Mar 6, 2024

Reine & La Rue is an incredible new French styled wedding venue in the heart of Melbourne.

Reine and La Rue wedding: inspired by France

Reine and La Rue is a majestic new undertaking by the Nomad group, fusing French infused culinary genius with the most captivating, cathedral-vault interior you’ve ever seen in the heart of Melbourne. This incredible space helmed by an award winning hospitality team is sure to become an iconic new wedding venue in Melbourne.

Reine and La Rue wedding venue information

Enquire about Reine & La Rue Wedding Packages with their wedding and event planner
Reine & La Rue website: https://reineandlarue.melbourne/
Reine & La Rue wedding gallery: Check back soon
Reine & La Rue wedding capacity: 40 – 200 guests
Reine & La Rue venue address: Briscoe Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000

Book us to photograph your Reine & La Rue wedding

Reine and La Rue wedding photos (coming soon – maybe yours? for now, enjoy a little slice of what we do below). Use the menu up above to make an enquiry, or view this amazing Paris elopement of Stephanie and Tim for all of your favourite French stylings, photographed entirely on 35mm and medium-format Kodak film.

Can I have my wedding at Reine and La Rue?

Reine and La Rue are now taking wedding bookings.

We’re in Sydney, is there anything here like Reine and La Rue?

Not quite, but we think you’ll love this Beta Bar Sydney Wedding.

Can you recommend a wedding planner for my Reine and La Rue wedding?

We recommend getting in touch with a wedding planner specialising in fashion-forward and luxury weddings, such as Weddings of Desire.

Jan 10, 2024

Weddings of Desire, led by renowned stylist and planner Laura, craft the most fashion-forward, design minded weddings and events in and beyond greater Melbourne, Victoria. Ella and Mack chose Laura and the Weddings of Desire team to style and plan their Stones of the Yarra valley wedding, which was later featured on Vogue Australia.

The wedding of Ella and Mack, planned and styled by Weddings of Desire

What sort of weddings do weddings of desire plan?

Weddings of desire specialise in ultra luxury weddings where no corners are cut. Initially beginning as an area of passion (like all great success stories) as a blog, Laura’s style and taste soon caught so much attention that the next logical step was offering a full bespoke planning experience, rather than featuring the work of others.

This detail driven approach to planning covers all the areas you might expect – such as venue styling, colour palettes and more – over to ones you might not: such as typography on collateral, and the feel of materials.

Contact information

Main website: https://weddingsofdesire.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsofdesire/

Book Briars Atlas to photograph your wedding

Make an enquiry here

Small wedding venues in Melbourne

Aug 19, 2021

Best Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne

The reception at a small wedding venue in Melbourne, Rupert on Rupert
  1. The Altar Electric
  2. I Do Drive Thru
  3. Rupert on Rupert
  4. Two Ton Max
  5. The Prince Deck
  6. Family Property
  7. Air BnB
  8. Kenny Lover
  9. Glasshaus
  10. Gather and Tailor
  11. Melbourne Town Hall
  12. Brunswick Mess Hall
  13. The Wool Mill
  14. Picnic Styling Co
  15. Your Backyard
  16. Alto Event Space
  17. The National Hotel Richmond
  18. St Andrews Conservatory
  19. Cutler and Co
  20. Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya
  21. Elwood Bathers

Melbourne Small Wedding Venue: a venue comparison chart

Small Wedding venue nameWedding Venue StyleWedding Venue locationWedding Venue capacityYou might also likeView gallery
The Altar ElectricVegas chapelCollingwood50Kenny LoverThe Altar Electric
I Do Drive ThruOutdoorsMelbourne30Picnic Styling CoI Do Drive Thru
Rupert on RupertNew York warehouseCollingwood20-200GlasshausRupert on Rupert
Two Ton MaxWarehouseNorth Melbourne40-300Gather and TailorTwo Ton Max
The Prince DeckStylish modernSt Kilda20-450Alto Event SpaceThe Deck at Circa
Air BnBVariedMelbournevariesPicnic Styling CoBlue Mountains Wedding
Kenny LoverIce creameryThornbury20The Altar ElectricKenny Lover
GlasshausJungle warehouseRichmond20-140The Altar ElectricGlasshaus
Gather and TailorWarehouseFootscray40-200Two Ton MaxGather and Tailor
Melbourne Town HallArt DecoMelbourne20-400St Andrews ConservatoryComing Soon
Brunswick Mess HallRustic warehouseBrunswick20-400Gather and TailorComing Soon
The Wool MillModern warehouseBrunswick20-200GlasshausComing Soon
Picnic Styling CoOutdoorsMelbourne50I Do Drive ThruPicnic Styling Co
Your BackyardVariesMelbournevariesPicnic Styling CoComing Soon
Alto Event SpaceModernMelbourne CBD20-200Gather and TailorComing Soon
The National Hotel RichmondHeritage pubRichmond20-120GlasshausComing Soon
St Andrews ConservatoryModern indoorFitzroy20-180Elwood BathersComing Soon
Cutler and CoRestaurantFitzroy20-200Brunswick Mess HallComing Soon
Ichi Ni Nana IzakayaRestaurantFitzroy20-150Elwood BathersComing Soon
Elwood BathersModernElwood20-180Ichi Ni Nana IzakayaComing Soon
A comparison chart of the best Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne

For various reasons, we’ve enjoyed seeing an explosion in beautiful intimate small weddings (or, micro wedding packages Victoria and beyond, or, straight up elopements), which means you’re probably looking for small wedding venues in Melbourne: and if we do small venues as well as we do croissants or… anything, really, that means that this won’t be a compromise, but instead, something awesome.

If there’s one thing i’ve noticed in photographing celebrations of all shapes and sizes, there’s always a certain brilliance in intimate gatherings that just doesn’t exist in larger ones, and having a small wedding in the short term still means you can have a larger celebration down the line, with less planning infrastructure.

Pair that with the classic Melbourne tendency to get creative with things, and it makes for a brilliant range of Small wedding venue options. If you’re looking for a cheap wedding venue Melbourne or beyond, dialling things down and hosting a smaller wedding with a more intimate guest list can be one way of doing that. (See also: small Yarra Valley Wedding venues).

So while we have to wait a little while to have big parties and weddings again, here are some of my favourite Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne, for intimate weddings, micro weddings and more.

1. Unique small wedding venues Melbourne: The Altar Electric

A photograph of a ceremony at the smallest wedding venue in the world, The Altar Electric

Ahead of the curve in the small-wedding game, The Altar Electric has been championing the power of intimate weddings for years, and is the brainchild of The Wedding Anarchist, Sarah Dobson, and Anthony Cribbes.

One of the more characterful small wedding venues in Melbourne and nestled in the industrial back streets of Collingwood, The Altar Electric warehouse wedding venue can cater for weddings up to about 30 people, and right down to a cracking shotgun-wedding with just the two of you and your witnesses: either way, it’s one of the few elopement or wedding venues under $100 per person out there.

To top it all off, they just upgraded their space, thanks to the incredible styling handiwork of local design and party heroes, Good Day Club.

So whether you’ve got a small elopement, 5 guests, 10 guests, 20 guests, 30 guests, 40 guests, 50 guests, 60 guests, or 70 guests (I think that’s where they cap out) this brilliant peach palace is a great place to have a small wedding, and doubles as one of the more affordable wedding venues melbourne has to offer.

Enquire about their Collingwood Small Wedding Packages
The Altar Electric website: www.thealtarelectric.com.au
The Altar Electric wedding gallery: Altar Electric showcase
Venue size: Intimate, from 2, up to around 50 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 81 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC 3066

2. Affordable small wedding venues Melbourne: I Do Drive Thru

I Do Drive Thru, a small wedding planning service in Melbourne

When Covid19 hit full-steam and we were locked down to having weddings and elopements with a maximum of 5 people in total, local genius Mel of The Ceremony Store came up with a hit elopement concept that quickly spread throughout Australia, and right over into the USA: I Do Drive Thru.

I Do Drive Thru gets you married in a whirlwind elopement ceremony from the safe confines of your car, or anywhere in a public space: just you two, and the very closest of your crew. Get it said, get it done, and get away to celebrate what matters: just the two of you. Given that, this also technically makes them the most affordable wedding venue melbourne has available.

Don’t be mistaken by the name: while I Do Drive Thru might sound like, it’s a drive-thru thing, that’s only one side of what it can be. I Do Drive Thru is a small wedding ceremony and elopement planner, done anywhere you like, in exactly any style of intimate celebration that you can imagine. From loud, to quiet, to classy to crazy, and everything in between. If you’re looking to elope Melbourne or beyond, be sure to check these legendary lunatics out.

Read more about I Do Drive Thru here, each out to them to see if they’re the right fit, and ask about their small wedding packages Melbourne and beyond (they are now based in a tonne of cities). And if you loved this incredible dress, check out this lis of the best unique wedding dresses in Melbourne.

Enquire about their Drive Through Wedding Packages
I Do Drive Thru website: www.idodrivethru.com.au
I Do Drive Thru wedding gallery: Drive Through Weddings
Venue size: Scaleable, from 2, up to as many guests as you like

3. Intimate Wedding Venues Melbourne: Rupert on Rupert

A photograph of a reception at the best small wedding venue in Melbourne, Rupert on Rupert

One of the best small wedding venues in Melbourne or places to elope in industrial surrounds, Rupert is the hidden gem of Collingwood, supporting both large wedding celebrations (80 guests, 90 guests, 100 guests and beyond) and smaller intimate ones (10 guests, small wedding venues for 20 guests, 30 guests etc) via clever use of one or more of it’s three areas. Rupert isn’t necessarily known as a Small Wedding Venue in Melbourne but is super unique in how it can be scaled to suit any size celebration.

Best Small Wedding Venue In Melbourne, Rupert on Rupert, during a wedding reception

To see a larger wedding in full with more examples of this incredibly stylish small wedding venue, check out this Rupert on Rupert wedding, and you’ll see why it’s one of the best intimate wedding venues Melbourne has on offer.

Enquire about Rupert on Rupert Wedding Packages with their wedding and event planner
Rupert on Rupert website: www.rupertonrupert.com.au
Rupert on Rupert wedding gallery: Rupert on Rupert Wedding
Rupert on Rupert wedding capacity: 40 – 200 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 73 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC 3066

4. Small Wedding Venue: Two Ton Max

Small Wedding Venue Melbourne - Two Ton Max

Two Ton Max is a repurposed, blank-canvas warehouse wedding venue in the heart of North Melbourne. One of the most simple wedding venues melbourne has on offer. Two Ton Max can support elopements and small weddings of all sizes, but with the way it’s space can be compartmentalised, it is ideal for small Melbourne weddings of 20 people, up to 50 people and beyond.

Small Wedding Venue Melbourne - Two Ton Max

Enquire about Two Ton Max Wedding Packages
Two Ton Max website: www.twotonmax.com.au
Two Ton Max wedding gallery: Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding capacity: 40 – 300 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 124 Langford St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

5. Small Wedding Venue in St Kilda: The Deck

The Deck in St Kilda might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about a small wedding venue, but the unique, angular layout of the internal space, as well as the L-shaped external deck, make it ideal for creatively arranging it for a small wedding. With so much natural venue detail both inside and out, there’s plenty to keep the senses entertained without having to fill the space with 150 people.

Not only that, but The Deck has several other little spaces that can be used. Just ask.

Want to see The Deck in action at a wedding? Then check out the deck wedding of Emily and Tony.

Enquire about Prince The Deck Small Wedding Packages with their event planner
The Prince Deck website: www.theprince.com.au/prince-deck
The Prince Deck wedding gallery: The Deck Wedding
The Prince Deck wedding capacity: 20 – 450 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 2 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182

6. Alternative Small Wedding Venue idea: The Family (or friends) property

family property wedding

Tess and Sam, married on their family property in Australia’s Kangaroo Valley.

If larger wedding venues aren’t a part of the plan and you’re looking towards an elopement or intimate small wedding, sometimes it’s best to look inwards to what’s closest: our own family property. With some thoughtful catering and preparation, having a wedding at your home makes for an intimate experience, and something potentially more meaningful when you look back at your photos.

The only concern usually had around having a wedding on family property, is that of cleanup! But keep your crew small, keep the food simple, and it’s a great way to have a meaningful celebration where the only timeline you’re working to is your own.

7. Micro Wedding venue: Air BnB

air bnb elopement

An Air-Bnb has all the intimacy and timeline benefits of hosting your elopement or small wedding on your own family property, with the added bonus of being able to get married at any spectacular geographic location of your own choosing. Select a location with adventure nearby and a good kitchen within.

Here, Sarah and Simon had a beautiful small elopement ceremony at an Air-Bnb in a spectacular piece of nature, before enjoying a beautiful afternoon with 4 of their closest friends, and an evening of home cooked meals and games. If you’re looking to elope Melbourne or beyond, be sure to check out some of the beautiful nearby Air BnB’s for your small wedding.

Small wedding venues melbourne
lueablue light wedding portraits

Sarah and Simons Australian wedding was featured on the wedding blog Rock n Roll Bride, so head over there for more of their story.

8. Unique Small Wedding Venue Melbourne: Kenny Lover

Small Wedding Venue in Thornbury

I left this one last, because it leads into some thoughts written under it, so read on. Kenny Lover is a brilliant little Thornbury shop, offering chips and ice-cream.

Together at last.

Not only that, but they have the most jaw-droppingly beautiful interior. If you don’t believe me, head over and check out this Kenny Lover wedding, where Paul and Sam, Thornbury locals, headed there after having an intimate small wedding ceremony at their home. Fabulous, colourful elopement venue in Melbournes inner north. An elopement or small wedding that has Kenny Lover involved somehow will make for an incredibly unique wedding experience in Melbourne.

9. Small Rustic Wedding Venues: Glasshaus Inside and Glasshaus Outside

Small wedding venues melbourne Glasshaus

Glasshaus Inside and Glasshaus Outside are two brilliant small wedding venues in Melbourne, sitting just outside of the Melbourne CBD, tucked in Richmond. Glasshaus Inside doubles as a warehouse jungle, and Glasshaus Outside swaps the warehouse vibe for an aviary. A small wedding venue in melbourne for folks seeking a grittier feel where nature is a part of the celebration. Imagine a grand ballroom, with the roof ripped out, and a glorious jungle spread around it’s interior.

That’s about right.

Enquire about Glasshaus Small Wedding Packages
Glasshaus Richmond website: Glasshaus Website
Glasshaus Richmond wedding gallery: Glasshaus Wedding
Glasshaus Richmond wedding capacity: 20 – 140 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 44 Cremorne St, Cremorne, VIC, 3121

10. Small Warehouse Wedding Venue: Gather and Tailor

Gather and Tailor aren’t the smallest wedding venue in Melbourne (that crown probably goes to the Altar Electric), but their dual warehouse spaces, particular warehouse one, are blank-canvasses that can be arranged any way you like. The incredible, forward thinking folks at Nudo run Gather and Tailor, and their expert planning team can host you a unique small wedding at their venue.

Gather and Tailor have both Warehouse One and Warehouse Two – beautifully distinct urban spaces that can host weddings large and small.

Enquire about Gather and Tailor Wedding Packages with their event planner
Gather and Tailor website: www.gatherandtailor.com.au
Gather and Tailor wedding gallery: Gather and Tailor wedding
Gather and Tailor wedding capacity: 40 – 200 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: Unit 11/41-59 Sims St, West Melbourne VIC 3003

11. Small Art Deco Wedding Venue – Melbourne Town Hall

I feel this is generally overlooked when folks are looking at the small wedding venues Melbourne has to offer, but if you know what’s what, you know that a classic heritage environment is a beautiful surrounds to have a celebration in, and just as good to dress up in your own way or with the hand of a great florists (check out the best wedding florists in Melbourne). The Melbourne Town Hall is a beautiful, ambient space, protected from the weather, and perfectly sized for a small wedding.

Enquire about Melbourne Town Hall Small Wedding Packages with their event planner
Melbourne Town Hall website: Wedding information
Melbourne Town Hall wedding gallery: Coming shortly, check back soon
Melbourne Town Hall wedding capacity: 20 – 400 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: Small Wedding Venue Address: Unit 11/41-59 Sims St, West Melbourne VIC 3003

12. Small Alternative Wedding Venue – Brunswick Mess Hall

Small Wedding Venue Brunswick Mess Hall

One of the great joys of this Covid business wrapping up will be seeing the best small wedding venue in Brunswick, the Brunswick Mess Hall, back in action. An incredible mixed-bag of design sensibilities that works a treat, and every time i’ve been there photographing a wedding, the space has been taken over in a unique and different way.

Enquire about Brunswick Mess Hall Small Wedding Packages
Brunswick Mess Hall website: www.thebrunswickmesshall.com.au
Brunswick Mess Hall wedding gallery: Kirstyn and Nicholas
Brunswick Mess Hall wedding capacity: 20 – 400 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: Small Wedding Venue Address: 400 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056

13. Small Blank Canvas Wedding Venue – The Wool Mill

a photo of the Nudo Wool Mill wedding venue in Brunswick
a wedding couple entering the wool mill in brunswick

Nudo, owners of The Wool Mill (a grand ballroom – but industrial style), say they run the best wedding planning service in the world, and given how well oiled their machine is, that statement is about on-point. Nudo look after all the moving parts of your wedding, and as well as Gather and Tailor (see point #9), they also have Brunswicks The Wool Mill in their venue stable. A wonderful blank canvas, modern small wedding warehouse venue.

Enquire about The Wool Mill Small Wedding Packages
The Wool Mill website: www.thewoolmill.com.au
The Wool Mill wedding capacity: 20 – 200 guests
Small Wedding Venue Address: 161 Donald St, Brunswick East VIC 3057

14: Micro wedding venue: Small Garden Wedding Venue

Picnic Styling Co

Not a venue as such, but Picnic Styling Co must be included here. If you’re looking for a brilliant small wedding experience that you can enjoy anywhere out in public or indoors, you must check out the popup Picnic Styling Co. Picnic Styling Co create bespoke picnic experiences for any number of guests, brilliantly styled with no work to do by you. Turn up, have fun, walk away, and Picnic Styling Co take care of the rest.

Enquire about Picnic Styling Co Small Wedding Packages
Picnic Styling Co website: Picnic Styling Co Website
Picnic Styling Co wedding gallery: Picnic Styling Co Wedding
Picnic Styling Co wedding capacity: 2 – 40 guests

15: Small Venue for Weddings idea: Your Backyard

Sometimes the goodness is right in front of you: get some food-trucks or a Paella station, and host the party right at home. Check out this Porch article on Backyard Weddings.

One more elopement Small Wedding Venue idea:

When we think about it, there aren’t that many mandatory moving parts to a wedding: you need a Melbourne Wedding Celebrant to take care of the papers and the ceremony, but really, the rest is up for grabs. One thing thats come out of the Covid pandamic, is a general willingness to be fluid and break new ground from both wedding vendors and small business in general.

Why do I say this? Because if you’re looking for a small wedding venue, consider what it would look like, to simply plan to have it in your favourite cafe, restaurant, take-away place, or any other business. Literally.

All you can do is ask: the Melbourne Small Wedding Venue idea that takes charm, optimism (and a dash of curiosity)

So with all that in mind, let me present this little idea: make a list of places that are meaningful to you: cafes, take-out shops, or even shops that sell knick-knacks, books, or anything else under the sun. A wedding ceremony doesn’t need to be an hour, and you don’t need to have your wedding ceremony in a place that can also feed any guests you have present.

Spend every Saturday morning in that quiet, beat-up cafe around the corner that no-one knows about? Ask them if you can sign the papers and say some words in there, and ask them what they’ll charge for the honour (they’ve probably never been asked).

The idea of “what is a wedding venue” is going to change pretty dramatically, as we change our idea of what a wedding is.

So make a list of bucket-list places that are either meaningful to you or quirky in their own right, and just give them a call! You might find that they are actually incredibly receptive to the idea of having a ten minute ceremony in their space where they get some cracking photographs of it for themselves afterwards too, and there’s something extra special about making that commitment in a meaningful space.

We see it all the time with the portrait part of the day, with brilliant wedding portraits captured in cafes and thrift shops, so why not the ceremony itself?

Everything can be a small wedding venue, if you’re creative enough.

All you can do is ask.

Other Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne

While we’re dealing with only having small gatherings, many of Melbournes most incredible venues are able to scale themselves down to accommodate a more intimate wedding.

To discover a whole lot of other options, including some larger ones to keep in mind for when your community can all celebrate together again, here’s a list of incredible Unique Melbourne Wedding Venues, or further out on the coast, check out these Mornington Peninsula wedding venues.

Looking for a large venue? Check out their Indian wedding reception.

Elopement Venues in Melbourne

If you’re hosting an elopement rather than a small wedding, you’re probably the type of person that’s less about the full theatrics about a wedding, and more about enjoying an intimate space with just your partner and maybe a friend or family member or two. Many of the venues on this page are suited to small weddings, but also consider that if you’re planning an elopement, you can really twist it however you want.

For example: while Rupert on Rupert is more suited to medium and small weddings, it doesn’t mean you can’t sign your papers nearby in a small elopement ceremony, and then head to Rupert to enjoy some drinks and a meal together. To craft a bespoke elopement experience in Melbourne, also be sure to hit up I Do Drive Thru (who plan intimate elopement ceremonies anywhere you can imagine, not just from the car as their name might imply), or even reach out to a Melbourne wedding celebrant as they are always more than happy to take more of a hand in crafting you a brilliant Melbourne elopement experience.

What is the best Small wedding venue in Melbourne?

My personal vote goest to Rupert on Rupert, but here you can also find 20 of the best Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne.best small wedding venue rupert

How many guests should I have at my small wedding?

A Small Wedding can have 5 guests, 10 guests, 20 guests, or 30 guests, but any more and it can become something larger and less intimate.

What are some more small wedding ideas?

It’s hard to go past the brilliant Picnic Styling Co, who will setup your Small Wedding anywhere in Melbourne, leave you to celebrate, and then come and pack it all up for you.

How much does a Small Wedding cost?

If you carefully consider the style, wedding catering, and length of your small wedding, you can easily host your wedding for under $100 per person. Reach out to an incredible Small Wedding Planner such as Will and Jac or Popup With Style for assistance on planning your wedding budget.

Where can I find small wedding packages in Victoria?

To find Small Wedding Packages in Victoria, you should make an enquiry with the best small wedding planners and venues: The Altar Electric, I Do Drive Thru, and Picnic Styling Co. Each of these services can help you plan your small wedding in Melbourne, with all-inclusive wedding packages.

How do I plan a small simple wedding?

Enquire with a small wedding venue on this list, or reach out to a small wedding planner such as Popup with Style.

How many guests is considered a small wedding?

A small wedding is considered anything from 2 guests (anything less is really an elopement), up to around 50 guests.

Best micro wedding venues in Melbourne?

Check out all of the micro wedding venues on this post. My own favourite might just be Rupert on Rupert.

Micro wedding packages Victoria?

The best micro wedding packages Victoria and beyond can be found with I Do Drive Thru, as well as The Altar Electric.

Can I get married at these venues on short notice?

For more information on weddings or elopements at short notice, head over to our post on how to get married quickly in Australia.

I photograph weddings. Hire me to photograph your micro wedding or Small Wedding anywhere (if you want).

Small wedding venues melbourne

Briars Atlas- Small Melbourne Wedding Photographer – https://briarsatlas.com

Melbournes best wedding celebrants

Aug 19, 2021

Melbourne wedding celebrants: finding a great one is challenging, and it’s hard to get an idea of whether their vibe is gonna fit your tribe ahead of time. The Celebrant A List is an initiative put together to help solve that, and here you can see a whole host of the very best wedding celebrants Melbourne has to offer.

I’ve been super lucky to work with these wedding celebrants, so read on and enjoy these community marvels and a little insight into the Celebrant A List, and then hire one for your elopement or wedding (check out these awesome small wedding venues too, or these amazing unique wedding dresses).

From quiet and stylish, to outlandish rockstars and everything in between, this unique list of the top wedding celebrants in Melbourne also has photos of every one of these legends taken at the Celebrant A List Baller, so you can get a great idea of how their vibe might align with your own day.

If you want to skip the gab and get to the point, here’s a run-sheet of some of the best Melbourne wedding celebrants that are featured here (in no order):

Best Marriage Celebrant Melbourne (in no order)

  1. Anthony Cribbes
  2. Nat Sproal
  3. Charis White
  4. Celebrant Ladylove
  5. The Wedding Anarchist
  6. Matt Finch
  7. Sean Whelan
  8. Zena Lythgow
  9. Jac the Hitcher
  10. Jessie Belle
  11. Megan Thompson
  12. Damon Hughes
  13. Shannon Jeans
  14. Megan Watson
  15. Pete the Celebrant
  16. Rachael Calvert
  17. Sweet Wonderful You

Left: Wedding celebrant Blue Mountains: Jac the Hitcher

Lord of the dark-funk, Jac the Hitcher lives online here.

Right: Wedding Celebrant Melbourne: Matt Finch

Grandmaster suave, Matt Finch lives here and also at this beautiful Melbourne gay wedding of Sam and Paul.

Left: Marriage Celebrant – Celebrant Ladylove

Lord of all things neon and dark in the wedding celebrant world, find Annie here.

Right: Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne – Marry Me Sean

As well as being found under an excellent hat, known as one of the Best Marriage Celebrants Melbourne has on offer, you can find Sean here.

Left: Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne – Megan Thompson

As well as being found wrapped in curtains, Megan can be found here.

Right: Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne – Megan Watson

Megan is pointing over there, and to find her we’re pointing here.

Left: Wedding Celebrant – Rachael Calvert

This legendary Tasmanian wedding celebrant can be found here.

Right: Wedding Celebrant – Pete the Celebrant

This totally debonair devil can be found here.

Left: Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne – The Wedding Anarchist

Formerly known as Marry Me Dee, and if you want colour and jazz, maybe the best marriage celebrant Melbourne has going. Find her here and here.

Right: Melbourne wedding celebrant – Damon Hughes

Not just a good looking rack for short-shorts, also maybe the best marriage celebrant Melbourne has on offer, find him here. If you’re looking to also pop a bloom in ya’ gob, head here to find an awesome Melbourne wedding florist.

Left: Wedding Celebrant – Sweet Wonderful You

With her name an homage to Fleetwood Mac, find the brilliant, empathetic and effervescent Erin here.

Right: Wedding celebrant in Melbourne – Anthony Cribbes

You’ve seen young ‘Tony a lot around these parts, and if a modern James Bond is your vibe, maybe the best marriage celebrant in Melbourne. Find him here and here.

Left: Wedding Celebrant – Shannon Jeans

This rainbow pocket rocket can be found here. Also see her in action at this Two Ton Max wedding we both worked on.

Right: Unique wedding celebrant – Nat Sproal

Lord mistress of all things hilarious, Nat lives here and here. I also worked with this brilliant mofo at this Fortyfive Downstairs wedding.

Left: Wedding Celebrant in Melbourne – Charis White

I’ve worked with this gem many a time, possibly the best marriage celebrant Melbourne has around, you can find Charis here, and we’re featured together on Suzanne Harward.

Right: Unique Marriage Celebrant – Jessie Belle

This cartwheeling legend can be found here

This is a little chat with the Celebrant A-List founder, Anthony Cribbes, about why it exists and how it benefits the Melbourne wedding community.

Finding the best wedding celebrant Melbourne has: What is the Celebrant A list?

On paper it’s a directory with some hand picked celebrants. Maybe it’s also an antidote to the ‘come one come all’ sites that I find just end up causing us much confusion and anxiety for couples who are by and large going through this process for the first time.

BUT what it actually is a chance to be a little different in the market. All of the directory members are people from my own and some other close confidant’s personal networks.

These were people we already were swapping leads with. So whilst it’s not the definitive and finite list of who’s a quality melbourne wedding celebrant, I can definitely say that all members are quality people and celebrants.

How can couples getting engaged best benefit from the A list in finding a Melbourne wedding celebrant?

So the Celebrant A List is also a little community group. We all know which other members are better suited for which kind of couple just based on the initial enquiry.

So my advice would be to get on the directory, to find the kind of wedding celebrant you think fits the bill and send them an enquiry.

If they’re not available, we work as a group to find you someone that is not only free but will also fit what you are looking for.

It seems to be something of an army. Any favourite cult leaders that were referenced?

Is Brian Jones or David Koresh a funny or poor tasting joke?! Nah but in all honesty, the crew on the Wedding Celebrant A List is from the network of wedding celebrants who were already naturally jelling together.

Everyone on the list is vouched for – we avoid cult like activities, thinking and environments, we feel the market for that is already catered for!

The wedding industry is getting more and more flooded across all vendors, as barriers to entry are removed. This makes it not only more challenging for a couple in sifting through available options, but also challenging as a vendor trying to create a sustainable business. How do you see the creation of this network as fundamentally addressing both of those challenges?

Haha, what a question! If I was to say what was the mission of the Wedding Celebrant A List, it would be to address exactly this challenge.

We have moved from a world where once upon a time we had to wait until every Thursday night at 7:30PM before our favourite show would be on…now I can binge watch whatever I want, whenever I want.

This is how society works now, so the Wedding Celebrant A List is the kind of place where people can come and not only can we help them feel less overwhelmed we also support each other’s businesses.

It’s for this reason alone why we don’t have hundreds and hundreds of members as we genuinely feel like in the end that helps no one – the couples or the celebrants.

As I already mentioned, just by enquiring with one us, we’re kind of all there to help you find not only the right celebrant but also many other vendors.

We all buy based on people giving us recommendations, it’s kind of the same approach over at the Wedding Celebrant A List.

You held the Celebrant Melbourne A List ball over Christmas, which was an epic event with the best Melbourne Wedding Celebrants in town: whats next on the cards?

Well before good ol’ Rona hit the plan was to try and host an event in each major city where we have representation. But now we’re focussed on our big event next year, Hitchmas.

We plan on making this the best business workshop/networking/party kind of event ever hosted in the wedding world.

Where to find the best marriage celebrant Melbourne has on offer?

Head back up through this post and click through to any of the brilliant Melbourne wedding celebrants websites.

How much is a wedding celebrant in Melbourne?

A Melbourne wedding celebrant costs anywhere from $600 to $2000, to deliver a customised wedding ceremony. You should expect a good wedding celebrant to cost around $1500, as there is so much more work involved by the wedding celebrant than just taking care of the wedding ceremony itself.

How much does a celebrant cost in Australia?

A wedding celebrant in Australia will cost you from $600 up to $2000, and there is a lot of work involved in creating an incredible custom wedding ceremony for you. You can expect a good wedding celebrant to cost around $1500, and it is one of the better places to spend money on the day, as a good wedding celebrant puts in the time and love to honour you both and your community.

What is a marriage celebrant?

A wedding celebrant is a person who performs and officiates your wedding, funeral, or other similar ceremonies.

Who can be a wedding celebrant?

If you love people, and love running a show, you can be a wedding celebrant. Reach out to Annie, on this page, who runs a celebrant training school.

Questions to ask wedding celebrant?

You should ask your wedding celebrant the following questions:
1: What is your style?
2: What is your level of experience?
3: What happens if things go wrong?
4: How will you tell our story?
5: Do you share audio with the videographers?

What if I need to get married in a short timeframe?

Find a celebrant on this page, and then head over to our post on how to get married quickly in Australia.

Find the Wedding Celebrant A-List online

Finding a Melbourne wedding celebrant can be a bit of a massive task – fortunately, the Wedding Celebrant A List has been assembled to take some of the legwork out of it. Verified legends, take a look and find your Melbourne wedding celebrant below, and then get them down for your Melbourne city elopement.

The Celebrant A List website
The Celebrant A List Instagram

Link one of these legends up with a brilliant Melbourne wedding planner, and with the brilliant minds of Firecracker Event an incredible grazing table.

All photographs on this page are by Briars Atlas, and any usage must first gain permission.

Vanity fair photo booth

Want to get photos like these? Then you should check out our new little collaborative side business, BLANC, that channels the spirit of a Vanity Fair photo booth… we think there’s nothing like it out there.

Book me to photograph your wedding alongside your favourite wedding celebrant (if you want)

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography Melbourne – Make an Enquiry

Suzanne Harward bridal gown

May 12, 2021

Make it move, with style: these are the best wedding videographers in Melbourne. The days of cringe-inducing, cheesy wedding videos (where everyone in the lounge room looks like they would rather go and do their tax return than sit through another cliched waltz through a field set to a millennial whoop) are well and truly over: these Melbourne wedding videographers bring style, sass, a sensitivity to you as a couple, and often, industry-awarded backgrounds in other creative pursuits that have led them to be some of the most unique and sought after wedding videographers on the planet, let alone Melbourne.

To see their work scroll down, and also be sure to check out the cheat sheet. Feature film below by Humdrum Films.

Wedding Videographer Melbourne: Top 5 (not in order):

  1. Bottlebrush Films
  2. Humdrum Films
  3. The Beginning
  4. Supergreat Films
  5. Truestory Wedding Films

Wedding Videography can be a last-minute inclusion, but when you see the work these maestros produce you’ll agree that it’s something to prioritise a little higher, as these incredible artists balance journalism with an artistic, creative twist on your wedding day. These 5 motion marvels are the most sought after wedding videographers in Melbourne.

Say no to cheese, no to cringe, and yes to bringing someone along for the ride who will be incredible fun on the day, and make you something that you’ll love for years to come.

And I mean “proper” love, not “your mates telling you they love it but really they want to run away and watch paint dry” love.

Anyway – here is a handful of the best: creative, beautiful humans, and a thoughtful, relaxed inclusion to your day that will create you something you’ll want to look at and not stuff under the bed gathering dust.

Wedding videographer melbourne: a roundup of the top melbourne wedding videographers

Needless to say – picking your Melbourne wedding videographer carefully and thoughtfully will be one of the best decisions you make for your day.

If you don’t believe me – just check out every “I wish I…” post where folks look back at their wedding day. In #1 spot each and every time – is those that didn’t hire a great videographer, wishing they had.

Photographs are all well and good, but when push comes to shove, there’s nothing like having your loved ones preserved in movement and sound by the absolute genius artisans on this page.

A good melbourne wedding videographer does more than just hit record on an expensive camera.

You’re going to be spending an entire day together, so at a minimum, you want to like each other. There’s a fine line between affable, and downright intrusive, and as through all of life, you never really know what someone is like until you’ve had to either spend a morning at the supermarket together, or spend the day in front of their lens. So as a public service gesture, all of the videographers on this page are so perfectly tuned in, aware, and certified as utterly brilliant company.

Secondly, and this goes without saying, they have to be a master of their craft. Anyone can wave a camcorder around, and just as your uncle Bobs footage will be so marvellously perfect in it’s own right, over the fence is what these maestros create: art.

So, here we go – what I believe to be Melbournes most unique and creative wedding videographers and cinematographers.

1. Wedding Videographers: Bottlebrush Films

Some of the more unique wedding videography Melbourne has on offer, these two characters wouldn’t look out of place on the character-rack of Tarantinos writing-room. But luckily for us (you), we instead get them all to ourselves. Master crafts-folk and hilarious to boot, Bottlebrush Films are the power couple to end all power couples. Or if not end them – ride with them on a unicorn into an alternate galaxy. Etc. Whatever. Just go follow these two on Tik Tok. Now.

Bottlebrush Films Website – https://bottlebrushfilms.com.au/
Bottlebrush Films Feature – https://briarsatlas.com/bottlebrush-films/
Instagram: @bottlebrushfilms
Address: Greater Melbourne
Phone: 0439 495 004


2. Melbourne Wedding Videographer: Humdrum Films

The most debonair, dashing craftsmen in the game. Jared, Jacob, and their impossibly perfect haircuts swoon around weddings carefully out of the way, with a look of curiosity on their face that you later realise has translated into the most impossibly unique way of seeing what’s in front of them. Small wonder they are quite literally flown around the entire planet filming love across all cultures, because no-one else beats to their drum.

Humdrum Films feature
Hudrum Films Website – https://humdrumfilms.com.au/
Instagram: @humdrumfilms
Address: 23 Balmain St, Cremorne


3. Wedding Videographer: The Beginning

Helmed by the Luke, The Beginning studio are producing some of the most progressive work out there, effortlessly fusing the most cutting edge in tasteful editing styles, with slick editorial glamour. The Beginning work all over Australia and beyond, and are frequently available to service Melbourne.

The Beginning website
https://thebeginning.com.au/
Instagram: @thebeginningstudio


4. Super 8 Wedding Videographer: Supergreat films

Maybe the grittiest, quirky wedding videography Melbourne has going. I’m slightly biased here – as Supergreat Films is the cinematography arm of Briars Atlas. Supergreat Films shoot wedding videos just like the old days: on beautiful Super-8 film straight out of the 1970’s, with some classic 90’s VHS to boot.

As far as wedding videography, a super 8 wedding film is about capturing the feel, not the story: no sound is recorded, no speeches, and the guarantee isn’t a chronological order of what went down, but a wild, anarchic representation of what went down using some of the most beautiful ways of recording moving image that us clever little humans ever developed. With all that said, it’s recommended to hire a proper end-to-end videographer that also records sound and speeches, and hire SuperGreat as a unique addition.

Supergreat films website:
https://www.instagram.com/supergreatfilms/


5. Rustic wedding films: True Story Wedding Films

Armed with an infectious smile, wardrobe full of amazing shirts and some of the best videography skills in Melbourne, Tearlach (Tea, for short) will have you covered with some of the most brilliantly uplifting and colourful coverage imaginable.

Supergreat films website:
https://www.truestoryweddings.com/

I’ve been super fortunate to work with all of the highly sought after and creative Melbourne wedding videographers on this page, and if you’re after something out of the ordinary, you can’t go past any of these, and they come at my highest recommendation.

Wedding videographer Melbourne: Cheat-sheet

Melbourne wedding videographerServicingStyleSee their featureContact Website
Bottlebrush FilmsMelbourne and greater VictoriaQuirky, rock n’rollBottlebrush FilmsContact formWebsite
Humdrum FilmsMelbourne and greater VictoriaLuxury, artisticHumdrum FilmsContact formWebsite
The BeginningMelbourne and greater VictoriaDown to earth, creativeTogether JournalContact formWebsite
Supergreat FilmsMelbourne and greater VictoriaGritty, analogueSuper-8 wedding filmsWebsite
Truestory WeddingMelbourne and greater VictoriaFun, classyComing SoonContact formWebsite

Wedding Videographer Melbourne FAQ

You’ve probably never hired a videographer or your own cinematography team before (not altogether unusual), so it’s natural to have a whole lot of questions. Here’s a handful of the most common ones.

An image of a couple in front of the melbourne wedding videographer
Is a videographer worth it for a wedding?

Yes. A wedding videographer who is great at their job seamlessly blends with your community, and creates a brilliant record of the day, with no boring bits. If you don’t believe me, you MUST check out what Humdrum Films do – pure magic.

What is the average cost of a Melbourne wedding videographer?

The average cost of a good wedding videographer is $4000 to $8000. You have to remember that you’re not just hiring them for the day – you’re hiring them as a professional service including about a week of editing in post production. Imagine the costs associated with, for example, hiring a senior tradesperson for 6 full days, and that’s around what your wedding videographer will cost. If you want to know whether it’s worth it, then you just have to look to the work of someone like Bottlebrush Films to see how brilliant and creative you wedding video can be.

How many Melbourne wedding videographers do I need?

You only need one, maybe two wedding videographers. Any more and your wedding day starts to resemble a bad Hollywood set, and your guests are there to see you, not see you covered by a swat team holding cameras. A good wedding videographer needs no more than two people in their team.

How do I take good wedding videos?

You hire a good wedding videographer (5 of them listed on this page – just for you).

Do I need a microphone for my wedding ceremony?

Your wedding videographer will usually have a lapel mic to mic you up for speeches and your vows. Be sure to ask them in advance how they work. You must take a look at the incredibly creative ways that Bottlebrush Films and Humdrum Films use audio in their wedding films for you.

Will I regret not getting a wedding videographer?

Yes. By not hiring a wedding videographer, you’re missing out on creating a record of the sound and movement of your loved ones. Wedding photography is great, but there’s nothing quite like seeing your loved ones in motion. Just see what it looks like when you have the genius of someone like Bottlebrush Films on your team.

How long is the average wedding video?

The average wedding video is around 4-8 minutes long. In the old days, we were forced to sit through hours of unedited footage (which is great to have anyway). Now, your wedding video that you’ll share with your family and friends, is edited with “Watchability” in mind: short, punchy, containing all the good bits. Don’t believe me? Have a look at the incredible catalogue of films by Humdrum Films.

What about Super 8?

If you’re looking for analogue wedding videos, check out this super 8 wedding film.

Book me to photography your wedding alongside your favourite Melbourne wedding videographer

  • Melbourne Wedding Photographer gallery
  • wedding photographer melbourne - moody gallery
  • Castlemaine Wedding Photographer
  • a gallery of melbourne wedding photos for your videography

If you’ve already booked one of these legendary Melbourne wedding videographers and want me to come along for the ride on stills, you can make an enquiry here.

Geelong wedding photographer

Jan 20, 2021

Spectacular wineries, incredible coastline and an abundance of rural Victorian beauty are just a few of the reasons so many folks choose a Mornington Peninsula wedding. I’m a Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer, and wanted to share some of my favourite little slices of the region at the weddings of brilliant humans out there.

Wedding venues such as Tanglewood Estate and Crittenden Estate on dromana are standounds, as are the art-deco Lindenderry, and out to the Shearing Shed, at the slightly further out Phillip Island.

Sunset scenes with Sarah at her wedding to Kurt at Lindenderry in Red Hill.

Since you’re here, maybe you’d like to check out this list i’ve made of the Best Melbourne wedding celebrants (all of them are more than happy to make a trip down to the Mornington Peninsula and some are based there), and for something more industrial in vibe, you might like to check out this Rupert on Rupert wedding, or this roundup of the most unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

More help for your Mornington Peninsula wedding planning

Planning a wedding on the Mornington Peninsula? It’s hard to go past the brilliant Popup with Style, if you’re looking for assistance in your planning. Popup with Style are based in the region, and familiar with planning weddings large and small.

Best Wedding Venues in Mornington Peninsula

Out on the Mornington Peninsula you’ll find some of the most incredible wedding venues available anywhere in Victoria. Between the bay, ocean coast, expansive wineries and a gateway to a sublime slice of regional Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula has the most amount of venue variety you’ll find in VIC.

  1. Tanglewood Estate
  2. Crittenden Estate
  3. Lindenderry Red Hill
  4. All Smiles Sorrento
  5. Brighton Savoy
  6. The Shearing Shed
  7. Private Property

Want to see all of these Mornington Peninsula wedding venues in detail? Head over to this post on Mornington Peninsula wedding venues and see if you can find a venue that fits your vibe.

On the other side of the Peninsula: Yarra Valley wedding venues

For wedding venue ideas on the other side of Victoria, here’s a list of 5 incredible Yarra Valley wedding venues for you to cast your glorious eyes across.

Wedding photographer: an FAQ

Where do you photograph weddings?

Anywhere in and around Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, and greater Victoria. There are no travel charges are payable within Victoria, and I regularly photograph weddings everywhere on the Mornington Peninsula.

Best Mornington Peninsula wedding venues?

These are the best Mornington Peninsula wedding venues.

Book your Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer.

  • Melbourne Wedding Photographer gallery
  • A photo of Liv and Adam at their Melbourne Wedding by Wedding photographer Briars Atlas
  • Castlemaine Wedding Photographer
  • Cinestill Wedding Photos
  • wedding photographer geelong

Wedding photography Mornington Peninsula – enquire at briarsatlas.com

Best modern wedding dresses - Brooke Tyson Ritual

Dec 29, 2020

Unique Wedding dresses Melbourne and beyond

  1. Brooke Tyson Ritual
  2. Suzanne Harward
  3. Alex Perry
  4. KYHA Studios
  5. Paolo Sebastian
  6. Jaime Lee Major
  7. Mariana Hardwick
  8. Le Louvre Bridal

Looking for the most unique wedding dress Melbourne has on offer? Whether you’re looking for unique wedding dresses boho, long sleeve, white or colourful (check out this incredible Suzanne Harward songbird gown), on this page you’ll find some of the most brilliant modern wedding dress designers.

I’ve been lucky to photograph love and ceremony on all continents, which means seeing so much of the worlds most unique wedding dresses and bridal designers on brilliant lovers in all kids of places: these are 7 of the best unique wedding dresses and wedding dress shops in Melbourne that i’ve had the pleasure of working with.

Be sure to read to the bottom to discover the final 5.

Melbourne unique wedding dresses: a dress comparison chart

Wedding dress designerWedding Dress StyleWedding Venue locationYou might also like
Brooke Tyson RitualEtherealNew ZealandAbout Phaedra
Suzanne HarwardCutting edge classyCollingwoodPaolo Sebastian
Alex PerryUnique brutalistCollingwoodLe Louvre Bridal
KYHA StudiosSequinned glorySouth MelbourneMariana Hardwick
Paolo SebastianFairytaleAdelaideSuzanne Harward
Jaime Lee MajorDetailed majesticMelbourneAbout Phaedra
Mariana HardwickWispy classicThornburySuzanne Harward
Le Louvre BridalClassic MelbourneRichmondAlex Perry
About PhaedraInimitably naturalFootscrayBrooke Tyson Ritual
Bluebell BridalClassicalMelbourne CBDLe Louvre Bridal
Raffael CiucaMelbourne classicBrunswickMariana Hardwick
Anna CampbellRomantic classyArmadaleSuzanne Harward
GwendolynneVintage inspiredFitzroyAbout Phaedra
Cathleen JiaRomantically creativeMoorabbinLe Louvre Bridal
A comparison chart of the most unique wedding dresses in Melbourne

When you look at how Australian and New Zealand designers have to fight for a place at the table with smaller markets and at a geographical disadvantage to the rest of the world, it’s no surprise then that some of the most brilliant and forward-thinking designs have actually come from this corner of the globe as they place tradition a gentle second, and innovation first, pushing the craft of design past the edges.

And so, incidentally, these designers are all from Australia and New Zealand!

As an art-lover, a beautiful and thoughtfully designed gown is captivating to look at and brilliant to photograph.

This is a run-down of 5 of the most beautiful gowns i’ve had the pleasure of photographing: from the wedding dresses long sleeve genius Alex Perry has designed, through to wedding dresses boho designers like Paolo Sebastian have created.

1. Unique Short Wedding Dress: Brooke Tyson Ritual

Looking for wedding dresses boho and beyond? Check out Brooke Tyson. Brooke Tyson Ritual is what happens when you have a curious kiwi, captivated by the world of cinema and nostalgia and with a childhood spent playing dress-ups, cast her hand to the fine art of bridal couture.

Brooke Tyson’s Ritual gowns shown here are the Flora gown, and the Luna gown, photographed on Franc on film, on a volcano in New Zealand. You can also view a full feature on Brooke Tyson Ritual here. If you’re looking for wedding dresses long sleeve or medium sleeve, the Flora gown below might be just what you’re after. It’s flowy long sleeves create brilliant shape and coverage, while still being light enough to move comfortably in.

These unique wedding dresses styles might be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

an incredible wedding dress ini Melbourne - Brooke Tyson
Unique wedding dresses by Brooke Tyson
Best modern wedding gowns - Brooke Tyson Ritual

Find Brooke Tyson Ritual online:

Brooke Tyson Ritual website

2. Unique Wedding Dresses with colour: Suzanne Harward

Suzanne Harward is a designer i’ve had the good fortune of working with several times, and you can see a feature on 3 of the best Suzanne Harward wedding dresses here too.

Suzanne Harward is an icon of the Australian bridal design scene, with a rich long history while always staying two steps ahead of the trends. Check out the impossibly brilliant songbird gown.

If you’re looking for unique wedding dresses australia and beyond, it’s hard to go past Suzanne Harward.

Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown
Suzanne Harward modern wedding dress
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gala Gown

Incredible unique wedding dresses: Suzanne Harward songbird gown.

Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland

Wedding dresses designer in style: Suzanne Harward

Suzanne Harward website

3. Long Sleeve Wedding Dress Melbourne: Alex Perry Bridal

Looking for a long sleeve wedding dress or a unique wedding dress with sleeves? Alex Perry isn’t necessarily a name synonymous with bridal design – and this isn’t even a piece from his bridal collection – but that didn’t stop the forward-thinking Liv from adapting one of his other pieces for her wedding to Adam. Wedding dresses designer Alex Perry has brought something unique and modern to the table (whether he intended to or not).

These two marvels are featured on Together Journal, where you can see even more glorious images of their day, her incredible sense of style, and that inimitable long sleeve wedding dress by Alex Perry.

the incredible long sleeve wedding dress Melbourne designer
Alex Perry - Long sleeve wedding dress Melbourne
Liv in her long sleeve wedding dress in Melbourne
If you like wedding dresses like this, check out more black and white wedding photos.
Alex Perry Wedding dress
Alex Perry Wedding gown
Alex Perry wedding gown

Find Alex Perry Bride online

Alex Perry Bride website

4. Modern Boho Wedding Dress Melbourne: KYHA Studios

Looking for wedding dresses boho in style? KYHA studios is right at the front of incredible, innovative boho wedding dresses. Founded by Kyha Simpson after tying the knot and wanting to bring something new to the industry, KYHA Studios.

Designed and handmade in Melbourne, KYHA Studios are one of the early frontrunners of doing things differently, and as a result have inspired an industry-wide shift in risk-taking designs. See more of this Kyha Studios wedding dress.

KYHA Studios wedding dress
KYHA Studios wedding dress

Wedding dresses boho in style: KYHA Studios (Boho wedding dress Melbourne)

Kyha Studios

5. Unique Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian

I hope i’m not the only one who, based on the brand name, initially thought Paolo Sebastian was some kind of lavish octogenarian European designer with over half a century of brilliant work under their belt.

Nope – it’s the work from the genius mind of an impossibly young designer, Paul Vasileff, straight out of Adelaide, Australia. Designers like Paolo Sebastian push the edges of classy couture that leans in to the future of the genre.

Paolo Sebastian gowns blend a nod to tradition offset with something resembling the top end of the Disney playground of fantasy designs.

Best Modern wedding dress - Paolo Sebastian
Paolo Sebastian wedding gown
Best Modern wedding dress - Paolo Sebastian

Hannah wears Paolo Sebastian. The Royal Mail Hotel wedding of Hannah and Ben, alongside the inimitable Humdrum Films, is featured on Farewell Fiance. See more of this over on Paolo Sebastian Wedding Dress.

Wedding dresses boho in style: Paolo Sebastian

Paolo Sebastian website

6. Wedding dresses Perth: Jaime Lee Major

Check out these unique wedding dresses Perth has available. Jaime Lee Majors designs are from another planet. The Fremantle / Perth designer made a name for herself cutting cloth for every celebrity under the sun, beginning initially with an epic gown for Kimbra right around the time of her career take-off.

Since then, Jaime Lee Major has used her progressive, artistic inspired approach to design gowns that push bridal to the very edge. Check out this incredible piece from the Fremantle wedding of Sarah and Dave. See more over on the feature on Jaime Lee Major.

If you’re looking for wedding dresses Perth or nearby, Jaime Lee Major is your designer.

Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major
Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major
Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major
Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major
Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major
Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major

Find Jaime Lee Major online

Jaime Lee Major on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimeleemajor

While you’re here, take a peep at these incredible modern wedding jumpsuits.

7. Wedding dresses Melbourne: Mariana hardwick

Looking for unique wedding dresses lace and elegant? Mariana Hardwick is an iconic Melbourne wedding dress designer. Check out this incredible gown on Elisha at Zonzo Estate. This lace wedding dress is light, flowy, and elegant.

If you’re after wedding dresses vintage in vibe but with an elegant modern twist, Mariana Hardwick is hard to go past.

wedding dress melbourne - mariana hardwick on elisha at zonzo estate!

Find Mariana Hardwick

Mariana Hardwick website: https://marianahardwick.com.au/

While you’re here, take a peep at this Mariana Hardwick wedding dress on Elisha at this Zonzo Wedding showcase.

8. Wedding Dress Melbourne Designer: Le Louvre Bridal

Looking for wedding dresses vintage in style? You must check out this Le Louvre classic, unchanged for nearly a century. Melbourne bridal designers Le Louvre have been around for 95 years, but that doesn’t mean that this classic Le Louvre Wedding Dress, worn here by Bianca, looks like anything other than one of the most incredible designs on the planet.

If you’re looking for wedding dresses vintage in style, this sleeved gown is one of the most unique designs you’ve ever seen and hard to go past. Maybe you’ve seen these two in Together Journal? If not, pick up a copy of issue #19 to see more of this incredible unique wedding dress on Bianca.

Unique wedding dresses vintage in style by Le Louvre
Unique wedding dresses vintage in style worn by Bianca designed by Le Louvre
Wedding dresses white: by Le Louvre
Unique wedding dresses vintage in style by Le Louvre
Another wedding dress Melbourne by Le Louvre
wedding dress Melbourne by Le Louvre

Wedding dresses elegant in style: Le Louvre

Le Louvre Bridal website: https://www.lelouvre.com.au/

Unique wedding dress Melbourne: 5 frequently asked questions

Where to buy wedding dress Melbourne

You can buy a wedding dress from any of the 7 incredible wedding dress designers on this post.

How much wedding dress Melbourne

A good wedding dress might cost anywhere from $2000 to $20000. There can be hundreds and hundreds of hours involved in creating a wedding dress, so we recommend making an enquiry with all of the incredible Melbourne wedding dress designers on this page to find out yourself.

Best wedding dress Melbourne

The best wedding dress Melbourne has on offer might be anything by Suzanne Harward, KYHA studios or Le Louvre. Incredible designers right on our doorstep.

Best new wedding dress designer

In my opinion, the best new wedding dress is About Phaedra. You can go to their website here: https://www.aboutphaedra.com.au/

Unique wedding dresses with sleeves?

Head up and to see incredible wedding dresses with sleeves by Le Louvre, Alex Perry, and Brooke Tyson.

What is the most unique wedding dress I can find in Melbourne?

If you’re looking for a unique wedding dress in Melbourne, check out Suzanne Harward, KYHA studios or Le Louvre. Unique designs available right in Melbourne.

Wedding dress Melbourne: 6 more wedding dress designers you might not know about:

9. About Phaedra – https://www.aboutphaedra.com.au/


10. Bluebell Bridal – https://www.bluebellbridal.com/


11. Raffael Ciuca – https://www.raffaeleciuca.com.au/


12. Anna Campbell – https://www.annacampbell.com.au/


13. Gwendolynne – https://www.gwendolynne.com.au/


14. Cathleen Jia – https://www.cathleenjia.com.au/

Hire me to photograph your wedding (if you want)

Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown

Wedding photographer Melbourne – Briars Atlas: Enquire

Dec 28, 2020

You’ve locked in your wedding photographer, wedding venue, band, wedding celebrant, and now, the job is to work out your wedding reception timeline. This might seem a little daunting, but with a little careful planning and breathing room given to all of the moving parts, it will make your reception exactly as you’d imagined, and probably most importantly, an incredible, slick night for your wedding guests.

When planning your wedding reception timeline, the most important thing is to think about two things:

wedding reception timeline tips
Lilli and Jakes Castlemaine Wedding reception
  1. Your guests are happy being a part of a formal experience. This means that they’re happy being told what to do, and happy knowing upfront what the expectations are. No-one likes being left wondering what to do next: if there is a lengthy period where not much is happening, make sure they know that ahead of time (possibly on the invitations), and make it entertaining for them by breaking it up with little sprinkles of surprise here and there in your wedding reception schedule.
  2. Give more breathing room to each element of the evening than you think you might need. We’re human. Which means we’re all over the place. If you think it’ll take 25 seconds to wrangle Bob and Jan for the family photo, that will all come undone when it turns out Bob has gone for a piss and no-one can find him. Add a little more padding time than you think you might need to account for the natural dance of what a wedding is: a gathering of all your favourite humans in one place.

Sample wedding reception timeline: a sample wedding reception order of events

Here is a rough sample wedding reception timeline. All timings are just estimates for illustrative purposes, but they also represent a rough timeframe that I think would be appropriate in most circumstances.

  1. The Post Ceremony Glow
  2. The Grand Wrangle
  3. Wedding Party Entrances
  4. First Dance
  5. Welcome Speech
  6. Entree and Dinner
  7. Sneaky Sunset Photoshoot
  8. Community Toasts
  9. Family Dances
  10. Dance Floor Open
  11. Cake Cutting and Dessert
  12. Dancefloor Anarchy
  13. The Exit

1. The Post-Ceremony glow/cocktail hour (1 hour)

The post-ceremony hour is a glow-up: you’re both stoked, so are your family and friends. This is typically the part when the congratulations happen, family photos, and maybe even your portrait session. Many photographers will take up the entire cocktail hour with the portrait session, which I think is a real shame, as this is an incredible time to hang out a little with the folks you’ve invited along for the ride. So typically, i’ll break the portrait part of the day into two smaller sessions. So the post-ceremony hour might look like 10 minutes spent on congratulations, 10 minutes on family formals, 15-20 minutes on portraits, and then the rest of that time hanging with your crew.

2. The Grand Wrangle (about 20 minutes)

This time-slot assumes everything is happening on the same site: if your wedding reception venue is far from your ceremony venue, then adjust and add travel time to suit. The grand wrangle is the part where you try and herd your community into the seated reception area. This isn’t a quick affair, and by the time someone has first begun screaming their guts out for everyone to come inside until the last butt has been gracefully draped across the final chair, you’ll be looking at possibly 20 minutes. At this time, your wedding MC can announce anything they need to, and any formalities as per your wedding reception timeline.

3. Wedding party entrances (10 minutes)

This is when, like a herd of majestic gazelles cantering across the plains, you and your crew make your way in, to your choice of music (if that’s how you’ve set it up). In practice this might only take 5 minutes, but as always, consider any extra time that might be consumed by any delays, unsignalled bathroom breaks by your best man, etc.

4. First Dance (15 minutes)

a photo of a wedding couples first dance
From Zoe and Adams wedding featured on Vogue

The first dance: this is exactly as it says on the box! If you’re doing a first dance, this is where you get to show off just how many practice sessions you failed to show up for. Good thing is, no-one cares how fancy your footwork is – your family and friends are just stoked to see you having a blast with each other. The dance itself might only be a few minutes, but when planning your wedding reception timeline, consider the extra time involved if your crew swamp the dance-floor with you, and any other minor delays either side.

5. Welcome Speech (10 minutes)

a photo of a wedding couples welcome speech at their wedding reception
From Liv and Adam

This is your welcome speech for your community, to bring them all into the evenings proceedings. Maybe here, you’d also like to consider an acknowledgement of country.

6. Entree and Dinner (1 hour)

an image of a wedding reception dinner
See this Rupert on Rupert wedding

Again, this is as it says on the box. You’ll likely be served first (if your wedding caterer knows what they’re doing), and my strongest recommendation is to make sure you knock down your meal in full, as everything will be pulling at your attention. As majestic as the wedding meal is, you also want to consider that getting some energy in is also the aim of the game here. Consider if you want to make your way around to all the tables – it’s a great way to make your guests feel loved and for many of them, might be the only opportunity they get to give you a hi-5 over the entire day.

7. Sneaky sunset photoshoot (10 minutes)

See more of this moody couple shoot

The sunset photoshoot isn’t just a great time to get incredibly beautiful images in the best light: first and foremost, it’s the only other time in the entire day where the two of you will get a break and a little bit of calm all to yourselves. Enjoy this, throw a wine in your hand and let your photographer take you out for a fun session: this will be where you get some of your favourite wedding portraits. Wedding reception timeline tips: Consider scheduling this in immediately after you have had your main course, and before you make your way around to all of your guests (otherwise there’s a good chance it won’t happen).

See more black and white wedding photos

Inform your wedding planner of this, and make sure it’s all formalised in your wedding reception timeline.

8. Community Toasts (20 minutes)

From Kate and Toms Palm Springs Wedding

The toasts section of the wedding reception timeline is where anything goes. Try to get an idea in advance of who might be giving a speech or toast, so all of the time can be accounted for, and a timing guideline can be presented to each person. This will keep things smooth for all your guests and for the rest of your wedding reception timeline.

9. Family dances (15 minutes)

a photo of a father and daughter dance

This is the part of your wedding reception timeline where some of the most brilliant memories are made, and brilliant photos. Work out ahead of time what the order of things should be, and put every detail and person into your wedding reception timeline.

10. Dance floor open (30 minutes)

Wedding reception timeline tip: after your family dances, make a note of at what point the rest of your community should join you, and make sure it’s formally announced, so that there is no awkward dripping of guests onto the dance-floor wondering if they’re allowed to. Remember the tip up at the top: your guests want solid direction and want to be told what to do. This makes it crystal clear and fun for them, and exactly the same for you.

11. Cake cutting and dessert (30 minutes)

a photo of the wedding couple cutting the cake
See more of this incredible Castlemaine Wedding

There are loud signals of an imminent closing of something (such as the venue lights in a nightclub being unceremoniously turned on at 2:45am), and there are soft signals: the wedding cake cutting and dessert bracket, is a soft signal that things are beginning to hit the final bit of track in your wedding reception timeline. Get the music provider to adjust things to suit, and take a bit of a breather of your own.

HOT TIP: Cut the cake immediately after you walk in, instead. Less formalities later on, = more time your guests can enjoy themselves rather than waiting for the next set of formalities.

12. Dancefloor anarchy (30-45 minutes)

a photo of a couples wedding reception party
See this Castlemaine Wedding Venue

By this point, you’ve probably hit your second wind, and you’ve got a perfect storm of caffiene and sugar coursing through your veins. Wind up the dancing shoes for a final go of it, and get your wedding band to dial things up a notch. When planning your wedding reception timeline, consider workshopping with them also on what the closing track #1 will be, and the closing track #2 (there’s always an encore at every good party).

13. The exit (15 minutes)

wedding reception timeline tips - the sparkler exit
From Kate and Alex’s Burnham Beeches Wedding

The exit itself will only take about 30 seconds, but when planning your wedding reception timeline, consider all of the other people-wrangling that will happen here: pulling any folks from the bathrooms, clearing the bar, and getting a host of gloriously fed and watered folks in a straight line (or whatever exit arrangement you’ve chosen here).

Final wedding reception timeline tips

One of my biggest tips, is to hire a wedding planner. Many folks are a bit unsure about the merits of a wedding planner, so to be totally clear, it’s this: they put out (proverbial) fires, they make you and your guests feel loved and looked after the entire day, but probably most importantly, they don’t leave anyone present feeling like they don’t know what’s going on. A great wedding planner ensures that your timelines are stuck to, and everything goes smoothly and as planned.

Book me to photograph your wedding (if you want)

Wedding photography Melbourne: Briars Atlas – Make an enquiry

Unique wedding venues in Melbourne - George Ballroom

Dec 25, 2020

The best Wedding Venues Melbourne has to offer:

  1. Newport Substation
  2. Rupert on Rupert
  3. Half Acre
  4. Panama Dining Room
  5. State Library Victoria
  6. Longsong
  7. Gather and Tailor
  8. The Deck At Circa
  9. Quat Quatta
  10. Luminare
  11. Brunswick Mess Hall
  12. Fortyfive Downstairs
  13. Glasshaus
  14. George Ballroom
  15. Altar Electric
  16. Fyansford Paper Mill
  17. The Line
  18. Reine and La Rue

Melbourne is full to the brim with interesting, quirky, and Unique Wedding Venues to appeal to every design sensibility under the sun. Our city is kinda like an egg – ask 5 people for their favourite way to consume it, and you’ll get 4 different answers (and one, probably the film wedding photographer, who’d prefer a nut-based alternative). So if anywhere is gonna be able to cater to a wild range of vibes within a small radius, it’s Melbourne.

What weddings are going to look like in Victoria is a little different in the short to mid-term, so this is a list for folks with alternative and unique sensibilities (head this way if you’re specifically looking for small wedding venues, also included are some more brilliant art deco reception venues).

When we made this list, we essentially made it for ourselves: there’s plenty of lists on regular wedding venues out there, but these are the best wedding venues in Melbourne that have a little bit of sass and quirk to them, and cover a range of wedding venue styles, from industrial warehouse, to art deco: these are wedding venues for large weddings, small weddings, and everything in between.

Melbourne wedding venue comparison chart

Wedding VenuesVenue StyleVenue locationVenue capacityYou might also likeSample gallery
Newport SubstationWarehouseFootscray300Half AcreComing Soon
Rupert on RupertSmall WarehouseCollingwood200Panama Dining RoomRupert on Rupert
Half AcreWarehouseSouth Melbourne400Gather and TailorFood and Desire
Panama Dining RoomNew York LoftFitzroy220Rupert on RupertComing Soon
State Library VictoriaStylish modernMelbourne CBD500Gather and TailorComing Soon
LongsongModern WarehouseMelbourne CBD200Brunswick Mess HallComing Soon
Gather and TailorWarehouseFootscray450Half AcreGather and Tailor
The Deck at CircaModernSt Kilda500LuminareThe Deck at Circa
Quat QuattaArt DecoRipponlea450State Library VictoriaQuat Quatta
LuminareRooftopSouth Melbourne500State Library VictoriaLuminare Wedding
Brunswick Mess HallWarehouseBrunswick200Half AcreComing Soon
Fortyfive DownstairsArt GalleryMelbourne CBD300Altar ElectricComing Soon
GlasshausJungle WarehouseRichmond125George BallroomGlasshaus
George BallroomRustic BallroomSt Kilda200GlasshausComing Soon
Altar ElectricVegas ChapelCollingwood70GlasshausThe Altar Electric
Fyansford Paper MillHeritageGeelong200Half AcreFyansford Paper Mill
The LineWarehouseFootscray200Half AcreComing Soon
A comparison chart of the best Wedding Venues Melbourne has

1. Newport Substation – Warehouse Wedding Venue

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Newport Substation | Wedding Venue Location: Newport | Photo: Briars Atlas

What do an obscure German electronic artist, experiential-theatre zombie-apocalypse, and majestic high-end wedding all have in common? They all found a home at the unique, towering Substation in Newport – in no small way thanks to a philanthropic strategy of intertwinement with the local & international arts community.

The Substation has this classic “we’ve just casually repurposed an industrial Brooklyn warehouse” vibe written all over it, with staggering floor-to-ceiling windows (this criteria would be less staggering if, for example, the windows were in a hobbit-sized home but we’re talking a less vertically-challenged structure here), red statement curtains, and one end lined with more secret little rooms than you can poke a stick at.

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
Newport Substation Reception | Wedding Venue Location: Newport | Photo: Briars Atlas

With plenty of space to spare both in the main atrium and the rooms below, Melbournes unique wedding venue queen Newport Substation can be mapped to nearly any configuration, including any furniture layout you can imagine, and an on-site burrito stand for guests to tuck into (or the most epic grazing table you can imagine).

Set up a band in one corner, quirky photobooth in the other, hire a leading progressive Melbourne wedding florist like Good Grace & Humour or Georgie Boy to dress up another end with an impossibly wild installation (or leave it in all it’s all bare glory), and you’ve got a space that’ll be on the tips of the guests tongues for weeks. After they recover from their hangovers.

Check out Nicole and Dan’s incredible unique wedding at Newport Substation. One of my favourite things about Newport Substation, not to take away anything from it as a brilliant Melbourne venue, is that it takes me back to any number of the incredible and enormous New York Warehouse venues i’ve had the good fortune of being in.


Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Newport Substation website: www.thesubstation.org.au
Newport Substation wedding gallery: Nicole & Dan
Venue size: Enormous. 250 seated, 300 cocktail

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Newport Substation Portraits | Wedding Venue Location: Newport | Photo: Briars Atlas

2. Rupert on Rupert – Collingwood Wedding Venues

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
Rupert On Rupert Ceremony | Wedding Venue Location: Collingwood | Photo: Briars Atlas

Rupert is kinda like the Tesla flying in outer space with an astronaut next to it and David Bowie blaring from the stereo as it flies towards Jupiter: it probably shouldn’t exist at all, much less where it does, but – it does.

And thankful for it existing, we are. Separated into a Main Dining Hall, Conservatory, and Cocktail Lounge, alternative wedding venue in Melbourne king Rupert on Rupert takes the crown for classic modern New York bar vibes in Melbourne, and wouldn’t be out of place in any of the more recently gentrified areas of inner-Brooklyn: which is also code-word for gorgeously designed, thoughtfully laid out, with a level of subtle considered genius by a design team that makes the space grow on you like the third album from that previously favourite artist of yours.

Geographically tucked neatly away into the “local knowledge” category, pop into the unique Rupert on Rupert on a weekend, and it’s jam-packed with folks who know it’s one of the most unique venues Melbourne has to offer with it’s incredible food and quirky interiors in a classy casual setting.

Rupert on Rupert has three thoughtfully designed areas, each of which can be repurposed as you need, and the menu is produced by a crack-team of friendly maestros who can cater incredibly for vegetarians and vegans alike (I know, because I was guest at an incredible vegan wedding there of a dear mate).

I’m not saying to just get Aunt Jenny on her iPad taking the photos for the day, but I will say that with every inch of the interior so thoughtfully considered at Rupert on Rupert, you could probably point your 2002 Nokia at the urinal and still get an incredible image.

But don’t do that, because it’s extraordinarily weird that you’re still using that phone.

For more inspiration check out Alix and Tim’s Rupert on Rupert Wedding. If you’re going to hire out such an iconic space, also be sure to bring a Melbourne wedding videographer along for the ride.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Rupert on Rupert website: www.rupertonrupert.com.au
Rupert on Rupert wedding gallery: Alix & Tim’s wedding at Rupert on Rupert
Venue size: Cosy & compartmentalised.  (85 seated, 220 cocktail)

Melbourne Wedding Venues
Rupert On Rupert Reception | Wedding Venue Location: Collingwood | Photo: Briars Atlas
Melbourne Wedding Venues
Rupert On Rupert Reception | Wedding Venue Location: Collingwood | Photo: Briars Atlas

3. Half Acre – Best wedding venue Melbourne

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Half Acre | Wedding Venue Location: South Melbourne | Photo: Briars Atlas

South Melbourne’s Half Acre, helmed by the catering mad-hatters at Food and Desire, is a giant secret dropped right in the middle of the wide streets of South Melbourne. Occupying a corner of the suburb that mostly is home to industry, it is – apart from the majestic cacophany of matrimony on a weekend – a gloriously quiet dead-zone of a weekend.

In line with this play on contrasts, it’s actually pretty near impossible to tell what the hell the place even is, unless you’re in the know, or a loaded up wedding guest finds themselves playing horizontal on the nature strip outside.

With all the new wedding venues Melbourne has on offer, Half Acre are a giant, well-oiled diamond (if that’s a thing). Half Acre itself was previously an industrial complex, and retains a lot of that gritty charm in it’s warehouse interior. Half Acre is split into several different areas, giving an enormous range of opportunity for a smaller ceremony indoors, over to their large, high-roofed reception hall.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Half Acre website: https://www.halfacre.com.au/
Half Acre Wedding gallery: Food and Desire
Venue size: Seated: 264, Cocktail: 400

Melbourne Wedding Venue
See more of Biancas incredible Le Louvre wedding dress at this list of the most unique wedding dresses in Melbourne.
Melbourne Wedding Venues
Half Acre Portraits | Wedding Venue Location: South Melbourne | Photo: Briars Atlas

4. Fitzroy wedding venue: Panama Dining Room (New York Style Wedding Venue)
Wedding Venue Location: Collingwood

The grand-master of unique, alternative wedding venues in Melbourne. Beer-soaked carpets, wistful homages to Dave the hot bassist etched into the bathroom walls, and the shady corner where your insouciant friend got lucky.

These are a few things that you definitely won’t find at Panama Dining room anymore.

When stepping into this cavernous room filled with giant arch windows you might be forgiven that in it’s past-life as a music venue in the heartland of the pub-scene, the majestic gateways of Panama Dining Room looking into and around the city were completely covered up.

Since being exposed in all their glory, Panama Dining Room has staked its claim as one of Melbournes best open-bar, dining-hybrid venues, and if you gently squint, it’s easy to imagine yourself in the warehouse-loft of a pre-crash Wall St tycoon in the 80s.

So squint, dear friend, bring that cigar to the lips, and inhale that sweet, sweet smell of pre-2007 venue tobacco laws, while you imagine yourself in that steamy machine of systemic exploitation known as wall st.

Fortunately for those of the stamina variety, Panama did carry one little thing over from it’s days as a live music venue: a 1am liquor license.

So party on, dear aspirational Gordon Gecko.

The Panama Dining Room is located in the heart of Smith St, which places it in beautiful proximity to some of the most iconic and historical parts of Melbournes oldest suburb, Fitzroy. That puts it at arms length away from an incredible lot of great portrait opportunities that can be had even with just a quick little sprint away from the Panama.


Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Panama Dining Room websitewww.thepanama.com.au
Venue size: 160 guests seated, 220 standing

5. State Library of Victoria – Melbourne City Wedding Venue

Wedding Venue Location: Melbourne CBD

Bookworms by day, dancefloor worms by night: State Library Victoria is the poster-child for a venues ability to play Jekyll, Hyde, and all their far-removed cousins, and might just be our cities most slumbering giant gem.

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne

There’s much to be said for nostalgia. It is after all, the reason why we fought tooth and nail for an (ill-fated, but I digress) Hey Hey it’s Saturday revival wayback when, and why the the whiff of a can of Lynx can suddenly remove two decades of time and space for those in the mid-30’s bracket.

The savvy folk at Showtime events and caretakers of State Library Victoria know the value of nostalgia, and so they know that once the lukewarm memories of higher education and it’s study pressures have faded into memory, there’s nothing more appealing than inhaling an Espresso Martini and double-stack of canapes in one of the worlds most extravagantly beautiful study halls.

Enter the unusual wedding venue, State Library Victoria.

Thankfully to the mad hatters at SLV, there are a total of five separate, incredibly distinct spaces in which to host your wedding, that can cater from the intimate to over 500 guests. So whether you’ve spent your days as a cave dwelling misanthrope or have as many friends as Tom from Myspace, you’re probably covered.

The lay of the land at State Library Victoria starts at the obviously decadent La Trobe Reading Room, throws a curveball of art via the Cowen Gallery, and ends at the recently revitalised Ian Potter Queens Hall, with the glorious North Rotunda and Isabelle Fraser room in between, taking the crown as one of the more unusual wedding venues we have going.

The State Library of Victoria, as well as having a variety of rooms that would be the envy of a Labrynth-trotting Bowie, is smack in the heart of the CBD – lending itself to plenty of beautiful portrait opportunities, classic Melbourne laneways and beyond, and is one of the more left of centre alternative wedding venues in Melbourne.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
State Library of Victoria websitehttps://venues.slv.vic.gov.au/wedding/
Venue size:
Isabelle Fraser Room: 156 Banquet 220 Cocktail
Ian Potter Queens Hall: 290 Banquet 500 Cocktail
La Trobe Reading Room: 520 Cocktail
North Rotunda: 60 Banquet 90 Cocktail
Cowen Gallery: 220 Banquet 350 Cocktail

State Library Wedding Melbourne

 

6. Longsong – Warehouse Wedding Venue

Wedding Venue Location: Melbourne CBD

Longsong is what happens when a collective of design-centred mavens pair with culinary master David Moyle, and point their magic towards an historic old Melbourne horse stable in the middle of chinatown.

Alternative Wedding venues in Melbourne - Longsong wedding

Majestic tall ceilings, a wave of paper lanterns above and original brick floors from this converted 1900s space, JCB Architects added another space to a growing list of venues in Melbourne keeping as many sympathetic roots to the original uses of the structure as possible, while allowing it to stand alone as progressive and stylish. Add a dash of quirky photographic genius on entry and you have yourselves one serve of Longsong.

Longsong is the benchmark in subtle, sprawling classy alternative vibes in Melbourne, with a 2-tier open space that lets you know exactly what it’s all about as soon as you walk in.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Longsong website: https://longrainmelbourne.com/
Longsong Wedding Gallery: Together Journal
Venue size: Up to 200 people

7. Gather & Tailor – Warehouse Wedding Venue

Wedding Venue Location: West Melbourne

Gather and Tailor takes an old inner-city warehouse, and puts it in the hands of the genius, quirky captains of wedding hospitality, Nudo.

Alternative Wedding venues in Melbourne - Gather and Tailor

5km out of the CBD, smack-against a bunch of shipping containers and an old-school automotive garage, it initially feels like you aren’t quite allowed to have all that room and calm all to yourself – but then you lean into it, and in return are gifted with one of the most unassumingly mighty warehouse experiences in Melbourne, and a small nod to a classic New York warehouse.

With the seasoned hands of the Nudo team and their hospitality empire at your fingertips, Gather and Tailor is a modular set of spaces, and the perfect blank canvas where you can call in as much or as little of the in-house styling as you need.

Check out Ash and Karan’s glorious Gather and Tailor wedding, at one of my favourite wedding venues near me.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Gather & Tailor website: www.gatherandtailor.com.au
Gather & Tailor wedding gallery: Gather and Tailor wedding
Venue size: Pretty damn big, mate. 300 seated, 450 standing (Across two physical spaces).

Alternative Wedding venues in Melbourne - Gather and Tailor outside
Alternative Wedding venues in Melbourne - Gather and Tailor

8. The Deck at Circa – Classy Wedding Venue

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Circa The Prince Deck| Wedding Venue Location: St Kilda | Photo: Briars Atlas

The Deck at Circa is nested on the rooftop of the Prince Hotel, in sun-drenched St Kilda. The Deck itself is an expansive, as you’d imagine, deck, with a large covered interior space, and access to some of the other incredible events and wedding spaces inside the Prince Hotel.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
The Deck website: https://theprince.com.au/prince-deck/
The Deck wedding gallery: The Deck Circa Wedding
Venue size: Sit down – 120 guests. Cocktail – 500 guests

9. Quat Quatta – Art Deco Wedding Venues Ripponlea

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
Quat Quatta| Wedding Venue Location: Ripponlea | Photo: Briars Atlas

Quat Quatta contains some of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful interiors and exteriors around (check out Burnham Beeches for another), and the breadth of portrait opportunities on-site both inside and outside are unbeatable. A festooned outdoor area makes for a glorious intimate ceremony space, before the party is carried inside, making the combination of these things raise Quat Quatta as one of the most incredibly unique art deco wedding venues Melbourne has going.

But, let’s just hold off on all the adjectives and hyperbole for a hot damn minute, though: because something about this venue in particular isn’t talked about nearly enough: the bridal suites.

These old heritage rooms at the wings of Quat Quatta, apart from being a pretty splendid place to get all that bridal-suite stuff done (application of bandaids, eating of cupcakes, necking of champagne, and whatever else goes on in there), are totally gorgeous and a way under-appreciated part of the venues makeup, and one of my favourite areas of the building to take portraits on the day.

If art deco is your vibe, Quat Quatta is a place of wild charm and a more traditional-looking outpost that holds more than it’s own with plenty of variety. Check out this Quat Quatta wedding for a lay of the land. One of the most majestic art deco reception venues Melbourne has on offer.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Quat Quatta websitewww.quatquatta.com.au
Quat Quatta wedding gallery: Quat Quatta wedding
Venue size: Pretty big, mate. 300 seated, 450 standing (Across two physical spaces)

10. Luminare – Rooftop Wedding Venue

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Luminare| Wedding Venue Location: South Melbourne | Photo: Briars Atlas

Luminare is a wedding venue in Melbourne that has become something of a go-to for all things lush and grand, and I find that folks who are drawn to Luminare are also drawn to The Deck (up above) and The George Ballroom (further down this page).

Luminare is a giant, high-roofed events and wedding space, with an enormous deck that runs the full length of the floor, set against their iconic view of the city. This boutique wedding venue is located just a stones throw from the Melbourne CBD, and for folks considering Metropolis Events, this is a brilliant alternative with a similar feel, and including unmatched views of Melbourne via it’s rooftop.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Luminare website: https://luminare.net.au/
Luminare Wedding gallery: Luminare Wedding
Venue size: 250 guests seated, 500 guests cocktail

11. Brunswick Mess Hall – Quirky Wedding Venue

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
Brunswick Mess Hall | Wedding Venue Location: Brunswick | Photo: Briars Atlas

Brunswick mess hall is one of the more unique, casual wedding venues Melbourne has to offer, with a warehouse vibe set in the heart of Brunswick. Somewhat akin in functionality to it’s spiritual cousin Revolver in Prahran, the Brunswick Mess Hall is a restaurant by day, and party-space by night when a wedding is on. Minus the next new thing in electro-dubstep resetting everyones resting heart-rate, or coke-buzzed charlitans in the urinal offering you the key to manifesting abundance.

Brunswick Mess Hall has some of the most gorgeous natural light coming through later in the day, and some brilliant portrait locations in the surrounding streets that make a quick quest out into this quirky neighbourhood at sunset deliver an abundance of opportunities without dragging you away from the party for too long.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Brunswick Mess Hall website: https://thebrunswickmesshall.com.au/
Brunswick Mess Hall Wedding Gallery: On Polka Dot Bride
Venue size: 130 guests seated, 200 guests cocktail

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Brunswick Mess Hall Wedding | Wedding Venue Location: Brunswick | Photo: Briars Atlas

12. Fortyfive Downstairs – Small Warehouse Wedding Venues

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
45 Downstairs | Wedding Venue Location: Melbourne City | Photo: Briars Atlas

Fortyfive Downstairs is Melbournes best Art Gallery Wedding Venue, and one of the most unique venues Melbourne has on offer. At first glance, for the parents out there, it might bring up the hairs on the back of the neck in the same way that letting toddlers loose around fine china does, but the reality of the space is quite the opposite.

Fortyfive Downstairs is a warming, welcoming space with unique beautiful rotating art on it’s walls, sat a few floors up from it’s incredible, cavernous warehouse space in the basement.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Fortyfive Downstairs website: https://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/
Fortyfive Downstairs Wedding Gallery: Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Venue size: 160 guests seated, 300 guests cocktail

13. Glasshaus – Casual Wedding Venues

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
Glasshaus Wedding | Wedding Venue Location: Richmond | Photo: Briars Atlas

Glasshaus has two distinct wedding event spaces: Glasshaus Inside, and Glasshaus Outside.

Fun fact: Glasshaus inside has an outside outside of Inside’s inside, and inside Glasshaus Outside Glasshaus Inside could probably fit.

Etc.

Glasshaus is something of a beautiful aviary in a jungle, and nearly tucked inside a front that doesn’t lend you any idea of it being there. A brilliantly unique wedding venue just a stones throw from the city.

Glasshaus Inside is a warehouse jungle, and no other descriptors will do any justice to the space. If you’re looking for venues similar to Rupert on Rupert, this is the answer south of the river.

See more at this Glasshaus Wedding

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Glasshaus website: https://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/
Venue size: 88 guests seated, 125 guests cocktail

14. George Ballroom – Unique Wedding Venues Victoria

Best Wedding Venues Melbourne
The George Ballroom Wedding | Wedding Venue Location: St Kilda | Photo: Briars Atlas

The George Ballroom is one of the most decadent wedding venues going, and a brilliant example of just how incredible and modular a single room can be. Iconic textured, distressed walls and fixtures, and much like Rupert, the kind of place you can just point a phone camera at in any direction and come out with art. This unique wedding venue is in St Kilda, just a short jaunt from the Melbourne CBD.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
The George Ballroom website: https://www.thegeorgeballroom.com.au/
Venue size: 150 guests seated, 200 guests cocktail

15. Collingwood Wedding Venues: Altar Electric (Eclectic Wedding Venue)

Alternative Wedding Venues Melbourne
The Altar Electric | Wedding Venue Location: Collingwood | Photo: Briars Atlas

Before pandemics and global disarray, The Altar Electric were ahead of the curve before flattening it was a thing, serving up small (see here for why small wedding venues are the best), funky, intimate weddings in their brilliant chapel in Collingwood, designed by the genius event and wedding stylists over at Good Day Club. There are always new wedding venues Melbourne has popping up, but these folk stand out from the rest, and Altar Electric takes the crown as one of the more unusual, alternative wedding venues in town.

The Altar Electric is a wedding chapel for three kinds of folks:

1 – Couples who were probably going to book a registry wedding, but wanted a little bit more sass to the occasion (and still prefer to find more reasonably priced wedding venues)

2 – Couples who want Australias answer to the Vegas Chapel wedding

3 – Couples who want to get in, get it done in an incredible and colourful way, and get out into enjoying their day together around Fitzroy and Collingwood

The Altar Electric is one of the most unique venues Melbourne has going and one of the most amazing places to get married in Melbourne, providing everything from intimate shotgun weddings, all the way up to options for a larger number of guests inside the peach-toned walls of their tiny chapel.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
The Altar Electric website: https://www.thealtarelectric.com.au/
The Altar Electric Wedding Gallery: The Altar Electric Wedding
Venue size: 30, to up to 70 if the outside area is used

16. Fyansford Paper Mill – Heritage Wedding Venue

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
Fyansford Paper Mill Site 2A | Wedding Venue Location: Geelong | Photo: Briars Atlas

I had to include this one for all the Lord of the Rings fans out there. This doesn’t quite fit the bill for Melbourne, as it’s just outside of it, but is something of a secret wedding venue worth checking out, and one of the best places to get married in Victoria.

Before I give the exact location as a potential turn-off, it’s worth saying that if you can stomach sitting in traffic on Punt Rd for an hour to move just 150 metres, then you can also put up with making your way over to Geelong to this beauty, and there’s no trip more worthy than to see this incredibly unique wedding venue just a short haul from Melbourne.

I still believe Fyansford Paper Mill is one of our real undiscovered gems that should be right at the top of any wedding venue consideration inside Victoria, and unfortunately it’s even tough to get a sense of how brilliant this place is from a proper google search, you almost have to just roll up and see it for yourself.

Cavernous interior, split into two distinct spaces joined by what is an iconic archway in between them, it’s impossible to think this place exists just a short roadie out of the city.

Fyansford Paper Mill – otherwise known ever so romantically as Site 3A – is run by prolific caterers and party-starters Truffleduck.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
Fyansford Paper Mill Website: Truffleduck
Fyansford Paper Mill Wedding Gallery: Fyansford Paper Mill Wedding
Venue size: 30, to up to 70 if the outside area is used

17. Footscray Wedding Venue The Line (Warehouse Venue)

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
The Line Footscray | Wedding Venue Location: Footscray | Photo: Briars Atlas

The Line in Footscray takes all the grit, texture, and industrial charm of recently gentrifying Footscray and… leaves all it the hell alone.

Perfect.

Just as every developer with a string of graduate architects are discovering Fisher and Paykel My First Geometry lessons on exterior cladding in the suburb, the folks at The Line have kept the original spirit of the area alive in this rough around the edges gem of a space, and it’s one of the most moody wedding venues near me as a westsider.

The Line is a blank-canvas wedding venue, and you know you’re in good hands when the venue is run by a team that also see their space used regularly for community, arts, and market events, which is something of a rarity.

To see The Line in action, pick yourself up a copy of the September 2020 edition of Hello May, where you can see the gorgeous and colourful celebration of Pepe and Sam gracing it’s pages with this unique wedding venue set as their brilliant canvas.

Enquire about their Melbourne Wedding Packages
The Line Website: https://www.theline.melbourne/
The Line Wedding Gallery: Hello May Wedding Photographer
Venue size: Up to 200 people

Unique Wedding Venues Melbourne
The Line Wedding | Wedding Venue Location: Footscray | Photo: Briars Atlas

18. French restaurant wedding venue: Reine and La Rue

An ambitious undertaking from the Nomad group, Reine and La Rue lives inside an iconic neo-gothic structure on Collins St, and you can expect to walk in to the cavernous cathedral room of Reine, and inside that find La Rue, an 8-seater speakesy nested inside.

Enquire about Reine and La Rue Melbourne Wedding Packages
Reine and La Rue Website: https://reineandlarue.melbourne/
Reine and La Rue Wedding Gallery: Reine and La Rue Wedding
Venue size: Up to 300 people

What are the best indoor wedding venues in Melbourne?

My favourites from the venues listed on this page are Rupert on Rupert, Quat Quatta and Newport Substation.

What are the best outdoor wedding venues in Melbourne?

Most of the wedding venues on this page are indoor, so if you’re looking for the best outdoor wedding venue, I recommend checking out this list of the best parks for weddings.

What are the best winery wedding venues?

My vote goes to Stones of the Yarra Valley. While you’re here, check out this planning guide for Yarra Valley Weddings.

Inexpensive wedding venues?

For inexpensive weddings, it’s hard to go past the all-inclusive planning team at I Do Drive Thru who can host your intimate wedding in a park, venue, or anywhere you can think of.

Wedding night accommodation Melbourne?

The best accommodation for the night of your Melbourne wedding is something close by. Try Air BnB, or QT hotel on Russel St for a modern hotel experience.

Can you shoot my wedding on analog Kodak film?

I sure can, and have even taken out an award as the best analog film wedding photographer in the world (#blush). You can find out more about why I shoot film here and why you should book film wedding photos: film wedding photographer

What’s the best photo booth in Melbourne?

We’re biased since we’re part owners, but we think you should check out this incredible new Vanity Fair photo booth – it’s the first of it’s kind in this industry.

Hope you enjoyed checking out some of the best wedding venues Melbourne has on offer.

There. 18 (eighteen) of the best unique wedding venues in Melbourne, for lovers and anarchists.

Author and all photos by: Briars Atlas. Photos may be only used with a link back to this page.

This made the list a little late, but be sure to also check out this Two Ton Max wedding. For unique wedding venues in new South Wales, check out this beautiful Sydney Theatre Company wedding. For a unique Mornington Peninsula wedding venue (head here for Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer), you need to check out Tanglewood Estate or head here for some more great wedding venues on mornington peninsula. Make sure you also load up your day with an incredible Melbourne Wedding Videographer.

Hire me to photograph your Melbourne wedding (if you want)

Just whack this link – Melbourne wedding photographer

Going intimate? Looking for a small Melbourne wedding venue?

Check out the best 17 Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne, and a preview of ten of them below.

Tobi Tobi Music

Dec 21, 2020

6 amazing wedding bands, DJ’s and singers: short and sweet

  1. Like this Band
  2. Tobi Tobi Music
  3. Lark Music
  4. Just Me Plus One
  5. One More Song Entertainment
  6. Melbourne Entertainment Company

From small, intimate duos, to full, scaleable big-bands. Here is a roundup of the best wedding music in Melbourne, including DJ’s, wedding singers, bands and musician duos. I’ve seen each of these wedding bands perform at weddings all over Melbourne and Victoria, and they’re magic, and tick every box you didn’t imagine needed ticking with this sort of thing.

Booking a wedding band or musician has a little more gravitas on it than you might imagine. Far more than being just background music – it’s the difference between your guests having a ripping time at your wedding or not, and in no small way, they are often the glue between all of the other elements you’ve booked.

If you’re going to book wedding music, they might as well be top of the tree and genuine lovers of what they do: music!

No-one wants to sift through an enormous confusing list, so here’s 5 Melbourne wedding bands that make incredible wedding music – read on for a little more detail:

1. Melbourne Wedding Band: Like This Corporate Band

Like This band leverage something entirely unique that can’t be bought or imitated: they’re all real-life friends, and have played together as a unit since forever. Don’t take too much from the word “corporate” in “Like This Corporate” – they’re anything but a bunch of stiffs.

What this means for you, is this: no awkward referring to sheet-music or scenarios with band members not being in sync with each other, which is far more common than you might imagine, and affects how authentic and on-point the music comes across to your guests. And this translates to them partying hard.

Like This Corporate are a well-oiled machine, and having seen them perform at several weddings, it’s something special to see.

When you book Like This Corporate:

Expect an immersive experience, where the members are joining guests in the middle of the dance-floor for sax-solos, sing-alongs, and the most incredible musicianship available in Melbourne. Scaleable from large to small, they can take a post at any point of your wedding.

Something that Like This Corporate offer that no-one else can:

Their lead vocalist and pillar of charisma, Cadeyrn, can literally morph his vocals to sing, anything. From Sinatra, to Nick Cave, to John Mayer, over to every classic imaginable, you will absolutely be doing a double-take and wondering if the real deal is in the room. If you haven’t yet heard Like This, this can’t be overstated enough: Like This don’t cover other artists, they BECOME them.

Make an enquiry with Like This Corporate

https://www.likethiscorporate.com/


2. Melbourne Wedding Duo: Tobi Tobi Music

I first met Tobi Tobi at Amy and Bronsons wedding, featured on Hello May.

Renee and Jamie, also known formally as Tobi Tobi Music, with have you swooning over their ethereal soundscapes, filling the air with what should be impossible with just two people. Because of this, these two are commissioned all over the world to cast their craft as the backdrop to wedding ceremonies and canapés.

When you book Tobi Tobi Music:

Expect an experience where your guests are doing double takes at how Renee and Jamie are interpreting every type of song under the sun, and making it their (and your) own at your wedding.

Tobi Tobi - best wedding band in Melbourne

Something that Tobi Tobi Music offer that no-one else can:

Renee has a voice that softly cuts through a gathering and just has to be heard to be believed, and the way Jamie and herself weave songs into something far beyond what you know them as, is just out of this world.

Apart from that, if the Tobi Tobi Music instagram is anything to go by they’re well documented as going to extra lengths to make sure their wizardry waved over your day is not only music but a fully personalised experience that will leave a memorable mark on you and your guests.

I first came across Tobi Tobi Music while working with the inimitable Nathan Kaso at Amy and Bronson’s wedding, and their tunes have stuck with me since.

Make an enquiry with Tobi Tobi Music

https://www.tobitobi.co/


3. Melbourne Wedding Band: Lark Music

Led by Luke O’Connor, Lark Music are at the pinnacle of the modular band experience at a wedding. Within Lark Music, you can pick your flavour: from DJ, to duo, to ten-part band and beyond. As a Melbourne wedding band Lark offer a fully customised experience entertaining small intimate weddings, to large wedding armageddons.

When you book Lark Music:

Expect a slick and professional experience that can only come from a seasoned machine that has absolutely seen it all.

Something that Lark Music offer that no-one else can:

With their incredible extended network of musician friends and enormous tight core, if you can forgive me sounding like i’m marketing an I.T firm for a hot minute, they are the epitome of a “scaleable soultion”. Soulution was a typo but i’m damn well leaving it there because it fits.

Make an enquiry with Lark Music

https://larkmusic.com.au/


4. Melbourne Acoustic Wedding Band: Just Me Plus One

Video by Lunar Red Films

The head-honcho of Just Me Plus One, Vanessa, is a seasoned songstress with over 1000 (!) gigs under her belt. An incredible body of work like that translates to a wild level of experience and empathy that has her locking in with crowds like, I guess, some kind of well-churned item of dairy produce onto lightly caramelised bread.

When you book Just Me Plus One:

When you book Just Me Plus One, you get a seasoned performer who will not only cast a cracking spell on your guests on the day, but before all that, walk you through the process of either creating a bespoke package for you, or work together with your own recommendations.

Just Me Plus One - best wedding band in Melbourne

Something that Just Me Plus One offers that no-one else does:

Expect the warm, room-controlling presence of someone who can simultaneously walk the professional tightrope of having an impossible number of wildly varied gigs under her belt, while at the same time being a calm, friend next door presence to all in the room.

Make an enquiry with Just Me Plus One

https://www.instagram.com/justme_plusone


5. Best Melbourne Wedding DJ: One More Song Entertainment

When “No More Nutbush” are the first words that hit you on their website, you get a small taste of what you’re in for with this brilliant wedding DJ. Aleks and Eddy are a wedding music partner-duo (in case you haven’t picked up the theme of this post – all of the artists here are either friends or partners!), and i’ve had the wild pleasure of watching Aleks keep a room of the most discerning partyers going late into the evening at a wedding.

When you book One More Song Entertainment:

Expect the best DJ’s in town turning up to turn up. If you want to get a good feel for how their sets weave, they’ve brilliantly included a variety of mixes over on their website linked below.

Something that One More Song Entertainment offer that no-one else can:

Expert crowd-readers, One More Song somehow split their attention between manning the decks and empathetically reading the crowd from top to tail. See their post here on how to plan your wedding music.

Make an enquiry with One More Song Entertainment

https://onemoresong.com.au/

6. Whole package – Melbourne Entertainment Company

I can vouch for the “we make memories” mantra on the Melbourne Entertainment Company homepage, as that’s exactly what happened when i saw them dominate a room of party-pants at Melbourne wedding venue favourite, Rupert on Rupert. Not only a brilliant wedding entertainment collective, they’re also trusted as resident DJ’s at Nova. Boom.

When you book Melbourne Entertainment Company:

Expect full service, no holds barred dancefloor anarchy, and musical surprises at any turn. Most importantly, the care and attention of a mob that have a genuine investment in the experience of your guests.

Something that Melbourne Entertainment Company offer that no-one else can:

The whole package. Melbourne Entertainment Co are, literally, the whole package.

Make an enquiry with the Melbourne Entertainment Company

Melbourne Entertainment Company




And there we go. Hopefully this post was a delightfully useful little morsel of an insight into the wedding band options available in Melbourne.

What kind of music do you play at a wedding?

1. Each write a list of your top 10 songs
2. See what the crossover is like, and debate any differences (with a wine in hand)
3. Consult your hardest partying mate (everyone has one) for a second opinion
4. Check out this post on how to plan your wedding music

What is the top 10 wedding songs?

The top 10 wedding songs are different and unique to each couple. If you’re having trouble working out what yours are, here’s a great post on how to plan your wedding music

What is a good first dance song?

A better question to ask is “what songs would I throw on the record player at 10pm with a glass of wine in hand”. Make your wedding song yours, and not picked from someone elses list.

Should I use an iPod or a DJ?

A wedding DJ knows how to read a room, pace your evening, and will stop any fights over the iPod. Book a DJ.

What is the best wedding band in Melbourne?

Like This Corporate is the best wedding band in Melbourne. Scroll up to the top of this post to see their incredible Frank Sinatra interpretation, and head over to their website for more examples.

Hire me to photograph your wedding (if you want)

Briars Atlas – wedding photography

Melbourne music photographer

Castlemaine Wedding Venues

Dec 17, 2020

These are four of my favourite Castlemaine Wedding Venues, including photos taken at each of brilliant couples choosing to have their wedding in this rustic region.

It’s really late at night, and i’m writing this article for you, dear human-person, on the other end, and i’m supposed to use all this coercive langue that apparently makes internet websites more engaging and all that (“you’ll never BELIEVE how rusticly-rustic to the power of rustic these are”), but, let’s skip all that cheap shit and get to the point, because you’re better than that (it’s a Castlemaine thing).

Castlemaine is incredibly rad, otherwise you wouldn’t be on this post or considering a wedding in the area, and I want to share some great spaces from this totally marvellous region.

I’ve spent a tonne of time out there, and as a general thing within the universe, a visit to it is generally recognised as being far more desirable than a slap over the noggin with a wet fish, so have a look at these scallywags that thought the same, and hire me to shoot your wedding.

The Best Castlemaine wedding venues

1. Providence Gully
2. Butterland Newstead
3. The Diggers Store
4. The Cosmopolitan hotel

1. Providence Gully

Providence gully is a gem of the area, an incredible oasis established in 1858. With a rustic barn, olive grovee, pomegranite orchards and an endless variety of native greenery, this understated marvel is a must see.

I photographed the wedding of Amy and Bronson, held in this precious place, and featured in all it’s glory on Hello May.

Find Providence Gully

Providence Gully website: http://providencegully.com.au/

2. Butterland Newstead

Katie (othewise known at the inimitable Katie Marx flowers – see her here on Melbournes best wedding florists) and Greg run Butterland Newstead, and took it from an historic factory needing a little DIY love, into and incredibly versatile venue just one good road trip out of Melbourne

Iro and Alex got married at this spectacular property, and you can see more of these hilarious, stylish marvels featured here on Together Journal.

Find Butterland Newstead

Butterland Newstead website: https://www.butterland.com.au/

3. The Diggers Store

The Diggers Store is something of an understated gem of the area, and resembles something of an impossible mix of tiny italian clifftop homestead, mixed with rustic outback, and just a couple of hours north of Melbourne.

After their Queenstown Elopement (also featured here on Hello May), Lilli and Jake brought the party, and their beautiful community, to the intimate grounds of the Diggers Store in Castlemaine, and loaded up with a bunch of strange old film cameras (see here why I shoot film at weddings) I came along for the ride to document it.

Find the Diggers Store

The Diggers Store website: http://www.thediggersstore.com.au/

4. The Cosmopolitan Hotel

This one slipped into this post, just. Even though it’s about 40 minutes outside of Castlemaine, it still qualifies and is well worth adding to the Castlemaine venue consideration pile. Home of beautiful hospitality, wood-fired pizzas, and plenty of beautiful portrait locations in the surrounding regions to run around in. Go for the woodfired pizzas, and get married on the side.

Kara and Marty had their Castlemaine wedding at the Cosmopolitan hotel in Trentham, and we whipped out for a beautiful portrait session in some unique spots nearby. Head here to see more of their Cosmopolitan Hotel wedding.

Find the Cosmopolitan hotel

The Cosmopolitan Hotel Trentham website: https://www.thecosmopolitanhotel.com.au/

Check out this post for rustic wedding venues in Melbourne, or on the other side of Victoria, have a look at these Mornington Peninsula wedding venues. For something on the complete other end of the dial, check out this Melbourne city Luminare wedding.

Hire me as your Castlemaine Wedding Photographer

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography – enquire

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Blue Mountains Wedding photo

Dec 16, 2020

The Blue Mountains are one of the most stunning places to get married in the world. I’m a Blue Mountains wedding and elopement photographer, regularly photographing weddings and elopements in this beautiful region! My Blue Mountains wedding photography has been featured on Vogue, Rock n Roll bride and more.

The Blue mountains is one of the most magic areas of New South Wales, and it’s always such a treat to photograph there. I wanted to share a few of my favourite shoots, so if you’re looking for a wedding photographer then take a peek and reach out to me at the bottom of this post.

