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Lakes Hotel Wedding – Paula & Andrew

October 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Paula & Andrew
Lakes Resort Hotel Wedding

I head out to Paula and Andrew’s beautifully family-centric Lakes Hotel wedding in West Lakes at the beginning of October, and I had a ball of a time 🙂

The weather wasn’t always the best, showing a bit of cloud for much of the day, but we still managed to make use of the hotel and nearby park for some great shots!

Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony

I started my time with Paula and Andrew right at the start of their wedding ceremony, which was held in one of the function rooms on site at the Lakes Hotel. The function room they held their ceremony in overlooked the West Lakes river which made for a lovely backdrop while also being shielded from the slight drizzle of rain that was falling outside.

The ceremony itself was a lovely simple affair with some in-jokes about Paula and Andrews relationship interspersed by some lovely heart-felt vows and reading from a guest who diddnt seem to know they were doing a reading! Thosesorts of things at a wedding always makes everyone smile 🙂

Apparently Paula and Andrew had been engaged for a good 25 years! So of course some of the injokes throughout the ceremony and the speeches later in the night centered around that! Qudos for them to finally tying the knot though! Even if was doing a global pandemic.. :/

Groom patiently waiting near pole

Bride arriving near elevator

Bride and father photo

Bridal approach at the Lakes Hotel Wedding

Smiling bride during ceremony 2

Smiling groom during ceremony 2

Holding hands together 2

Standing at the altar together – Lakes Hotel wedding

Bride looking at her groom 2

Speech giver

The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony

The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony 2

The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony 3

Exchanging wedding rings 4

First kiss under the arbour 2

Bridal exit in bubbles

Glamour Photos

After taking all the group photos both outside on the riverside, and then the rest inside as it had started to rain a little, I attempted to use the architecture of the Lakes Hotel for much of their photoshoot, hoping the rain dispersed enough for us to head outside a bit later – thankfully that’s exactly what happened!

We went for a walk along side the river and made use of the wonderful little beach nearby and dozens of seagulls flying overhead for some neat shots! I did get my shoes wet – but that’s just the life of a wedding photographer! Need to do what it takes for the best shot!

Bride gleefully looking at groom

Groom enjoying a beer

Wedding photo through poles

Lakes resort hotel wedding

Bride looking pretty at the Lakes Resort Hotel

Bride playing with bouquet in hallway

Groom being playful

Groom holding his bride 2

Bride and groom walking down hallway at the Lakes Hotel

Groom walking down hallway at the Lakes Resort Hotel

Bride and groom standing under seagulls

Sharing a kiss under seagulls

Standing on the beach together 2

bridal party standing on the beach near the Lakes Hotel

Close up of the engagement ring 2

Bride and groom sitting together

Bridal wings

Lakes Hotel Wedding Reception

Before starting for the day I arrived at the Lakes Hotel early to set up my photobooth for the evening. When I arrived the hall was very small, but I wasn’t to know that they actually extended the reception hall where I set the photobooth up in throughout the other function room where they held their ceremony! Turned out to be a huge area very suitable for a lovely wedding reception overlooking the water.

While I was attending the photobooth throughout the night I also stood up every now and again to take photos of the speeches and of course the first dance. Was a lovely night!

Wedding cake 3

Bride and groom entering reception 2

Guest having fun 5

Bride and groom standing under the stars

Guests having fun 3

Cutting the cake 2

Kiss from guest

Using the photobooth

Shoe game 2

Speech 3

First dance at the lakes resort hotel

First dance at the lakes resort hotel wedding

I’d like to thank Paula and Andrew for having me as their wedding photographer on their special day! I hope Paula and Andrew enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them throughout their big day!

Woodstock Winery Wedding – Michelle & Ryan

January 25, 2020/1 Comment/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Michelle & Ryan
Woodstock Winery Wedding

It was a stunningly sunny day for Michelle and Ryan’s Woodstock winery wedding, just out of Mclaren Vale. I was asked to be their wedding photographer from their ceremony through to their first dance at their reception, whith photos in between down at Maslin Beach and of course using the vineyards about Woodstock winery.

