The shade and wonderful backdrop of the tall pine trees at the center of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens were the backdrop to Mai and Kevin’s wedding on a lovely late – April day. I was sourced by Kevin’s father as Mai and Kevin’s wedding photographer as he enjoyed the wedding photos I put together for Vivian and Rohan back in 2016! It’s always nice to hear that people enjoy my work and want the same for their weddings! 😀
Preparation
I started my short 3 hour coverage with Mai in her hotel room at the Stamford Plaza hotel, which had a magnificent view of the river torrens precinct with Adelaide oval in the background. The preparation was fairly cruisey with Mai and her friends, and mother flitting about getting everything ready. If Mai was feeling any nerves in the morning, she was hiding it well! I also got to practice some of my Japanese also as some of Mai’s friends were Japanese! 😛
Putting on lipstick
Contemplating flowers
Getting ready
Getting ready
instagram!
Smiles
Little one
Pampering
Shoes
Looking pretty
Looking out window
Engagement ring – One of my favourite shots to get during wedding preparation
Wedding shoes
Adelaide Botanic Gardens Wedding Ceremony
Mai and Kevin held their ceremony at the top of the hill with the pine trees the center of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens known as the Araucaria Avenue. It’s a wonderful spot where the sun is able to shine through the backdrop of the trees to create a wonderful golden glow at this time of year.
Exchanging wedding rings
Kisses
Phone photo
Bridal approach
Smiling bride
Signing the documents
Together at the front
Bridal approach
Wedding rings
Raising the veil
Smiles
Standing together
Grooms first look
Celebrate!
First kiss
Together at the front
Smiling groom
Standing together
Glamour Photos
After the ceremony and family photos we spent a short while walking about the Adelaide Botanic Gardens for some glamour photos, starting from the lake near North Terrace, through to the bamboo forest and finally the lovely trees in Botanic Park. The sun was fading quite quickly at this time of day allowing for some wonderful golden light shining through as a backdrop.
Walking to his bride
Under the bamboo
Under a tree
Under a tree
Botanic Gardens Wedding
Standing together
Walking through Botanic Park
Under a tree together
Looking at one another
Walking through the foliage
Mai standing looking pretty
Under the wisteria
Thanks so much to Mai and Kevin for having me at their wedding as their wedding photographer! 😀
Emma and Daniel were wed in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens under what’s known as the ‘Barbershop’ Gazebo, pretty much in the center of the gardens. I was asked to be their wedding photographer for a short stint of 3 hours before heading over to their early reception at the nearby Hackney Hotel.
The whole day was rather laid back affair, with Daniel showing some nerves, arriving very early to the gazebo to greet everyone and make final arrangements before Emma arrived. But after the ceremony, Daniel relaxed a little and hopefully enjoyed our walk around the gardens for photos 🙂
Adelaide Botanic Gardens Wedding Ceremony
The Barbershop gazebo is located at the end of the two famed wisteria arches in the center of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, and nearby the central cafe. It’s suitable for smaller weddings like Emma and Daniel’s and provides for some protection from any weather that might arise. In Emma and Daniel’s case it was nice to have as the clouds forming over head were always threatening, but thankfully never started raining.
Exchanging wedding rings
Wedding sign
Kiss on cheek
Holding hands
Gazebo wedding
Gazebo wedding
First kiss
Smiling bride
Smiling groom
Approach
Celebrant
Glamour Photos
After the ceremony, Emma, Daniel and I went for a little walk around the gardens, for our glamour photos. They did not have a bridal party, so the entire shoot was fairly laid back and informal and was complete in quite a quick time, allowing us to also use the wonderful moreton bay fig trees out in Botanic park before hopping in an uber to head to the Hackney Hotel.