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Zoe and Adam – Hydro Majestic wedding / Blue Mountains Wedding Photographer

Zoe and Adam got married at the incredible Hydro Majestic hotel. We kicked things off with a wild pre-day shoot in the Blue Mountains, before spending the full day together on their wedding. Zoe is a brilliant photographer and has a particular affinity for old cameras, so I took some clunky gear from the 1960’s along for the ride. Find out why I love film wedding photography.

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A photograph of a wedding couple in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Hydro Majestic Wedding
Photography of Zoe and Adam at their Blue Mountains wedding
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See Zoe and Adams review on my Wedding Photographer reviews page

Find the Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains online

Hydro Majestic website: https://www.hydromajestic.com.au/

Sarah and Simons Blue Mountains Elopement photography

Based out of Berlin, Sarah and Simon are two incredible artists, who eloped to the other side of the world, to the Blue Mountains. They hired an incredible Air Bnb, and spent the day together with just themselves, and 4 of their closest friends.

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Book me as your Blue Mountains Wedding photographer

Hire me for your wedding or elopement – www.briarsatlas.com/enquire

How I approach the day: I believe you maestros should be focusing on enjoying the shit out of each other, and not having me wave my arms around telling you what to do. Particularly in the Blue Mountains, that means spending time enjoying the region and letting the surrounds and your natural vibe do the heavy lifting.

The Blue Mountains has a wild range of incredible sheer cliffs, rugged bush and impossible escarpments, and it’s a bit of a dream location to photograph in. I’ve shot weddings deep into it, as well as all around the South Coast, Katoomba and Kangaroo Valley.

If you’re looking at a Blue mountains wedding or Blue Mountains elopement it would be a thrill to come along for the ride, and no other fees are payable for that little corner of New South Wales.

For weddings closer towards the city, check out this gorgeous Sydney Theatre Company wedding, as well as this Centennial Park Sydney Superintendent’s Residence wedding, or for a little outside of Byron Bay, Deux Belettes is a must see.

Featured blue mountains weddings published

See Zoe and Adams Blue Mountains Wedding Photos on Vogue
See Sarah and Simons Blue Mountains Wedding photos on RnR Bride

Can I hire you for my Blue Mountains Wedding?

I have photographed all over New South Wales, including the Blue Mountains. You can hire me for your wedding, and there are no extra travel costs involved.

Do you charge extra to photograph a Blue Mountains Wedding?

No. You get a single-fee that covers you for everything.

How much do you charge to photograph a Blue Mountains wedding?

My internationally sought-after wedding photography begins at $5k AUD.

What is your favourite Blue Mountains wedding venue?

Leura and the Hydro Majestic have a special place in my heart.

Dec 5, 2020

Popup With Style are the Mornington Peninsulas best wedding planners and stylists, and they style and plan all types of wedding celebrations from the large, to the smaller and intimate.

Popup with style don’t just share their creative genius with you, they take over many of the pain points associated with planning your Melbourne or Mornington Peninsula wedding: venue sourcing, liaison with various suppliers, and above all – ensuring that all your suppliers are not only top-notch at their craft, but pleasant and reliable (if this is your first time planning a Melbourne or Mornington Peninsula wedding, you’ll find out pretty quick this is the most important thing.

Popup With Style say it all on their homepage: you only do it once! They are the most knowledgable and creative wedding planners on the Mornington Peninsula, and experienced not only in all of the brilliant venues out that way (including one of my favourites, Tanglewood Estate), but in a broad range of design styles.

Popup With Style have a wonderful range of bright and punchy themes on their website, but here, they came along to the Celebrant A-List Baller – a gathering of the Best Wedding Celebrants in Melbourne, and applied their incredible sense of style to a more moody and subdued palette.

Popup With Style created a table setting, Vogue-esque photobooth, and creative direction for florals that was then crafted by The Flower District, along with cake wizardry by Melbournes brilliant Torte by Mirjana.

If you’re looking for a Mornington Peninsula wedding planner or stylist, check out what a small intimate event designed by Popup With Style looks like (and also be sure to check out these small wedding venues and more wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula).

Popup With Style
The crew at Bottlebrush Films, Torte by Mirjana, The Arbourists, and Sean and Damian (Melbourne Wedding Celebrants)

Find Popup With Style online

Popup With Style website: https://www.popupwithstyle.com/
Popup With Style Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/popupwithstyle/

Find Popup With Style in person

Popup with Style are based in the Mornington Peninsula, but service all of Melbourne and indeed wider Victoria.

Hire me as your Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography

Picnic Styling Co popup picnic setup

Nov 15, 2020

Picnic Styling Co in Melbourne create popup picnic experiences for small weddings, events, brand activations, gatherings and more. The brainchild of Havana (also behind Saint Germain and partner to Gene, founder of my local caffiene dispensry Advieh), Picnic Styling Co hit the ground with their incredible innovative packages well before Covid forced everyone’s hand and could no longer book a wedding venue, and for the last year they’ve been Melbournes leading popup picnic creators. This is a great option if you’re looking for advice on how to get married quickly in Australia.

Picnic Styling Co Melbourne

Marlena and Warwick had a small wedding created by I Do Drive Thru, after which Warwick took Marlena to a surprise picnic in Footscray styled and setup with love by Picnic Styling Co.

Popup Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
Popup Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
Popup Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
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Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
Use their own provided blooms, or add some extra from a great wedding florist in Melbourne.
Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
Picnic Styling Co Melbourne
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Pop Up Picnic Hire Melbourne

Picnic Styling Co Melbourne

Picnic Styling Co have several offings, from group picnics, to couples picnics, outdoor movie night picnics, garden parties and more. You can choose from 6 styles and colour schemes, once you’ve selected the type of popup picnic hire that you’re after.

Melbourne Picnic Styling Company

Picnic Styling Co Melbourne

Picnic Styling Co offer a Marrakech collection and Luxe collection, which broadly cover more middle-eastern styling sensibilities as well as more streamlined, monochrome and boho picnic styling. You can customise any of the packages with a range of seating, cutlery, drink tray, cane-table options and much more.

Find Picnic Styling Co

Melbourne Picnic Styling Company

Picnic Styling Co Website http://www.picnicstylingco.com/
Picnic Styling Co Instagram https://www.instagram.com/picnicstylingco/
Picnic Styling Co Facebook https://www.facebook.com/picnicstylingco/

Hire me to photograph your small wedding or Pop Up Picnic (if you want)

Based in Melbourne, I photograph small weddings and elopements here there and everywhere for brilliant couples (just like you). Also head here to check out some of the best small wedding venues Melbourne has going.

Wedding photography meeting

Wedding Photography Melbourne: Briars Atlas – Enquire

How to get married quickly in Australia

Oct 18, 2020

While lost of couples can wait 12-18 months or more from the point of getting engaged, you’re here because you want to know how to get married quickly in Australia: you can’t bear the bollocks, you just want to get it didded’ and get it done.

Or maybe it’s for a VISA situation. We’re not here to judge. We’ll walk you through the quickest way to get married in Australia, with references to celebrants, add-ons and more.

What is the quickest way to get married in Australia?

In Australia, the quickest that you can get married through the standard process is one month from the moment that you decide you want to wear the eternal shackles of undying love to your future betrothed.

This can also be done quicker – read on.

How To Get Married Quickly In Australia city elopement
Lexy and Sean, married quickly (with glee)

To get married, apart from ideally needing to be in a relationship that’s withstood some of the sands of time with someone you (ideally) like, there’s really only a few moving parts that are actually happening: having a short ceremony witnessed, and signing some papers.

The rest of what we associate with “getting married” are really just shiny things that we throw on top: that to be fair, are fun and awesome, and you can also sprinkle a bit of radness on top in various ways.

How to get married quickly in Australia in just three steps.

1. Submit a notice of intended marriage application

This is number one, because a minimum of one month before you intend to marry, you need to lodge your NOIM (Notice of Intent to Marry) to your celebrant. They then use this notice to interface with the government.

You can download your Notice of Intent to Marry here.

2: Select a marriage celebrant

If you’re planning on getting married in Melbourne for example, this would mean you would either select a Wedding Celebrant if you want a specific character to your ceremony. Your other option, is to instead register it at the Victorian Marriage Registry, or with a small alternative venue such as The Altar Electric or I Do Drive Thru (see here for more amazing small wedding venues): each of these can provide you with a marriage celebrant and assist in getting you married quickly.

If you are unable to be mobile for your ceremony, ensure you query your potential celebrant on the options available for where you can get married – which include your home.

3. Pick your marriage ceremony date

Knowing that you need a minimum of one months notice, after you have worked out where you are getting married in Australia and by what celebrant, you will then ask them what their availability is like, and how soon they can marry you.

How quickly you can get married in Australia is limited by your celebrants availability. Then you book your date with them.

4. Turn up, sign stuff, get married

Your Authorised Wedding Celebrant will run you through all of the paperwork needs, as well as other requirements that you need to meet before marrying quickly (such as, you know, not being already married, and not attempting to marry your sibling).

You must also have two witnesses present, each over the age of 18: your Wedding Celebrant can be one, and your photographer can be the other.

Getting married quickly in Australia
Kirstyn and Nicholas

How to get married quickly in Australia in less than one month?

You can get married quickly in Australia in less than one month, by filling out a special form to expedite the process, which has specific requirements you must meet. Go here for the form.

Special circumstances where you might shorten the notice period to get married

  • If you’ve made an error in giving notice to get married (see the NOIM information up above)
  • If you are in the middle of legal proceedings
  • Medical reasons
  • Getting married around other wedding or event committments
  • Employment reasons
  • Travel reasons


You will still need to find an authorised marriage celebrant that is available to marry you when you wish to get married, so you should make a shortlist of celebrants to cross check availability with as soon as you can.

Oh, and pick up something radical from a wedding florist in Melbourne.

Three extra things to think about if you’re wanting to get married quickly in Australia

How To Get Married Quickly In Australia
Hannah and Lachlan, married in Queensland

You’re here because you want to get married quickly, but that’s no reason to not splash a bit of the good stuff on top of it. You can still have a short, sweet and quick ceremony, while also enjoying it.

1. Consider hiring a photographer

Find a local wedding photographer to hang out with you, even if just for an hour. I regularly photograph small weddings and elopements all over Australia and it can be a beautiful opportunity to get some beautiful images of you hitting the city or whatever environment you got married in, including your home or a local park.

2. Plan something fun afterwards

If the papers are worth signing, that’s worth celebrating over a wine/ginger-beer/milkshake/insert preferred beverage here. Refer back to point #1 – this can be a beautiful moment to capture you two just hanging out. Pick a restaurant, cafe, or activity to enjoy afterwards. It doesn’t have to be big and bombastic either, it can be slow, calm and simple.

If you’re in Melbourne, you might be signing the papers at the Treasury building on Spring St, and there are plenty of options nearby:

3. Spread the love

Celebrate with your community via a facetime hookup, or reach out to Bottlebrush Films, who can arrange your ceremony to be live-streamed.

How To Get Married Quickly In Australia
Dave and Sarah

And off you go.

Getting married is easier done, than… said.

Find a great wedding venue or hire us as your Melbourne wedding photographer.

Oct 16, 2020

I am thrilled to share the Hello May wedding of Pepe and Sam as their photographer, featured in the September issue of HELLO MAY MAGAZINE on news-stands now! Is this the most colourful wedding ever? Grab yourself a copy of Hello May to find out. Hello May Wedding photographers / Briars Atlas

Hello May Wedding Photographer

I was thrilled to be the Hello May wedding photographer for these two marvels, and their wedding was put on at the gritty Melbourne warehouse venue, The Line, with an all-star cast of the most incredibly talented vendors which doubled as their cheer-squad.

Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographers

Let’s just say, this was a wedding of firsts.

The first wedding where nearly all the vendors got actual tattoos at the reception.

Shot of bridesmaid eating pasta Hello May Wedding Photographers

The first wedding where the caterer and the bride ended up in (in) the freezer. It was a hot day.

The first wedding with an inverse neon-crucifix gracing the centre of the reception, and the first wedding where the dance-floor was opened up by the screeching of Slayer, and half the bridal party ended up on a bed in the middle of the reception in a pasta-fight.

It, was, and had, everything, all for this beautiful couple and their intimate community (right before Covid made it cool).

I won’t show the whole shebang just yet, you’ll have to pick up a copy of Hello May on newsstands now.

Hello May Wedding Vendors: Pepe and Sam


Wedding Celebrant and Concept creator: Nat Sproal Celebrant
Wedding Photographer: Briars Atlas
Wedding Venue: @the_line_melbourne
Wedding Creative direction + Styling: Good Day Club
Wedding Florals: Babiana Botanic
Wedding Video: Lunar Red Films
Wedding Hair and Makeup: Killer Queen Creative
Wedding Catering: @fatandskinnycatering
Wedding Cake: Torte By Mirjana
Wedding Rings: @midnightkissjewellery
Wedding Ceiling Installs: Bangin Hangins
Wedding Tableware/ table styling: @bettymayvintagehire
Wedding LED crosses and bad jokes: The Arbourists
Wedding DJ: @dj_hot_wheels
Wedding Music: @justme_plusone
Wedding Wine: @minimwine
Wedding Beer: @moondogbrewing 

Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
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Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographer
Hello May Wedding Photographers

More Featured Hello May Weddings

I’m a Melbourne wedding photographer, and I photograph weddings all over Australia, New Zealand, Europe and beyond. Check out this wedding I photographed featured on Hello May – Amy and Bronson. On the hunt for a small wedding venue in Melbourne? See this post on small wedding venues.

Oct 9, 2020

Alex Perry Wedding Dresses challenge any ideas of convention around bridal couture. So much so that this one wasn’t even in their wedding category! This incredible Alex Perry Wedding Dress was seen in another part of the Alex Perry catalogue, and Liv immediately knew it would be the perfect wedding dress.

Liv and Adams beautiful Melbourne wedding was photographed by Briars Atlas and featured inside the pages of Together Journal and you can purchase it here in issue #19, and their incredible sense of style has also been picked up worldwide and seen on Yahoo and Popsugar.

Thanks to Liv and Adam for having me down for your brilliant day in the beautiful gritty centre of Melbourne.

Livs Alex Perry Wedding Dress is also featured in my post on the 5 best modern wedding dresses.

Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresse
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses
Alex Perry Wedding Dresses

See more Alex Perry Wedding Dresses

Alex Perry Wedding Dresses online: https://www.alexperry.com.au/pages/stockist-bride

Seen on Vogue

Check out Zoe and Adams Blue Mountains wedding here on Vogue, and also Elishas gown in this beautiful Zonzo Estate wedding. Also see what Kyha Studios, formerly One Day Bridal, are up to. For elegant wedding venues in Melbourne, check out the deck circa.

Hire me to photograph your wedding

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography: Enquire

Oct 8, 2020

Here’s a preview of the gorgeous Vogue Wedding of Zoe and Adam married at the incredible Leura Amphitheatre in the Blue Mountains, before heading over to their wedding reception at the Hydro Majestic Hotel. These two adventurers and sweethearts wear everything on their sleeves, maybe best shown when Adam took a detour with Zoe and their crew into a private room before their reception at the Hydro Majestic, where the Blue Mountains String Quartet played a piece that Adam had written with them in secret ahead of time. Magic stuff.

Thanks Vogue Australia for sharing these two marvels. See their full Vogue wedding feature here.

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Vogue Wedding
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Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains Wedding
Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains
Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains on Vogue
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See their full Vogue Wedding

See more information on Blue Mountains Wedding Photography, or for a different flavour of wedding venue in Sydney, check out this Beta Bar Wedding.

grazing table ideas

Sep 22, 2020

Last year I worked with Cassie and the team at Firecracker event (also here on my list of incredible Melbourne caterers), who had created the most majestic grazing table i’ve seen anywhere, let alone in Melbourne, for Liv and Dave’s engagement party in an iconic Melbourne art gallery. The result looked like something of a collaboration between the lush perfection of Annie Leibovitz and impossible symmetry and theatre of Wes Anderson, so I had to ask her how her brain works, what are some of her best grazing table ideas in 2021, and what genius ideas she has for creating your own grazing table or spread, especially as Covid-19 has cast some uncertainty over what they will even look like in the short to mid-term: how do we create a Covid Friendly Grazing Table?

best grazing table ideas firecracker event


To that end, Cassie has been generous in sharing some of her own feelings about what solutions there might be and what questions to ask when navigating the scenario of sharing food communally.

Firecracker event’s slogan is “to nourish, connect, and create” and it’s such a treat to have a chat with someone that has their hands plenty full servicing all three of those across a catering business and a venue, both of which have had to be elastic and forward-thinking during covid19 (when for a little while, maybe the only thing on the table is an elopement).

Who are you, whats your background and journey been like to lead you to where you are: a culinary powerhouse with a cheeky venue on the side?

My name is Cassie Lucas and I am the owner and creative director of Firecracker Event. The journey to get where I am today is a long story with a meandering path but in a nutshell it goes like this; born into a loving and affectionate social-foodie family with roots in hospitality, a childhood of caring and nurturing (both receiving and giving) followed by a degree and career in landscape architecture with time spent here and abroad all culminated in me starting Firecracker Event in 2012 and officially launching it as my full-time gig in September 2013. 

Our big studio, that we call HQ (stands for heart-quarters as much as head-quarters) is used for all of our event preparation and photoshoots.

During covid HQ has been home to Pick Me Up, our take home meal service and has also become a temporary home for an ice cream van which is fun!

Whats the most rewarding element of what you do? 

That’s easy. Seeing people experience and be nourished by the food and atmosphere we create. 

Especially relevant now – what motivates you to do what you do, and how has this been challenged lately?

best grazing table ideas firecracker event

Our motivation has always been to make people feel loved and seen. That hasn’t changed during this time, in fact it’s been more important than ever. Many people feel isolated and unsettled by uncertainty and rapid change.

We do too!

When the pandemic hit my first instinct was ok, how can we pivot and continue to nourish our community while we can’t be together physically? From that place we launched PICK ME UP, which is a take-home meals collaboration with seven other local, small businesses who we love.

It started out as a gift we could give to our community and quickly became a gift we received as so many people showed up to support us and allowed us to safely stay connected and nourished by one another.

This helped keep our business going and has given us all a sense of purpose which has been invaluable for our mental wellbeing. It’s been a beautiful and reciprocal exchange. 

Let’s talk about that majestic spread you made for Liv and Dave. Sometimes there’s a beautiful intersection of space, style and food-design, and for me this was one of those really rare intersections. It looked so impossibly considered and it’s the only food item I’ve ever stood in front of and thought “I think we need Annie Leibovitz in to cover this”. Can you run me through how the idea came about, how much of yourselves and the couple was in it?

best grazing table ideas firecracker event
See more unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

You’re so right! It was such a beautiful intersection. This will be a forever favourite for sure. Liv and Dave know the owner of the antique gallery and when we went for a site inspection, I was blown away by the visual feast around each corner of the gallery. 

best grazing table ideas firecracker event

One of the many things I’ve carried with me from Landscape Architecture is allowing the site to speak and designing with site specificity. This keeps every day really exciting for us because it means that every grazing table is unique. It also means that when we are in a space like Graeme Geddes Gallery – it’s about sourcing props and produce that will work with the space. Not take away or dominate it.

This grazing table had some gorgeous smaller moments you experience when you’re up close (like cutting a piece of cheese)  but then also for the overall wow- expansive view. You managed to capture that so beautifully. 

If you could in general describe the expression on peoples faces when they saw the spread, what 80s song would be the soundtrack to that expression? Im thinking wind-in-face, slow motion white snake, Michael bolton, over to you….

Haha! Love this. Really made me think though!

Not Michael Bolton, I think it needs more drama/ energy than that! 

I have transported myself to the nights at Cherry Bar in ACDC lane in Melbourne circa 2003 to answer this question. I think it’s more 80’s glam metal, OTT outfits, hair, sets, personalities and expressions!! 

Perhaps Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard or Panama by Van Halen. 

What is your usual process for creating the perfect spread for one of your couples, and how do you craft it to their personality, as well as infuse yourself in it?

I like to talk to our clients about what they love to eat, how they dine at home and what family rituals they have. We always do our best to make it feel like it’s their table.

Our use of certain props, like acrylic blocks for height, has really become a signature of Firecracker so there’s always signs of us in our work, that’s what people hire us for!

Have you ever had any interesting, left of centre spread requests that you can divulge without risking a call from ASIO et-al?

We had a client that wanted us to make grazing tables for 3000 people in a car park. I was so pumped about the potential but it didn’t go ahead in the end. 

What are some common mistakes you see made by folks creating a spread, and what is in your opinion the most underrated inclusion?

 Filling the entire table, edge to edge doesn’t allow the produce to shine. It’s like everything is competing for attention and if there’s one thing I know about Delice, it does not need to compete on a table.

This can also be confronting and confusing for guests as they don’t know what to pick and feel intimidated to touch anything in feat of ‘ruining’ the table. What I would say is, do not be afraid of space. If you have some ‘air’ or ‘zones’ for the hero products it becomes more accessible for guests. 

The most underrated inclusion is grapes. The way they fall does so much for how your eye moves across a table. We get a bit sad when they are out of season! 

What would be your dream scenario to create an incredible spread in or on? Excluding one full of gobstoppers and industrial strength-toffee on the current whitehouse desk, because, you know, the ASIO thing, I guess.

I would love to create a grazing table on the highline in New York. It’s a public garden that’s been built on an old lightrail train line. I can imagine where parts of the table are wildflowers and then produce so when you look at it, it forms a part of the landscape.

I would also love to make a gallery sized exhibition of grazing. On plinths, with color, lots of height changes. Dramatic lighting. Lots of smaller moments or rooms of grazing. And Lazy Susans. And I’ve been getting into monochrome grazing tables over the last 12 months. 

Can someone help make this happen?! 

With all the isolation due to covid, how can folks at home think about creating the perfect grazing table or spreads for small gatherings?

As with all foods, buy the best that you can.

A small piece of something outrageous is better than a slab of an unripe brie. 

What are your general top tips for making the perfect “scream from the mountain tops” grazing table or spread?

The same principles work for a grazing table for 100 as they do for 2 people.

This is the landscape architecture practice of scale. 

Firecracker Events top three tips for creating the best grazing table or spread are:

What should I put on the grazing table?

Buy odd numbers of cheese: ie three, five, or just one delicious morsel.

How do you make a good grazing platter?

Build the board – and use a hierarchy – (start with what’s most important or what you want to have more air time. Cheese, obvs). Arrange items in a zigzag on the board – start with cheese, then fruit, then meat/and antipasto, dried fruit, nuts then biscuits last. 

How to create the best grazing table?

Create sweet and savory sections. ie blue and soft cheese with grapes, nuts and fruit, and antipasto/charcuterie with harder cheeses. 

Covid Safe Grazing Table?

This isn’t a question but I think it’s worth acknowledging the death of grazing tables. 

How will people experience grazing tables in the new COVID normal?

Are guests going to want to share food? 

To cut cheese with the same knife as another person? 

To be in close proximity to another person discussing what looks good on the table? 

Will tables just be for looking but not for touching? 

We’ve been thinking a lot about what this looks like and how will we facilitate that same 1980’s WOW expression? 

We are thinking that it will be more individual serves. But you know, maybe it’s bigger/longer tables with social distancing and that could be really interesting for how we arrange and curate the produce. 

We are workshopping some samples. Stay tuned! 

But I think that this makes this particular grazing table even more special because who knows if we will be able to create something like this (to be enjoyed and eaten) again. 

Want some cracker grazing table ideas? Hire Firecracker Event for your Covid Friendly Grazing Table

https://www.firecrackerevent.com/
https://www.instagram.com/firecrackerevent
87-88 South Cres, Northcote VIC 3070

If you like this glorious space, you might also like Quat Quatta – and if you’re here on the search for the best grazing table ideas, also think about having it set up at one of these incredible small wedding venues.

best wedding florist melbourne

Sep 3, 2020

Babiana Botanic makes incredible, unique floral designs, thanks to the fine-art background of it’s founder, Anna. We worked together on the wedding of Pepe and Sam at The Line (officiated by Nat Sproal), and we chat a little about her incredibly unique approach to Melbourne florals.

To see more of her impossibly innovative work, check out the wedding of Pepe and Sam featured here (Hello May Wedding Photographer), available on news stands today.

babiana Botanic wedding at The Line Footscray
From Pepe and Sam, featured in print on Hello May

So who are you, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?

babiana botanic melbourne florist

I’m Anna of Babiana Botanic. Most people think working with flowers “must be so lovely and relaxing!”

And yeah, sure – I love what I do and it is at times, lovely and relaxing – but its also 3am wake-ups to get the best flowers at market, long days creating arrangements, carrying buckets up and down stairs of beautiful old venues that don’t have lift access, hands covered in cuts, 1am pack-downs – it can be a brutal job – which just shows you’ve got to really love it – and I do!

I have a Bachelor of Fine Art and have always loved flowers and nature.

My love of Art Nouveau inspired me into the floristry industry where I can create works of art with nature, for people on their wedding days or for other amazing events.

What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?

babiana botanic

I love doing weddings in Melbourne because it is such a melting pot of people. It means you get such a wide range of clients with a diverse set of needs. There are also so many creative people in Melbourne who want a wedding that stands out and is unique to them.

It means that I get to create amazing colourful weddings, weddings with nods to the couples cultures (Indian, Macedonian, etc), and contemporary weddings that are a little different.

What do you feel separates Babiana Botanic from those around you in your line of work?

What makes Babiana Botanic special is that we are not afraid to use colour and create something unique. We like to think about flowers as an art form and creating works of art specific to each couple.

How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

We’ve been offering flower delivery to people’s homes during this time off so that we are still working with flowers and offering something to brighten people’s days. We’ve also been in contact and working with all of our couples who have had to postpone their weddings and events to ensure we can go ahead when all these restrictions ease.

How do you see the future of celebrations in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?

babiana botanic melbourne florist

I think post-covid, there will be a move towards more intimate weddings with just your closest family and friends, and a move away from feeling the need for a big wedding where you have to invite your third-cousin-twice-removed and that friend you haven’t seen since high-school.

I love colour and doing things differently – and that’s the mark I would like to leave. I want couples to come to me wanting beautiful, quirky, colourful and different designs.

Find Babiana Botanic

Babiana Botanic website: https://www.babianabotanic.com/

Head to this post for more incredible unique florists in Melbourne.

babiana botanic melbourne florist

More unique Melbourne wedding flowers: 10 awesome florists

best wedding florist melbourne

Aug 21, 2020

Hunting for a wedding florist Melbourne or beyond? There are so many incredible florists in our home state, but these maestros really stand out from the crowd and produce some of the best wedding flowers Melbourne has on offer.

It can be a challenge finding a florist to collaborate on your vision (or share their own), and there are so many moving parts, such as logistics, seasonality, and more.

So I thought I’d compile a list of 10 of the most unique florists in Melbourne: scientists, wizards, aliens of the floral game, making things you’d never expect to see at weddings. But this is what we’ve come to expect from Melbourne – innovation, and wedding floristry was never going to be exempt!

Get around these floral masterminds, whether you’re planning a Melbourne City Elopement during Covid 19, a wedding at one of these brilliant small wedding venues or something bigger down the line, these florists Melbourne and beyond have done it all.

Top 10 wedding florists in Melbourne

  1. Hollingsworth Studio
  2. Babiana Botanic
  3. Raven and the Rose
  4. Good Grace and Humour
  5. Katie Marx Flowers
  6. The Flower District
  7. Bloom Boy
  8. Sassafras Flower design
  9. Georgie Boy
  10. North St Botanical

Flowers are a significant part of the style and feel of a wedding and in how they shape a space. The bouquets, table settings and accents to the decor all set the tone of a space and have more of an impact on the day than you might imagine.

The incredible photo and ceremony backdrops (especially this slice of genius by Hollingsworth Studio) will be the talk of the town (or at least your mob of mates) for years to come. If you’re going to spend cash you need to spend it with the right people, which means a small crew who are personally invested and creative masterminds in their own right.

The wedding florist you want on your team isn’t just one who can take and enhance your ideas, but throw their own in the ring. With a wealth of experience under their belt, they’ve seen everything under the sun, and if you can lean into fully trusting the wedding florist you hire, you’ll be left with the brilliance that can only come from a professional taking a little insight into your venue and who you are as a couple, and then running with it.

Melbourne wedding florists: a comparison chart

Wedding Florist nameFlorist styleFlorist locationYou may also likeFlorist gallery
Hollingsworth StudioDelicate geniusGarfield, VICBabiana BotanicComing soon
Babiana BotanicColour fireworksMelbourneHollingsworth StudioComing soon
Raven and the RoseSeasonal artMacedon RangesKatie Marx FlowersComing soon
Good Grace and HumourInterstellarMelbourneGeorgie BoyComing soon
Katie Marx FlowersMajestic naturalCastlemaineRaven and the RoseComing soon
The Flower DistrictGloriously sleekBerwickBloom BoyComing soon
Bloom BoyTarantinoSeddonGood Grace and HumourComing soon
Sassafras Flower designAbundantYarra ValleyNorth St BotanicalComing soon
Georgie BoyDesignedNorthcoteGood Grace and HumourComing soon
North St BotanicalNatural magicNorthcoteSassafras Flower designComing soon

Best wedding flowers Melbourne: their impact on your wedding photos

florist melbourne

For me as a photographer, it’s bloody great when you get a top-notch wedding florist. It can make the photos really come alive and gives me something to play around with. A stunning venue all dressed up with flowers creates such a vibe. The bridal party’s pinholes and the bride’s bouquet transform photos. Adding that floral dash of coordinating colour helps tie it all together, creating that one shot that you can’t stop looking at after the big day.

Where to find a wedding florist in Victoria

I want to let you in to Victoria’s exceptionally exciting floristry scene. We have some of the world’s best wedding floral designers right on our doorstep. These scallywags are the most forward-thinking and talented group of wedding florists I’ve found, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with wedding flowers, mostly using locally sourced and native species, and operating on the edge of the movement towards maximum sustainability.

1. Melbourne wedding flowers: Hollingsworth Studio

Vivien and her team, formerly Flos Botanical, are just the most amazing, colourful, bombastic geniuses around. They are always looking for ways to be more eco-friendly and work sustainably – which is no longer an option, but a responsibility (and as a wedding couple, something you should consider using in your vetting process). Their relationship with their flowers is built on fun and creativity, and forward-thinking synergy with the venues they work in.

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  • Melbourne wedding florist - Hollingsworth flowers
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  • Melbourne wedding florist - Half acre wedding florals
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  • Melbourne wedding florist

I’ve always been really inspired by them. Her gallery is full of life and colour. I can just see the smiles they bring to people from the pictures. If you are dreaming of fun, stylish and vibrant creations give Vivien a call.

Working out of their studio in Melbourne with her husband running around doing deliveries, Vivien runs a truly personal experience.

Hollingsworth Studio website:

https://hollingsworth.studio/

2. Florists in Melbourne: Babiana Botanic

I haven’t included this just because the name is fun to say: Anna is a fantastic new kid on the block and one of the most incredibly innovative florists Melbourne has on offer.

You can tell from her incredible pieces that she has a fine art background. Each meticulously designed arrangement is its own piece of art. You and your guests are going to be ogling at them and talking about them way after the party is over, and you can check out her incredible work for Pepe and Sam in the pages of Hello May.

See also: my interview with Babiana Botanic.

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  • Melbourne wedding florist - luxe table floral setting
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  • Melbourne wedding florist - neon blue wedding flowers

Known as a more bombastic Melbourne wedding florist, Anna likes working with colour and really pushing the boundaries of what the flowers can actually do. She has purple palm fans, yellow flower garlands and lush green ferns in her armoury ready to wow anyone that lays eyes on them. If you want a double serve of magic, pair this brilliant wedding florist in Melbourne with these amazing wedding arbours.

Florist Melbourne: Babiana Botanic website:

https://www.babianabotanic.com/

3. Macedon Ranges florist: Raven and the Rose

I first worked with Amy and her Raven and the Rose team at Castle Montsalvat, and she blew me away (or at least into the next stone-walled room).

Amy creates these beautiful, majestic dark moody pieces of art that are on trend, on season and eco friendly. If dark and moody isn’t your thing, she will create your perfect scene out of seasonal flowers whatever the colour scheme.

  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
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  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat
  • Unique Florists Macedon Ranges - Raven and the Rose at Montsalvat

Amy loves catching up with her clients over a cuppa to get a feel for the day and the person, rather than just giving a generic quote, and the Macedon Ranges is lucky to have her. Call up and then drop in to her shop directly.

Florist Mt Macedon: Raven and the Rose website:

https://www.ravenandtherose.com.au/

4. Wedding florist in Melbourne: Good Grace and Humour

Meg and her team are pushing the boundaries of floral artistry. There’s no ‘floral fluff’ to be seen here, just free flowing, seemingly impossible, pure natural yet futuristic creations. And every single petal is sourced locally from Melbourne flower market.

I personally think she is the Elon Musk of floristry (minus offering flamethrowers for sale on the side… yet). She gets to know you, your themes and colour ideas and she’s curious about every detail, and how that might then fit into some impossibly devised creation.

Good Grace and Humour are located in a warehouse in the inner west of the city (sharing space with the inimitable Good Day Club) but they go out foraging for their special twists on the genre all the time. There’s always a little accent you wouldn’t have thought of that just lifts the whole visual dynamic and transcends everything you thought you knew about floral design.

Wedding florist in Melbourne: Good Grace and Humour website:

https://www.goodgraceandhumour.com/

5. Castlemaine wedding flowers: Katie Marx Flowers

Based well north of Melbourne in Newstead, Katie Marx has her floristry studio and runs ‘Butterland’ venue with her husband Greg. Previously a candle factory, Butterand is also ground zero for this brilliant Castlemaine florists artistry.

The venue runs floristry workshops and hosts gorgeous events year round. Katie is the queen of foraging, and keen to teach you all her tricks. She has an enormously earthy and natural feel to her displays and focuses on native species using interesting pieces her friends at the flower market secretly save for her. Katie also works as a Melbourne wedding florist, sprinkling her genius all over Victoria.

Check out the incredible work of Katie Marx florist below at the wedding of Iro and Alex, held at Butterland.

  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers
  • Unique Florists Victoria - Katie Marx Flowers

Katie’s passion for au naturale drives her unique designs. If you’re after a homegrown Australian dream wedding, then take a look at Katie Marx’s work.

Florist Victoria: Katie Marx Flowers Website:

https://www.instagram.com/katiemarxflowers

6. Wedding flowers Melbourne: The Flower District

  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District
  • Unique wedding florist in Melbourne - the Flower District

A mother and daughter team working hard to stay sustainable and have minimal waste. They love beautiful things and “extra AF” parties! They are incomprehensibly talented, whilst remaining flexible, and create some of the most unique wedding flowers Melbourne has on offer.

They use flowers to set the mood. If you want romance, you can have the whole room oozing with love. If you want colour, Caroline will make the room explode with excitement. Taking her creative flare from her mother, the two make the perfect team. She has been known to slip a tiny pineapple or disco ball into a bouquet, so watch out!

Florist Melbourne: The Flower District Website:

https://www.theflowerdistrict.com.au/contact

7. Unique wedding flowers Melbourne: Bloom Boy

Previously working in fashion in London, Ross is now a Melbourne-based flower lord: he creates flower arrangements that don’t even look like floristry as you know it, and is a front-runner on wedding floristry innovation.

Bloom Boy has chains, ribbons, spray paint, disco balls and naked men covered in flowers all over the shop: all the things you think of when you think of wedding floristry (naturally – or was that, au naturale).

Check out some of his brilliant work below that was set up at iconic small wedding venue in Melbourne, the Altar Electric.

  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy at Altar Electric
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy
  • Unique Florists Melbourne - Bloom Boy

If you want something with a bit of spice and flare he’s your man. If you had a ‘silly’ idea of hanging flowers across the ceiling, Ross will create the craziest, lushest, most fashion conscious installation you could have dreamed of and that ‘silly’ idea might just be the best one you had.

All photos above taken at Altar Electric – check them out along with some of the other incredible small wedding venues Melbourne has to offer.

Unique wedding flowers Melbourne: Bloom Boy website:

http://bloomboy.com.au/

8. Yarra Valley Wedding Florist: Sassafrass Flower Design

Sassafras flower design merges a delicate, sensitive flair for design, with considered selection of florals. Check out these incredible arrangements for the Burnham Beeches wedding of Kate and Alex.

  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe
  • Unique Florists Yarra Valley - Sassafras Flower Design at Burnham Beeches, Piggery Cafe

Yarra Valley Florists: Sassafras Flower Design website:

https://www.sassafraswedding.com.au/

9. Melbourne Florist: Georgie Boy

Georgie Boy is Gina Lasker. You know you’re dealing with one of the most unique wedding florists in town when they have their own feature on Melbourne’s leading design blog, The Design Files.

Check out Ginas spectacular work below, creating a jaw dropping installation at Geelong wedding venue, the Fyansford Paper Mill.

  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy
  • Unique Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy

Melbourne Florists: Georgie Boy website:

https://georgieboy.co/

10. Melbourne Florist: North St Botanical

North St Botanical have been around a while, and it’s no surprise: they stay at the edge of beautiful design, seasonality, and most importantly, making couples over the moon with their brilliant creations.

  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Australian Natives wedding flowers
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical
  • Melbourne wedding florist - North St Botanical

Melbourne Florists: North St Botanical website:

https://northst.com.au/

Common Melbourne wedding florist questions

How much should I expect to pay for wedding flowers?

Wedding flowers by a professional florist can be anywhere from $500 to $50000 depending on how many pieces and installations you’re having.

What is the best wedding flower?

The best wedding flower is the one that makes you go “holy batman”. Consider things that are off-trend, and also know that seasonal is always a great way to go to avoid transport miles.

How far in advance should I book my wedding florist?

You should consider booking your florist at least one month in advance. This will enable them to plan your pieces properly, as well as make the market trips in advance to do all the materials purchasing.

Why are wedding flowers so expensive?

Wedding flowers can occasionally seem like a bit of a whack to the pocket, but not when you realise the amount of time and effort that goes into creating them. Your wedding florist will spend weeks planning the arrangements, liaising with you about your day, not to mention 3am rises to hit the flower markets. There is so much more work involved than just slapping a few bouquets together.

Final tips for picking your wedding florist Melbourne or beyond:

Like all the pieces of the wedding and events puzzle, it’s a dance between executing your vision, and letting experienced professionals do their thing. Reach out to the florists up there with your ideas, and be sure to take a look at these brilliant alternative Melbourne wedding celebrants, as well as the most unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

Aug 10, 2020

Briars Atlas – Melbourne Wedding photography documenting the calm and anarchy of beautiful couples all over Melbourne and Victoria. I’ve been fortunate to be noted as one of Melbourne’s top wedding photographers both locally in Australia’s Capture Magazine, and abroad in New Yorks Rangefinder Magazine, as part of their Top 30 worldwide.

But none of this stuff matters – what matters is that i’m lucky to have one of the best jobs in the world: chasing party-starters and anarchist lovers all over the planet to make something that matters for and with them.

I work with you to make your wedding photography absolutely bangin’, and not something that makes you want to chew a cyanide pill. Read on to see some of the wedding photography i’ve been commissioned on all over Melbourne and beyond.

A quick sample of my Melbourne Wedding Photography (if you have a minute)

Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers
Top 10 Melbourne Wedding Photographers

Melbourne Wedding Photography features

Vogue Wedding – Zoe and Adam
Hello May Wedding Photographer – Pepe and Sam

Looking for an elegant wedding venue? Check out the deck circa.

kangaroo valley wedding photographer

Jul 29, 2020

Tess and Sam had their Kangaroo Valley wedding in the beautiful rolling hills of the Southern Highlands, New South Wales. While the wedding venues Kangaroo Valley holds are plentiful, that this was held on Tess’s parents homestead made for a private setting and beautifully intimate and personal backdrop, with all hands on deck from their community putting their day together.

The most special moments in this gig are often less about the kiss/dance/standard stuff, and more about doing justice to the little bits of quirk on the day… family quirk, friend quirk, subtle things that mean a lot.

I bought along a 1980s 3d camera for the ride. See why I shoot film.

Tess’s close friend was assumed as not being able to make it to their wedding from overseas, so naturally, given that he was in fact making it there, he hid himself in a tractor trailer underneath a tarp, and then sprung out in front of Tess in a gloriously divine moment of reveal.

Beautiful!

Enjoy their little story below.

Kangaroo Valley Wedding: Tess and Sam

Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer
Kangaroo Valley Wedding photographer

Book me as your Kangaroo Valley wedding photographer

Enquire: https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

More information on the Kangaroo Valley for your wedding

Visit New South Wales: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/jervis-bay-and-shoalhaven/kangaroo-valley

In Sydney? Check out this Beta Bar Wedding. In Victoria? Find a radical wedding venue here.

Covid wedding melbourne

Jul 27, 2020

Putting “Covid wedding Melbourne” at the front of Adriana and Calebs wedding title seems to relegate the marriage part (the bit we’re actually all here for) to the back seat. Sooooo, let’s reword that: Adriana and Calebs awesome little elopement (which happened to occur in the middle of the Covid pandemic that they thumbed their noses at and got it done beautifully anyway while staying well within all of the rules and regulations currently in place including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and limitations on who can be present).

Better.

Adriana and Caleb had their first date at this park in Coburg, in Melbournes northern suburbs. So that was where they decided to say their vows, and lock it down, with the inimitable Melbourne wedding celebrant Zena Lythgo doing the honours via I Do Drive Thru. I joined up to photograph it and play one of the witnesses.

Since their dogs can’t hold a pen.

I Do Drive Thru is a brilliant, agile initiative out of Melbourne that has enabled couples wanting to get married to get it done in the middle of this coronavirus pandemic, while playing to all the necessary current restrictions around social distancing and the wearing of a mask.

These two marvels got the important bit done – the marriage thing – with themselves and Adrianas mother, and then enjoyed the rest of the day together. Beautiful.

It’s been especially interesting in Melbourne, as our state has been… not playing ball with the restrictions, which has meant the pandemic has had several new clusters of outbreaks, further locking things down.

So the fact that initiatives like I Do Drive Thru and other small wedding venues such as The Altar Electric exist, has been such a brilliant thing for couples putting love and marriage first, and opting to save the party for later.

If you’re looking at getting it done in the middle of the Covid pandemic in Melbourne, head over here for more information on Melbourne City Elopements.

Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Dogs at weddings
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne
Covid wedding melbourne

More Melbourne Covid weddings

The Altar Electric have been the other frontrunners in this Covid pandemic craziness, and their brilliantly unique wedding venue warehouse space in Collingwood has seen all sorts of celebration playing exactly to all of the rules and requirements in place in the middle of this pandemic.

covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
The Altar Electric
The Altar Electric
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
covid weddings melbourne
Zena Lythgow
covid weddings melbourne

Book a Melbourne City elopement

Head over and read more here: Melbourne city elopements.

Best Melbourne wedding planners will and jac

Jul 22, 2020

Will and Jac are the agile Melbourne wedding planner duo made up of Catherine and Clare, who as well as being event planners of all sizes and styles, are portable transportation units for infectious smiles. We’ve worked together with brilliant couples in venues from historic Melbourne stables over to bluestone homesteads in northern Victoria.

As two of the best wedding planners in Melbourne, they have a wealth of knowledge to share on how to plan your Melbourne wedding, as well as sharing some reasons on why you might want to hire a wedding planner.

Melbourne wedding planner Will and Jac

How early in the piece do people engage you as a Melbourne wedding planner? I always imagine that planning is, like a lot of the elements of a big celebration, something that folks think they might be able to take care of, until it’s revealed how complex the task is. 

Clients approach us at all stages of their planning journey – some 2 years out, others with only a month or weeks to go (when things might have turned a little more ‘tense’ – we are counselors too!).

Typically with private property Weddings, couples and their families realise from the outset that it’s a bigger ball game and that professionals are needed to ensure the process is well executed – not only on the day, but in the days leading up when suppliers commencing setting up, as well as when the celebrations are over and you need to return the space as it was originally.

With venues it can be early or late in the piece, with some locations offering more hands-on planning via their onsite coordinators, while others leave it completely to the client to make the space and Day exactly as they wish.

Life has curveballs and with this, there are numerous scenarios when people realise they need help – perhaps work hours have increased, the couple don’t know where to start (this is absolutely normal), the client want to start enjoying the days prior to the Wedding and move from “planner” to “getting married” and like all of us, sometimes there’s just not enough hours in the day! 

Do you get a mix of folks who engage a Melbourne wedding planner from the start and others that engage you partway through? 

Melbourne wedding planner Will and Jac

Absolutely! And we prefer to approach the planning with our couples by having them make and decide who they wish to engage – we do all the leg work to provide them with options and our industry experience, but at the end of the day it’s their celebration, we just make it all reality.  

I like asking these as an outsider, as I am literally naive when it comes to the planning side of things. All I know is that when working with you the day is a well oiled machine and you always seems as calm excited as if you’ve just had the most satisfying fairy floss ever. What are a few of the main myths you find are out there around wedding planning and the role it plays on and around the day, and how do Will and Jac show their true colors and tackle them?

Melbourne wedding planner Will and Jac

We believe that generally people still foresee Wedding Planners as those referenced in movies like The Wedding Planner and Father of the Bride – but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

We get our hands dirty and have completed all manner of duties to get our Weddings in tip-top condition – our role includes horticulturist duties (repotting plants for styling), seamstresses (being underneath a Brides dress and re-hemming gowns on the day), Sous Chefs (plating up in the kitchen when extra hands are needed), Accountants (budget management) and everything in-between.

We are also both meticulously painful in terms of attention to detail, and will create multiple scenarios for our Weddings so that no stone is left unturned that we can’t then manage on the day.

We are Chief Fire Fighters too and on the day we effectively ensure we have a calm and positive disposition and manage numerous underlying curveballs that pop up – such is life! – while ensuring no-one (except us) are any the wiser.  

Melbourne has no shortage of warehouses, restaurants, galleries, factories and everything in between to host celebration. What are some of your favourite wedding venues in Melbourne to host a wedding and what’s unique about our general landscape for hosting celebrations?

Melbourne wedding planner Will and Jac

We can’t go past Private Property Weddings – they are all unique and we love the experience of a blank space going from ‘nothing’ to ‘something’.

These occasions are a logistical beast, the time that we spend curating a working event order and communicating between all parties can’t be imagined, but at the end of the day when we see magic form in-front of our eyes, it’s worth every minute.

Venue wise yes, Melbourne has unlimited options for every celebration, but a few we love are Polperro Estate in Red Hill, The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, Tanglewood Estate and Alfred Place by Rockpool Events. 

I’d love to pick your brains about some of the “lesser known” things you come across. I feel that for example when a couple engages a photographer, that they might imagine that they need the group shots, some candids, and some of the general play-by-play: where the real joy is in giving back and making sure we get special portraits of grandparents, and are attentive to all the more strange and theatrical things that happen when there’s 100 people in a confined space: things that they end up loving. From your experience and memory, what are some of the more offbeat reasons folks have benefitted from having you along for the ride in the past, as a surprise to them, or even you?

We’ve received many a phone call from concerned parents who have noticed that the somewhat ‘simple Wedding’ picture that their child had wished for has been hijacked by concerns, so they call us to find out how we could elevate these doubts, and then we meet directly with the couple to showcase our services and story.

We generally then join their planning and they are able to start re-enjoying their engagement journey. We’ve been brought on-board to manage family dynamics and play the role of mediator. It’s one scenario where we are “good cop” and “bad cop” (guess who is who?!) and take any unwanted strain off the couple.

But mostly couples realise after the fact what our services are worth.

It’s the ‘big picture’ stuff that we specialise in – we are all about making the day not only seamless for the couple and their guests, but also for their contracted suppliers, as together, the day is all the more memorable! 

Every couple is so different. How do you scale your offering and match your approach to the couples broader plans for the day?

Melbourne wedding planner Will and Jac

We can do as little or as much to assist with a Wedding Day. But to be honest we’re both control freaks, so Full Planning is our preferred option. 

I don’t wanna throw you in the hot sauce, but I’ve taken a look at your reviews and it seems like you’re jetting around the state on site-visits with couples, multiple meetings over a 6 month period, and generally doing things that results in couples leaving reviews of “like angels on your shoulders”, “Easily reachable” (a criteria folks should pay more heed to), and “we thought we were perfectionists until we met Cath and Clare” (from our dear Hannah and Ben) — how important to you is the personal aspect of the job and how does it change the experience for the couple?

Personalised service is paramount. We are all about ensuring their peace of mind, bringing their story to the Day, and exceeding expectations at every turn.

These were also concepts that we had as individual planners therefore when brought together as Will&Jac, this has doubled and is exactly why we do what we do! 

Broader top three reasons to engage a Melbourne wedding planner? 

1. Ensure your Melbourne Wedding Planner quotes are reflective of your needs 

2. Utilise what’s at your location as much as possible – repurpose furniture, ensure event conclusion times/noise limits are in line with your wishes

3. Planning a Wedding is a full time job, so allow a professional to manage your process and keep your ticking towards your date in the right manner. A ‘relaxed’ Wedding Day comes from months and months of planning, it doesn’t just happen! 

Top three things for a couple to think about more generally when they begin planning their wedding and who and what might be involved?

1. Consider public holidays/special events (surcharges etc)

2. Always have a Plan B for your Ceremony and Reception – you just never know!

3. Ensure you ‘click’ with your supplier tribe. You need lots of positivity and stressless spirits with you towards and

More questions answered

How do you start planning your wedding?

1. Work out what your ideal wedding day looks like. Have you considered an elopement?
2. Work out how much you’re prepared to spend – using a best case and worst case scenario
3. Find your ideal vendors. See the best wedding venues, wedding celebrants, wedding bands, and videographers for some ideas.
4. Hire a planner! They will save you time, money, and stress. I recommend Will and Jac (featured on this page)

How much does a wedding cost in Melbourne?

If you read a shady bridal magazine, the average cost of a wedding is around $65k. Fortunately, you can host an incredible wedding in Melbourne from as little as $1k if you use I do Drive Thru or The Altar Electric, up to whatever you are comfortable spending.

Book your Melbourne wedding planner

Will and Jac / Melbourne Wedding Planner website: http://willandjac.com/

Book me to photograph your Melbourne wedding

Melbourne wedding photographer – Briars Atlas: Enquire

wedding planner melbourne

While you’re on the planning train, check this post out for how to plan your wedding music, and this piece on the best Melbourne wedding photo locations.

How to plan your wedding music

Jul 20, 2020

At Sam and Pauls Thornbury wedding (featuring the iconic Melbourne wedding venue, Kenny Lover), I linked up with their DJ’s One More Song Entertainment, who carried a ripping vibe across the day and into the evening. You know you’re on a good thing when the crew carrying your tunes are having the time of their life themselves. The duo are Eddy and Aleks, and they filled me in on what makes for cracking music at your wedding and how to plan your wedding music.

How to plan your wedding music
How to plan your wedding music
How to plan your wedding music
Incredible styling of Sam and Pauls home from Bangin Hangins.

These legends are also featured on my list of the 5 best wedding bands in Melbourne.

