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!

October 10, 2022

Wedding preview, Wedding

Sinclairs Gully Winery Wedding – Suzanne & Karen

It had certainly been a while since I covered a Sinclairs Gully Winery, so I was super excited to head back to this secret little spot in amongst the Adelaide Hills!

The weather unfortunately wasnt the best for their big day, but it certainly diddnt seem to phase Suzanne and Karen with their own sense of quirkyness and fun, they had smiles on their faces all day!

Sinclairs Gully Winery Wedding Ceremony

The Sinclairs Gully Winery at Norton’s Summit is a delightful little Adelaide Hills wedding venue hidden amongst very dense bushland. The whole area feels like a campground in that you wouldn’t know you were anywhere near civilisation – it’s a beautiful spot boasting huge white gum trees and quite a bit of native flaura and fauna about the place!

Suzanne and Karen’s wedding ceremony took place on the small grassy clearing set up just off the driveway into the cellar door. Hidden amongst the trees, the setting is very intimate and suited for small ceremonies like theirs. The unfortunate thing about being such a ruggen location however is that on a rainy day such as this one – there was quite a bit of water underfoot to contend with!

The personality of these two shone through the entire ceremony, beginning with a rugged ‘flower man’, a dancing number performed by Suzanne and Karen and delightful quirky touches such as a broccoli bouquet and bubbles all over the place!

Ceremony sign

Flower man

Arriving for the wedding ceremony

Dancing together in the aisle

Smiling listening to celebrant

Celebrant talking to couple

Couple standing in front of doors

Wet wedding ceremony

Couple listening to celebrant under umbrella

Laughter during ceremony

Exchanging wedding bands at Sinclair Gully winery wedding

Blowing bubbles through the door

Signing the marriage certficate

Sinclairs Gully winery wedding

Glamour Photos

After the ceremony, we took a quick drone photo of the group just as it started to rain – so we got plenty of umbrellas in the shot! Thankfully the weather cleared up a bit more after though!

We made sure to use the stunning tall, white gum trees nearby for some bush shots, and also the beautifully curvy driveway leading into the Sinclair Gully Winery cellar door.

One neat reason why Suzanne and Karen chose me as their wedding photographer was my affinity for landscape work, so I made sure to work in the surrounds as much as possible! Not that I dont do this anyway – it’s just how I approach my weddings!

Group shot with drone

Wedding rings on broccoli

Married couple inbetween trees

Married couple under the tall white gums

Couple holding hands in tall white gum trees

Walking through the gum trees together

Married couple holding one another in the trees

Holding hands smiling near the gum trees

Talking to one another in the trees

Leaning against a gum tree together

Close up of engagement ring smiling

Sinclairs Gully winery wedding photo

Skipping down the driveway

Dancing on the driveway

Together on the SInclairs Gully Winery driveway

Dancing in the rain together

Newly married couple holding drawing

Sinclairs Gully winery wedding

Sinclairs Gully Winery Wedding Reception

Suzanne and Karen’s reception was a simple affair taking place under the porch area of the cellar door. We made time for some group photos of guests and simply had a bit of fun enjoying each other’s company!

Dancing guests in group

Ball Wedding Cake

Homemade Granola wedding favour

Picking food

Smiling guest at wedding

Wedding gift box

Smiling guest at camera

Thanks go out to Suzanne and Karen for having me cover their Sinclairs Gully Winery wedding, and I sure do hope you enjoy your phtos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

October 4, 2022

Wedding preview, Wedding

Chateau Yaldara Wedding – Clare & Craig

After having to hold an ‘official’ wedding ceremony a year earlier with a lot fewer guests at the Mt Torrens Hotel due to the COVID pandemic. Clare and Craig were finally able to host their dream Chateau Yaldara Wedding on an amazing winter day!

Clare and Craig went to great lengths to produce a most amazing day for their guests who many travelled, including hosting a screening of their offical ceremony a year earlier, and then also recreating the ceremony in front of the impressive Chateau Yaldara cellar door!

