his arbour set up within the bushiest part of The Cedars’ gardens so that all their wedding guests would be shaded from the sun.

Sara and Zac’s dog was a centre piece for their whole day so I made sure to get a few nice photos of their fur baby before he was taken home!

Sara and Zac’s wedding ceremony itslf was a lovely, simple affair with a few readings being read by family and friends, and emotional vows from the two of them, helped along by ample pats of their lovely doggo!

Black dog in bowtie

Arbour set up at The Cedars wedding

Groom waiting by Arbour at his The Cedars wedding

bride arriving at her The Cedars wedding

Grooms first look at the cedars

The Cedars wedding ceremony

bride holding bouquet during wedding ceremony

Groom looking and his bride just before the ceremony starts

The Cedars wedding ceremony Hahndorf

bride and groom holding hands under arbour at The Cedars

Bride and groom during The Cedars wedding ceremony

First kiss at The Cedars wedding

The Cardars wedding ceremony bride and groom

Singing the registry in the sunlight

Bride and groom exiting The Cedars wedding ceremony

Wedding Party in heart shape at The Cadars wedding Hahndorf

Glamour Photos

After the group photos were taken on the large, grassy area just behind where The Cedars wedding ceremony was set up, we used the beautiful natural lighting that was peering through the trees to amplify the Autumnal colours from the trees. Honestly, this spot was a joy to photograph in due to the way the sun was behaving and the colours on the trees – it was all just stunning!

sara had made it clear to me that they had chosen me as their wedding photographer mainly due to how I’m able to incorperate nature and the l;andscape into my work, so this was just perfect for what I do best!

We were planning on heading up the road a little to make use of the Mt Barker rail tunnel, but the sun was fading quite fast, and I figured the best use of the remaining sunlight was really to stay at The Cedars – and maybe use some of the Autumnal colours on display on the Hahndorf Main street before heading in for their reception.

Black Dog Portrait

Bride and groom under autumn colours

The Cedars wedding Photography

Bridal party under the autumnal colours

bride and groom walking their dog through The Cedars

Bride and groom looking back at camera on bench

Bride and groom through foliage in the gardens of The Cedars

Bride and groom standing in amongst the garden

Bride and groom standing in amongst the sunlight

Bride and groom against tree in The Cedarts wedding garden

Bridal party walking along dirt path

Bridal aprty next to old stone wall

Bride and groom walking throguh long grass together

Bride and groom in the grass

Bridal party in the long grass

Bride and groom with old building in background

Wedding rings in sunlight

Bride and groom looking at one another under lights

bride and groom surrounded by Autumn colours

Bride and groom looking out onto main road in Hanhdorf

Bride and groom with smoke and Autumn colours

The Haus Wedding Reception

After taking ample The Cedars wedding photos, we head back to the main street of Hahndorf for Sara and Zac’s reception at the Haus restaurant where I had already set up my photobooth prior to their day starting.

Their night was full of fun filled people, happy to be there, celebrating Sara and Zac’s special day, and the photobooth got a good workout during the rest fo the night!

Bridal kiss through cheers

Place name for guests

Cupcake wedding cake

Thumbs up wedding guests

Guests enjoying the photo booth

First dance at the Haus

First dance at the Haus bride

Dancing

Cutting their wedding cake

Feeding each other wedding cake

Thanks so much to Sara and Zac for having me shoot at your Hans Heysen – The Cedars wedding! Was a great day and I hope you enjoy the resulting photos!

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding – Kait & Brayden

May 12, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Kait & Brayden
Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding

I was once again out at one of my favourite Mclaren vale wedding venues, and what an amazing day it was! Kait and Brayden’s Mclaren vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding was blessed with some amazing weather, fun filled people and of course the beautiful surrounds that is the Ekhidna Winery.

Kait and Brayden’s big day was lovely and laid back, with their entire day taking place on site and not wasting any time by going off site, allowing them to spend as much time as possible with their family and friends.

Preparation

I arrived at Brayden’s place of preparation and was quite surprised to see all the boys fully dressed and ready to roll! Quite a rarity when it comes to the groom and his groomsmen in the morning! It’s more often I have to poke and prod everyone to start getting dressed!

As a result we used their bed and breakfast for a few portrait style shots and used the magnetic button hole flowers as a bit of a prop for some ‘getting ready’ photos.

