Mclaren Vale Archives

Tag Archive for: Mclaren vale

Ekhidna Wines Wedding – Sarah & Ricardo

March 17, 2020/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Sarah & Ricardo
Ekhidna Wines Wedding

Ekhidna Wines, or Ekhidna Winery in Mclaren Vale was the stunning backdrop to Sarah and Ricardo’s wedding amongst a wonderful bunch of people who had travelled from far and wide to attend their big day. A big difference between their wedding and many others however was the fact that they opted to do their glamour shoot a few days prior to their wedding day. They instead got dressed up 2 days before their wedding day in mid Januray and had a bit of a ‘first look’ and glamour shoot using optimal light later in the day.

Pre Wedding Shoot

The great thing about what Sarah and Ricardo decided to do was that they were able to dedicate their whole wedding day soley to their friends and family, without leaving everyone at their Ekhidna wines reception while they went off to have their glamour photos taken. As their glamour photos had already been done a few day prior they were able to just party all day! It was also great to me as we were able to make use of the best light during the day, without worrying about getting back inside for speeches or cake cutting. It was a wonderful idea and I can’t believe more pople don’t opt to do this!

Our glamour shoot began as a simple little ‘first look’ between Sarah adn Ricardo in the garden of the bed and breakfast they were staying at that night. It was a very small little garden, but it worked out beautifully as the sun was in a great spot for it to shine in through the leaves of the trees lining the road. Then we head out to the main street of Mclaren Vale where there is a stunning little grove of Olive Trees that are free to walk through as a tribute to the regions large Olive business.

I like using this spot later in the day as the sun shines through the canopy of this little grove quite nicely. The next spot we head to was the ‘story bench’ in Willunga which I learnt about back when I was a teacher at the nearby Willunga Primary School. Its a simple little park with large gum trees, a big open grassy area and some nifty, whispy trees I’m not sure what their names are. 😀 We then finished the day back at Ekhidna Wines where Saraha and Ricardo’s dog came to visit for a bit of a shoot throughout the vineyards.

First Look Photo

First look with the sun in the background

Bride looking pretty in Mclaren Vale

Kisses in the MClaren vale Olive Grove

Walking through the Mclaren Vale Olive Grove

Standing together amongst the trees

Holding one another

Close up of Engagement ring

Passion amongst the trees

Walking through the trees

Sitting on the Willunga Story bench

Looking through the tree at his bride

Having fun together

Amongst the wispy trees in WIllunga

Holding each other under the winspy trees

Fun in the sun

Kisses in the sun

Together in the Ekhidna Wines Vineyard

Dog running in the Ekhidna WInes vineyards

Bride and Groom together in the vineyard

Ekhidna wines wedding

Above the Ekhidna Winery vineyard

Bride and groom throught the vineyards

Kisses under the veil

Wispy veil

Dog portrait

Ekhidna winery wedding

Preparation

On the actual day of the wedding, Sarah and her bridal aprty were being prepared at the Ekhidna Wines on-site bed and breakfast which is always convenient as it’s right next door to the wedding venue. I had a little bit of time with Sarah and everyone there and grab a few shots of them all getting ready!

Flower girl dress

Hanging wedding dress

Looking in mirror

Wedding rings box

Getting flower girl ready

Pinning flower on Dad

bride with kids

Kids

Mum helping bride get ready

bride getting ready on her wedding day

Ekhidna Wines Wedding Ceremony

Sarah and Ricardo’s wedding ceremoyn was full of meaningful readings and heartfelt cameos by friends and family throughout, and was of course backdropped to what I feel to be one of the best backdrops to any wedding venue in Mclaren Vale – that of the Hills behind Ekhidna WInes. When there is a little cloud in the sky, it just makes for a stunning backdrop!

Bride approaching her wedding ceremony

Groom watching his bride walk down aisle

Mum and Dad looking on

Wedding ceremony at Ekhidna wines

little one in the aisle

Priest speech

Family member speech

Ekhidna wines wedding ceremony

Bride looking on

Groom looking on

Ekhidna winery wedding ceremony

Wedding

Wedding ceremony

Holding hands during the Wedding ceremony

Exhcnaging wedding bands

Mclaren Vale wedding ceremony

first kiss at Ekhidna wines

Smiling bride during exit

Bride and groom exit

Ekhidna Wines Wedding Reception

To finish up I was at Sarah and Ricardo’s wedding reception on site at Ekhidna wines for a few hours before my wedding photography coverage was at an end. Can you believe I maaged to grab all these shotswithin 6 hours?! 2 hours on their glamour shoot day, and 4 on their actual wedding day and I managed to pretty much cover it all! It was obvious to me that many of those who made speeches throughout the evening were used to public speaking as the quality of all the speeches were fantastic, and tall the guests got right into each one, making the whole experience that much more intimate and special.