Preparation

The day began at Clare and Craig’s house nearby as the two of them were being prepared at the same house surrounded by lush Australian bush and sweeping paddocks belonging to neighbouring farms.

It was definitely a display of the personalities of both Clare and Craig – with broadswords and metal bouquets on display due to Clare’s affinity for the medieval, while their dirtbikes played a central role in some of their group photos a bit later.

Sword and bridal shoes

Groomsmen cufflinks

Engagement rign in metal bouquet

Wedding rings on slate

Dog with tie

Motorcycles lined up

Groom putting on cufflinks in light

Groom putting on tie in hallway

Wedding dress habing on gum tree branch

groomsman helping adjust tie in window

Bride standing smiling

Smiling groomsman while adjusting collar

Pre Ceremony Photoshoot

We made sure to use the surrounding scenery of Clare and Craig’s house for some photos before heading to their Chateau Yaldara wedding ceremony.

As Clare and Craig had already spent a bit of time having photos together at their wedding at Mt Torrens, a focus was put on trying to get group photos at every opportunity throughout the day. We first used the gum trees and nearby dam on Clare and Craig’s property, along with their dirtbikes before heading to a pine forest.

Before the ceremony took place, Clare and Craig held a bit of a screening of their last wedding ceremony using a projector for all theguests who could not attend the first time. During which Clare and her bridal party hid in the cellar door area of Chateau Yaldara waiting for their recreation ceremony to begin.

Groom with groomsmen

Bride chatting with bridal party

Bride and Groom with sword next to tree

Bridal aprty with motorscycles

Bride and groom in front of pond

Bridal party with reflection in pond

Bride and groom amongst ghost gum trees

Smiling bride and groom

Groom dipping bride in pine trees

Bride and groom in sunlight between pines

Bridal party in pine trees

Bride and groom kiss in between bridal party

Bride and groom walking through pine forest

Bridesmaid amongst bridal party

Bride and groom in front of old building at Chateau Yaldara and new

Chateau Yaldara wedding setup

Bride chilling with bridal party before ceremony

Classic Bridal portrait

Chateau Yaldara Wedding Ceremony

Taking place on the lawns in front of the cellar door, Clare and Craig’s Chateau Yaldara wedding ceremony was set up so that the backdrop fo the main building was framed nicely by the tree on the grounds, while also having the rest of the estate in the background. The time of day was also great for me due to the sun hitting the building nicely.

A bit of photoshop was needed to remove a few overly zealous members of the public and their phones taking phtos of Clare as she walked down the stairs, but it all worked out well.

Their recreated wedding ceremony was a short, sharp affair, simply put together just so that their guests could attend in person – which I thought was a delightful way to forget the past few years of annoyign COVID restrictions.

Groom and entourage walking together

Bride approaching Chateau Yaldara Wedding Ceremony

Chateau Yaldara wedding ceremony landscape

Bride approaching Chateau Yaldara Wedding Ceremony from cellar door

Chateau Yaldara wedding ceremony

Chateau Yaldara wedding ceremony portrait

Bride sharing vows at Chateau Yaldara wedding

First kiss at Chateau Yaldara wedding

Group photo at Chateau Yaldara wedding

Glamour Photoshoot

After the ceremony, and the family photos which we took on the steps of the cellar door, we head inside to the back room which Clare quite enjoyed sipping port amopngst the rustic wooden walled room.

We then used the balcony overlooking the front lawned area, and finally the staff-only cellar area which had some incredible opportunities – despite Clare and Craig’s dislike of ‘silhouette shots’ :D.

A fun thing about hosting a Chateau Yaldara wedding is not just the winery grounds, but also the nearby dam and natural rocky ground on which some epic scenes can be had – particulary at sunset!

At night we also head out again with some lights and smoke to make use of the steps again in a grand night shoot!

