Posts

Surprise Backyard Wedding in Woodville – Natasha & Jono

/0 Comments/in , /by

  • Natasha & Jono

    Surprise Backyard Wedding

    Bride and groom celebrating their wedding on Semaphore Beach

Natasha and Jono held their wedding in their backyard on what turned out to be a lovely day surrounded by intimate family and friends who had mostly travelled to Adelaide for their engagement party. Natasha and Jono decided, considering everyone had travelled to attend their party, they’ll turn their engagement party into their Surprise Backyard wedding instead. An alternative was going to be holding their wedding on a beach in New Zealand, but they figured it’d be easier for everyone if they held it here, in their backyard. 🙂

Preparation

Natasha and her bridal party were geting ready with a small selection of family and friends in a house nearby. I took photos of the girls getting ready, and together in their custom kimonos, before heading over to the boys before Natasha had put on her dress – as I was going to get that shot ust before the ceremony when she changes again.

Bridesmaids helping out
Gran looking on
Wedding shoes on bed
Girls together
Laughing in mirror
Putting on makeup
Hanging wedding dress
Chatting in the garage
Doing the hair

Jono and his groomsmen were getting ready on site at the couple’s home in Woodville. In between putting on their shirts, and trying on their new fedoras, they were also running about putting some finishing touches on small parts of the wedding reception setup in the backyard.

Smiles all round
Wedding rings with bowtie
Smiling groomsman
Groom’s flowers
Putting on shirt
Groom finishing up
Groom walking the hallways
Groom wearing a hat
Putting on groomsman tie
Smiling groomsman

Glamour photos

As their engagement party ruse was set up as an evening affair, with a marquee set up on the back lawn and food and drink available for dinner; Natasha and Jono decided to have their glamour photos done prior to their wedding ceremony. We head down to the Semaphore Beach to make use of the pristine sand and dunes available there for family photos, before heading just up the road a bit for the more photo friendly Largs Bay jetty.

bride and groom with their dog
Bride and groom on the beach together
bride and groom walking along the beach
Bridal party on the beach
bride and groom on Semaphore beach
Bride and Groom next to Semaphore Jetty
Bridal party on top of Semaphore Jetty
Bride and groom celebrating their wedding on Semaphore Beach
Semaphore Beach wedding photo
Bride and groom under the Largs Bay Jetty
Largs Bay Jetty wedding photo

To add a little bit of variety to the photos, and also because the sky was looking a little grey, I suggested heading through Port Adelaide and using the famed Crozier Street for a bit of an industrial slant to Natasha and Jono’s photos.

 

Bridal party chilling in Port Adelaide
Black and White Crozier street
Bridal Party playing rugby on Crozier st
Bride standing in front of doorway
Bride and groom having fun in a doorway
Crozier street wedding photo
Bride and groom on crozier st
Bride and her bridesmaids together in a doorway

Surprise Backyard Wedding Ceremony

Many of Natasha and Jono’s guests had travelled from around Australia and New Zealand in order to attend their engagement party that was set up in their backyard, and they continued this ruse riught up until the beginning of the wedding ceremony where Jono’s groomsmen carried out the arbour that was hidden in their shed. Natasha snuck off during a time where guests were mingling and settling in for a fun night of celebration to change into her wedding dress again before reemerging.

Talking to guests
Bride out waiting for guests to arrive
Kids having fun the the marquee
Bride playing with kids
Waiting for the Surprise Backyard wedding to start
Welcome to country
Bride and groom listening to the Welcome to country
Bride peeking out window
Smiling bride

Many of their guests were quite surprised about attending their wedding there and then, whichwas great to see! It’s often the case that the surprise is ruined well before by something, but their surprise wedding was quite successful! The ceremony itself was a nice affair with Aboriginal and Maori traditions coming together, complete with a ‘Welcome to country‘, Maori songs, and even a didgeridoo procession. It was lovely to be a part of!

Groom waiting out the front
Groom waiting patiently
Bridal approach
Groom seeing bride at the wedding ceremony
Start of the wedding ceremony
Surprise Backyard wedding ceremony
Maori song
Groom looking at his bride
Holding hands during the ceremony
Bride looking at her groom
Backyard wedding ceremony
Exchanging wedding bands
Surprise wedding ceremony setup
First kiss under the arbour
Excited bride and groom
Digeridoo in the wedding ceremony
Smiles all round
Bride and groom exit

Surprise Backyard Wedding Reception

All the food was set up on a long table within their shed out the back, which guests were asked to serve themselves from, and drnks wer self served from a pretty neat rental bar with several different drinks on tap. During the night I took Natasha and Jono to a nearby spot to make use of the incredible sunset that had set in, and also made sure to get some of the spaklers within the photos during their first dance. It was a great night!

