I head out to the delightful Veale Gardens on south terrace recently to meet this loving mother and her two sons who had asked me to conduct a simple little Adelaide parklands family phtoshoot with them!
We began in the small carpark behind the Pavillion Restaurant, which alowed us to start with the gum trees and have a more Australiana backdrop to their first photos. As the weather hadn’t been fantastic lately, there was plenty of puddles to use, while the greens were lovely and lush throughout.
We then head over the hill, walking along the man-made river that courses throughout the Veale Gardens and using some of the vantage points I know have worked throguhout my many years of using this same area for portraits while covering weddings.
The aim of this Adelaide Parklands family photoshoot was to simply capture some nice family photos for Mum to put up on the wall, in particular some individual portraits of her boys, while also having a bit of fun together, and I think our little walk about the park ceratinly achieved that!
Family photo on driveway of veale Gardens
Family photo between gum trees in Veale Gardens
Family photo leaning next to tree
Individual portrait of young man near tree
Portrait of lady leaning on tree
Fun family photo of Mum leaning on tree with sons hiding behind
Full length portrait of man near tree
Portrait of two men standing in Veale Gardens
Adelaide Parklands slice of life portrait
Mum with sons family portrait in front of puddle
Family portrait in the Adelaide Parklands
Brothers leaning on a tree together
Mum sitting with brothers during their Adelaide Parklands photoshoot
I was very much looking forward to covering Jesse and Luke’s Pilgrim Uniting Church Wedding from the moment they asked me to be their wedding photographer, and my excitement was well founded – what a celebration it was!
So much so that I know it’s hard to show while reading this blog but I’ve been sitting here staring at my screen thinking about what next to write. Jesse and Luke were surrounded their entire day with loving family and friends who just made their day that much better – let alone the incredible celebration they had planned that night!
Preparation
Jesse and Luke were prepared in separate rooms at the Hilton Hotel, in sight of the Pilgrim Uniting church across Victoria Square in the center of the Adelaide CBD. This was great as I was able to flit inbetween their rooms while they were being prepared – if things weren’t progressing in one room, then I’d head over to the other, and visa versa until it was time to leave for the ceremony.
Both Jesse and Luke were prepared with their parents and their entourage which made the whole time kind of hectic, but also quite a bit of fun trying to get everything ready to go.
Wedding rings perched on men’s shoes
Bowtie Cologne and watch
Wedding Bands on shiny bench top
Wedding ring perched in between champaigne glasses
Lady helping man with tie
Groom adjusting tie in window
Bridesmaid helping groom get ready
Mother of groom helping get ready
Groom adjusting tie looking out window between curtains
Groomsman looking at camera during preparation
Smiling groomsman helping groom get ready
Bridesmaids kissing groom on cheek
Bridal party sitting together on couch
Groom adjusting sleeve on jacket
Groom looking at camera during preparation
Groom putting on shoes with window backlight
Groomsman looking close at grooms tie
groom flanked by bridesmaids
Groom sitting on shae lounge surounded by bridal party
Groom sitting looking out window
Pilgrim Uniting Church Wedding Ceremony
Jesse and Luke’s Adelaide Pilgrim Uniting Church wedding ceremony was quite an impressive sight with it’s albiet dark, but impressive architecture inside. Jesse and Luke also had a chior singing below the church’s impressive organ which made for a beautiful atmosphere!
Both Jesse and Luke were walked down the aisle separately with their mothers after their fathers had lit ornamental candles on the church’s altar which I thought really helped bring both families togetheras part of their ceremony involved Jesse and Luke sharing the flames into one candle.
readings were read, vows were shared and Jesse and Luke were married!
Inside Pilgrim Uniting church Adelaide
Groom arriving at Church
groom standing behind car
Page boy walking down aisle
Groom walking down aisle
Groom walking down aisle with Mother
groom walching his groom walk up aisle
Groom and groom holding hands during ceremony
Adelaide Pilgrim Uniting Church wedding ceremony
Two grooms holding hands
Grooms holding hands together at altar
Goom looking at his groom during ceremony
Goom smiling at his groom during ceremony
First kiss at Pilgrim Uniting church
Celebrating newly married couple at Pilgrim Uniting Church
Newly married grooms exiting Pilgrim Uniting Church
Glamour Photos
The weather wasn’t the best all day, so we were quite lucky to be able to have the entire congragation out on the church’s steps for a group photo before heading back inside for smaller group photos.