Who are you and if someone in a long elevator ride asks you what you do, how do you fill the air with 65 floors worth of words?

65 floors! I feel sorry for them. I could talk about what I do all day. In a nutshell though (and as this is a blog!), I’m a business co-owner (with my partner DJ Eddy Mac) and wedding DJ. Eddy and I run One More Song. We’re not a “booking agency” – we’re a wedding DJ business. Weddings are front and centre for us. We just love them!

As well as DJs, we have awesome musicians like saxophonists who play with us. Both Eddy and I run all aspects of the business and work with clients in the lead up to their big day. If one of us isn’t personally DJing at your wedding, we’ll pick one of our rockstar DJs.

I say we’re not an agency because we only work with a small – but AWESOME – group of entertainers (all experienced in playing at weddings) and we’re both so hands-on with the business. There are no desk-based entertainment managers at One More Song – you’re always dealing with someone who lives and breathes weddings!

What makes you come alive about being a DJ and working with weddings, and what are some surprises that you’ve enjoyed recently with it all? 

Is there a better party than a wedding? You have an excuse to get super dressed up, you get fed, watered and spend all night dancing with your favourite people. There is a special energy at weddings that you just don’t get anywhere else. And you definitely feel that behind the decks!

I love DJing at weddings because you get to play epic tunes from all eras and genres. I love so many different types of music – disco, funk, old school RnB, classic house, 90s dance, Motown, 80s synth, hip hop – the list goes on! Getting a pumping dance floor at a wedding involves really mixing it up to get old and young dancing. I truly love seeing people from all walks of life coming together to dance and for those few hours, forget about the mundanities of everyday life.

The one thing that constantly surprises me (but probably shouldn’t) is how much people of all ages love older music. There are just so many artists that have truly stood the test of time (think Queen, Prince, Bee Gees, Marvin Gaye) and always get the party going. 

What is your process for working with a couple to create the perfect set for their wedding, and how do you balance their needs with your wealth of experience in keeping the energy high in a room?

How to plan your wedding music

We’re always super upfront with our clients about the process so we can set their expectations. We always tell them that there’s only so much we can prepare – 80 per cent of the work is done on the night. Apart from the key moment songs (first dance, etc) and some “must-play” song requests from the couple, we just need an idea of what our clients DON’T want to hear and some genres/artists they love. Also importantly, we ask them what their friends and family will be into as well. 

Then it’s up to us on the night! We use our experience to read the room and build the energy at the right level. You can’t go hard with bangers at dinner and then play ambient jazz during the dance floor. You also can’t play one genre all night or guests will fatigue. It’s a fine balancing act!

We’re blessed as our vibe attracts clients who get all of this and are more than happy to leave most of the work to us. Building that trust with them is essential to us doing the best job possible on the day. We have heard of DJs who are provided with a list of 300 songs to play. That just doesn’t get the best results, so we let our brides and grooms know how we operate nice and early!

How much does the fixed nature of a set flex and change in the moment? I mean I’m not asking what happens if someone comes up blubbering “can you play Horses by Braithwaite” but I’m kinda asking, what happens when someone comes up blubbering “Hey DJ can you play Horses by Braithwaite”.

How to plan your wedding music

Our gigs are not fixed at all! All of our DJs live mix. Yes, we’re organised – we have thousands of tunes catalogued in every which way (folders for different parts of the evening, different decades, genres, sub-genres, etc), but we’re totally flexible and play to the crowd. Sometimes I’ll cue up a song to play and then 20 seconds before I’m about to mix out, I’ll change my mind – it definitely keeps it interesting!

I’m happy to take requests and happy to play Horses (no Nutbush, Macarena or Chicken Dance though… the line has to be drawn somewhere). BUT the caveat is that the request needs to be a song that the newly married couple will be happy with, and it needs to be played at the right time. If someone drunkenly requests Horses and guests are just finishing their mains, well, it ain’t happening!

I’m a bit of a (ie, a total) neophyte when it comes to the whole DJ thing. I mean, I see flashing lights, buttons, knobs, and an operator that somehow knows what it all is and makes the entire room move with it. What does it all mean, and when our octopus friends raise their IQ into the 3-digit-zone and cultivates good taste in music, are you out of a job?

How to plan your wedding music

The flashing knobs and buttons are designed to make us look very skilled, important and intimidate all who try to talk to us. 🙂 No, but really, technology has come such a long way and really helps when it comes to DJing at weddings. For example, we can cue up tracks at different points for key moments like wedding party entrances and use different effects and functions to help smoothly transition between genres – a very important part of being a wedding DJ.

As for the robot with good taste in music, its name is Spotify. The clients I’ve spoken to who had a Spotify play list for their engagement parties have always regretted it. I’ll only be threatened if the robot develops so much that it can read the tiny flicker of excitement in a guest’s eyes when you play a tune they love while they’re still having their entree, or be able to deal with an inebriated uncle who wants you to play The Angels all night. Then MAYBE I’ll be out of a job.

How do couples generally book you and whats the meeting process like?

When a couple enquires with us, they receive our shiny “party pack” – an easy-to-digest information pack that has more about how we work, our sample mixes, videos, etc. Then, some couples will either lock us in or book in a phone or video call (or in-person meeting, depending on what lockdown stage we’re in). During this chat, we talk about everything wedding-related and ask the couple about their wedding timeline, music likes/dislikes, their guest demographic, the vibe they’re after, etc! And of course, we go into more detail about how we work and offer some suggestions. After that, it’s a 50 per cent part payment to lock us in!

How do you navigate a room thats losing it’s energy and revive it, and to the opposite, do you proactively craft the space so that there’s ebbs and flows in how packed the floor is to set context?

How to plan your wedding music

A packed dance floor is obviously the ultimate goal, but people do need breaks – they might grab a drink, powder their nose, chat to a friend they haven’t seen in a while – it’s all part of it. And you need to provide something for everyone. Generally we’ll make sure the oldies can enjoy the dance floor earlier on in the night and leave the late night sing-alongs for those who are really letting their hair down.  As a wedding DJ, you need to respond to what’s happening in front of you. If you’re about to play the bride’s all-time fave song but see she’s heading off to the bathroom, you better find a different track pronto! 

I’ve gotta ask it. If the whole room is screaming your namesake “one more song”, what’s the likely candidate?

How to plan your wedding music

This does happen quite a bit (which is why we came up with the name!). It’s hard to pick one track as it really depends on the couple and the vibe, but normally it’s got to be something that has broad appeal, known and loved by both the couple and guests. An upbeat remix of a classic seems to work well – maybe an edit of a disco track. At one wedding last year I played Don’t Leave Me This Way by The Communards and it went off!

How to plan your wedding music: what are your 3 best tips for couples in planning out their entertainment?

How to plan your wedding music
See more from Sam and Pauls Melbourne gay wedding.
  1. Think about what you DON’T want to hear as much as you what you love
  2. Use the wedding planning time to throw together some tunes in Spotify/Apple Music/Excel spreadsheet (it doesn’t really matter!) that you both love. This can happen organically as you’re listening to music so it’s more fun than work!
  3. Don’t forget that although it’s your day, two people on a dance floor does not a rocking dance floor make. So think about music you love that you know others will love too!

Plan your wedding music with One More Song Entertainment.

One More Song Entertainment website: https://onemoresong.com.au/

Bigger picture stuff? Check out these Melbourne wedding planners.

Fremantle Perth Bridal Designer Jaime Lee Major

Jul 18, 2020

Jaime Lee Major is one of Australia’s brightest design stars. Her bridal collection has grown over the last 10 years making her one of the most sought after dressmakers to come out of Australia. Jaime Lee Major wedding gowns are meticulously crafted pieces of art.

A while back I photographed the Perth wedding of Sarah and Dave, which started in a majestic ceremony and ended in a (actual) rave. Throughout all that, this incredible Jaime Lee Major creation weathered all the wild glory.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

We wanted to do a piece on her because we are inspired by her wild design talent and outer-space way of approaching bridal gowns for folks wanting something a little more on the edge (see also, Kyha Studios). Her designs are for the fashion-forward bride (the exact words that came out of David’s lips all day at their wedding).

Jaime Lee Major background

Born and raised in Fremantle (Perth), Jamie Lee Major rose to fame after she designed a gown for Kimbra at the Grammys in 2013. Her blue tulle and Swarovski encrusted dress was seen by 40 million people and she gained quite a mighty whack of international fame, and said in an interview for VOGUE that she hadn’t really thought about bridal couture but had so many enquiries that it ‘just sort of happened’.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown bridal party gold and black dresses


Jaime Lee Major won WA Designer of the year, has been featured in VOGUE, dressed Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Rita Ora (to name a few). Major has since left the red carpet behind her now to focus her creative genius on wedding dress designs.

Luxury wedding dresses like you’ve never seen before

Jaime Lee Major wedding gowns are priced from $5000 to $24,000, and like all things thoughtfully crafted, worth every cent. They are pieces of art that she carefully wraps around a human body, and have endless hours of labour put into every last little detail. There are hundreds of thousands of beads, crystals, pearls and stitches in her creations.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

The bridal collection features a lot of tulle and exposed flesh, lavishly covered with luxurious embellishments. They’re a Pinterest board dream. You can forget the classic silhouette or cathedral length train.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

Jaime Lee is talking frills, cuffs, ruffles, sparkles and bespoke demi-couture tailoring. The materials tend to stray away from classic whites and ivories and delve into lux golds and silvers. Something I’m excited to see more of in contemporary weddings.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

If you’re a bride who wants to do things differently then Jaime Lee Major’s collection is awe-inspiring. See-through trouser suits and everything covered in Swarovski will certainly turn some heads and take your Grandmothers idea of the traditional wedding dress for a glorious golden ride. The way the light catches the sparkles and the overstated glamour is perfect for any bridal shoot. 

Jaime Lee Major wedding gowns: also a photographers dream

There is no end to this gifted woman’s creativity. She is such an exciting element in Australian wedding scene. One of her recent catwalk gowns used the most insane floristry to bring her ideas to life.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

I love capturing everything that makes the day special, the bride’s dress is at the top of my list. Be over indulgent, be bountiful, be sumptuous. It’s a wedding, nothing can be too amplified! Your dress should make you feel like you’ve never felt before and there is no way in hell you can’t feel $1million dollars in a Jaime Lee Major wedding gown.

Jaime Lee Major wedding gown bridal party gold and black dresses
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown
Jaime Lee Major wedding gown

Find Jaime Lee Major wedding gowns online

Jaime Lee Major on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimeleemajor

Fremantle and Perth Wedding Photography

Steph and Zacs Quarry Farm Wedding, and Fremantle wedding photo locations.

Enquire with me to photograph your wedding

Briars Atlas wedding photography – make an enquiry

  • Castlemaine Wedding Photographer
  • Cinestill Wedding Photos
  • One Day Bridal wedding dress
  • kyha studios wedding dress
Bangin Hangins

Jul 15, 2020

Bangin Hangins are a category unto themselves – who knew that somewhere between “wedding photographer” and “wedding stylist” there was a standalone category entitled “awesome majestic aerial shit from another dimension that hangs from the ceiling before eventually being whisked away and leaving you wondering how you’ll ever deal with the room being it’s regular dull self”. Etc.

Bangin Hangins make installations that are installed in (/on, with, either-or-and-the-other) the ceiling. Installed TO the ceiling. Take your pick. Whatever the correct terminology is, it results into your ceiling being morphed into some impossible colourful, textural playground.

I’ve been fortunate to see the handiwork of this maestro at three weddings now: an incredible at-home wedding with Sam and Paul (ft. One More Song Entertainment – see their piece here on how to plan your wedding music), Pepe and Sam at Melbourne wedding venue The Line in Footscray, and at a Tanglewood Estate elopement were we installed our futuristic neon arbours.

Enjoy this brief little peer into their founder Sarahs fireworks brain.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

Bangin Hangins red streamers at wedding

So who the hell are you, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?

Bangin Hangins red streamers covering house

I am Sarah. AKA Queen of the Bangers. I’m an events based installation artist. My mates generally get the concept, although a few call it Hangin Bangin instead of Bangin Hangins. Which has the potential to be completely misinterpreted. 


What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?

Bangin Hangins

I like to think the kind of couple we attract are our kind of people. Its nice to work with like minded people who like something a bit left of centre. 


What do you feel separates Bangin Hangins from those around you in your line of work?

My take on colour / form / placement and proportion. All important when putting together a Bangin aerial installation. 


How have you kept Bangin Hangins healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

Red balloons red streamers wedding

We’ve been working on shoots and ideas for future pop ups once its safe. Once these shoots are released, couples might draw some inspo from these.


How do you see the future of celebrations in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?

Modern wedding installation
See more from Sam and Paul’s Melbourne Gay wedding over here.

For the very near future, boutique. So forget inviting that second cousin and cling (at distance) to your favs and let loose. This is my kind of party covid or no covid. Much more fun. I hope we can help make it a Bangin memorable party. 

Find Bangin Hangins online

Bangin Hangins website: https://www.banginhangins.com.au/
Bangin Hangins instagram: https://www.instagram.com/banginhangins
Pepe and Sams wedding featured here: Hello May Wedding Photographer

I reckon Bangin Hangins would look bloody ripper draped all around The Deck at Circa.

Want photos as edgy as these installations? Check out what you can get on Kodak by heading here: film wedding photographer.

Melbourne Wedding Videography

Jul 14, 2020

I spent 5 minutes with the brainchild behind Australia’s most awarded and highly reviewed Melbourne wedding videographers – C2 Films – who also doubles as the facial recipient of the best moustache in the southern hemisphere – Marcus Theodor.

By “spend 5 minutes with”, I mean I sent him an email saying “Mate – fill these questions out (if you can see past the ‘stache down to your keyboard)”, but, same-same.

C2 Films have been around a long time. If C2 were not a group of videographers but instead a human at conception, they’d now be a rowdy teenager telling you why your taste in music sucks.

In videography-terms, that’s about three triple-sentences worth (it’s a challenging, high-turnover field). Somehow Marcus hasn’t aged, I suspect it has something to do with being a backyard Wim Hof practitioner.

So it’s safe to say they know their stuff, instead of telling you your music sucks they put it with love into your video, and because of all this are some of the busiest videographers going with a wild diversity of styles they execute on.

An Interview with C2 Films

Dan and Dre – see my shoot with them here.

What do your couples constantly say about you and C2 Films?

Couples love my dedication, they love that I’m all in, all the time. Approachable and make them feel at ease almost immediately.

I live by the motto that the ‘sun rises and sets with the couple’ and if anyone tries to fuck with that, I’ll burn them.

C2 Films Wedding videographers melbourne
More of Dan and Dre in this post about how to take dark and moody wedding photos.

What do you wish couples said about you?

That I was handsome, strong, dark and moody… creative genius battling inner demons.

C2 Films Wedding videographers melbourne
Dan and Dre – see my shoot with them here.

The thing you found out about yourself in ISO?

That I can’t sit still, that I cannot change or affect my world from my keyboard at home.

I need to move, thus taking up a tradie job (renovation) to throw shit around… and discovering that the boys onsite do it hard for very little, and that I’m fucking blessed to get paid for what I do in the wedding game.

What’s your preferred method of apocalypse aversion and the one movie you’d bring to the bunker to watch forever?

Samsara (daughter) would be my go-to movie, for I’m not at the beginning or and the end, I’m just here…

Find C2 Films online:


https://www.c2films.com.au/
C2 films on Instagram

See more C2 Films Wedding Videos

Hire me to photograph your wedding alongside C2 Films

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne

Jul 13, 2020

Unique Melbourne Wedding Photo Locations: or informally, a list of the best Melbourne wedding photo locations that aren’t already on every other list out there.

  1. Melbourne Treasury building
  2. Treasury Gardens
  3. Collingwood back streets
  4. Carlton Alleys
  5. Thornbury
  6. Northcote Town Hall
  7. That Fonda wall
  8. Portland Lane
  9. South Melbourne
  10. Abbotsford
  11. Fitzroy Gardens
  12. Carlton Gardens
  13. Historic Prahran
  14. Footscray
  15. Best Melbourne Alleys

Here’s a rundown of some of our favourite Melbourne wedding photo locations, organised by the mood they give, to show you what brilliant variety we have in our own inner city for weddings: from gritty industrial, all the way over to the most incredible nature within a stones throw of the Melbourne CBD. Included in all locations are Google Maps pins.

These are our top 15 Melbourne wedding photo locations (I have plenty more hidden gems, but you’ll just have to head out on foot and go exploring yourself to find them, or book us as your wedding photographer).

Be sure to tune in for the very last one – some of our favourite little slices of Melbourne alleys. If you’re getting hitched in the city or inner city or eloping in Melbourne, I know these like the back of our hand as well as a whole bunch of wonderful other little known spots.

These are somewhat more popular locations, but when looking at where to take photos in Melbourne i’ve found they’re ripe for putting a unique spin on each and every time, especially if you’re planning a Melbourne elopement.

1. Classic Melbourne Wedding photo location: Melbourne Treasury Building

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Natasha and Jacobs Melbourne Registry Wedding
Melbourne wedding photo locations
Melbourne wedding photo locations
Melbourne City wedding photo locations
Melbourne City wedding photo locations
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Melbourne City wedding photo locations
Melbourne City wedding photo locations

The Melbourne Treasury building is the go-to photo location for registry weddings in Melbourne, and one of the most iconic spots for Melbourne wedding photos. With its incredible historic design and layout, it’s one of the best places to take photos in Melbourne. What people often miss though, is that the immediate surrounds of the building have the most brilliant wedding photo locations, perfect for rain-shielded photo sessions, sunset sessions, all of it. If you look closely, you can see some of these at this Fortyfive Downstairs wedding.

I take so many couples around here, and it can’t be overstated how beautifully soft and moody the light is around the structures themselves. Head down Treasury place and explore, it’s all an easy and quick whip around, especially if you’re then heading south to somewhere like The Deck at Circa.

Melbourne Treasury Building photo location on Google Maps.


2. Heritage Melbourne wedding location: Treasury Gardens

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Melbourne Registry wedding – ft Tash and Jacob.

Just west of the Melbourne Treasury building, is the Treasury gardens. While the gardens themselves are beautiful and lush, what I personally prefer from this photo location is to use them as context against the treasury buildings behind it.

Walk about halfway up Treasury Place, head down the paths inserting themselves into the gardens, turn around, and you’ve got beautiful lush greenery depending on the time of year, with the incredible heritage buildings right behind you as the backdrop.

Treasury Gardens Photo Location Google Maps pin.


3. Urban wedding photo location: Collingwood back streets

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Find this Collingwood photo location on Google Maps here.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Find this turquoise photo location in Collingwood on Google Maps here.
Collingwood wedding photo locations
Find this corner on Google Maps here. / Tim and Alix at Rupert on Rupert.
Collingwood wedding photo locations
Find this Collingwood Wedding Photo Location on Google Maps here.
Collingwood wedding photo locations
Find this Collingwood photo location on Google Maps here.
Collingwood wedding photo locations
Find this Collingwood wedding photo location on Google Maps here.
Fitzroy wedding photo locations
Find this Collingwood wedding photo location on Google Maps here.
Fitzroy wedding photo locations
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Find this Collingwood building here on Google Maps.

The Collingwood and Fitzroy back streets contain some of our earliest historic houses, since they were the first suburbs inhabited when Melbourne did, well, what we did back then, clear everything and everyone in sight and build lots of stuff.

As a result some of the architecture in the surrounding streets is particularly cute and interesting in equal measure, and make for some of the best Melbourne wedding photo locations.

As a general area, this is a personal favourite and one of the best places to take photos in Melbourne and a go-to for all the best wedding photographers doing their thing.

4. Historical wedding photo location: University Lane Carlton

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Carlton wedding photo locations
Carlton wedding photo locations

Something more of a sleeper wedding photo location (ie: more classic, and not immediately striking), Carlton has some understated alleys that are beautiful soft backdrops without fighting the rest of the frame, and an ideal subtle place for Melbourne wedding photos.

Enormous stonework, subtle signage and fittings, the laneways here are worth exploring and just a small dash out of the Melbourne CBD.

One of the best lanes. Find this photo location on Google Maps here.

5. Urban wedding photo location in Melbourne: Thornbury

Thornbury wedding photo locations
See more from Sam and Pauls Melbourne gay wedding.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
See this wedding photo location here on Google Maps.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
This wall is just outside Little Henri. See it on Google Maps here.
Kenny Lover wedding photo
Kenny Lover wedding photo
Check out their Kenny lover wedding photos.
Kenny Lover wedding photo
Find this Thornbury photo location on Google Maps here.

One of our favourite general areas in Melbourne, and a brilliant wedding photo location to explore. Further north we hit Thornbury, which has an endless amount of textures, historic structures, and all sorts of weird and wonderful signage and exteriors – oh, and Kenny Lover.

30 minutes here will be spent pretty quickly heading up, down and around High St, with art-deco design left right and centre.

See more of Sam and Pauls wedding on Instagram.

6. Art Deco wedding photo location in Melbourne: Northcote Town Hall

Northcote wedding photo location
Northcote wedding photo location
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne

Find Northcote Town Hall wedding photo location here on Google Maps.

Northcote Town Hall is a must visit for simple Melbourne heritage vibes, beautiful columns and light. If Fitzroy Town Hall isn’t accessible, then this isn’t a compromise as a wedding photo location, and it provides the same kind of feel, shelter from rain, and beautiful soft light, with no chance of being disturbed, and super close proximity to bars, cafes, and all of the standard Northcote glory.

There’s also plenty of beautiful textures and walls to find on Eastment st and Westbourne Grove, down the side of the town hall.

7. Colourful Melbourne wedding photo location: Fonda Collingwood

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Collingwood wedding photo location
Collingwood wedding photo location

This one gets a header all of it’s own. The incredible artwork on the side of the Fonda building is a joy to walk past and pop off some frames in front of, and one of the most distinct wedding photo locations around. Punchy, colourful, geometrically satisfying, this is located just off Smith st, with spades of bars and other historic streets right near it.

A great little stopover if you’re getting hitched at Panama Dining Room or Rupert on Rupert.

Find this Collingwood photo location here on google maps.

8. Quirky Melborne wedding photo location: Portland Lane

Melbourne wedding photo location
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Find this moody photo location on Google Maps here.
Melbourne wedding photo location
Find this brutalist photo location on Google Maps here.

I’ve had so many couples stay at the QT Hotel on Russel St, and turning just around to the right of it’s entrance, down Portland Lane, is a no-brainer for some quick portraits when exiting the building to head to the ceremony.

The wall of the Portland Hotel is painted a rich black, and feeds down into deep bluestones below, creating something of an impossible infinity-wall, where it feels like the bluestone is a shelf at the edge of the universe. One of the more unique wedding photo locations in Melbourne.

As if we’re about to lean into the ether, or into Gandalf’s embrace, etc.

9. Green Melbourne wedding photo location: South Melbourne

South Melbourne wedding photo location
South Melbourne wedding photo location
South Melbourne wedding photo location
South Melbourne wedding photo location
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Enter St Vincents park at the corner of Ferrars st. See it on Google Maps here.
Half Acre Wedding photos
Outside Half Acre. See here for more unique wedding venues in Melbourne.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Find this South Melbourne Wedding Photo Location on Google Maps here.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
See this beaut little spot in South Melbourne near Half Acre on Google Maps here.

Until fairly recently, sweeping sections of South Melbourne have somehow managed to mostly avoid being exploited by our general lack of regulation around architectural design for a suburb so close to the city, and so unlike other heritage suburbs, still has plenty of great things to explore without yet looking like a second-year students first foray into geometric design elements.

As a result, as well as easily feeling like it’s a jaunt into the old world, the entire area around the Town Hall, Clarendon St, and industrial back areas have plenty of textures to explore, and is an ideal wedding photo location just 5 minutes out of the Melbourne CBD.

10. Urban Melbourne wedding photo location: Abbotsford

Abbotsford wedding photo location
Find Dr Morse – an industrial photo location on Google Maps here.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Abbotsford wedding photo location
Enter this spot of Victoria Park at the corner of Turner and Rich st. Be sure to go into the turnstiles. Find this Abbotsford Photo Location on google maps here.
Abbotsford wedding photo location
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
This is at the Yarra Bend Park lookout at sunset. There are incredible little trails hidden all around here with outlooks to the city, it’s worth spending half an hour scouting around.
Find this unique photo location on google maps here.

Abbotsford may just be our closest answer to anything resembling the back streets of New York or Brooklyn (see these Melbourne wedding venues). Abbotsford has it all: incredibly close proximity to Yarra Bend Park (which doesn’t seem like it should or could sit so close to the city), old heritage streets, imposing industrial buildings, and everything in between. Abbotsford is a brilliantly diverse wedding photo location.

A 30 minute session in Abbotsford can get chewed up very quickly, and that’s without stopping off at any of the beautiful little cafes littered around the place. One of the best photo locations in Melbourne, at just a short jump outside of the Melbourne CBD itself.

11. Jungle wedding photo location in Melbourne: Fitzroy Gardens

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne

Looking at the map, Fitzroy Gardens almost sounds ripped out of a Tolkien book. The Faeries tree, Tudor Village, Temple of the Winds. These are all great, but the best parts of these gardens aren’t etched on the map.

Enter from the midwestern paths along Lansdowne St, and some of the more incredible tree-tunnels are visible, then head further in to a couple of “secret” little jungle areas with tight greenery, stone stairs and more. Gorgeous wedding photo location resembling a jungle.

One of our favourite places for Melbourne wedding photos.

12. Classic wedding photo location in Melbourne: Carlton Gardens

Carlton Gardens wedding photo locations
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne

Carlton Gardens join the Royal Exhibition building. Carlton Gardens are more known for the aisle of trees leading up to said building (and a water foutain) but the best parts of these gardens are actually around the northwestern edge of the exhibition building.

Architecturally there’s a bunch of textural options around there, but what I like most is the setting sun against some of the smaller characterful pieces of garden around there.

Find this Carlton photo location on Google Maps here.

13. Unique Melbourne Wedding Photo Location: Prahran

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
This spot is at the rear of Prahran Town Hall.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Prahran wedding photo locations
Swanning down Green St Prahran. Find this Prahran photo location on Google Maps.
Prahran wedding photo locations
Simple concrete – see this quirky photo location at Green St Prahran.
Prahran wedding photo locations
Prahran wedding photo locations
Prahran wedding photo locations
Prahran wedding photo locations
Prahran wedding photo locations
Check out this post about how to take dark and moody wedding photos.

Prahran isn’t necessarily the first place you’d think of when looking for the best Melbourne wedding photo locations, but when I lived there, I made a point of taking any couples eloping here from overseas there, for two reasons.

Firstly there’s more than it’s fair share of architecturally stunning historical charm, and secondly, while there’s the allure of taking portraits in the CBD, in our opinion Prahran punches above it’s weight, and saves all of the regular hassles associated with parking in the city itself, while allowing folks spending a little bit of time here to explore a neighbourhood they might have otherwise missed.

Also, don’t miss this moody art-deco gem. Add Prahran to the list if you’re planning a Melbourne City elopement.

14. Gritty Melbourne wedding photo location: Footscray

Footscray wedding photo locations
Footscray wedding photo locations
Footscray wedding photo locations

First stop from the Melbourne CBD as we head west, Footscray is a gritty gem, and enormously misunderstood suburb (especially from our dear friends of the east). All the right ingredients for a subversive photo location.

Footscray has buckets of charm in it’s back streets, and as you head over to Seddon (i’d never heard of it either until I moved there), you’re hit with some of the most incredible cottage-style residences you’ll see in Melbourne.

15. Alley Wedding photo location: Melbourne Alleys

Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Crossley St in Melbourne CBD. See this photo location on Google Maps.
Melbourne Alley wedding photo locations
Same place as above, directly opposite Ginger Boy.
Melbourne Alley wedding photo locations
This beautiful stone wall is in Guildford Lane, about #5. Find it here on Google Maps.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
This is down heape Ct, Melbourne CBD, where the old Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo (RIP) was situated. Find this Melbourne lane photo location here on Google Maps.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
This is a lane to the right of 91 Spring St. A little obscured, follow it down and it feeds into all sorts of other interesting little bits. Perfect urban open shade and lines. See this best photo location on Google Maps here.
Melbourne Alley wedding photo locations
Melbourne Alley wedding photo locations
Melbourne Alley wedding photo locations
I can’t remember where this is. Soz. Follow wherever office workers are having smokos.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Ridgeway Place, Melbourne CBD. See this unique photo location on Google Maps here.
Best wedding photo locations in Melbourne
Can’t remember where this is, but, I mean, just pick any driveway really.
Pellegrinis wedding photo
Pellegrinis wedding photo
Opposite the inimitable Pellegrinis, same as #1.

The pièce de résistance. Melbourne has bucketloads of beautiful alleys, and the main choices become things like how much heritage do you want, vs graffiti, vs tourists, vs calm.

All of the major alleys have their own character as a wedding photo location, and at any quarter of the CBD there’s a good handful within walking distance, and are usually crowned as the best Melbourne wedding photo locations.

These aren’t necessarily the “main events” here (sorry), i’m instead sharing some of our favourite Melbourne wedding photo locations containing simple light, and simple texture.

For more of our secret ones, keep an eye on our melbourne wedding photography workshops.

Love these Melbourne wedding photo locations? Hire us to photograph your Melbourne wedding

Briars Atlas – Wedding Photographer Melbourne – enquire

Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a

Jul 11, 2020

The Fyansford Paper Mill (otherwise known as the Old Paper Mills or Site 3a by Truffleduck) hosts weddings and events just outside of Geelong in the historic corner of Fyansford at Provenance Wines, in what is an absolute little treasure of the area, just minutes from the Geelong city centre. Take a look at this Fyansford Paper Mill Wedding Pre-enactment with the inimitable Georgie Boy.

I spent half a day in it’s incredible stone walls with Melbourne florist Gina (Georgie Boy), making use of the space and each of us following our noses in our respective crafts, with no end-goal in mind but to make something together in the 3 hours spent there. More from this shoot and a little short-film we created at the papermill to be released soon.

Scroll to the bottom for information on hiring for a Fyansford Paper Mill Wedding (or epic battle, midnight ritual, the world’s your oyster).

Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a Wedding
Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a main room divider
Red Rose
Fyansford Paper Mill Wedding
Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a
Georgie Boy Florist
Georgie Boy Florist
Georgie Boy Florist
Georgie Boy Florist
Georgie Boy Florist
Moor dark and moody wedding photos here.
Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a Wedding

Book your Fyansford Paper Mill wedding

Fyansford Paper Mill Site 3a is managed by Truffleduck catering.

Fyansford Paper Mill is something of an internet enigma, and has less of a presence than you might expect for a venue that resembles an impossibly beautiful run-down italian castle, just sitting at the edge of Geelong.

Dating back to the precincts industrial era, the Fyansford Paper Mills look like something more likely to have been plucked from the minds of Peter Jacksons set-design team than a venue just outside of Melbourne that you can actually hire for your wedding: enormous wooden beams, an impossibly high entrance divider between the two main stone rooms and a unique blank canvas unlike anywhere else.

Anyhow, you don’t need me frothing over it’s incredible blue-stone walls and regurgitating information you can find readily available on the Truffleduck website, but I will say that outside of an old palace on the side of an Italian cliff, there aren’t any venues i’ve been to that feel anything quite like this.

Old Paper Mills Geelong Capacity

Lower Section – 200 guests 
Upper Section – 160 guests
Cocktail Style – 380 guests

Fyansford Papermill Site 3a – Truffleduck
Truffleduck instagram


For venues like the Paper Mill outside of Geelong, see Alternative Wedding Venues in Melbourne.

Need a photographer for your Paper Mill wedding?

paper mill geelong wedding
paper mill geelong wedding
Fyansford Site 3a
Fyansford Site 3a
Fyansford Site 3a
Fyansford Site 3a
Fyansford Site 3a
Paper Mill Wedding
Paper Mill Wedding
Paper Mill Wedding
Paper Mill Wedding
Paper Mill Wedding

Hire me to photograph your Old Paper Mill Wedding.

briarsatlas.com

Black and White wedding photos

Jul 10, 2020

A set of black and white favourites over the years from here, there everywhere.

New Zealand Blizzard
See this location in Best Melbourne Wedding photo locations.
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Analog wedding photographer
Zoe and Adam – Blue Mountains Wedding and Elopement Photographer
35mm film wedding photography
Black and white wedding photos
Steph and Zac – Quarry Farm wedding – more Fremantle weddings.
Black and white wedding photos
Steph and Aleks – I Do Drive Thru
Rupert on Rupert
Alix and Tim – Rupert on Rupert wedding
One Day Bridal wedding dress
Alex Perry Wedding dress
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Best modern wedding gowns - Brooke Tyson Ritual
Best modern wedding dresses - Brooke Tyson Ritual
Black and white wedding photos
Fran in Brooke Tyson
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Humdrum Films Cost
Hannah in Paolo Sebastian
analogue film wedding photographer
Wedding on a Family Property
Dancefloor - Rupert on Rupert
Alix and Tim – Rupert on Rupert wedding
Black and white wedding photos
Black and white wedding photos
Wes anderson style wedding photography
Black and white wedding photos
Yashica Rolleiflex TLR film wedding photography
Black and white wedding photos
Check out more like this at the deck circa.
Rupert on Rupert
35mm film wedding photography
Yashica Rolleiflex TLR film wedding photography
Jenelle on Parker – film wedding photography
family property wedding
Black and white wedding photos
Analog film wedding photographer melbourne
Kids at weddings
Wes anderson style wedding photography
Destination wedding photographer
Black and white wedding photos
Black and white wedding photos
Black and white wedding photos
35mm film wedding photography tri x kodak
35mm film wedding photography
Black and white wedding photos
Black and white wedding photos
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Tash and Laura in Suzanne Harward
Dogs at Warehouse Wedding
Suzanne Harward bridal gown
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Black and white wedding photos
New Zealand Blizzard

Shot on Kodak Tri-X

To see how I edit black and white images, head over to Melbourne wedding photography workshop.

How to write wedding vows

Jul 9, 2020

How to write a wedding ceremony: Charis White is a Melbourne wedding celebrant with an enormous amount of experience in weddings large and small all over greater Melbourne and Victoria, for every type of couple you can imagine. With all her experience in running brilliant ceremonies, Charis shares her thoughts on how to write a wedding ceremony, how to write your vows, and how to ensure that it’s a smooth experience – especially for the shy and introverted.

How to write a wedding ceremony: tips from Charis White

When you consider how to write a wedding ceremony, what are the perfect elements a great one, and how do you personally service them?  

How to write wedding vows


Getting to know the couple well means they will have a great ceremony. At a wedding I did recently, a guest asked if I was a friend of the couples. This is the best compliment ever as it shows I really know them and reflected their story in an awesome way. 

How to write wedding vows

Do you recommend a process for couples to think about their vows content? 


I ask them if they have an idea about what they want to talk about. If not, then I give them some vow inspiration to look over and guide them along. I also read over the vows and offer advice and guidance. 

What are your best tips for couples that are shy at the idea of being vulnerable in front of their community? 

how to write wedding vows


I tell them to face each other, that way they are only seeing the face of their bestie.  If you are nervous, a reassured look can calm you down. I am also up there with them to reassure them and guide them through the process. 

How do you take the inner vibes of your couples and translate that into an overall wedding ceremony that’s meaningful to them and congruent to their vows? 

Laura in the incredible Suzanne Harward songbird gown also featured here.


When I meet my couples, we have a chat about their day, their expectations and the overall vibe they want their ceremony to take. Once we have chatted through their story, I send them a questionnaire with more comprehensive questions. I also give my clients the draft to look over, it reassures them.

In terms of their vows (see Jake writing his wedding vows), I cast my eyes over them to make sure they are both semi aligned. EG, if one vow is very funny, then I will go to the other person and tell them to weave in a little humour.

That way they are both balanced. 

How do you ensure that aside from the couple, their family and community is entertained or spoken to by the ceremony?

Suzanne Harward Songbird Gala Gown


I talk about family and friends in the ceremony. I also love engaging with people prior to the ceremony, especially the oldies and kids.

If there is a way to weave a few friends into the ceremony story, I love to do this and love the relatability of it. 

I see a lot of vows written the morning of the wedding. Brave! What is your advice on writing the vows ahead of time or in the moment on the day? 

How to write wedding vows

Laura and Walker looking super cinematic. See why I shoot film.


My advice is totally against this. Actually, I bully them into giving them to me prior. JK. If the couple wants me to have their vows, so they do not need to carry anything on the day of their wedding. I ask for the vows prior to the ceremony. I then populate them into the final draft.

My timeline on this is at least two weeks prior to the ceremony. Sometimes I get them the morning of.

However, most couples are pretty good with getting them to me on time. I also look over their vows prior to the ceremony.  

Long story short – don’t leave your vows until the last minute!

Your top three parting tips for couples looking to hire a celebrant? 


Follow your gut, trust the process and believe in your team. 

Find Charis White online (and hire her for your Melbourne elopement):

Charis White Celebrant Website
Charis White Celebrant Instagram

See here for how to plan wedding music.

I DO Drive Thru wedding melbourne

Jul 8, 2020

I Do Drive Thru is a worldwide wedding startup, helping couples get hitched in the middle of Covid19 while adhering to the restrictions and saving the partying for later. Since launching in Melbourne as a drive through wedding service, it’s spread nationally, and has since popped up all over the USA. Melbourne wedding celebrant Mel (who also moonlights as The Ceremony Store) runs us through why it started and how it’s helped couples all over the world.

Who are you and what do you do at I Do Drive Thru?

I’ve been a Marriage and Funeral Celebrant for 15 years and own the companies, The Ceremony Store, The I Do Drive Thru and The Last Time.  I am also a Celebrant Trainer with Australian Celebrations Training, Furniture Maker, Writer, Mother and Wife but I have always wanted to be an Electrician.

I am obsessed with learning as much as I can in this lifetime, I am perpetually curious. I try one new task every year until I get good at it, then I move on: I have learnt lock-picking, languages, carpentry, metal-detecting, and written a book.

I Do Drive Thru

When COVID 19 became a part of our world I was given medical advice to isolate which meant I could no longer do weddings. The next day I gave away/rescheduled 17 weddings and it was, to say the least; devastating, not just for me, but for my couples. Not only that, I felt horribly guilty giving my weddings to other Celebrants who could possibly get COVID.

That night I lay awake thinking about how I could keep those Celebrants safe and keep working from home during COVID.

To digress, I have always been a bit obsessed with Vegas style weddings and in my early Celebrancy career, I used to ride my red postie motorbike to weddings dressed as Elvis. It just seemed pretty natural that Vegas-vibed drive thru weddings and getting couples to stay in their cars while getting married and keeping the Celebrant distanced was the answer to all of my problems.

The next morning I texted 3 of the most awesome Celes I know, said let’s start this business, and all of them said yes without hesitation and 8 days later, we had a business name, logo, website and a press release. On our launch day we had over 32 calls from the press, 10 enquiries and booked our very first wedding.

Just by chance, my co-founders Kate, Zena and Klara were the perfect combo to get everything going, and the main driver between all of us was the passion to continue working while this crisis was going on around us. 

We all love what we do and while we all kind of felt like sitting around grieving for what we had lost, we forced ourselves to build something new to fit with the changed times. Our catch cry became ‘we will work that out later’ as the business moved so incredibly quickly.

I honestly believe that anyone can do anything they set their mind to, impossible isn’t in my vocabulary. Any skill can be learned, any work can be completed no matter what limits there are, so we worked 19-20 hours days for that first week and we pulled it off.

The most rewarding thing about starting the business was the instant gratification we got with the media interest, we knew that our idea was good and the public interest confirmed that.

I Do Drive Thru seemed to grow incredibly quickly. How has it felt seeing it take off, and at such scale?

I Do Drive Thru
Klara McMurray celebrant in action for I Do Drive Thru.

My gorgeous co-founders put so much trust in me right from the get go. We organised everything via phone, zoom and email, we have only sat in the same space once since we started the business, which is pretty incredible. 

On launch day, seeing Klara on the 6pm news launching our business was such an achievement and then to replicate that model in each state over and over and then in the US has been amazing!

We now have 21 Celebrants working Aus wide with us and 2 in the US.  

How has I Do Drive Thru seamlessly melted into the industry as it exists currently?

Celebrants weren’t the only people affected by COVID, it’s also the photographers, venue owners, car hire companies, florists, everyone has been affected in our industry. We worked hard to create a model that could encompass as many of these suppliers in local communities as possible, so they could be involved too. 

A huge benefit to our business has been that we managed to snag some of the best photographers in Australia to work with us and these artists have provided some of the most epic photos of ceremonies. 

Having these professional images to share with potential couples so they can see that tiny weddings can be so intimate and beautiful and moving has been incredible, a professional picture really is worth a thousand words.

Bringing work to all types of wedding industry professionals, while they were feeling pretty down about losing their own work, has given us all the warm fuzzies.

Have there been any themes to the type stories and couples coming through I Do Drive Thru?

Our couples really range in age, we have had couple in their 20’s to couple’s in their 80’s. The similarity between them is that they really want to get married, but feel like they don’t fit into the white wedding dress/getting given away by Dad/first dance scenario. We have had couples that have stayed in their car for the ceremony, gotten out and married under trees, created convoys so family and friends can come and watch and couples have arrived via cars, helicopters, motorbikes and bicycles.

My fave couple so far is a couple where the Bride recently became paraplegic and she is still getting used to navigating new places and feels a little self-conscious. 

Her Fiancé just wanted to marry her, because in his words, ‘she is the most amazing woman in the world’.  When they heard about the Drive Thru and she saw that she didn’t have to get out of the car and worry about wheelchair logistics, she cried, because this was the only way she felt comfortable getting married. 

How do you see both the future of weddings and your place within it at I Do Drive Thru?

I Do Drive Thru

COVID is going to be here for a while. It’s not going to magically disappear, and I honestly think this will impact the wedding industry for years. 

In the short term we have the uncertainty of not knowing when we can go back to booking big celebrations and it makes planning pretty impossible.

Then when restrictions are lifted then yes, technically, we can go back to bigger celebrations, but is it a celebration if you can’t hug your Nan when you walk back down the aisle? Is it a celebration if you can’t share a shot glass or eat bread out of the same breadbasket? 

The effects of social distancing will continue to live on, especially when it comes to celebrating that way that we are used to.

Celebrant Zena Lythgow in action for I Do Drive Thru with the Covid wedding Melbourne of Adriana and Caleb.

A surprising side-effect to this whole COVID scenario, is that suddenly eloping isn’t taboo, eloping makes you responsible, kinda like a hero, you are protecting your community by having a small wedding and that shift in thinking has been kinda rad.

People have been eloping because there isn’t the stigma attached to it anymore, heck the government practically endorsed eloping when you were only allowed to have the marrying couple and two witnesses present.

Any key advice for couples considering getting married during or after Covid19?

I Do Drive Thru

My advice to couples during COVID has been to follow your heart and remember that there is a huge difference between a marriage and a wedding. (Check out Will and Jac for Melbourne wedding planning). 

If you wanna get married, get married, do it, commit to your lover, that’s so important, don’t let COVID stop you. There is literally no better time to love and be loved than right now, having companionship during a crisis is what will get you through it.

When people ask what you did during COVID how totally romantic is it to say that you married your honey and then shacked up in iso together? (Side note – like this Blue Mountains Elopement).

I Do Drive Thru

If your heart is set on a wedding that encompasses family and friends, then wait, but wait until COVID is dead and gone and we can hug again.  Have a huge wedding down the track, when you can handshake and dance, but you will have to be patient.  

And for those that want both, do it! Have the most romantic, sweet tiny ceremony now and make it all about each other, then have a huge wedding party later on-best of both worlds.

There’s so many polarising stances on dealing with this from a business perspective, especially when small-business in the events space is exposed to the extreme end of the risk dial. What’s your advice to businesses navigating this sustainably, while continuing to place their couples first?

Running a business during a pandemic is tough. Terms and conditions/your contract/Statement of Fees documents are everything. Mine was pretty broad but certainly never covered a killer virus!

I always say to other Celebrants be tough on paper, but soft in reality. You have to have your rules in place, but be flexible, don’t forget everyone is going through something and creating relationships, and word of mouth recommendations in this business is what it is all about. 

I always rule with my heart and not my head, so I certainly don’t set the best example for other business owners, but I find if you treat people with kindness then that’s what you will get back.

What’s been a personal joy you’ve gotten through this whirlwind?

I have always gotten more out of what I do for others, than what I do for myself, so to create a business that has helped so people feel good and have a bit of purpose during COVID has probably been one of the most rewarding things I have done for a long time.

Find I Do Drive Thru online

I Do Drive Thru

I Do Drive Thru website
I Do Drive Thru instagram

All photos on this page are from I Do Drive Thru weddings by Briars Atlas. Images may be re-posted with credit and a link to this site.

For more info on how to get married during Covid 19 away from a drive thru wedding, check out these small wedding venues in Melbourne, and this information piece on having a Melbourne City elopement during Covid 19.

To have your small Melbourne City elopement filmed by the best wedding videographers in town, check out Bottlebrush Films as they’re doing filming for overseas guests and relatives who can’t make it.

Lunar Red Films

Jul 7, 2020

I had a chat with alleged government agent/assassin Carlo, otherwise known as the the genius artistic brain behind Lunar Red Films. We’ve been lucky to work together on the wedding of Pepe and Sam, featured on Hello May, with none less than Nat Sproal, Torte by Mirjana, Killer Queen Creative, and Good Day Club.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing. First up we have this wicked Melbourne wedding videographer, Carlo, of Lunar Red.


So who the hell is Lunar Red Films, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?


My name is Carlo. My friends think I’m a government assassin (can confirm this is a generally held opinion – BA). Me mum thinks I’m handsome, but really I’m just your friendly, neighbourhood wedding cinematographer.


What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?


Melbourne is just chock a block full of wonderful, loved up weirdos, who are willing to break convention and tradition and just do their own thing. It means that each couple has brought a sense of heart and soul into their weddings, and have given it a stamp that is all on their own. I don’t know any other city where that happens. 


What do you feel separates Lunar Red Films from those around you in your line of work?


Some people use the term “minimalism” (cue the air wank motion) – I prefer to say “steak and veg”. That’s how I like to shoot – as simple and as free of gimmicks and other fanciful shit as humanly possible. What that leaves me with is me, the camera, and the moment happening directly in front of me. I’m not here trying to manufacture someone else’s feelings, I’m not attempting to set up a moment that isn’t real. Everything I point my camera at is genuine and, hopefully, the couple remembers the feelings they have for each other in the moment as opposed to me yelling at them to behave a certain way.


How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

I like to cap my weddings per season at a certain number. It means that I’m able to give each wedding my creative focus without being snowed under by work and burn out. When covid hit, I only had a handful of weddings left to shoot down the line, so it gave me a little extra time to edit the weddings I had already shot to perfection. 


How do you see the future of celebrations in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?

I feel like weddings and celebrations will continue to get more and more. unconventional the more couples and future clients realise that they don’t have to do what’s come before to have a good time or to profess their love out to the world. More colour, more rule breaking, more heart. Basically just more of the good stuff.

Lunar Red Films wedding videographer at The Line Footscray

Find Lunar Red Films online

https://www.lunarred.com.au/
Lunar Red Films on Instagram

Brooke tyson ritual bridal

Jul 6, 2020

Brooke Tyson Ritual – some of the most incredible bridal designs on the planet, with delicate contours and flowing textures, and what a treat it was to photograph them in a (real) blizzard, atop a volcano in New Zealand, draped over our incredible model, Fran, for the Story and Light photography workshop hosted by the genius wizardchildren over at Bayly and Moore.

Featured here is the Brooke Tyson Ritual Luna gown, as well as their Flora gown.

Story and Light was sponsored by the brilliant Australian film-lab Atkins, who kindly developed and scanned all of these images, shot entirely on Kodak Film. More on analogue wedding photography.

New Zealand Blizzard
Brooke tyson ritual - Flora gown

Removing herself from the perilously wild volcanic blizzard (despite the hardy protection of the Luna gown), here, we see Fran emerging from a more friendly forest, in the Brooke Tyson Flora gown.

Above and below is the Flora gown. Anyone that has ever met a New Zealander knows that the Ritual collection benefits from the classic kiwi ingenuity, developed in and around curious brain-zaps that test the edges of what bridal gowns should look like.

Brooke tyson ritual - Flora gown
Brooke tyson ritual - Flora gown

Celebrating free-spirits and with inspiration taken from cinema and folklore, the Brooke Tyson Luna gown was pretty much made to be draped across Franc and then whisked by a blizzard in on top of a volcano.

Brooke Tyson are also featured here on my top 5 best modern wedding dresses.

New Zealand Volcano
New Zealand Volcano
Brooke tyson ritual - Luna gown
Brooke tyson ritual - Luna gown
Brooke tyson ritual - Luna gown
This majestic snap also lives in my wedding portraits post.
New Zealand Blizzard
If you like this, check out more black and white wedding photos.

Find Brooke Tyson Ritual online

Website: https://brooketysonritual.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brooketysonritual
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrookeTysonRitual/

For more wedding dress designs from another planet, check out Jaime Lee Major.

If you like Brooke Tyson, you might also like these incredible wedding jumpsuits.

yarra valley wedding venues

Jul 5, 2020

The Yarra Valley is one of the most totally majestic regions in Victoria, which you already know if you’re planning a wedding out that way. Yarra Valley Wedding venues are places that celebrate the natural beauty of the area, as well as the unique food, wine, and accommodation.

5 brilliant Yarra Valley Wedding Venues:

  1. Zonzo Estate 
  2. Stones of the Yarra Valley
  3. Yering Station
  4. Immerse Winery
  5. Vines of the Yarra Valley

Read on to find out exactly why these 5 have made it to my list. Each one offers something quite different. I obviously love wedding venues that have unique photo opportunities and sublime backdrops, and we are not short of them here. I also love it when venues have really thought about the couple and their guests’ whole experience, which given that the Yarra Valley is a little out of the city, is an important planning considerations. Whether that’s offering a bridal day room, onsite ceremony and accommodation, or an award winning dining experience, it’s those little extras that make your wedding in the Yarra Valley a brilliant experience for you and your guests.

This is a complete guide to having a wedding in the Yarra Valley that covers the very best venues available, accommodation for your guests, and extra things to do the day after.

The Best Yarra Valley wedding venes: outdoor wedding ceremony

As someone who grew up in the Yarra Valley, i’ve got a special passion for the are and it’s a treat to lay out some of my favourite spots in the region. These days I photograph weddings in the Yarra Valley year in and year out, (but a couple of decades ago it was tearing around the streets on a BMX instead).

To either of those, it’s got a special place in my heart and if it doesn’t yet have one in yours, it soon will.

By choosing to have a Yarra Valley Winery Wedding, you can treat yourselves and your guests to a dreamy mini getaway away from the rush of the city, soaking up all of the culinary wizardry and hospitality from the region.

A photograph of a reception at a yarra valley wedding venue

These Yarra Valley wedding venues are some of the best wedding locations Australia has to offer, let alone in Victoria. I’ve photographed a fair few Yarra Valley winery weddings in my time. They’re stunning. The evening sun pirouettes through the vines, and if you’re lucky, drops an incredible rainbow your way (looking at you, hills of Zonzo Estate).