First dance in the Surprise Backyard wedding
Cutting the cake together
First dance with sparklers
Lolly bar
Bridal speech
Surprise Backyard wedding under the marquee
Having fun during the first dance
MC doing her thing
Smiling bride during the first dance
Sunset on the oval
Sunset
The food
New Zealnad Themed wedding cake
Speech

I’d like to thank Natasha and Jono for havingme be a part of their Surprise Backyard wedding, and I hope they enjoy their photos! 🙂

Woodstock Winery Wedding – Michelle & Ryan

/1 Comment/in , /by

  • Michelle & Ryan

    Woodstock Winery Wedding

    Bride and groom on Maslins Beach

It was a stunningly sunny day for Michelle and Ryan’s Woodstock winery wedding, just out of Mclaren Vale. I was asked to be their wedding photographer from their ceremony through to their first dance at their reception, whith photos in between down at Maslin Beach and of course using the vineyards about Woodstock winery.

Woodstock Winery Wedding Ceremony

The main appeal of having a Woodstock winery wedding in my book would have to be the beautiful picturesque, but still private surrounds of the winery. There is a large, open grassy area out the back of the main restaurant, lined by gum trees, bushes and of course the Woodstock winery’s vineyards nearby. Michelle and Ryan chose to set up their wedding ceremony so that the vineyards were the backdrop to their arbour.

The sun was out in full force throughout their ceremony, causing some rather harsh light shining on poor Michelle’s face, but thankfully the ceremony wasnt overly long and it also wasn’t so hot that it got uncomfortable – but the guests quickly found some shade before and after the ceremony.

The highlight of the ceremony would have to have been the moment when the exchanging of the rings was held up by Ryan and his best man’s antics where they faked forgetting the rings, only to reveal that their little dog was waiting in the wings with the rings tied around it’s collar.

wedding sign
Groom waiting patiently
Bride hiding behind the wall
Waiting out the front
Bride walking towards ceremony
Grooms first look of bride
Dad giving away bride
Together under the arbour
Wedding ceremony at Woodstock winery
Woodstock winery wedding ceremony
smiling bride during ceremony
Groom reading vows
Dog ring bearer
Woodstock winery wedding ceremony under the gum trees
exchanging the wedding rings
first kiss under the arbour
Woodstock winery wedding ceremony exit

Glamour Photos

What was a little different to most other weddings, was that directly after the Woodstock winery wedding ceremony, we immediately jumped into a bus waiting to take us down to the beach for the glamour photos – forgoing the usual family group photos that usually follow a ceremony. Michelle and Ryan had purposefully planned it this way so as to have a more relaxed, leasurely time down at the beach and to make sure they got all the photos they wanted.

I was quite excited by the copious number of flying seagulls in the air during Michelle and Ryan’s photoshoot on the beach, that it made it that much easier to have them smiling in their photos as they were laughing at my own antics being excited about the birds. Thankfully they held their distance away from us, along with another nearby wedding ceremony that was taking place a top the cliffs – nothing worse than gate crashing another wedding, but the birds made for an awesome backdrop in many of their photos!

After having photos on the beach, and posing for a Starwars themed photo, we then head back to Woodstock winery and used some lovely trees they have in their car park before being announced at the reception. During the reception, we head out for the family photos and used the dying sun for some photos amongst the nearby vineyards.

Bridal party walking to beach
Bride and groom walking down to the beach
Being all lovey
Bridal party walking the dog along the beach
Bridal party on the beach
Wedding couple walking along the beach
Wedding couple walking along the beach with their dog
Bridal couple kissing on the beach
Flowing veil on the beach
Bride and Groom on Maslin beach
Star Wars Wedding Photo
Minimal wedding photo of bride and groom on beach
Bride and groom on Maslins Beach
Beach shot
Bride and groom amongst the sanddunes
Bride and bridesmaids
Groomsmen
Kisses on the Beach boardwalk
Bride and groom amongst the Woodstock winery trees
Bride and groom amongst gum trees
Sitting together in the vineyards
Holding hands
Walking around the Woodstock winery
Walking through the woodstock winery vineyards
woodstock winery vineyards
Woodstock winery wedding at night

Woodstock Winery Wedding Reception

The wedding reception took place in the Woodstock winery’s beautiful two-tiered restaurant, with the head table in the center of the arc, and family tables lined up either side. There was no indoor dancefloor, so the first dance took place outside, and there was no shortage of people out there enjoying the wonderful, warm weather. Emotions were running high during the daddy daughter and monther, son dances with family members all joining in, and was lovely to see 🙂

Michelle and Ryan opted to have a cool, modern take on a wedding cake, having doughnuts piled up with a starwars themed topper, adding a little bit of quirkyness to the whole day.

