Tag Archive for: riverland wedding

Mandalay House Wedding – Jemma & Kingsley

Nestled in the heart of Petwood, the Mandalay House stands as a hidden gem, beautifully situated between the scenic Adelaide Hills and the refreshing start of Riverland near Murray Bridge. Imagine a venue that’s a stone’s throw away from the bustling Princes Highway yet feels like it’s in its own tranquil world.

With its mesmerising rolling valley hills and a garden that’s nothing short of a work of art, you can tell it’s tended with an abundance of love.

Preparation

Kingsley, our charming groom, was in the whirlwind of preparations. His excitement was palpable. Amidst the historical elegance of the Mandalay House, there was Kingsley, surrounded by his closest mates, adjusting his tie, polishing those shoes to a perfect shine, and sharing a few light-hearted moments before he would see his beautiful bride-to-be. Time seemed to fly by, and with a tight schedule, every moment counted.

Groom shoes with rose

Groom having tie checked

Brother of Groom checking tie

Groom peering out doorway

Groom standing with hands on hips

Jemma, just across the house in a nother room was encapsulated in her own world of bridal bliss. The atmosphere was filled with soft giggles, the hum of makeup brushes, and the subtle rustling of her dreamy wedding gown. Even in the midst of the quick preparations, Jemma was the epitome of grace, with her bridesmaids showering her with love and care, ensuring every detail was just perfect.

Bride smiling next to window

Closeup of ring on hand

Engagement ring on banksia

Engagement ring in between shoes

bride being helped near window

Bride being helped by two helpers

First Look

Jemma and Kingsley decided to embrace a heartfelt first look in the enchanting gardens of Mandalay House. As a wedding photographer, this moment always gets me – the anticipation, the raw emotion, and the overwhelming joy. The lush green backdrop of the garden intensified their pure love for each other, creating a moment that’s nothing short of magical. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any more adorable, their furry friend made a special appearance, resulting in an utterly heartwarming portrait of the trio.

We head out around the grounds for a bit of a photoshoot, making use of the front gardens of the house and almost having Kingsley rip Jemmas arm off as they ran up the driveway – make me giggle at how eager Kingsley was to follow instructions to a fault!

Groom waiting for his first look

Bride approaching the first look

First look between bride and groom

Bride and groom in between pines

Bridal kiss in between pine trees

Bride and groom under flowering tree

Bride and groom with dog

bride and groom in between pencil pines

Mandalay House Wedding Photography

bride and groom in the whiskey room

Mandalay House Wedding Ceremony

As the sun cast its golden hues, the outdoor ceremony was nothing short of dreamy. With the day being blessed with abundant sunshine, the extended shadows and the gentle cool breeze made the setting even more divine. There they stood, Jemma & Kingsley, hand in hand, amidst their loved ones, promising each other a lifetime of togetherness. Their vows resonated with pure love, echoing the charm of Adelaide Hills and the serenity of the Riverland.

Wedding sign chalkboard

Bridal entrance with dog

Groom watching bride approach

Mandalay House wedding ceremony

Smiling bride during sunny ceremony

Listening to the wedding celebrant

Sunny Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Day Dog

Bride laughing at groom during ceremony

Groom looking at bride

bride laughing during vows

Wedding rigns being retrieved from dog

Ring being placed on grooms finger

First Kiss at Mandalay House wedding

Bridal exit at Mandalay House wedding

Outdoor Reception

Post the heartfelt ceremony, it was time for some joyous, but laid-back celebrations. The outdoor reception had a vibe of its own. The sun slowly giving way to a beautiful twilight, laughter echoing, clinking glasses, and stories being shared. The weather played a perfect partner, making the evening even more enjoyable. You could see Jemma & Kingsley, basking in their newly-wedded glow, mingling, dancing, and making the most of every moment with their dear ones.

Bride talking to guests

Guests playing coits

Wedding cheese cake

Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake

Guests speeches

Cheech giver

Glamour Photos

Capturing Jemma and Kingsley’s love story amidst the stunning landscapes was a treat. While they wanted to spend most of their time with the guests, I managed to steal them away for a bit during the golden sunset hour. The vibrant shades of the sky, the silhouette of the Adelaide Hills, and the duo’s undeniable chemistry made for some frame-worthy captures. And as night dawned, the garden’s mesmerising lighting setup gave us some unforgettable shots.

