Tag Archive for: Mclaren vale

Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding – Kait & Brayden

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  • Kait & Brayden

    Mclaren Vale Ekhidna Wines Wedding

    Bride and groom dance at sunset

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.

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 cheers and lights
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!

Sunday Mail Wedding Feature

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Sunday Mail Wedding Feature

I realise I’m a bit late this this one, but last weekend, on March 7 – A recent wedding that I covered was featured as full page Sunday Mail Wedding Feature! I have had my weddings featured in the Sunday mail and the Advertiser’s wedding sections in the past – the most recent of which was Paula and Luke’s lakes Hotel Wedding, but this one took up a whole page which was fairly neat 🙂

Nikki and Trenton’s wedding took place at the delightful Ekhidna winery in Mclaren Vale and although the weather was overcast – wasnt bad enough to have to be inside! The Sunday Mail wedding feature of their day showcases one of my favourite photos from their day too which is a lovely change! It’s so often the newspaper’s editors choose some random photo when there are so much better ones to choose from!

Sunday Mail Wedding Feature Copy

Trenton didn’t seem himself and was acting nervous, but Nikki thought nothing of it. The two explored Adelaide for the day, including visits to Mt Lofty House, Largs Bay beach and a winery in the Adelaide Hills before returning home.

As Nikki relaxed in her tracksuit and Ugg boots on the couch, Trenton approached her in a suit jacket. He then dropped to one knee and asked: “Will you marry me?”

“I said ‘Yes, of course, yes’,” Nikki Says.

“There were tears all around.”

Nikki was proudly walked down the aisle by her sons Ethan Winen, 15, and Bailey Winen, 19 at Ekhidna Wines, McLaren vale, where their celebrant, Pat Haynes, and 65 guests were eagerly waiting. “Our day was perfect,” The bride says.

Sunday Mail wedding feature

The couple – who own a Jim’s Pool Care franchise – had a country rustic theme, with country decorations, country music and the bride even wearing Ariat country boots. She teamed them with an ivory strapless vintage lace dress with a corset back and small train from Luv Bridal that could be bustled up to dance the night away.

Carmen Tucker, the bride’s best friend since university, wore a dusty pink lace top dress and was the matron of honour. The best man was Carl Fox.

They joined their other guests, including the couple’s fur baby Kip and family and friends from interstate as restrictions had been eased, which was “definitely” a highlight. Revellers enjoyed a delicious naked cake by Teresa from She Baked, with a different flavour for each layer.

“Outdoor games for the guests were popular all night and the dance floor certainly got a workout,” Nikki says.

The Lockleys couple met a decade ago in Queensland, before they moved to Adelaide and have “loved every minute” exploring the state. The honeymooed in Mclaren Vale.

Written by Tara Nash.

Serafino Wines Wedding – Claire & Arron

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  • Claire & Arron

    Serafino WInes Wedding

    bride and groom under the veil

 

It was a delightfully sunny day in early January for Claire and Arron’s Serafino Wines wedding in Mclaren Vale! It was great to see Claire and Arron again after having shot their incredible engagement shoot on a private farm near Mt Compass.

Their day was laid back, relaxed but still full of fun, joy and a tonne of little surpises that just made their whole day great!

Preparation

I started the day as I usually do with the groom and his groomsmen getting ready at their house in Seaford Heights. The atmosphere was jovial with the boys all having a bit of fun while getting prepared.

Arron’s parents were on hand to help out with tieing ties and putting on cufflinks which is always nice to have for photos!

Wedding rings on table top
Wedding bands on grooms shoes
Grooms cufflinks
Groom putting on tie in front of window
Grooms dad helping out
Mum helping out with groomsmen ties
close up of cufflinks on shirt
best man helping groom get ready
groomsmen huddle on road
Groom looking swish
Groom walking out front door

Claire and her bridemaids were being prepared together in one of the Serafino winery’s rooms as part of their accomodation offering. It’s a super convenient perk to be able to be prepared on site of your wedding venue as it cuts down on travel time and any chance of being late!