Woodstock Winery Wedding Ceremony

The main appeal of having a Woodstock winery wedding in my book would have to be the beautiful picturesque, but still private surrounds of the winery. There is a large, open grassy area out the back of the main restaurant, lined by gum trees, bushes and of course the Woodstock winery’s vineyards nearby. Michelle and Ryan chose to set up their wedding ceremony so that the vineyards were the backdrop to their arbour.

The sun was out in full force throughout their ceremony, causing some rather harsh light shining on poor Michelle’s face, but thankfully the ceremony wasnt overly long and it also wasn’t so hot that it got uncomfortable – but the guests quickly found some shade before and after the ceremony.

The highlight of the ceremony would have to have been the moment when the exchanging of the rings was held up by Ryan and his best man’s antics where they faked forgetting the rings, only to reveal that their little dog was waiting in the wings with the rings tied around it’s collar.

wedding sign

Groom waiting patiently

Bride hiding behind the wall

Waiting out the front

Bride walking towards ceremony

Grooms first look of bride

Dad giving away bride

Together under the arbour

Wedding ceremony at Woodstock winery

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony

smiling bride during ceremony

Groom reading vows

Dog ring bearer

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony under the gum trees

exchanging the wedding rings

first kiss under the arbour

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony exit

Glamour Photos

What was a little different to most other weddings, was that directly after the Woodstock winery wedding ceremony, we immediately jumped into a bus waiting to take us down to the beach for the glamour photos – forgoing the usual family group photos that usually follow a ceremony. Michelle and Ryan had purposefully planned it this way so as to have a more relaxed, leasurely time down at the beach and to make sure they got all the photos they wanted.

I was quite excited by the copious number of flying seagulls in the air during Michelle and Ryan’s photoshoot on the beach, that it made it that much easier to have them smiling in their photos as they were laughing at my own antics being excited about the birds. Thankfully they held their distance away from us, along with another nearby wedding ceremony that was taking place a top the cliffs – nothing worse than gate crashing another wedding, but the birds made for an awesome backdrop in many of their photos!

After having photos on the beach, and posing for a Starwars themed photo, we then head back to Woodstock winery and used some lovely trees they have in their car park before being announced at the reception. During the reception, we head out for the family photos and used the dying sun for some photos amongst the nearby vineyards.

Bridal party walking to beach

Bride and groom walking down to the beach

Being all lovey

Bridal party walking the dog along the beach

Bridal party on the beach

Wedding couple walking along the beach

Wedding couple walking along the beach with their dog

Bridal couple kissing on the beach

Flowing veil on the beach

Bride and Groom on Maslin beach

Star Wars Wedding Photo

Minimal wedding photo of bride and groom on beach

Bride and groom on Maslins Beach

Beach shot

Bride and groom amongst the sanddunes

Bride and bridesmaids

Groomsmen

Kisses on the Beach boardwalk

Bride and groom amongst the Woodstock winery trees

Bride and groom amongst gum trees

Sitting together in the vineyards

Holding hands

Walking around the Woodstock winery

Walking through the woodstock winery vineyards

woodstock winery vineyards

Woodstock winery wedding at night

Woodstock Winery Wedding Reception

The wedding reception took place in the Woodstock winery’s beautiful two-tiered restaurant, with the head table in the center of the arc, and family tables lined up either side. There was no indoor dancefloor, so the first dance took place outside, and there was no shortage of people out there enjoying the wonderful, warm weather. Emotions were running high during the daddy daughter and monther, son dances with family members all joining in, and was lovely to see 🙂

Michelle and Ryan opted to have a cool, modern take on a wedding cake, having doughnuts piled up with a starwars themed topper, adding a little bit of quirkyness to the whole day.