Bride standing in front of groom at sunset

Groom giving bride a kiss

Bridal kiss leaning on a tree

Bride and groom dancing in field

bridal portrait out standing in field

Bride and groom under gum tree at sunset

Mandalay House Gardens at night

Bridal kiss in the Mandalay House Gardens

Mandalay House Wedding Photo

Bride and groom under fairy lights

Bride and groom under stars

Mandalay House Wedding Reception

The night was young and the celebrations continued. Moving from the cool outdoors to the rustic surrounds of the Mandalay House’s function hall, the reception was alive with music, dance, and endless joy. Each corner was filled with merriment, love stories, and cheers to new beginnings. And as their wedding photographer in this splendid Adelaide setting, I couldn’t have asked for a better canvas to capture the magic of Jemma & Kingsley’s love story.

Mandalay House Food

Speech giver at Reception

Thaking speech giver

Bridal shoe gBridal shoe gameame

Bride and groom giving speech

Cheers to Jemma & Kingsley! Wishing them a life filled with endless love, adventures in the Adelaide Hills, and countless sunsets by the Riverland!

October 5, 2023

Wedding preview, Wedding

Riverland Wine Centre Wedding – Lisa & Mitch

As a wedding photographer that’s often covering weddings in the Riverland, I was excited to head to Lyrup for Lisa and Mitch’s wedding at the Riverland Wine Centre! Lisa and Mitch were nice enough to lodge me at a nearby hotel – which I always find exciting as I get to travel a bit to take photos! What could be better?

From the stunning location to the creative touches they added to their big day, it was a wedding to remember.

Preparation

Lisa and Mitch chose to get ready on site at the Riverland Wine Centre, which offered beautiful accommodation that was well presented. In fact the accomodation offerings on site were quite extensive with numerous self-contained units and houses scattered about the place! Lisa and Mitch’s accomodations were right next to one another which made it easy to flit inbetween locations as they were getting ready at the same time.

It was a joy to capture the excitement and anticipation as they prepared for their big day surrounded by their loved ones. The atmosphere was filled with love and laughter, setting the perfect tone for the rest of the day.

Engagement ring in large white flower

Rings perched on branch

Wedding tress hanging in gum tree

Bride having hair done

Bridal converse shoes

Bride through makeup ring light

Groom’sjacket hanging on bedhead

Wedding bands on grooms shoes

Groom buttoning up shirt

Groom smiling for the camera

Groomsmen fussing over grooms jacket

Groom standing with groomsmen on dusty road

Beaming bride as bridesmaids help

Bride holding bouquet

Bride having socks put on

First Looks

One of the most heartfelt moments of Lisa and Mitch’s wedding day was Lisa’s desire to have a first look with her parents under the gum trees, and later with Mitch near the original location where they had initially planned to hold their wedding ceremony.

They were a beautiful moments as Lisa’s parents saw her in her wedding attire for the first time, and their emotions overflowed with joy and pride. Later, as Lisa and Mitch stood near the destroyed arbor, which was meant to be the backdrop of their ceremony, we captured a few shots that reflected their love and resilience. It was a testament to their unwavering bond and their ability to find beauty in unexpected circumstances.

First look with parents on clifftop

Hugs with Mum for first look

Mum and Dad kiss on the cheek

Bride with bridesmaids

Bride smiling surrounded by flowers

Groom’s first look by river front

Bride and groom under big gum tree

Bride and groom between old arbour

Groom tickling bride

Bride and groom getting close between tree stumps

Bridal hugs in long reeds

Small chocolate wedding cake

Bride and groom cutting cake

Groom leading bride on cliff

Riverland Wine Centre Wedding Ceremony

Lisa and Mitch’s original plan to have their ceremony at the riverfront was foiled by the recent floods that had affected the area. The grassy area they had initially chosen was destroyed by the floodwaters. Despite this setback, Lisa and Mitch didn’t let it dampen their spirits! They quickly adapted and decided to hold their ceremony on the clifftop overlooking the River Murray, which still offered breathtaking views despite the change in plans.

As a wedding photographer, I was thrilled to capture the raw emotions and love that radiated from Lisa and Mitch as they exchanged their vows against the stunning backdrop of the river and the receeding floodwaters below.

