It was a lovely sunny afternoon when Chloe, Alex and I headed out to South Terrace for a little engagement shoot before their wedding in July. I really wanted to make use of the wonderful winter sun shining through some foliage, so I suggested heading to South Terrace to make use of the stunning Himeji gardens, and Veal gardens. Chloe and Alex also wanted to head to a beach for some sunset shots, so towards the end of the engagement shoot we headed down to Brighton beach.
I offer my wedding couples the option of having an engagement shoot before their wedding day for a few different reasons. In Chloe and Alex’s case they wanted some nice photos to use on their thank you cards directly after their wedding so they didn’t have to wait too long before they were sent out. But other reasons would be to use on your ‘save the date’ cards or your invitations, they could also even be used on your wedding’s website if you choose to have one made. They also look fantastic printed and put on display at your wedding reception.
South Terrace Engagement shoot
Himeji Gardens
We started out at the picturesque Himeji Gardens, and despite the chilly weather, the gardens were quite busy so we had to be careful on which direction we were shooting. The beautiful foliage in the gardens combined with the setting sun made for some wonderful scenery.
Embrace
Sitting in Himeji Gardens
Laughing together
Smiling at one another
Holding one another
Sunset in Himeji gardens
Veal Gardens
Just down the road, on South Terrace is Veal gardens, a popular wedding venue close to the city that boasts a lovely meandering man-made stream and small ponds, dotted along the walking path. The well manicured gardens always provides for a lovely backdrop for a photoshoot!
South Terrace Engagement
Under a tree
Walking through Veal Gardens
Veal gardens bridge
Veal Gardens Engagement
Brighton Beach
As the sun was setting at an alarming rate, we jetted off to Brighton beach where Alex and Chloe staged a bit of an engagement scene. It was quite entertaining as many passing onlookers congratulated them thinking he had just proposed, despite them already being engaged 🙂
Brighton Jetty
Sunset proposal
Sunset
Walking along Brighton beach
The entire shoot was over in around 90 minutes and was a tonne of fun! I’m looking forward to their wedding even more now!
Sheridyn and Chris held a delightfully simple elopement at the Stockade Botanic park in Northern Adelaide on a beautiful, overcast day at the beginning of October!
Sheridyn and Chris opted to split their wedding day into two separate days due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with their ceremony at the Stockade Botanic Park, and their reception at the delightful Inglewood Inn mid next year! Hopefully they’ll be able to invite all their guests then!
Preparation
Both Sheridyn and Chris were being prepared together in a house nearby, while still observing the tradition of not seeing each other while fully dressed in their wedding best before their ceremony. This meant that Chris put on his suit, then helped their little one get ready before heading out to Stockade Botanic Park before everyone else.
Shortly after Chris left, Sheridyn put on her dress and had a bit of fun with the family geting their little one to smile 🙂
Bridal shoes 3
Little one shoes
Wedding dress in window 3
Engagement ring in flower
Wedding bands in box
Wedding rings on tie
Reading wedding cards
Bride looking in circle mirror
Bride using mirror
Helping the bride
Groom putting on tie in window
Smiling groom 3
Groom walking out door 2
Helping the little one get dressed
Groom and little one
Little one looking smart
Smiling grandad
Bride getting ready in the window 2
Brie looking pretty 6
Brie looking pretty 7
Stockade Botanic Park Elopement
The number of people present to witness Sheridyn and Chris was kept to the bare minimum, while having me also act as their wedding videographer making sure they have a record of their big day in order to show all the guests that could not attend.
The park was showcasing some delightful colours, with greens and yellows galor seeping through the overcast sky, and with the area almost deserted, we really had the run of the entire area for Sheridyn and Chris’ intimate ceremony.
Their ceremony was beautifully simple, with contributions from mother and father by providing a short reading and acting as ring bearer.
Stockade Botanic Wedding ceremony
Stockade Botanic Elopement
Groom smiling during ceremony 3
Bride smiling during ceremony 3
Stockade Botanic Elopement ceremony
Exchanging wedding bands 3
Stockade Botanical park elopement
Smiling bride while signing registry
Smiling groom while signing register
Bride and groom under petals
Glamour Photos
The glorious thing about the Stockade Botanic Park is the beautiful green foliage flowing from the trees located within the retaining walls at the center of the park, while enjoying the ambient sounds of the waterfall located in the corner of the park.
