Tag Archive for: 2022

Darwin’s Dudley Point Wedding – Melanie & Kerry

July 29, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Darwin’s Dudley Point Wedding – Melanie & Kerry

It was so good to be up in Darwin again for a wedding, and I was super excited for Melanie and Kerry’s as it was the first time as a frequent Darwin wedding photographer to be in the Top End for Territory day!

I had heard stories of the fireworks and how crazy the streets of Darwin gets, but I finally was going to be in town to see it! Even better they head out to East Point for a spot of private fireworks the night before – awesome!

Melanie and Kerry’s big day’s weather turned out brilliantly – if not a bit chilly for Darwin, and it was an awesome day to be a part of!

Preparation

Melanie and Kerry had a pretty nifty set up for their preparation, having two separate properties connected via a shared backyard, where Kerry and his groomsmen got ready in one house, while Melanie and her bridal party got ready in the other!

I spent the time I was with them walking inbetween houses as things were happening and using the nifty surrounds which included pools, lush green trees and triple tiered interior of one of the houses!

The whole aesthetic of Melanie and Kerry’s day was very beachy, laid back and fun. The boys were dressed in Hawaiian shirts, while the girls were dressed in nice, short dresses with a blue theme for the beach.

Wedding rings in shell

Groomsman talking to groom

Blue engagement ring on yellow flowers

Bridal jewellery on rock

Wedding dress hanging in tree in Darwin

Flower girl watching bride get ready on balcony

Groomsman with socks on head

Groom and grooms men in middle of pool

Groom standing in middle of pool

Bride having her hair done

Flower girl makeup

Flower girl admriing herself in mirror

Bride decending down stairs

Bridesmaids in blue helping bride

Naked cat

bride putting on ear rings nearby window

Bride walking down stairs

bridal party on stairs

Bridal party next to pool

Dudley Point Wedding Ceremony

The East Point Reserve, just north of the Darwin city center was where Melanie and Kerry chose top hold their wedding. It would have to be one of my favourite spots in Darwin to take photos, so that was great!

Their Dudley Point wedding ceremony took place in the corner of the picnic area, with a view of the nearby cliffs. There was enough room for a large number of their guests, while also being intimate due to the fact the ceremony took place on top of the cliffs.

The ceremony itself was a lovely, simple affair with stories of how the two met, their vows were personally written and heartfelt – and everyone was all smiles at the end walking through bubbles!

Tesla Arriving at Dudley Point Wedding

Bride exiting Tesla

Posing in front of Tesla wedding car

Relaxed groom

Bride arriving at Dudley Point Wedding Ceremony

Grooms first look of bride at Dudley Point wedding ceremony

Bride andgroom talking at Dudley Point wedding ceremony

Dudley Point wedding Ceremony

Darwin’s Dudley Point wedding Ceremony

Bride smiling at her groom during ceremony at Dudley Point

Bridal vows

Bride and groom framed by square arbour

First kiss at Dudley Point wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exit from their Dudley Point wedding ceremony

Glamour Photos

Time was running short once we had sorted all the group photos, and I had managed to corral all members of the bridal party for a short walk along the cliff top to what I affectionately call ‘pride rock’ as it looks like the bride and groom are perched upon a thin sliver of sliff top, when it’s quite a wide chunk of rock – and it kind of looks like Pride Rock from the Lion King.

I wanted to head here first as I feared being the 2nd of July – it would be a super busy day in Darwin for weddings, and I presumed we would have to beat many other couples off this spot with a stick. Surprisingly no other weddings showed up! So we actually had the run of the place before driving out towards the Fannie Bay Foreshore for the sunset on the beach.

I also stuck in a firework photo I took the night before because I thought it was cool 🙂

Bride and groom out on clifftop

bride and groom nearby the tree on Pride Rock

Bride and groom with ocean in background

Bride and groom admiring sunset

Darwin East Point Pride Rock wedding photo

bridal party at East Point

Wedding socks

bride and groom with sunset in background

Groom elading bride through the undergrowth

Bride and groom share embrace surrounded by foliage

bride leads groom along beachfront

Bridal portrait of bride and groom

Bride and groom walking along Darwin beach

Bridal party with Darwin’s cliffs as a backdrop

Darwin’s Cracker night couples photo

Darwin Wedding Reception

After their Dudley Point wedding ceremony and their glamour photos, Melanie and Kerry held their reception at turned out to be a huge shed that they had spent untold hours setting up for their party!