laughing
Walking under the arch
Smiling
Dancing
Walking under the arch
In front of door
Under branches
Walking together
Under the bamboo
Smiling
Adelaide Botanic Gardens money shot
Big Tree
Engagement ring
Smiles
Adelaide Botanic Gardens money shot
Under a tree
Lift
Milton Bay figs
Hackney Hotel Wedding Reception
Emma and Daniel’s reception took place in the smaller of the two function halls at the Hackney Hotel, which is a cozy little room suited for smaller, more intimate parties. The air was casual and everyone involved looked to have a great time 🙂
In the Hackney Hotel
Smiling groom
Wedding cake
Cutting the cake
Spread
Smiles
Thanks so much to Emma and Daniel for having me as your wedding photographer! 🙂
A beautiful, sunny day greeted Sophie and Robert on their gorgeous mid-February Summer wedding amongst the Adelaide Botanic Garden. The sun was shining, and so were the personalities of the bride and groom, amongst the smiling faces of their friends and family as they took the plunge and exchanged vows amongst the tall pine trees at the center of the gardens.
I was asked to be their wedding photographer for their entire day after having been recommended by one of Robert’s groomsmen who I had cover their wedding for back in 2016! It’s always nice to be recommended by previous brides and grooms like that as you know you’re doing something right!
\
Preparation
When I arrived at Robert’s place of preparation, south of the city I was greeted by all the boys admiring Robert’s Mini, which was unfortunately so I gathered, sitting idle in the garage for quite some time – apparently it was one of those hobbies that Robert has , but not really done much with 🙂
The morning went smoothly with his groomsmen making sure no nerves were showing on Robert’s face and playful banter echoing throughout the house.
Putting on shirt
Shoes
Getting ready
Wedding rings
Mum helping
Putting on tie
Putting on tie
Getting ready
Putting on tie
Mini
Putting on flower
Sophie and her bridesmaids were being prepared quite a bit closer to the Adelaide Botanic Garden, in a room of the Mayfair hotel in the city. While the room was fairly cramped for around 10 people getting dressed and prepared for the wedding, we managed to all get ready in high spirits. Sophie, by her own admission later in the night was really feeling nervous throughout the morning so her bridal party did a great job in getting her looking fantastic for her big day!
I always love capturing the response of the parents, in this case Sophie’s father, in seeing the bride in her dress for the first time, so when Mum and Dad came into the room it was lovely to see the beaming smile light up Dad’s face as he saw her ready. The flower girls were flitting about being helpful in their own way but were not super keen on having photos done, except when asked and I think they turned out great 🙂
Waiting for the limo
Flower girl
Hotel stairs
Smiling bridesmaid
Hugs with Dad
Smiling bridesmaid
Engagement ring
Buttoning up the back
Wedding dress
Smiles
Putting on earrings
In the hotel hall way
Buttoning up the back
Hotel stairs
Putting flower on Dad
Adelaide Botanic Garden Wedding Ceremony
Sophie and Robert’s wedding ceremony in the Adelaide Botanic Garden took place in the spot known as ‘Araucaria Avenue‘, a delightful spot, lined by pine trees and on top of a hill which creates a sense of intimacy amongst the congregation. Later in the day, as Sophie and Robert’s ceremony was, the sun creates a delightful backdrop of light that filters directly through the trees behind where the arbour is usually setup. The trees surrounding the area also provides ample shade for the entire congregation on a sunny day, but the sun can cause annoyance for the bride trying to catch a glimpse of her groom as she walks on her approach to the altar 🙂
Sophie and Robert’s ceremony itself was sweet and to the point, punctuated by heartfelt and humorous vows to one another which made the otherwise formal occasion that much lighter, causing ripples of laughter from both the bride and groom, and their family and friends.
Adelaide Botanic Garden Wedding Ceremony
Bridal party
Bridal approach
Groom’s first look
First kiss
Together at the altar
Sweeping veil
Amongst the pines
Smiling bride
Holding hands
Smiling groom
Married couple
Mobile phone photography
Exit
Adelaide Botanic Garden Wedding Ceremony
Wedding sign
Glamour Photos
As the day was fairly warm – as you can expect from Summer weddings in Adelaide, I attempted to keep to shaded photo spots around the Adelaide Botanic Garden as possible, so once the ceremony and family photos were done, we set off south, directly towards North Terrace before working our way North through the gardens, taking our time, and enjoying the warm up sounds made by a nearby Adelaide Fringe concert that was also taking place within the gardens that night.