Groom and groomsmen at bar

Groom serving Bride at Bar

Bridal party on Balcony of Chateau Yaldara

Bride and groom in Chateau Yaldara Cellar

Bride and groom in Chateau Yaldara Bottle Cellar with light

Bride and groom in Chateau Yaldara BottleCellar

Bridal party walking along creek

Bridal party berched on rocks

Bride and groom perched on rocks

Bride and groom perched on rocks portrait

Bride and groom on rocks in middle of creek

Bridal party on rocks in middle of creek

Bridal party walking together near creek

Bridal party in front of tree

bride and groom in cellar doorway

Bride and grrom in the belly of winery

Bride and groom looking at camera

Bride and groom nearby wine barrels

Chateau Yaldara Wedding photo at night

Groom having fun with groomsman at night

Chateau Yaldara Wedding Reception

Clare and Craig’s reception was put on specifically to celebrate with family and friends who mostly travelled to be with the ‘newly wed’ couple. The night was full of heartfelt speeches, fun games and a photobooth set up to capture their guests whenever I diddnt!

Two tiered wedding cake

Custom beer stein

Cutting wedding cake laughing

Bride giving speech

Wedding shoe game at Chateau Yaldara reception

Speech giver in front of barrels

Groom speech in front of barrels

Bride listening to groom speech

groom being used as a game piece

Dacning the night away

First dance at Chateau yaldara

Bride with swords on the dance floor

Bridesmaid lifing bride

Thanks so much Clare and Craig for having me as your Barossa photographer at your amazing Chateau Yaldara wedding day!

September 7, 2022

Engagement, PhotoShoot, Photoshoot, Proposal

Pt Willunga Proposal – Melissa & Malith

Malith certainly timed his proposal to Melissa perfectly with an incredible sunset on the famed Pt Willunga beach.

His secretive Pt Willunga Proposal was maticulously planned by Malith leading up to the big moment, and oh my goodness, some of the scenes were just incredible!

Pt Willunga Proposal

The biggest concern for any of us leading up to the big moment was the weather – as both leading up to and beyond the day Malith planned his big Pt Willunga Proposal, the weather was pretty bad, and the tides during the winter is often so high that there isn’t much beach to stand on at Pt Willunga. But all that worrying was for nothing as the evening could not have gone any better.

Despite a bit of a hiccup having Melissa and Malith arrive a bit later than expected due to being served a rather late lunch in nearby Mclaren Vale, Malith proposed in front of a delightful little arbour set up put together by a small company sepcialising in this sort of thing – Fox Meets Charlie.

The fun part of the whole set up was trying to keep Melissa in the dark as they walked towards the arbour set up, with the group of us standing nearby ready to pounce and start taking photos/video as the big moment happened. Surpisingly Melissa had no idea until Malith presented the ring and everyone was all smiles :).

After the big moment, then we went off for a lbit of a walk along the beach to take some pretty photos in front of the amazing sunset and what many consider to be the most photographed beach in South Australia!

Congratulations go out to Melissa and Malith!

pt willunga proposal set up

pt willunga proposal

pt willunga proposal putting on ring

Holding her up

Kiss under will you marry me sign

Newly engaged couple

Newly engaged couple walking along beach

Engagement ring in sand

Couple standing on rock

Newly engaged jump

Newly engaged couple in fromt of Pt willunga jetty

Holding her up in front of ocean

Kiss at sunset in front of Pt Willunga Jetty

Kiss at sunset in front of Pt Willunga Jetty ruins

Smiling newly engaged

Newly engaged couple walking in sunset

Newly engaged couple standing in front of sunset

Kiss at sunset

Holding hands looking at sunset

Pt WIllunga proposal sunset

Carrying her in front of sunset

Proposal at sunset

Champagne spray

August 24, 2022

Wedding preview, Wedding

Adelaide Bridal Photoshoot and Reception – Emre & Sara

After Emre and Sara held their wedding ceremony insterstate, they wanted to celebrate with their family and friends back here in Adelaide!

