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Doubletree by Hilton Darwin Wedding – Kelly & Ben

July 4, 2021/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Kelly & Ben
Doubletree by Hilton Darwin Wedding

I was right in the middle of the Darwin CBD for Kelly and ben’s Doubletree by Hilton Darwin wedding that took place on the lawns nearby the hotel’s pool, with glamour photos just across the round in Darwin’s Bicentennial park, and reception in the Doubletree by Hilton Darwin reception center a few doors down from the actual hotel!

The weather was absolutely fantactic, as you’d expect from this time of year in Darwin – while perhaps on the warmer side, but that was ok as Kelly and ben were keen to get back to their friends and family sooner rather than later for their reception, instead of spedning took long taking photos!

Doubletree by Hilton Darwin Wedding Ceremony

Kelly and Ben’s Doubletree by Hilton Darwin wedding ceremony took place on the lawned area alongside the hotel’s pool area. The grassy lot has ample room for small to medium sized wedding ceongregations and is a private little space, surrounded by tall buildings, fences and greenery.

The ceremony itself was a short, simple affair, with Kelly of course being a tad late – which is of course tradition – but once she was there, it was smiles all around as these two lovely people said their vows and tied the knot.

Groom waiting at his Doubletree by Hilton wedding ceremony

Bride arriving at Doubletree by Hilton

Smiling bride in the Doubletree by Hilton lobby

Bridal entrance at the Doubletree by Hilton

Grooms first look at doubletree by hilton wedding

Doubletree by hilton wedding ceremony

Holding hands at wedding ceremony

Bride and groom holding hands on the grass at doubletree

Wedding ceremony on the grass at Doubletree by hilton

Doubletree by Hilton Darwin wedding ceremony

Groom during his wedding ceremony

Page boy bringing the rings

Vows at a wedding ceremony

First kiss at Doubletree by Hilton Darwin wedding

bride and groom exit their Doubletree by Hilton wedding ceremony

Glamour Photos

After holding the family group shots over the water of the pool, using the small patch of greenery as the backdrop – we head over the road to Darwin’s Bicentennial park for glamour photos. It kelly and ben weren’t overly keen to travel too far away for their glamour photos, opting instead to have a few done close by, allowing them to spend more time with their family and friends back at their reception. It was also quite a warm day, so moving too far wasn’t on the top of most people’s lists of things to do 🙂

The sunny day meant that I was presented by quite a bit of sun glare shining through the foliage of trees, so I made good use of the light bathing the bridal party in it’s glow. We managed to walk around the park a bit, all the way down to the rocky shoreline and back before retiring to get ready for the reception.

bride and groom on the pool edge

Bridal party in Darwins Bicentenniel park

Bride and groom in Bicentennialpark

Ring in flowers

bridal party in Bicentennial Park Darwin

bride and groom amongst thin trees in Darwin

Bride and groom in thin trees in Bicentennial Park

bride and groom on the Darwin bay lookout

Bride and groom on the Darwin foreshore

bride and groom amongst the Darwin Foliage

Smiling bride and groom surrounded by green

Darwin Bicentennial Park Wedding Photo

Darwin Bicentennial Park Wedding Photography

Doubletree by Hilton Darwin Wedding Reception

It was the second time I had covered a wedding in this Doubletree by Hilton Darwin reception hall – as there are a number to choose from, but I think this hall is quite popular due to it’s size and ease of access from the road. The area boasts ample room for a medium sizes wedding party, with dance, while the kids were keen on using the spare space for games and running around.

The atmosphere was fun and laid back, with a number of speeches and plenty of dancing later in the evening. I;d like to thank Kelly and Ben for seating me at a table! I had a lovely chat with the people at the table who clued me on some places to visit for the next time I was in Darwin – which happened to be only last week. Unfortunately though my trip was cut short due to COVID 🙁

It was a lovely night to be a part of!

wedding sign in Hotel

Wedding favour jelly beans

Doubletree by Hilton Wedding Reception

bride and groom arriving at their reception

Wedding reception food

bride and groom outside the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Darwin

Groomsman announcing himself

Laughing groom during speeches

Wedding cake on display

Cutting the wedding cake together

Daddy daughter dance

On the dancefloor as a family

First dance at Doubletree by Hilton wedding

Guests dancing at Doubletree by Hilton Darwin

St Mary’s Cathedral Wedding – Darwin – Jane & David

July 25, 2019/1 Comment/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Jane & David
St Mary’s Cathedral Wedding

There’s nothing better than travelling up to Darwin for a wedding during the winter months, getting away from the cold weather in Adelaide during this time of year! these past few months have been full of travel for me, having covered a wedding in Santorini, Greece just a few weeks prior to Jane and David’s wedding at the St Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin! It was so awesome to be a part of as I knew Jane and David were wonderful people last time I met up with them on the remote Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin for an engagement shoot.

