It was quite an exciting time when Rya contacted me from Indonesia asking me to shoot her engagement shoot as she was coming out to Adelaide specifically to use the Autumn colours around the Thorngrove Manor for her engagement shoot. I had never shot there before, but I had seen it’s beauty in the past through other wedding photographer colleagues in the AIPP. Rya was quite keen on having a castle-style photo shoot and chose the Thorngrove Manor as her ideal location. She also originally planned to go on a whirlwind tour of Adelaide, shooting at the Manor, Mt Lofty Botanic Park, then head up to Cleland nature preserve to hug a kangaroo, and also head into the city to use Veal Gardens and North Terrace, all within 3 hours. We ended up only going to two of these locations, but I think they turned out great!
Thorngrove Manor Shoot
The Thorngrove Manor is a small luxury hotel located amongst the side streets of Crafers. Despite it’s medieval looks, the hotel was actually built relatively recently, only around 32 years ago. The hotel is billed as one of the most romantic and intimate places to hold a wedding, or photoshoot as the surrounds are something out of a fairytale. It really is quite an incredible place to shoot at.
Playing the harp
Playing the harp
At the gate of Thorngrove Manor
Hugs on the balcony
Bride and groom standing in front of their hotel door
Holding hands
Thorngrove Manor
Wedding dress
Castle awning
Couple next to the fire
Engaged couple at the door of Thorngrove Manor
Kisses
On the balcony
Looking at each other
Engagement ring
Smiling bride
Bride framed in the castle fixtures
Couple next to the fire
Smiles
Castle awning
Thorngrove Manor engagement shoot
Mt Lofty Botanic Park Shoot
After the shoot around the Thorngrove Manor, we head down the road to the Mt Lofty Botanic Park to make use of the waning autumnal colours still present around the gardens. With the sun popping over the hills, the colours came to life quite quickly however and created some lovely bright  scenes – much to the delight of Rya. 🙂
Bride and Groom in autumn
Autumn colours at the Mt Lofty Botanic Park
Bride and Groom walking
Autumn colours
Bride and Groom at Mt Lofty Botanic Park
Autumn colours at the Mt Lofty Botanic Park
Bride and Groom on bench
Bride and Groom walking
Bride and Groom holding one another
Bride and Groom on bridge
It was a lot of fun shooting at the Thorngrove Manor and I hope Rya and Evan enjoy their photos! 🙂
The wedding of Anika and Phil took place on the sunny day in April, amongst the wonderful surrounds of the Royal SA Yacht Squadron. I was asked to be their wedding photographer for the entire day so I was shooting from both locations of preparation, through to the end of their reception. The entire day from the Ceremony took place on the grounds of the Royal SA Yacht Squadron and we were lucky enough to be able to utilise a yacht that was moored within the marina – which is a very rare occurrence! Was fun.
Preparation
I arrived at the house where Phil and his groomsmen were getting ready, only to find that no one was there! Apparently the guys were chasing some choice sushi in the city before heading back to get ready. Once there, we had less time than usual to shoot some choice photos, so the morning was a bit rushed, but still pretty organised regardless!
Groomsmen getting ready
Groomsmen getting ready
Groom getting ready
Wedding rings
Putting on the flowers
Cufflink
The girls on the other hand were nice and organised, sitting about waiting for the makeup artist to finish, and having set up all the items I needed to take photos of before I arrived. The atmosphere was laid back and they were keen on having a good time and some fun leading up until they left. They ended up leaving a little late,m but that’s just to be expected. 🙂
Putting on wedding dress
Looking in the mirror
Smiling bride
Putting up the hair
Flying veil
Engagement ring
Bride leaving the house
Talking ladies
Putting on wedding dress
Wedding dresses
Royal SA Yacht Squadron Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony took place on the decking area located next to the bar behind the boat shed. This was a major difference to the other times I had covered wedding ceremonies here, with others opting for having their ceremony on the large, open grassy area located nearby the boat house. The location Anika and Phil opted for however was wonderful for such a sunny day however, as the sun provided for a wonderful backdrop to the ceremony, and it helped keep their guests cool under the umbrellas.
The Sailing club has been on this location since 1924 after having been founded at Birkenhead in 1881. The Royal SA Yacht Squadron has recently been renovated into what has become quite a popular wedding venue, with myself heading there quite a few times a year!
Groom’s first look
Wedding ceremony
Wedding ceremony at the Royal SA Yacht Squadron
Married!
Wedding ring exchange
Bride and father
Holding each other
Exchanging wedding rings
Walking back down the aisle
Wedding ceremony
Drone shot of the Royal SA Yacht Squadron
Smiling bride
Glamour Photos
After the group photos and family shots on the grassy area, we used the inside of the historic boatshed for a few shots, then walked about the marina taking some shots with the magnificent sunset as a backdrop. We were lucky enough to be able to use a family member’s yacht for some photos, in which case I was super keen to bust out my drone to get some unique angles of the bridal party on the yacht from the water.