There are an innumerable amount of Yarra Valley wedding venues to choose from, so I’ve compiled a short and sharp list from first hand experience for you to peruse and explore, sink your teeth into whilst navigating a latte like-say, etc.

Because this area of the world is so spectacular, i’ve also included some useful local insights to occupy yourselves with either side of your wedding day itself. It’s all well and good picking a ceremony and reception venue but that’s only half of the fun. Where will you get ready? Where will you sleep?

And.

Where will you cure the hangover?

I’ve looked into some dazzling accomodation for you and your guests to lay your heads. Being secluded and private on a vineyard is one thing, but people not being able to find the place or their way back to bed is another!

The accommodation I’ve picked is local to your potential venues so people aren’t spending too long travelling before or after. I’ve looked at a range of affordability too so everyone can enjoy this wonderland. It’s little things like this I find help the day run smoothly and keep spirits high.

Remember, there is going to be a lot of sore heads the next day so I‘ve snuck in a few great places to catch your first married bite the morning after too.

The Best Valley Wedding Venues

All of these venues are pretty marvellous in their own way, so these are listed in no particular order. When you go and visit them you’ll know which one is the one, and I recommend booking a meeting with their events coordinator to show you around. The awesome crew that run them, the wild scenery, the charming ceremony spaces and the versatile reception areas will all ring true with you in one way or another.

1. Yarra Valley Winery Wedding Venues: Zonzo Estate Yarra Valley

a photo of zonzo estate at sunset, one of the best yarra valley wedding venues

I’m kicking off my list with these maestros because this is a venue for the photos and the food! My two pleasures in life. I remember turning up at the Zonzo Estate in the Yarra Valley for the first time and being pretty knocked out by it’s rolling hills. Set in an old milking barn the emphatic main building with sloped roof, huge glass panelling and sleek interior design makes for an idyllic modern yet traditional setting. They have a particularly cute outdoor area under festoon lights where newlyweds do the ‘zonzo twirl’ contrasted by the evening’s sweeping landscape.

A bonus of this estate is that you can opt to have your actual ceremony on site with a choice of three glorious spaces overlooking the rolling hills. No chance of anyone getting lost en-route to this reception. The three options give you the chance to express yourself that little bit more, and make for a venue that you can make your own.

The real dark-horse of this place though, the gem of Zonzo Estate, is their Italian dining experience. Let’s face it, no one wants shit food at a wedding (this can’t be drilled home hard enough ahead of time). If guests taste buds are being tantalised, then the vibe is too (if you’re looking at a venue that doesn’t have onsite catering, make sure you check out this post about the best wedding caterers in Melbourne). People need fuel for the dance floor! Zonzo Estate have won several awards for their wedding restaurant reception so it’s official that their food is to die for. They’ve been in the business over a decade and know what they’re doing. Zonzo have their own wedding coordinators on site to help you make your Yarra Valley winery wedding dreams come to life in the most seamless and stress-free way, and they run like clockwork.

Intermission: be sure to check out my larger post on Zonzo Estate.

I love the shit out of being a part of couples wedding here – beautiful industrial structures juxtaposed with all things rustic, and a moving platter of beautiful vibes all on the one property. While you’re on the Zonzo train, you might also like these beautiful rustic wedding venues in Victoria.

Zonzo Estate Yarra valley: wedding venue specs

Zonzo Estate wedding venue capacity: 140 guests seated
Zonzo Estate Website: zonzo.com.au/weddings

2. Yarra Valley Wedding Venues: Stones of the Yarra Valley

a photo of stones of the yarra valley reception

Beforehand: be sure to check out my post on Stones of the Yarra Valley.

Stones of the Yarra Valley had cemented itself as a bit of an icon of the region, and is one of the busiest venues going. What this means for you, is that their wealth of experience in running lush, tightly run events, means that everything goes to plan. Their owner and sometimes coordinator, Vonnie, is just as much an icon of the industry as her venue.

It’s enormous grounds offer a variety of spaces to accommodate the day to your needs. There are several 19th century restored buildings with pristine gardens and vines, it really feels like being in Tuscany. These guys can host your whole day here or they even have sister smaller venues to host smaller reception only gigs. Whatever you want, the Stones of the Yarra Valley can deliver.

Let’s start with the stunning on site ‘Chapel’. It’s simple and elegant, the high ceilings and handcrafted woodwork make an alluring place to tie the knot in front of your nearest and dearest. After you’ve become newlyweds you can join your guests for drinks and little bites in the ‘Dairy’. I love this part of the day, there’s so much excitement and a proper buzz in the air. Go and give your guests a twirl in all your magnificence and lap up the love. The Stones of the Yarra Valley have absolutely smashed it when it comes to Yarra Valley wedding reception settings. Every seat in the house has a spectacular view of the scenery, all hosted from the sensational ‘Barn’. They’ve elevated the ceiling so it’s bright and airy in the daytime. They’ve got exposed wooden beams nestled against panoramic windows and impressive foliage externally. At night they have festoons and soft lighting for you and your guests to jive under, and for me to take some fantastically lit photos!

After all the fun is over, you can stagger down the road to the boutique ‘Farmhouse’ accommodation. I love onsite accommodation, it just takes one less logistical step out of the equation! Easy! Another logistical added extra these guys have is a bridal preparation room. Filled with mirrors and natural light, you and your party can be on site and get some extraordinary pre-wedding shots! Winner! Read below for more on their sister venues.

Stones of the Yarra valley: wedding venue specs

Stones of the Yarra Valley wedding venue capacity: 180 guests seated
Stones of the Yarra Valley Website: stonesoftheyarravalley.com

3. Yarra Valley Wedding Venues: Yering Station

a photo of a yering station wedding

Yering Station is one of the oldest wineries in the Yarra Valley. This wedding venue is truely and naturally ceremonial. This quintessential ceremony under the trees could be in Italy or France. The orchard  trees are ordered yet natural and needs minimal decoration (and the coverage stops everyone from squinting). 

Walk yourselves across the grounds toward the impressive main building. The incredibly serene reception room and scape are the epitome of elegance. The architecture oozes class and the grounds are ornate and mature. Everywhere you turn there is a photo opportunity. I love taking the couple away for their personal shots around the grounds, there are some really delicately lit hidden spots for those golden hour frames that are just priceless. This place really is a jewel. 

Lavished in history and grandiose views you just have to be there to soak it all up. The huge panoramic windows of the reception room mean you can be protected from the elements but cannot get away from the endless views. Every person in the room will be able to see them from any seat in the room. The exposed stone accents and overhead wooden beams look gorgeous in photos. They’ve got so much space for you and your guests to prance around in, it’s ace!

The little wins here include a bridal room which is light and airy, a wedding coordinator to help you from start to finish and get your guests in the right place at the right time and an unexpected quirk of a personal sommelier to match your menu to the gorgeous wines they have there! It’s not only the manicured grounds that are totally phenomenal, even the food looks incredible and sits perfectly on the long white tables. Have a look at their wedding packages here.

Also: check out my lengthy post on this Yering Station wedding.

Yering Station Yarra valley: wedding venue specs

Yering Station wedding venue capacity: 150 guests
Yering Station Website: yering.com

4. Yarra Valley Wedding Venues: Immerse Winery

a photo of an immerse yarra valley wedding ceremony

Before you dive in: check out this Immerse Yarra Valley wedding.

As soon as you arrive at this cataclysmic location you are wowed by one of the chapels (yes there are three options!). The ‘Vineyard Chapel’ has floor to ceiling striking windows looking out into the Sauvignon Blanc vines that draw you in. Then once you’re inside they frame the landscape astonishingly. This chapel keeps the elements out whilst still letting maximum nature in.

Their next option is the covered outdoor ‘Garden Chapel’. This is the perfect balance between inside and outside ceremonies. You’ll be wed in front of the most pristine ornamental lake and gardens. The photo opportunities are exquisite, believe me! However, if you want to go fully al fresco then their final ceremony option is ‘The Paddock’. You and your guests and nature, nothing else. I think it’s great when a venue has options, it really gives you a chance to customise your day to how YOU want it. It means that even if you’ve been to a wedding there before you can make yours different.

As I mentioned before, being in one place for the full day is a big bonus. This divine location offers 20 on site rooms and a stella restaurant alongside their multiple ceremony options. Their elegant and spacious bridal suite can be hired for you and your squad to get ready in before and you and your new husband to retire to after. No need to spend on transport, more time for epic dance moves! Winner! The 20 rooms also get complimentary breakfast in the morning which is pretty peachy too!

Finally, and probably most importantly, the main reason I love Immerse Yarra Valley wedding venue is because the family that owns it are stupendous. They are warm, welcoming and wonderful from start to finish. Making sure you, me and your guests have everything we need and more. You can’t buy that. There’s nothing worse than feeling stressed and disorganised with a wedding. Whether you’re having 20 or 220 guests, there is absolutely no chance of stress when they are involved. This is probably why they are so popular and highly rated all the time.

Immerse Yarra valley: wedding venue specs

Immerse Yarra Valley wedding venue capacity: 220 guests
Immerse Yarra Valley Website: immerse.com.au

5. Yarra Valley Winery wedding venue: Vines of the Yarra Valley

Rounding up this list is the incredible Vines of the Yarra Valley!

Vines of the Yarra Valley venue capacity: 150 guests
Vines of the Yarra Valley website: vinesoftheyarravalley.com.au

Small Wedding Venues Yarra Valley

All of the wonderful venues listed on this page can cater to large and small weddings, whether it’s 20 guests, 30 guests, 40 guests, 50 guests, 60 guests, 70 guests, all the way up to 100 guests or 150 guests.

Wedding Accommodation for your Yarra Valley Winery Wedding

So you’ve chosen your beautiful Yarra Valley winery wedding venue and now you need somewhere for you and your lovely guests to sleep. I’ve had a little think for you, from personal experience and from extensive industry research I’ve compiled a few ideas.

When choosing where to stay you probably should think about being well rested and within a decent distance from the Yarra Valley wedding venue you’ve chosen so that…

a) you’re not late

b) you can get to bed easily after the most magically mental day of your life! 

You also need somewhere that has enough room for you to get ready comfortably and that will make you feel special and relaxed on your first night as a married couple! Whoop! (The room needs to be bigger than the bed is what I’m saying). This is surprisingly hard to find sometimes. If you can get on-site accommodation then this takes out a lot of logistical planning and time from the day but not all winerys offer this. It’s more important to be in love with your venue than go for something less to your taste just because they have accommodation. 

A great and often overlooked option is to get an AirBnB. There are some pretty jazzy options in this area. You can hire a huge one between you and your closest friends and family or even just a secluded private one for your first few nights as a Mr and Mrs! Make sure there is enough room to get ready in with lots of natural light and mirrors if you’re hiring it for the night before. 

This ‘Rustic Luxury’ 6 person house is in the vines and is only a 10 minute drive from Stones of the Yarra Valley Winery. Or why not get yourself a secluded villa with a pool for you and the girls to enjoy before the big day? If you really want to be in nature and away from it all then Olinda Yarra Cottage offers a cute farm stay option for up to 6 people and has beautiful farm views for the pre-wedding photos and for soothing weary heads.

It’s your big day, spoil yourself! The Kangaroo Manor is a spacious, modern, wooden, secluded, sophisticated, mega-mansion with a pool in the hills. It sleeps 7 people and it’s about 35 minutes from the wineries I’ve listed hidden down a farm track. It is honestly breathtaking! You get so much more space for your money in these kinds of places rather than in hotels.

If you’d rather have most people in the same place then there are a plethora of really bloody nice hotels in the area too. The Chateau Yering Hotel is a slice of renaissance style luxury if that’s your thing. This is only a short walk away from the Yering Station Estate and is commonly used as their accommodation option. Their good relationship with the winery can really help with organising things too. Check your dates for this one though as it can also be used as a wedding venue because it’s so suave!

Healesville Garden Accommodation Houses have a fully functional ten bedroom house that can sleep up to 22 people. It’s only 15 minutes to the wineries and is ideal for keeping the family all in one place. Renting somewhere like this can be a very cost effective accommodation option and be a nice way to spend a bit of quality time with people around all the commotion of the day.

The morning after the night before your Yarra Valley Wedding

So you’ve picked your glamorous winery, you’ve sampled your delicious menu, you’ve booked your mother in law into a delectable hotel room. Now those hangovers need a good feed! Post wedding day breakfast spots can be fancy or laid back depending on your style. It’s a great time to have a giggle and swoon over the previous day’s happenings. How did Uncle Steve end up sleeping under the stars? How did your dress get so muddy? How fucking colossal was the entire day!? I live for this time. The pre-wedding stress is over, the months of anticipation have climaxed and you can now sit back and bathe in your honeymoon period. You might want to have a little family group get together or meet up with your old pals from school you haven’t seen for years. Whatever or whoever you’re eating with, you want it to be tasty and there to be (lots of) amazing coffee!

I’ve picked out 3 of my favourite brunch spots in the area where you can debrief with your nearest and dearest.

  1. Stones of the Yarra Valley

I know we’ve spoken about these guys already but they offer the full package and they have 5 insane venues to host your brunch the next day! And if they’ve already looked after your actual day then the coordination for the next day will be seamless. Talk about tasty convenience!

‘The Barn’ can seat 200 people so you can really continue the wedding properly the next day! It’s where you’d usually have your reception so guests will be familiar with where to go and you can all sit in the same place to avoid confusion. 

‘The Stables at Stones’ can seat 63 people which is perfect for those more intimate weddings. It’s 19th century chic at its finest. Exposed brick walls, huge wooden stable doors and manicured hedges are just perfect for an elegant and relaxed meal with friends.

‘No.7 Healesville’ has epically high ceilings, sliding barn doors and walls of wine barrels which look really fucking cool! This is a spacious and airy location for 53 guests. Why not have next day tapas?!

If you’re staying at the Stones of the Yarra Valley accommodation you’ll find the Meletos locations very convenient.

‘The Warehouse at Meletos’ also seats 63 people and is a more modern option. Huge glass windows in a renovated building with chandeliers and a bar. This is a more relaxed vibe and can even be set up as a standing cocktail/mingling style if you want.

‘Meletos Cafe’ is its own entity. Very popular cafe priding itself on using local produce to create very tasty food. They are very accommodating vegan, vegetarian and gluten free without compromising quality. You can choose a more formal sit down or a sharing option.

  1. Hutch and co cafe

Modern and mental food and design. Their eggs are fluffy and their sauces are swirly. They’ve got fruit bowls, avo smash and creamy dreamy coffee. If you want brunch done well these are your guys. They’ve got all the eggs and avo you can shake a stick at. They’ve got big breakfasts, little breakfasts and even a glass of bubbly if you’re not quite finished celebrating yet! Vegan and gluten free friendly options all over the place. Something delicious for everyone here. Their freshly made juices and milkshakes could just be the antidote you’re seeking. Yum! Take a look at their menu here.

  1. The Hatter and The Hare

An Alice in Wonderland inspired high tea experience! This isn’t your usually prissy cucumber sandwiches, these guys have taken afternoon tea to the next level. Get ready to go down the rabbit hole to find extraordinary cakes and bites swimming in smoke and mirrors. I’m talking about ‘Korean Fried Chicken’, waffles, and ‘Mad Hatters breakfast’ platters followed by ‘tweedle wheels’, ‘queen’ of hearts strawberry mousse and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ lemon and pineapple desserts. Accompanied by hypnotic ‘chess board coffee’ boards, ‘love potions’ and ‘white tea and butterfly pea’ lattes! They have some ace vegan and veggie options too which is often hard to properly accommodate. Have a look here to be sure to keep the giggles going into the next day!

Final Planning Advice for your Yarra Valley Wedding

An amazing yarra valley wedding venue

Planning a wedding is a time to let your fantasies take control! Yarra Valley is an ideal location that can help your dreams for the day come true. The best weddings combine the couples personality to make it feel like it’s their own. Keep searching and don’t settle for something until it feels right!
What I love about our industry is the amount of raw inspiring creativity people bring to what they do. I have worked with some phenomenal wedding super stars in my time and I’m lucky enough to stay in touch with all of them. Looking for something in particular?

Drop me a message and I can send you some suggestions. You could also check out my other blog articles for more wedding inspo! I’ve recently released articles on unique florists in Victoria and music ideas for small weddings!

Book me to photograph your Yarra Valley Wedding

Briars Atlas – Yarra Valley wedding photographer – make an enquiry

Beyond Yarra Valley Wedding Venues

Castlemaine Wedding Photographer

For more inspiration in Victoria outside of the Yarra Valley, be sure to check out this Sault Daylesford wedding, Tanglewood Estate on the Mornington Peninsula (head here for a roundup of even more Mornington Peninsula wedding venues), and this incredible rustic Castlemaine wedding venues.

Small wedding venues to check out away from the Yarra Valley

Pic Time Art Galleries

Jul 4, 2020

I’m super pleased to be releasing my own Pic Time Art Galleries as an online print shop, through a new platform recently released by the brilliant mob over at Pic Time.

I’ve wanted to have a place to share and sell prints for going on 8 years, but the task always seemed to arduous and riddled with pain-in-the-ass complexities that stopped me from leaning right in.

Why sell prints?

Selling prints is a great way to give your bodies of work the respect they deserve! I guess a secondary stream of revenue doesn’t also hurt, but what I think is most important is that this is a way to let someone else create future-nostalgia out of something else you have made.

Additionally, selling your prints makes you lean into your own work more, and think more critically about who you want to be from an artistic point of view. There’s nothing quite as challenging or humbling as trying to reduce tens of thousands of your images into a concentrated body of work that might just contain ten.

For the last few months, Pic Time invited me to be a tester of their new gallery functionality.

This functionality is a part of their existing platform – so if you’re already using Pic Time as proofing software for your clients (as I am), this simply bolts on top via a separate subscription fee, and from there you can enjoy all of the additional functionality that an art gallery requires.

Pic Time Art Galleries
Pic Time Art Galleries

David Foster Wallace #1 will be available on my print store.

Find out more about Pic Time art galleries here

Find out more about my print lab here.

Nathan Kaso Melbourne Wedding Videographer

Jul 1, 2020

Occasionally the wedding industry has someone move in from another branch of the broader arts and design sphere, and the spin they have on things is always a little different to what else is currently around. Enter Nathan Kaso weddings, mastercraftsman of moving image, sometime viral-video maker, and now your friendly local wedding videographer.

Nathan was also featured wayback here, and I was lucky to join forces for the wedding of Amy and Bronson, which you can see here on Hello May, and here on this post about Castlemaine wedding venues.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing. Up today we have the inimitable creative Melbourne Wedding videographer, Nathan Kaso.

What couples constantly say about Nathan Kaso Weddings

Generally my couple’s say they forgot that I was even around, which I take as the ultimate compliment. A very wise man (a certain Oli S, no wait that’s too obvious, O. San) once taught me that when shooting weddings, having a small-footprint is the way to go. So I’ve stuck with that and do my best to stay out of the way and capture all the natural feels. It must be working because most couples aren’t sure if I’ve even turned up.


What you wish couples said about Nathan Kaso Weddings

I put a fair amount of effort into my hair (head and facial)*, not going to lie. By the midway point of the ceremony it’s generally turned into a sweaty mess, but I’m hoping people take note at the start of the day and tell their friends

It takes a lot of effort to look like you’ve made no effort.

Katie and Josh at Stones of the Yarra Valley.


The thing you found out about yourself in ISO

I actually quite enjoyed ISO. Once I got past my business crumbling to pieces, I really enjoyed spending time with my kids. But it wasn’t just the usual routine, we got right back to basics (as it seems a lot of folks did) and went bike riding, kite flying, walked along the river, simple things that we normally don’t seem to find the time for. Honestly it was bliss, and the break that I didn’t know I needed.

Method of apocalypse aversion and the one movie you’d bring to the bunker to watch forever

When the apocalypse hits, I’ll go Superman style with a fortress of solitude in the snow.

Provided my kids are old enough for M15+, I’ll be bringing with me the 1996 classic Fargo, because the Cohen Brothers and Roger Deakins and Steve Buscemi in a woodchipper will never get old.

Find Nathan Kaso Weddings online


* Can confirm that along with an offensive array of talents, Mr Kaso sports the best hair in the game

https://www.nathankasoweddings.com/
Nathan Kaso Weddings Instagram
Nathan Kaso on Hello May

Best Wedding Venue Toowoomba Gabbinbar Homestead

Jun 30, 2020

In the middle of classic Australian expanse, about 2 hours west of Brisbane as the crow flies, sits Australia’s second largest inland city, and recipient of “most vowels in a city name” award. Welcome, to the gloriously rural region of Toowoomba, Queensland. Known for it’s Carnival of Flowers held annually in September, and having recently installed it’s own airport more and more people are getting to know this hidden gem of a town. Today though, we’re here to focus specifically on the BEST Toowoomba wedding venue, Gabbinbar Homestead.

toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead

Read this post if:

  1. You’re wedding venue-hunting in Queensland
  2. You’ve heard about Gabbinbar and are curious
  3. Want to see what it looks like to have me photograph there

Best Toowoomba Wedding Venue: Gabbinbar Homestead

toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead

Why is Gabbinbar Homestead the best wedding venue in Toowoomba?

toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead

It lives and breathes rustic hospitality.

The majestic diversity speaks for itself. It’s the perfect middle ground between country wedding and city wedding. While Toowoomba isn’t a bustling hub of activity like Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, it has the most endearing rustic charm that you can’t quite find in those larger cities. This rustic charm honestly makes for the most heartwarming, down-to-Earth wedding ceremonies.

It’s a wedding photographer’s paradise: which means brilliant images of you, for you.

toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead

Shooting at rural wedding venues like this just make you feel like you’re part of something special: and part of that here owes to the almost total seclusion from the outside world of it’s private garden edges.

I’ve shot at countless wedding venues and no place quite makes you feel at home like the gorgeous Gabbinbar Homestead. There are so many hidden gems scattered throughout the venue, and the mystique of it all is something you have to feel to believe. You find yourself weaving in and out of the trees, snapping pictures of family and friends of the bride and groom in such a relaxed, magical atmosphere. Rural wedding venues just seem to bring out the best in people.

The wedding services are, like the grounds, majestic.

toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead

Gabbinbar’s all-inclusive wedding package, aptly titled ‘The Gabbinbar Experience’ is just that. It’s basically everything you need to experience the exact wedding day you want to bring to life. Specifically:

  • A personalised wedding planning service.
  • Stunning ceremony and wedding photography locations in the surrounding gardens.
  • Delectably delicious award-winning food.
  • A ‘Bride’s Retreat’ for luxurious pre-wedding preparations.
  • A breathtaking reception with friendly staff, dedicated to making your wedding completely awesome.

Plus all of those often overlooked, finer details that go into executing a flawless wedding that come with the territory of having everything in the one place.

Outside of this theres 3000+ rooms a stone’s throw away for guests and family.

Gabbinbar Homestead Bride
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
toowoomba wedding venue Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
See more of Hannahs incredible wedding jumpsuit.
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead
Gabbinbar Homestead

So, if you’re thinking of escaping to the country for your wedding, short of the rural expanses of the moon there’s no better place than Gabbinbar Homestead.

Check out their wedding pricing and packages for yourself.

From a Toowoomba wedding venue abundant in charm and heart to a completely unique shotgun-style Melbourne wedding venue, visit this post featuring The Alter Electric.

Torte By Mirjana with Babiana Botanic

Jun 29, 2020

I don’t know much about cakes, but I do know that beyond being face-plantingly delicious, there’s a bunch of love that has to be artfully weaved into the process, lest it ends up just resembling an attractive piece of cardboard, and Torte by Mirjana is the local bees-knees of the taste game.

Apart from Mirjana being an absolute magnet personality and culinary wizard, the thing that stood out to me most is that everyone who talks about her work, talks about the taste. That might seem like the most ludicrously obvious talking point when the conversation is about wedding cakes, but it never occurred to me that in a space where so much of the work looks good, what really matters it the drooling gob that it’s ending up in, and what that gob then says about the experience #goblife.

We had a little mid-iso chat, so if you haven’t been introduced to her work stick around and hit up her links at the bottom to check out her majestic work online.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

Punky Brewster of the cake world

Sum yourself up in a few words.

I’m Melbourne’s Punky Brewster version of a cake lady 



What excites you most about what you get to do?

I get to make a whole bunch of mess in the kitchen, and then somehow miraculously end up bringing an edible art piece into existence.

Torte by Mirjana with Babiana Botanic
Mirjana and Anna of Babiana Botanic at the Celebrant A List baller



What do you feel separates you from those around you in your line of work?

I think my ability to make a personal connection with my clients and establish a relationship during the cake designing process its that or the msg version of sweet sugary love I put into each cake. 



How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

Torte took a little break during covid and I grew a new title which was homeschool teacher… didn’t really like that, so I started making mini heart cakes that were inspired by my love of Wes Anderson and all things vintage, and they were a real hit with lovers who were in lockdown – so I’m hoping to see some baby shower cake orders soon! 

Torte by Mirjana cake
Torte by Mirjana at Altar Electric
Standard scenes when a Torte by Mirjana cake is on the table at Altar Electric.



How would you describe the mark you want to leave on folks gracefully annhilating your work?

Nostalgia you can taste! 


Find Torte by Mirjana online

Torte by Mirjana website
Torte by Mirjana Instagram

How to do a wedding champagne spray

Jun 27, 2020

How to spray a champagne bottle at your wedding: everyone’s seen it, everyone’s had a crack at it, and everyones experience ends with one of “nailed it”, “nearly took my head off”, or “fizzled out to a flaccid wisp like Creeds record contract” (I bought a few of their albums back in the day so this is all fair game, and I guess that makes me fair game).

Also file this under – things you can practice at home in a pandemic. Great for your serotonin levels, not so great for your lounge room walls, so maybe one to take to the streets.

How to do a champagne spray (condensed version):

  1. Put on your champagne spray face
  2. Pre-shake bottle, flick off the cork
  3. Press your thumb firmly over the hole while shaking
How to spray a champagne bottle

There’s a gentle art to the champagne spray, and it’s both easier than you might think in the moment, while at the same time requiring of a bit of careful strategy and forward-thinking so that the proceeds don’t resemble the unfortunate scene of a garden hose with no pressure at a kids water-fight birthday-party in the middle of summer.

How to do a champagne Spray


Why we do it

Because if we’re gonna have a day of beautiful debauchery and anarchy, contributing to the carbon(ated beverage) atmospheric trust-fund – and surrounding garments – is one of the cheaper thrills we can have on the day, with a mighty power-to-weight ratio as far as thrills gained, and dollars spent on cheap wine.

Fun for everyone – even me as my camera-gear gets gloriously soaked in the stuff (tips for photographers: if you want to get the best champagne shots, sorry – but you need to be right in front of it – and if you don’t come out needing a dry-clean, you haven’t shot it right).


The theory behind the perfect champagne spray

In order to get a wild spray going that lasts as long as the winners ones do on an F1 podium, we need to consult our dusty “armchair teenage physicist” manual, and brush up on the “why” before we get to the “how”.


If you want to know how to spray a champagne bottle at your wedding, the aim is to reduce the gap available to the champagne to flow through, once the cork is off, as soon as we can. The number one reason that a champagne spray does not work, is because that the champagne-spray Director of Operations at the time does not immediately apply pressure once the cork is removed and continue shaking.


This means we need to press our thumb against the hole, as soon as the cork is removed. This in turn keeps extra pressure inside the bottle, which means it’s going to try and force it’s way through the available gap. If the champagne has pressure that is mostly kept in by your thumb, that means that in order to release that pressure, it’s going to have to push it’s way through that gap – and fast.

And when you maintain that while continuing to shake it – that’s where it all starts going beautifully bananas. If I had a dollar for the amount of times i’ve seen folks not immediately apply pressure and then watch the contents dribble out like Sam Newmans Twitter musings, i’d have enough clams to lift his face even higher.


How to spray a champagne bottle in three steps:

Luckily for us, we have everyones favourite rainbow anarchist (well, the other favourite to this wonderful mob) Dee Brinsmead, wedding celebrant and co-owner of The Altar Electric, to help run us through how it’s done.


Step 1: Put on your champagne face

Bring yourself into a state of maniacal glee. This should be fun, you should have your crew around you (if they’re part of it), and you should be prepared to make a mess, take an eye out, blow a hole in the photographers expensive lens, all the good stuff.

Here, a friendly neighbourhood cat takes part.

Champagne spray tutorial


Step 2: Pre-shake and dislodge

Acquire champagne, twist and remove the wire cap, so just the cork remains.

With your thumb over the cork, pre-shake it enthusiastically.

Begin to undo the cork until it’s nearly off. Brace your thumb against the base of the cork, and flick it into the heavens above, or at your photographers head.

Tip: if the cork is tough to remove, grip it with #intention very tightly, and carefully rotate it and “unscrew it” out with your hand.

How to do a champagne Spray


Step 3: Immediately apply pressure, and shake.

At this point, you should immediately cover the hole with your thumb: in fact, trying to completely block it – and shake the bottle like a maniac. I promise you the champagne will begin to escape, no matter how robust you think your thumb-bottle sealant game is. This is where a champagne-spray often fails, and this is the step to nail correctly.

Every second of champagne-exit where the hole isn’t blocked, is precious pressure lost.

From here, just gently remove pressure very slightly, in the direction you want to spray, being conscious of where it’s coming out as you pivot your thumb. Continue to shake with maniacal glee.

Tip: As the contents and pressure in the bottle deplete, you can squeeze as much out if it as possible by increasing the pressure you’re creating, and pressing your thumb against it more firmly and closing the gap. The little pressure that’s left in the bottle will be amplified by having the gap made even tighter.

How to spray a champagne bottle


Voila! You’ve successfully emptied the contents of a bottle in the manner in
which was truly intended by the manufacturer, but can’t be claimed as such on fancy champagne labels.

Just know that you’re doing your winemaker countrymen proud.


Special thanks to Dee Brinsmead, one third of Collingwood wedding venue The Altar Electric, for being a most excellent Champagne Spray Scientist today. Hire this legend for your Melbourne elopement, and be sure to check out these unique small wedding venues.

Good Day Club Melbourne Wedding Styling

Jun 26, 2020

Good Day Club are your friendly neighbourhood Rainbow Anarchists. Good Day design the most wild, colourful, bombastic, insert-synonym-here wedding celebrations in all the lands of/including/but not limited to, Melbourne and it’s surrounds.

Since one hand is loaded up with shiraz these days, we figured we’d load up the other with a keyboard and have a bit of a chinwag about all things celebration.

I’ve been lucky to share a couple of shoots with these maestros, from Tanglewood Estate all the way over to The Altar Electric where their stylish hands mark is laid permanently, onto it’s peach-pastel walls of eternity. Etc.

Read this post if:

  1. You’re considering having a colourful wedding
  2. You detest planning and want to hand that over to the best
  3. You want to know Melbournes most colourful wedding planners

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

Good Day Club Wedding Hire Altar Electric

So who the hell are you, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?

I’m Kate Forsyth, creative director and co-founder of Good Day Club. I steer the ship and set it’s creative direction, but I also do pretty much any and all things from changing lightbulbs and fixing broken chairs to buying milk and cleaning the toilet.

I’d say my friends think I am constantly doing lots of glamorous and creative stuff and swanning around at parties and weddings, whereas the majority of the time, ship steering is where it’s at. If I do get to attend a party or wedding, I guarantee you if I do get to go to a party or wedding, I shall end up crawling on the floor sorting out bung neon sign plug or rectifying one thing or another.

The creative part of my job is pretty ace though – from working with ace clients to create their dream event, to making + building, meeting fellow vintage lovers and passionate people and collaborating in heaps of way.

Good Day Club Wedding Styling
The new Altar Electric space


What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?


They’re unique and people feel empowered to do whatever the heck has meaning for them. Melbourne weddings are less about what’s trending and more about what floats the boat of the couple.

Personalisation, colour, fun, personality, boldness and the unexpected.

Good Day Club Wedding Hire Altar Electric


What do you feel separates Good Day Club from those around you in your line of work?


My high levels of weirdness. The fact that I have like 30 tonnes of furniture and props at my fingertips. The number of Potato Gems I consume.

For want of a better term, we’re a one-stop shop because we can design your wedding, furnish and light it, create your graphic design, set it up, style it and take it all away.

And we’ve leaned very hard into our niche of a wild mix of old and new. People tell us our work is immediately recognisable and that makes me feel so happy, that I eat some more Potato Gems.

Good Day Club Wedding Hire Altar Electric
Standard scenes at the Good Day designed original Altar Electric space


How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?


We were already looking at efficiency this year, so it’s been a supercharged version of that. Efficiency with our costs but also with our processes – making everything work better and easier for our customers (and staff). We’ve also looked at doing less things better, cutting out a few services and we’ve added our first digital product (video call backgrounds).

We’ve always prided ourselves on our rad designs but what we talk about less is that we are a smooth AF operation as well.

And we just got smoother.

Our clients are always telling us that they loved how easy we make things and that is our mission!


How do you see the future of celebrations in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?


Look, who bloody knows. Honestly, while we’ve been busy improving our offering and efficiency, I’ve been interspersing that with having semi-regular existential crises/breakdowns about what is going to happen to celebrations.

If I leave the ‘why are we here’s?’ and ‘what is the purpose of all this?’ at the door, I’d say that celebrations will continue to be more and more unique and personalised, and a reflection of the couple and what’s important to them.

Couples have had a LOT of time to think about what’s important and so while wedding size is currently mandated by the government (srsly, how weird is that sentence?!?) I think smaller celebrations with more of what the couple want will continue to be all the rage, even once bigger weddings are allowed again.

I mean, do you really want to spend $150 to feed and water your cousin’s boyfriend or your work friend’s partner you’ve never met?

NOPE.

Cutting that guest list gives you heaps more freedom to go all out on the things you love. 

The mark I want to leave is a big, bold and cray colourful one where I’ve contributed to a movement of couple’s feeling super empowered to do whatever the fuck they want for their wedding, dumping traditions that mean nothing and other people’s expectations. 


In the real world Good Day Club are somewhere on the bright side of the moon listening to Pink Floyd, but to find them on the internet, brace your 28.8kbps modem and head to:

Good Day Club Website
Good Day Club Instagram

Good Day Club Wedding Hire Altar Electric
Good Day Club Wedding Hire Altar Electric
Briars Atlas – Altar Electric
Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Anthony Cribbes

Jun 24, 2020

Anthony Cribbes – recipient of the most debonair hair-sweep, occasional farmer (only, or mostly during pandemics), wedding celebrant, founder of The Celebrant A List, and one part of the trio behind the iconic Collingwood Wedding chapel The Altar Electric.

Read on for all this and all the other things he does that didn’t fit in this sentence.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

What changes did the percolation time of ISO make to your view of doing business generally?

Man what a time ISO LYF has been! I live in the country but for the last 5 years it feels like the road is more my home. Being able to stay closer to home has made me realised that I will be putting a priority on focussing my business in a more local sense.

It’s almost like I guess you could say that I am becoming a business cliched bourgeoisie and opting for a ’tree-change’ or ‘downsizing’… only I promise I am doing it in a non-pretentious way, not so I can start a new Insta account of: ‘My journey from big city life to self discovery’ kind of crap.

What role are you actively playing in the “new world” and how does Anthony Cribbes Celebrant see this benefiting couples?

Before ISO I was passionate about community and quality over quantity. I see weddings now moving from a ‘bigger and better’ world to one where people are placing a premium on the connection.

This means I can see a lot more smaller weddings happening. We actually made a change to the Altar Electric around 6 months ago for this very reason, we didn’t just want to be offering registry style weddings, we wanted people to be able to have a small wedding celebration.

One that was about creating great moments but didn’t bring with it the anxiety inducing costs.

The Altar Electric Melbourne Wedding Chapel
The Altar Electric wedding chapel

You were ahead of the curve with The Altar Electric. Was this always the vision, are you generally a wizard, and either way has the vision for the space changed after Covid?

Haha…I’ll leave the Wizardry stuff to my mates out at Hogwarts. Altar Electric is actually Dee and Sarah’s (my amazing business partners) original concept, I just helped give it the nudge.

Initially we were thinking it would be about Registry Weddings…but in the end we realised what we were actually tapping into was a whole new vein of thinking from pockets in the community. We didn’t realise just how under served the small wedding market was.

From our understanding that wasn’t due to a lack of desire but more a lack of supply from an industry that was focussed on large groups only essentially.-

With your work running the Celebrant A List and seeing a huge cross section of the industry, what advice do you have for melbourne wedding celebrants in generating a sustainable business?

The Altar Electric Melbourne Wedding Chapel
Briars Atlas – Altar Electric

Oh so many! I think the biggest thing anything Celebrant can do is to not get carried away with their own ego, I see it all over the place and could also be accused of being guilty of it myself.

I think once you start telling yourself you’ve made ‘it’, things will turn, because it’s at this stage when people stop evolving, adapting, learning and improving.

I am definitely a way different Celebrant in terms of my style now then I was 5 years ago when I first started. How I win my work is also drastically different.

We can always learn from anyone… right now the people I am learning the most from are the Celebrants who are only 1-2 years into the business but are completely slaying it…also avoid having a gimmick, it will run dry very quickly, just be genuine.

The Altar Electric Melbourne Wedding Chapel

Best general tips for couples in selecting a celebrant?

There’s 9,500 of us in Australia, so just know that there’s the right kind of Celebrant out there for you.

I always think it works best as a Celebrant when I work with couples who I can genuinely go and have a beer with down at the pub and talk about other things than weddings.

That’s the kind of fit you are hoping for, so make sure you try and find that kind of person for you.

Find Anthony Cribbes online

Anthony Cribbes Celebrant website
Anthony Cribbes Celebrant Instagram
The Altar Electric website
The Altar Electric instagram
The Celebrant A list website
The Celebrant A list instagram

A feature on Melbourne wedding celebrants is also here.

Melbourne Wedding Makeup Killer Queen Creative

Jun 22, 2020

Danee of Killer Queen Creative is a feel-good merchant, personal branding genius, and resident rockstar of the Melbourne hair and makeup scene. We took over The Line for the wedding of Pepi and Sam, Featured in the pages of Hello May (Hello May Wedding Photographer), and now she’s taking over my internet space (and so too should she take over your makeup and hair for your Melbourne elopement).

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

Wedding Hairdresser Melbourne: Killer Queen Creative

So who the hell are you, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?

I’m Danee, founder of Killer Queen Beauty.  My friends think I play with pretty things and put on eyeliner all day and swan around at weddings.

In reality, like all small biz owners, my craft is only a very small part of what I do- the rest is all about running the show and keeping the wheels turning.

I’m a one woman creative show, offering makeup, hair, and education. I help rad rebel brides to have the non-traditional day of their dreams by giving them advice, support and expertise for wedding day beauty that is non-boring, non-conventional and as unique as they are. 

I like to think of my brand as the punk maverick of the beauty world. I do things differently, I love to smash beauty stereotypes, and I despise conformity! 

What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?

I LOVE being part of the wedding industry in Melbourne and feel like I’ve really met my people- weddings in Melbourne have such much scope for creativity and there are so many amazing venues that are all about being flexible to couples’ wildest desires. And there is so much ridiculous talent in this city.

I’m stoked to be part of the more alternative side of weddings because that’s where I feel all the creativity and the envelope pushing happens.

To me, a wedding is a really big opportunity to express who you are and create some amazing art, experiences and memories. 

At Killer Queen Creative what do you feel separates you from those around you in your line of work?

I think it’s heart and magic. I put everything into my weddings- they’re not just jobs for me but magical celebrations and connections. 

I like to bring a creative approach and lots of feelgood vibes to someone’s special day; being part of the planning process and connecting with the bride on the morning before all the mayhem starts is petty spesh. Weddings are a bloody big deal and your wedding day is one of the best days of your life- why not spend it with rad people who get a buzz off creating the best day possible for you?

How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

I spent the time in lockdown helping couples reschedule their weddings and navigate a nutso time! 

I also opened up a lot of digital offerings, and took the opportunity to have a good shake up of all my systems and processes; as a result of that I ended up overhauling a lot of my systems including my website, so it’s all much more kickass and easy to find what you want.

Through the whole time, I’ve learned that I’m heaps more resilient that I thought- and I also learned to surrender control over things that were bigger than me, to ride the wave a bit better. As a result I think I became more adaptable and more chilled about chaos.

I think those qualities make me pretty well placed to deal with any wedding fiascos, and help you through any hiccups.

I might drink all the wine but I’m a good companion to have if the seas get rough.

How do you see the future of weddings in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?

People want to create celebrations that are unique as they are. It’s not about cookie cutter anymore; people are really putting their stamp on their big day and making it all about an expression of them and their love story. I love that couples aren’t as concerned about tradition, but more about celebrating their love.

I want to be part of as many out-there and wild weddings and make people feel larger than life on their day. I’m all for encouraging radical self expression and defying convention so I’m more than happy to be an enabler of that. 

I want couples to look back on their day and ecstatically and fondly remember everyone that was part of it and how magic it all was. Like, when they’re in their 80s they can look back at their wedding photos and say they threw one hell of a memorable party.

Also! I want Melbourne to be a standout destination for out of this world nuptials! 

I want to be part of a wedding revolution going forward, pushing for diversity and change in the industry. Helping and mentoring younger vendors in the industry to develop their brand to find their niche and their people. Being part of a wider network of mavericks turning tradition on its head, and bringing innovation into the wedding space. 

Pepe and Sams wedding at The Line, ft Confetti Toss
Danee with Pepi and Sam at The Line featuring our other friend Mirjana.

Wedding Hairdresser Melbourne: Find Killer Queen Creative Online

Killer Queen Creative on Instagram

If you’re having a Melbourne city elopement, get this legend on your team.

heide museum of modern art wedding

Jun 19, 2020

The perfect wedding setting for thoughtful, contemporary couples who know how to appreciate a great piece of art, Heide Museum of Modern Art allows for both a stunning ceremony and an inspiring reception. The Museum boasts spectacular photography opportunities throughout the grounds and the Gallery. Let’s take a sneak peek at this amazing, artistic space and check out some photos from a recent Heide Museum of Modern Art wedding I was fortunate enough to capture.

Location

Heide Museum of Modern Art brings an air of sophisticated creativity to Banksia Park in Bulleen, a north-eastern suburb of Melbourne. It’s not too far at all from the CBD – only around a 20-minute drive. It practically oozes convenience.

The Yarra River flows, snake-like, through Banksia Park, just a short walk from Heide Gallery. Bulleen Art Gallery and Garden is also within the vicinty. Another interesting point, Bulleen Hungry Jacks is only a short way down the road. Post-wedding burgs? Count me the hell in.

You’ve got a golf club nearby if there’s time to fit in a quick game with the lads (or ladies) the day before the wedding. And, as mentioned, Melbourne CBD is a short Uber ride away. You can get up to all kinds of mischief, eat some amazing pre-wedding noms and pick up any last minute bits and pieces for the wedding that may have slipped your mind.

heide museum of modern art wedding

Heide Museum of Modern Art wedding venue

As a wedding venue, Heide Gallery is the gift that keeps on giving. From the picturesque, natural grounds to the vibing Gallery and sculptures, this place is a photographers dream. Seriously. There are almost too many spots that are perfectly suited to capturing stunning images.

The Heide grounds and gardens span majestically across the 15 acres this Gallery calls home. The heritage gardens contain sprawling lawns, gorgeous flower beds and huge trees with trailing limbs that form cosy hidey-holes.

A river glade with towering trees and shrubs provides a shady spot for an intimate ceremony, or a wonderful photography or videography location.

The views from various sites throughout the grounds sweep across the surrounding park and provide a truly awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Upon gazing around the venue, your view will be obstructed slightly – for good reason – by contemporary sculptures and architectural wonders that are dotted throughout the grounds.

heide museum of modern art wedding
heide museum of modern art wedding

Catering & Extras

All your wedding catering needs will be taken care of by the Heide Cafe, the exclusive catering service for Heide Gallery weddings. Both the wedding ceremony and the reception are able to be covered. The cafe has an amazing range of seasonal produce with a huge variety of menu options to choose from.

The Cafe is also a great place to swing by for a pre-wedding brunch with the bridal party or a post-wedding coffee if you’re feeling a little worse for wear (horrifically hungover) after the previous night’s celebrations.

The Museum itself is an awesome place to spend any spare time and fight off any pre-wedding jitters. A range of indoor exhibitions including the Main Gallery and the Modernist House are home to some amazing collections of contemporary art. Wander the grounds to experience Rick Amor’s Running Man, Neil Taylor’s Theoretical Matter, and the rest of the outdoor exhibitions and sculptures that add an artistic, modern flair to the sweeping, naturalistic elements of the grounds.

Heide Gallery Wedding Photos

heide museum of modern art wedding
heide gallery wedding photo
heide museum of modern art wedding
heide gallery wedding venue

It’s safe to say that this Melbourne wedding venue is the perfect place to celebrate love, serenity and an appreciation for delightful modern art.

Have you visited to the Heide Museum of Modern Art? What was your favourite installation? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Embrace your swirling inner teenage angst! Find out how to take the best dark and moody wedding photos in my complete guide.

For more images of a decadent art space, check out this piece by Firecraker Event on grazing tables.

Bottlebrush Films Melbourne Wedding Video 01

Jun 19, 2020

Not just a recent TIkTok phenomenon, Bottlebrush Films are what happens when Marty McFly and Quentin Tarantino are placed in a sandwich press and then thrown into the Matrix (and then gloriously re-assembled and tasked with creating a wedding film, etc).

I’ve mostly swooned at their incredible dance moves and work from afar, but we recently got to join forces at The Altar Electric and at a ball we co-hosted for a group of Melbournes best celebrants.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing. Up today we have lunatic wizard Melbourne wedding videographers, Bottlebrush Films.

Bottlebrush Films Melbourne Wedding Video 01
Caught at The Celebrant A List Baller 2019

Bottlebrush Films are Grace and Andrew, maniac creatives, internationally award-winning wedding videographers, and founders of the Lonely Hearts Film Camp – An “American summer camp… but in Australia”.

Here’s a few snippets from a socially-distanced chinwag we shared (with our keyboard fingers, and socially distanced by about 27 kilometres).


What do your couples constantly say about Bottlebrush Films?

That we’re incredibly good looking and humble. No but really, we’re lucky to get lots of love from our couples, the mains ones being ‘holy shitballs how do you create such unique films?’, ‘you guys are hilarious we can’t wait to party with you at our wedding’, ‘fuck, film our day already’.

Nothing but good vibes from everyone we work with so we certainly don’t take all the kind words for granted.


What you wish couples said about Bottlebrush Films?

‘They look like the kind of people who’d do a perfect straight arm-y and not spill a drop’.

And that we’re incredibly good looking and humble.



The thing you found out about yourself in ISO:

We’re very chill in a crisis, we’re great at being hermits & even better at making noooice pizza dough. (Can confirm this is true – in fact you can usually watch it on their insta-stories).

My favourite discovery though – we don’t need much to be happy (…just toilet paper apparently)


Method of apocalypse aversion and the one movie you’d bring to the bunker to watch forever?

Casablanca, it’s timeless & has it all – love, war, friendship, betrayal, a witty script & a bangin’ cast. Most importantly it doesn’t show any lushy food – I can not be stuck in a bunker watching someone stuff their face with aioli & chippies if I haven’t got access to any.

Thanks Grandew. It’s been real.


Find Bottlebrush Films Online


https://bottlebrushfilms.com.au
Bottlebrush Films on Instagram

Lonely Hearts Film Camp
https://www.lonelyheartsfilmcamp.co/

More from Bottlebrush Films

Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal 45 downstairs

Jun 16, 2020

No-one runs a wedding ceremony quite like Nat Sproal Celebrant, and you kinda get a taste of what you’re in for with her catch-cry, “non-crap weddings for legends”.

With Covid forcing us all indoors and all manner of brilliant doorstep portrait projects happening, I wanted to kickstart some convos with my local community and find out how the time and strange space is being used, as it’s never been more important to stay connected and sharing.

Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal 45 downstairs

Nat is on a fast moving carriage headed into “do it your way”s-ville, and that’s Nat’s wheelhouse. Nat controls a room, sometimes controlling said room into uncontrollable fits of laughter, and generally is a master at breaking the ice, and stopping her couples from breaking a sweat with hear down to earth way of running a ceremony.

Here’s some outtakes with 5 minutes spent with her.



Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal 45 downstairs

So who the hell are you, what do your friends think you do, and what do you actually do?

Just a mad dog who marries peeps for a living and surfs the adrenaline wave.

My friends think I run the big show and then swan around drinking champagne – which is pretty spot on.

But there’s also some planning and writing in there too.



Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal 45 downstairs

What excites you most about the culture of weddings in Melbourne?

The fact that there is a culture.

A culture of doing things a little differently.

Well, particularly north of the river anyway.



Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal The Line Footscray

What do you feel separates you from those around you in your line of work?

A great Melbourne wedding celebrant is a great people person, a talented writer and a charismatic presenter. If you have all three things locked (rare in this gig, despite it being saturated with purveyors), you’re dangerous.

I’m working my way to being a total weapon.

But mainly I think I just keep it real. You won’t find fluffy text, a watercolour logo or a proclamation that I love love in my bio. Ever. 



A wedding at 45 downstairs

How have you kept your business healthy during Covid, and how might couples now benefit from it?

I’ve communicated with my clients from the start. I was in touch with all couples with weddings until the end of 2020 before the lockdown even started- and I kept talking to them.

My priorities were supporting them to have a ripping wedding at a later date- but also protecting my business. I’ve updated my site, resources, set up a CRM and written ceremonies up till the end of Nov. I’m ready to roll baby.



Melbourne Wedding Celebrant Nat Sproal 45 downstairs

How do you see the future of celebrations in our city and what mark do you want to leave on it?

I reckon we’ll see further steps away from original plans and more diversity. Lots of downsizing, weekday weddings and fresh ideas. Lots of people’s priorities and financial capacities have changed. 

I’ve got a couple who were having a massive wedding at a big venue who have quartered their guest list and changed to beer and pizza at a local craft beer house with live tunes. They’re so much happier and it suits them to a tee. There’s a lot of this going on which has me pumped.

I have a sick project in the works which will cater to these types of couples who are switching things up- and new couples wanting to leave the bullshit behind and focus on what counts.

Watch this space!



Find Nat Sproal Celebrant

www.natsproalcelebrant.com
Pepe and Sam featured on Hello May Wedding Photographer

https://www.instagram.com/natsproal.melbournecelebrant

See Nat and other Melbourne wedding celebrants from the A-List Ball, and hire this absolute legend for your Melbourne elopement or wedding at one of these incredible small wedding venues.

Jun 15, 2020

35mm Film Film Wedding Photography: should you have your wedding photographed on 35mm and medium-format film? It’s no secret that film is having a massive comeback, and in this post we’ll share out love of why you should consider some or all of your coverage being captured on the inimitable nostalgia of real Kodak film: the ethereal colours, the grit and grain, and the enormous variety of formats available to us from over a century of the craft of photography being in existence.