Guestbook sign
Woodstock winery wine bottles
bridal entrace at Woodstock winery wedding reception
Helping with the veil
bride sharing a drink
Woodstock winery at dusk
Doughnut wedding cake
Inspecting rings
Engagement ring amongst bouquet
first dance
hugs on the dance floor
Daddy daughter dance
Singing

I’d like to thank Michelle and Ryan for having me photograph their special day, and I hope they enjoy their photos!

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding – Emily & Angel

/1 Comment/in , /by

  • Emily & Angel

    Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding

    Walking together under Grange jetty

Emily and Angel held their lovely intimate wedding ceremony at the the Cruising Yacht Club of SA. The prestige of this venue is apparent as soon as you arrive as you’re surrounded by multi million dollar yachts in a stunning location! I was asked to be their wedding photographer for a few hours, seeing me with them for their preparation, through to the first parts of their early reception dinner.

Preparation

Emily and Angel chose to be prepared on the same location, together at a property not far from the Cruising Yacht Club. The atmosphere was reasonably laid back with family and freinds also on site fussing about, preparing lunch, or getting ready while watching a Chinese action movie on the TV in the background. I was treated to some scrumptous home made food while there, and it was very much appreciated!

As Emily and Angel were being prepared at the same lcoation they could share makeup artists and hairdressers, without having them travel to multiple locations in the morning – this made everything run much smoother than what I have experienced in the past, and everyone was ready to leave, and head to the ceremony quite early.

Holding hands
putting on makeup
Looking pretty
Playing with veil
Putting on earrings
Looking out window
Girls looking on
Emily and Angel before their ceremony
Putting on necklace
Wedding ring box
Smiling
bride looking out windows
Standing next to painting
Close up of wedding shoes
Smiling brides
Both brides sitting in makeup chairs

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding Ceremony

The Cruising Yacht club of SA is a well kept secret of Adelaide wedding venues, nestled along the shores of the north-western Adelaide beaches, the marina and club rooms are hard to spot unless you are looking out for the venue as you drive past. The main draw of the venue for weddings would be the views of the marina and exclusivity of the space provided – including gated car parking and a hidden wedding ceremony spot.

The wedding ceremony location set up at the Cruising Yacht Club of SA is a small, dedicated area set off to the side of the marina, shaded by cloth sails and headlined by an impressive concrete circular station where the bridal couple stands during the ceremony. Emily and Angel’s wedding ceremony was held bilingually in both English and Chinese for the benefit of all those in attendance and made everyone smile with it’s innate sweetness and beauty.

Wedding sign
Brides arriving
Brides approaching altar
Under the Cruising yacht club of SA’s wedding circle
Cruising Tacht Club of SA wedding
Standing together in front of family and friends
Wedding ceremony at Cruising Yacht Club of SA
Smiling brides
Ring bearer
Exchanging wedding bands
First kiss at Cruising Yacht CLub of SA
Wedding ceremony ending
Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

After the ceremony and family photos which we held just behind where the wedding ceremony took place, we first used the Cruising Yacht Club of SA’s lovely marina lined with huge yachts to take some glamour photos. Emily and Angel had even arranged to use the bow of one of the yachts to have photos done, which was wonderfully unique. We then went on a short drive to Grange beach where we used the lovely sand dunes and jetty for more shots, while also making use of the large kites that were being flown that day as a backdrop.