I went up there for a few days camping and exploring the remote island where Jane and David live amongst the local Tiwi islander community. It also happens to be the location of the wedding featured in the recent blockbuster ‘Top end wedding‘, which was pretty neat!

Preparation

David was being prepared with his groomsmen in an apartment overlooking the Darwin waterfront precinct. The atmosphere was laid back and easygoing and it all went pretty smoothly until I apparently interrupted a crossfit competition when we were waling about for photos on the beachfront.. sorry about that! Diddn’t seem to interrupt much as I diddnt even notice until after when someone mentiuoned it to me.. haha.

Wedding rings

Close up of flower

Getting ready

Socks

Getting ready

Walking along the beach

Getting ready

Wedding rings

Jane and her bridesmaids were being prepared in a rather lavish bed and breakfast overlooking the Darwin skyline. The house featured a 3 story long single stairway which I was super keen on utilising for photos! 🙂 Similar to the guys, the girls were super laid back and if there were any nerves, Jane was hiding it well 🙂

Wedding dress

Jane and Mum

Buttoning up dress

Everybody helping

Ready to leave

Engagement ring in shoes

Girls together

Wedding dress

Putting on dress

Smiles

Sitting around

Putting in earrings

Engagement ring

Champaigne

St Mary’s Cathedral Wedding Ceremony

St Mary’s Cathedral, or ‘Star of the Sea’ Cathedral is located fairly central to the darwin CBD and features a rather unique arch design right throughout it’s main chamber. The Cathedral is lined with local indigenous artwork which was quite important to Jane and David having strong connections with the local Tiwi islander community where they live and work. In the days leading up to the wedding day, jane was keen to point them out to me and tell me the meaning behind it all. It was facinating to learn about!

The Cathedral was built after the war in 1962, with it’s first tone taken from the first uranium mine built in the Northern Territory. As a result, it’s arather modern cathedral with ample natural lighting and wide open spaces in order to move about without getting in anyone’s way while taking photos 🙂

Jane and David’s wedding ceremony was a traditional Catholic affair, complete with readings and full mass service, and even the ex-bishop of Darwin was in attendance which was quite the surpise to Jane and David! The main thng that really made Jane and David’s service stand out though was the wonderful performance from the local Tiwi islanders who had made the trip out to Darwin to celebrate Jane and David’s wedding with them.

Wedding sign

Bridal entrance

Grooms first look

Smiling bride

Holding hands

Everyone out the front

Smiles

Groom

Inside St Mary’s Cathedral

Standing together

Holding hands

priest

Sitting together

under the arch

Ring bearer

First kiss

Celebrations!

Mass

Sitting together

Signing the registry

Smiling at one another

Dancers

Dancing bride and groom

Guitar player

Dancing back down the aisle

Glamour Photos

After family photos and more Tiwi islander dancing out the front of St Mary’s Cathedral, we head out for the glamour photos. We first made use of the wonderful trees out the front of the Darwin Botanical park, before heading over towards Lake Alexander and East Point for photos amongst the wonderful red rocks and cliffs along the beach. jane and david were keen on having photos done similar to what they would have had done in the Tiwi Islands so I suggested heading around here. We also made use of a small park nearby the Darwin Surf Club before heading in for their reception.

Under the sun

Pride rock

Under the veil

bridal party

Out on the water

Walking along the beach

Under the veil

Walking along the beach

Pride rock

Amongst the trees

Pride rock

We head into the Darwin Surf Club for the beginning of their wedding reception only to leave about 20 minutes later to drive to the Nightcliff area for some sunset photos. I’m glad we did too as it was a spectacular sunset and I was about to angle myself in order to make the sun look larger than it actually is. It’s great when that’s possible with a sunset like this!

Sillouette

Nightcliff wedding sunset

yay!