A decade of experience in film wedding photography

We’re not new to film wedding photography: 35mm and medium format film have been an essential part of our toolkit for a decade. We’re thrilled that film has been experiencing a major revival, and that more couples are asking for their entire wedding to be photographed on 35mm and medium format Kodak film.

(See these full weddings photographed entirely on Kodak film: Alexa and Alex’s Scotland elopement, Lucia and Carter in Sydney, and, the one that got us most known for photographing weddings on film internationally, Lilli and Jake.

An island elopement by film wedding photographer, Briars Atlas
From Parker and Jenelles canoe wedding in Canada. Photographed on a Yashica TLR from the 1960’s, on Kodak Tri-X film. Featured on Wedding Chicks.

For a brief moment there in the late 00’s, opportunistic young-things were meeting the cries of the old-guard lamenting “film is dead!” with “yes, i’ll take all that old processing gear off your hands for free, thankyou very much”. All of the beautiful analogue film processing gear that had seen so much love, had been decommissioned and retired, before being snapped up by enthusiasts for a song.

As a result, more film-labs began to open than they did close, and now there has never been a better time to shoot analog at weddings.

Film has been a key part of my look and approach since I became a melbourne wedding photographer, and an ongoing reason why creative folks and even other wedding photographers book us – even if in some cases I just channel the look of film photos in my digital images.

Film wedding photographer portrait of Lucy
International Film Wedding Photographer of the year winning entry.

In 2019, we were awarded the analogue international wedding photographer of the year award, and in this post we want to discuss why we shoot film, what it’s benefits are, and why you might consider the use of 35mm analogue film as part of your wedding coverage.

35mm film wedding photography
For Rachel and Bens Melbourne Registry wedding, they wanted the day shot on film. I then processed and scanned the entire shoot by hand.
Shooting film at weddings
35mm wedding photos: Lil and Jake. See their Analog Film Wedding on Together Journal.

Being a film wedding photographer means being comfortable with all things slow.

Film photography slows you down, and photographing on film costs you money. In a generation of excess, our freewheeling brains need to be reined in. Historical patterns show that the more Tik-Toks and short-form content (ie – catering to short attention spans) there is entering the arena, the more room is then created for long-form content, and things warranting pause and stillness, as we collectively look for a space to make us feel something again.

When something forces you to respond slowly and consider the cost, the by-product of that is that you give yourself to the medium more. Where there’s tonnes of advantages in firing off thousands of frames on digital, there’s just as many advantages to having the costly walls of constraint around us (constraint being the only true useful tool in creativity that continues to stand the test of time).

35mm film wedding photography
Also see this post here about how to shoot dark and moody wedding photos.


Film wedding photos contain variety & real timelessness

People throw the whole timeless thing around in association with analogue film, but I think that only really holds true for black and white (Tri-X) film.

Most colour stocks actually have their own distinct look and feel that, when processed by a modern lab, aren’t what I’d necessarily call timeless. I don’t say that in a bad way – but the timeless colour we’re perhaps used to, is more the Kodachrome, stuff from the 60’s-80’s that our eyes more closely align with timelessness.

The rich, punchy colours of beautifully over-exposed Portra film aren’t any more timeless than digital, and are actually very distinct in their own right.

The sheer variety of looks in analog film stocks, lenses, and camera bodies is staggering, and each link in the chain imparts it’s own little flavour on the end look of the image.

So for me, shooting analog film is less about timelessness, and more about variety.

35mm film wedding photography


Film wedding photos might be a better experience for the muse.

In my own tests, shooting analogue film is an objectively better experience for the person in front of the camera – if for nothing else, because we’re slipping into a loss of generational memory of those old cameras: and so these crazy old things bring on a strange sense of removed nostalgia and wonder, simply because it’s assumed that they’re just mantlepiece decorations, rather than fully capable image-making machines.

Having someone use an archaic piece of engineering with all the romance of a past-craft makes them feel valued in a totally different way. Even if the whole shoot isn’t being done on film, having some gear in the bag to switch things up can completely change the tone of the shoot.

David Rees is a good point of reference for the question “can the intrinsic value of a thing be increased or amplified by wrapping some old-world artisan air of craftsmanship around it”.

Typically, there are two main approaches that a photographer will take when choosing to use film as well as digital during a shoot, and they are either hybrid shooting, or separatist shooting (I made that second label up, but I can’t think of another way to title it).

Will we get less wedding photos on film?

You can generally expect there to be slightly less wedding photos delivered when we’re photographing on film, but the trade-off is, they’re all on film. Something that we’ve found in doing this over a decade, time and again, is that the volume that you receive is kinda neither here nor there. Where you might receive 800 wedding photos if we do it all on digital or 500-600 if we photograph your wedding entirely on film, it’s all really a much of a muchness. We tend to think quite strongly too, that the more volume there is, the more that kinda gets lost in the mix. Some might say it’s quality (if you appreciate the magic of film wedding photos) over quantity, but we can explain more about that if you make an enquiry.



Hybrid shooting: film wedding photos vs digital photos

Hybrid film photography is when the photographer shoots analog film, but aims to have the feel and tonality of the images completely in tune with the digital coverage. Often the aim of the preset applied to the digital images is to have them look as close as possible to the film ones. In this way, hybrid shooting is a process-based approach to film photography, rather than an output based approach: which is to say that it’s used mainly to provide variety to the photographer, rather than to the couple. This is not how I shoot film.

35mm film wedding photography cinestill
35mm wedding photos Melbourne – Lil and Jake in Castlemaine


Separatist shooting:

Separatist shooting is when the differences in the two mediums are celebrated, and no effort is made to create consistency between the digital images and the analogue images, meaning that the photographer gets to enjoy the process of shooting with different cameras, as well as providing something unique to the couple, and extra variety in the images they receive. This is how I choose to shoot film.

Separatist shooting is my preferred approach, and this is why: over the last 100 years, we’ve had hundreds of beautiful, differing formats used to create images. Different analogue film-stocks, and different lenses that all interpret light and render a scene, differently. I think those differences should be celebrated. It also keeps us more entertained pushing to find the deeper uniqueness of a particular format, rather than agonising over getting a perfect match between analog and digital, which for us, defeats the purpose of enjoying analog film as a medium.

Mixing things up is probably the number one reason why I shoot analogue film at weddings.

Why I shoot film at weddings
Lou on Cinestill 500T

I don’t necessarily think consistency is overrated, but I do think surprise and intrigue is underrated. And as a film wedding photographer, there’s no greater joy than delivering a set of images where couples get the chance to swoon over that sprinkle of images that seem to just have something… else, to them.


The downsides of film wedding photos

Sure, I could go into the all the impractical bits of it, but for me, they’re joys. The only prolonged implications of shooting this stuff, is that it costs. It’s easy enough to throw in a roll here and there, but with analogue film and developing costs, we’re looking at about $70 for a couple of rolls – or about $3 per shot.

That’s fine when it’s a small part of the shoot, but a full-day analog wedding shooting only film can run past $1500 in film and developing costs alone very quickly, and that’s where it has to be considered as an add-on, rather than something that can be thrown in.

35mm film wedding photography cinestill
Head here for a ripper wedding florist

If you’re considering having your wedding photographed on analog film, I can recommend a bunch of ways in which it can be approached: whether having your entire wedding photographed on film such as Lil and Jake here, or doing what I do much of the time, when I detect that the idea sparks joy: bringing along some weird, wonderful gadgets, and making some images on them over the course of the day.

If you like, you can see some of what’s in my camera bag over at Shotkit, although it’s in need of an update (i’m pretty sure all the kit there hasn’t survived my anarchist hands for half a decade).

Are you sure our wedding on film wont get lost in the mail?

We personally deliver all of your film to one of the best professional labs in town. If we are photographing your wedding internationally, then part of our meticulous level of care when photographing your wedding on film includes researching labs nearby and doing the exact same thing.


The film photography gear we use currently:

Hasselblad 500 film wedding photography. Why I shoot film at weddings

Yashica 635G

The poor-mans Rolleiflex, this little beauty is quiet, a marvel of engineering, dream to look at, and a pleasure to carry around.


hasselblad 500cm film wedding photo

Hasselblad 500CM

This is my “good afternoon, i’m making some serious work” camera. A little heavier, a lot louder, but due to having an enormous mirror inside it, what you see through the ground-glass is what you get: whereas with a Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) camera, there might be a very slight difference in what you end up with.

Crown Graphic 4×5 camera

The grand-daddy of common press-cameras in the 1950’s. Extremely portable, lightweight, invites curiosity, and the looks of it alone are good enough reason to be a film wedding photographer.

If I had to take one to a desert island, it would be the Yashica. If I got to take a tripod too, it would be the Hasselblad. My favourite film stocks are Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Tri-X, although these days i’m taking a leaning towards the rich colours of Ektar.

Why I shoot film at weddings
Why shoot film at weddings

If you’d like us to shoot some analogue film at your wedding, you can connect with us here or on instagram, and maybe for a doubke-whammy of awesome, let’s get our analogue on at one of these Melbourne wedding venues.

For more of my film-only work, you can follow my personal account here.

If you like this, check out more black and white wedding photos

Film wedding photography questions answered

Do wedding photos on film cost more?

All of my packages include some film. To enquire about the cost of having your wedding photographed on 100% analog film, make an enquiry on the contact page.

Can anything go wrong on analog film?

I use a mix of old cameras, as well as the very latest analogue film cameras that were ever made. All of them are regularly serviced by the leading analogue film camera technicians. And I carry backsups on backups, so there is never any risk of anything going wrong. In fact, since I’m not simply shooting everything on one digital SD card, you could even argue that having your wedding photos taken on analog film is even safer than digital.

Will we get less photos on film?

Shooting your wedding on film means being even more careful when capturing moments. This means that i’ll typically come back with a fraction of the photos that I would for a wedding photographed on digital. With that said, you’ll still come away with a minimum of 300-400 finished film photos of your wedding, sometimes even more.

What is the best film to photograph my wedding on?

We use only the best stocks from Kodak and Cinestill. Typically, we can be seen waving our very favourites around: Cinestill 800, Ektar, Portra variants, and TMAX or Tri-X. Occasionally, we’ll even bring some special sauce that has become a unique part of my look and made us one of the most sought after film wedding photographers on the planet.

Is there a course on analogue film wedding photography?

We’ve been planning one for years, and will be releasing a short course on how to be a film wedding photographer soon. Check back on our education here for photographers.

The Altar Electric Collingwood Bloom Boy

Jun 13, 2020

Looking for an alternative to the traditional registry wedding? Unfurrow your brow and cast your eyes over to Melbourne’s answer to the Vegas wedding chapel – The Altar Electric.

The gloves are off, and The Altar Electric, has overhauled their entire space in Collingwood.

Bloom Boy flowers Altar Electric

Previously a rich blue and in a slightly smaller room, The Altar Electric has a new lease of life in incredible pastel peach colours, with explosions of floral colour courtesy of the inimitable Melbourne florist Bloom Boy, styling features from The Arbourists, and an entire vision executed by the wizard-folk at Good Day Club.

The Altar Electric have been leaders in getting couples hitched while we’ve all been sailing the perilous waters of Covid-19, providing shotgun-style weddings and a colourful alternative to traditional registry weddings.

Now, as isolation restrictions lift, the venue is opening up and moving towards it’s full capacity of 40.

Enjoy this little peek into Rachel and Pauls real wedding at The Altar Electric.

The venue has the most incredible light draping through its industrial style windows at any hour of day.

Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric

BYO cardboard Elvis – but you can order the real deal via their in-house Elvis impressionist.

Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric
Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric
Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric

The space is littered with the hallmarks of Good Day Clubs’ intricate styling – a roof filled with disco balls and chains, and decadent knick-knacks from wall to wall.

Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric
Bloom Boy flowers Altar Electric

No bridal snog is complete without the floral explosions of Bloom Boy behind it.

Bloom Boy flowers Altar Electric
Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric
The Arbourists in the Altar Electric
Collingwood Chapel Altar Electric
Elvis and Bloom Boy flowers Altar Electric

Get married at Melbournes own Vegas chapel. The Altar Electric:

Schoolhouse Studios, 81 Rupert St, Collingwood VIC
www.thealtarelectric.com.au

While you’re here, check out these other unique Melbourne wedding venues, and this Two Ton Max wedding.

best Melbourne wedding caterers

Jun 10, 2020

Melbourne is known for its eccentric and eclectic foodie scene. Of all the Aussie states, its probably the most innovative and experimental when it comes to its hospitality industry. Bacon gelato? Yup. Lamington Jafles. Um, hells yeah. You name it, Melbourne is comfortable going gourmet, or going gonzo. In the spirit of amazing, innovative wedding catering, I’ve created a rundown of the best wedding catering Melbourne has to offer. Grab a knife and fork and settle in. Let’s do this.

Melbournes best wedding catering for 2024 onward

  1. Firecracker Event
  2. Fat and Skinny Catering
  3. Torte by Mirjana
  4. Miss Ladybird Cakes
  5. Food and Desire

1. Melbourne Wedding Catering: Firecracker Event

Much like an actual firecracker, the spreads created by this awesome team absolutely GO OFF! Firecracker Event are pretty much a turnkey operator for all your event needs. They combine styling, service and, of course, food to turn your event into a guaranteed winner. Be sure to check out this feature on Firecracker Event where they chat all things grazing tables)

Firecracker is built on the concept of Enlightened Hospitality—a term coined by New York restaurateur Danny Meyer. It means that every person you engage feels safe, welcome and at home with you. It’s about going the extra mile and prioritizing relationships over transactions.

– Firecracker Event
Here’s a little clip of Danny Meyer explaining the foundation behind the Enlightened Hospitality principal.

Firecracker Event can cover everything from platters to full service dining. Some of the glorious foods included in their packages are:

  • Porcini & Truffle Arancini (GF. V)
  • Lemon Curd Tarts With Fresh Raspberries
  • Heidi Farm Gruyere
  • Organic Dried Fruit & Nuts
  • Vegan Gnocchi With Green Pesto & Seasonal Greens
  • Slow Cooked Pork Belly With Chargrilled Orange & Fennel

Does that not sound entirely, mouthwateringly delicious to you? It’s a big fat ooft here from me.

Find Firecracker Event online

Firecracker Event website: https://www.firecrackerevent.com/

2. Wedding Catering Melbourne: Fat and Skinny Catering

The bloody wonderful ladies at Fat and Skinny catering are a team of hardworking, hospitality driven human beings who love a good laugh. They’re all for a song and a dance and they can always be counted on to match (if not exceed) the excitement you have about your event, and are some of the best caterers Melbourne has at hand.

They’re fun, they’re friendly and they’re focused on giving you the best food they can possibly muster. I’ve personally seen their head honcho, Naomi, go to excruciatingly loving means to make a surprise dish for a bride that used a unique ingredient that her late father used to produce. Absolutely magic stuff to see.

“Come for the love. Stay for the party.”

– Fat and Skinny Catering

The sheer range of foods available at Fat and Skinny Catering make them one of the best wedding caterers Melbourne has to offer. It’s just a bonus that every single dish they serve up is *chef’s kiss* noice.

Their wedding catering range includes, but is certainly not limited to:

  • Chicken Char Siu Dumplings with Black Vinegar & Caramel Dipping Sauce
  • Buttermilk Popcorn Chicken, Creamy Mash and Roast Chicken Gravy (vo, gf
  • Oregano, Feta & Lamb Burger with Greek Salad and Minty Tzatziki
  • Beef Brisket Slow Cooked for 10 hours with Roasted Parmesan Crumble
  • Roasted Beetroot, Rocket & Dukkah Crusted Labne (v,gf)
  • Nutella and Hazelnut Crunch Cheesecake

Lordy! I simply cannot.

Find Fat and Skinny Catering online

Fat and Skinny Catering website: https://www.fatandskinny.com.au/

3. Melbourne Wedding Cake Maker: Torte by Mirjana

If you want the best wedding cake Melbourne has to offer, this taste-queen is coming at you with some of the best wedding cakes this side of the northernmost tip of the north pole. The finesse and artistry that goes into each and every cake Mirjana creates is out of this world. It seems obvious that wedding cakes should taste great, but Mirjana is time and again the benchmark for giving the same amount of love to their interior as their exterior.

With a Croatian and Serbian heritage, she grew up watching her Baka (grandmother) work as cake decorator and the apple does not fall far from the generational tree.

She’s also a designer by trade which really shows in her delectable dessert creations.

Check out the cake design gallery on her website and you’ll see why she has sealed her place as one of Melbourne’s best wedding cake makers.

To find out a little more about the maestro herself, check out the feature on Torte by Mirjana.

Find Torte by Mirjana online

Torte by Mirjana website: https://www.tortebymirjana.com/

4. Melbourne Wedding Cake Maker: Miss Ladybird Cakes

Another crafty wedding cake maker, Miss Ladybird Cakes is here to kick ass and bake cakes, and she’s all out of asses to kick. Gina makes the best wedding cakes in Melbourne.

Having been in the business for 12+ years Gina, Miss Ladybird herself, is the creative mind behind this amazing cake baking venture, and it’s no small feat being around for that amount of time – which translates to a hell of a lot of happy faces catered for at weddings. She’s always been super creative and is actually a qualified chef.

Miss Ladybird has brought two of her greatest passions together, food and design, to build a beaut business and we get to reap the benefits.

“Our main aim is not to be the best, but to make a product we are proud of, and one which interprets the love we have for an industry we have spent our lives immersed in.”

– Miss Ladybird Cakes

Check out her online gallery here.

Find Miss Ladybird Cakes online

Miss Ladybird Cakes website: http://www.missladybirdcakes.com/

5. Wedding Catering Melbourne: Food And Desire

Now, last but 1000% not least, we’ve got Food And Desire who fully customise the menus for every single event they cater. Like, who has the time or the energy to do that? These maestros are insane.

Their food is sourced from local suppliers and they incorporate only the best seasonal produce into their bespoke menus.“Collaborating with some of Melbourne’s most influential event experts, producers and suppliers, we cater different. We do it awesome, and we love it.”

You can see the kind of menus they’ve created for wedding parties up in lights on their website. Food and desire also helm the inimitable Melbourne Warehouse Wedding venue Half Acre, featured in image below.

Find Food And Desire online

Food and Desire website: http://www.foodanddesire.com.au/

Check out my top 15 Melbourne wedding photo locations for some nuptialistic (is that a word?) inspo, or head to this post for some great ideas on the best small wedding venues Melbourne has going.

Nab one of the incredible caterers up above (unless you’re at Zonzo Estate and enjoying their wizard pizza makers onsite), and link them up with this incredible Melbourne wedding planner.

Also for some incredible catering outside of Melbourne, check out the wood fired wedding pizzas at the Cosmo Hotel near Castlemaine.

Suzanne Harward gown at Melbourne Registry wedding

Jun 9, 2020

Suzanne Harward is one of Australia’s brightest design minds. Her wedding dress designs have been at the leading edge for nearly 30 years. If you’re getting married in Melbourne (or anywhere for that matter), it’s hard to go past our own hometown maestros, Suzanne Harward wedding dresses, for world-leading bridal design. In this post, we’ll look at a few of the best Suzanne Harward bridal gowns i’ve seen.

Based in Collingwood, the Suzanne Harward team are responsible for some of the most forward-thinking, design-minded pieces that are not only a joy to photograph (I might have a personal bias), but incredibly decadent pieces for brides.

Most importantly, each and every time I chat with a bride about their choice of gown, they end up falling over backwards in adoration for the team, and it’s pretty easy to see why.

While you’re here, be sure to also check out these other incredible unique wedding dresses.

Suzanne Harward Wedding Dresses featured in this post

I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph several fashion-forward brides over the years and got to photograph the best modern wedding dresses around – which much of the time happens to be a Suzanne Harward.

Here, i’ve picked three of them, that offer a quick look at what the Suzanne Harward team can do a across the whole spectrum: from elegantly classic, to something from another planet.

All photographs below captured by and remain copyright of Briars Atlas.

Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: The Bluebird Gala Gown

A photo of a bride in a suzanne harward songbird wedding dress

Laura and Walker:
Category: From another planet
Gown: The Bluebird Gala gown also: Songbird gown

Laura’s Suzanne Harward gown knocked my socks off as soon as I walked into their Daylesford bridal prep house. Hanging from a rustic door, it was adorned with the most incredibly bright florals etched into it, with gorgeous soft peach/pink tulle layers.

Laura and Walker were married at the Daylesford convent, a beautiful historic location that made for a perfect contrast to Lauras gown.

Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown

I’ve just gotta step in here: how incredible is that speckled light above? You can find that yourself by heading to the Daylesford Convent Gallery.

Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
aSuzanne Harward Bluebird Gala GownSuzanne Harward Songbird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown

Treats. Always. Win. Laura and Walker invited their beautiful little scallywag Bonnie along, and she stayed for the entire day and partied well into the evening at the Daylesford Convent.

Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown
Suzanne Harward Bluebird Gala Gown

Want to see more of Laura and Walker? They are featured in print, having been published inside issue #19 of Together Journal. Already got your Suzanne Harward gown and want me to photograph it? You can enquire to hire me here.


Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: Eden

Suzanne Harward bridal gown

Iro and Alex:
Category: Somewhere from here to there
Gown: Eden (no longer available)

Iro’s stunningly detailed dress is a masterclass in modern classic design. I like to think that I have this gown to thank for this image landing me as a category finalist for International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2018 – a beautiful moment in bridal prep accomodation in rural Victoria, before her wedding to Alex at Newstead Butterland (also featured here on this post about Castlemaine wedding venues).

Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland
Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland
Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland

What they won’t necessarily tell you on the Suzanne Harward website, is that no matter how gloriously decadent their gowns are, they are able to withstand a champagne spray from even the most enthusiastic friend.

Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland
Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland
Suzanne Harward bridal gown at Newstead Butterland

Want to see more of Iro and Alex? They are featured here in Together Journal. Already got your Suzanne Harward gown and want me to photograph it? You can enquire to hire me here.


Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: White Look #5

Suzanne Harward gown at Melbourne Registry wedding

Tash and Jacob:
Category: Elegant modern classic
Gown: White Look 5

Just when you think that you can’t be beautifully surprised by a new take on subtle classicism, Suzanne Harward come out with this sleek, elegant gem. Natasha and Jacob were married at the Melbourne registry office, and we spent a little time traipsing around some of my most favourite, secret spots in the city, with gorgeous soft light that played off against the simple shapes of the gown.

These brilliant humans are featured on my website here.

Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits
Suzanne Harward gown for Melbourne Registry office wedding portraits

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best Suzanne Harward wedding dresses (in my humble opinion – don’t let that stop you poring over their incredible range on their website below).

Where to Find Suzanne Harward Bridal

www.suzanneharward.com
73 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066

All images taken by Briars Atlas.

Book me to photograph your wedding

If you’d like to make an enquiry for me to be your wedding photographer, head here.

Two Ton Max wedding

Jun 8, 2020

Tanya and Ryan are Jiu-Jitsu diehards, who train together, and Mario-Kart together. These legends had their Two Ton Max wedding in Melbourne right at the 11th hour before Melbourne’s first Covid lockdown. In one of Melbournes most brilliant warehouse wedding venues, these two got it done in style with a crew of the best. I was lucky to be along for the ride with my dear old mate Michelle Grace Hunder, photographing this together for the first time in years (we started out as a wedding duo before going solo).

Enjoy this little peek into Tanya and Ryans Two Ton Max wedding, featuring Melbourne wedding celebrant Shannon Jeans running the show. For more beautiful warehouse, rustic, or alternative wedding venues in Melbourne, check out this post on unique Melbourne wedding venues, featuring Rupert on Rupert and Gather and Tailor.

Two Ton Max are also featured in this post on small wedding venues.

Wedding portraits
Groom prep
Uniform Black rings
Western suburbs house
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Couple portraits
Couple portraits
Couple portraits
Couple portraits
Wedding portraits
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding
Two Ton Max wedding

Book Two Ton Max for your wedding

Two Ton Max website: http://twotonmax.com.au/

Visit the wedding venue

Melbourne City Elopement Covid

Mar 27, 2020

So, we’re in a pandemic. Apart from this bizarre scenario gifting us a new vocabulary including such terms as “social distancing”, it’s turned what should be a beautiful process full of joy (and at most, disagreements around what type of paper the invitations will be printed on) into a right old… let’s call it what it is – shitstorm. The beautiful upside is – and stay with me here – it’s opened the doors to many couples enjoying a beautiful Melbourne City elopement – while saving the party with their communities for later.

Read on for ways to find positives by having a small, intimate wedding or elopement during Covid 19.

I’ve been fortunate to photograph a whole lot of weddings during Covid19 (nothing was ever gonna stop the love-train), and the general vibe has been one of optimism, and putting love first.

Forward thinking crews such as I Do Drive Thru and The Altar Electric have made a great space for making the celebration happen, which i’ll go into a little further below.

Melbourrne City elopement
Lexy and Sean eloping in endless style.

What sort of wedding you can have during Covid19

Melbourrne City elopement
Pepe and Sam, married just outside of Melbourne at The Line in Footscray.

It’s difficult to say with conviction “currently, we can do…” as the information available and lockdown situation is changing very quickly, with huge implications on the scale of wedding celebration that can be had.

Presently, though – at this very moment in time – Stage 4 lockdowns have put a temporary hold on things, but beyond that, Stage 3 lockdowns mean a smaller wedding – in effect, an elopement! And that’s good news, for a slew of reasons.

From my personal experience, while this might sound like a compromise, it’s one of the most beautiful ways to celebrate your marriage in an intimate way, have a bunch of fun with it, while rescheduling the big community side of it to a later date.

How to have a Melbourne City Elopement during Covid 19:

Melbourrne City elopement

1. Knock down some wine, and pick a day
2. Get a your small wedding elopement team together
3. Get the papers signed
4. Enjoy a day of meditative celebration to yourselves
5. Update your Facebook status

Consider getting the legals down, teaming up with one of our brilliant Melbourne wedding celebrants (who in the case of I Do Drive Thru, can live-stream your little moment of glory to family and friends far and wide), exploring some of my favourite Melbourne Wedding photo locations together, and then… updating that Facebook status.

Other things to keep in mind in this time.

This is about you two! What a beautiful time to look inward to that, and outward later on at whatever shape the party takes with your community. On that note, getting a head-start on your planning to that end, is time well spent. Do it for your own peace of mind, and don’t listen to anyone telling you to rush (there’s plenty of vendors for everyone).

If you need any assistance planning your Melbourne elopement or small wedding, pop me an email.

Can’t wait for more of THIS.
Melbourne city elopement with dogs
Elopement
Wedding photographer

I’m a destination wedding photographer, based in Melbourne, and originally from the Yarra Valley. I’m lucky to have the best job in the world: photographing love and community, all over the planet. If you’re having a Melbourne City elopement, i’d love to have the honour of photographing it for you.

Melbourne City Elopement Photographer – Briars Atlas

www.briarsatlas.com

Mar 26, 2020

The Small Things Co are a bespoke Melbourne wedding planning, and Melbourne Wedding styling and hire service, located just outside Melbourne city. Using progressive design sensibilities and a bespoke approach to planning, they give you a range of wedding styling options with as little or as much input as you’d like.

After hanging out at a gathering of Melbourne celebrants last month, here’s a little insight into what they do, if you’re on the hunt for a wedding stylist in Melbourne.

What the Small Things Co do

The Small Things Co plan and style some of the most incredible, innovative, and forward-thinking weddings in Melbourne and beyond. They have an extensive group of look-books they’ve curated and photographed that employ their enormous collection of wedding styling items available in-house.

Wedding coordination, ceremony styling, end-to-end wedding styling for weddings both large and small are just the start.

Depending on the level of bespoke involvement you want them to have, there are also options for pre-existing curated styling and hire packages.

They also have a wild array of styling options to suit a range of budgets and preferred design aesthetics, and many of the look-books on their website already have collections and styled-shoots arranged by either wedding styling genre, or by colour theme.

Contact details

Email: Email
Website: Website

Find them on Google Maps



Speaking of Small things, check out this list of the best Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne.

kenny lover ice cream wedding

Mar 25, 2020

When Sam and Paul got married at their house in Thornbury, right up there as far as “level of importance” to the getting married bit, was a quest to local iconic culinary heroes, Kenny Lover Ice Cream. Just a few frames from a little stopover break between their ceremony and their reception at their Thornbury home. With some of the most incredible colour and light anywhere in Thornbury, take a look at their sort-of-nearly-but-mostly Kenny Lover Wedding (and while you’re here, see some of my nearby other favourite wedding photo locations in Melbourne, as well as these unique small wedding venues).

kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
kenny lover ice cream wedding
Check out a little more from Sam and Pauls Melbourne gay wedding.

Find Kenny Lover Ice Cream

Kenny Lover Ice Cream website: https://www.kennylover.com.au/

796 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071

Elopement Photographer Melbourne

Mar 16, 2020

Melbourne Elopement Photography: what do less stress, more money left in the account, and rampant good times have in common?

They’re just three of the (many) glorious benefits to either having an elopement or small wedding. At Briars Atlas Elopement Photography Melbourne Services Pty Ltd (let’s run with that name for now) i’ve photographed so many beautiful small weddings and elopements in Melbourne and in greater Victoria including the Mornington Peninsula (check out these wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula) and Yarra Valley.

I’m a Melbourne elopement and small weddings photographer, and one of the great joys of this job is working with smaller intimate weddings, with just you two, and maybe a tiny crew. It’s a chance to enjoy the meaningful part of the whole wedding thing (the marriage bit) with so much more calm and clarity.

The other great thing about a small wedding or elopement in Melbourne or greater Victoria is that there is usually more flexibility to have it all happen any day of the week. Generally though, they happen on a Wednesday through Saturday, but it can of course be any day you like.

Elopement photographer Victoria

If you’re considering a small wedding or eloping in Melbourne, you can see a list of my favourite wedding photo locations in Melbourne that i’ve put together, all with examples of couples i’ve worked with at each of them.

Pair one of our brilliant locations with one of Melbournes best wedding celebrants, and you’re off to a flying start. In my experience, elopements can be anywhere between 1 and 10 hours long, however the average length of elopement photography is probably somewhere around the 2-4 hour mark: enough to capture your beautiful ceremony, and then some portraits and gentle anarchy afterwards.

Take a look at the beautiful couples below, and if you feel like the way I see things could be the right fit for your small wedding or elopement, i’d love to have a chinwag (/shiraz, etc).

Elopement photographer melbourne
Elopement photography melbourne
Elopement photography melbourne
Elopement photography melbourne
Elopement photographer melbourne
Elopement photographer melbourne
Elopement photographer melbourne
Elopement photographer melbourne
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
View Maria and Ingos gorgeous Pumphouse Point tasmanian Elopement.
Elopement photographer Victoria
Wedding photographer
Elopement photographer Victoria
Elopement photographer Victoria
Melbourne Elopement photography
See Kate and Toms incredible Palm Springs Elopement.
Melbourne Elopement photography
Melbourne Elopement photography
Melbourne Elopement photography
Melbourne Elopement photography
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Hello mate. Love you too.
Small wedding photographer melbourne
Melbourne Elopement photography
Melbourne Elopement photography
I shot this image on beautiful old film with a half century old camera. See why i’m a film wedding photographer.

Looking for small wedding and elopement photography in Melbourne?

I’ve photographed nearly 200 beautiful weddings of all sizes across Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Geelong, greater country Victoria, and beyond. I’ve got plenty of advice i’m happy to share.

If you’d like to make an enquiry to me, you can reach me here:

https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

hydro majestic wedding

Feb 1, 2020

I’m honestly at a loss for words trying to introduce this Blue Mountains wedding venue. The Hydro Majestic Hotel lives up to it’s name and is a turn-key wedding venue that really does offer everything you need to pull off the most extraordinary wedding. The hotel itself presents some phenomenal photo opportunities, with a refined art-deco style. The real magic though is in the view. It really does have to be seen to be believed. Luckily for you, I managed to snap a few wedding shots at this larger-than-life Blue Mountains wedding venue a little while ago and I’m more than happy to share. Enjoy!

The Hydro Majestic Blue Mountains Wedding Venue

Ok, this is the part where I blab on and on about how incredible this venue is. It is definitely for good reason though, there really isn’t a single downside. So, if you’re not thinking of booking The Hydro for your upcoming nuptials, maybe turn away if you don’t want to know what you’re missing out on.

This wedding venue is an absolute BEAST. It is a towering ode to the dreams of businessman Mark Foy and his drive to install Australia’s very first Health Retreat. That’s what The Hydro is, first and foremost – a retreat. And a mighty enormous one at that.

In 1903, Mark oversaw the construction of the Hydro, pulling out all the stops. A generator imported from Germany, artworks from all across the globe, a dome shaped roof that was built in Chicago and shipped all the way to Australia, and a Swiss health professional to run the joint. He even renamed the township The Hydro was situated in to “Medlow Bath” to make it suit the overall vibe of the hotel. If that isn’t a baller move, I don’t know what is.

The venue has hosted a plethora of famous guests over the years including: Dame Nellie Melba the magnificent Aussie Opera singer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the creator of Sherlock Holmes, Australia’s first Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton who actually died in the hotel in 1920. Sure, it’s a morbid claim to fame, but it’s a claim to fame nonetheless.

If the grandiose of this venue isn’t apparent in its history, then allow the photos below to show you just how remarkable this place truly is.

hydro majestic wedding view
hydro majestic wedding
See more of these Elle Zeitoune Fontaine dresses.
hydro majestic blue mountains wedding

The Ceremony

If you’ve been pining after a wedding ceremony with a view, there’s no better way to do it than right here in the Blue Mountains. The Hydro Majestic boasts a breathtaking lookout with a viewing platform that’s perfectly suited to hosting a wedding ceremony in the natural surrounds of the serene Australian bush.

Honestly, whilst capturing photos for this wedding I was constantly picking my jaw up off the floor. I couldn’t believe just how ridiculously gorgeous the entire place was.

The ceremony was backed by a tremendous valley that held an expanse of native bush lands. The Blue Mountains really is one of the most naturally beautiful places in Australia – it’s no wonder this spot was selected to host the grandeur of The Hydro Hotel.

blue mountains wedding ceremony
hydro majestic wedding ceremony
blue mountains wedding

The Services

When you book your wedding venue through The Hydro Majestic, you’re basically covered for everything. And I mean, everything.

  • A dedicated Wedding Coordinator
  • On-site accommodation (overnight complimentary for the happy couple)
  • Design guidance
  • Welcome dinners
  • Spa sessions
  • Delectable meals and canapes
  • 5+ reception sites to choose from

The list goes on, my friends. I truly cannot recommend this venue enough, not only for weddings but for other events, photography shoots, high teas – anything that requires a spacious site that oozes class and style.

I’m going to leave you with a few more photos from this gorgeous Blue Mountains wedding venue. Once you’re done browsing through them why not check out this post on the awesome I Do Drive Through?

hydro wedding
hydro majestic wedding
hydro majestic wedding

For more beautiful rural New South Wales weddings, check out this Kangaroo Valley wedding,

why small wedding venues are the best

Jan 20, 2020

If you’re wondering why small wedding venues are the best, all you have to do is check out this list of incredible small wedding venues.

  1. These venues pack a punch: folks who run a small wedding venue, such as Rupert on Rupert, are able to dedicate a brilliant design sensibility to a more unique and quirky arrangement of space.
  2. Less empty space for your guests: small wedding venues are great because there is less space and the area feels fuller, which makes for a less awkward experience for guests. Think of it like fireworks in a can of beans.
  3. More choice: naturally, because they occupy less space, you’ll find there are far more options for your small wedding, from bars, to mini warehouses, and everything in between.
  4. Less guests. Struggling to get your guest list down to a manageable number? There’s no better fix for that than the enforced restrictions of a venue that can only hold 20-50 guests. Let the walls of the space to the hard-work for you, and rule out that 7th-removed acquaintance.
  5. The grand calm: small wedding venues just inspire a higher level of calm, thanks to the fact that you’re not organising a wedding in something the size of an aircraft hanger.

Small is beautiful (also the name of a film my friend made).

And that about covers it. Putting on a small wedding? Make an enquiry with me to photograph it.

Rupert on Rupert wedding reception
These images from the incredible Rupert on Rupert, in Collingwood.

Hunting for a brilliant wedding venue in Melbourne? Make sure you check out these incredible small wedding venues, or for something more unique, this list of the best unique wedding venues.

A photograph of a first dance at a small wedding
wedding venues in Mornington Peninsula

Jan 11, 2020

Best Wedding Venues on the Mornington Peninsula (no order)

  1. Tanglewood Estate
  2. Crittenden Estate
  3. Lindenderry Red Hill
  4. All Smiles Sorrento
  5. Brighton Savoy
  6. The Shearing Shed
  7. Private property

The Mornington Peninsula isn’t just famous as an escape for no-ones favourite redneck, nor is it just a place to quest a short distance from the CBD to scratch that covid iso-itch at a local winery: Mornington Peninsula wedding venues are some of Victorias most incredible landscapes filled with culinary brilliance and unique wedding accommodation right at your fingertips.

Having photographed so many incredible celebrations at beautiful Mornington Peninsula wedding venues, I wanted to share with you 6 of my favourite places to get married on the Mornington Peninsula (if you are looking for something a little closer to the city, check out these unique Melbourne wedding venues).

1. Wedding Venue on Mornington Peninsula: Tanglewood Estate

A sunset photograph of a couple at Mornington Peninsula wedding venue, Tanglewood Estate
Tanglewood Estate | Wedding Venue Location: Dromana | Photo: Briars Atlas

Tanglewood Estate is exactly as it says on the box. You get your wood, that’s tangled, in, an estate. Almost something more out of the brain of Tim Burton than a wedding venue on the Mornington Peninsula that you can actually visit and see with your own eyes, this impossibly gorgeous estate is where i’ve even chosen to host my own wedding photography workshops.

A family owned and operated venue, the McEvoys will look after you and put on the most brilliant celebration imaginable (read on down to #5 for another incredible family owned wedding venue).

A couple at Tanglewood Estate, a wedding venue on the Mornington Peninsula
Newport Substation Reception | Wedding Venue Location: Newport | Photo: Briars Atlas

Tanglewood Estate on the Mornington Peninsula has more space than you can poke a stick at, and an incredibly broad configuration of their space is possible: from the wild grounds themselves, to the incredible heritage chapel they lovingly transported and placed onsite, over the enormous barn (where your epic grazing table can live).

Load up the space with one of Melbournes best wedding bands (you MUST check out Like This and Tobi Tobi), grace the interior with some of the best wedding flowers on the planet, and you have yourself and incredible wedding on the Mornington Peninsula.

If you want to dive a little deeper into this incredible wedding venue on the Mornington Peninsula, scroll down to get in touch with them, or check out some images from my workshop I hosted for some brilliant photographers right here.

Enquire about their Mornington Peninsula Wedding Packages
Tanglewood Estate website: https://tanglewoodestate.com.au/
Tanglewood Estate gallery: https://briarsatlas.com/tanglewood-estate-wedding/
Venue size: Able to cater to both small and large weddings

Wedding venues on the mornington peninsula at sunset
Tanglewood Estate Portraits | Wedding Venue Location: Dromana | Photo: Briars Atlas

2. Dromana Wedding Venues: Crittenden Estate

A photograph of a wedding reception at Mornington Peninsula wedding venue, Crittenden Estate
Crittenden Estate | Wedding Venue Location: Dromana | Photo: Briars Atlas

Here’s a question that might not be at the top of your mind when you’re considering your wedding venue: “how will the wedding venue deal with an apocalypse?”.

Let’s answer that here with Crittenden Estate. These two lovers, Jess and Kevin, had a wild day at one of the Mornington Peninsulas best wedding venues, as clouds took over, a hectic storm, and a regional power outage. In case the sublime smiles and joy don’t give you your answer, it’s worth knowing that the Crittenden Estate staff are joy-merchants, slick professionals, and masters of dealing with curve balls.

All of that stuff aside, Crittenden Estate is set on beautiful grounds in one of the most beautiful regions in Victoria. Read on below to connect with them.

Love these wedding flowers? Find a great wedding florist here yourself.

Enquire about Crittenden Estate Wedding Packages
Crittenden Estate website: www.stillwateratcrittenden.com.au/weddings
Crittenden Estate capacity: 130 seated, 150 cocktail

3. Red Hill Wedding Venues: Lindenderry Red Hill

Lindenderry Red Hill | Wedding Venue Location: Red Hill | Photo: Briars Atlas

I keep going to write “Lindenberry” then realise i’ve misplaced a d with a b. An easily made mistake. Anyway, whatever consonant you choose, Red Hill’s Lancemore Lindenderry Estate Mergest wild, mountainous vineyard terrain, with subtle art-deco brilliance all wrapped up on the Mornington Peninsula, just an hour from Melbourne.

And after a beautiful day there spent necking wines on their gorgeous grounds, I bet you’ll also forget which way is up, which way is down, which b should be a d, etc.

Enquire about their Lindenderry Estate Wedding Packages
Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill website: https://www.lancemore.com.au/lindenderry-red-hill
Venue size: Capable and scaleable: 180 seated, 280 standing

wedding venues on the mornington peninsula, Lindenderry red hill at sunset
Lindenderry Estate Reception | Wedding Venue Location: Red Hill | Photo: Briars Atlas
wedding venues on the mornington peninsula, Lindenderry red hill
Lindenderry Estate Wedding Photos | Wedding Venue Location: Red Hill | Photo: Briars Atlas

4. Sorrento Wedding Venues: All Smiles Sorrento

A photo of Sorrento wedding venue All Smiles, located on the Mornington Peninsula
All Smiles Sorrento | Wedding Venue Location: Sorrento | Photo: Briars Atlas

Right at the tail end of the Mornington Peninsula, we have this incredible clifftop Sorrento wedding venue, All Smiles Sorrento. One of the best wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula, All Smiles merges a brilliant restaurant, with breezy clifftop views, and plenty of space around the venue to escape for a bit of quiet. If you’re looking for Sorrento wedding venues, this is the standard.

Enquire about All Smiles Sorrento Wedding Packages
All Smiles Sorrento website: https://allsmiles.com.au/
All Smiles Sorrento Wedding Gallery: All Smiles Sorrento Wedding
Venue size: All Smiles Sorrento seats up to 120 guests

Alll smiles sorrento wedding photo of a family on the mornington peninsula
All Smiles Sorrento Portraits | Wedding Venue Location: Sorrento | Photo: Briars Atlas

5. Bayside Wedding Venues / Wedding venue near Mornington Peninsula: Brighton Savoy
Wedding Venue Location: Brighton

These scallywags sneak in, though right at the top of the Mornington Peninsula, they’re a little further away from what most regard as “peak peninsula”. Regardless, I photographed a beautiful intimate wedding there recently, and was pleasantly surprised by how scaleable the venue was, how beautiful the outdoor ceremony area was, and the hospitality game of all their staff.

A photo of a brighton savoy wedding reception on the mornington peninsula

Brighton Savoy is where you get looked after, where you can head over the road to a beautiful stretch of the bay, and where you can rest your head after a few too many wines, all on the same site with their own accommodation.


Enquire about Brighton Savoy Wedding Packages
Brighton Savoy website: https://www.brightonsavoy.com.au/
Brighton Savoy capacity: 30 – 220 guests

6. Phillip Island Wedding Venue: The Shearing Shed

Wedding Venue Location: Cowes, Phillip Island

A wedding venue reception area near the mornington peninsula

Phillip Island isn’t really all that well known as a destination wedding region, and I don’t know if that’s a shame, or whether the area is best left as a well kept secret for all the locals of the surrounding region in the know. In any case, you must check out the best Phillip Island wedding venue – the Shearing Shed.

A long family-run venue, the Shearing Shed is situated at the top end of one of the most beautiful regions of natural wildlife and escapism, just a short hour and a half (or so) out of the city.

While it’s a little bit further away from the other Mornington Peninsula wedding venues, this spectacular little part of the world is full of hidden gems that the crew at The Shearing Shed will be more than happy to divulge to give you and your guests ideas for an incredible week away from the big smoke.

The Shearing Shed on Phillip Island has an incredibly adaptable suite of spaces for all sorts of weddings large and small.

The shearing shed, an incredible wedding venue near the mornington peninsula
The Shearing Shed| Wedding Venue Location: Phillip Island | Photo: Briars Atlas

Enquire about the Shearing Shed Wedding Packages
The Shearing Shed website: https://www.theshearingshed.com.au/
The Shearing Shed Venue capacity: 150 guests seated

7. Private Property on the Peninsula

Wedding Venue Location: Anywhere on the Mornington Peninsula

wedding venues on the mornington peninsula

Ever considered having your wedding in yours (or an accommodating mates) backyard? Jaira and Paul did, for their surprise backyard wedding on the Mornington Peninsula (see more of their Mornington Peninsula wedding featured here on Hello May).

Family and friends turned up for a going away party, only to be surprised by an imminent wedding (in about 5 minutes).

Featuring a Paella chef, backyard antics, and a jaunt around the area for some portraits, it was a brilliant, intimate day with their family and friends.

Beautiful.

Venue comparison chart

Wedding venueVenue StyleVenue LocationVenue CapacityYou might also likeSample gallery
Tanglewood EstateRustic BarnDromana150+The Shearing ShedTanglewood Estate Wedding
Crittenden EstateElegant outdoorsDromana150All Smiles SorrentoComing Soon
Lindenderry Red HillArt DecoRed Hill280Brighton SavoyComing Soon
All Smiles SorrentoCoastal clifftopSorrento120Crittenden EstateAll Smiles Sorrento Wedding
Brighton SavoyElegantBrighton220Lindenderry Red HillComing Soon
The Shearing ShedRusticPhillip Island150Tanglewood EstateComing Soon
Private propertyAllMornington PeninsulaVariedTanglewood EstateComing Soon
What are the best indoor wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula?

My favourite indoor wedding venue on the Mornington Peninsula region is the Phillip Islands The Shearing Shed and Tanglewood Estate

What are the best outdoor wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula?

Most of these Mornington Peninsula Wedding venues have spectacular outdoor areas, so be sure to read about each one on this page.

What are the best winery wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula?

You just can’t go past Lindenderry Red Hill.

Cheap wedding venues Mornington Peninsula?

For cheap wedding venues Mornington Peninsula, you just cant go past having it in your own backyard. Scroll up to check out Jaira and Pauls incredible Mornington Peninsula backyard wedding

Wedding planners Mornington Peninsula?

Luckily for you, the incredible wedding planners Popup with Style are located on the Mornington Peninsula.

Are there any travel fees for the Mornington Peninsula?

No. Being a local, there are no fees to photograph your wedding on the Mornington Peninsula or surrounds.

There. 6 of the most incredible Mornington Peninsula wedding venues.

Author and all photos by: Briars Atlas. Photos may be only used with a link back to this website.

Hire me to photograph your Peninsula wedding (if you want)

Wedding photographer Mornington Peninsula: Briars Atlas – Enquire

Going intimate? Looking for a small wedding venue further away?

Be sure to check out my list of the best 17 Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne, and check the video below for a quick preview of them.

Metropolis Events wedding

Nov 1, 2019

Planning a wedding at Metropolis Events? Metropolis Events is one of the most prestige venues in Melbourne to host weddings, dinners, galas, conferences and more. Fortunately though, we also have plenty of other venues that have all of the character of Metropolis and more. Have you considered our other options both in and around the city?

Check out these incredible images from nearby Melbourne rooftop wedding venue, Luminare, The Prince Deck and a few secret ones that may not have draped themselves across your radar yet.

If you’re considering a wedding at Metropolis Events, these alternative wedding venues also have incredible views and a similar design sensibilty, and most importantly – all of these wedding venues have brilliant planning teams that care about you, care about and your team of vendors, and are known for creating the most brilliant wedding experience for you and your guests in Melbourne.

A metropolis events wedding reception photo
A Melbourne wedding at The Deck

I photograph a small number of weddings each year, capping out at around 20 so that each couple receives an extraordinary level of care and attention.

Your friendly neighbourhood wedding photographer, Briars Atlas

Below is a selection of weddings in some of the most stunning locations in Melbourne. If you’re looking for a Melbourne wedding photographer for your Metropolis Events wedding or want more advice on alternative wedding venues that have the same type of feel and are supported by a professional team, drop me a line at the bottom.

Metropolis Melbourne: similar stylish, modern wedding venues

Metropolis events wedding venue (see their website) has a cavernous, New-York warehouse style feel to it. Luckily for us, there are plenty of other incredible wedding venues in Melbourne that also have a similar feel, that are helmed by a crew of legends that will make sure your wedding runs incredibly smoothly, with buckets of care put into your day being trouble free.

Here are a list of my favourite wedding venues in Melbourne that you will also love, if you are considering Metropolis Events.

  1. Luminare South Melbourne
  2. The Prince Deck
  3. Rupert on Rupert
  4. Wedding Venues Melbourne
  5. Vogue Ballroom

Wedding venue comparison chart

Here’s a comparison chart of venues similar to Metropolis Events, so you can compare some key features of the venues.

Venue NameVenue StyleFreedom of vendor choiceVenue CapacityExample gallery
Metropolis EventsModernNoN/A
The DeckClassy modernYes300The Deck at Circa
Luminare RooftopYes400Luminare
Rupert on RupertStylish warehouseYes200Rupert on Rupert
Vogue BallroomStylishYes370Vogue Ballroom
State Library Heritage StylishYes500Wedding venues
Half AcreModern WarehouseYes400Half Acre
Melbourne wedding venue comparison chart

More Melbourne wedding venue inspiration just like Metropolis Events

Looking for even more brilliant modern wedding venues in Melbourne just like Metropolis? Check out this incredible list of the most unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

Metropolis Events wedding - photo of a couple pouring champagne
A photograph of a couple laughing during their portrait shoot at Metropolis Events Melbourne

Book me to photograph your Melbourne wedding

Make an enquiry: https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

Check out these beautiful Melbourne wedding venues that if you like Metropolis Melbourne, you might also like: Luminare, and The Deck at Circa.

Quarry Farm Wedding

Aug 10, 2019

Back in 2016, Steph, a brilliant photographer in her own right, reached out to see if I’d head over to Fremantle to photograph her Quarry Farm wedding to the debonair Zac (who has an uncanny resemblance to old mate Westley from my all-time favourite film, Princess Bride).

After musing on it for all of 0.0413 seconds I said yes, and one of the joys, apart from the general brilliance of spending a day with these to maestros, was discovering a gem of Fremantle – Quarry Farm.

Enjoy the images from their day – and what was the first ever wedding hosted at this glorious venue outside of Perth. It’s always a wild honour photographing an artists wedding, and it’s crazy to me that over half of my bookings these days are from fellow wedding photographers! It raises the stakes a little bit, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Steph and Zacs Quarry Farm Perth wedding was featured on Polka Dot Bride. Head over there to see their full day and beautiful story.

Steph and Zacs Quarry Farm wedding.

Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding

Steph and Zac didn’t see each other beforehand, but shared a prayer together with a dash of touch on the morning.

Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding

I imagine that when the bridal designers were creating this gown, the exact thing they had in mind was “bridal peace ninja”.

Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Quarry Farm Wedding
Fremantle Wedding Portraits
Fremantle Wedding Portraits
Fremantle Wedding Portraits

See more kids at weddings here.