Guest book on table

Bride and her bridal party

Groom and his groomsmen

Talking groomsman

Laughing Mum

Kids running about

Happy groom

Drone group shot at Ekhidna WInes

Wedding cake set up at Ekhidna Wines

Speeches

Giving a speech

Dad giving a speech

laughing groom at speeches

Bride smiling at speech

Interpretor

Giving a heartfelt speech

Cheering being married

Cutting the wedding cake together

Sarah and Ricardo, your wedding was an absolute joy to be a part of and I hope you enjoy your photos!

McLaren Vale Wedding – Bek & Spud

April 4, 2016/in Wedding preview, Wedding

BEK & SPUD
Mclaren Vale Wedding

Bek and Spud were a blast to be around and be their wedding photographer at their McLaren Vale wedding. Such a laid back and quirky couple the entire day was a joy to photograph 🙂 They opted to take advantage of my very reasonable full day rates, coupled with the rental of my photo booth, complete with a customised green screen background. Usually when I’m asked to cover a McLaren Vale wedding, I assume the venue would be a winery, however Bek and Spud’s wedding took advantage of the public speaking platform on the main street of Mclaren Vale, and then had their reception right next door in the McLaren Vale remembrance Hall. It was great little location, easy to navigate and nice to navigate. After their ceremony, we all hopped in a bus and headed down to a piece of Kuitpo forest I knew to take some photos amongst the tall pine trees in the area.

Preparation photos

Both Bek and Spud were being prepared on different levels of a two story rental beach house in nearby Aldinga Beach. Preparation was a fun affair, with both groups, the grooms men and bridal party quite keen on being as light hearted as possible. This is great as a wedding photographer as it allows me to capture their own personalities so much better while they are having fun and just being themselves. Was a wonderful morning.

Groomsmen

Bridal preparation

Engagement ring

Flower girl looking out window

Groom in irirror

Bridal makeup

Makeup going on

wedding rings

Groomsmen

Groom being chased

Wedding dress

Groomsmen

Bridal party preparation

Bridal preparation

Bridal party preparation

Groomsmen

Wedding dress

Bridal gown being prepared

Bride looking out window

McLaren Vale wedding ceremony

The public space next to the McLaren Vale Remembrance Hall is just off the main road of McLaren Vale and features a huge permanent awning that provided some much needed shade over Bek and Spud on what was a very sunny day. It’s a very open place, very suited for weddings, or other public events such as concerts or rallies having a small stage under the awning and a huge open concreted space for onlookers.

Groom speaking

Holding hands

Mclaren Vale wedding

Groom seeing bride

Wedding singers

Groom looking nervous

Mclaren Vale wedding

Wedding

Exchanging of rings

Mclaren Vale wedding

Bride and groom hugging

Flower girl

Grooms men hugging

Kuitpo Forest wedding photos

The Kuitpo Forest was the first of many forest plantations in the Mount Lofty Ranges, planted in 1898 to ensure a sustainable timber supply for South Australia. Today the Forest serves as a popular hiking and camping location covering an area of about 36 square kilometres. The tall, slim and straight pines of the forest lends itself well to wedding photography providing a unique location not often seen in South Australia. I absolutely love heading here to make use of the incredible s-curves in the walk ways and straight leading lines of the trees! Unfortunately though, I feel as though I may have asked a little too much of Bek and Spud to climb a few hills to get some good vantage photographic compositions (sorry about that!) But I hope the photos I’ve produced make up for our little adventure!

Kuitpo Forest wedding

Mclaren Vale wedding reception

The McLaren Vale remembrance hall served as a nice open and airy reception location with ample dance floor and space for quite a few tables. Bek and Spud had a buffet style sit down dinner where their guests served themselves and had some friends manning a bar for drinks. It all worked very well and was very personable.

Rememberance Hall wedding reception

SvenStudios Photo Booth

Rememberance Hall wedding reception

Thankyou Bek and Spud for having me as their wedding photographer, the entire day was a blast to attend and I hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding – Sandi & Daniel

April 22, 2022/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Sandi & Daniel
Chapel Hill Winery Wedding

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill WInery wedding took place on a gloriously sunny day overlooking the vineyards of this picturesque winery nestled amongst the Mclaren Vale wine district. It’s a wedding venue I had not ventured to before Sandi and Daniel’s wedding, despite being very familiar with Mclaren Vale wedding venues, and I certainly enjoyed the experience!

