Victoria Rose and Adam’s Old Woodhouse Manor Wedding was such an interesting wedding to be a part of! First up was a lovingly choreographed first look between this lovely, couple, followed by a classical music concert and then a delightful outside reception in the shadow of this delightful old manor in the Adelaide Hills.
Preparation
Both Victoria-Rose and Adam were being prepared in one of the many rooms in this delightful old Manor. Walking through the rooms was super nostalgic for me as the last time I had visited this Scout-run venue was over 20 years ago for a school camp.
This grand gothic sandstone house was built for one time Premier of South Australia and Chief Justice of South Australia Sr Richard Davies Hanson. Hanson built this large mansion in the 1860s, while the Australian Boy Scouts purchased the house and property in 1972 and to this day run the site as a training ground and popular camp site.
Victoria-Rose was keen on having a grand ‘first look’ with Adam next to the nearby stream so much of the time we were with Victoria-Rose as she got ready, Adam was with his groomsmen awaiting her arrival.
White suit jacket in tree
Groom having tie tied on verandah
Groom playing with cufflinks
Bride having makeup touched up
Engagement ring in red and pink bouquet
Groom pasing hallway
Engagement ring perched between shoes
Groom tie being adjusted in mirror
Wedding dress habging in window at manor
Bride smiling in small mirror
Groom talking to groomsmen
Grandma watching as girls get ready
Bridal party inbetween doorframe
Bridal bouquet closeup
Bride at Old Woodhouse Manor
Firstlook Photoshoot
Victoria-Rose and Adam held their first look at the bottom of the gardens surrounding the Manor, we made use of the nearby foliage for a bit of shade during the midday sun for a few glamour shots before heading to a nearby clearning for their ceremony.
Groom waiting patiently for first look
Bride arriving for first look
Bride approaching groom in first look
Smiles at first lok
Bride and groom hugs at first look
Bride leaning into her groom
Bridal party amongst the greens
Groom tickling his bride
Bride and groom on small bridge
Bride and groom close together through leaves
Bridal party silly photo
Bride and groom in the lush greens
Bride and groom embrace together
Bride and groom walking together
Bride and groom leaning in for kiss
Bridal portrait in the undergrowth
Old Woodhouse Manor Wedding Ceremony
Victoria-Rose and Adam’s Old Woodhouse Manor wedding ceremony took place under the shade of a large tree, nearby the car parking spaces reserved for people heading to the Manor.
Victoria-Rose arrived in a modern Mustang, with a rather brave driver, as they were completely off road and in heavy grass as they approached. I would have been worried aboult getting such a low car out of there!
Victoria-Rose walked along a small footbridge towards Adam and their congregation with Enya playing in the background and held a nice, simple ceremony topped off by having one of their grandmothers join in with a hand-fasting ceremony, which was a nice touch.
Groom looking out for his bride
Bride hitching dress up to walk in long grass
Old Woodhouse Manor wedding ceremony
Old Woodhouse Manor wedding holding hands
Groom looking at bride at ceremony
Bride looking at groom at ceremony
Placing wedding ring on her finger
Grandma joing in for hand fasting ceremony
First kiss at Old Woodhouse Manor wedding
Bride and groom exit on sunny day
Famiyl with wedding certificate
Old Woodhouse Manor Wedding Reception
Inbetween Victoria-Rose and Adam’s Ceremony and sit-down reception which was taking place in a large paved courtyard, shaded by the old manor, everyone was treated to a classical mucic concert as a surprise, put on by their parents.
Bride and groom walking up hill
Old Woodhouse Manor wedding reception setup
3 tiered white wedding cake with leaves
Bride and groom arriving at concert
Bride and groom cutting cake outside
Bride and groom enjoying concert
Mum and guest
Bride cork popping
Bride and groom leaning against large tree
Bride and groom under sunlight and trees
Fiurst dance at Old Woodhouse Manor wedding
Thankyou so much to Victoria-Rose and Adam for having my wife and I cover your wedding as both wedding photographer and Videographer! Was a lovely day!