Shiny groom shoes

Wedding rings in box next to shoes

Wedding recovery kit

Groom fiddling with jacket

Groom playing with flower on jacket

Smiling groom playuing with flower

Dad stepping in to straighten tie

Groomsmen stubbie holders

Groom being pushed around

Groom standing out front of groomsmen

Groom and entourage walking down road

Kait and her bridal party were getting ready at another bed and breakfast in Mclaren Vale with the most lovely backyard I was keen on using by hanging up her dress and later having photos doen of their little flower girl and Dad’s first look on the lawn!

Kait’s preparation was full of fun, with the girls all laughing all the time and keen on just having a great time.

Wedding shoes next to bouquet

Photos on bouquet

Engagement ring in large rose bouquet

Bridesmaids laughing it up

Wedding dress hanging in yellow tree

Bridesmaids in denim jackets

Little flower girl sitting in grass

Flower girl jacket hanging in tree

Laughing bride as she gets ready

bridesmaids buzzing about helping

Laughing bridesmaid during prep

bride standing alone in front room

Bridesmaids reactions to bride

Dad’s first look of bride reaction

Bride standing looking through foliage

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding Ceremony

Brayden had a little time to wait before Kait showed up, but once she did, he was full of emotion and seemed to have the best time during the ceremony. Kait arrived via Bently motorcade which made for quite the entrance!

The wind was reasonably strong, but that diddnt stop the joy emanating from both Kait and Brayden, and also their guests of honour who read some poignant messages.

Mclaren Vale Enkhidna Wines Wedding ceremony

groom waiting at Ekhidna Wines

Wedding cars lined up

bride and Father walking toward ceremony

Grooms first look reaction

Bride arriving at Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding ceremony

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding ceremony in progress

Page boy and rings

bride and groom exiting their Wedding ceremony

Love heart photo of Ekhidna Winery

Happy bubs

Glamour Photos

As I mentioned earlier, Kait and Brayden spent as much time as possible with their family and friends, so after their Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding Ceremony they made the most of the surrounding grounds to take their glamour photos.

We began with their stunning wedding cars, which which we took a few group photos. We then walked a short distance away inbetween the vineyards for more group photos before heading down the road a bit where I knew there are some amazing gum trees which made for a great framing device for the sunset.

Kait and Brayden’s sunset turned out amazingly!

Bride and groom amongst their wedding cars

bride and groom share a kiss with cars

bride and groom with celebrating bridal party

Bridal party laughing together

Bride and groom front the air inbetween vineyards

Bride and groom front the air inbetween vineyards offcenter

Groom hugging bride walking

Bridal party together in front of Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines wedding

bridal couple walking together on road

Bride and groom walking towards sunset and vines

Groom dragging bride along in sunset

groom sneaking up on bride

Bride snad groom inbetween gumtrees at sunset

Bride and groom looking at camera between trees

Bride and groom looking at camera between trees landscape

Bride and groom dance at sunset

bride and groom in Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding vineyard

Kiss in the Ekhidna Wines vineyard

Bride and groom looking at one another in vines

Night time photo in vineyard

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding Reception

Kait and Brayden’s reception took place in the patio area of the Ekhidna Wines cellar door with several lines of tables set up to enjoy a sit down sidder, while their head table was in frotn of the wooden paneling at one end of the area.

I had my photobooth set up and running all night, so their guests had a blast with that, while also enjoying the amazing culinary fare afforded to them by Ekhidna wines – including their stellar ginger beer! Love that stuff!

3 tier white wedding cake on barrel

Bridal entrance at Ekhidna Wines

Bride and groom kiss under cheers and lights

Excited guests

Shaka speech giver

Kisses for bubbles

Ermergerd a ring!

After cutting the cake

Groom hugging bridesmaid

bride and groom shots

Daddy daughter dance hugs

First dance fun

Sparkler exit

Thanks a bunch Kait and Brayden for having me as your wedding phtographer! Your Mclaren vale Ekhidna Wines wedding was a blast to be a pKait and Brayden’s Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines wedding was full of fun filled people who all wanted to celebrate as much as they could!art of and I hope you enjoy your photos!

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding – Elyssa & Ziad

February 23, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Elyssa & Ziad
AuchendarrochHouse Wedding

Elyssa and Ziad held their AuchendarrochHouse wedding ceremony on the pristine lawns nearby the heritage listed mansion in Mt Barker. The day’s weather was amazing, and the people involved even more so!

Their day was delightful to be a part of, beginning with Elyssa’s preparation in the city before a first look at the Auchenarroch House’s lawns before their Bahai wedding ceremony!

Preparation

Elyssa and a few friends were being prepared in a hotel room in the city. It was a fairly cramped space so I was tip toeing around the makeup and hairdressers that were also making use of the small space – but it all turned out great!

