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Wharf One Wedding – Darwin – Amanda & Brian

August 28, 2019/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Amanda & Brian
Warf One Wedding

Amanda and Brian’s wedding was held right on the foreshore of Darwin under the verandah of the Wharf One restaurant with the picturesque backdrop of Darwin’s Kitchener Bay. The day’s weather was absolutely magnificent, as can be expected from Darwin at this time of year! I love heading up to the Northern Territory for this exact reason! Amanda and Brian had quite a few of their family and friends travel up to Darwin for their wedding day which included two separate tea ceremonies and a lovely laid back ceremony and reception at Wharf One.

Morning Tea Ceremonies

Amanda and Brian hosted two separate traditional tea ceremonies for their two travelling families. The first in a rather nice, large bed and breakfast propertry overlooking the Darwin shoreline. It’s also where Amanda and her bridal party had their makeup and hair done before greeting Brian who arrived brandishing flowers.

I rather like the idea of giving thanks to family members and seeking approval of the wedding through the exchanging of tea in the morning before wedding ceremonies as it brings together and includes family members who would otherwise not have as much to do on a wedding day. It formalises the idea of the coming together of two separate families in a lovely traditional way.

Makeup

Family on couch

Engagement ring

Tea set

Wedding rings

Wedding dress

Grooms arrival

Smiling bride

Hugs

Tea ceramony

Jewellery gift

Little girl

Smiling guests

Entrance

Mobile photos

Drinking tea

Offering tea

Tea cup

Tea ceremony

Preparation Photos

As is often the case after hosting a tea ceremony on a wedding day, it’s not uncommon for the bridal party to change clothing into their wedding ceremony attire. After heading back from the Darwin city center and back to the bed and breakfast for lunch, Amanda changed out of her red dress into her white bridal gown, while Brian suited up. They managed to hide the dress entirely from Brian despite being prepared at the same location by hiding it in an upstairs bedroom which Brian was forbidden to enter. That way the tradition of seeing the bride for the first time on the day was saved for when she walked down the aisle in her white dress, which Brian hadnt seen yet! 🙂

Shoes

Cufflinks

Crossing fingers

Putting on shirt

Sorting out ties

Pose

Putting on jacket

Helping out

Closeup of flower

Walking out door

Bridesmaid helping out

Putting on dress

Walking down the stairs

Bridesmaid putting in veil

Looking pretty

Bridesmaids

Wharf One Wedding Ceremony

The decking just outside the Wharf One restaurant was the setting for their wedding ceremony, with the entire congregation shaded from the hot sun, and yet still enjoying the beautiful weather while surrounded by the calm waters found in the Darwin artificial beach precinct. The ceremony itself was a lovely simple affair with a couple of friends and family sharing readings and laughter as their celebrant highlighted some of the funnier parts of their relationship.

Wedding sign

Groom waiting patiently

Bride getting ready to go

Bridal approach

Out the front together

Smiles

Wedding ceremony

Smiling bride

Wharf One Wedding ceremony

Exchanging wedding rings

Holding hands

First kiss

Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

After the family photos, the rest of the congregation enjoyed the precinct surrounding the Wharf One restaurant while Amanda, Brian, their bridal party and I went for a little drive to make use of some of the more picturesque spots scattered around Darwin. Our first stop was of course the decking surrounding Wharf One where we took a few bridal party shots. We then head over to the wonderful trees out the front of the Darwin Botanic Gardens. The trees here are wonderful to have photos done at that time of day as the sun peeks through the foliage in such a delightful manner! We then head around to the parklands surrounding Lake Alexander before heading up to Dudley point to make use of the delightful hanging cliffs for the sunset.

Bride and Groom walking together near Wharf One

Pushing the groom into the drink

Bridal Party

Bridal Party under a tree

Bridal Party under the trees

Bride and groom walking together

Under a tree

Amongst the scrub

Romantic

Hugs

Walking together

Holding one another

Out on pride rock

Beautiful light on the rocks

Sunset

Wharf One Wedding Reception

Amanda and Brian’s wedding reception was held back at the Wharf One restaurant a little late as we stayed out at Dudley Point for the sunset, but noone seemed to mind much. The atmosphere was jovial and everyone had a delightful meal backdropped by live music and the odd foray into the photobooth – who’s attendant happened to be the very same attendant at my first wedding in Darwin over 2 years ago! Very small world.

