Tag Archive for: Mclaren vale
McLaren Vale Wedding – Bek & Spud
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
Thanks so much to Sandi and Daniel for having me as your wedding photographer! I hope you enjoy your photos!
Pepper Tree Cafe Wedding – Amanda & Daniel
I was super excited to be a part of Amanda and Daniel’s wedding at the Pepper Tree Café due in no small part to Daniel’s enthusiasm and endearing eagerness to hold the most perfect wedding possible for his bride to be. He was in constant contact, making sure I knew all the details including how well the dancing lessons I had got them at Dance Amor were doing, and how the Pepper Tree was going to be set up on the day.
Everything he had planned came to fruition on the day, with the slight unfortunate hiccup of a bit of rain directly after the ceremony. Fortunately it let up a bit for us to get out and about in the garden for a few photos J
Preparation
I started the day as I usually do at Daniel’s place of preparation. He and his boys were all getting ready and were in various stages of undress when I arrived. Daniel was keen on having everything set up and running smoothly – he was obviously excited!
I then head over to where Amanda and her bridal party were being prepared – the atmosphere was noticeably more laid back and fun filled with the ladies, with laughter and fun times being had. Emotions were high when gifts were handed out which made for some marvellously genuine photos!
Pepper Tree Cafe Wedding Ceremony
The Pepper Tree Café was a wedding venue I had not yet had the privilege of visiting, but it turned out to be a lovely little intimate space in Aldinga, featuring a large Pepper Tree (naturally) alongside a rustic live music and dining area surrounded by a nice mix of curated garden and wilder natural scenes. Quite a nice spot for photography.
Their wedding ceremony took place on the grassy area in the centre of the gardens, with all the guests standing either side of an aisle lined by small lanterns. The rain was threatening by this time, but thankfully held off until after I had my drone in the air and took a couple of group photos.
Glamour Photos
Directly after the ceremony ended we had to rush into the Café area to avoid the rather heavy rain that was now falling. We made use of the time to take family photos on the stage and have a bit of a mingle with guests. Once it was evident that the rain had set in a bit, Amanda and Daniel decided we’d need to head out in the rain for a few photos, so that’s what we did. Thankfully soon after this decision, the rain stopped for long enough for some proper shots around the garden.
Pepper Tree Wedding Reception
The reception area at the pepper Tree Café is an intimate, rustic little area, decorated with steel and wooden styling, akin to an old wool shed. The area boasts a nice live music stage and room enough for a modest congregation.
Amanda and Daniel’s reception was a lovely display of heartfelt speeches, impromptu bagpipe recitals and high running emotions, it was a ball to be a part of, and I thank Amanda and Daniel for having me be a part of it! 😀
Tag Archive for: Mclaren vale
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