The atmosphere was very laid back with Elyssa showing great excitiement for the day to come!

Red wedding dress hanging in window

Engagement ring in pink flower

Red gem in necklace

Photo of bridesmaid getting ready

bride looking in mirror after makeup is done

Lacing up back of red bridal dress

Smiling bride in red wedding dress

Bride standing alone in red wedding dress

Bride looking smiling out window

First Look Photoshoot

Elyssa and Ziad opted for a first look prior to their AuchendarrochHouse wedding ceremony within the nearby gardens and the house itself. In order to do so, both Elyssa and Ziad arrived well before their guests started arriving so we had the run of the delightful gardens and of course unique architecture of the house itself to take some lovely, intimate photos of just the two of them.

Bride in red dress approaching groom

First look at Auchendarrochhouse wedding

Bride placing flower on groom

Bride placing flower on groom under trees

bride and groom headbutting under tree in garden

Sharing a moment under a tree together

Smiles all round at Auchendarrochhouse wedding

Bridal portrait next to tree

bride and groom through the foliage at Auchendarrochhouse wedding

bride and groom on bench together

Groom looking at his bride on the patio

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Photo

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Photography

Photo at AuchendarrochHouse Wedding

Photography at AuchendarrochHouse Wedding

Bride in window sill

Groom sitting in chair next to window

Close up of groom’s watch

Smiling hugs

bride and groom under the sun at Auchendarrochhouse wedding

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Ceremony

Elyssa and Ziad’s wedding ceremony took place under the beautiful huge, green tree on the grassy area next to the main building of Auchendorrach house. Their congragation made use of it’s shade to avoid the harsh sun throughout the ceremony which incorporated a small chior, and speeches from a number of different family members and friends.

Elyssa and Ziad made use of my livestream service to include gusts that could not attend the ceremony itself – and according to the number of people watching in, it was a huge hit!

Directly after the ceremony, we made use of the open grassy area to take a drone photo of all the guests in attendance before rushing back into the shade for smaller family photos.

bride and groom approaching wedding ceremony together

bride and groom from behind

bride and groom sitting together during ceremony

Bahai chior

Holding hands closeup

bride and groom listening to ceremony

Bride and groom with congregation behind

Closeup of rings exchanging

Hugs after first kiss

bride and groom leaving Auchendarrochhouse wedding ceremony

AuchendarrochHouse Wedding Reception

Elyssa and Ziad’s AuchendarrochHouse wedding reception was an early dinner that took place in the lovely private function section of the establishment. The space draws on the aesthetic of the elegant 19th-century house that’s attached, which quite different to the modern tavern thats right next door. SImply walking through the entire place takes you through quite a few time zones!

The highlight of Elyssa and Ziad’s reception were the heartfelt speeches made by a number of different important people in their life, while they also had a fun little guest-driven game going throughout where a quiz on Elyssa and Ziad’s relationship were given to all their guests.

Wedding cake on display during lunch reception

Speech givers at auchendarrochhouse wedding

Speech givers at lunch time reception

Groom hugging speech giver

Speech giver giving speech

Reception wedding tree

Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

I’d like to thank Elyssa and Ziad for having me as their wedding phtoographer as their wimple, but delightful wedding!

Civic Park Wedding – Susie & Ricky

March 4, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Susie & Ricky
Civic Park Wedding

It was a gloriously sunny day for Susie and Ricky as they hosted their Civic park wedding ceremony up on the hill above the maid grassy area nearby the Sferas Convention Center. They had originally planned to hold their reception only to put that on hold for later in the year until the COVID threat had quietened a bit.

Despite their little postponement of their reception, this happy couple still made the most of their shorter day with gusto!

Preparation

Ricky and his best man was prepared at the family home nearby. I arrived as they were playing a few last video games – which is always a great start, and then we moved on to more usual things like cleaning mirrors while trying to tie ties 🙂

Video games playing groom

Groom getting help with his tie

Groom and groomsman squeezing into mirror

Bestman sorting out tie

Grinning groom

Groom getting lapel straightened

Simpsons cufflinks

Putting flower on lapel

Putting flower on lapel on best man

Groom leaning on doorframe

Susie and her bridal party were prepared at one of the suites at the Sfera’s Convention center in which they had a grand view over where their Civic Park wedding ceremony was being set up overlooking the little creek area at the center of the entire park.

I arrived just as the girl’s makeup was almost done, which is great as then I’m able to make the use of the time taking phtos of things like dresses and shoes, etc.