Bridal entrance

Speech

Schedule

Best Man speech

Bride

Maids of honour speech

Laughing bride

Hugs

Wedding cake

Speech

Cutting the cake

Inside Wharf One Restaurant

Boys hanging out

Thanks so much for Amand and Brian for having me as your wedding photographer! If anyone is looking for a photographer in Darwin, I’d be super keen to travel back up for your wedding! Check out my darwin website at https://darwinweddingphotography.com for more details!

Mount Torrens Hotel Wedding – Clare & Craig

September 14, 2021/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Clare & Craig
Mount Torrens Hotel Wedding

Clare and Craig’s Mount Torren’s Hotel wedding took place in lieu of a larger wedding they had planned right back before all this COVID stuff happened. Instead of having dozens of friends and family members in attendance, they opted to hold a tiny little ceremony at the delightful new Mount Torrens Hotel wedding venue in late August, with the plan of holding a large reception once everyone is able to travel again.

Mount Torrens Hotel Wedding Ceremony

The Mount Torrens Hotel wedding spot is an old, rustic little barn which according to Craig they had only just emptied of trash ready for their wedding ceremony! The Hotel boasts a delightful rustic vibe with old-world charm within and without the hotel itself, while also being surrounded by a beautiful little town, and a grassy area that would be suited for a large marquee – should the need arise.

Clare and Craig were drawn to this simple little corner of the world as they said they enjoy seeking out the simple beauty in smaller locations like this – which I felt made this wedding that much more intimate.

Around 10 witnesses were in attendance, those which could not attend made use of my 360 virtual reality recording I produce for all the weddings I cover, which makes the fact that not being able to attend that much more bareable.

Clare walked down the aisle to some very untraditional heavy metal, while the area was also decorated with fluffy dinosaurs and other things which made the space uniquely theirs.

Groom waiting patiently

Mount Torrens Hotel wedding decor

Bride arriving in gown

Bride arriving at Mount Torrens hotel wedding

Groom seeing his bride for the first time

bride arrival at Mount Torrens hotel wedding

Holding hands during ceremony at Mount Torrens hotel wedding

Groom looking at his bride

Wedding Ceremony at the Mt Torrens Hotel barn

Wedding Ceremony at the Mt Torrens Hotel

Smiling bride looking at her groom at the ceremony

Bride and groom holding hands during the ceremony

Mount Torrens Hotel wedding

Exchanging wedding rings during the wedding ceremony

Mount Torrens Hotel wedding ceremony

First kiss at Mount Torrens Hotel wedding ceremony

Groom thanking guests

Bride hugging guests

Glamour Photos

After the group photos which we took in front of the barn’s brick wall behind the Mount Torrens Hotel wedding venue, we head off to a nearby farm which Clare and Craig had found online after a bit of a shout out on social media, simply looking for someplace nice to take photos in.

The farmstead boasted a lovely curated garden, somplete with walkways and little wooden brides and huts which we made use of, before also making use of the natural Australian bush land in the dying sun of the day. I really enjoyed myself here as the sun was shining through the foliage in the most delightful way!

Clare and Craig told me that they had chosen me as their wedding photographer as they liked the way I managed to capture not only a bridal couple, but also the simple elegance of the landscape around them without drawing too much attention away from the subject of the image.

Getting comments like this is really what being a photographer was all about and it really made me smile! Not only because these lovely people enjoyed my work, but also the fact that I was with them on such a delightful day in which it was super easy to produce such wonderful work!

Bride and groom together at their Mount Torrens Hotel Wedding

Mount Torrens Hotel wedding photo

groomsmen

bride and groom under little hut

bride and groom under little hut traditional portrait

bride and groom through flowers

Bride and groom amongst the foliage

Bridal party together on the road

Together on the road surrounded by gum trees

Groomsmen cufflinks

bride ad groom in between two trees

bride ad groom in between two large trees

Bridal party amongst tree plantation

Bridal party amongst trees

Bride and groom backdropped by sunlight

Bride and groom with sun peeking through

Bride and groom in tree plantation

bride and groom amongst young trees

bride and groom together

I had an absolute blast photographing Clare and Craig’s wedding day, doubly so as I wanted to help them out as much as possible as Clare is a member of the CFS, who battled the huge fires at the beginning of 2019 – and are just lovely people all round. I wanted to do my part in putting some smiles on Clare and Craig’s faces and I hope they weren’t too dissapointed in not holding their large wedding, and having to postpone to a later date!