Fremantle Wedding Portraits
Fremantle Wedding Portraits

The classic Fremantle walk – one of my favourite areas to shoot Fremantle wedding portraits in. The historic Fremantle back streets make for a marvellous backdrop to have a stroll through.

Fremantle Wedding Portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry Farm Wedding portraits
Quarry farm Fremantle
Quarry farm reception
Quarry farm reception
Quarry Farm Wedding
uarry Farm Dancefloor

Steph and Zacs reception dance floor began with a dance-off between herself, her dad and brother.

Candle wedding portrait

Quarry Farm has a little lake at the base of the reception room, brilliant for a secluded little spot to escape to for some evening portraits.

Quarry Farm call themselves the best rustic wedding venue in Perth and it’s pretty easy to see this holds up, with a huge diversity of usable areas and natural surrounds on over 200 acres.

Find Quarry Farm Perth online

Quarry Farm website: https://www.quarryfarm.com.au/

Find Quarry Farm Perth in real life

1475 South Western Hwy, Whitby WA 6123

Book me for your Quarry Farm Perth or Fremantle wedding

I regularly photograph weddings in Perth and Fremantle, and there are no additional costs or complexities involved. Reach out to me via my enquiry form over here.

Looking for an incredible Perth wedding gown designer? Check out Jaime Lee Major.

The Deck at Circa wedding

Jul 17, 2019

Emily and Tony had a beautiful, stylish wedding at St Kilda’s iconic wedding venue, the Prince Hotel – the Deck at Circa. With a room full of their loved ones, floral styling by the mastermind Katie Marx florals and a ceremony run by the inimitable Gina Liano celebrant, this was an evening of colour and brilliant love.

Photographing a wedding at The Deck at Circa always means a wedding where no-one misses a beat: there’s a beautiful seamless transition from the ceremony (held either indoors our outdoors) into the reception, with the space morphing perfectly as you please between the two.

Emily had an iconic walk down a gauntlet of their family and friends, before respect was paid to loved ones passed, and a gently boisterous ceremony (in a way only Gina Liano can do) weaved their story through the room before they carried on the party into the evening.

The Deck Circa Wedding: Emily and Tony

The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
Katie Marx Flowers
Katie Marx Flowers
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa wedding
Gina Liano Celebrant
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa wedding
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
The Deck at Circa
Katie Marx Flowers
Katie Marx Flowers
Katie Marx in her brilliant element, maniacal joy installing epic florals all across the entire interior of the Deck.
The Deck at Circa - Katie Marx flowers

About The Deck at Circa

The Deck at Circa is a brilliant blank canvas, and a light filled space with an enormous deck area (as the name lets on) to host Melbourne wedding ceremonies indoors or out.

The area of St Kilda offers a tonne of beautiful wedding photo locations, from the foreshore nearby, all the way over to the beautiful heritage art-deco architecture of the area. Usually i’ll take couples out for a 15-20 minute loop, and in that time you can cover all the art-deco hotspots, spend some time on the foreshore, and also enjoy some of the gardens around where those two worlds meet.

The Prince Hotel is one of our more known rooftop wedding venues, and has seen every type of celebration under the sun. The expansive deck overlooks Fitzroy Street, and enjoys brilliant sunsets bursting through the steel cladding around the windows.

A 300 space carpark takes care of all the guests, the venue has plenty of accommodation, and the rest of the St Kilda surrounds take care of everyone for the next day.

Hire The Deck at Circa for your wedding

Get yourself a Melbourne wedding celebrant, Katie Marx (see her handiwork at the venue just up above), C2 films (Melbourne wedding videographers super experienced with The Deck at Circa), a Melbourne wedding band AND a Melbourne wedding planner and off we go.

For another beautiful Melbourne rooftop wedding venue, check out South Melbournes Luminare.

Looking abroad? Check out this Queenstown Helicopter Elopement, and otherwise check out this post for more unique Melbourne wedding venues.

Book me to photograph your wedding at The Prince Deck

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography: Enquire

Destination wedding photographer

Jul 10, 2019

Wedding portaits: you’re getting married, you’re organising your vendors, and you’re at the point where you’re facing the classic conundrum that is working out whether you do or don’t want your day turned into a Hollywood film-set, and whether you are or aren’t going to be dragged away from your guests for 3 hours for a portrait session.

Originally published on Polka Dot Bride

There’s no right or wrong way of going about your wedding portraits: the main thing is to look at a lot of images from a variety of photographers, and build up a vocabulary of photos that you connect with (Pinterest being one of the great ways of storing that vocabulary), and understand how and when the portrait session (or sessions) fit into your wedding day.

Here’s a few helpful little home truths and things to keep in mind about your wedding portraits that I’ve found useful in navigating all this:

Melbourne wedding photography portrait at desk wes anderson

1: Ask yourself how important portraits are to you

First up, someones gotta say it: while being totally necessary, your wedding portraits are still, simply not the most important part of your day. Not by a long, long stretch! I say this as a photographer who adores that part of the day and invests a hell of a lot of personal energy into them, both on the day and at 1am in my editing cave in the weeks after. Your photographer should be able to advise on the ideal amount of time for them to get images up to the standard that you’ve fallen in love with on their website.

At the same time, they should be able to confidently make you great images, in a small window of available time. I’ve been in situations where 45 minutes have been allocated, and then rain has erupted, and that reduced to just 5 minutes because they wanted to get into the warmth of their packed barn and on to the beers.

I think that’s fair enough.

And a photographer should be able to confidently deliver you some glorious wondrous images, in that 5 minutes. While I personally recommend 30-50 minutes total to my couples, split across two parts of the day, I was able to work out what was important to do in that 5 minutes, work like a crazy-person and get them a beautiful set in just 5 minutes.

So, step back and ask your wedding photographer how long they recommend for the wedding portraits. Work out how long you’re prepared to spend and have a mutual understanding that on one hand its a beautiful window of calm where you get to be with just each other and on the other hand, it’s also precious time away from your guests.

2. From the USA, with love: the first look, and what it means

The first-look is still a little bit of an unknown out here in Australia. It doesn’t help that it’s name has this kind of scary grandeur attached to it. Let’s dispel a few myths, and look at a few of the positives.

The first look is, simply, a moment where you get to meet each other before the ceremony, and inhale a little bit of calm together. It doesn’t take off the magic of seeing each other in the aisle (if anything, it amplifies it).

Melbourne dark and moody wedding portrait on film
Funny melbourne wedding portrait

It does give you the chance to make some portraits immediately after and reduce how much time is spent away from guests later on. Most folks often miss out on the canapés hour, of course there’s no right or wrong approach here, but personally, I’d want to be hanging around my crew for canapés! Remember you can still head out at sunset together, and get the best of all worlds.

3: Whatever the weather: wedding portraits and rain/apocalypse

This is about having an all-in attitude. This is the test. How far are you willing to go for your portraits, in the moment? This is worth thinking about briefly ahead of time, as it can help you slip into the right state of mind on the day if the weather goes south.

There’s no right or wrong answer: but from a photographic point of view, the more risks you’re prepared to take (within reason), the more wild the photographs you’ll receive will be, and fitting to that particular moment.

Rainbow sun shower wedding portrait
Rainbow sun shower wedding portrait

Maria and Ingo leapt out into rain and rainbows for their wedding in Tuscany, and I think it was worth every second of that 1-2 minute sprint. Us photographers are a weird bunch, and you can probably always consider us up for running out in a hail storm to get the best shot, so this is really just for yourselves to consider.

The worst thing that can often happen is a bit of dirt on your dress and water in your hair. So get out into the rain, make some wild photos, then load up on some whiskey. That’ll get you warm again.

4: How to see and use available light

It’s taking every ounce of strength for me to say this, but, when it comes down to it, there’s no such thing as bad light, only bad photography. Us photographers – we might moan and groan about overhead sunlight (I certainly do!), or about harsh green fluorescent light, and there’s some truth in there being something extra special about sunset, twilight, and all that jazz.

Dark and moody melbourne wedding portrait

But, this is really important: your photographer should be, first and foremost, a problem solver.

There’s no such thing as bad light – only light that might make them uncomfortable. And if they’re good at their job, they’ll be able to work through that discomfort, solve the challenge of whatever the lighting situation is, and still be able to deliver you magnificent images, and be comfortable in solving problems caused by un-ideal lighting.

Melbourne arts centre wedding portrait
The photo of Anna above, is against a harsh fluorescent LED light in the venue entry-way. After the sunset shoot, this ended up being the perfect light!

A lot of what makes this image work was about carefully bringing it to life in post-production, but a photographer should be able to see great opportunity and know what to do with it. Mix up the indoors, with the outdoors.

Melbourne black and white wedding portrait
This photo of Ryan & Alan above, was shot in the middle of the day in the harshest light. By finding a nearby canopy, we bounced beautiful full light from a lake in front of them, onto them.

Mt Sturgeon royal mail hotel melbourne wedding portrait
Hannah & Ben, captured at the majestic Mt Sturgeon Homestead, in a similiar setting to Ryan & Alan.

With all of that said, I’m still a big believer in crafting the optimum scenario where possible: your photographer will be able to work with you on your timeline and styling to offer any advice to make things that little bit more magic for both your guests and your images.

I’m no stranger to being asked about festoon arrangements, or timings for portraits. Put your faith in your photographer and ask if they have any suggestions. Chances are, we’ve got a brain full of ideas that we’re willing to share, all in the name of getting you the best wedding photography.

Try and prioritise at least some of your portrait shoot later in the day, around sunset and into twilight. This is when the dance of light does some especially magic things.

Sydney sunset wedding portrait
Sunset in Sydney with Jane & Michael.

Moody blue mountains wedding portrait
Twilight in the Blue Mountains with Sarah & Simon.

5: Do the planning and hard work on the back-end, not on the front end.

Like every area of your wedding, you want to do the hard work on the back end, not the front end. What this means is connecting with caterers, stylists, and photographers you feel you can trust, so that on the day you’re not having to intervene. This is especially important with photography and specifically, wedding portraits. A shot list can hinder your photographer, and take them away from doing what we do best: which is being responsive to unfolding moments.

Don’t meet a million vendors for each category, meet a few and spend time with them. Make sure you get those little bells of trust ringing that tell you they’re the one. And then let them do what they do.

Because the best wedding portraits – the ones you’ll print and find yourself sending to everyone – fundamentally come out of ignoring nearly everything I’ve written above, and enjoying a couple of carefree windows with a photographer you feel entirely comfortable with, wherever they end up being taken.

One Day Bridal wedding portrait Chosen by One Day
Laugh wedding portrait

These are a fun couple of portraits to close this article up – because this should all be, well, fun!

Fortyfive Downstairs wedding

Jul 2, 2019

I get a lot of the most beautiful enquiries for weddings, from all sorts of humans and all types of celebrations. But every now and then one stands out as something of a… unique first. An enquiry asking if i’d shoot their Albanian Rock n Roll Warehouse Rave Wedding stands out as one such enquiry. I teamed up with the brilliant Nat Sproal (also headlining my piece on the best Melbourne wedding celebrants here), for this incredible Fortyfive Downstairs wedding in Melbourne, which began with gentle calm and after the rave stuff, ended with Saranda putting a fire-hose on Brendan enthusiastically trying to corral some last portraits at the local Maccas.

Legends.

Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
7 11 wedding portrait
7 11 wedding portrait
7 11 wedding portrait
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Melbourne City wedding portraits
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Nat Sproal
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Nat Sproal Celebrant
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Albanian wedding photographer melbourne
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding
Fortyfive Downstairs wedding

Book a Fortyfive Downstairs wedding

Fortyfive Downstairs website: https://www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/wp2016/private-events/

Modern wedding arbour

May 5, 2019

In 2018, I teamed up with one of the grooms I’d photographed (who is extraordinarily handy at building things without getting himself electrocuted – you can see his wedding to Kate here on Nouba), and together we came up with a proposition: “so, how about we make wedding arbours, that light-up” – and so came our spin on modern wedding arbours for wedding ceremonies.

Since then we’ve shipped our creations all over Australia in both a retail and a hire capacity, and enjoyed some incredible international press along the way.

Geometric wedding arbour

We sensed the whole neon arbour trend beginning to reach peak, and yet there was nothing really in the way of neon wedding arbors available that were progressive and modern.

Modern wedding arbour

What is a wedding arbour and do I need one?

A wedding arbour is simply a ceremonial statement piece that stands either behind you, above you, or around you at your wedding. A wedding arbour is simply a centrepiece that makes a statement.

Modern wedding arbour
Neon crucifix
Our crucifix installed at The Altar Electric

And so, we started The Arbourists – modern neon arbours for weddings.

Since beginning The Arbourists, not only have we been fortunate to be the backdrop behind so many couples beautiful wedding days and crazy parties, but we’ve been featured in New York Times award winning author Chris Guillebeau’s podcast, Side Hustle School, we were featured as part of a Xero PR campaign, and we somehow found our silly heads on the very front of the careers section of Australia’s largest newspaper.

But this is all fluff, as the most important thing is that some of the most forward-thinking couples have entrusted us to be involved in their big day, and our Arbours have inspired a shift in design thinking that we’ve seen across the entire wedding styling industry.

See our neon arbours in the hard sun of day at this beautiful Geelong wedding.

Modern wedding arbour

Modern Arbours for weddings: The problem

Over the years we’ve seen the most incredibly beautiful arbour installations, painstakingly setup and adorned with florals, only to be taken down not an hour later.

We figured: why aren’t the being used at the reception afterwards? While this is less about materials waste (although the beautiful florals themselves often get discarded immediately), this was more about the labour around it only serving the setup for such a short period of time.

Further, we realised there just weren’t any options out there available for evening ceremonies, as far as an arbour or centrepiece to the ceremony.

Neon Crucifix

Modern Wedding Arbours: The solution

We created geometric modern wedding arbours and chuppahs (and more), that are extraordinarily strong to withstand being fitted with florals, and are able to be portably powered.

Because of this, for any small weddings or elopements, our arbours are able to be set-up, installed, and used absolutely anywhere.

These are the worlds first portable-powered, neon, modern wedding arbours, and we’re super proud to have brought something just a little different to an industry with strong roots in tradition.

Neon Crucifix

We also have our reversible neon crucifixes permanently installed at the incredible Altar Electric in Collingwood, and couples all over Victoria have LOVED using them for their wedding portraits both during the day, and into the evening when the smoke machines and neon is turned on.

Neon Wedding Arbours: Built tough.

Our modern geometric neon wedding arbours are available as a set of triangles, and come in matte-black, gold, or white. Our neon chuppah is available in gold, and crosses in multiple colours.

All neon wedding arbors are able to support dense floral installations, and we’ve been thrilled to have some of our favourite florists, such as Flos Botanical and Babiana Botanic, load them up with their incredible work.

Geometric triangle wedding arbour

Hire The Arbourists modern wedding arbour for your wedding or elopement by making an enquiry here, and if you want someone to photograph you in front of them we might know a Melbourne wedding photographer who’s done a little bit of that.

See the wedding we worked on of Pepe and Sam featured here: Hello May Wedding Photographer

Kids at weddings

Apr 10, 2019

Depending on who you ask and what their personal experience has been, raising the question of kids at weddings might be akin to asking “should we invite the early-onset of armageddon or the vertically-challenged apocalypse to our wedding with open arms?”.

It’s a bit of a contentious and polarising one, and a conversation that’s well-documented already out there in internet-land as far as the pros, cons, and how to manage the decision either way: everyone’s had their own experiences, and everyones personal situation is wildly different.

With all that said, having seen my fair share of weddings with the glorious little scallywags where nobody ended up dying, i’m just going to step into the ring as a raving advocate of our dear little humans being present at your wedding, from a different point of view.

Let me explain my heavy bias, over a few key points.

Kids at Whiteface Lodge Wedding New York

1. Theory of Small-Human Close-Proximity Exponential-Collusion Effect

Due to the scientifically well-documented “Theory of Small-Human Close-Proximity Exponential-Collusion Effect”, If these small humans have access to other small humans within a close range, they simply won’t give a flying focaccia about you or your wedding: they’ll be too busy being dragons or worms.

Straight up – in front of a capable photographer, the magical theatre of vertically challenged humans is a sight to behold, and one of the greatest gifts you can get back in image-form when all is said and done.

Excuse my French, but kids, again, bless them – just don’t give a fuck (or they did, but then came across a certain bright book at the airport bestseller stand when their parents weren’t looking).

This wonderful quality that we systematically try to rid ourselves of as we enter adulthood is responsible for them colluding, doing their thing, and in turn, giving you the photographic gift of this wonderful little human theatre that you were too busy to notice happening.

That’s worth celebrating, and the irony here is that due to the Theory of Small-Human Close-Proximity Exponential-Collusion Effect (sorry, I made this up – if you google it you’ll find nothing – yet), the more kids there are present, the more they’ll be too busy being wrapped up in their own awesome world to cause any trouble.

Kids in theatre
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings

2. Blackmail and leverage

Your wedding is an excellent place to generate prime blackmail-leverage for the duration of their teenage years, as well as embarrassing content for their 18th or 21st birthdays.

Stake your otherwise rapidly-diminishing claim as household power-holder before your spawn exercise their terrifying muscle of independant-thought by making sure that any moments of cacophony are properly captured and stored.

In this way, if there’s any delusions of grandeur in those teenage years, you’ve always got record of some of some of their not-so-fine moments, should those be displayed at your wedding, or in front of their friends at their 13th birthday party.

Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings

3. Look inwards, dear padowan

This one is a little bit of a polarising one: look inwards, put a magnifying glass over what the main negatives seem to be, and ask yourself if you can instead flip it – and celebrate those negatives.

This is also a tool you can really apply to any areas of your wedding.

Worried about getting drenched in the rain? Flip it. Celebrate it. Make sure you have a spare outfit, head out with your photographer, get drenched, and enjoy the awesome images that come from it.

Worried about kids being underfoot? Celebrate it (and keep sharp objects away from the edges of tables).

Worried about them bellowing over the vows? Celebrate the quirk and discord that brings, and know that the little scallywag can almost always be gently taken away and cared for out of earshot.

And before that happens, you’ll have some wonderful images of the glorious little deathspawn in full-flight.

Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings
Kids at weddings

Ultimately, it’s your day: whether kids have a place or not is entirely your decision, and if you do invite them, simply go all the way and make sure there’s enough logistical things that let them fall into their own world. But consider this: where there’s a positive for every negative, there’s also another perspective: looking at that negative, and instead asking – is the day about being perfect, or being memorable in it’s imperfect glory?

For a peek into the level of “baller” that can only come from a 5 year old while delivering the rings, check out this Fortyfive Downstairs wedding.

deux belettes wedding photos

Apr 9, 2019

Considering a Deux Belettes Wedding, in the gorgeous Byron Bay hinterland in New South Wales?

On this page you’ll find some of my favourite photographs i’ve captured at weddings all over the world, including NSW and the Blue Mountains, and as far as the majestic Ravello castle, overlooking the Amalfi coast in Italy (which, if you have been to both those regions, you’ll find a little bit of a spiritual homage between them).

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for your Deux Belettes wedding, I regularly travel to NSW, an can run you through how I work to make the process exactly as it should be: seamless, fun, with beautiful images at the end of it all, tailored to every type of couple under the sun.

My style is candid with a documentary approach, and every image you see on this page came from creating a space in the way that I know makes for images you’ll connect with: a space where you can be present with each other.

A little bit about Deux Belettes Weddings and planning your wedding there.

Deux Belettes is the place where all majestic, French inspired boho-wedding dreams come true. A frontrunner of the slow-building movement that began in the region in the 1980’s, all of the structures have been beautifully built over time using reclaimed materials as they become available, along with the iconic tunnel of plane trees that now give it an unmistakeable European feel.

Deux Belettes can hold up to 100 guests in a marquee, with on-site accommodation available as well.

Deux Belettes does not offer wedding packages, so they require that all vendors are booked separately. If you’re looking for a wedding planner or wedding celebrant, I can connect you to some brilliant options locally. But while we’re here, for Byron Bay wedding planning, I cannot recommend White Rabbit Projects highly enough – Bree and her squad are absolutely incredible and you *need* their experienced hands on your team.

Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer
Deux Belettes Wedding Photographer

Hire me for as your Deux Belettes Wedding photographer

Make an enquiry: https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

Find Deux Belettes Wedding in Byron Bay

The majestic Deux Belettes is located at 2477/104 Victoria Park Rd, Dalwood NSW 2477.

Find them online at https://www.deuxbelettes.com/

Suzanne harward songbird gown

Apr 8, 2019

The Suzanne Harward Songbird gown is an impossibly brilliant piece of design by the crew at Suzanne Harward. Featuring embroidered tulle, a circular skirt, and incredible floral and bluebird details from top to bottom.

I photographed the wedding of Laura and Walker held at Daylesford Convent, and this post will feature just images of Laura in her incredible gown. Their dog Bonnie came along for the ride (as in, the entire ride, start to finish, including dance-floor raving at the incredible Daylesford Convent) and what followed was a wild day of rain-dodging and glorious times with their community at one of the gems of regional Victoria.

To see their full wedding in detail, keep your eyes on Together Journal, where it will be featured.

See the Songbird gown also featured here in unique Wedding Dresses.

Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown hanging
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown hanging
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown bridal preparation
Romantic black and white wedding portrait
Bride with her dog at wedding
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Daylesford Convent Sunset portraits
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent Reception
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown at Daylesford Convent
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown
Bride with her dog
Suzanne Harward Songbird Gown

Enquire about Suzanne Harward Songbird gown

Suzanne Harward website: https://www.suzanneharward.com/

Looking for another incredible wedding gown? Check out this modern wedding dress by Jaime Lee Major.

quat quatta wedding

Apr 7, 2019

Two artists and art-lovers brought their community together for their glorious Quat Quatta Wedding in Ripponlea, Melbourne. Nadisha and Tendai brought on the skills of the inimitable Yo Mafia, who came to tear up their reception dance-floor (in between doing RNB gigs in literal stadiums around the world).

A Mariachi band set the tone as guests walked into the beautiful Quat Quatta grounds, leading into their soft and brilliant ceremony.

Quat Quatta have also been featured on a list of the most unique venues in Melbourne, and is one of my most favourite venues in Melbourne to photograph a wedding at. Incredible heritage surrounds, lush greenery, and an interior and exterior that can be transformed into any direction you can imagine. Check out the incredible Quat Quatta wedding of Nadisha and Tendai to see how they celebrated there.

Quat Quatta wedding photos
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding photos
Quat Quatta family photos
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
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Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding photography
Quat Quatta wedding Ripponlea
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Yo Mafia wedding DJ
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding
Quat Quatta wedding

Book Quat Quatta for your wedding

Quat Quatta website: https://www.quatquatta.com.au/

Quat Quatta has an enormous spread of spaces ranging from a festooned outdoor area for ceremonies, incredible heritage rooms, and every sort of texture imaginable in and around those. I usually avoid taking couples away from the grounds for their portraits – just because there are so many brilliant options on-site, which means no battling inner-city traffic, as well as getting back to your crew to knock down wines and continue the celebrations sooner rather than later. Looking for something smaller? Check out these incredible Small Wedding Venues Melbourne has to offer.

Burnham Beeches Wedding

Apr 6, 2019

Kate and Alex married at the impossibly majestic Art-Deco Burnham Beeches. Though the old hotel itself was closed (as the iconic Rone exhibition was just being finished), we got to enjoy the surrounding grounds and the amazing Piggery Cafe. I also had the absolute pleasure of teaming up with the brilliant video genius Nathan Kaso, and floral mastermind Sassafras Wedding Design. As you scroll down and check out some pictures from Kate and Alex’s fun-filled wedding day, I’ll pop in a little info about the Burnham Beeches wedding experience to share some Melbourne wedding inspo with you all!

burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding

Location

The Sherbrooke location of this super versatile venue is perfect for Melbourne locals, elopements, interstate weddings and even international destination weddings. Just 45 minutes outside of Melbourne CBD, you get the convenience of an easy trip from the city, combined with the unique charm of an Aussie country-style wedding on a gorgeous estate in the illustrious Dandenong region.

Sassafras flowers
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding

Burnham Beeches Wedding

The Burnham Beeches estate with its Art Moderne mansion and sprawling grounds is all-encompassing when it comes to wedding venue perfection.

You’ll find the following features tucked away in their own little piece of heaven within the grounds of this beautiful estate. Each of these points provide a little bit of “wow” in order to come together and create the perfect rural wedding experience…

  • A lovingly nurtured rural landscape (approx. 56 acres) that hosts established gardens that provide delicious produce.
  • Extensions on the mansion that include 58 hotel rooms/suites (with plans to transform these into Australia’s very first luxury 6-star retreat).
  • Greenhouses filled with delicious vegetables.
  • The rustic Piggery Cafe – a former piggery that has been turned into a cafe/bakery which hosts events and makes delectable foods sourced from the grounds and the surrounding Dandenong region.
  • An old mill (with plans to transform it into a Moo Brew-affiliated microbrewery and bar).
  • Four additional cottages.
  • Bubbling streams, natural springs and an adjacent rainforest.
  • A 500-tree trufferie.
  • An emu enclosure that provides the emu eggs used in various Piggery Café dishes.
  • Lawn bowls, croquet and bocce pitches.
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding

The Piggery Cafe

Sure, hosting a wedding at a former piggery probably doesn’t sound like a go-er, but hear me out. This old piggery has been entirely transformed into a bloody brilliant venue with delicious food and a truly charming atmosphere.

Capable of seating 30-150 people, The Piggery Cafe is a super versatile wedding location.

The highly regarded menu is all locally sourced, with most of it being produced within the bounds of the estate itself. From fresh fruits and vegetables to locally sourced meats and even emu eggs from the emu pen on-site, you’ve got all the range in the world.

A Piggery Cafe wedding is 100% a worthwhile investment if you’re after delicious food, rural charm and enough room to seat a large amount of guests.

Burnham Beeches Wedding
Burnham Beeches Wedding
Burnham Beeches Wedding
Burnham Beeches Wedding
Burnham Beeches Wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding
burnham beeches piggery cafe wedding

If Yarra Valley wedding venues are your jam, be sure to check out Immerse Yarra Valley, Stones of the Yarra Valley, Yering Station, or a little closer in towards the city in Ripponlea, this Quat Quatta wedding. For something more on the industrial end of the dial, check out this list of unique Melbourne wedding venues.

Enquire about a Burnham Beeches Wedding

Burnham Beeches website: http://www.burnhambeeches.com.au/
The Piggery Cafe website: https://www.piggerycafe.com.au/

For more Yarra Valley wedding venue love, check out Zonzo Estate.

Humdrum Films Cost

Apr 5, 2019

More than just the recipients of gold medals in general charm and debonair, Jared and Jacob are Humdrum Films, Melbourne filmmakers with an incomprehensibly detailed eye and progressive style that’s hunted down by the most discerning couples worldwide.

Humdrum Films don’t make wedding films that just show you the play-by-play – their films make you feel, and their films cast an artistic eye over your day that you won’t find anywhere else – one of the perks of them having long-established careers in other arms of arts filmmaking.

Humdrum let their curiosity wander, and turn your already beautiful setting and story into something you probably didn’t quite imagine it could be, in the best possible way.

There’s a good reason that Humdrum Films are in my Melbourne wedding planning guide, as well as nestled atop this list of the best Melbourne wedding videographers, so take a gander at a wedding we worked on together: the wedding of Hannah and Ben, held at the Royal Mail Hotel Dunkeld, in the Grampians.

I picked their brain on how they’re doing during Covid, what they’re changing, and how their talents are being put to use in this wild time.

Humdrum Films
Humdrum Films

Hannah and Ben ducking out for the last wisp of sunlight at the Royal Mail Hotel.

Humdrum Films: Hannah and Ben

You can view Hannah and Bens full day, supported by the incredible planning of Will and Jac, published over on Farewell Fiancee.

What do your couples constantly say about you?

 Couples always remark how easy we make the whole process, and what a fun day it was. I mean yes you have to know your craft, but technology has really levelled the playing field in terms of technical quality and whats on offer – what we do is almost intangible – so much of what we do is about how we make people feel.

We make people feel at ease and so they relax, they enjoy themselves and they enjoy hanging out with us. That means we’re able to get closer to them and their real story. Its how we ensure our films are authentic and not a remix of the same shit everyone else is doing.

If we do our jobs right, they’ll mean that hug at the end of the night. We may meet us strangers, but we’ll leave as friends. 

That and ‘Please leave some canapés for the guests’

What you wish couples said about you

The venue said they’ll feed you straight after the bridal table and treat you like actual human beings.

Humdrum Films

Are there any nifty things that you found out about yourself in ISO?

That the fall from my second story balcony probably wouldn’t be enough to kill me.

I’ve learnt it turns out doing jump squats in your apartment in a vain attempt to stay fit during lockdown really pisses off the neighbours and results in a passive aggressive note being left at your door.

That and the value of human connection – we’re pretty bloody lucky to do what we do and get to hang out with people on arguably one of the best days of their lives, its a real treat. Makes us miss weddings for sure.

Method of apocalypse aversion and the one movie you’d bring into the bunker to watch forever?

Blatant ignorance. Pretend its not a thing. Carry on as normal etc. Virus? What Virus? 

Jacob’s taking Happy Gilmore: ‘the greatest film of all time’

I’d be taking Mission Impossible (the first one) – vintage Tom Cruise suspended upside down unnecessarily from the ceiling? Yes please.

Also, this film by Humdrum has to be seen to be believed – prepare to have any idea of what you think a “wedding film” looks like, gloriously squashed.

Find Humdrum Films online here.

A short list of other vendors that took part in Hannah and Bens wedding, featured on this page working alongside these two maestros:

Photography: Briars Atlas
Videographer: Humdrum
Venue: The Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld
Wedding Planner: will&jac
Celebrant: Megan Thompson
Flowers: Prunella
Music: Rutherford Entertainment
Bridal gown: Paolo Sebastian
Makeup: Tess Holmes
Suit: P Johnson
Stationary: Mickey Loves Jacqui
Sperry Tent: UnderSky
Furniture: Place Settings
Whiskey Cart: Good Day Rentals

Book the best wedding planner

Check out one of the best wedding planners specialising in decadent, luxury weddings in Melbourne and beyond, Weddings of Desire.

Book me as your wedding photographer

Briars Atlas – Melbourne Wedding Photography – Enquire

Humdrum Films Melbourne
Humdrum Films Melbourne
Humdrum Films Melbourne
Humdrum Films Melbourne
Humdrum Films Melbourne
family property wedding

Apr 4, 2019

It’s such a thrill to work with the most discerning couples week in week out, and it brings me enormous pleasure to offer a style of work and personal investment that isn’t available anywhere else, and so on this page are some of my melbourne wedding photographer reviews.

Here’s what some of them have had to say in response to receiving their images.

Lexy and Sean

WOW Oli we just watched the clip. And again. And another time, ha! Absolutely floored by them all. We bow down to the master! So incredible.

Thank you so much.

Also, I absolutely love how much these photos show how much fun we were having that day. It seems like a dream, did it really happen? Can’t wait to see the entire set, absolutely no stress or rush on any of it.

So thankful to have received what you’ve pulled together for us so far. We’re absolutely blown away with them all.

Like seriously, absolutely overwhelmed with how amazing they all are. Thank you so so so much from the bottom of our hearts!

San Francisco City Hall Wedding
San Francisco City Hall Wedding
San Francisco City Hall Wedding
San Francisco City Hall Wedding

Lachy and Sarah

Where can we start? Sarah and I have just sat down to revisit your marvellous work and we’re stoked that you were there on the day capturing the magic of the land, the people and the joyous moments that flowed. 

Thank you so much for giving yourself and your creativity to our party on the hill. It kinda feels like a world ago now, these very photos taken moments before a pandemic was ever on our minds. So many humans in close proximity(!). So thank you, really dig it man. 

I’m going to pass it over to Sarah and she is going to share a few words 😉 

Oli it was such a pleasure to hangout with you on the first of March 2020!! Thanks for being so down for the barefoot walks and the early morning in Sth Gippsland. Sooo appreciate your Very Generous extra time on the day, too. Adore your work and CAN’T WAIT to get some things printed!!

Bless you and bless your life-giving skillz x x x

Sarah and Lachy beach wedding Melbourne

Sam and Paul

You Sir are a genius!!! Our world’s aligned for a reason.

You have us two captivated, as you captured every emotion and moment – obviously we’re blubbering messes at the moment! What a marvellous showcase.

The preview was exciting and the main event has blown us away.

You captured us and each and every moment of our Wedding day spectacularly. You are quite the story teller!

Sam and Paul Thornbury Theatre wedding

Tess and Sam

Oli, we are crying. I think I’ve already ‘previewed’ it 5 times this morning. Thank you for helping us relive it. 

We really can’t thank you enough. 

Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Kangaroo valley wedding
Kangaroo valley wedding

Sarah and Andrew (featured on Together)

We are over the bloody moon mate. So many incredible memories and they all came flooding back. Both very emotional. Has absolutely made both of our days.

You did such and amazing job capturing our friends, the architecture, the property and nature, the moments and the feeling. Seriously mate. Cannot wait to see anything else you have. 

We particularly love our posed shots. The moody black and whites are amazing. Your colour grading is so beautiful. The way you frame. Just all of it mate!

It was one hell of a day for you starting at 6am till about midnight. I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for us.

You blew all of our expectations and still are. You have given us another shot of wedding love and vibe. Let’s see how long we can stay on this high!

Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
bundanon trust wedding

Zoe and Adam

Oli… wow… I knew you were incredible, but that blew me/us away.

Many many tears. 

They’re beyond beautiful and we couldn’t have pictured them anymore perfectly. THANK YOU SO MUCH, you fucking maestro. And those film ones, I’m drooling.  

These capture everything I love about photos, moments being encapsulated in time and feeling like you’re right there. They’re all beautiful.

And I’m so glad you took film for us because there truly ain’t anything like it! 

(I do love shooting film at weddings – read this post to see why)

Analog wedding photographer
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews
Melbourne wedding photographer reviews

For more Melbourne wedding photographer reviews, head to my Google reviews.

fourside events wedding

Apr 2, 2019

Food And Desire are an incredible design-driven mob of party-starters and culinary masters, and they host the most progressive, design-minded weddings and events in Melbourne. I photographed the wedding of design-lovers Bianca and Harry held at their South Melbourne warehouse wedding venue, Half Acre.

This is what a Food And Desire wedding looks like. Some of the most incredible styling and florals i’ve ever seen (floral artistry courtesy of Flos Botanical – see her work here in detail on this post about the best Melbourne wedding florists).

Food And Desire
Food And Desire
fourside events
Half Acre south melbourne
half acre south melbourne
Food And Desire
Food And Desire
Food And Desire
Food And Desire
Food And Desire

Find Food And Desire online

Food And Desire website: http://www.foodanddesire.com.au/
Food And Desire on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodanddesire

Destination wedding photographer

Apr 1, 2019

I’ve photographed hundreds of couples, and nearly every continent on the planet (including Antarctica). This beautiful job has had me photographing love, ceremony, and connection all over the planet as a destination wedding photographer for the most discerning couples, and it would be an enormous honour to photograph your wedding, no matter where on the planet it is.

Enjoy this little ride through all things weird wild and wonderful, from commissions in Ravello Italy, Antarctica, to Munich, Palm Springs, New Zealand, Spain, Sydney, New Zealand and beyond.

These beautiful couples have been featured in Martha Stewart, Wedding Chicks, Hello May, Together Journal and more, and it’s easy to see why.

Destination wedding photographer: Lake Placid

Destination wedding photographer

Ryan and Alan, deep in Lake Placid, in Upstate New York. Martha Stewart Weddings featured their incredible day, and you can view it here.

Destination wedding photographer: San Francisco

Destination wedding photographer

Lexi and Sean locked it down in a beautiful intimate ceremony at San Francisco town hall. I got to fly in and document this old Sydney friend marrying her fella in a whirlwind day-trip from San-Diego.

Destination wedding photographer: New Zealand

Destination wedding photographer

This is Fran, in a gust of wind, in an actual blizzard, draped in a Brooke Tyson gown, on a volcano in New Zealand. The places this crazy gig takes me.

Destination wedding photographer: Portugal

Destination wedding photographer

Destination wedding photographer: Tasmania

Destination wedding photographer

Maria and Ingo, from Germany, to the majestic Pumphouse Point, deep in the heart of Tasmania. I spent a few days with these marvels, and you can view their beautiful destination elopement on Together Journal.

Destination wedding photographer: Gananoque, Canada

Destination wedding photographer

Jenelle and Parker don’t do things in halves. That means bringing all of their beautiful community over to the pristine Gananoque waters off the coast of Canada, and hauling my ass over from Australia to document their incredible 3 day wedding, on a string of houseboats.

You can see their incredible week-long rustic wedding in full over on Wedding Chicks.

Book your destination wedding photographer

If you’re looking for a destination wedding photographer, make an enquiry at my website, and be sure to follow along at my instagram.

Yering Station Wedding

Mar 28, 2019

Daniel and Darkus’s majestic Yering Station wedding in the Yarra Valley. Sharon the Celebrant came along to share their story with their community, and these two gents started off with a little portrait shoot nearby, before putting in a massive day of love and good times with their community.

Yarra Valley
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding Petal Toss
Yering Station Wedding
Yering Station Wedding
Yarra Valley Wedding Photographer
Yarra Valley Wedding Photographer
Yering Station
Yarra Valley Wedding Photographer
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yarra Valley Wedding Photographer
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yarra Valley Wedding Cheese Platter
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Wedding Reception
Yering Station Sparkler Exit
Yering Station Sparkler Exit

A little more info about Yering Station.

For more Yarra Valley wedding venues, be sure to check out this Immerse Yarra Valley wedding and Stones of the Yarra Valley.

If lush greenery and wild landscapes and art deco perfection in the Yarra Valley (cue Burnham Beeches and the incredible Zonzo Estate) aren’t your thing, check out these unique wedding venues in Melbourne for some alternatives. For a country victoria wedding venue further north, check out this Sault Daylesford wedding.

Wedding venue royal mail hotel grampians

Mar 25, 2019

Best Grampians Wedding Venue: Royal Mail Hotel. Through the wedding of Hannah and Ben we’ll take a look at this bloody majestic gem of way northern Victoria.

The Grampians is renowned throughout Australia for it’s stunning scenery, numerous hiking trails, perfectly preserved National Parks and gleaming lakes. It’s also home to a diverse range of native Australian flora and fauna, and one of the most beautiful untouched utopias in all Australia. The last time I ventured there was to photograph an absolutely phenomenal wedding for a couple of gems under the gentle guidance of legendary Melbourne wedding planners Will and Jac. Take a squiz here at the very best Grampians wedding venue, the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld.

Grampians wedding venue - Royal Mail Hotel
The sun was shining, the bride and groom were smiling…all in all, it was an awesome day.

Why the Grampians?

Anyone who has visited the Grampians knows why it’s such a hot-spot for loved-up couples planning their nuptials. For those of us who are yet to visit, the Grampians is a gorgeous area just 3 hours north-west of Melbourne. It is full of rolling hills, gleaming lakes and some truly breathtaking scenic views. The natural countryside exudes a rustic cheer that seems to welcome visitors at any time of the year.

If you’re keen to stay on in the Grampians after the wedding is all said and done, there are plenty of interesting activities to sink your teeth into. You can check out the Halls Gap Zoo for a chance to make some furry friends. Or go to the Grampians Grape Escape wine, food and music festival if you’re there around the beginning of May. A simple hike through the Grampians National Park is enough to have you feeling at one with nature and about as relaxed as you can get. See, there’s plenty to do once the “I dos” have been exchanged. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days away from it all.

Grampians wedding venue - Royal Mail Hotel

Why the Royal Mail Hotel?

The Royal Mail Hotel and its sister property, Mount Sturgeon, make for one hell of a wedding. There’s this Pioneer-esque vintage feel about the place that just makes for such a timeless setting and atmosphere. The hotel has plenty of accommodation options for guests (as hotels are wont to do) and the Homestead at the Mount Sturgeon property conveniently sleeps 12. On offer are some super affordable wedding packages that include:

  • Use of the elegant Mount Sturgeon Homestead and it’s sprawling lawns
  • Set up of chairs, tables, dance floor, table ware, wedding menus, etc.
  • 10 native flower posies
  • Five hours of food and beverages
  • An unforgettable backdrop of the towering Grampians

For more options, you can check out their 2020 Brochure or browse their blog posts that provide inspo for both Winter Weddings & Summer Weddings at their magnificent venue.

On that note, I’m going to love you and leave you with a few of the country vintage inspired snaps I managed to capture at this sweeeet Grampians wedding venue. To see more, head to Hannah and Bens wedding here, and for something rustic in New South wales, check out Deux Belettes.

Melbourne wedding photographer instagram

Mar 24, 2019

Head on my Melbourne wedding photographer instagram to see updates on weddings photographed all around the world, and in and around Melbourne. From Immerse Yarra Valley to Rupert on Rupert, Gather and Tailor and everything in between (if you haven’t picked a venue yet, maybe my post on the best melbourne wedding photo locations might help), I have the beautiful honour of documenting love and ceremony all over the planet (and Australia).

Head to my instagram to keep up to date with what i’ve been photographing and where, here: Briars Atlas Instagram.

Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
From Stef and Zacs Quarry Farm wedding.
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
See this and other Suzanne Harward wedding gowns.
This incredible dress featured on best modern wedding dresses.
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
The brilliant Zoe. See her and others Melbourne wedding photographer reviews.
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Daylesford Convent wedding melbourne
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Jewish wedding photographer melbourne
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Lovers in Joshua Tree. See more info on Destination wedding photographer.
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Shot in a beautiful private residence. See this post for small wedding venues in melbourne.
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Melbourne wedding photographer instagram
Shot on a 60 year old camera. See more analogue wedding photos here.

Dec 27, 2018

Tips for the camera shy on being comfortable in front of the camera?

One of the most common things that couples tell me is that they’re not comfortable in front of the camera, which is a perfectly understandable position to hold. I’d encourage you to think about this as follows. If we look back, nearly all of the times that we’ve had our photo taken through our life, have been under sufferance!

School photos, family photos, and all that.

But you also know that if you’re out with your partner, and someone rips up an iPhone in the middle of you having a good time, you’re generally pretty comfortable. The secret to feeling comfortable in front of the camera, is having it not feel like a photo shoot, which is what I specialise in.

And you’ve got two things on your side on your wedding day, that will make this a non-issue, I promise: firstly, you’re getting married! How rad is that. You’ll have your hands so full with all the goings on, you just aren’t going to notice a photographer roaming around.

Secondly – you’re hiring me not just because I know my way around a camera, but because I know my way around a community: making folks feel comfortable is what I do, and the answer to that anyway, lies in you just enjoying each others company, instead of feeling like you need to pose for me.

Click!
wedding photographer camera shy

Should we have a meeting?

I always suggest we meet at my local cafe or wine-bar in Seddon, or if Seddon is inaccessible, we jump on a Zoom conversation to get to know each other.

Feel free to take a look at my photo gallery or Instagram to get to first get a feel for my style, and the cherry on top of course is that you get along with the human you’ll be spending the day with (me!) and that’s done by connecting in person or over Zoom.

Every wedding is different, so catching up to learn more about you both and talk through a unique plan tailored specifically for your wedding day is always useful.

Once you’ve booked, i’m also available to meet as many times as you need to in the lead-up.

How are we supported through the planning process?

You receive a welcome package upon booking handy hints a list of talented wedding vendors I love to work with. During the planning process, you will receive emails on how to structure your timeline based on how your logistics for the day are evolving.

I am here with a virtual hug and many years experience to assist you in any questions you have during the wedding planning process, and I am available to catch up in-person or over Zoom to chat about your wedding planning as often as you need.

Will you customize a package?

Each package is different, so each package is able to be catered to you. The nature of weddings change rapidly, with large weddings, adventure weddings, elopements, experiential weddings, and everything in between being a viable option.

You are able to add coverage as required, add beautiful print products, additional photographers and more, as you see fit to match to your wedding day. To enquire about my packages, head here.

Do you do destination weddings?

Destination weddings make up about 50% of my wedding bookings. I’m thrilled to be able to travel to all corners of the planet to photograph weddings, and it’s often just as affordable as hiring someone local, with all of the benefit of a wedding photographer with fresh eyes in a new location.

I’ve photographed destination weddings in Bali, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Thailand and more.

As a destination wedding photographer i’m familiar with all of the other requirements, including on the ground planning and contingencies.

Typically when photographing a destination wedding, i’ll arrive a couple of days earlier to acclimatise and meet, and maybe even do a pre-shoot.
Destination wedding photographer

What do your prices start at?

My prices for a small wedding or elopement begin at $3900, and weddings begin at $5000.

Do you have a weekday discount?

Yes and no! Unfortunately my wedding photography pricing reflects my years of experience, and the extensive work required in post production. While weekday discounts are not available, shorter weddings and elopements are available on weekdays, but not weekends.

This means you can book me for a small wedding or elopement on a weekday and a shorter number of hours, which is not available on peak-weekend dates, which are reserved for more extensive coverage.

To book me for your weekday small wedding or elopement, you can enquire here.

How long does it take to edit wedding photos?

The turn around on your digital wedding files is generally 3-6 weeks but you should see a few shortly after to get all gushy over. This might seem like a long time, but this post on editing wedding photos might give you an insight into why editing matters, and why my care and attention to detail during the editing process has made me one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the world.

Do you offer Albums?

I offer handmade albums produced by Australia’s best fine-art lab owned by generations of the same family. These are not quite what you imagine a wedding album looks like.

They’re available in a range of sizes, but the default size is an incredibly endearing format that you have to check out for yourselves. You can see my range of fine-art wedding albums here.

Do you charge for travel?

I do not charge for travel inside Victoria, and weddings in other states in Australia may have a nominal travel fee built in.

My wedding photography pricing is competitive for the world class images you receive, and so whether photographing weddings in Melbourne, New York, or Perth, you’ll find the pricing is usually pretty competitive and comparable to hiring someone local, with all the benefits of a fresh set of eyes on an enthusiastic traveller.

How many images do I receive?

You receive a curated collection of images without watermarks and in high resolution.

You receive all your images high resolution, print ready for you to print off freely, and share with your family and friends.

How fast do you edit photos?

On your wedding day, i will typically take around 5000 photographs initially. With so many things happening, it’s essential that I work hard and give myself plenty of options of the best version of a moment.

This is obviously way too many for you to receive, so from there, I cull this down to around 500-700 winning photographs, that each stand out strongly in their own right.

After that, this set is edited into a preview selection, as well as your full collection. There is several days of work involved in this entire process, which I split up over several different editing sessions. I aim to have you your finished collection of wedding photos, beautifully edited from start to finish, within four weeks.

How can we order prints?

I have a relationship with the best lab in Australia, and through a connection to my personal image sharing platform, you and your family and friends can order prints, albums, calendars and more via a simple link that you will receive.

As the wedding couple, you are also able to make private any images that you do not want shared with family and friends for whatever reason, prior to sharing this link with them.

Ordering world-class heirloom prints is a simple exercise that will take just a few clicks, and saves you a sketchy trip to Officeworks.

When is the final payment due?

Your final wedding payment is due 7 business days (1 week) before your wedding.A photo of Liv and Adam at their Melbourne Wedding by Wedding photographer Briars Atlas

I want to book, what now?

Just send me a confirmation email stating that you would like me to photograph your special day, we will book in a zoom call. I then will then send my Terms and Conditions to you with all the deposit and payment details enclosed. I only require a $500 deposit to confirm a wedding date.

How many weddings have you photographed?

I’ve photographed over 150 weddings all over the world: mostly around Australia, but as far as Germany, New York, New Zealand and more.

Around Australian i’ve photographed many in the Blue Mountains, all the way over to Fremantle and Perth, all the way up to the top of Western Australia, and of course many around my hometown of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.

What is a site visit/planning session?

A wedding planning session is a session we have either in-person in Seddon, or over Zoom. In these sessions, we plan your wedding and my involvement in it down to the detail you require. Often you might have a wedding planner check out this incredible Melbourne wedding planner) who takes care of this, so we just need to work out how to best use me to ensure you get beautiful, broad, brilliant coverage.

A wedding site visit, is a visit together to your wedding location. My skill is in interpreting and researching new locations, and every award-winning image you see on my website was captured at a venue I had visited for the first time.

My skill is in interpreting space and light and responding quickly to whats happening. On top of that, i’m an advocate for not taking you too far away from your venue for your portraits.

As such, it’s generally not necessary to have a site visit, as they have no impact on the quality of wedding coverage you will receive.

What is a highlight gallery?

A highlight gallery is a small selection of previews that you will receive within 48 hours of your wedding day.

When the post-wedding buzz is high, I think it’s super important to have something to share with friends and family, so I work to give you a small selection of key moments over the day for you to enjoy as soon as possible.

How do the hours work on your wedding day?

We will know ahead of time when I should show up to the first location, usually where the bride is getting ready.

My time then starts ticking until the I finish at the final location. I don’t charge for any travel to or from these locations.

How much do wedding photographers in Australia cost?

The average wedding photographer in Australia costs about half as much as twice their full rate. In dollar terms, it depends on what sort of wedding photographer you are after. For folks that are less experienced, expect to pay about $2-3k for full-day coverage.

Most of my couples book me for $5-$6k, which also covers all of the client care around the day, several days of post-processing and delivery and storage of all your beautiful images.

The average wedding photographer in Australia that is experienced might cost you anywhere between $4k-$8k.

It’s important to work out what is important to you from a product point of view, and whether you even need full-day coverage. According to ASIC’s Moneysmart, the average cost to hire a wedding photographer is under $4,000 (not including albums, wall art or other printed items).

How many photos do I take?

I usually take somewhere around 5000 photographs. With so much going on, it’s essential that I give myself plenty of options to capture the most ideal version of a moment.

Henri Cartier Bresson called this “the decisive moment”.

This is obviously too many to deliver to you, so after this, I cull them down to around 500-700 photographs, to then beautifully and individually edit for you.

How far in advance do you have to book?

In order to book me as your wedding photographer, it really varies: most couples book me 12-18 months out, and sometimes they enquire just two weeks out!

You’ll never know if you don’t enquire: reach out to me for your wedding here.

What are the different styles of wedding photography?

There are so many different styles of wedding photography. If you’re googling around, you might see “photojournalism” and “fine art” and “candid” and wonder what it all means. Generally speaking, fine-art photography might feel more “dreamy, and occasionally have very staged moments.

Candid and photojournalistic style photography might appear to be a more “fly on the wall” style of capture.

I like to think my style, is something of a bridge between them all. I don’t interrupt the flow of the day, but know how to make the best of all situations.

Do you have to buy products as well as photos?

Not at all. They’re only there if you wish to add them in. You can hire me just to photograph your wedding and deliver your photos on a USB and via an online gallery.

You can then get creative with the high res photos to make the prints or even books yourself. To view my wedding photo products, which range from regular prints, to albums to calendars and more (socks coming soon, maybe), click here.

What do I wear to your wedding?

Sounds like an odd question to have listed here but I think it needs to be a-dressed. What I wear depends on what I am going to be doing and what locations and conditions we are going to be shooting in:in most cases, I have to be practical. They are long days, with many wedding days up to 15 hours by the time I add travel and back up time when I get home.

