winery Archives - SvenStudios

Lot 100 Wedding – Alice & Dion

March 29, 2020/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Alice & Dion
Lot 100 Wedding

Alice and Dion’s Lot 100 Wedding in hay Valley made for a very funfilled day which very much felt like it was over in a flash! Despite me starting the day in Myponga, early in the morning, and not finishing until late at Lot 100, the day seemed to flash by as the whole day was a blast to be a part of! From clay pidgeon shooting, to German folk dancing and some amazing scenes I was able to capture as a wedding photographer!

Preparation

Dion and a group of his friends all congregated in the early morning at Myponga to go Clay Pidgeon shooting together on a nearby farm. I had never even been present when this sport was going on, so I was quite excited for it – certainly made for a different change in pace to what I’d usually be taking photos of while the boys were getting ready! Dion even gave me a turn at trying my hand at shooting, and it turned out I was pretty good at it! Gave a new meaning to the phrase ‘out shooting a wedding’. 🙂

Groom with headphones on

Groom taking it easy

Shooting in Myponga

Chatting amongst the guys

Safety watcher looking on

Out shooting before the wedding

Clay pidgeon shooting

Groom shooting before his wedding

Alice and her bridal party were being prepared at a bed and breakfast in Stirling. It was a delightful little cottage with an intimate green garden full of little nooks to have details shots done of the rings, shoes, etc. The inside of the house was also well set up to take photos as there was some like windows around on plainly painted walls that just work very well for this kind of thing. Along with Alice’s bridal party there was also Alice’s brother there making sure everything ran well, but also there to provide some friendly, brotherly fun. 🙂

Bride looking in mirror

Smiling bride with bouquet

Engagement ring in between wedding shoes

Bridesmaids dresses

Engagement ring in roses

wedding dress hanging in tree

Bridesmaids helping put on dress

Bride looking out window

group having a chat in the garden

Bride standing in room

Having fun with the champaigne

Mum helping out

Bride about to leave for wedding ceremony

Wedding rings in boxes

Wedding dress hanging in window

Helping put on wedding dress

Lot 100 Wedding Ceremony

The location where Alice and Dion chose to set up their Lot 100 Wedding ceremony was on the sloped grass behind the main restaurant on site. It has a bit of a slope to it, but not so much that people could not stand straight. It was also great as there was a wonderful backdrop of tall gumtrees in each shot. The only unfortunate thing was that because it was set up that way, the sun was directly in Alice, Dion’s and the celebrant’s face – but the guests were more comfortable!

The ceremony itself was nice and simple, with a reading from a friend and a bit of laughter all round as the celebrant retold small bits of Alice and Dion’s relationship up to now.

Groom waiting patiently

Alice and Dion’s wedding sign

Bridal approach at Lot 100

Groom’s first lok of bride

Laughing groom

Set up for a Lot 100 wedding ceremony

Behind the celebrant

Celebrant

Lot 100 Hay Valley Wedding Ceremony

Speaker

Celebrant running things

Smiling bride during ceremony

Lot 100 Wedding

Groom looking at his bride

Exchanging wedding rings

Wedding at Lot 100 Hay Valley

First Kiss under the gum trees

Just married couple

Glamour Photos

A rather unique part of Alice and Dion’s day was the after effects of the large bushfires that were raging on the nearby Kangaroo Island, causing smoke to waft up through the valley and cause the backdrop of most of their photos to be quite hazy. It made it very easy for me to create a beautiful set of wedding photos that really isolate Alice and Dion, but also incorporate the stunning surrounds of their Lot 100 wedding day.

We began their glamour photos using the trees nearby where they had the wedding ceremony set up. I wanted to use the valley as a bit of a backdrop with the bridal party and also use the sun shining through the trees a bit to create an ethreal feel to the shots. We then moved up the hill a bit with the bridal party and took a few more shots on a giant felled tree trunk, which was pretty enat to arrange a group shot like that.

Finally we hopped into their 4 wheel drive and drove around the huge paddock on site, towards a magnificently huge gum treeright in the middle of it all. While doing this I also had the drone flying about as the scenery was absolutely epic from the sky. We finished off by using the small forrest of gum trees situated at the top of a nearby hill, where I was looking forward to again taking shots looking through the trees.