Bridal approach with parents

Riverland wine centre wedding

Grinning groom at his ceremony

Wedding ceremony under large gum tree

Grinning bride at ceremony

Little girl with bubbles

Riverland wine centre wedding ceremony

First kiss at the Riverland wine centre wedding

Bridal exit with bubbles

Riverland wine centre wedding drone photo

Glamour Photos

For their glamour photos, we took advantage of the easily accessible clifftops that offered breathtaking vistas of the River Murray below. The view was simply mesmerizing, with the river winding through the landscape, creating a stunning backdrop for Lisa and Mitch’s photos.

To add a touch of celebration to their glamour photos, Lisa and Mitch popped a few champagne bottles, spraying the bubbly in the air, and toasting to their love. It was a fun and lighthearted moment that added a touch of playfulness to their photos. The dying sun cast a warm golden glow, creating a magical ambiance, and we made sure to capture the beauty of the setting sun as it kissed the horizon.

As the day turned into dusk, we also made use of the changing light to capture some romantic and dreamy photos. The sky painted itself with hues of pink and orange, and the setting sun cast a warm glow that enveloped Lisa and Mitch as they gazed into each other’s eyes. These moments were pure magic, and as a wedding photographer, I was honoured to document their love in such a stunning location.

Champagne cork popping on clifftop

Brid and groom with river Murray

Dancing together a top River Murray Cliff

Kiss in the sunlight

Bride filming groom on super 8 camera

Bride and groom dancing under sunset

Groom dipping bride for a kiss

Bridal couple under dying sunlight

Bride and groom looking at one another

Bride and groom Silhouette

Bride and groom backed by smoke

Bride and groom with smoke

bride and groom under starry sky

I wanted to add a unique touch to Lisa and Mitch’s special day. So, as a bit of fun, I decided to shoot a vintage super 8 wedding video for them. It was an exciting experiment for me, and I was thrilled to incorporate this nostalgic medium into their wedding album. The vintage super 8 video captured candid moments, laughter, and the genuine emotions of their wedding day in a truly unique way.

The super 8 video added a sense of nostalgia, bringing a timeless charm to their wedding memories. The warm tones, grainy texture, and vintage feel of the footage added an extra layer of creativity and artistry to their wedding story. I felt it was a great addition to their wedding collection, providing them with a beautiful and unique keepsake that they can treasure for years to come.

Riverland Wine Centre Wedding Reception

Their Riverland Wine centre wedding reception was held under lights that Lisa and Mitch had constructed themselves the night before. Their creativity and attention to detail were evident in every aspect of the decor, from the fairy lights twinkling above to the carefully curated centerpieces on the tables. The weather was perfect, allowing guests to enjoy the outdoor setting and dance the night away under the stars.

Speaking of stars, Lisa and Mitch’s wedding day offered another unforgettable moment. The clear night sky provided the perfect opportunity for a stunning star photo under the Milky Way. It was a magical moment, and I was thrilled to capture this breathtaking image that Lisa and Mitch will cherish for years to come.

bride greeting little girl

Little girls with bubble guns

One of the table centerpieces

Riverland wine centre wedding reception

bride and groom listening to speeches outdoors

Speech givers outdoors

Thankyou Lisa and Mitch for having me cover your delightful Riverland Wine Centre Wedding! It was an amazing day, and I hope you enjoy your photos and videos!

April 19, 2023

Wedding preview, Wedding

Lake Breeze Winery Wedding – Charlotte & Jake

Charlotte and Jake’s Lake Breeze Winery wedding was one of family, love and a wonderful couple in the center of it all!

Charlotte and Jake were keen to follow me about during Golden Hour and fended off all the bugs to get the most awesome photos in amongst the stunning surrounds that is Lake Breeze Winery.

Preparation

My wife and I began the day at Charlotte’s place of preparation in order to capture some of the early morning while the girls were getting ready.

Alice’s B&B was where Charlotte had chosen for the bridal party to get ready, and it featured a pretty amazing upper level with a neat triangular window overlooking the long, spacious grassy area out the back of the house. This allowed for some neat opportunities for both their makeup artist for natural light, and also to hang Charlotte’s dress in.