Preparation

After having set up the photobooth for later, I met with Daniel and his best man who had opted to make use of a rather convenient little room at the Chapel Hill Winery restreat area – which is also where their wedding ceremony and reception were to take place. It was quite a surprise finding a little self contained unit attached to the main reception hall – but all the more convenient for Daniel!

While Daniela nd his best man were being prepared, they were also able to over see the finishing touches of the florist and other suppliers who were buzzing about setting everything up.

Wedding rings atop toes of shoes

Groom affects on wood floor

Groom putting on cufflinks in window

Cufflinks putting on

Laughing groom at best man

Groom reading letter

Best man putting on groom tie

Groom using circle mirror

Groom glancing out window

Groom and best man outside

Sandi, along with her mother and maid of honour were being prepared a short walk away at the guest house. It’s neat little set up actually as the bride can walk straght up the walkway and begin the wedding ceremony later on – all very convenient.

The guest house is a large, wooden clad cabin which made for some lovely ambient light bouncing about the place off the wood, while there are some fun spots for photos like the stained glass window within the dining room and the long, dark corridoor where the bedrooms are.

The highlight of the morning was the father’s first look of Sandi as she walked down the stairs!

Wedding dress hanging on stairs

White rose engagement ring

Engagement ring in between shoe ends

Bridal party gowns back

Wedding dress hanging in stainglassed window

Bridal watch

Mum putting on necklace

Bride getting ready in top room

Bride peering into mirror

Bride through veil in doorway

Bride looking out bright door

Dad’s first look on stairs

Bride through dark hallway

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding Ceremony

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill Winery wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area just below the Chapel Hill retreat building, which allowed for sweeping views of the vineyards stretched out over the rolling Mclaren vale hills.

As the day was a very warm, and sunny day – it was a little unfortunate that their celebrant’s PA system overheated shortly after beginning causing some broken audio – thankfully I always have a backup microphone system handy to capture clear audio whenever I can for the video!

Bride and father approaching ceremony

Grooms first look at Chapel Hill winery wedding

Chapel Hill WInery wedding ceremony

Groom looking at his bride during

Bride and grom holding hands at Chapel hill winery wedding

Wedding under arbour with vineyards behind

Bride looking at her groom during

Celebrant giving her speech

Groom giving bride wedding ring

First kiss at Chapel Hill winery wedding ceremony

Bride and groom exiting Chapel Hill winery wedding

Chapel Hill winery wedding

Glamour Photos

Once the mandatory groiup photos were complete, we head out to make the most of the Chapel Hill Winery Wedding photo locations!

I was made aware that we were not able to make use of the vineyards proper – but thanks to some creative angles – nearby the vineyards we can make it looks like the bridal couple are standing amongst them. But I think the killer shot of the entire day was when I brought out the ol’ smoke in a can in front of the Guest House’s window for a bit of a bridal silhouette shot!

We also made the effort to find our way back to the winery cellar door for the proper chapel’s stained glass window area – however unfortunately due to communication errors, we could not find a way in, so we used the outside areas a bit, and also the wine making area.

Bride and groom holding dog

Dog running in front of bride and groom

Bridal dog

bride and groom walking at Chapel hill winery wedding

Hugs against wooden fence

Chapel Hill winery wedding photo

Chapel Hill winery wedding photography

Bridal kiss in front of stainglass window

Bride and groom sitting on back of 4 wheel drive

Bride standing in wine making room

Out the front of Chapel Hill winery cellar door

Bride and groom in front of dreamy vineyards

Bride and groom walking between gum trees

Bride and groom in vineyard golden hour

Bride and groom between vineyard leaves

Sun in between bride and groom

Chapel Hill Winery Wedding Reception

Sandi and Daniel’s Chapel Hill Winery wedding reception was spear headed by what might be my favourite guest entertainment – which is an on site caricature artist who sits there drawing everyone all night! it’s so much fun to see! Once he left then it was my photobooth’s time to shine!

The night was a blast to be a part of, surrounded by lovely people who just wanted to see Sandi and Daniel have the night of their lives!

Table places

3 tiered wedding cake

Bride and groom entrance to reception at Chapel Hill

Cutting the wedding cake together

Chapel Hill winery wedding reception

Groom speeches

Bride listening to speeches

Groom doing the bouquet toss

Bride holding bouquert for toss

Groom talking to guests

nan in between bride and groom

nan in between bride and groom

Thanks so much to Sandi and Daniel for having me as your wedding photographer! I hope you enjoy your photos!

