Tag Archive for: beach

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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!

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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 to 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!

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Royal SA Yacht Squadron Wedding – Alex & Tom

Alex and Tom certainly knew how to have a good time as their Royal SA Yacht Squadron wedding can attest! Their day was full of fun loving people, who were keen on having a blast all day – particularly as the SA COVID restrictions had been recinded in regards to dancing only the night before!

Alex and Tom, both avid, successful sailors themselves had the run of the yacht club for their entire day, making things simple for themselves and their guests, who all had giant smiles on their faces all day!

 

Preparation

Tom and his groomsmen were being prepared in a nearby house. I was greeted by many of the guys wandering about in their underwear, stressing about not knowing where Alex’s gift to Tom – a watch – had vanished to! They had the wrist band, but not the watch itself. Crisis was averted after Tom had a proper look. 🙂

After finding the watch, Tom seemed to relax a bit and had a grand ol’ time laughing and making jokes with his mates while getting ready, culminating in a fashionshow-esque portrait shoot where each of the boys made it their mission to pose with the most awkward expressions possible.

Grooms jacket hanging on doorframe
Grooms watch
Smiling groomsman
best man helping
Groom and groomsmen putting on socks
Groom playing with cuffs
Groom spraying champaigne with groomsmen
Groomsmen standing on road
Groom looking off into distance against tree

Alex and her bridal party were being prepared in a larger house close by, with a grand entrance hall in which I made use of for shots of the bridal preparation and of course haning the dress in!

Alex made use of the grassy area out the back for what might have been the best champaign spraying I have ever seen, before heading back inside to put on dresses.

A big highlight of their preparation would have to be the father of the groom’s first look – not only for his reaction as he peeked around the door frame, but rather the emergance of Alex and Tom’s little boy first who waddled out like a little penguin to screams of delaight from the bridal party.

Engagement ring in between bridal shoes
Engagement ring in white roses
Wedding dress hanging in front passage
Bride having makeup done surrounded by entourage
Bridal party in gowns
Bridal party spraying champaigne
Bride getting ready in front of doorway
bride opening groom gift box
Mum helping put on bridal veil
Bride standing alone in doorway
Father of the bride first look
Bride placing flower on Dad
Bride and bridesmaids on porch

Royal SA Yacht Squadron Wedding Ceremony

Alex and Tom’s Royal SA Yacht Squadron wedding ceremony took palce under the umbrellas on the large open decking area overlooking the club’s marina. This allowed all their guests to excape the sunny weather, while also having quite a view to look at!

Again Alex and Tom’s little boy stole the show early in the proceedings with him making an entrance to the music of the wiggles, much to the delight of all onlookers, and made everyone laugh as they joined in with the song.

The ceremony also had a couple of heartfelt readings from important people and made sure to involve both laughter and tearjerking moments – all emotions were on display, even confusion when a couple of slight mishaps occured, including a stepping on the dress, and the slight oversight of the location of the wedding bands! This was all laughed off in good humour though.

Groom at front of congregation
Groom with groomsmen at front of ceremony
Page boy with gran
bridal approach at royal sa yacht squadron wedding
Wedding ceremony under umbrellas
Celebrant doing her thing with mic
roayl sa yacht squadron wedding ceremony
Ceremony reading
Bride tearing up
RSAYS wedding ceremony
Holding hands in front of celebrant
Bride and groom holing hands in front of celebrant
Page boy delivering rings
First kiss at royal SA yacht squadron wedding
Celebrations at wedding ceremony
Leaving the wedding ceremony
Royal South Australian yacht Squadron wedding

Glamour Photos

As Alex and Tom’s plan for glamour photos did not involve heading off site anywhere, we made the most of the laid back time by spending some time with family and friends, and also a bit of down time enjoying a drink together in the club’s spectacular boat house.

We made use of the beautiful coloured doors quite a bit, while I also enjoyed shooting Alex and Tom witht he light scoming through the open door to create a ruustic frame around the dancing couple.

We also made use of the marina’s piers and docks as we walked about, and even clamboured on a large yacht for a few photos there.

Bridal party in boat shed
Royal SA Yacht club boat shed wedding photo
Royal SA Yacht club boat shed wedding photography
bride and groom leaning on boat shed doors
bride and groom leaning on boat shed coloured doors
Bridesmaids re creating a picture
Groomsmen on jetty
Bridal party pulling bride and groom apart
Bridal squad
Bride and groom leaning on pier pole
Bridal party on royal SA yacht squadron piers
Royal sa yacht squadron wedding photo
Royal sa yacht squadron wedding photography
bride and groom kissing under veil
Bridal party together spraying champaigne
Bride and groom at sunset on pier
Bride and groom out at night

Royal SA Yacht Squadron Wedding Reception

Alex and Tom’s Royal SA Yacht Squadron wedding reception was spearheaded by an immediate dance floor incursion by the entire bridal party – they were that keen on getting up there!