Once they were done, we used the stunning interior of the church for a few shots with their entourage, while also waling around the church a bit to use it’s wonderful architecture. As the weather wasn’t great I was delighted to see that the church had turned on it’s outside lighting earlier than usual, so we got an awesome glow coming out of the archways at the front – was fun to use.
We then sped over to the Adelaide Railway station for a few photos, while dodging all the Crows fans who were walking through to get to Adelaide Oval at the same time.
Finally during the reception, and in the rain we head out to Victoria square to use the pretty lighting thats set up!
Wedding party in front of Pilgrim Uniting Church
Grooms together in front of Pilgrim Uniting Church
Grooms together in front of Pilgrim Uniting Church Adelaide
Two grooms cuddling
Newly wed couple smiling at one another
Together Singing in the rain
Protecting one another from the rain
Grooms together in front of church door
Groom and groom having fun in front of church
Lifting groom off church steps
Groom lift on church steps
Two grooms in front of church altar
Adelaide Pilgrim Uniting church wedding photo with organ
Wedded couple walking across wet road
Grooms together in Adelaide Railway Station
bridal party sitting together int eh Adelaide Railway Station
Newly wed grooms on bench in railway station
Bridal party in front of funky lit wall
Grooms standing together in black and white
Grooms headbut under city lights
Water bending groom
Two grooms in embrace under lights
Adelaide city lights wedding photo
Adelaide Hilton Wedding Reception
Jesse and Luke’s wedding reception at the Hilton was certainly one to remember! Huge chandeliers framed the gigantic cake they had set up in front of the head table, fireworks flamed into life during Jesse and Luke’s entrance and first dance, and to top it all off a 19 piece band was playing all night as entertainment! In their own words their wedding theme was ‘gaudy’!
What made me crack up was a quip from Jesse that even the cake wasn’t straight – and indeed it wasnt, as it was leaning offto one side due to it’s enormous size!
Their whole night was full of plenty of drinking, fun and dancing, culminating in the throwing of bears that held a likeness to Jesse and Luke in liew of any bouquet toss.
Wedding favour lollies
Wedding cake on display at Hilton Adelaide
Tall wedding cake
Grooms entrance kiss at the Hilton Adelaide
Grooms welcome drink
Grooms both giving speech
Groom giving speech in front of reception
MC doing his thing on dancefloor
Grooms hug
Groom excited to enter
Groom pointing at camera
Mother cheers
Grooms cutting cake together
Guests acting like paparazzi
grooms sharing drink in front of cake
First dance with fireworks at Adelaide Hilton Hotel
Grooms dancing on dancefloor
Dancing guest at Hilton
Dancing guest at Hilton Adelaide
Dancing guests at reception
grooms holding teddy bears
Bear toss
It had been a little while since covering a same sex wedding, so covering Jesse and Luke’s Pilgrim Uniting Church wedding was awesome to be a part of, particularly at the beginning of pride month! Thankyou for having me and I hope you enjoy your photos!
Emma and Nickolai certainly chose the perfect time of year to hold their Al-Ru wedding – just at the end of Autumn so that they had all the amazing colours that such a stunningly curated garden like Al-Ru Farm can provide!
I would have expected nothing less from Nickolai – landscape extraordinaire – who was sure to give me a thorough botanic lesson on some of the trees we were using as backdrops during their photo shoot!
Emma and Nickolai’s day was beaiutifully laid back, and family-oriented which made for a lovely atmosphere and an over-all amazing day!
Preparation
Nickolai was being prepared nearby in a friend’s house in Gawler. The homebrew beers and some exceptional liquor was handy and paired nicely with the Dominos pizza they had sourced for lunch.
While Nickolai was being prepared alongside a number of friends, both Nickolai and Emma did not have any bridal party, and instead just wanted to be prepared along side friends and family without having to burden anyone with the rigour of official bridal party business.
One rather neat addition to the whole preparation was Nickolai’s gift to his father in the way of a tie adorned with sunflowers – which represented their Ukranian heritage and I thought was rather touching. I was half expecting some other Ukranian customs to be held later too!
Brown Groom shoes
Wedding bands on brown table top
Groom and doggo
Helping with groom’s tie
Guys helping out getting groom dressed
Groom looking in bathroom mirror
Smiling groom with Dad
dad helping groom with tie
Groom holding dog inbetween cacti
Groom with friends
Groom and Dad
Emma and her friends were being prepared at the cutre little cottage on site at Al-Ru Farm. This cottage, I feel is the best spot to be prepared for a wedding in all of Adelaide due to it’s cute aesthetic and huge sweeping windows that suit as a backdrop to almost anything wedding related!