Bride and groom standing in front of bridal party

Bride and groom with the bridal party

Bride and groom sillouette

Bride and groom between the trees

Walking together at their Lot 100 wedding

Bride and groom kissing on hill

Bride and Groom under the Lot 100 Gum Tree

Laughing bride as she’s carried

Bridal Party

Under a fallen tree

Walking together on the grass

Bride and groom walking through paddock

Bride and groom under a fallen tree

Bride and groom against a gum tree

The whole bridal party

Giving each other hugs

Standing together under a tree

Bride and Groom together on their Lot 100 Wedding day

Silly bridal party photo

Kisses amongst the gum trees

Bridal couple in front of bridal party

Groom carrying bride

Lot 100 Wedding Reception

The Lot 100 wedding reception area is a beautifully set out restaurant enclosed within a modernly built structure lined with windows all around. The center of the restaurant is the bar where they serve a huge amount of different craft beers and wines. Alice and Dion had their dance floor set up at one end of the area.

A huge standout of their night was the German dancers Alice and Dion had organised to come in and perform for their guests. The dancers made a bit of a mockery of Dion in good spirits while they also demonstrated their skill with some highly complicated dancing and music! Was a sight to see!

Another stand out for me was the fact that their night happened to be on a night with a super full moon, so we made sure to get out and make use of the moon while it wasnt hiding behind clouds. The smoke from the fires also made it a rusty orange colour! Really quite pretty!

Wedding Favours

Bride and groom entrance

Dancing guests

Bride and Groom under full moon

Table number

Full Moon at Lot 100 wedding

Beers

German dancers

Guests joining in on the German dancing

Bride listening to grooms speech

Wedding invite

Wedding Cake on top of barrel

Groom doing some German dancing

Table setting

Groom lifting the German dancer

First dance closeup

Holding one another on the dance floor

Groom speech

Bride’s speech

First dance at Lot 100 wedding

Cutting the wedding cake together

That’s a knife

First dance twirl

I’d like to thank Alice and Dion for having me do their wedding photography! Was a great day and I hope you enjoy your photos! 😀

Ekhidna Winery Wedding – Kelli & Ben

December 28, 2018/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Kelli & Ben
Ekhidna Winery Wedding

It was a beautiful day for Kelli and Ben’s wedding at the Ekhidna Winery in Mclaren Vale. Their wedding ceremony was a bit later in the day so that, despite me only being with them for 3 hours as their wedding photographer, I was still able to make the most of the amazing light that presented itself during the later periods of the day for some great shots!

Preparation

Kelli and her bridal party were being prepared in the bed and breakfast directly next door to the Ekhidna Winery, so it was a very convenient walk in between the two locations once they were done getting ready for the ceremony. The morning was jovial, with the girls all having a blast as they were getting ready – very little in the way of nerves were visible 🙂

Looking in mirror

Next to window

Engagement ring

Putting on dress

Smiles

Putting on dress

Out in the sun

Looking out window

Hanging the wedding dress

Ekhidna Wines

Bed love heart

Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony

Ben was standing out the front of the congregation, waiting for the slightly late bridal party having a bit of fun with his entourage of groomsmen. It was great to see the groomsmen making light of the time before the ceremony as it allowed Ben to relax a bit and help their little boy run about getting the flower petals ready to distribute amongst their guests. The ceremony itself took place overlooking the lovely vineyards out the back of the Ekhidna Winery cellar door, in beautiful mid afternoon light with just a touch of wind which blew the white shawl over the arbour nicely.

Bridal party

Holding hands

Celebrant

Groom patiently waiting

Bridal entrance

At the altar

Vows

Bridal exit

Ekhidna Winery Wedding Ceremony

Exchanging wedding rings

First kiss

Glamour Photos

Once the whole group photo was done with the drone, we first head back to the bed and breakfast where Kelli was being prepared for some group shots with the whole bridal party – there was some lovely trees there that I wanted to use 🙂 We then head back to use the vineyards and finally drove into Mclaren Vale to utilize the Olive grove along the main street to take a shot I’ve a little bit famous for 🙂

Ekhidna winery wedding

Walking amongst the Ekhidna Winery vines

In the vineyards

Amongst the olive trees

Under the sunlight

Amongst the olive trees

Walking through the vineyards

Playing Croquet

Through the vines

Ekhidna Winery Wedding Reception

Once the glamour shots were done, we head back to the Winery for Kelli and Ben’s reception where we did the group family photos and generally had a nice party! I noticed however that there was a stunning sunset brewing, so luckily I was able to draw Kelli and Ben outside for a bit to utilize it! Using the drone and getting above the Ekhidna winery vineyards always creates a special shot and it’s a huge drawcard for the venue.

Smiles

Doggy

Mobile phone snap

Smiles

Cutting the cake

Kids having fun

Sunset

Smiles

Wedding cake

Thanks so much kelli and Ben for having me as your wedding photographer!