Guestbook sign

Woodstock winery wine bottles

bridal entrace at Woodstock winery wedding reception

Helping with the veil

bride sharing a drink

Woodstock winery at dusk

Doughnut wedding cake

Inspecting rings

Engagement ring amongst bouquet

first dance

hugs on the dance floor

Daddy daughter dance

Singing

I’d like to thank Michelle and Ryan for having me photograph their special day, and I hope they enjoy their photos!

Pt Noarlunga Wedding – Kate & Matt

June 23, 2020/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Kate & Matt
Pt Noarlunga Wedding

Kate and Matt held their wedding ceremony in their backyard for an intimate, and simple wedding ceremony amidst the craziness that has come with the COVID-19 restrictions on wedding gatherings. That said however, they did not compromise as their original plan was to get married at a more traditional wedding venue in the future, only to figure they may as well do it right now! So they did woith their nice, simple backyard Pt Noarlunga wedding ceremony.

Pt Noarlunga Backyard Wedding Ceremony

I arrived just before the ceremony was due to take place to Matt and his family putting together some of the finishing touches to the backyard ceremony setting while also playing with their adorable fur baby who was keeping an eye on things. Kate arrived soon after along side a few more family members and the ceremony began immediately.

A lovely, simple affair with Kate and Matt both exchanging their own personal vows before being declared husband and wife. The fun parts were when their dog wanted to join in on the celebrations 🙂

The weather wasn’t the best in the world – but it also wasn’t too cold, nor was it windy, it was just threatening to rain the entire time. Thankfully the rain held off enough for both their ceremony and their glamour shoot down the famed steps of the Onkaparinga River Mouth.

Wedding rings on bark

Wedding dog

Groom waiting

bride arriving

Bride walking to ceremony in backyard

Backyard ceremony

holding hands during ceremony

Together on their wedding day

Bride listening to vows

Groom listening to vows

Socially distanced wedding ceremony

Standing together at their backyard ceremony

First Kiss Backyard ceremony

Pt Noarlunga Wedding Photos

Once the certificate was signed, and the family photos were done, we head down to what possibly would be the most photographed set of steps in South Australia – the steps leading down to the beach at the Onkaparinga River Mouth.

If you’re holding a Pt Noarlunga wedding you’re bound to end up here for wedding photos – not just for the steps, but also for the incredible rock formations along the beach which are awesome at high tide to get the whole ‘pride rock’ moment of the bride and groom standing out, surrounded by water.

The entire photoshoot was very laid back, with Kate and Matt super keen to crack a joke and make the most of their big day – and as I was only with them for just over an hour the whole process was over pretty quickly!

I made sure to photoshop in some starwars and lightning bolts in the background to make use of the moody clouds in their backdrop – while also producsing some very heartfelt moments while they were cuddling each other and walking along the boardwalk.

Excited groom

Standing together at the top of the Pt Noarlunga steps

Bride and groom on their Pt Noarlunga wedding day

Pt Noarlunga South Wedding

On the Pt Noarlunga boardwalk

Helping one another over the rocks

Walking along the Pt Noarlunga rocks

Port Noarlunga wedding

Hugs on the rocks

Pt Noarlunga beach wedding

Lightning wedding photo

Bride and groom on the rocks on their wedding day

Bride and groom walking along the boardwalk

Bride and groom hugging each other

Walking together back to their pt Noarlunga wedding

Thanks so much for having me as your wedding photographer Kate and Matt! It’s great to get back into the swing of covering weddings again after the COVID restrictions!

Adelaide Sailing Club Wedding – Helen & Simon

April 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Helen & Simon
Adelaide Sailing Club Wedding

There was no better place to be than the beach for Helen and Simon’s stunning wedding ceremony out the front of the Adelaide Sailing Club House. The weather was absolutely stunning, not too hot or cold, and the wind was just enough to make you feel like you were beach side! Helen and Simon’s family had travelled long distances in some cases in order to celebrate their union together and a more happy family is very hard to come by. 🙂 I was asked to be their wedding photographer from their ceremony through to the sunset, and we got some great shots in front of the sun that’s for sure!