Thousands of fairy lights adorned the ceiling over their huge u-shaped table seating all their guests – it actaully made for a pretty neat group photo spot!

The night was full of fun, speeches, great food and was great to be a part of!

Darwin reception setup in shed

wedding memorial table

group shot of all wedding guests

Grooms speech in front of white backdrop

Another angle of Darwin wedding reception

Bride’s speech

Triple wedding cake

Cutting their wedding cake

Bridal couple dancing

Groom having some fun

Bouquet toss result

Thanks so much to Melanie and Kerry for having me at your Dudley Point wedding!

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding – Lauren & Trent

October 10, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding – Lauren & Trent

People often ask me why I head up to Darwin so often as a wedding photographer – well it’s in no small part due to weddings like Lauren and Trent’s Darwin Surf Live Saving Club wedding!

Their day was super laid back with Trent and his boys swapping shirts and ties for hawaiian shirts and thongs, while Lauren enjoyed going barefoot! This along with the stunning Darwin weather and incredible sunet, it made for such a stunning day!

Preparation

Lauren and Trent’s places of preparation were conveniently located across the road from another in separate houses which meant I wasn’t confined to one spot the entire time and could flit inbetween houses as needed.

Trent and his boys were quite keen on being as lowkey as possible, lounging about in their hawaiian shirts while having a beer, while Lauren and her girls had their hands full with the little flower girl who liked to be the center of attention 🙂

Wedding rings perched on wood

Groom putting on hawiian shirt

Groom and groomsmen by the pool

Groomsman in pink hawaiian shirt

Groom and groomsmen on street

We spent a little bit of time getting the little one ready before realising we also had to get Lauren in her dress ready to go too!

The whole atmosphere surrounding Lauren and Trent’s day was very laid back and low key which made evrything that much more enjoyable!

Wedding dress hanging in the foliage

Fun loving baby

Engagement ring in pink rose

Opal necklace on rock

Mum talking to Bride

Little flower girl

Bridesmaids helping out

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding Ceremony

Lauren and Trent’s Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding Ceremony took place on the beach front, just beyond the large grassy area in front of the club house itself. The famed Casuarina beach is a delightful sight to behold with a huge amount of sand inbetween the surf club and the water, as far as the eyes can see in either direction.

The wedding ceremony was set up so that the lowering sun took pride of place in the background along with much of the beach – it was a beautiful sight!

The weather was a little windy, but still very warm for a September wedding but everything ran very smoothly and after a few giggles and personal anecdotes this loving couple were married in front of family and friends!

Wedding ceremony set up

Groom approaching ceremony on beach

Bride approaching wedding cermeony

Groom watching as his bride approaches

Wedding ceremony at Darwin surf life saving club

bride listening to her groom during ceremony

Groom listening to bride during ceremony

Beach wedding ceremony

First kiss at darwin surf life saving club wedding

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding Ceremony

Glamour Photos

We had a short period of time for some glamour photos after the family shots were done, so we made use of the sunset while walking along the beach front as muich as we could, then retired to a nearby swing set up for people to just sit and enjoy the view.

During the night I also brought out some lighting to use the stunning nighttime scene that is the surf club’s grassy area!

bride and groom with little one

bridal party under the sunset

bridal party standing on the beach

Bridal party walking along casuarina beach

Bride and grom walking on casuarina beach

bride and groom enjoying sunset

casuarina beach wedding photo

Holding hands in sunset

bride and groom walking at sunset on casuarina beach

Groom lifting bride on casuarina beach

Bride being carried by groom on beach

bride and groom sitting together at sunset

Bride and groom in trees at night

Darwin surf lifesaving club wedding reception

Darwin Surf Life Saving Club Wedding Reception

The grassy area in front of the club house is such a stunning location, it’s little wonder why it’s such a popular wedding spot in Darwin. The main draw is the fact you get uninterrupted vews of the spectacular Darwin sunsets over the incredible Casuarina beach while enjoying the company of family and friends on a private patch of grass.