Watching the sunset

Darwin wedding sunset

Sunset photo

Darwin Surf Club Wedding Reception

As is usally the case in Darwin during the dry season, the temperature during the night was absolutely perfect for a night time reception out on the lawn, and the great thing about the Darwin Surf Club is that the sun sets right over the beautiful beach lining the venue. The entire guest list were certainly there to have a good time and I was so pleased to see so many people up on the dance floor! Even David serenaded jane during the night with his newly gained guitar skills! It was such a fun night to be a part of which even featured a gelato bar!

Musician

Conga line

First dance

Wedding cake

Entrance dancing

Cutting the cake

Dancing together

Smiling groom

Having fun

Darwin Surf Club

Entrance dancing

First dance

At the bar

Exit

Entrance dancing

Darwin Surf Club Wedding Reception

Wedding art

Table settings

Centre piece

Laughing at speeches

In the bar together

Dancing

Gift box

Entrance dancing

Speech

On the dance floor

Selfies

Thanks so much to Jane and David for having me not only at your wedding, but also in your home and town on the Tiwi islands!

Wharf One Wedding – Darwin – Amanda & Brian

August 28, 2019/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Amanda & Brian
Warf One Wedding

Amanda and Brian’s wedding was held right on the foreshore of Darwin under the verandah of the Wharf One restaurant with the picturesque backdrop of Darwin’s Kitchener Bay. The day’s weather was absolutely magnificent, as can be expected from Darwin at this time of year! I love heading up to the Northern Territory for this exact reason! Amanda and Brian had quite a few of their family and friends travel up to Darwin for their wedding day which included two separate tea ceremonies and a lovely laid back ceremony and reception at Wharf One.

Morning Tea Ceremonies

Amanda and Brian hosted two separate traditional tea ceremonies for their two travelling families. The first in a rather nice, large bed and breakfast propertry overlooking the Darwin shoreline. It’s also where Amanda and her bridal party had their makeup and hair done before greeting Brian who arrived brandishing flowers.

I rather like the idea of giving thanks to family members and seeking approval of the wedding through the exchanging of tea in the morning before wedding ceremonies as it brings together and includes family members who would otherwise not have as much to do on a wedding day. It formalises the idea of the coming together of two separate families in a lovely traditional way.

Makeup

Family on couch

Engagement ring

Tea set

Wedding rings

Wedding dress

Grooms arrival

Smiling bride

Hugs

Tea ceramony

Jewellery gift

Little girl

Smiling guests

Entrance

Mobile photos

Drinking tea

Offering tea

Tea cup

Tea ceremony

Preparation Photos

As is often the case after hosting a tea ceremony on a wedding day, it’s not uncommon for the bridal party to change clothing into their wedding ceremony attire. After heading back from the Darwin city center and back to the bed and breakfast for lunch, Amanda changed out of her red dress into her white bridal gown, while Brian suited up. They managed to hide the dress entirely from Brian despite being prepared at the same location by hiding it in an upstairs bedroom which Brian was forbidden to enter. That way the tradition of seeing the bride for the first time on the day was saved for when she walked down the aisle in her white dress, which Brian hadnt seen yet! 🙂

Shoes

Cufflinks

Crossing fingers

Putting on shirt

Sorting out ties

Pose

Putting on jacket

Helping out

Closeup of flower

Walking out door

Bridesmaid helping out

Putting on dress

Walking down the stairs

Bridesmaid putting in veil

Looking pretty

Bridesmaids

Wharf One Wedding Ceremony

The decking just outside the Wharf One restaurant was the setting for their wedding ceremony, with the entire congregation shaded from the hot sun, and yet still enjoying the beautiful weather while surrounded by the calm waters found in the Darwin artificial beach precinct. The ceremony itself was a lovely simple affair with a couple of friends and family sharing readings and laughter as their celebrant highlighted some of the funnier parts of their relationship.

Wedding sign

Groom waiting patiently

Bride getting ready to go

Bridal approach

Out the front together

Smiles

Wedding ceremony

Smiling bride

Wharf One Wedding ceremony

Exchanging wedding rings

Holding hands

First kiss

Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

After the family photos, the rest of the congregation enjoyed the precinct surrounding the Wharf One restaurant while Amanda, Brian, their bridal party and I went for a little drive to make use of some of the more picturesque spots scattered around Darwin. Our first stop was of course the decking surrounding Wharf One where we took a few bridal party shots. We then head over to the wonderful trees out the front of the Darwin Botanic Gardens. The trees here are wonderful to have photos done at that time of day as the sun peeks through the foliage in such a delightful manner! We then head around to the parklands surrounding Lake Alexander before heading up to Dudley point to make use of the delightful hanging cliffs for the sunset.