Just on a side note, I cannot write an overview of Sophie and Robert’s day without mentioning that I was super impressed by their organisational skills when it came to family photos! What they did was organise their friends and family into dozens of groups which were then given a number within their wedding program. When it was time to take the family photos, all I had to do was shout out the next number and that group came to the fore! Now of course those of you familiar with family photos at a wedding know that it never goes that smoothly, with family members wandering off, but I admired the effort!
While I’m at the Adelaide Botanic Garden quite often for weddings, its always delightful to know that the reception is right in the center of it all, at the Botanic Garden Restaurant. Not in the least because they serve great food, but because of it’s exclusive location within the gardens, which are usually closed off to the public during the later hours of the night. which allows for some nice night photography. That said however, there was Fringe concert also occurring at the same time as Sophie and Robert’s reception, so that exclusivity was non existent for their night.
The iconic restaurant boasts a delightfully vintage, round sitting area suitable for small to medium sized reception parties, while in Sophie and Robert’s case their dance floor was outside on the brick pavement.
Cutting the cake
Organising a group shot
Before the bouquet toss
Bridal Party waiting to be announced
Bouquet toss
Guests enjoying themselves
First dance
First dance
Food
Wedding cake
Goody bags
Inside the Adelaide Botanic Garden Restaurant
Under the archway exit
Dad talking to guests
Last dance
I’d like to thank Sophie and Robert for having me cover their wedding photography and I hope they enjoy their photos! 🙂
Sarah and Mal had me as their wedding photographer for 6 hours on their big day backdropped by the beautiful St Laurence’s Church in North Adelaide. The weather on the day was super hot and dry which made it a bit of a challenge to get everything done in time, and all the while Sarah was quite a way along in her pregnancy 🙂 That being said however we did get everything we wanted done, except perhaps some photos out the front of the Bonython Hall on north Terrace, but is was a small thing to skip in order to keep the day rolling 🙂
Preparation
I started the day with Mal and his groomsmen being prepared together at their house in the North of Adelaide. All the boys were sitting around having a chat when I arrived and jumped into action, putting on their shirts and outfits just after. It was a bit of a whirlwind as I only had around 30 minutes before heading over to the girls.
Walking the corridor
Waiting
Shoes
Putting on shirt
Putting on shirt
Liquid courage
The girls were being prepared in an apartment nearby the St Laurence’s Church in North Adelaide. The goal was to be ready within 30 minutes and head off to the university of Adelaide for ‘first look’ photos on the footbridge over the Torrens. Makeup was running a little late however.
Getting ready
Wedding rings
Final touches
Engagement ring
Looking in mirror
Wedding dress
First Look Photos
Once we got to Adelaide uni we first went about doing a little ‘first look’ on the Torrens footbridge where Sarah walked up to Mal and surprised him with her dress, we then moved as quickly as we could up through the uni campus and used the buildings behind the museum and along North Terrace for some photos.
Bride and bridesmaids
All together
Bridal party
Under an archway on North Terrace
Under an archway on North Terrace
Through the trees
Together at the top
Shoving the groom around
Walking together
Falling flowers
Bridal party on the steps
Bridal approach
Walking together
Groom’s reaction
St Laurence’s Church Wedding Ceremony
St Laurence’s Catholic Church in North Adelaide is a historic church built in North Adelaide in 1868 in a time when North Adelaide was still used as farmland. The period in which it was built is showcased by it’s architecture, complete with a dark wooden roof inside, it’s walls are covered with white paint and large stained glass windows with illuminates the interior quite well for such a historic church.