During the night the fairy lights illuminate the whole space beautifully and creates an amazing atmosphere that only Darwin can provide!

Darwin surf life saving club wedding reception at sunset

Darwin surf life saving club wedding reception at night

Dad and boy enjoying the lights

Two tier white wedding cake

bride playing with children

First dance at Darwin surf life saving club wedding reception

Guests during reception

bride and groom cutting cake

bride and bridesmaids standing togetherbride and bridesmaids standing together

Thanks so much to Lauren and Trent for having me as your wedding photographer! Was an amazing day and I hope you enjoy your photos and video!

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding – Sandi & Daniel

April 22, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding – Sandi & Daniel

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill WInery wedding took place on a gloriously sunny day overlooking the vineyards of this picturesque winery nestled amongst the Mclaren Vale wine district. It’s a wedding venue I had not ventured to before Sandi and Daniel’s wedding, despite being very familiar with Mclaren Vale wedding venues, and I certainly enjoyed the experience!

Preparation

After having set up the photobooth for later, I met with Daniel and his best man who had opted to make use of a rather convenient little room at the Chapel Hill Winery restreat area – which is also where their wedding ceremony and reception were to take place. It was quite a surprise finding a little self contained unit attached to the main reception hall – but all the more convenient for Daniel!

While Daniela nd his best man were being prepared, they were also able to over see the finishing touches of the florist and other suppliers who were buzzing about setting everything up.

Wedding rings atop toes of shoes

Groom affects on wood floor

Groom putting on cufflinks in window

Cufflinks putting on

Laughing groom at best man

Groom reading letter

Best man putting on groom tie

Groom using circle mirror

Groom glancing out window

Groom and best man outside

Sandi, along with her mother and maid of honour were being prepared a short walk away at the guest house. It’s neat little set up actually as the bride can walk straght up the walkway and begin the wedding ceremony later on – all very convenient.

The guest house is a large, wooden clad cabin which made for some lovely ambient light bouncing about the place off the wood, while there are some fun spots for photos like the stained glass window within the dining room and the long, dark corridoor where the bedrooms are.

The highlight of the morning was the father’s first look of Sandi as she walked down the stairs!

Wedding dress hanging on stairs

White rose engagement ring

Engagement ring in between shoe ends

Bridal party gowns back

Wedding dress hanging in stainglassed window

Bridal watch

Mum putting on necklace

Bride getting ready in top room

Bride peering into mirror

Bride through veil in doorway

Bride looking out bright door

Dad’s first look on stairs

Bride through dark hallway

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding Ceremony

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill Winery wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area just below the Chapel Hill retreat building, which allowed for sweeping views of the vineyards stretched out over the rolling Mclaren vale hills.

As the day was a very warm, and sunny day – it was a little unfortunate that their celebrant’s PA system overheated shortly after beginning causing some broken audio – thankfully I always have a backup microphone system handy to capture clear audio whenever I can for the video!

Bride and father approaching ceremony

Grooms first look at Chapel Hill winery wedding

Chapel Hill WInery wedding ceremony

Groom looking at his bride during

Bride and grom holding hands at Chapel hill winery wedding

Wedding under arbour with vineyards behind

Bride looking at her groom during

Celebrant giving her speech

Groom giving bride wedding ring

First kiss at Chapel Hill winery wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exiting Chapel Hill winery wedding

Chapel Hill winery wedding

Glamour Photos

Once the mandatory groiup photos were complete, we head out to make the most of the Chapel Hill Winery Wedding photo locations!

I was made aware that we were not able to make use of the vineyards proper – but thanks to some creative angles – nearby the vineyards we can make it looks like the bridal couple are standing amongst them. But I think the killer shot of the entire day was when I brought out the ol’ smoke in a can in front of the Guest House’s window for a bit of a bridal silhouette shot!

We also made the effort to find our way back to the winery cellar door for the proper chapel’s stained glass window area – however unfortunately due to communication errors, we could not find a way in, so we used the outside areas a bit, and also the wine making area.