After taking a small amount of family photos, and trying to get the little one to smile, we utilised the park to take some beautiful glamour photos!
Bride looking pretty standing in the Stockade Botanic Park
Bride and groom in the Stockade Botanic Park
Bride and groom under the veil 2
Bride and groom against a tree at the Stockade Botanical park
Bride and groom under the leaves at the Stockade Botanic Park
Smiling bride and groom in the flowers
Bride and groom headbutt
Stockade Botanic Park Wedding photo
Bride and groom having fun under a tree
Bride and groom leaning on a tree at Stockade Botanic Park
Wedding bands on hands
I’m very much looking forward to covering Sheridyn and Chris’ reception at Inglewood Inn later next year!
Monique and Anthony’s Idyll and Co Wedding was simply devine! Nestled in amongst thick bushland, the Idyll & Co Bed and Breakfast turned out to be the most brilliant of venues to host Monique and Anhtony’s wedding! The combination of the thick foliage in every direction, with the cloudy weather and beautiful people made me thankful that they chose me as their wedding photographer as I had an absolute blast all day, and I had a smile on my face the entire time I was editing their photos!
Idyll and Co Wedding Ceremony
The spot that Monique and Anthony had chosen to host their Idyll and Co Wedding Ceremony was hidden down the hill a little from the main bed and breakfast house which meant that their whole ceremony was shaded in all directions by the most magnificent Ausralian bush land I had experienced when compared with any other wedding venue I have visited.
The fun part about hosting a Idyll and Co wedding is the mode of transport the bride and her entourage gets to make use of to arrive at the ceremony! The owners of the venue actually makes the use of a little ride-on tractor available for anyone who wishes to make use of this unique feature which put a smile on everyones face as soon as they laid eyes on it!
Monique and Anthony’s ceremony itself was full of smiles and heartfelt vows, intermingled with personal anecdotes of funny times when they were dating and readings from close friends. You know you’re doing something right when emotion shows all everyone’s face!
Smiling groom 4
Bride arriving at Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Idyll & Co bridal transport
bride about to walk down the aisle
groom looking on at bride
Bridal approach 5
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony 3
smiling bride 7
Wedding ceremony 8
Groom smiling at his bride
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony 2
Holding hands during wedding ceremony 2
Reading reader
Idyll & Co Wedding Ceremony
Bridesmaid emotions
Best man pulling rings out
Exchanging wedding bands at Idyll & Co wedding
Wedding ceremony at Idyll & Co
First kiss at Idyll & Co Wedding
Bridal exit at Wedding ceremony at Idyll & Co Wedding
Glamour Photos
I could have spent all day roaming the grounds taking Idyll and Co Wedding photos with Monique and Anthony! The grounds simply suit my style of wedding photography perfectly and in fact was a big reason apparently what Monique and Anthony had chosen me in the first place which is lovely to hear as I really try to bring in the surrounding details of the venue itself within my photography.
I like to point out to all my bridal couples that while I’m super passionate about wedding photography, I’ve also had past successes being an Australian reknowned landscape photographer, taking out numerous state and national awards for my work in other genres and I like to bring in that knowledge to create some unique wedding photography.
It was that uniqueness that drew Monique and Anthony to me, and they specifially stated on the day to make them as small as possible within the more ‘landscapey’ shots I was going to create for them, so hopefully they enjoy the shots I took! The Idyll and Co grounds was a perfect space to do this in too, with rolling hills, thick forests and even a pond to make use of; I had a blast!