Adelaide Sailing Club Wedding Ceremony

Helen and Simon’s ceremony took place on the large grassy area out the front of the Adelaide Sailing Club house. The grassy area meets the body of water and small beach held within the artificial rocks that make up the boat ramp catchment area of the sailing club. Quite fortuitously on the same day as their wedding, there was a sailing regatta on in the background, so there was a lovely display of small sailing boats cruising about on the waters just behind where Helen and Simon’s ceremony took place. It was a lovely sight to behold.

Standing together

Speech

Adelaide Sailing Club

Adelaide Sailing Club Wedding

Laughter

Arbor

Smiling bride

Getting married

Speech

Exchanging wedding rings

Smiling groom

Walking together

Just married

First kiss

Glamour Photos

After the family photos had been completed, we head off first to the rocks lining the small catchment area for some glamour photos before heading over to the Grange Jetty a short drive away. I love heading to the Grange foreshore as the sand dunes there make for some lovely photos, and under the jetty make for some very interesting photos.

Under the jetty

Close up of wedding bands

Under the jetty

Bridal party

Having fun

Sitting together

Walking along the beach together

Bouquet

Under the jetty

Walking amongst the dunes

Under the jetty

Kiss under the sun

Walking on the Jetty

Kiss on the dunes

Flower

Adelaide Sailing Club Wedding Reception

helena nd Simon’s reception took place back at the Sailing Club where their main function area was used. The function room is large enough to hold quite a few people, and is equipped with a large dance floor and private bar. It’;s a really nice spot to celebrate a wedding, while also watching the sunset over West Beach during a reception.

Wedding Cake

Talking guests

Food

MC

Having fun

Head Table

Entrance

Talking with guests

Cutting the cake

Inside the Adelaide Sailing Club

We couldn’t hang around in the reception while there was a stunning sunset going on, so Helen, Simon and I went out to make use of it on the beach. The tide had come in significantly since their ceremony so our first choice of location for these photos could not be used, but we made do with the beach on the other side of the club – the only issue being the amount of seaweed on the beach, but the photos still turned out great 🙂

Together under the sun set

Smiling

Dance under the sun set

Silhouette under the sun set

Kisses

Thanks so much Helen and Simon for having me capture your wedding photography! 😀

Santorini Wedding – Greece – Kerri & Tony

July 10, 2019/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Travel, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Kerri & Tony
Santorini Wedding – Greece

Heading over to the Greek islands to cover Kerri and Tony’s Santorini wedding has got to be one of the highlights in my wedding photography career so far! The picturesque sights available in the town of Thera, nestled high amongst the cliffs surrounding the caldera of Santorini is an absolute dream to photograph, and it makes it so much easier when I have and amazing couple as Kerri and Tony as subjects! Both Kerri and Tony live in Adelaide, South Australia, but chose to hold a destination Santorini wedding in order to head around Europe on honeymoon. Another reason was that Kerri and Tony met in Canada, where Tony lived, so in order to make the wedding fair to both families they held it somewhere in between the two countries!

Preparation

While shooting a Santorini wedding is an absolute blast and pretty much a wedding photographer’s dream location to shoot at, walking inbetween locations in the height of the Greek summer was no easy task! Thera is a town located right at the top of the cliffs, so walking anywhere really takes it’s toll on your thighs! I mention this as Tony and Kerri were both prepared at different locations a good walk away form one another – good thing I’m fit! 😛

I started the day with Tony and his family, with his groomsmen who all travelled out from Canada for the big day. After getting in a bit of trouble splashing a bit of water out from the pool in order to get a shot of the boys jumping in, I took photos of them all getting ready. It was a fairly laid back affair with Tony showing little to no signs of nerves, and more keen on having a good time with his mates.