The entire night was well planned, with over an hour’s worth of heartfelt speeches throughout, which everyone jokingly heckled about, but all really enjoyed with laughter, tears and other shenanigans. After which everyone was keen to jump on the dancefloor, causing the rest fo the night to be a blur!

Bridal party entrance
Bridal party entrance with fly gag
Entrance of bridal aprty
Bride and groom entrance to reception
mr and mrs wedding cake
Laughing groom during speech
Laughing bride during speech
Laughing geusts during a speech
Mums
Bride and groom cuttingt he cake together
Bouquet toss action
Caught bouquet toss
bride and groom dancing
bride and groom dancing on dance floor

I’d like to thank Alex, Tom and their family for having myself and my wife there to document your big daya dn I hope you enjoy your photos and video!

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Pt Willunga Beach Wedding – Georgia & Chris

I was super excited to cover Georgia and Chris’ Pt Willunga Beach Wedding in front of the famed Pt Willunga Jetty ruins as I knew they were a couple that were keen on doing anything for the best possible photo opportunity – and boy did we managed to get some wonderful photos!

More of an elopement than a wedding – Georgia and Chris had me cover their short Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony as both their photogrpaher and videographer, before heading over to Mclaren Vale, and finally Blanche Point for their glamour photos.

Preparation

Both Georgia and Chris got prepared at the same bed and breakfast nearby at Sellicks beach. Georgia and her bridesmaid tried to keep away from Chris and his groomsman as much as possible while being prepared, but despite the plan being just to have photos done of Georgia beign prepared, it enabled me to also grab a quick few shots of Chris too.

Boys about to get dressed
Wedding bands on shoe
Engagement ring amongst white flowers
Groom getting help on tie
Bride getting help with dress
Bride getting help with dress smiling
Bride admiring in mirror

Pt Willunga Beach Wedding Ceremony

I arrived at the beach only to notice that there were a few other weddings having their shoot done in front of the jetty ruins – momentarily being worried that Georgia and Chris may not be able to use the vista as their ceremony backdrop – but they moved on before they arrived.

Having a Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony is quite special in that not many people know this but this beach has a reputation of being the most photographed beach in all of South Australia – the unique forms of the sticks from the ruined jetty make for a stunning contrast to the serene waters that surround them.

Georgia and Chris’ Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony was beautifully intimate with both members of their bridal party also making a contribution in the way of a heartfelt speech – which was quite unique, before Georgia and Chris also reciting their own vows for one another.

Groomsmen arriving with celebrant
Bride and bridesmaid about to walk down to beach
bride approaching her Pt Wilunga Beach wedding
bride approaching her Pt Wilunga Beach wedding ceremony
Grooms first look of bride at beach
Pt Willunga Beach wedding ceremony
Bride looking around her
Bride listening
Groom vows
Pt Willunga Beach Wedding Ceremony in sun
Smiling bride at the beach
Smiling groom at the beach
Wedding in front of the Pt Willunga Jetty
First kiss at Pt Willunga Beach Wedding
Congrats from groomsman
signing registry in beach cave

Glamour Photos

After the marriage documents had been signed within the famed beachside cliffs, it was time to make use of the dying sun for some glamour photos! The beach was rather busy at this time, so it was rather tricky to keep the beach loking pristine for Geaorgia and Chris, but I think I managed with clever angles – and of course that ol’ Photoshop chestnut.

Bridal party walking together on beach
Wedding photo at beach with drone
bride and groom holding hands at the ebach
Groom tickling his bride
Black and white closeup of engagement ring
Closeup of bridal bouquet on ground
Pt Willunga Beach wedding photo
Pt Willunga Beach wedding photography
Bride and groom looking out
Wedding photo at Pt Willunga Beach wedding

Chris was quite adament on having a variety of backdrops in their wedding photos, so we head into the center of Mclaren vale to make use of the delightful Olive Grove set up for anyone to use. It’s one of my favourite spots in Mclaren Vale to photograph at this time of day due to the amazing light that filters through the trees!

We also found a quick spot to stop at to make use of some vineyards.

Kiss with sunlight
Laughing bride and groom
Under the Mclaren vale olive grove
Under the Mclaren vale olive grove with sunlight
Bride and groom amongst some vines
Bride and groom amongst some vineyards

Heading out to Blanche point at sunset for a wedding shoot was always a dream of mine – I’ve been shooting weddings for 10 years now and within the last few months I have head here twice now, but only once at sunset. This spot really allows my landscape photographer head come into play to create some stunning vistas for my couples!

Helps too that the sun set was absolutely spectacular! We had to squeeze through no less than 3 other weddings also using the location, but we found our own little spot and it turned out fantastically!