Heading towards the yachts
In the Cruising Yacht club of SA’s marinia
Hugging brides
brides on yacht
Cruising yacht club of SA marina
Bouquet in sand
brides on the beach together
Brides standing together in sand dunes
Together under Grange Jetty
Walking together under Grange jetty
Celebrating under Grange Jetty
Married couple

Cruising Yacht Club of SA Wedding Reception

The Cruising Yacht club of SA has a number of different function rooms to choose from when holding a wedding ceremony. As Emily and Angel’s wedding party wasn’t on the large side, they opted to make use of the smaller of the available areas for their wedding reception. It was a nice space that boasted sweeping views of the marina and all the boats. The highlight of their party I feel was their duel bouquet toss, where they both threw their bouquet at the same time. it’s always fun when everyone joins in for that! WHile I wasn’t there for their entire reception, the atmosphere was friendly, laid back and felt very family friendly, with evertyone enjoying themselves and listening to speeches.

Wedding decor
One of the Cruising Yacht Club of SA’s function rooms
Table center piece
Wedding cake
Wedding favours
Cutting the cake together
Before the double bouquet toss
Bouquet toss
Flower girl
Emily and Angel together
Bridal party at the head table

Thanks go out ot Emily and Angel for having me as their wedding photographer!

AlRu Farm Wedding – Rachael & Jason

/0 Comments/in , /by

  • Rachael & Jason

    AlRu Farm Wedding

    Together in the long grass

 

Rachael and Jason went on a week long road trip from Perth with their little fur babies in order to hold their wedding at the stunning AlRu Farm in Northern Adelaide. It’s little wonder why as, combined witht he stunning surrounds fo AlRu Farm and the amazing weather they enjoyed on their day – the whole setting was stunning and made for a wonderful day! I was asked to be their wedding photographer for their day, along with providing my photobooth that was set up for their reception.

Preparation

Both Rachael and Jason were prepared on site at AlRu farm, in the cute little self-contained cottage on site, nestled in amongst the wonderful gardens and wild flowers that were sprouting this time of year. Jason and his groomsmen however had a much shorter amount of time to get ready as they had to juggle puttin finishing touches on their decorations around the venue, and the fact that Rachael and her bridal party were expecting to find the cottage unused and ready for them to get ready.

groomsman getting ready
Groom putting on tie
Button holes
Closeup on suit
Grooms getting ready
Groomsmen standing together
Grooms getting ready in window

As I mentioned previously, Rachael andJason brought their little fur babies along with them for their day, so they were present while Rachael was getting ready, trying to catch the ducks and generally just being little puppies. They were an integral part of Rachael and Jason’s day being their ring bearers during their ceremony, along with taking pride of place as a large printed photo near their head table during the reception.

Rachael and her bridal party had a very relaxing preparation, with little to no nerves showing, and everyone just laughing and having a great time right up until the ceremony.

 

Wedding dress in windows
Engagement ring
Bridal party helping bride get ready
Doggies
Bride looking pretty at AlRu Farm
Bridal party
bride getting ready at AlRu Farm
Bridal party cheers
Putting on Mum’s flower

AlRu Farm Wedding Ceremony

AlRu farm has a small, purpose built little grassed area, flanked on all sides by lush vegetation suitable for wedding ceremonies, which is where Rachale and Jason chose to hold their own ceremony. The sun was floating in and out of cloud cover all the while during the ceremony, which made it tricky for me  – but made for quite a diverse range of photos.

Their cermeony was short and sweet, punctuated by heartfelt personalised vows, and of course their little puppies running in and being cute while carrying their wedding rings.

Bridal approach
Hand fasting
Doggies
Groom waiting patiently
AlRu Farm wedding ceremony through arch
Wedding exit
Smiling groom
Groom’s first look
AlRu Farm wedding ceremony
Holding hands
Holding hands
Close up of groom’s Buttionaire

Glamour Photos

For glamour photos, as one might expect when having a wedding at the stunning AlRu farm, we utilised the beautiful gardens for their glamour photos! The gardens on site are pretty much purpose built for wedding photos, with a range of different scenery that just makes taking wedding photography a breeze. Was just a shame we head out a little too late in the evening to catch the sunset over the lake, but we certainly made use of the greenhouse at night, where I lit it up with portable lights and made a stunning scene!

Together in the AlRu Farm gardens
Closeup of wedding bands
Amongst the gardens
Under the archway
Walking under the famed AlRu Farm Pillars
Bridal Party under the AlR Farm pillars
Bridal party together
AlRu Farm Driveway
Together on the driveway
Together in the long grass
Hugs in the long grass
AlRu Farm sunset
AlRu Farm Greenhouse

AlRu Farm Wedding Reception

The AlRu farm reception hall on site was where Rachael and Jason chose to hold their wedding reception, decorated all over by personal touches put there by Jason and his groomsmen prior to the day beginning. The hall itself is an old barn-type building, probably used back in the day for storing hay, or processing something, but these days it’s lined with mirrors and makes for a beautifully rustic backdrop for a wedding reception.