Mulberry Lodge Wedding – Heidi & Jory

February 11, 2019/0 Comments/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding – Alison & Josh

December 24, 2019/1 Comment/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Alison & Josh
St Laurence’s Church High Mass Wedding

I was priviledged to witness the St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding of Alison and Josh in mid November as their wedding photographer. it was quite the spectical with no less than 3 priests and a multitude of altar boys conducting the very traditional latin high mass at the fore of the stunning church that is St Laurence’s. While the ceremony was wonderful, it was also fantastic to cover the first wedding reception that has been held at the new venue of Tatachilla estate!

Preparation

I began the day as I usually do at the place where Josh and his groomsmen were being prepared. The morning was quite laid back with some funny moments where someone had given Josh some booklets titled ‘don’ts for weddings, and husbands‘ while also reminicing about other weddings the groomsmen had been a part of.

groom affects

cufflinks detail shot

putting on shirt

helping out with tie

Putting on jacket

Groom Putting on jacket

smiles on the groom

Groom and groomsmen standing about

Groom and groomsmen standing under tree

I arrived at the house were Alison was being prepared just as their make-up was being completed, which is great as I’m then able to flit about taking detail shots of the dress, shoes, etc. The bridal party all had matching kimonos on during the morning, and two little girls were running about causing havok – which was kind of a good thing as it distracted from any nerves Alison may have been feeling. 🙂

engagement ring in bouquet

Bridal shoes

whispering flower girls

bride putting on makeup

girls looking up at wedding dress

bridesmaid smiles

looking in mirror while getting ready

bridesmaids in kimonos

Dad’s first look of bride

Bride with dress on

Bride standing with bouquet

bridesmaids looking on

St Laurences Church High Mass Wedding Ceremony

As some of you may know, I worked at a Catholic primary school for almost a decade as a Japanese teacher, so I was fairly knowledgeable of the procession of mass, and wedding masses. However, Alison and Josh’s High Mass wedding was something I had yet to witness. The entire procession was quite awe inspiring, with no less than 3 priests and several altar boys conducting the service, all while a 4-strong gregorian chior chanted in the background. The High Mass itself took around 90 minutes to complete, as it followed a strict procession, concluding whith all the guests joining in with communion. The stunning surrounds of St Laurences Church made for a stunning backdrop for the entire ceremony, and it was certainly a ceremony to remember!

St Laurences Church

priest getting ready

High Mass wedding procession

grooms first look

Bridal entrance

inside st laurences church

Together at the altar

exchanging wedding rings

wedding ceremony in st laurences church

inside st laurences church landscape

sitting together catholic high mass wedding

catholic high mass wedding

Priest holding the bible

catholic mass wedding

bridal party kneeling

crucifix at St Laurences church

Bridal exit

Glamour Photos

For glamour photos, we first utilised the wonderful interior of St Laurences, after having the group photo done out the front of the church. We then went for a short drive to South Terrace to Veale Gardens where we made use of the lovely diversity available there. From Australian gum trees out the back, to highly manicured rose gardens, it’s a nice spot to capture a variety of wedding photos. We then head towards Mclaren Vale as a short stop off before heading to Tatachilla Estate for the reception. We usued the wonderful olive tree grove located right off the main street to get a few shots in amongst the trees. Our final spot for glamour photos was the vineyards located out the front of Tatachilla estate. We used the dying light as the sun went down for a few nice shots of just Alison and Josh together amongst the vines.

bridal couple inside st laurences church

Wedding bands on hands

bridal couple kissing in St Laurences church

bride and groom in bridal car

bride and groom under gum trees

bride and groom under gum trees in veale gardens

bridal party in veale gardens

bride and groom above pool in veale gardens

Veale Gardens pool

walking along the bridge in veale gardens

bride and groom amongst roses

closeup of bridal bouquet

bride and groom under olive trees

Holding one another

bride and groom in Mclaren vale’s olive trees

smiles all round

bride and groom at Tatachilla estate

bride and groom amongst the vineyards

looking through the vineyards

behind the bride amongst vineyards

holding one another in vines

Tatachilla Estate Wedding Reception

I was told that Alison and Josh’s wedding reception was the first that has been held at the new venue at Tatachilla Estate. Apparently the venue had been recently purchased from the nearby Tatachilla Lutheran School in order to ransform it into a new, large wedding and event venue, and I must say it certainly has potential! It’s a huge space, suitable for gigantic functions, but as it is right now it’s fairly rustic as it had been used as a school camp space for decades.