The atmosphere here was fun and laid back, with the proceedings punctuated by a touching first look by Emma’s Dad who came in and made everyone tear up as he spun around and saw his daugher all dressed up as a bride for the first time 🙂
Wedding dress hanging at Al-Ru Wedding
Ring perched in red flower
Wedding shoes boots
Al-Ru Wedding wedding dress
Guests having fun holding one another
Bridal makeup through window
Ladybug jewellery
Flower girls hugging
Bride firends reacting
Bridal hugs
Bride talking to flower girls
Dad’s first look at Al-Ru Wedding
Daddy daughter hug
Bride smiling as she places Dad’s flower
Al-Ru Wedding bride
Al-Ru Wedding bride looking out window
Bride friends surprise
Al-Ru Wedding Ceremony
Emma and Nickolai’s Al-Ru Wedding ceremony took place at the foot of the pond and roman columns set amongst the greenery of the gardens. This meant that Emma approached her ceremony from behind Nickolai and did not walk through her waiting guests to beghin their ceremony.
An Auslan interpreter was on site all day for those who needed it, while the ceremony itself was lovely and simple with some heartfelt vows and readings throughout.
After the cermeony, we staged a bit of a bride and groom exit up on the homestead’s main lawn where the guests lined a corridor to throw petals over the newly wedded couple.
Groom standing out front of guests
Bride approaching through columns
Bride and father approaching groom
Standing together at the top of the steps
Al-Ru Wedding Ceremony
Bride smiling during ceremony at Al-Ru Farm
Groom looking at his bride during ceremony through leaves
Guests watching Al-Ru Wedding ceremony
Guest speaker during ceremony
bride and groom listening to speaker
Bride vows
Bride vows during cermeony
Bride laughing during Al-Ru Wedding
First kiss at Al-Ru Wedding
Bride and groom walking through guests after wedding
Glamour Photos
Oh boy did I have fun taking Emma and Nickolai’s photos! I mean they certainly made it simple for me by choosing an incredible time of year, they are both gorgeous looking people and the surronds you get to work with at an Al-Ru wedding is simply divine. The only thing that was a little dissapointing was the lack of any significant sunset due to cloud coverage, but it was still really pretty!
A big reason why Emma and Nickolai had me as their wedding phtographer was my tendancy to love taking photos with a bit of a landscape feel – bringing the entirety of the scenery into my photos rather than only focusing on them as portraits. There’s few better places to do this than at an Al-Ru Wedding!
We also made sure to use the famed Al-Ru greenhouse at night for a bit of night time photography, and walked around a bit int he dark with some smoke 🙂
Pink Flower girls
Groom having fun on lawn
Bride and groom together during lawn reception
Guests playing lawn games
Bride and groom kiss under tree
Al-Ru wedding photo
Al-Ru farm wedding photo
Bride and groom backlit by sun under tree
Bride and groom walking on lawn in front of cottage
Bride and groom headbutt in ivy
Wedding photo on Al-Ru Farm driveway
Wedding photo on Al-Ru Farm driveway above
Bride and groom at Al Ru Farm wedding
Bride and groom walking under red trees
Bride and groom embracing under red trees
Bride and groom walking in long grass at Al-Ru Farm wedding
Bride flying veil under bush
Bride and groom kiss under autumnal colours
Bride and groom in the Al Ru Wedding reception area
Bride and groom under the moon and dying sunlight
Bride and groom with sheep
Al-Ru wedding photo in front of greenhouse
Bride and groom under stars at Al-Ru Wedding
Bride and groom in front of Al-Ru arms greenhouse
Bride and groom in the rain in front of greenhouse
Bride and groom in the Al-Ru Farm pillars at night
bride and groom at night in the gardens of Al-Ru Farm
Al-Ru Wedding Reception
Emma and Nickolai’s Al-Ru Wedding reception was punctuated by heartfelt speeches through Auslan and interpreters and highlighted by the personal touches they, and their friends had added to their most amazing day – including one of the most interesting wedding cakes I have seen!
The rest of their night was full of singing, dancing and just having a great time. The whole day was awesome to be a part of and I hope Emma and Nickolai enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed creating them!
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!
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!
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. See more Natural Mclaren Vale Wedding Photography.
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 neon wedding signs
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!