Jumping int he pool

Swimming

Bow Tie

Wedding Shoes

Putting on shirt

Doing up tie

Groom and his groomsmen

Walking down the road

Kerri and her bridal party were the same, laughing and joking about whilst occasionally doing little dances all around the rooms and making funny faces in front of the camera. Perhaps the only difference was that everyone got ready inside so as to avoid the beating heat of the lovely sunny day. Kerri’s paresnts and flower girl dropped in for a visit just as she was about to leave which was nice as we got to have some family photos done before walking up to the ceremony at Dana Villas.

Wedding dress

Looking in mirror

Getting dressed

Putting on bracelet

Engagement ring

Laughing in mirror

Standing in doorway

Getting ready

Dancing about

Dad looking on

Flower girl

Walking up stairs

Playing with flowers

Bridal crew

Dana Villas, Santorini Wedding Ceremony

The Dana Villas wedding ceremony location is a wonderul vantage point, overlooking the entirety of the Santorini caldera – caused by an ancient volcanic eruption. There is a purpose built wooden arbour that covers where the bride and groom stand while having a stunning viewpoint to the waters below. It’s conveniently located amongst some of the more upper scale hotel accomodations available on the island, and also withing short walking distance to the center of the town of Thera.

Kerri and Tony’s wedding ceremony was officiated by a friend of theirs using some personal injokes and personalised vows that made sure their congregation were chuckling throughout. They even went as far as incororate their mutal love of board games by having the rule book of ‘Settlers of Catan‘ as their marriage registry book. As everyopne had travelled, both from Canada and Australia the congregation was a rather intimate affair with no more than 40-50 people in attandance.

Groom looking for bride

Bridal arrival

Smiling bride

Dana Villas Wedding Ceremony Location

Santorini Wedding Ceremony

Standing together

Reading vows

Smiling bride

Exchaning vows

Laughing

Smiling groom

Santorini wedding ceremony

Exchaning rings

First kiss

Smiles

Exit

Thera, Santorini Wedding Glamour Photos

As Kerri and Tony werent overly keen on the idea of spending too long having glamour photos taken, I had spent the previous few days I had in the island scouting out spots on the walk in between Dana Villas and the Apelos cafe – where their reception was taking place. The aim being that I could utilise the wonderous views of Thera on Santorini, without taking up too much time before entering their reception and starting the party 🙂 A goal of mine before heading out to Santorini was to find a spot to capture the iconic blue domed church and three bell arch that’s symbolic of the Greek isles – luckily I found a spot in Thera for just that purpose and it wasn’t too crowded with tourists for us to use. For other shots I simply used the stairways and wonderful vistas the island naturally provides.

Just a tip for anyone out there planning a Santorini Wedding – try to book your day during a period where there are few cruise ships in port, as the island tends to fill up with tourists in no time when there are 3-5 cruise ships in town and some of the best spots for photo taking just get swamped!

Looking over the caldera of Santorini

Walking through the streets of Thera

Putting on jacket

Skipping down the steps

Kisses

Sitting together

Bride and her girls

Kiss on the cheek

Bridal party

Santorini Wedding

Under a lamp post

Silly faces

Lovey dovey

Bridal party walking together in Thera, Santorini

Bride and her bridal aprty

Bride and groom in front of blue domed church

Santorini wedding photography

infront of flowers

Walk ways of Thera, Santorini

Thera, Santorini Wedding

Apelos Wedding Reception

The Ampelos cafe in the middle of the city of Thera is a wonderful little cafe situated on the rooftop overlooking the caldera of Santorini. It’s located right on the main pedestrian strip of the city where at sunset it gets super crowded with tourists, so being above everyone in the rooftop space was great for uninterrupted views of the world-reknowned sunset.

On one side of the reception space theres a magnificent white domed church which made for a beautiful backdrop for Kerri and Tony’s head table, while the guests tables were situated under the roofing, surrounding the dance floor. It was a beautiful spot to end what was an absolutely stunning day!