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
bridal entrance to Lake Breeze winery
bride and groom cutting cake
Shoe game
Children dancing
Dancing bride and groom
First dance at Lake Breze winery wedding
Guests dancing at wedding
Dancing guests at wedding
Guest with funny hat
Guests getting into the vibe
Bride using photobooth
Thanks so much Charlotte and Jake for having my wife and I capture your wonderful Lake Breeze Winery wedding 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!
At the end of January, I was down at Goolwa for Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat wedding in the shadow of the impressive Randell rd bridge, and withing a stone’s throw of the Goolwa warf and Cockle Train station!
The Rivers End Retreat is a large, well presented bed and breakfast that usually caters for large group tour bookings, and not weddings overly often – so it was a delight to head to a new, and rare venue like this one!
Preparation
Brandon and his groomsmen were being prepared nearby at a separate bed and breakfast – with the highlight being the box and scrap book that Skye had prepared for him as a morning gift. Tears were flowing and Brandon’s groomsmen certainly played it up nicely!
Wedding rings on wooden table
Grooms shoes on wooden table
Groom putting on shirt in window light
Groomsmen helping out getting dressed
Groom throwing on jacket
Buttoning on fower
Groom admiring himself in mirror
Groomsmen listening to bride’s letter
Groomsmen walking along road
Skye was being prepared with her bridal party at the main bed and breakfast on site, which allowed them to spread out quite a bit as the main living space is huge!
Skye also recieved a gift from Brandon, but could not open it before heading out for the cermeony, so we made sure we opened that a bit later.
Wedding dress hanging in Rivers End Retreat hallway
helping with flower girl’s shoes
Engagement ring perched in bouquet
Bridal makeup next to window
Flower girl looking at bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride
Bridesmaids fussing over bride in sunlight
Bridal party cheers
Bride standing with long train
Bride holding yellow bouquet
bridesmaids admiring bride
Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony
Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End retreat wedding ceremony took palce on a strip of grass, leading into the rustic brick wall that surrounds the property making for the Goolwa stretch of the end of the river Murray their backdrop.
Their ceremonyt was lovely and simple, with vows being exchanged defore the mandatory kiss and walk back down the aisle!
Brandon was an absolute trooper throughout the ceremony as apparently he was not feeling overly well throughout, and soon after the ceremony retreated to his room for a bit of a lay down before emorging again later in the day.
Groom waiting at Rivers End Retreat Wedding
Sunflowers on wedding arbour
Bridal approach at wedding ceremony
Holding hands unser sunflowers
Smling bride during wedding ceremony at Rivers End retreat
Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony
Smiling groom during his ceremony
Bridal exit at rivers end retreat wedding ceremony
Rivers end reatreat wedding congregation with drone
Afternoon Glamour shoots
Directly after their ceremony and drone group photo in front of the homestead, the bridal party and I quickly head down to the nearby train tracks where we knew a scheduled Cockle Train was about to set off on it’s short trip to Victor Harbor.
It was quite exciting as Skye and Brandon’s Rivers End Retreat Wedding Ceremony took place right in front of the beginning of the railway, so we managed to get in front of the train just as it began it’s journey!
Poor Brandon wasn’t feeling the best just prior to this, so the shot we got of the train heading past was taken only moments after he had been a bit sick on the ground behind – hats off to Skye for putting up with it for a kiss!
I’d just like to draw attention here to their little flower girl – who just so happens to be my daughter, Chloe – she was such a good girl all day!
Fuzzy headed friend
Bride and groom under parasols
Cockle Train wedding photo
Flower girl holding parasol
Later in the day, as the light was fading, and Brandon was feeling for up to it, we head out along the Goolwa piers, on the other side of the Goolwa railway station for a few photos with the bridal party and the nice colours the sun was making on the clouds above!