Bride and Groom walking together near Wharf One

Pushing the groom into the drink

Bridal Party

Bridal Party under a tree

Bridal Party under the trees

Bride and groom walking together

Under a tree

Amongst the scrub

Romantic

Hugs

Walking together

Holding one another

Out on pride rock

Beautiful light on the rocks

Sunset

Wharf One Wedding Reception

Amanda and Brian’s wedding reception was held back at the Wharf One restaurant a little late as we stayed out at Dudley Point for the sunset, but noone seemed to mind much. The atmosphere was jovial and everyone had a delightful meal backdropped by live music and the odd foray into the photobooth – who’s attendant happened to be the very same attendant at my first wedding in Darwin over 2 years ago! Very small world.

Bridal entrance

Speech

Schedule

Best Man speech

Bride

Maids of honour speech

Laughing bride

Hugs

Wedding cake

Speech

Cutting the cake

Inside Wharf One Restaurant

Boys hanging out

Thanks so much for Amand and Brian for having me as your wedding photographer! If anyone is looking for a photographer in Darwin, I’d be super keen to travel back up for your wedding! Check out my darwin website at https://darwinweddingphotography.com for more details!

Tiwi Islands Engagement shoot – Jane & David

September 10, 2018/0 Comments/in Engagement /by Steven Duncan

Jane & David
Tiwi Islands Engagement Shoot

Tiwi Islands Engagement Shoot

Since expanding my operations to the Northern Territory, in particular Darwin through my website https://darwinweddingphotography.com, I’ve been super keen on heading up to the Northern End of Australia to shoot again. So when Jane contacted me via my instagram feed, I jumped at the chance on shooting in the most remote area of Australia I have yet visited.

Jane and David were awesome hosts for a 2 night stay on the islands, where they both work in the local community, and in exchange for their wonderful hospitality I was to shoot a bit of an engagement shoot while galavanting around the island!

The first day

After having spent a few days in Darwin – taking photos of the lovely beaches and the amazing sunsets Darwin has to offer, I head out to the Tiwi Islands on a ferry to meet Jane and David whom were both working, so once I arrived I was picked up by David, then had a bit of time to explore the community before they both knocked off work. It was rather surreal witnessing the Liberal coup where former Prime Minister Turnbull was ousted for Scott Morrison in such a remote part of Australia, from within an Aboriginal community – it felt quite distant an unimportant.

It’s this remoteness I think appeals to both Jane and David who both hail from Sydney originally that makes them love this place. The culture and sense of community surrounding them where they live is obvious in that everyone knows one another, when driving about, everyone waved and one another and the entire town felt very laid back.

Once Jane and david had finished their work, we went on a shot expedition to a small wood with lovely tall trees, through which the sun was beating down in typical Northern Territory fashion, so I made use of it!

Walking through the bush

Walking together in the forest

On the road

Smiles

In the forest

On the road

Dancing

Hugs

laughing

Dancing

Engagement ring

On the road

We then head out of town for a bit to a lovely secluded beach beyond the so called ‘international Airport’ of Wurrumiyanga to make use of the fading sun. I found it quite funny that it was classified as a major airport when considering flight paths and ability to launch my drone as the airport consists of only an airstrip – that is apparently sinking into the ground – and a small shed. But anyway, the beach was stunning and out of range from flight limitations anyway.

Walking along the beach

On the beach together

From above

Tiwi Islands Engagement

From above

Kung Fu!

The next morning, the plan was to get up at sparrows to make use of the sun rising over the local bay – while avoiding the giant croc that apparently inhabits the water around the area 🙂

Smiling David

Smiling Jane

Sitting together

Tiwi Islands Sunrise

Shortly after breakfast we were on the road to a delightful little natural spring waterhole were we stopped to have lunch and go for a dip. I was assured there were no crocs around the place here, but the water was so incredibly clear that nothing would be able to sneak up on us anyway. 😛

Jumping in together

Waterhole hugs

Amongst the wattle

Waterhole hugs

By the late afternoon we had reached our campsite for the night, a long white sand beach at the northern tip of the island. We spent some time fishing from the rocks, however caught more rocks than useful fish, then made use of the spectacular red cliffs and sunset for some more photos, all the while dodging the millions of hermit crabs scuttling along the beach, and keeping a wary eye out for crocs.

On a rock

Running together

Sun set on the rocks

Twirling

Family portrait

Sun set