The atmosphere with the girls was equally as laid back as the boys, but if I were to choose who was showing more nerves, it would have to have been Arron! He was seento have been pacing a little bit checking his watch at the altar before the ceremony began. 🙂

engagement ring perched amongst the flowers
Wedding dress hanging in werafino wines window
Engagement ring in box
Happy Brides mum
Bridal party in gowns
Reaching for the wedding dress
Pretty bride holding bouquet
Bridesmaids helping put on wedding dress next to window
Bridesmaids helping put on wedding dress
Nervously clutching fingers
bride looking out window as she gets ready
Bridesmaid helping with lacing up wedding dress
Dad’s first look of his daughter
Bride ready to goto her ceremony
Bride through the window

Serafino Wines Wedding Ceremony

Claire and Arron’s Serafino Wines wedding ceremony took place were it usually does at Serafino winery – under a big gum tree backdropped by a delightful lake. The area boasts a huge manicured grassy area suited for any size of congregation.

Their ceremony was presided over by a priest, but much of the time was taken up by readings and speeches written by guests who could not attend due to COVID restrictions, but instead read out by a member of the bridal party – which was a nice touch. We were also blessed to have a nice little reading from Claire’s Mum after the first kiss.

What I thought was really cool though was the fact that Claire being a music teacher – her students were invited to come out and provide the background music for her bridal approach and exit, which was really awesome! And what was even more awesome was Claire’s choice of song! Disney’s Tangled theme song ‘I see the Light‘.

Holding up the wedding sign
Groom waiting patiently for his bride
bride being walked to ceremony by her father
Grooms first look of bride through fathers brim
Smiling groom during wedding ceremony
Serafino wines wedding ceremony
Speech during wedding ceremony by bridesmaid
Serafino wines wedding tree
Serafino wines wedding ceremony from side
Smiling bride looking at her groom
Exchanging wedding rings at Serafino wines wedding
Under the arbour at Serafino Wines
Priest blessing the couple during their wedding ceremony
First kiss at serafino wines wedding ceremony
Head butt
Mum giving speech
Hugs as the bridal couple exits
Serafino wines wedding exit

Glamour Photos

Hosting a Serafino wines wedding ceremony means that you can make the most of what Mclaren vale has to offer in regards to vineyards, Australian bush land and histroic buildings. As a Mclaren Vale wedding venue, Serafino has it all.

After the usual family photos, Claire Arron and I went for a bit of a walk around the lake with their bridal party for some group shots, before heading out by ourselves for some more intimate scenes amongst the vineyards.

As the weather was very sunny, I attempted to keep Claire and Arron away from the direct sunlight as much as possible in order to produce some lovely photography without too much int he way of overblown highlights and harsh shadows.

before heading back into the main reception hall to be announced as bride and groom, we were lucky enough to be able to use the old Serafino wines cellar door which is always packed with a pleasing amount of wine barrels that makes for a lovely backdrop!

Bride and groom surrounded by the veil
bride and groom under the veil
Sweeping veil in the wind
bridal couple kiss under gum tree
Bridal couple portrait
Bridal couple amongst the trees at Serafino WInes
Bridal couple amongst the trees at Serafino Wines wedding
Bridal party on the log
Hiding groom in trees
Surprising the bride
bride and groom amongst the Serafino wines vineyard
bride and groom amongst the sunny Serafino wines vineyard
hugs in the serafino wines vineyard
Serafino wines wedding photo
Serafino wines wedding photo in barrel room
Serafino wines wedding photo in barrel room 2

Serafino WInes Wedding Reception

Claire and Arron’s Serafino wines wedding reception was a blast to be a part of! Along with having my photobooth running all night, they also had a wonderful acoustic guitar band who also acted as their DJs.

The speeches that were said were very entertaining, with each one being quite fun – in particular one by one of Claire’s bridesmaids that was set to music and party sung! Check out the end of their wedding highlight video above for that!

Claire and Arron also played a pretty unique wedding game, which was a bit of a different take on the shoe game, but in this case it was the guests who were answering the questions about the bride and groom’s relationship. For example the bridesmaid would ask the guests a question such as ‘Who said I love you first?’ and the guests would hold up a stick for either the bride or groom corresponding who they thought was the correct answer. Was a bit of fun!

Wedding cake on barrel
Bride and groom entrance at Serafino wines wedding
Cutting the cake
Serafino wines wedding party table
Speech
bridal couple speech
Wedding game
First dance at serafino wines wedding
Photobooth prints
Guests leaning on the bar
Dancing guests at Serafino wines
Bride and groom dancing amongst guests
Serafino wines wedding dancefloor
kiss
dancing bride
dancing bride with guests
Bridal exit under archway

Thanks so much to Claire and Arron for having me shoot your wedding photography! I had a blast and hopefully you love your photos as much as I enjoyed being a part of your big day!