The Manor Basket Range Wedding – Ameeta & Brenton

April 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Ameeta & Brenton
The Manor Basket Range Wedding

Ameeta and Brenton’s wedding at the Manor Basket range was certainly one to remember! It was a lot of fun being a part of a traditional wedding I had not seen before now, while also being in the stunning surrounds of The Manor, Basket Range! It’s the best part of being a wedding photographer, and I can now add a Hindu wedding ceremony onto the list of different traditions of ceremonies I have now photographed!

Ameeta and Brenton then also held a shorter Lutheran ceremony making use of the Manor basket Range Wedding Chapel before holding a lunch time reception in the venue’s lower reception hall.

Preparation

Before heading out The Manor Basket Range I head into the city where Brenton and his groomsmen were being prepared at a hotel. The morning was jovial, with the boys making jokes while brenton’s parents and family got ready within the same room.

Wedding rings on groom shoes

hanging suit jacket

groom getting ready in black and white

Gran helping out

Dad watching son get ready

groom and groomsman through door

Watching on

Groom putting on tie in hotel room

Groomsmen helping put on grooms jacket

Ameeta was prepared before the Hindu wedding ceremony in the small room reserved for bridal preparation above the Manor’s main doorway. The colours and intricate dresses and decor on display rally made for some striking scenes and I was really enjoying myself!

Mum getting ready in traditional dress

helping

Smiling bride in Hindu dress

Bride in Hindu garb looking in mirror

Smiling bride in Hindu dress 2

getting ready for the Manor Basket range wedding

Placing the bride’s bindi

Placing the bride bindi

bride in front of arch

The Manor Basket Range Wedding Ceremonies

As Ameeta and Brenton’s Hindu wedding ceremony had to take place on the ground, they set up their wedding ceremony location to the left of where people usually hold their ceremonies at The Manor Basket Range; in front of the little stone chapel they have on site.

This allowed for more room to add more seating for all their guests while facing directly at the ceremony. The green foliage located behind the small chapel also made for a lovely backdrop to their photos.

Hindu Wedding Ceremony

As part of the Hindu wedding tradition, the groom arrives in pompmous style only to be greeted by the bride’s family where they assess the groom and allow him to pass in a ceremonial ritual that involves the spreading of ceremonial items and the groom stepping on and cracking an urn.

I wasn’t overly clear on the meaning of all the rituals, but it was a lot of fun to document both with photography, but also with videography which Ameeta and Brenton asked me to do in order to document their ceremonies.

Hindu affects

Limo carrying groomsmen arrives

Groom arriving in limo

Groom family dancing towards brides family

Brides mother greeting groom

Dancing groomsmen heading to ceremony

Holding urn

Brides mother performing blessings on groom

Brides mother performing blessings on groom 2

Brides mother performing hindu blessings on groom

groom entering the ceremony location

Smiling groom before the ceremony starts

Once Brenton had been allowed in, then the ceremony started proper with the Hindo priest presiding over various ceremonies while chanting in Hindi. I knew Hindu wedding ceremonies tended to take a long time, but Ameeta and Brentons was a little abridged and only took a little less than 2 hours.

While taking their photos I made sure to capture each individual small movement made by both Ameeta and Brenton, along side their parents and priest in order to make sure I did not miss anything important!

Mother of the bride

mother of bride performing in Hindu wedding ceremony

hindu wedding ceremony affects

Groom reaching for something

Hindu wedding ceremony

Hindu bride approaching ceremony

Sheet placed between bride and groom

bride being lifted on shoulders

jewellery between bride and groom

Smiling bride during Hindu wedding ceremony

holding hands during Hindu wedding ceremony

Preparing the bride during ceremony

Preparing the bride during ceremony 2

Hindu Wedding Ceremony at The Manor Basket Range

Hindu wedding ceremony custom

Touching toes

Feeding one another during wedding ceremony

Gifts recieved from Bride mother

bride and groom sharing a moment during ceremony

Hindu red book

Lutheran Wedding Ceremony

After a short break, Ameeta and Brenton also held a Lutheran wedding ceremony in the same area that was set up for their Hindu wedding ceremony. One of brenton’s entouage from the morning presided over the shoprter ceremony as a Lutheran priest which was spearheaded by a speech he made about the use of different items in ways not usually intended.

bride’s parents lighting candles

Lit candles

Priest running ceremony

Bride listening to priest

Lutheran wedding ceremony

bride and groom standing across from one another

Smiling bride during Lutheran ceremony

Wedding ceremony on the grass at The Manor Basket Range

Exchanging wedding rings during the ceremony

First kiss in front of the Greenery

The Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception

After the two ceremonies, Ameeta and Brenton hosted a lunch time wedding reception at The Manor Basket range’s smaller reception area on the ground floor. The area really seems like the inside of a castle and mades for a stunning atmosphere not often found in Australia.