Unfortunately the weather wasn’t brilliant for our Adelaide Bridal Photoshoot in the Botanic Gardens, and around North Terrace, but we got some great shots despite trying to keep Sara’s spectacular dress as clean as possible before their reception at the San Giorgio La Molara Community Centre.

Preparation

Both Emre and Sara shared a Mayfair Hotel room to be prepared alongside Sara’s bridal party. Everyone was running about trying not to get in each other’s way before heading out for photos, but the atmosphere was otherwise energetic and exciting!

There was aplan to make use of the Hennesy Rooftop bar, only to realise that the bar needed to be booked far in advance – it was ok though as we were running a fair bit late already before heading out to meet their wedding car.

White suit jacket

Grooms watch

Engagement ring in white bouquet

Bridal jewellery on white shoes

Bride and bridesmaid fiddling with dress

Groom buttoning shirt looking out window

Bridal makeup

Closeup of bride hands

bridesmaid helping with bridal gown

Groom adjusting hair in mirror

Bride framed by circular mirror

Smiling bride looking at camera

Groom surveying bowtie

Groom and bride in mirror together

Bride in front doorway

Adelaide Bridal Photoshoot

The weather put a bit of a hamper on mobility throughout our Adelaide bridal photoshoot, with Sara’s incredible dress taking a bit of moving each time we moved locations. It ceratinly made for some fun shots though, I particularly enjoyed when we carried her train across King William Road with the whole bridal party! Certainly made everyone smile!

After clambouring into their car, we head over to Botanic Park to make use of the beautiful Moreton Bay Fig trees and head into the Adelaide Botanic Gardens via the northern Friendship Gates.

As we were trying to keep Sara’s dress as clean as possible for their reception later, we attempted to stay on the concrete paths throughout the Botanic Gardens, and even head into the famed Bicentennial Conservatory Dome to avoid any rain.

We then head to North Terrace for a few shots in front of the pretty architecture in front of the buldings along there and also the Old Police Barracks behind the Adelaide Museum.

We even found time to drive to Adelaide Arcade and the Adelaide Railway for a few photos there – all the while attempting to avoid the rain as much as possible.

Bride and groom on Mayfair Hotel’s staircase

Laughing bride as crossing road

Bridal party crossing King William road

Bridal party with wedding car next to Mayfair Hotel

bride and groom inside bridal car

bride and groom in Botanic Park

Botanic Park wedding photo

Bride and groom holding one another in Botanic Park

Bridal dip in the roots of a Moreton Bay Fig tree

bride and groom head butt in front of tree

Bride standing aloe with long wedding gown train

bride and groom laughing together

Adelaide Botanic Gardens wedding photo

Bride and groom through low foliage

bride and groom leaning on tree with fairy lights

Bride and groom framed by foliage

Bride smiling looking at groom

Bride and groom in front of ornate doorway

Bride and groom through foliage and doorway

Bride standing alone in doorway

bridal embrace amongst pillars

groom leading bride in front of artwork

Groom leading bride up stars

Bride and groom on old Adelaide Police Barracks

Bride and groom in doorway at the old Adelaide Police Barracks

Groom sheilding bride from rain

Bonython hall wedding photo

bride and groom in front of Bonython hall’s doors

bride and groom under autumnal leaves

Adelaide Arcade wedding photo

Bride and groom in Adelaide Arcade

Adelaide railway wedding photo

Bride and groom in the lights of the Adelaide railway

Bride and groom in the pillars of the Adelaide Railway Station

San Giorgio La Molara Community Centre Reception

After out whirlwind Adelaie bridal photoshoot, we head to the San Giorgio La Molara Community Centre for a recepotion full of traditional dancing and performaces, including a grand entrance complete with drummers and dry ice.

Throughout the night, traditional Afgahn cuisine was served and circle dancing from different groups took place before culminating in a fun knife dance where the groom had to steal the cake cutting knfe from a dancing member of the family.