Bride and groom holding dog

Dog running in front of bride and groom

Bridal dog

bride and groom walking at Chapel hill winery wedding

Hugs against wooden fence

Chapel Hill winery wedding photo

Chapel Hill winery wedding photography

Bridal kiss in front of stainglass window

Bride and groom sitting on back of 4 wheel drive

Bride standing in wine making room

Out the front of Chapel Hill winery cellar door

Bride and groom in front of dreamy vineyards

Bride and groom walking between gum trees

Bride and groom in vineyard golden hour

Bride and groom between vineyard leaves

Sun in between bride and groom

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding Reception

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill Winery wedding reception was spear headed by what might be my favourite guest entertainment – which is an on site caricature artist who sits there drawing everyone all night! it’s so much fun to see! Once he left then it was my photobooth’s time to shine!

The night was a blast to be a part of, surrounded by lovely people who just wanted to see Sandi and Daniel have the night of their lives!

Table places

3 tiered wedding cake

Bride and groom entrance to reception at Chapel Hill

Cutting the wedding cake together

Chapel Hill winery wedding reception

Groom speeches

Bride listening to speeches

Groom doing the bouquet toss

Bride holding bouquert for toss

Groom talking to guests

nan in between bride and groom

nan in between bride and groom

Thanks so much to Sandi and Daniel for having me as your wedding photographer! I hope you enjoy your photos!

Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding – Jody & Simon

December 16, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding – Jody & Simon

Certainly could not predict the weather here in Adelaide over the last few months – hosting a wedding in November should be a sure thing right? At least that’s what Jody and Simon thought when planning their Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding ceremony! Only last week we had a freak mini cyclone, and this week was non stop rain!

Botanic Gardens Adelaide Wedding – The Summer House

My day started a little bumpy, arriving at what was going to be Jody and Simon’s first choice for a wedding location in the Botanic Gardens, only to be moved on to the Summer House, nearer to North Terrace due to the relentless rain that almost forced their string instrument performers to not be able to play due to possible damage of their wooden insturments.

Thankfully moving ceremony location wasn’t overly difficult, simply a matter of moving equipment one spot over – so then I waited at the National Wine Center for Jody to arrive in her motorcade – only for them to drop her off at the main gate, 300m up the road – so I had a bit of running to do 🙂

All worked out well though! Thankfully I had my lovely wife in attendance to help out with the ceremony videography back at the Summer House gazebo.

Other than all that, Jody and Simon’s Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding ceremony was full of love, laughter and awesome vows that made everyone show their full gamut of emotions!

Bride arriving in convertable

Bride getting out of car on wet road

Flower girls together in a group

Bridal approach at the Summer House

Grooms first look of bride in the Summer House

Botanic Gardens Summer House wedding ceremony

Flower girls watching ceremony

Laughing bride during ceremony

Holding hands during ceremony

Celebrant talking during ceremony

Bride smiling at groom at ceremony

Smiling groom during ceremony

Botanic gardens Adelaide wedding ceremony

First kiss in the SUmmer House

Flower girls playing with bubble makers

Bride hugs with little boy

Bride sweeping back hair

Glamour Photos

The weather thankfully cleared just after Jody and Simon’s ceremony ended, allowing for a big group photo just behind the gazebo, and of course their glamour photos!

We began by doing a small lap of the gardens up to the historic Economic Building witht he bridal party, taking photos as we went, and then left the bridal party to head back to Ayres House while Jody, Simon, the best man and I walked p to the Friendship gates for more photos.

Some unique features of a Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding on a very wet day is that there are some very nice water features that only occur on these types of days, so I was keen to make use of them – and the simple fact that we had the whole place to ourselves! Very peaceful!