Old Oval Estate Wedding – Suzie & Jay

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  • Suzie & Jay

    Old Oval Estate Wedding

    Bride and groom up the hill a bit in Bone Gully

It was a stunning, sunny day for Suzie and Jay’s Old Oval Estate wedding in Mclaren Vale! The mood was laid back and jovial all day, with all involved just keen on making sure Suzie and Jay have a beautiful celebration of the coming together of their two families.

Suzie and Jay opted to host a ‘first look‘ within the beautiful Bone Gully section of Kuitpo Forest before heading to the Old Oval Estate and Fork in the Road Winery for their ceremony before heading all the way to Macclesfield’s delightful little Three Brothers Arms Pub for their family – oriented reception.

Preparation

I began my day with Jay and his groomsmen being prepared at their family house nearby Meadows. The weather was actually quite grim and foggy up there in the morning, but the weather certainly came out nicely for the rest of their day!

Jay and his groomsmen had a grand old time ripping on one another as they helped each other get dressed, while also making sure Jay’s cigar was lit and hip flask was full.

The great thing about where Jay and his entourage got prepared was the ability to wander off into some neat forested areas behind the house which we made use of for many of their photos.

Young ones clothes lined out
Helping young one get ready
groomsmen hip flasks
groom putting on tie in front hallway
Groom putting on suit jacket in hallway
helping tie tie
Groom and Groomsmen on street
Groom leanng against big gum tree
Groom walking out hallway door

Suzie and her bridesmaids were being prepared at a bed and breakfast, not far from the Bone Gully forested area where Suzie and Jay held their ‘first look’. The delightful little cottage boasted sweeping views of a nearby pond and a beautiful driveway flanked by tall gum trees which we most certainly made use of for their photos!

Suzie and her bridesmaids shared the jovial mood the boys displayed by making sure Suzie and the little one running about was having a great time – even to the point of having the little one treat a bed like a trampoline!

Opal necklace
Bride hanging wedding dress
Hanging wedding dress on cupboard door
Closeup of family photos on bouquet
Bridesmaid helping put dress on through doorframe
All the bridesmaids helping out
Smiling bridesmaid looking on at bride getting ready
All the bridesmaids together in front of pond
bride standing under arch of tree
bride standing by herself infront of gum trees
bridesmaids all standing together in front of gum trees
Silly bridal party photo

Bone Gully, Kuitpo Forest First Look

I just love heading to Bone Gully – a part of Kuipto Forest for wedding photos – I’ve taken a couple of bridal couples here – but it’s always a bit of a hrd sale to most due to the difficult terrain that a couple would have to traverse in  order to make the most of the location – and wedding attire really isnt best suited for hiking.

That said though, when I finally do get the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Bone Gully, the tall trees and amazing scenery really makes it such a special place! So I was super exicited to learn that Suzie and Jay were keen to head there for their first look!

We made use of the well used BMX tracks, just inside the gates of the forest for the actual moment where suzie approached Jay for their first look, which when surrounded by the dappled light of the harsh sun beating through the trees made for an intimate moment shared by the two of them.

We then went for a bit of a walk up the hill a bit to take a few more shots of the bridal aprty as a whole and also made sure to make the best use fot eh sun shining through the trees.

groom patiently waiting for the first look
first look in Kuitpo Forest
First look in bone gully
Family together on wedding day
Bride and groom amongst the trees in Kuitpo Forest
Bride and groom amongst the trees in Bone Gully
bride and groom amongst the tall pine trees
Bridal party on the path in Bone Gully
bride and groom away from the bridal party
Bride and groom up the hill a bit in Bone Gully
Bride and groom up the hill a bit in Kuitpo Forest

Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony

Holding an Old Oval estate wedding ceremony usually means setting up on a grassy area, under a large gum tree, flanked on either side by vineyards. It’s a delightful spot to host an outdoor wedding ceremony – particularly when you also organise shade for your guests on such a sunny day as this was!

Suzie and Jay had one oof their friends act as an officient throughout their ceremony, who continually made jokes about swishing his mullet around and made in-jokes about Suzie and Jay’s relationship. This is always a nice way to include close friends, and also make the whole ceremony a lot more intimate for all involved.