Sitting on a fallen tree together
Sitting on a fallen tree together at Idyll & Co
In amongst the Idyll & Co forest
In amongst the Idyll & Co forest together
Bride and groom with bridal party amongst the trees
Bride and groom with bridal party amongst the trees 2
groomsmen flasks
Bridal party going for a ride
Bridal party at Idyll & Co
Bride and groom surrounded by pond
Groom surprising his bride 2
Amongst the tall trees at Idyll & Co
Amongst the tall trees at Idyll & Co 2
On the water’s edge together
Walking around the Idyll & Co grounds
Idyll & Co wedding photo
Cuddles in amongst the leaves
Bridal party with Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Bride and groom at Idyll & Co bed and breakfast
Kisses between thebig trees
Walking about Idyll & Co’s forests
Walking about Idyll & Co’s forests 2
Sunset through the trees at Idyll & Co
Idyll & Co Wedding Reception
Monique and Anthony has set up a temporary gazebo to expand on the space of the nearby the small shed the venue has set up to host small parties, and up the hill, they had enlisted the help of Daisy Burger to cater their reception with their lovely burgers. My photobooth was also set up spitting out photos all night, and it was awesome to be a part of 🙂
The light faded fairly quickly during the night due to the overcast weather, meaning that some amazing light started to filter throughout the surrounding bushland. This made for a good opportunity to take a few more photos of the bridal party before everyone got too jovial, and I even coerced Monique and Anthony to traipse about in the darkness to take some spectacular shots nearby a gnarly old tree 🙂
bride and groom arriving at reception
bride and groom arriving in gazebo
Guests hanging out at Idyll & Co
Wedding cake under the tree
Cutting the wedding cake under a tree
Cutting the wedding cake under a tree 2
Groom cutting cake enthusiastically
Bride and bridal party together
Girls having a laugh
Groom and groomsmen together
Dip kiss
Speech Giver
Speech Giver 2
First dance near gazebo
First dance hugs on dance floor
Idyll & Co Wedding Photography
Wedding at Idyll & Co
Thanks so much to Monique and Anthony for having me be your phtoographer on your big day! Your was an amazing wedding to shoot and I hope you enjoy your photographs! 😀
I head out to Paula and Andrew’s beautifully family-centric Lakes Hotel wedding in West Lakes at the beginning of October, and I had a ball of a time 🙂
The weather wasn’t always the best, showing a bit of cloud for much of the day, but we still managed to make use of the hotel and nearby park for some great shots!
Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony
I started my time with Paula and Andrew right at the start of their wedding ceremony, which was held in one of the function rooms on site at the Lakes Hotel. The function room they held their ceremony in overlooked the West Lakes river which made for a lovely backdrop while also being shielded from the slight drizzle of rain that was falling outside.
The ceremony itself was a lovely simple affair with some in-jokes about Paula and Andrews relationship interspersed by some lovely heart-felt vows and reading from a guest who diddnt seem to know they were doing a reading! Thosesorts of things at a wedding always makes everyone smile 🙂
Apparently Paula and Andrew had been engaged for a good 25 years! So of course some of the injokes throughout the ceremony and the speeches later in the night centered around that! Qudos for them to finally tying the knot though! Even if was doing a global pandemic.. :/
Groom patiently waiting near pole
Bride arriving near elevator
Bride and father photo
Bridal approach at the Lakes Hotel Wedding
Smiling bride during ceremony 2
Smiling groom during ceremony 2
Holding hands together 2
Standing at the altar together – Lakes Hotel wedding
Bride looking at her groom 2
Speech giver
The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony
The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony 2
The Lakes Hotel Wedding Ceremony 3
Exchanging wedding rings 4
First kiss under the arbour 2
Bridal exit in bubbles
Glamour Photos
After taking all the group photos both outside on the riverside, and then the rest inside as it had started to rain a little, I attempted to use the architecture of the Lakes Hotel for much of their photoshoot, hoping the rain dispersed enough for us to head outside a bit later – thankfully that’s exactly what happened!
We went for a walk along side the river and made use of the wonderful little beach nearby and dozens of seagulls flying overhead for some neat shots! I did get my shoes wet – but that’s just the life of a wedding photographer! Need to do what it takes for the best shot!