After a few shots of Charlotte and her bridal party getting ready, we head over to Jake and the boy’s place of preparation, then head back to Alice’s B&B again for the finishing touches.

Bit of a fun end to Charlotte’s preparation was a silly adaptation of a scene from Princess Diaries where Charlotte hid behind two images of her before her makeup, then has a reveal. Bit silly, but lot’s of fun!

Engagement ring in pink rose

Engagemant ring perched between shoes

Custom clothes hangers

Girls in pink robes

Bridal makeup process

Bridal makeup finishing

Baby

Bride putting on tiara

Wedding dress hanging in triangle window

Page boy portrait

Mum and Dad helping bride

Page boy sneaking a look

Bride standing in dress

Jake and his groomsmen were prepared nearby in another bed and breakfast, The Creek Cottage.

Bit of a different ambiance to where Charlotte was being prepared, this little cottage was covered in vines, and had an old, rustic vibe which was very cozy. The boys were keen on having a bit of a laugh throughout the preparation process and it was lovely to have Jake’s parents pitch in a bit too!

Grooms suit jacket hanging in ivy

Wedding rings on shoes

Groom having tie adjusted

Father of groom helping

Groom laughing with his groomsmen

Mother of groom helping

Groom putting on watch

Groom looking out window with white flowers

Groom putting on shoes

Groom waving through vines

Groom leaning on brick wall

Lake Breeze Winery Wedding Ceremony

Having only one wedding car to transport all of the bridal party to Lake Breeze Wines meant that the car had to do multiple trips both to and from their bed and breakfasts, and then to and from the ceremony location, out the back with the permanent arbour set up on the large grassy area out the back of the winery.

This resulted in a bit of an anxious wait for Jake, which was very cute having his pacing the front of their congregation and staring off into the distance – along with a few cuddles from their son.

Once Charlotte arrived, then their ceremony was nice and simple, with a short Disney themed reading from a family member, before reciting heartfelt personal vows involving a lot of good natured jabs at each other’s favourite football teams. That’s real football, not AFL.

They also had my live streaming service set up for guests who could not attend overseas!

Groom patiently waiting

Groom being Dad

Bride and Father of bride

Bride walking down aisle

Groom watching his bride walk down aisle

Bride listening to celebrant

Lake Breeze winery wedding ceremony

Groom saying vows

First kiss at Lake Breeze Winery weding

Signing the marriage certificate

Bridal exit at Lake Breeze winery wedding

bride and groom waving to their live stream

Glamour Photos

After the ceremony, their car was about to leave, so I made sure to use it while we still had it available, so we first took some bridal party photos with it, before using the drone to take a big group photo.

We then spent a little bit of time taking a few more group photos of the bridal party together before heading into the reception.

During the reception, I had Charlotte and Jake follow us around the grounds a bit during the best light for photos, and boy did the sun turn it on for us when I wanted it to! The day was otherwise overcast all day, expect for the time we were out for photos, and I’m so thankful it did!

The great thing about hosting a Lake Breeze Winery wedding is the variety of scenes one can get – from the usual vineyards shots from any winery, to little hidden footbridges, gum trees, long grass and old stone walls. you can spend hours taking photos here.

Wedding party with white car

Bridal couple with wedding car

Wedding guests in shape of heart

Bride and groom with love sign

Handpicked bridal party

Bridal party standing near gum trees

Bride and groom walking on foot bridge

Bride and groom on foot bridge

Bride and groom smirking under veil

Bride and groom walking holding hands

Lake Breeze Winery wedding photo

Lake Breeze Winery wedding portrait

Bride leading groom through long grass

Bride an dgrom under sunlight

Bride and groom portrait

Bride and grrom walking under sun

Bride and groom on Lake Breeze Winery bridge

Dancing on lake Breeze Winery bridge

Bride and Groom in Lake Breeze wines vineyard

bride and groom in vines

bride and groom walking in vines

Bridal couple peeking in vines

Bridal couple lift

Lake Breeze winery wedding photo at night

bride and groom in smoke

bride and groom with lights

Lake Breeze Winery Wedding Reception

After some lovely speeches, and the wedding shoe game, Charlotte and Jake danced the night away with their family and friends who all looked like they had an absolute blast!

Wedding cake in circle leaves

Wedding gift shot

Lake Breeze winery wedding setup