Susie spent some time in during her preparation on two special moments – the first being a first look with the handsome man who walked her down the aisle, and the other with her flower girl – to which Susie gifted a fluffy white cat toy, which the little girl wasn’;t overly keen on at first but came around to it 🙂

Engagement ring in purple flower

Makeup on bride

Sister hugs

Bride playing with veil

Bride sitting looking at wedding dress

Bridesmaids getting tangled in veil

Bridesmaids stretching out train

Smiling bride looking at camera

Bride standing in window light

Bride smiling looking up

Bride twisting back at bridesmaids

Bridesmaids reacting to engagement ring

Bride showing off train

Groom leaning on doorframe

Civic Park Wedding Ceremony

Susie and Ricky’s Civic Park wedding ceremony took place under the shade of the gum trees that line the dry creek area that adorns the top of the path way that wiggles it’s way through the center of the park – while lined with grass. The path connect’s the Tea Tree Plaza shopping center and Sferas.

Being set up here was wonderful as Susie and Ricky’s guests were therefore protected by the harsh sun, as opposed to the poor other wedding ceremony that took place on the main grass area just after theirs.

Their ceremony itself was a lovely simple affair, with private in jokes based on a variety of popculture references which made a different small portion of their congregation chuckle at different times throughout.

Checking the time together

Groom waiting at Civic Park wedding

Bride arriving looking at Dad

Grooms first look at bride

Civic Park wedding ceremony

Grinning bride during ceremony

Groom looking at his bride

Bride and groom looking back at congregation

Exchanging wedding bands at Civic Park wedding

Bride smiling at her groom at wedding

First kiss at Civic Park wedding

Bridal exit at Civic Park wedding

Glamour Photos

After coaxing everyone out on the grassy hill for a group photo using the drone – so as to socially distance – We made use of the rest of Civic park for a few glamour photos before heading across the road to the Solandra Wetlands for a few more.

As the sun was super bright, my main goal throughout was simply to use as much shade as possible to bring some sun flares coming through and making the scene super pretty. It was however fairly early in the day – so this was a little tricky, but the beautiful surrounds of the foliage available still made for some lovely shots.

Kisses under a tree at Civic park wedding

Groom kissing his bride’s head under a tree

Flying veil on bride

bridesmaid pointing

Smiles all round as headbutt

Smiling bride with groom and jacket

Bridal party reacting to kiss

Bride and groom under sun lit tree

Bride leading groom on merry jape

Bride and groom in long grass

Bride and groom in weeping willow

Bride and groom in weeping willow foliage

Thanks so much to Susie and Ricky for having me as your wedding photographer! I’m so sorry that wouldnt be able to cover your reception on your new date! But I hope you enjoy the photos taken on your wedding day!

Announcing the 2022 Wedding Photo of the year contest

March 10, 2022/in Interesting, Wedding

2022 Wedding Photo of the year contest

Each and every year I run a little bit of a contest for all the married couples I covered their wedding for in the previous year (2021). I ask for each couple I was their wedding photographer for to select a single favourite photo from all of the wedding photos I took on their day and put them up for vote to win the title of ‘SvenStudios 2022 wedding photo of the year’.

This past year – despite it being super haphazard with COVID restrictions and sillyness that is the world we live in now – has been my most busy to date covering 37 weddings, with quite a few of them being soley videography coverage – which makes it tricky to involve those coules in this little contest. If anyone has any ideas on how to involve videography clients let me know!

As with any of my wedding photo of the year contests, I always keep completely hands off with selecting any of the images, allowing my wedded couples to select their own personal favourite photos, or none at all! This means that these images are not necessarily the same images I would have chosen if I were to do the same thing when looking at their images. If you were interested in what images I would have chosen however I’ve put together a simple slideshow video of some of my favourite images from each of the weddings I have covered in 2021.

To entice as many people to vote as possible, I also always offer a AU$100 cash prize to one random voter chosen once voting has ended. I record and vette each vote as they come in and have a rather sophisticated anti-duplicate detection system in place so as to deter any cheating or duplicate voting to keep things fair. To make things a little more interesting this year, I’m also going to add an additional entry into this $100 draw for each person who shares their vote on their social media!

Keep in mind you do not need to share on your social media in order to submit a vote as not everyone has social media accounts.

The owner of the winning photo will recieve a $500 voucher to use in their personal cloud-based store to produce and print whatever products they wish!

In past contests, and I’m sure it will be the same in the 2022 wedding photo of the year contest, the winning image has been not only the most voted on, but also the most shared on social media – remember every individual vote, and sharing individual that is recorded goes into the draw to win a simple $100, so after voting, share your favourite photo on facebook to support it as much as possible!