Sarah and Mal’s congregation filled a little over half of the available pews within the church who witnessed a shorter version of a traditional Catholic wedding where Sarah and Mal were sat up the front while the priest would direct proceedings.
Together at the altar
Inside St Laurence’s Church
Together at the altar
Bridal approach
Exit
First Kiss
Sitting together
Smiling bride
Signed certificate
Groom’s first look
Outside St Laurence’s Church
Kiss in the Pews
Inside St Laurence’s Church
Talking priest
Exchanging rings
East Terrace Continental Wedding Reception
Once the family photos were done – unfortunately in the beating sun out the front of the church – everyone retreated to the East Terrace Continental hotel to recuperate at their wedding reception. It was quite warm in the small space of the hotel upstairs, so once we cut the Marvel-themed cake and had a few drinks, we head out to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens for some more photos.
Food
Wedding Sign
Wedding Cake
Talking bride
Signing the guest book
Guests enjoying themselves
Cutting the cake
Talking groom
Botanic Gardens Glamour Photos
My aim was to keep to the shade for photos around the Botanic Gardens as we had already run about quite a bit during the day and I felt everyone was feeling the heat a bit. Thankfully we could take our time a bit at this time of day as there was nothing we had to get back to super quick. Once we were done, I head back to the reception with the bridal party for a few more group photos before heading home.
Feeling the baby bump
Under a tree
Under bamboo
Under a tree
Kisses
Under bamboo
Bridal Party
Thanks so much to Sarah and Mal for having me as your wedding photographer! 🙂
It was a stunningly sunny day for Renee and Ben’s lovely friends and family oriented wedding amongst the greenery of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. Renee and Ben opted to host their intimate little wedding in the southern gazebo, known as the Summer House where they were protected from the harsh sun, and was able to fit a modest guest list made from close friends and family. I was asked to be their wedding photographer for 3 hours, which allowed me to capture their ceremony, glamour photos around the gardens then their reception at the Earl of Leicester Hotel.
Before the Ceremony
While waiting about for Renee to arrive, Ben was wandering about greeting guests and organising seating and moving council worker orange tape that had been left nearby 🙂 Renee arrived a little late which raised nerves a little, but the entire day was super laid back and relaxed so I don’t think it hampered any of the frivolity.
Bird
Closeup
Standing about
Bride arriving
Wedding rings
Smiles
Bride arriving
Smiles
Adjusting flower
Smiling guests
Adelaide Botanic Gardens Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony itself was a short and simple affair, with all the guests fitting under the gazebo to witness the coming together of these two beautifully bubbly personalities. Even the constant drone of the nearby motorsport festival had little bearing on Renee’s huge grin she wore all throughout the ceremony.
Holding hands
Smiles all round
Celebrant
First kiss
Inside the gazebo
Surprised face
Smiling groom
Signing the registry
Exit
Happy bride
Bridal approach
Smiling bride
Kiss
Glamour Photos
Once the family photos were done, we were free to walk about the gardens for some glamour photos. We managed to do a whole lap of the place using the stunning backdrops the botanic gardens naturally provide.
Walkway shot
Close up of ring
Amongst the tall trees
near the pond
Flowers
Nearby a tree
Together amongst the trees in the botanic gardens
Bride squad
Walking together
Engagement ring
Laughing
Standing around
Walkway shot
RING!
Bridal party
Smiling together in the Botanic Gardens
Laughing bridal party
Earl of Leicester Hotel Reception
After around an hour of glamour photos, we drove to the Earl of Leicester Hotel, south of the city for a beautifully intimate lunch time reception, complete with hand made dolls and a projector showcasing images of Renee and Ben while they were dating. The guests all had a short poem speech prepared as a surprise and made everyone laugh the entire time I was there.
Cheers!
Speech
Entrance
Cheers!
Photo of photo
Dolls
Cakes
Renee and Ben’s wedding at the Botanic Garden’s Summer House Gazebo was an absolute blast to be a part of and I’m so glad Renee and Ben had me as their photographer!