The highlight of the night for me was certainly witnessing what would have to be the best coreographed first dance I had seen in a while, which I’m sure Rachel and Jason practiced for months beforehand! They also held a shoe game, and the dance floor was filled all night by guests all having a great time!

Bride and Groom entrance
Bride Groom and Baby
Food
Tardis Wishing well
guest
Speech
Maid of honour speech
Shoe game
First dance
Grinning during the first dance
AlRus Farm first dance
Dancing guest
Dancing guests
Having fun
guests having fun
Conga line

Rachel and Jason’s AlRu Farm wedding was a blast to be a part of, I had a great time and I hope they enjoy their photos! 😀

Mt Osmond Golf Course Wedding – Ash & Brad

/0 Comments/in , /by

  • Ash & Brad

    Mt Osmond Golf Course Wedding

    Bride and groom under gum tree

It was an absolutely stunning day for Ash and Brad’s Mt Osmond Golf Course Wedding at be beginning of November! Despite having rained in the morning, the rest of the day turned out to have the most magnificent weather and really was the perfect example of the saying that rain on your wedding day is good luck! The day was full of family fun, awesome people and the most amazing flower guy ever! I was asked to be their wedding photographer for the entire day and it turned out to be a fantastic day!

Preparation

I started the day as I usually do with Brad and his groomsmen after having set up their photo booth at the Mt Osmond Golf Course. The boys weren’t too far away in Bellevue Heights and when I arrived it was obvious to me that the entire day was going to be wonderfully laid back as the banter between the boys made for some good fun while everyone got ready. Brad’s Mum was on hand to help tie everyone’s tie and pin the flowers on suit lapels, while I was also introduced to the ‘flower guy’ which I initially thought was a joke due to the floral design of his shirt – but it turned out he was, in every way the ‘flower guy’.

wedding rings
Custom Cufflinks
Groomsmen getting ready
Groomsmen tieing tie
Brad getting ready
Smiling groomsmen
Mum helping tie ties
Groom getting ready in front of window
Groom tieing tie
Groom and groomsmen on street
Groom and groomsmen

Ash and her bridal party were being prepared at a delightful property owned by her parents where they also host a bed and breakfast. As a result the gardens and general design of the house really lent it’s self really well to some stunning vistas perfect for bridal party preparation photos! Much like the boys the atmosphere was fairly laid back, with Mum and Dad on hand to help out, while the cuteness quota was filled by a delightful little bubba who was floating about 🙂 I had a bunch of fun using the delightful gardens for photos with Ash before heading off for the ceremony.

 

Wedding dress in window
Bridal shoes
Engagement ring in flowers
Bride putting on makeup
Bride and bridal party
Wedding dress throguh doorway
Baby
Bridesmaids
Dad pacing
Parents first look of bride
bride getting ready
Bridesmaids helping
Ash looking pretty
Bridesmaids in tree
Bride looking pretty amongst trees
Bride looking pretty amongst pillars

Mt Osmond Golf Course Wedding Ceremony

Hosting a Mt Osmond Gold Course wedding means that you’re privvy to a wonderful vista of the entire Adelaide skyline, while also making the most of the wonderful backdrop of well manicured lawns and beautiful gum trees lining the golf course’s fairways. Mt Osmond Golf Course wedding cermeonies take place nearby the main practise putting green next to the club house on a large patch of grass with the sun positioned directly behind the heads of the bride and groom. This is fantastic for photographers as it means there no horrible shadows on faces, but it might be less great for guests as they tend to look straight into the sun – but thats only a problem if its a ater ceremony, which Ash and Brad’s was not.

The ceremony itself started off with raucous laughter as the delightful ‘flower guy’ came prancing down the hill completely dedicated to his role in throwing flower petals about the pace in the most flamboyant way. I even managed to get a fist full thrown at me while I was taking photos 🙂 The sight of the ‘flower guy’ doing his thing really lightened the mood for everybody which set the scene for a delightful wedding cermeony full of laughter and inside jokes.

Wedding sign
Bride arriving
Groom waiting
Flower man
bridal approach
Groom’s first look
Together at the altar
Holding hands
Smiling bride
Mt Osmond Golf Course wedding ceremony