Bridal party in the Botanic Gardens

Bride and groom under moreton bay fig

Moreton bay fig tree with flying veil

Bride and groom cuddles

bride and groom walking out of bridal party

Bridal party in a tree

Close up of wedding rings on hands

Adelaide Botanic Gardens wedding photo

Bride and groom under trees

Sun behind the bride and groom in trees

Portrait in trees

Bride and groom near water with sun

Walking through the botanic gardens

bride and groom small in the foliage

Engagement ring on holding hands

Danding bride and groom

Bridal party on the steps of the economic building

bride and groom on the steps

Closeup of bride and groom

Bride and groom between the pine trees

Bride and groom in a tree

Bride and groom in a tree looking at camera

Engagement ring in white rose

Botanic Gardens Adelaide wedding photo

Bride and groom near the friendship gate

Sitting together on a moreton bay fig

Pretty bride

Ring of fire

Bride and groom under the sun

Bride scooting away

Ayres House Wedding Reception

As someone who had a bit of a lego theme myself at my own wedding – I was super excited to see what Jody and Simon had as their table center pieces! Dozens of the incredible lego bouquet sets who had all apparently been made by a very dedicated small group of people – lego masters, obviously! HJody and Simon even gave me one as a parting gift that night – which is now taking pride of place next to my computer as I write this!

Their night was full of fun speeches, and games with the highlight definitely being the scavenger hunt game where some of the contenstants certainly got into the spirit of things!

Cup cakes wedding cake

Cutting their Cup cakes wedding cake

Cheers guests

Ayres house wedding reception

Lego bouquet

Speech giver 2

Laughing bride listening to speech

Bride turning to groom

Speech 2

Shoe game

Talking with guests

Daddy daughter dance

First dance at Ayres House wedding reception

First dance at Ayres House glasshouse wedding reception

Dancing the night away

Thanks so much Jody and Simon for having me as your Adelaide wedding photographer! Was an absolute blast!

St Francis Xaviers Cathedral Wedding – Sash & Dan

February 2, 2023/in Wedding preview, Wedding

St Francis Xaviers Cathedral Wedding – Sash & Dan

Sash and Dan’s St Francis Xaviers Cathedral Wedding was the last wedding of 2022 for me, and what a wedding it was too! taking place in one of the more beautiful Cathedrals the city of churches has to offer the weatehr was wonderful and the people involved even more so!

Preparation

Sash and Dan had organised their wedding very well, choosing accomodation nearby their reception venue of Ayers House so that they have a short walk back to their hotel after their big day – it also meant that we were able to set up their photobooth before heading for their preparation photos quite easily! It was also good as we had quite a bit of video gear to cart around too, and being in the city it can be tricky – but not at Sash and Dan’s wedding!

The rooms in the Crown Plaza are lined by beautiful floor to ceiling windows lined with white skim curtains which makes for a nice backdrop to preparation wedding photos, along with letting in plenty of natural light.

bridal makeup

Engagement ring perched between two blue shoes

Wedding rings in bridal affects

Smiling bride before dress is on

Bride peering out curtains

Bride looking into makeup mirror

Page boy having fun

Bride standing in hotel hallway

Bride in dress looking out window

bride in dress inspecting boquet

Bridesmaid’s makeup being done

Bride with her bridal party

We started by heading up to Dan’s room, only to find that his groomsmen werent coming until a bit later, so we head over to Sash’s room where she was finishing up her makeup.

The whole morning was laid back and fun to be a part of!

Groom shirt hanging from roof

Groom writing his speech

Groom looking out window

Groomsman turning and smiling

Groom buttoning shirt of groomsman

Groomsmen cheers

Groomsmen together holding glass

Groom leaning on wall

St Francis Xaviers Cathedral Wedding Ceremony

The St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, just off of Victoria square is a very impressive building both inside and out with a beautifully gothic aesthetic which sets for an impressive backdrop for a wedding.

One thing that really ‘wowed’ me was the entrance of Sash in the huge double doors at the head of the Cathedral following the procession of her bridal aprty and family members. The doors flew open to reveal her stunning visage which was certainly enough to make Dan shed a tear or two!

Sash and Dan’s St Francis Xaviers Cathedral wedding was a traditional catholic affair with heartfelt vows and family members joining in as sponsors throughout for various reasons such as the laying of a veil over their heads and a wedding lasso rosary.

Something a bit different at Sash and Dan’s wedding was that during the ceremony we had group photos at the altar of the Cathedral, which allowed me to do some fun stuff with a very long pole acting like a drone throughout the Cathedral – its a rather rare thing to be able to do!

Groom waiting for ceremony to start

Groom walking in Church