After the ceremony, we took family photos under the large gum tree, before spending a little time having some leisurely drinks at the cellar door.

bride and groom arriving at their Old Oval Estate Wedding
Officiant
Smiling bride during her wedding ceremony
Smiling groom during his wedding ceremony
Under the tree at Old Oval estate wedding ceremony
Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony
Holding hands at Old Oval Estate Wedding Ceremony
First kiss at Old Oval Estate wedding ceremony
Exit from Old Oval Estate wedding ceremony 2

Three Brothers Arms Wedding Reception

Suzie and Jay’s wedding reception took place a fair drive away in Macclesfield’s Three Brothers Arms Hotel – a historic building in the town which Suzie  and Jay were keen to make use of for some gritty, not quite so lovey-dovey wedding photos – which I had the most fun setting up and shooting!

We made use of the rustic front bar for some shots of the two of them reading their favourite books, and even finished the day with laying down in the gutter out the front for a ‘drunken’ photo anyone whould be keen on printing and hanging on a wall 😛

Three Brothers Arms grassy area
Wedding Cheese wheel cake
bride and groom inside Three Brothers Arm Pum
Three Brothers Arms Wedding Photo
Closeup of hands with wedding bands
Bride and groom entering their Three Brothers Arms wedding reception
Guests greeting the bridal couple at the reception
Guests greeting the bridal couple at reception
Cutting the cake together
Photo at Three Brothers arms pub
Bride and grrom enjoying the sunlight at the back of the Three Brothers arms pub
bride and groom under the gree foliage
Three Brothers Arms Wedding Photography

Suzie and Jay’s day was a blast to be a part of and I thank them for having myself and my wife be a part of their Old Oval Estate wedding day!

Currant Shed Wedding – Stephanie & Gino

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  • Stephanie & Gino

    Currant Shed Wedding

    Bride and groom in front of purple flowers

Stephanie and Gino held their Currant Shed wedding ceremony on a wonderfully sunny day almost an exact year later than what they planned to due to the unfortunate events of COVID – but you wouldnt know it! Stephanie and Gino were all smiles all day, and super keen on sharing their big day with all the family and friends who made the trip down to Mclaren Flat for their delightful Curant Shed Wedding!

Currant Shed Wedding Ceremony

Stephanie and Gino were both prepared at the on-site bed and breakfast that was conveniently a stone’s throw away from the Currant shed’s restaurant and cellar door which was where they held their ceremony.

The area is a lovely grassy field, surrounded by small fruit trees which provided for a lush, green backdrop to their sun-lit wedding ceremony. Their ceremony was a lovely, simple affair with a reading or two conduceted by friends, while the ring bearer and flower girl were sons and daughters – which was a nice way to include them too.

The entire time leading up to the ceremony, and directly after was very laid back, punctuated by a nifty band who marched about the place after the ceremony. All throughout the family photos, all the guests were relaxing and enjoying the nice weather while sipping on the Currant Shed’s delectible drinks.

Flower girl walking at the Currant shed
bride and groom approaching ceremony at the currant shed
bride and groom approaching ceremony at their currant shed wedding
Bride and groom on the grass at the currant ched
Groom watching the ceremony
The Currant shed wedding ceremony
Bride looking at her groom on a sunny day
Exchanging wedding rings amongst the trees
First kiss at Currant Shed wedding
Excited bride and groom
Bride and groom exiting ceremony at the Currant Shed
The Currant shed wedding

Currant Shed Wedding Glamour Photos

For glamour photos we went for a bit of a walk up and around the Currant Shed’s grounds towards the nearby Shottesbrooke Winery making use of the Australian bush scenery and backdrop of vineyards – although not being actually allowed in them, so we avoided that.

the liught was dying ever so nicely behind some clouds towards the end of the day which made for some great subtle light seeping in though the trees of the driveway which was absolutely awesome!

Bride and groom in embrace
Bride and groom bumping heads under the trees
Newly weds under green tree
Gloomy wedding photo
Having some fun in the Currant Shed’s b&b
Wedding rings in Australian flower
Bride and groom in front of purple flowers
Bride and groom walking along driveway together
newly weds leaning against a tree
newly weds leaning against a tree together
Bride and groom in the long grass
Newly weds in the long grass
Newly weds looking at the camera
Bride and groom holding hands in vineyard
Amongst the Currant shed trees
Amongst the Currant sheds trees
Currant Shed Wedding photo in trees
Hugs in the trees
Walking back to the wedding reception

Thanks a bunch Gino and Stephanie for having me as your wedding photographer at your Currant Shed wedding! Hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!