Bride gleefully looking at groom
Groom enjoying a beer
Wedding photo through poles
Lakes resort hotel wedding
Bride looking pretty at the Lakes Resort Hotel
Bride playing with bouquet in hallway
Groom being playful
Groom holding his bride 2
Bride and groom walking down hallway at the Lakes Hotel
Groom walking down hallway at the Lakes Resort Hotel
Bride and groom standing under seagulls
Sharing a kiss under seagulls
Standing on the beach together 2
bridal party standing on the beach near the Lakes Hotel
Close up of the engagement ring 2
Bride and groom sitting together
Bridal wings
Lakes Hotel Wedding Reception
Before starting for the day I arrived at the Lakes Hotel early to set up my photobooth for the evening. When I arrived the hall was very small, but I wasn’t to know that they actually extended the reception hall where I set the photobooth up in throughout the other function room where they held their ceremony! Turned out to be a huge area very suitable for a lovely wedding reception overlooking the water.
While I was attending the photobooth throughout the night I also stood up every now and again to take photos of the speeches and of course the first dance. Was a lovely night!
Wedding cake 3
Bride and groom entering reception 2
Guest having fun 5
Bride and groom standing under the stars
Guests having fun 3
Cutting the cake 2
Kiss from guest
Using the photobooth
Shoe game 2
Speech 3
First dance at the lakes resort hotel
First dance at the lakes resort hotel wedding
I’d like to thank Paula and Andrew for having me as their wedding photographer on their special day! I hope Paula and Andrew enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them throughout their big day!
It was such a joy to head back out for a big wedding after having South Australian COVID restrictions ease for weddings! I saw myself at The Manor Basket Range, a majestic wedding venue for Kate and Josh’s wedding on a stunningly sunny day; despite it still being winter!
it was a super fun day to be a part of, and I even met some long lost relatives as it turned out I was actually related to half of the guests somehow! Adelaide is such a small city, and it’s so much fun to meet people and head to weddings because of it!
Preparation
The day turned out to be a fairly long one for me, with Kate and her girls requesting I first meet them in Hahndorf while they were having their hair and makeup done early in the morning! Which was fine, it just emant I had to get up ealier 😛
I then head on over tot he bed and breakfast that John and his groomsmen were getting ready. I Unfortuately put my foot in it in the mornign and called John ‘Josh’ so much in the mornign that the boys just ran with it for the rest of the day as they found it pretty funny 😛 Sorry John!
The boys were all pretty laid back, having had a bit of a board game night the night before, and leasurely got ready – until it was time to put on their ties that is. Only one of them knew how to properly tie a tie so that took up most of the time I was there 🙂
The bed and breakfast boardered a farm with some llamas and featured a cubby house which we very much took advantage of.
Grooms watch on ties
Wedding rings on table
Grooms suit jacket
Belt and ties
Groom smiling while putting on cufflinks
Helping out with the ties
Smiling groomsman 3
Groom looking happy
Groom adjusting tie in window 2
Groomsmen joking about 2
Groom putting finishing touches on
Groom and groomsmen in cubby house 2
Once the girls had had their hair and makeup done in Hahndorf, they made their way to the Manor to put on their dresses and take a few shots helping Kate get into her wedding dress.
I made sure to make use of the amazing huge chandelier in the entrance lobby to the Manor to really put a bit of medieval flair to their preparation photos, as after all they were getting ready in a castle! Fun tidbit, the last time I was at a The Manor Basket range wedding was back when it was called Camelot castle.
The girsl got ready without much fuss, and made a point of having Kate’s Dad come in for a bit of a father daughter ‘first look’ as he had not seen his daugher in her wedding dress prior to the day. It’s always a lovely moment to share!
Wedding dress hanging illuminated by window
bride through doorway 2
Lacing up the wedding dress
Laughing bride in mirror
Medieval bride getting ready
bride overlooking chandelier
Bride standing in dark room
Close up of bride under veil 2
Bride being silly on shae lounge
Bride at The Manor Basket Range
Dad’s first look 3
Dad’s first look 4
The Manor Basket Range Wedding Ceremony
As a mentioned earlier, The Manor was once called ‘Camelot Castle’ due to the fact that it’s built in the image of a medieval castle, complete with a small stone chaple, snuggled amongst a garden and tall battlements along the top of the manor. In front of the chapel is usually where wedding ceremonies are held, and Kate and John’s was no exception.