Ekhidna Wines Wedding – Jenna & Josh

May 6, 2020/in Wedding preview, Wedding

Ekhidna Wines Wedding
Jenna & Josh

Jenna and Josh’s Ekhidna Wines wedding was an absolute joy to photograph! Loving vibes all around and a group of people that just seemed to love life! Jenna and Josh were surrounded by some of their best friends and family and they all made sure everyone knew they were there to celebrate their big day! It was a pretty neat wedding for me as I actually first met Jenna and Josh while I was up in Darwin as a wedding photographer – and they just happened to live up there at the time. I believe Ekhidna Winery actually referred me to them as a photographer.

Preparation

The day started as it usually does, with me at the groom and groomsmen place of preparation at a bed and breakfast not too far away from Ekhidna Winery. I arrived as the guys were just finishing putting on their shirts and everyone was running about making sure everything was ready for the big day. Josh was showing a bit of nerves, always trying to look directly at the camera, or trying to do something, but not really doing any thing 🙂

Groom looking at camera

Finishing touches on grooms suit

Bunch of groomsmen

Wedding rings on shoes

Getting ready in heart mirror

groomsmen getting ready

Groom leaning on tree

Smiling groom getting ready

Groomsmen ready to go

Groomsman wearing sunnies

Best man putting on tie

Grooms shoes in woods

Smiling groomsmen putting on tie

Groom playing with cufflinks

Jenna was being prepared in a bed and breakfast at the center of Mclaren Vale, it was a well set out house complete with opulent bedroom which made for a great staging spot for photos and video. Jenna seemed to be a lot more laid back than Josh during her preparation, having a lot of fun with her bridal aprty and everyone else there. There were smiles all morning 🙂

Bridesmaids fussing over bride

Bride looking pretty in wedding dress

lacing up the wedding dress

bridal bouqet on bedside table

smiling bride with bridal party

Bride and bridesmaids having fun

Bride walking out front door

wedding dress hanging in bay window

Bride looking out window

Bride leaning on door frame

bridal party peeking through window

smiling bride as she gets ready

Putting on makeup in front of window

bridesmaid helping put on dress

bride looking at mirror

Father of the brides first look

First Look

Jenna and Josh opted to hold a ‘first look’ well before their Ekhidna Wines wedding ceremony so that they can spend more time with their friends and family directly after the ceremony, instead of running off to have their photos done after. The bed and breakfast they had booked was well equipped for this purpose, with a lovely little garden that blocked the sun due to it’s copious foliage. Jenna walked up behind Josh and gave him a cuddle and Josh’s sweet side shone directly after seeing Jenna in her bridal gown for the first time. It was incredibly sweet the way he reacted and teared up while Jenna was all smiles the entire time.

First look

bride sneaking up on groom

bride and groom’s first look

bride and groom together in the morning

bride and groom kissing at their first look

boutonniere

First Look Glamour Photos

We then used the grounds surrounding the small bed and breakfast for some glamour photos. The surrounding area boasted a small vineyard and some nice gum trees which we made use of, along with a small paddock which we made sure to get their pride and joy, the car in some shots. The birdal party were more than keen to get on top of the car and just have some fun with the whole situation 🙂

walking together on the driveway

Holding one another in the vines

Holding one another in the vineyard

hugs amongst the vines

under the gums

bride and groom in the long grass

bride and groom holding each other the long grass

bridal party and car

Ekhidna Wines Wedding Ceremony

Jenna and Josh held their Ekhidna WInes Wedding Ceremony overlooking the stunning southern Adelaide hills and the vineyard out the back of the Ekhidna winery cellar door. It’s an incredible vista that makes for a wonderful backdrop for a wedding. They had a triangular arbour, and with 6 people on each side of the bridal party, there were 15 people out the front during the ceremony including their celebrant! Their guest list was not on the small side either! Lucky Jenna and Josh made use of my optional second photographer and videographer to cover all the angles.

Their ceremony was simple and heartfelt, with nerves coming into play on both sides as they recited their vows, but it just made the whole ceremony that much more intimate.

waiting groom

bride walking with father

bridal approach at Ekhidna wines wedding

bride and groom together at altar

Ekhidna wines wedding ceremony

Ekhidna wines wedding ceremony with triangle arbour

smiling bride during ceremony

groom through bridesmaids

wedding ceremony at winery

wedding at Ekhidna wines

best man and wedding rings

during the wedding ceremony at Ekhidna winery

first kiss

Just married

bride and groom escaping under flower pettels

Ekhidna Wines Glamour Photos

As we had done much of our glamour shots before the wedding ceremony, the ceremony itself took place quite late in the day, meaning that soon after the usual group shots of family and friends, the sun was soon fading. We did manage to get a few speeches in before we head out for the sunset though – which turned out to be absolutely incredible. I got some wonderful golden light filtering in through the vines and from above with the drone!.