Alison and Josh’s reception was punctuated by loving speeches, plenty of dancing and scores of people all having a great time!

wedding cake

bridal entrance at Tatachilla Estate

bridal party at head table

laughter

tatachilla estate wedding

Hold on to what is good

speech

children dancing

grooms speech

holding one another during first dance

first dance

first dance at tatachilla estate

guests having fun

guests

dancing nan

dancing together

wedding guests dancing the macarenea

bouquet toss at tatachilla estate

bride and groom exit arch

I’d like to thank Alison and Josh for having me as their wedding photographer, it was a wonderful day and certainly a wedding I’ll not soon forget! 😀

Woodstock Winery Wedding – Michelle & Ryan

January 25, 2020/1 Comment/in Wedding preview, Wedding /by Steven Duncan

Michelle & Ryan
Woodstock Winery Wedding

It was a stunningly sunny day for Michelle and Ryan’s Woodstock winery wedding, just out of Mclaren Vale. I was asked to be their wedding photographer from their ceremony through to their first dance at their reception, whith photos in between down at Maslin Beach and of course using the vineyards about Woodstock winery.

Woodstock Winery Wedding Ceremony

The main appeal of having a Woodstock winery wedding in my book would have to be the beautiful picturesque, but still private surrounds of the winery. There is a large, open grassy area out the back of the main restaurant, lined by gum trees, bushes and of course the Woodstock winery’s vineyards nearby. Michelle and Ryan chose to set up their wedding ceremony so that the vineyards were the backdrop to their arbour.

The sun was out in full force throughout their ceremony, causing some rather harsh light shining on poor Michelle’s face, but thankfully the ceremony wasnt overly long and it also wasn’t so hot that it got uncomfortable – but the guests quickly found some shade before and after the ceremony.

The highlight of the ceremony would have to have been the moment when the exchanging of the rings was held up by Ryan and his best man’s antics where they faked forgetting the rings, only to reveal that their little dog was waiting in the wings with the rings tied around it’s collar.

wedding sign

Groom waiting patiently

Bride hiding behind the wall

Waiting out the front

Bride walking towards ceremony

Grooms first look of bride

Dad giving away bride

Together under the arbour

Wedding ceremony at Woodstock winery

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony

smiling bride during ceremony

Groom reading vows

Dog ring bearer

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony under the gum trees

exchanging the wedding rings

first kiss under the arbour

Woodstock winery wedding ceremony exit

Glamour Photos

What was a little different to most other weddings, was that directly after the Woodstock winery wedding ceremony, we immediately jumped into a bus waiting to take us down to the beach for the glamour photos – forgoing the usual family group photos that usually follow a ceremony. Michelle and Ryan had purposefully planned it this way so as to have a more relaxed, leasurely time down at the beach and to make sure they got all the photos they wanted.

I was quite excited by the copious number of flying seagulls in the air during Michelle and Ryan’s photoshoot on the beach, that it made it that much easier to have them smiling in their photos as they were laughing at my own antics being excited about the birds. Thankfully they held their distance away from us, along with another nearby wedding ceremony that was taking place a top the cliffs – nothing worse than gate crashing another wedding, but the birds made for an awesome backdrop in many of their photos!

After having photos on the beach, and posing for a Starwars themed photo, we then head back to Woodstock winery and used some lovely trees they have in their car park before being announced at the reception. During the reception, we head out for the family photos and used the dying sun for some photos amongst the nearby vineyards.

Bridal party walking to beach

Bride and groom walking down to the beach

Being all lovey

Bridal party walking the dog along the beach

Bridal party on the beach

Wedding couple walking along the beach

Wedding couple walking along the beach with their dog

Bridal couple kissing on the beach

Flowing veil on the beach

Bride and Groom on Maslin beach

Star Wars Wedding Photo

Minimal wedding photo of bride and groom on beach

Bride and groom on Maslins Beach

Beach shot

Bride and groom amongst the sanddunes

Bride and bridesmaids

Groomsmen

Kisses on the Beach boardwalk

Bride and groom amongst the Woodstock winery trees

Bride and groom amongst gum trees

Sitting together in the vineyards

Holding hands

Walking around the Woodstock winery

Walking through the woodstock winery vineyards

woodstock winery vineyards

Woodstock winery wedding at night

Woodstock Winery Wedding Reception

The wedding reception took place in the Woodstock winery’s beautiful two-tiered restaurant, with the head table in the center of the arc, and family tables lined up either side. There was no indoor dancefloor, so the first dance took place outside, and there was no shortage of people out there enjoying the wonderful, warm weather. Emotions were running high during the daddy daughter and monther, son dances with family members all joining in, and was lovely to see 🙂

Michelle and Ryan opted to have a cool, modern take on a wedding cake, having doughnuts piled up with a starwars themed topper, adding a little bit of quirkyness to the whole day.