One exceptional thing about Kate and John’s The Manor Basket Range wedding ceremony though was Kate’s surprise entrance flanked by 5 medieval knights in full battle armour! Apparently there were supposed to be 6, but one could not make it. They took up position behind the bridal party during the ceremony and formed a guard of hnour as it ended.
Another highlight of Kate and John’s ceremony was their hand fasting, which culminated quite cleverly in a ceremonial ‘tying of the knot‘ to mark their union.
bridal approach at The Manor Basket Range
Father and Bride walking together
bride during wedding ceremony 2
The Manor Basket range wedding Ceremony
Groom looking at his bride during the wedding ceremony
Hand Fasting ceremony 2
Best man with the rings
Exchanging wedding rings 5
The Manor Basket Range wedding ceremony in front of the chapel
Tieing the knot 2
The Manor Basket Range wedding ceremony 2
First kiss 5
Wedding ceremony in front of the chapel
bridal exit at The Manor Basket range
Medieval Tournament
Directly after the ceremony, the knights that formed an honour guard around Kate and John headed towards the grassy area in front of the Manor Basket range’s accomodation area to conduct a short tournament.
Kate was asked to select her ‘champion’ knight and attach her colours in the form of a handkerchief around the arm of her selected knight as what would have happened back in medieval times had a noble woman been watching. In this case it was the bride – the most important lady on the day!
It was a really neat spectical to witness, with the knights from Ironclad Academy really going at it and hitting each other wish some force! They were also really neat sporta about having photos with the bridal party and guests, and I even managed to get in for a shot!
As Kate and John had a bit of a Harry Potter theme going on in their reception, I also phtooshopped a bit of a cheesy Harry Potter photo where they were fending off the knights with magic. Bit silly 😛
Fighting Knights
Knight Fight
Knight tournament
Knight ready for a fight
Knight in front of bridal party
Fighting knights at The Manor Basket Range
Medieval Tournament at a wedding
Groomsmen with swords
Good looking guest
Grandma with sword
Grandma victorious
Bride and Groom standing over dead bodies
Harry Potter Wedding Photo
Glamour Photos
We then had some time to meander around the grounds and used the grounds to take some wonderful glamour phtoos of Kate, John and their bridal party.
The best time to take The Manor Bastket range wedding photos I found was certainly towards the end of the day, particularly as it was such a sunny day! The sun hides behind the nearby hills nicely to create quite a magical aura around the grounds to make some beautiful photos!
I also coerced Kate and John outside during their reception to make use fo the unique architecture the Manor offers!
Bridal party in the gardens
Kiss in front of the Manor Basket Range
In amongst the trees 2
Bridal party together in the trees
Having a bit of fun on their wedding day
Bride and groom in the castle gardens
Bride and groom in the castle gardens 2
Bride and groom in front of the manor basket range’s chapel
The Manor Basket range Wedding Photo
Birdal party acting out Charlies Angels
bride and groom in amongst the lights
Kiss under the lights
Bridal party on the foot bridge
Traditional wedding photo
Close up of engagement ring 2
The Manor Basket Range doorway photo
bride and Groom under the castle doorway
The Manor Basket Range Wedding Photo at night
The Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception
As the the COVID restirctions had eased before Kate and John’s wedding in South Australia, there were still plenty of rules to follow so that we minimised the risk of potentially spreading an infection. This included the banning of dancing on the dance floor, and drinking while standing throughout the night.
That being said though, I felt as though all of the guests respected these restrictions and really had a blast of a time anyway! The night really was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed my first large wedding back immensely!
Table setup
Nametag 2
Harry Potter wedding cake
Stein
Look its a camera!
Mobile phone photo 2
Kiss through the crowd
Cutting the Harry Potter wedding cake
Crossing arms
Having fun 3
Kiss during first dance 2
Hugs from relative
First dance at The Manor Basket Range wedding
Shoe game 2
Thanks so much to Kate and John for having me photograph your The Manor Basket Range wedding! Hope you enjoy your photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
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