Guests in love heart shape

Wedding cake on display at the Manor Basket Range Wedding Reception

MC doing his thing

bride and groom kiss in front of guests

The Manor Basket Range wedding reception

Cutting the wedding cake at the Manor Basket Range wedding

Feeding the groom

Parent speech

bride and groom speech

Glamour Photos

Both before and after their reception we made use of some of the nearby areas to create some glamour photos of Ameeta and Brenton, while family photos took place after both wedding ceremonies.

We first walked around the grounds of The Manor Basket range and used the small gardens, and of course the stunning castle-style building the Manor is famous for, and then drove down the road a bit to a small Australian forested area to mix things up a bit.

While driving them down to where they were staying in Adelaide, we even found a nifty little vineyard to take a few photos in!

Bride and groom standing in Garden together

Wedding photo in garden

Manor basket Range garden photo

Manor basket Range garden wedding photo

Hindu bride standing in garden

Smiling bride over groom shoulder

Close up of Henna Tattoos

bride and groom walking away from The Maor Basket Range

Against the gate of the Manor Basket Range

Black and white of Henna Tattoos

bride and groom in Australian bush

Bride and groom walking through long grass

Bride and groom in the Australian sunlight

Bride and groom in the Australian sunlight 2

Typical wedding photo in Australian bush

Bride and groom in vineyard

Bride and groom in vineyards

Ameeta and brenton’s wedding day was a blast to be a part of and I thank them so much for having me be their wedding photographer!

Quince Brook Wedding – Verity & Jake

October 5, 2021/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Verity & Jake
Quince Brook Wedding

Verity and Jake’s Quince Brook wedding took place on an absolutely sunning day in late August. The wedding venue being the fortunate backup to another nearby, and what a spot it is!

Quince Brook boasts rolling green hills over farmland that goes on for as far as the eye can see, and suited Verity and Jake’s care free personalities to a ‘tee’.

Preparation

I started out the day just up the road from the Quince Brook wedding venue, at a delightful bed and breakfast where Verity and her entouage were being prepared. The Evansdale Villas are perched right at the top of the rolling hills that surround Strathalbyn, and are surrounded by farmland, complete with cows and wonderful looking trees that are great to hang dresses in!

verity and her bridesmaids were jovial all throughout the preparation process, and had little flower girls and page boys to run about to have a bit of fun.

It ‘s always nice to see the reaction of the father of the bride when he first walks in and shees his little girl done up in her wedding dress!

makeup

Engagement ring in flowers

Bridal ugg boots

Bride looking in mirror

Wedding dress hanging in tree

Kids squishing faces

Looking at the camera

Father’s first look at daughter

bridal party fussing over bride

Bride standing by herself

Bride and bridal party together

Bridal party on dirt road

Quince Brook Wedding Ceremony

Verity and Jake’s Quince Brook wedding ceremony took place under a large gum tree, behind the large shed that serves as a rustic hall suitable for receptions. Their guests sat and stood around them on the lush, green grass as they witnessed these two beautiful people come together.

Verity and Jake’s little dog got special mentions during their ceremony, and included numerous heartfelt tidbits from their relationship.

Smiling groom

Groom striking a pose

Kids arriving

Bridal entrance at Quince brook wedding

Grooms first look at his quince brook wedding

Smiling bride looking at her groom

Fur baby

bride and groom together at their Quince Brook Wedding

smiling groom looking at his bride

Quince brook wedding ceremony

Quince brook wedding ceremony landscape

Exchanging wedding rings

First kiss at Quince Brook wedding

Bride and groom exit from their Quince Brook wedding ceremony

Glamour Photos

Walking about and taking glamour photos at Quince Brook was an absolute breeze. My affinity for the natural surroundings really helped out with what was available surrounding the property!

After a short time of mingling with guests and enjoying themselves, Verity, Jake and I went for a little walk out over the rolling hills to take some intimate photos together in amongst the gum trees, before calling on the bridal party to come with us in the opposite direction to make use of the driveway and the setting sun.

I big fun part of a Quince Brook wedding is the fact that there are rather tame cows just wandering around the property, which allowed us to get a few different shots featuring these bovine friends! A really sweet aspect of the day was that a calf was born on the morning of Verity and Jake’s wedding, and the owners named the newborn Verity – after the bride!

Very cute.