Popping champaigne at Blanche point
Blanche Point wedding photo
Bride and groom at sunset Blanche Point
Blanche Point sunset
Blanche Point sunset looking out
Bride and groom looking at camera at Blanche Point
Blanche Point wedding photography
bride and groom on the snad dunes at Blanche Point
Sunset silhouette

It’s honestly not common to manage having a bride climbing over rocks and cliffs in heels and a dress – so I thank Georgia for being such a trooper and I hope you enjoy your photos!

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Rivers End Retreat Wedding – Skye & Brandon

 

At the end of January, I was down at Goolwa for Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat wedding in the shadow of the impressive Randell rd bridge, and withing a stone’s throw of the Goolwa warf and Cockle Train station!

The Rivers End Retreat is a large, well presented bed and breakfast that usually caters for large group tour bookings, and not weddings overly often – so it was a delight to head to a new, and rare venue like this one!

Preparation

Brandon and his groomsmen were being prepared nearby at a separate bed and breakfast – with the highlight being the box and scrap book that Skye had prepared for him as a morning gift. Tears were flowing and Brandon’s groomsmen certainly played it up nicely!

Wedding rings on wooden table
Grooms shoes on wooden table
Groom putting on shirt in window light
Groomsmen helping out getting dressed
Groom throwing on jacket
Buttoning on fower
Groom admiring himself in mirror
Groomsmen listening to bride’s letter
Groomsmen walking along road

Skye was being prepared with her bridal party at the main bed and breakfast on site, which allowed them to spread out quite a bit as the main living space is huge!

Skye also recieved a gift from Brandon, but could not open it before heading out for the cermeony, so we made sure we opened that a bit later.

Wedding dress hanging in Rivers End Retreat hallway
helping with flower girl’s shoes
Engagement ring perched in bouquet
Bridal makeup next to window
Flower girl looking at bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride in sunlight
Bridal party cheers
Bride standing with long train
Bride holding yellow bouquet
bridesmaids admiring bride

Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End retreat wedding ceremony took palce on a strip of grass, leading into the rustic brick wall that surrounds the property making for the Goolwa stretch of the end of the river Murray their backdrop.

Their ceremonyt was lovely and simple, with vows being exchanged defore the mandatory kiss and walk back down the aisle!

Brandon was an absolute trooper throughout the ceremony as apparently he was not feeling overly well throughout, and soon after the ceremony retreated to his room for a bit of a lay down before emorging again later in the day.

Groom waiting at Rivers End Retreat Wedding
Sunflowers on wedding arbour
Bridal approach at wedding ceremony
Holding hands unser sunflowers
Smling bride during wedding ceremony at Rivers End retreat
Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony
Smiling groom during his ceremony
Bridal exit at rivers end retreat wedding ceremony
Rivers end reatreat wedding congregation with drone

Afternoon Glamour shoots

Directly after their ceremony and drone group photo in front of the homestead, the bridal party and I quickly head down to the nearby train tracks where we knew a scheduled Cockle Train was about to set off on it’s short trip to Victor Harbor.

It was quite exciting as Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony took place right in front of the beginning of the railway, so we managed to get in front of the train just as it began it’s journey!

Poor Brandon wasn’t feeling the best just prior to this, so the shot we got of the train heading past was taken only moments after he had been a bit sick on the ground behind – hats off to Skye for putting up with it for a kiss!

I’d just like to draw attention here to their little flower girl – who just so happens to be my daughter, Chloe – she was such a good girl all day!

Fuzzy headed friend
Bride and groom under parasols
Cockle Train wedding photo
Flower girl holding parasol

Later in the day, as the light was fading, and Brandon was feeling for up to it, we head out along the Goolwa piers, on the other side of the Goolwa railway station for a few photos with the bridal party and the nice colours the sun was making on the clouds above!

Bride an dgroom under lit tree
Bride and groom on train line
Bridal party on train line
bride and groom inbetween trees
Bridal party on the Goolwa docks
Holding one another with flying train
bridal party reacting to kiss on docks
bride and groom under the last light
goolwa docks last light
Bride and groom under Goolwa bridge
bride and groopm on docks through tree
Goolwa train station photo
Bride and groom at night

Reception

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat Wedding reception took place pretty much all afternoon, with lawn games, furry friends and delightful surrounds to keep their guests occupied and having a good time right through to the late hours of the evening.

The lawns surrounding the old homestead was the main area for mingling along side the rustic old stables which have been converted to a lovely space suited as a small undercover dance floor, or just a place to chill.

playing with their fuzzy friends
Succulent guest gifts
bride opening gift
Groomsmen playing pool
bridesmaids playing with flower girl
Bride and groom giving speech under umbrella
Guests listening to speeches
Cutting the sunflower wedding cake
First dance at Rivers End retreat wedding

Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat wedding was a delightful escape down to Goolwa for a beautiful wedding, surrounded by beautiful people – thankyou for having me Skye and Brandon, and I hope you enjoy your photos!

Tag Archive for: beach