Catching a bride
Bride and her bridesmaids
Walking into the sunset
Dancing in the boat house
Royal SA Yacht Club Boat House
Kissing in the marina
Royal SA Yacht Club Boat House
Bridal Party
Sunset at the Royal SA Yacht Squadron
Sitting on the yacht together
Sitting on the yacht together
On the stern of the yacht
Royal SA Yacht Squadron Wedding Reception
Anika and Phil had set up the Royal SA Yacht Squadron’s function hall with a slightly nautical theme, making sure that their personalities and heritage was on show. With Phil’s affinity for fishing, and a beautifully cultural wedding cake the night was topped off with a live band which kept the dance floor full the entire night! Anika’s bouquet throw was quite a bit different as she held a ‘reverse’ bouquet through were only married women were allowed to be in contention. The MC then had them all dance and having them leave the dance floor the longer their wedding has gone on, with the winner being the longest married women receiving the bouquet. I thought it was sweet and a great way to hold a bouquet throw when there arent many single ladies in attendance!
First Dance
Bride dancing with brother
Wedding Cakes
Guys at the bar
Bride and groom entry
Wooo!
Listening to speech
First Dance
Night shot on the dock
Speech
Anika and Phil’s wedding was a blast to be part of, and I very much hope they enjoy their photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
It had been a while since I covered a wedding at the picturesque SC Pannell winery, so when Anna and Josh asked me to be their wedding photographer, I was quite excited! The day turned out to be a wonderful day, complete with a stunning sun set showering golden light right across the SC Pannell vineyards to top off such a wonderful day.
Preparation
The day started with Josh and his boys. Both myself and my wife as my second photographer attended the boy’s place of preparation and were quite surprised at the boy’s eagerness to get into their suits! Everyone except Josh had already been dressed in their finery before sitting down for their lunch! Such was the excitement in the house, there was a real buzz of joy in the place.
Helping get dressed
A toast toi the groom
Groom getting ready
The Groomsmen
Train of preparartion
Dad helping out
Putting on cufflinks
Sunnies in pocket
Wedding rings
After greeting the boys, I left them for the girls who were being prepared around the corner from SC Pannell, in a bed and breakfast in Port Willunga. Unlike the boys, the girls weren’t as fussed with getting dressed too quickly, and the atmosphere was much more laid back, enjoying a few sips of wine and playing with the flower girl who was running about the place enjoying the attention. I had a bit more time with the girls, so after having some photos taken inside, having makeup put on and putting on dresses, we went for a little walk down the road to use the wonderful natural light gleaming in over the sea.
Putting on shoes
Putting on makeup
Putting on dress
Flowergirl and bridesmaids
Smiling bride
Flowergirl and bridesmaids
Flower girl and dresses
Engagement ring
Smiling girls
Looking up at the camera
Cheeky page boy
Wedding shoes
SC Pannell Winery Wedding Ceremony
The SC Pannell Winery is located just out of Mclaren Vale in a prime position to benefit from rolling hills covered in vineyards in all directions and is a wonderful spot to make use of a sunset. The winery itself I heard were actually not taking any more wedding booking after Anna and Josh’s, due to undergoing renovations on their function room. So I’d love to hear any news about this if anyone out there knows?
SC Pannell Winery was established as a wedding venue in 2014 when their new base of operations were relocated to Olivers road in Mclaren Vale. The winery boasts a large grassy area to hold a wedding ceremony with vineyards at it’s back, and a large function room that can be opened to the elements if the weather permits for receptions.
Bride and Groom at altar
Walking back down the aisle
Holding hands
Signing registry
Father and daughter
SC Pannell Winery wedding
Grinning groom
Grinning groom
Smiling bride
Kids being kids
Bride and groom
Wedding cars arriving at SC Pannell
Wedding decor
Bridal party
Glamour Photos
The weather became a little windy as Anna and Josh’s ceremony began which forced me to ground my drone for the group photos after, but the wind whipped up some stunning clouds that made the sunlight bounce around beautifully. It was a lot of fun to shoot! We walked up and down the entrance driveway to the cellar door, and had a waltz around the back vineyard to make use of the magnificent rolling hills on display.
Walking into the sunset
Walking down the SC Pannell driveway
Bride and groom in vineyards
Bride and groom in vieyards
Bridal party in front of cars
Bride and groom in the vineyards
Wedding cars
Groom and groomsmen
Bride and groom in vineyards
Bride and groom in vineyards
Sunset in the vineyards
Bride and groom under tree
SC Pannell Wedding Reception
The reception hall at SC Pannell is a big open area that has the option of closing off it’s open walls with large weather-proof canvass. In Anna and Josh’s case, the weather was starting to get rather chilly at night, so they were closed and the heaters turned on. The atmosphere was comfortable and fun, with everyone itching to get onto the dancefloor all night, even to the point that the DJ had to force everyone off for the first dance! The single ladies got right into the bouquet toss, and the men really had a go with the garter too, the entire night was an absolute blast to be a part of!
SC Pannell wall
Wedding cake
Guests having fun
Cutting the wedding cake
First dance
Garter toss
Speeches
Dad’s speech
Anna and Josh sign
Dancing
Food
Speeches
SC Pannell Wedding Reception Hall
Dancing
A great big thank you for Anna and Josh for having me as their wedding photographer and I very much hope they enjoy their photos! 😀