Sometimes I am kneeling, sitting and lying down on sand, dirt and road and so a pair of nice suit pants might not be the greatest idea. Generally – I aim to mix in with your guests, with a dash of jazz on top of that. Whether you’ve got a city wedding, a farm wedding, a beach wedding, a cocktail wedding, or a houseboat wedding, will all affect what I choose to turn up in.

Most Melbourne city weddings I’ll rock up in something super classy. But then when I photographed a wedding on a string of houseboats in Canada, I turned up in shorts and thongs! So it all depends.

How much “photoshopping” do I do?

Firstly we need to establish what we mean by photoshopping. When people say photoshopping, normally they mean things like adding fake looking filters, altering body shapes, or removing things that were a part of the image.

My approach to wedding photography is natural, and i focus on great moments and using my skill to anticipate things happening. I do not do any photoshopping, but instead make sure i’m getting the best possible version of a moment as it happens, in-camera. With that said, i’ll of course make an effort to remove things that might not be there in the days either side of your wedding, such as acne if requested etc.

What are the advantages of hiring a professional photographer?

When hiring a professional wedding photographer, you’re hiring someone with years of experience in weddings, and so years of experience in anticipating all of the things that happen on the wedding day, as well as providing a plethora of support before, during and after your wedding.

A professional wedding photographer has a thorough backup system, and ensures that this beautiful little moment of time is recorded in an incredible way, with no risk to you.

Do I work with an assistant or second shooter?

I have second photographers available for anyone wishing to book one in. I have photographed weddings of up to 250 guests alone comfortably, and with 500 guests with a second shooter with me.

Generally, for the sake of guaranteeing the widest amount of wedding coverage possible, my recommendation is that if you are going to have over 180 guests, that you consider booking a second photographer with me.

It’s a nominal fee, and one of the most inexpensive ways of broadening the amount of coverage you’ll receive.

Video slideshows at the wedding?

No – because your wedding is not about me, it’s about you. Back in the 90’s it was common for video slideshows to be displayed at weddings, and while i’ve seen it done, and the guests loved it, in my opinion the guests should be interacting with each other and having a great time, not looking and images and videos of things that just happened.

I do not offer same-day slideshows.

What is the Booking Process?

If you decide that i’m the right fit as your wedding photographer, I have an online enquiry form that you can fill out here. After the initial enquiry has been received and put into my system, we work together to build the logistics of your day, so that all of the details are present and clear.

You will receive a four-part payment schedule, so that you can pay off your wedding in instalments up to your day, with your wedding photography balance due seven days before your wedding day.

This is all the technical stuff though: the important thing to know about the booking process is that i’m available to talk about your wedding day at any time.

Do you need a permit for your wedding?

You may need a permit to have your wedding in a public place, or if you want your formal photos taken in, for example, a public botanical garden.

All permits are your responsibility to organise ahead of your wedding day.

Are you insured?

Yes, I have the highest level of public liability insurance.

Why is a professional wedding photographer so expensive?

A professional photographer doesn’t just bring years of experience to the table, but all of the hours or work around your wedding day too! In my experience, a single wedding, when all is said and done, is about four long days worth of work, once all of the consults, planning, editing, delivery, and of course the wedding day itself, are considered.

Aside from the physical time involved in a professional photographing your wedding, a professional will back-up your photos for at least four years, as well as have various insurance, software-subscription, hardware and marketing costs associated with being a professional wedding photographer. A great way to think about it is to think about how much it would cost to hire an A-grade electrician for an entire four full days, or if you want a really wild comparison, a lawyer.

What all this amounts to though, is not only beautiful images for you, but someone reliable who is there with you and for you before, during, and after your wedding day.

What equipment do you use?

I use the highest quality Canon digital cameras, and a selection of their industry leading prime lenses. I also have a professional, modern suite to edit your finished collection of wedding photos.

Aside from those, for folks who love the old-world of analogue, I have a selection of analogue cameras between 20 and 100 years old that I am also able to bring to your wedding if selected as an add-on.

What are RAW files and do you get them?

Think of RAW files like this: when building a home, you want the completed home – not necessarily piles of bricks, concrete, and disassembled fittings.

A home is the product of these things, in the same way that the finished images you receive are actually the product of taking the RAW file – the bare image-data captured by the camera – and then applying a decade of experience into bringing that raw up into a finished photograph. In the old days, labs took a negative, and interpreted that through a complex machine that brought out the colours buried in that negative.

So as much as we like to imagine people didn’t edit film photos, the reverse is most definitely true. RAW files are much the same: in their native format, they’re dull, flat files: the pure camera data.

My job is not just to take the photos on the day of your wedding, but use my experience in colour and tone to ensure the edited files reflect your day.

As such, RAW files are not delivered or available as an option, but the finished, edited files, made with love and care. To get a little insight into my editing process, see this post about editing wedding photos.

Do you save our wedding photos?

I keep copies of your RAW files and edited jpegs for a minimum of 4 years, in case you lose your copies. This way I can provide you with a free backup in case of emergency.

While I make all efforts to keep things indefinitely, I cannot guarantee availability of your files after 4 years. There have been, unfortunately, several scenarios where my lengthy backup policy has come in handy: with couples who have either lost their images, or had their house broken into (i’m not sure why you’d steal anyone’s wedding photos, I mean I know they’re lovely photos, but what a weirdo), and it’s been an incredible treat to be able to save the day in those instances.

What is the resolution you will receive?

You will receive your wedding photos in the highest resolution available on my brand professional grade Canon DSLR and mirrorless cameras.

These are suitable for printing at the highest size and the highest quality.

What happens if we need to cancel?

If you need you cancel your booking with me, please see my cancellation policy, which goes into lengthy detail about your cancellation options and any implications.

Can your friends and family take photos too?

Yes! As much as your wedding day is about you getting married, it is also about your community feeling a part of it. As such, it’s perfectly natural for your family and friends to take photos on the day. I encourage this!

With that said, there are only two parts of the day where you want to consider what this means for your coverage, and where i have to place a caveat, to ensure that I can deliver the world class product of me that you have booked.

During the ceremony, consider having an unplugged policy – so that all of your wedding guests are present with you and making eye contact with you, and not through a device. I’ll be there to ensure beautiful coverage of this, anyway.

During the portrait session is the only other time where I present a caveat: this is a moment for just the two of you, and in order for me to deliver the beautiful work you’ve booked, it’s essential that noone else with cameras (except your videographer) is present taking photos during this time – which is generally only around 30-45 minutes.

How do I back up my images?

Photographing your wedding is just one small part of the job description. One of the other parts is ensuring that your images are safely stored after the day, incase of any worst-case scenarios (flooding, theft, asteroids, etc).

After getting home from your wedding, I immediately backup the files on my main storage unit, as well as making further copies on two redundant backups. On the evening of your wedding, including the 2x copies that are in my camera, your wedding lives on a total of five (5) distinct pieces of hardware.

The following day, the RAW files are also synced off-site. Once your wedding photos are edited, they also live in my cloud software for a minimum of four years.

Can I “pencil” in a date to hold a spot?

Unfortunately not. With bookings coming in often, to lock in a date requires a secured booking form. Holding dates can be a sticky situation and very hard to manage when you have multiple enquiries and meetings with couples for the same date.

Unfortunately, this is one of the only parts of this job I don’t have much flexibility on, just because of the unique nature of booking work so so far in advance.

Do you shoot with digital or film?

Digital and film have slightly different aesthetics, and I love photographing using both digital and analogue film. For most of the coverage you will see on my website, i use digital. It’s reliable, fast, and ideal for great coverage at scale.

With that said, I love analogue, and if you appreciate and prefer the aesthetic of analogue film (check out this post on why I use analogue film at weddings), I am often able to arrange either partial or full coverage using analogue film.

To see what a wedding photographed entirely on film looks like, check out Lil and Jakes Castlemaine wedding here.

Do you edit all your photos?

I edit each an every one of your finished wedding photos, individually. Your wedding photos should be timeless, while still reflecting the flair and style that your wedding day had.

As such, all photos are gently, carefully, and painstakingly edited to ensure all tonality is consistent throughout the day, and that the story of each image is clear and punchy.

For information on why editing wedding photos is important and why only edited files are supplied to you if you hire me as your wedding photographer, please see my post here on editing wedding photos.

How many weddings to you take on each year?

In order to ensure extraordinary care and attention, I book a maximum 30 couples per year.

This ensures that you receive the highest standard of images and care before and after the day, which reflects itself in the world renowned, premium product that you receive.

Where are you based?

I am based in Melbourne, Australia, but grew up in the Yarra Valley (Read more about Yarra Valley Wedding photography).

I regularly travel all over Victoria, Geelong, the Yarra Valley, and Mornington Peninsula (see here for your Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer), as well as all over Australia and beyond.

If you’d like to book me as your Melbourne wedding photographer or Destination wedding photographer you can make an enquiry here.

Do you travel outside Melbourne, Victoria, Australia?

I regularly travel to photograph weddings outside of Melbourne. Booking me for your wedding anywhere in Australia or indeed anywhere else in the world is as easy as checking the date with me, and then me working out what’s involved from a logistical point of view.

It might just be a lot easier than you think, and after 8 years of photographing destination weddings everywhere, i’m very familiar with that dance.

Make an enquiry with me to photograph your wedding here.

Do you travel to New Zealand?

I frequently travel to New Zealand, having photographed weddings on both the north island and the south island. As well as this, i’ve spoken at around ten conferences on those beautiful islands.

Most recently, I photographed this Solscape wedding, as well as this Queenstown elopement.

A flight to New Zealand is quicker than a flight to Perth, so hiring me as your New Zealand wedding photographer is just as easy as hiring someone local.

Do you travel Internationally

While my home base is Australia, typically destination weddings represent about 50% of my work, as couples from all over the world have commissioned me to photograph their destination wedding.

Travel gives me the opportunity to meet new people in interesting locations, and as a result gain a broad understanding of all of the brilliant and wonderfully varied ways in which a wedding can be held.

I’ve seen traditional Bavarian weddings, Balinese destination weddings, New York warehouse weddings, Indian weddings and everything imaginable.

Every wedding that I photograph internationally gives me a new skill and way of seeing that I am able to take into other weddings. To enquire about your destination wedding anywhere on the planet, reach out to me.

Do we need to provide meals for you on our wedding day?

Most wedding venues will have an option for vendor meals, so count me in for one of these please. Providing a vendor meal means I can duck away, inhale some calories to recoup my energy, before rejoining and kicking ass for you.

What happens you are sick?

After nearly a decade of photographing weddings, i’m fortunate to be well connected to community groups of wedding photographers all over the world, in nearly every city I could possibly work in.

In the highly unlikely event that I am too sick or injured to photograph your wedding, I will immediately engage these communities and arrange a suitable associate shooter to photograph your day, so that your coverage and booking is entirely unaffected.

This associate photographer, of which is selected on a strict set of criteria to the highest standards, will act as a proxy of me, potentially with better or more hair, and then pass me their files.

These files will be edited in my style, so you receive exactly what you had originally paid for. In the unlikely event that you are unsatisfied with my replacement option (who would be thoroughly vetted, so this is again unlikely), my liability is limited to your deposit and booking fees being returned.

Will my photos make your website, social media or blog?

I try my best to update my website, social media platforms and blog wherever possible, however it is usually up to my discretion as to whether or not a particular image from an engagement session or wedding will be published.

Recently, it was only through Covid hitting us that for the first time in years I was able to update my site.

Should you have any concerns about this, please let me know and I am happy to explain or discuss this further with you. Images I share online are done with utmost sensitivity to you first and foremost, and if there are any images you do not want shared, this will be of course honoured.
kyha studios wedding dress

Do you take video as well?

In order to provide you with extraordinary photographic coverage, I do not generally shoot video as well, as it would compromise my ability to make the best photographs of moments unfolding.

However occasionally, I can bring a super-8 camera, which is an add-on option. This makes for more informal, home-video style coverage of your wedding day: a beautiful, gritty take on the polished video we see these days.

You also have an option to upgrade that an have me bring along an extra videographer who will be exclusively on Super 8.

For full, formal wedding videography including the recording of your speeches, I recommend reaching out to any of the best wedding videographers in Melbourne.

Tell us a bit more about you?

I’m a life-long creative, having worked as an illustrator, animator, creative director, music video director, upholsterer, credit-card-maker, KFC salt packer. Over the last decade i’ve turned my interest in the arts to the craft of photography, and it’s led me on adventures in every corner of the planet.

Most of all, i’m fascinated by all of the small, quirky little parts of being human, and found that many of them exist at weddings.

So naturally, it’s there that I get to sit at the weird and wonderful intersection of celebration, art-making, and photojournalism.

To find out a little more about me, head to my about me page, and check out my interviews and podcasts at the bottom.

Do you accept credit cards?

You can pay for your wedding photography booking via credit card using my online payment system.

Where are some wedding venues you shoot at?

I’ve been fortunate to photograph at some of the most unique wedding venues in melbourne, some of the best weddings in the Yarra Valley and Castlemaine, and the best wedding venues in nearly any other place imaginable.

It’s one of the true treats of this incredible job. Some of my favourite wedding venues in Melbourne are Rupert on Rupert, Half Acre, Newport Substation and Luminare.

In the Yarra Valley, you cant go past Stones of the Yarra Valley, Immerse Winery, and Yering Station.

Are there any restrictions in your wedding photography?

The only restrictions on my wedding photography, is the natural style of work that I produce.

This is why I always recommend doing thorough research into the wedding photographers that are available in the community, so that you know with full conviction that the one you’ve booked is the right one for you!

With all of that said, i’m able to slightly bend my style to each couple, and that’s something I take pride in, as your day is unique to the other wedding days i’ve photographed.

How do you describe your style?

I would describe my wedding photography style as Wes Anderson meets David Lynch at a party with Jennifer Rush playing in the background.

Hopefully.

What are your payment terms?

My payment terms are 25% down to secure your date, 2x 25% payments in the leadup to your wedding day, with the final 25% balance payment due seven days prior to your wedding day.

This ensures that you’re not thinking about money or administrative things on or around your wedding day.

The full balance must be paid by your wedding day.

What happens if it rains?

If it rains at your wedding, we know exactly what do to because we’re an organised bunch aren’t we? Basically when rain happens there’s a few ways it can go.

Firstly, we’ll have some options up our sleeves for portraits, that are safe and sheltered. But as well as that, we’ll have discussed ahead of time whether you will or won’t be comfortable running out into the rain. If you are, I am! It make for fantastic images, but it isn’t for everyone. So we can either make the best of it if you’re up for it, or we will rely on our wet weather contingencies.

Will you stay until the end?

Usually the coverage option selected covers me for a couple of hours into the reception, so that each and every part of your day, from preparation through to wild dancefloor, is reflected in your coverage.

If you’re having an incredibly large day however, there is also an option to book me for the whole day, end to end.

This may include the 6am yoga session, through to the 4am afterparty as required (this has happened!).

How reliable is your equipment?

I think you had better ask Canon that! I use new, state of the art Canon DSLR and mirrorless cameras and systems at home.

On the day, i bring a minimum of three professional cameras to your wedding. Including other analogue cameras, this number often sits closer to five.

Why are some photographers cheaper?

This is a great question. There is so much variance in wedding photographer pricing, which reflects the years of experience, stability of backup systems, and quality of the final product.

My position is this: a professional photographer is a luxury! And you don’t necessarily need it – you certainly don’t need a professional photographer for your wedding. But if you want one, my pricing reflects a unique eye and thorough systems in giving you an extraordinary level of care up to and around your wedding day, and photographers that come in cheaper may be compromising on any or all of these.

And that might be totally ok – because what really matters is that you get married, not that you hire the most expensive photographer that you can afford.

But if you want someone around the middle, you’ll find that my pricing sits in the middle-upper bracket for the style of work I produce, which has made me one of the most sought after wedding photographers in the world, published in everything from Vogue to Martha Stewart, and both a winner and judge of international competitions at the highest level.

But most importantly, I absolutely love the shit out of this job.

Will you work with another photographer?

I generally work solo, but you have an option in my price-list to book an additional second wedding photographer, which is something worth considering if you are having more than 180 guests at your wedding.

With that said, I have photographed weddings alone with 250 guests.

How long do you stay at a typical wedding?

At a typical wedding, I will be present for around 8 hours. In fact, that’s my default package, but depending on the day of the week, you can book me for a much shorter period of time if you like, or a much longer period of time!

I’ve photographed weddings of over 17 hours in length, so if you book my unlimited hours package, i’ll turn up for the sunrise photoshoot, and turn away once the sparklers die down at the end.

Do you do droneography at weddings?

I do not do droneography nor do I offer it, but if you are looking at having a drone at your wedding, I can point you in the direction of some folks that might be able to help you out.

We’ve heard horror stories about lost/corrupt photos and hard drives, how do you address this?

When i arrive back home from your wedding, i immediately make a further three copies of all of your files. Including the dual copies that exist within my dual card slot cameras, this means that on the evening of your wedding, your wedding photos are stored separately on five unique pieces of hardware.

Following on from that, your edited files are stored safely in the cloud for a minimum of four years.

What Is An Engagement Shoot, and what is a pre-wedding shoot?

An engagement shoot used to be a sort of formality before your wedding, and is otherwise known as a pre-shoot or a pre-wedding shoot. The purpose of a pre-wedding photoshoot or engagement shoot is to be a warmup, if you will, to being photographed together and hanging out. This is an option you can book with me, and it can be as formal as you like, or informal as you like.

Typically the wedding itself is a bit of a grand old affair, so what I normally recommend is to either have a pre-wedding photoshoot in a totally different style to your wedding, or to go in the complete opposite direction, and make it as informal as possible.

You might be amazed at how meaningful it can be to simply have some beautiful photos of you both at your favourite cafe, favourite set of streets, or doing something you both enjoy and get up to anyway, because that everyday stuff is what can’t be captured at the wedding itself.

What Locations Do You Use For The engagement or pre-wedding Shoot?

The locations that can be used for your engagement shoot or pre-wedding photoshoot can either be something epic and wild, or instead celebrating the everyday, and picking a local cafe, park, or even your home.

How Long Does the engagement shoot or pre-wedding shoot take?

An engagement photoshoot or pre-wedding photoshoot might only need 30-60 minutes to get the most out of it, and by that time you’ll still be on a high and ready to go and kick it into the evening or a dinner.

What Time Of Day Is An Engagement Shoot or pre-wedding shoot usually done?

The best time of day for your engagement or pre-wedding photoshoot is generally going to be around the golden hour, which is about an hour before sunset. With that said, beautiful light can be found at all times of day, and if we’re spending a lot of the shoot indoors, at say your favourite cafe, then the time of day matters less.

I’ve done engagement shoots and pre-wedding shoots at all times of day, and it’s possible to make great photographs at all times, but as a general rule I would recommend that hour or so before sunset.

What Should I Wear To The Engagement or pre-wedding Shoot?

When thinking about your wardrobe for your engagement shoot or pre-wedding photoshoot, I recommend sticking to two things: outfits that make you feel awesome, and outfits that you feel comfortable in.

The other thing to consider, is that you will be dressed to the nines on your wedding day. So maybe there’s some merit in wearing the everyday stuff – even that daggy top your significant other has been telling you to get rid of since forever.

Your engagement shoot or pre-wedding shoot can be as glamorous, daggy, fun, or serious as you want it to be, and we can work together on a vibe that makes the most sense to you both.

What Is Included In The Price For An Engagement or pre-wedding Shoot?

Included in the price of your engagement or pre-wedding shoot is all of the consultation and care around the shoto day itself, a photoshoot of around 60-90 minutes in length, and your beautiful, fully-edited gallery of all the selected images from the session delivered via my online gallery platform.

From here you are able to download your pre-wedding photoshoot images and share them, as well as ordering prints, albums, calendars and more.

Do You Offer Any Additional Products From Our Engagement or pre-wedding Session?

Yes. Once your pre-wedding photos are delivered via my online gallery platform, you are able to order from an incredible array of beautiful print products via Australias best print lab, Atkins.

Through my platform you will be able to order small and large prints, framed prints, calendars, albums, and many more.

What Finished Products Are Available?

The finished products that are available for purchase are prints, fine-art albums, framed prints, calendars, canvas prints and more.

I Don’t Have A Wedding Planner. Can You Assist With My Wedding Timeline?

It’s fairly common that wedding couples don’t have wedding planners, in fact, i get probably an even mix of both. There are of course enormous advantages to having a wedding planner, as they look after an innumerable amount of things that you’d never imagine having to take into consideration.

For this reason, if you’re looking for a wedding planner in melbourne, I recommend checking out my list of the best wedding suppliers in Melbourne, and this feature piece on Melbournes best wedding planners.

If you don’t book a wedding planner, I have almost a decade of experience in planning wedding timelines and can assist as best as I can.

Do You Attend The Wedding Rehearsal?

I don’t typically attend wedding rehearsals, as with after nearly a decade of photographing weddings, it’s my experience that attending them does not affect the quality of my coverage at all.

Many photographers use the rehearsal as an opportunity to meet the couple, but I find that’s best done ahead of time at a wine bar myself.

All of the planning and logistics for the wedding day will be completed together in my online form so that there’s no surprises.

How Do You Choose Where To Have The Photo Shoot After The Ceremony?

After the ceremony, in order to pick the best location for your formal photo shoot, we work together on finding the type of look and feel that you prefer, which helps us to work out if you’d prefer the photoshoot in nature or in a more industrial setting for example.

From here, we look at how much time you want to allocate (I recommend 30-60 minutes), and I’ll often do a google scout to work out how to best spend the time.

My aim is to not waste time in the car driving between locations.

Do You Shoot Family Photos At The Wedding?

Yes! Family photos are so important. We work on a list of family group photos before the day, and I turn up with these in hand ready to go after your ceremony.

Please assign someone to assist in gathering family and friends who will be in the images, as it will streamline the process enormously.

I aim to complete these within about ten minutes so everyone can get back on to enjoying the day.

Can We Give You A Shot List?

You can give me a shot list for family group shots, but shot lists ptherwise impede the natural flow of the day and can cause your coverage of organic moments to be incomplete.

With that said, if there is an item of significance present or any other moments during the day you want specifically captured, please feel free to ask me to get it at any time, that’s what i’m there for.

Do You Include Digital Files In Your Wedding Collections?

Yes, digital files are included in all wedding collections. At a minimum, you will be able to download and share your fully edited set of images amongst family and friends.

Are The Images We Receive Watermarked?

No. I do not watermark any of your images, because it’s not 1998 anymore. You receive your beautiful images all free of watermarks.

Do You Retouch All The Photos We Receive From Our Wedding Day?

I aim to not retouch any images, but instead gently edit them so that the colours and tones are consistent throughout the day.

To find out why editing your wedding photos is important, please see this post on editing wedding photos.

Can We Print The Digital Files Ourselves?

You absolutely can. You have the option to use my online shop to print your photos at my bespoke fine-art print lab, and you are also welcome to download them and print your wedding images wherever you like.

Please be advised that if printing at Officeworks or a lower-grade lab, consistency and quality cannot be guaranteed.

What Are The Benefits Of Having You Print My Photos?

The benefits of having your wedding photos printed at my Australian lab, is that you have the eyes of several generations of professional printmakers ensuring that your wedding photos look better in the hand than they do on your screen.

Quality cannot be guaranteed if printing at another lab, and it’s common that there can be colour inconsistencies or other implications from using lower grades of paperstock.

How many wedding photographers should i interview

This depends on how many woozy-winebar sessions you want, you devilish boozehound, you. When considering the best wedding photographer for you, I personally recommend first narrowing your pool based on the type of wedding photos that appeal to you.

That should bring the options down to a manageable number.

From there, I recommend interviewing about three. That will give you a good idea of their manner, candour, and whether you feel like you can spend 8-10 hours with them without wanting to tear your eyeballs out. When you know, you know! You know?

How many photos do wedding photographers deliver

Every wedding photographer is of course different, but I typically deliver between 500-700 finished, fully edited wedding photos to you.

Of course this varies depending on the hours of coverage you have booked me for, how batshit crazy the dance-floor is, the number of guests, and some other variables that can implicate the volume of finished images you receive.

As a rule of thumb, you might receive about 60-100 images per hour of coverage booked.

Can’t afford wedding photographer

If you can’t afford a wedding photographer, there are still some great options available. Firstly, lower your expectation of the photos, because at the end of the day, what matters is that you’re married!

Fancy professional photos are great, but part of the magic of photography, is that the wedding photos inherit their own value over time, because they’re of you two, on a ripper of a day.

So don’t stress, and don’t feel like you have to bust your budget hiring a professional wedding photographer. Just know that there is an enormous difference between hiring a professional or hiring a student/handing the camera to your uncle (unless… your uncle is Salgado).

How many wedding photographers do i need?

In most cases, you only actually need one wedding photographer. If you’re planning a wedding day with several hundred guests, there is of course a benefit to also booking a second photographer through your wedding photographer, to ensure a higher volume of guests can be captured.

With that said, i’ve captured weddings of around 250 guests by myself, and there is also a benefit to be had in having less people with cameras filling the space.

How much is a wedding photographer?

How long is a piece of string! When you’re hiring a wedding photographer, you’re essentially hiring a sole-trader making a commitment to you in advance with love and professionalism, and guiding planning collaboratively, kicking ass (with/without bubblegum) on the day, and then spending at least a couple of days afterwards, beautifully editing your images individually with the highest level of care.

In many ways, a good way to think about it, is that you’re hiring a professional contractor for a total of 4 or so days work (all things considered), and that person will have insurance, maintenance, and a whole lot of other boring costs to factor in to how they come to pricing themselves. Imagine hiring a senior electrician for four full days – that’s sort of the ballpark.

I’d also consider looking at it like buying a car: some are 10k new, some are 100k new, and others… lets’ not go there. At some point though, there are diminishing returns. Me? Most couples spend about 5-6k hiring me as their wedding photographer, and this is pretty standard where I am for the broader style of work that my images fall under.

You can get someone for half as much as that, or twice as much.

It’s important for me to say that you don’t need to blow your budget! I love what I do and believe fully in my way of going about things, but we’re capturing nostalgia: the images I make, or the images that someone half or double my price make, really inherit their own value over time: not just because I made them.

So factor that into your decision making too. Great wedding photography costs the rate of a professional of course – but you don’t have to hire great photography – there’s plenty of ways of planning your day.

Should we plan our wedding with Covid 19?

Planning your wedding during Covid is a wild ride, and there a plenty of things to keep in mind at the moment. Here’s a few of my top tips for planning a wedding during Covid.

Firstly, create a few scaled guest lists, and ask yourself if you’re honestly happy going ahead whether you’re limited to 5, 10, 20, or 50 guests. If not, then make a rule that you’ll postpone the party until later and proceed with the marriage bit, or keep the two of them together. There’s no right or wrong. The important bit is the two of you getting hitched, but your community is important too.

You decide what’s right. But know this – and this isn’t mentioned in anything I’ve been reading on the topic: whatever you run with will become your story, and it will become a unique thing you look back on. Wrap your arms around that bit, think about what matters, and let that be your guiding light.

From my side, and many other vendors side, we are trying to be as flexible as possible with moving dates. Naturally, peak dates do fill up fast: if you want to keep your team, be sure to use a service like doodle.com to share date options between us all so that we can find an option that works for everyone.

Aside from all of that, if there is a chance your wedding may have to be small during Covid, check out this list of the Best Small Wedding Venues in Melbourne.wedding photographer melbourne - moody gallery

How did you become a wedding photographer?

I traversed the mountains of Mordor, pulled the key from my codpiece, and opened the door of destiny. While I’ll continue to tell myself that, truth is something more along the lines of: I worked at advertising and creative agencies, wanted to do real work directly for real people instead of selling burgers (no shade on that whatsoever), and here we are.

How to choose a wedding photographer

Put aside the styling, dresses, and all that stuff. Look at 10 wedding photographers in a variety of styles, and see how they photograph the really important stuff: the photos that serve your family, and community – photos that show how attentive they are to the small moments that happen at a wedding. Meet with several photographers, and follow your instinct.

What to ask your wedding photographer?

When booking your wedding photographer, I recommend asking them heaps of questions to ensure you’re in safe hands, and that they have reliable file management, and, not least of all, that you’re going to receive the same standard of images and care as what you see on their website.

Here’s a few great questions to ask your wedding photographer.

1 – Do they have a proper and secure backup process? This is important to ask, as you want to know that they make multiple copies of your files and shoot on professional gear. By the time I get home from a wedding, I have already made an additional two copies, and shortly after that one of them ends up being placed in a location offsite.

2 – How do they show up for our community? You want to ask them what they find important to photograph on a wedding day. Is it. the big moments and all the typical things, or is it your grandma pinching your nephews cheek?

Who is the best wedding photographer in the world?

This is like asking “who does the best espresso martini in the world”. I mean it’s possible that you could zero in and split hairs on which meets a certain set of criteria to be the best but past a certain point a few other factors come into play.

Does the person drinking it like froth, do they like beans floating on the top of it, are they hungover, have they gone without water for 2 days and just need that sweet hit of liquid, etc.

The best wedding photographer in the world is someone who not only takes great images, but is someone you could imagine knocking down a wine with and being stuck in a confined space for an hour.

How many photos does a wedding photographer deliver?

All wedding photographers vary in how many photos they deliver to you, but for a full-day wedding, you can expect 400-900. The variables are things like how wild the dance floor is how many quests and so forth. These all affected how we shoot and pace the day.

A good ballpark I tend to set is that you will receive about 60-90 beautifully, fully-edited images per hour of wedding photography coverage that you book me for.

Can you negotiate wedding photographer prices?

My prices reflect 8 years of experience leaning in to doing this at a world class level, for folks who value this component of their day.

Unfortunately, I’m not able to negotiate my pricing. Not because I don’t want to, but because I want you to have the best level of care: for the type of output, care and attention to detail I strive for, it’s physically impossible to lower them without drastically affecting what you’re receiving. This might sound like schmuck-talk, but I promise you I still feel a buzz of being new to this, and as you’ll find on and around the day, give myself entirely to you.

So just as any professional service requiring several days of net output, unfortunately I cant adjust my pricing, as i’m most interested in continuing to produce the best work you could humanly hire someone for.

How many wedding photographers do I need?

In my experience, one wedding photographer is plenty enough to cover the day beautifully and thoroughly, head to toe. My style of working is minimal, so that you do not feel like you’re the subject on a Hollywood set (no shade on you if that floats your boat!).

Where this differs, and where I’d suggest you consider booking a second wedding photographer through me, is where you have in excess of about 180 guests.

Beyond that, there is an advantage in having an additional wedding photographer to capture more people! Great wedding photography is the balance of two things: gathering proof of your day as it happened, and also taking a slower, more artistic take on what is going on.

These two competing methods mean that if there are tonnes of guests, it can be easy to sacrifice one for the other in an effort to ensure there is enough proof of everyone that was there.

With that said, I have photographed weddings of up to 250 people alone and delivered exhaustive coverage: but a second shooter is a comparatively small fee to pay that will reap benefits of their own.

What are the best wedding venues in melbourne?

In my opinion the best wedding venues in Melbourne are the ones that you feel you can see yourself in! Not a cop-out — all venues are awesome places to be if the people in them are celebrating.

With all that said – for me, the best wedding venues in Melbourne are wedding venues where you can have both a brilliant ceremony and reception on-site, in an atmosphere that either has beautiful heritage to it, or a progressive design.

Rupert on Rupert and Quat Quatta fulfil that criteria – and to see my other favourites, head over to this post on unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

What to look for in a wedding photographer?

When you’re looking for a wedding photographer, there’s a few questions you want to ask yourself: how important is wedding photography to you, what sort of wedding photography is important to you, and what sort of person can I stomach spending 8-10 hours with.

One part of your wedding photographer is the type of images they’ll make, and the other part is the type of human they are. Some folks want a calm presence, some folks want someone very hands on, and your wedding photographer should be someone that not only makes wonderful images, but serves your community and gets along great with you.

How to find a wedding photographer?

There’s tonnes of places to find a great wedding photographer that suits you and the tone of your day.

You’re here, so there’s that. But you can also check out wedding directories, such as Hello May, Nouba, Ivory Tribe and more, and I always recommend having a chat with a few so you can get a good lay of the land.

This way when you end up making your decision it’s done in the full confidence that they’re the right fit for your day.

What to tell your wedding photographer?

When booking your wedding photographer, you’ll want to make sure they are across the timeline and logistics of the day, so that they can build their own runsheet that takes every element of your day into account.

A few key things that you’ll need to tell your wedding photographer are:

1- A list of all family and friend group shots that you want. These are quick and painless, and making sure you have the groups listed ahead of the day will save a tonne of time.

2 – Your getting ready locations. Are they near each other or near the venue? These will have timeline implications for your wedding photographer.

How to find a cheap wedding photographer?

Finding a cheap wedding photographer is actually super easy, and you can book someone that’s just starting out, or a studio that has a lot of photographers.

In any case, when working out what your budget is, ensure that the photographer you book is the one you’re getting on the day itself, and that they have all the relevant insurances and backup processes in place. Another way to find a cheap wedding photographer is to find the one that you love the most, and see if they can be booked for a shorter range on the day.

Like purchasing anything, there are things to be aware of when booking a cheap wedding photographer, and it’s important to ask all of the right questions to ensure you’re in safe hands.

How to dress as a wedding photographer?

A wedding photographer should fit in with the guests, and just look like a part of the wallpaper of the day.

I dress depending on the couple and the theme of the day. Sometimes this is smart casual, in one occasion it was short-shorts and thongs, another it was a suit.

Generally, i’ll be filed under “inoffensively smart”. If you want me to turn up in a banana suit though, i’m all for it.

How to be a good wedding photographer?

To be a good wedding photographer, you need to have a really comfortable pair of shoes and a reusable bottle of water (actually, for anyone who’s photographed for 10 hours straight with the attentiveness of a squirrel on a sugar high, they’re probably the most important elements).

Apart from that, it comes down to a love of people, community, and moments. All the gear, technical stuff can kinda be learned. But the difference between being aware of brilliant moments of human theatre that are happening, as well as doing them justice, is a long-built intersection of craft, and that love of community.

We’re not turning up to get the play by play, we’re turning up to show you that your community matters, and that there’s all this magic in it that you may or may not know existed.

A good wedding photographer is less focused on the stuff you think you need, and more focused on showing you those little slices of magic that will mean the most in 50 years (and the next day, when your auntie shares the photo we caught of your nephew picking his nose up to the 3rd knuckle all over facebook).

What are the best places to take wedding photos in Melbourne?

This post on the best wedding photo locations in Melbourne is a great place to start if you’re looking for places to take wedding photos. But aside from that – the best place to take wedding photos in Melbourne is a place that means something to you.

Sometimes that means a cafe you’ve both frequented, or streets around where you live – anything that has left some kind of imprint on either or both of you is a great place to start, as it adds a layer of nostalgia to the images that will mean more than the most fancy mountain top.

In my post about the Best Wedding Photo Locations in Melbourne, i’ve listed some of my favourite spots in all of Melbourne covering industrial, heritage, art-deco, bushland and more.

How many hours of wedding photography do I need?

When considering how many hours of wedding photography coverage you need, you just need to prioritise the things you think you’ll want to look back on.

Typically this is the ceremony and portraits, but really great wedding photos often happen at the times of the day that you wouldn’t imagine them happening in. Whether it’s your beautiful community hanging out informally during the prep stage, to your grandma cutting shapes late on the dancefloor – my recommendation is to spend an exhaustive amount of time looking through full galleries of wedding photography, so you get a great understanding of the sorts of images you can expect at different parts of the day.

From there, you can decide whether you want all-day coverage, or a reduced number of hours. I find around 8 hours generally covers all the really important stuff.

How do I find a destination wedding photographer?

To find a great destination wedding photographer for starters google “destination wedding photographer” (but I know you’re all across that). Reach out to photographers and ask them whether they have existing travel dates, or what other associated travel fees there are for a region if not. You can also ask these questions of any wedding photographer – most of us are quite happy to travel.

I regularly photograph destination weddings all over the planet, and if you’re considering booking a destination wedding photographer, I wrap everything into one fee that often works out being competitively priced to hiring someone local anyway.

How long until I receive my wedding photos?

You will receive your wedding photos within 2-3 weeks of your day. On average, every wedding also includes a few days of work afterwards. For more information on what that is, you can head over to my post on editing over here.

It’s important to me that you receive your wedding photos quite quickly, so I ensure that you have them inside a month from your day taking place. Your wedding photos are initially delivered via my online platform, and they then arrive in a beautiful bespoke hard-copy.

Top videographers in the world?

The best wedding videographers in the world are wedding videographers that feel just like having the presence of a great friend around you on the day. You don’t want to feel like you’re a part of a Hollywood set, being posed into oblivion like a contortionist.

I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some of the best wedding videographers in the world, and we’re fortunate to have some award winning greats right here with us in Melbourne.

To see who they are and have a look at their wedding videos, head over to my post on the best wedding videographers in Melbourne.

If you’re getting married outside of Melbourne or anywhere else in the world, i’ve worked with tonnes of brilliant artists, so just let me know and I can offer advice and recommendations.

Unique places to get married?

There are so many unique places to marry. Short of waiting half a century for Elon Musk and his mates to make the moon accessible, there’s plenty of great options out here in Melbourne.

You can literally get married anywhere these days: indoor, outdoors, rooftops jumping castle, the lot.

But I’ve got a few recommendations on great places in and around Melbourne to get married. Firstly, check out these unique wedding venues in Melbourne. Secondly, head over and take a look at the unique small wedding venue in Collingwood, The Altar Electric.

Thirdly, if you like the images you see on my site, reach out, I can suggest some rad celebrants (check out this post on the Best Wedding Celebrants In Melbourne for a start), and we can craft the perfect day for you.le louvre wedding dress

Wedding reception venues western suburbs melbourne?

If you’re looking for a wedding reception venue in the western suburbs of Melbourne, there are so many incredible options. With that said, you just can’t go past the wild, industrial blank canvas wedding venue that is Newport Substation.

Staggering in scale and design, it’s a feast for the eyes and can be moulded into anything you can imagine. Outside of that, you must also check out the Fyansford Paper Mill, out near Geelong. This incredible old paper mill is again a blank canvas, and in my opinion, the best kept secret in all of Victoria.

There you go – possibly the two best wedding venues in Victoria, and just hop skip and jump into the western suburbs.

Fairfield boathouse wedding?

Fairfield Boathouse is a beautiful place to host a wedding, with a tonne of incredible nature at your fingertips, as well as the beautiful industrial surrounds of Collingwood and Abbotsford nearby.

Reach out to me to see what a Fairfield Boathouse wedding looks like, and also be sure to check out this Rupert on Rupert wedding for some great nearby inspiration.

Top wedding venues melbourne?

There’s so many brilliant wedding venues in Melbourne, to cover every taste from art deco, to industrial, to forest-ey, and everything in between. The main considerations for you are going to be this: how far are your guests willing to travel, how late can you carry on the party until, and how much can you transform (or how much do you NEED to transform) the space?.

I recommend checking out my list of Unique Melbourne Wedding Venues, and also this incredible gem, the Fyansford Paper Mill.

Also be sure to consider engaging a great Melbourne Wedding Planner who can help you with some incredible options you may not have considered.

Unique venues for weddings?

There are so many incredible and unique wedding venues in Victoria. As a start, head over to this post – a list of the most Unique Wedding Venues in Melbourne.

If you’re in the Yarra Valley, check out this list of the Best Wedding Venues In The Yarra Valley.

Where to get ready before your wedding?

My recommendation for where to get ready comes down to two things: the comfort of the space, and it’s distance from your ceremony venue. They’re both important points, and will each impact how smoothly your morning goes and what the transition is like into your ceremony.

My top piece of advice is to select a space that is comfortable enough to offload all your stuff the night before with your crew, and some nice amenities don’t hurt. Beyond that, there’s lots to be said for selecting a wedding getting ready location that’s not too far from your wedding ceremony location.

What is photojournalistic wedding photography?

This is a great question, and I wish more people would ask it! It’s tough to get an idea of what all of these words mean, when we all use everything from “candid” to “photojournalistic” to “documentary”.

Basically, what they’re all trying to convey is this: the act of taking photographs at your wedding, without interrupting what is happening. Some people are hands on, and if that isn’t your thing, when you see those words, it might give an indication that they’re more hands-off.

I don’t interrupt the flow of the day, but instead focus on what brilliant things are already happening in front of my lens. It’s where all the good stuff lives, such as these:

How much should I spend on wedding photography?

You should spend as much as your budget allows! More if it means more, and less if it means less. While there’s no need to break your bank balance hiring a wedding photographer, it’s important to treat it like any other significant purchase: by doing plenty of research to see what type of work people are producing as a wedding photographer at different price points, and what sort of wedding photographer you think will be the perfect fit for your day.

Many of my couples prioritise wedding photography, and some prioritise venues or catering – every couple is different. Ask your wedding photographer if they have a package for your budget.

What is pre wedding photography?

Pre wedding photography is somewhat of an outdated term that also describes exactly what it is: photos of you two, before your wedding day. Historically they might have been pretty formal, but all the rules are there to be broken.

Your pre wedding photoshoot can be anything you like it to be. I’ve done shoots in a studio, walks around beautiful inner Melbourne suburbs and everything in between that would broadly fall under the banner of pre wedding photography.

Head here to see some of my favourite pre wedding photos in Melbourne. If you’re coming from overseas, I have plenty of information on incredible places in Melbourne, Victoria or indeed Australia for where we can quest and make some magic.

How to save on wedding photography?

Here are my top ways to save on wedding photography*.

1 – Put a camera in your uncles hand! Family members are usually only too happy to have a crack at taking some shots. Just make sure they’re not right up front blocking all your other guests views.

2 – Don’t worry about having any photography! There’s a good argument to say that the best nostalgia lives in our minds. *I cannot guarantee that any of these will result in images that you love, images that do your day justice, or make you come out the other side with all of your hair intact.

On a serious note, to save on wedding photography, you can simply ask what smaller packages are available from your wedding photographer.

If they can’t do a smaller package on a popular weekend date, they may be able to on a weekday, so it’s always worth the ask.

What do I need for my wedding day?

For your wedding day to qualify as a wedding, we recommend one part you, and one part your significant other. And a celebrant (check out this post on the Best Wedding Celebrants in Melbourne).

That’s really all you need for a wedding – everything else is just a cherry on top.

If I was to list the things you really need, it isn’t the table settings, the fancy styling, or even me: it’s your community, some way of recording what happened (whether it’s a photographer, or just… selfies), and a way to share your feelings.

Maybe that’s dance, maybe that’s speeches, or anything else you can think of. If you want to cast the net a little wider, here’s what you need: a place for it to happen (check out these unique melbourne wedding venues), which can also be in nature – a great photographer and videographer to give you decades of stuff to look back on, and the incredible hand of beautiful stylists to create a space thats inimitably yours (check out these Melbourne Wedding Florists).

How to write unique wedding vows?

Writing unique wedding vows is one of the most important and maybe under-heralded parts of your day. If you think about it – a lot of stuff that happens at a wedding has a tonne of importance wrapped around it: enjoying drinks with your community, hanging out in a spectacular place, and partying on into the small hours.

But the vows are where you share something with and to each other, and is what the rest of the day is actually built around. My recommendations for writing unique wedding vows are firstly, to avoid going on a google deep-dive on other peoples vows.

They were made for other people. I’d instead suggest two things.

Firstly, write what you feel! Dive into your own relationship. Embrace the quirk, oddities, serious stuff, and everything in between.

Secondly – invest in a great celebrant, who is also invested in you. I have a list of the best wedding celebrants in Melbourne, and you can also check out this piece Charis White Celebrant wrote about vows, and she comes at my highest recommendation.

Where are the best photo locations in Melbourne?

Melbourne is full of such incredible wedding photo locations. In order to answer this question, first have a think about two things: firstly, if there are any places that would be more meaningful to you both as a couple.

This might include places you either frequent, or otherwise have some sort of nostalgic link to what you both love or what makes you as a couple.

This might sound kinda corny, but it can’t be overstated: the compounding value of having images of you both in a place that has meaning to you is like nothing else.

Secondly to that, sometimes you just want a rad location for the hell of it!

Luckily for you, i’ve compiled a list of the Best Wedding Photo Locations In Melbourne, so go and check that out.

Should we book a wedding videographer?

Coming in at number one on the list of post-wedding regrets (next to not having Michael Bolton as the first-dance song), is “not hiring a videographer”.

Photographs are great, and I believe fully in what I do and of course love my job to bitts. However, if push came to shove, I recommend you hire a wedding videographer if you can only budget one in. There’s nothing like seeing your loved ones move, hearing them talk, etc. You can always print stills from the video.

This might be shooting myself in the foot, but….it’s kinda true.

If you are looking for an incredible videographer, check out this post on the Best Melbourne Wedding Videographers.

How to plan a summer wedding?

When planning a summer wedding, this question practically writes itself. One thing I will offer, is this. If you’re a sweater, make sure your choice of outfit isn’t light blue, greys, or anything that risks making you look like you came off second-best in a fight with a hose once the sweat glands start working.

Select fabrics that breathe and are super comfortable to move in.

Bet this wasn’t the tip or advice you were expecting…

How to plan a winter wedding?

To plan a winter wedding, just keep three things in mind.

1 – Heating! Ensure your venue, whether indoor or outdoor, has adequate heating for the number of guests present.

2 – Work out what type of wedding you want, and whether you want any adventure involved. Winter can be brilliant for this.

3 – Make sure wherever you’re hosting your wedding has a flooding contingency! Oh, the things i’ve seen…

What to tell your wedding photographer

Tell your wedding photographer what song you’d take to a desert island, it might be more important than you think.

Should I have a small wedding

There are so many brilliant advantages to having a small wedding. Probably the greatest advantage, is more precious time spent with those that you do invite!

If you’re considering a small wedding and don’t know where to start, check out this list of the Best Small Wedding Venues In Melbourne, and hit up one of the Best Wedding Celebrants In Melbourne who will also be able to offer you advice and guidance.

Where to find wedding photographer

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, I might know a guy…

Why wedding photography is important

Wedding photography is important, and for reasons that maybe you hadn’t considered.

It’s not just a time to get photos of you all looking rad and sassy – but it might be the only moment in your life where you bother hiring a professional journalist to create a brilliant record of you, your community, and all the good stuff that happens when you’re thrown in a pot together for the day.

How to become wedding photographer

To become a wedding photographer, first… love people. Second… love making stuff for people, not for you. Third… pick up a camera, spend a decade learning it properly, get all your systems in order, and then join all three of those things together.

How to choose wedding photographer

How to choose a wedding photographer. Step one: gather a list of wedding photographers that are either local to the area you’re getting married in, or can service it (like me – see why i’m a destination wedding photographer). Gather this list from things such as wedding directories, google searches, and award winners.

Secondly.

Cull that list down to about ten, and reach out to them all. Focus less on the pricing (really, most of us are in a vaguely similar bracket), and more on questions that uncover how they will serve you and your community.

Thirdly… make a shortlist of about 3.

Meet up with them, and by that point, you’ll know.

What to ask wedding photographer

Ask your wedding photographer their deepest, darkest secrets. Wait, don’t do that. Unless you want to. Who am I to judge your method of generating rapport. Actually, this is all a lot simpler than you might imagine.

Ask them how they manage your timeline, and how they show up and care for your community on the day. All of the rest, honestly, works itself out.

How to wedding photography tips

I get asked for my best wedding photography tips often, and to serve this, I have a lot of educational material on the matter. You can hire me to speak at your creative conference (i’ve spoken from New York, to Spain, to Antarctica and everything in between), you can book me for a one on one or group mentoring session, or you can download some of my free educational content.

After nearly a decade in the game, I have plenty of wedding photography tips to share for beginners and the experienced alike.

For a good start, head over here for my Free Wedding Photography Workshop.

Best wedding photography podcast?

Head over here to find the best wedding photography podcast.

Book me as your wedding photographer (if you want to)

Briars Atlas Wedding Photographer Melbourne – Enquire

Gather and Tailor Wedding

Dec 15, 2018

Gather and Tailor is an incredible rustic, industrial wedding and events space on the edge of Footscray, just slightly west of the Melbourne CBD. Couples of all types book at Gather and Tailor Wedding as there are two distinct spaces available to cater to all sizes and scales of celebration: Warehouse One, and Warehouse Two.

I’ve been fortunate to photograph weddings at Gather and Tailor Warehouse every other year, and so here are three couples with different types of celebrations, so you can see how they’ve each used both Warehouse One and Warehouse Two, and hopefully it gives a little insight into what can be done in their incredible spaces.

Gather and Tailor isn’t just available for weddings, but the venue is also regularly host to cocktail event, fashion parades, corporate dinners and more.

Want an overview of Gather and Tailor Warehouse one and Warehouse Two?

An incredibly detailed blank-canvas industrial wedding venue in Melbourne, Gather and Tailor’s two unique spaces can be hired separately depending on the size of your wedding and the flavour of industrial that you prefer.

Gather and Tailor Warehouse One

Gather and Tailor Warehouse One is the smaller of the two, but as with the specs below is still plenty large enough for weddings on the larger end of the dial, while having the space arranged in such a way that it’s also suitable for smaller weddings. The wedding you’re about to see was for Carli and Ennis, and was a communal gift from all supplies involved after a bushfire approached their first wedding in rural Victoria and forced them to evacuate. Incredible to see just how close the fire got.

Take a look at how everyone came together to get them the wedding they didn’t get to, at literally the last minute, have.

Gather and Tailor Warehouse One capacity:

200 cocktail
150 seated
Warehouse Style, flexible blank canvas

Gather and Tailor Warehouse One photos

Gather and Tailor warehouse wedding venue
Gather and Tailor warehouse one
Gather and Tailor wedding exterior
Gather and Tailor Cactus
Gather and Tailor interior
Gather and Tailor rustic wedding styling
Gather and Tailor rustic wedding styling
Rustic wedding styling in Melbourne
North Melbourne wedding warehouse venue
Gather and Tailor wedding sunset
Gather and Tailor warehouse wedding first dance Melbourne

Gather and Tailor Warehouse Two

Gather and Tailor Warehouse Two is significantly larger in floor space, and one of the most epic blank canvases you can imagine. If having a smaller wedding here, the space should be used and styled in such a way that it doesn’t feel like a tiny huddle in the corner of the Vatican.

The weddings you’re about to see are of Ash and Karan, and Anna and Anna – theirs of which was featured on Australia’s largest modern wedding blog, Hello May.

Gather and Tailor Warehouse Two capacity

500 cocktail
350 seated
Warehouse Style, flexible blank canvas

Gather and Tailor Warehouse Two photos

Gather and Tailor wedding
North St Botanical Flowers at Gather and Tailor Melbourne
Gather and Tailor wedding
Gather and Tailor wedding ceremony
Gather and Tailor wedding ceremony
Gather and Tailor wedding ceremony
Gather and Tailor wedding portraits
Gather and Tailor wedding portraits
Gather and Tailor wedding reception

Anna and Annas beautiful Melbourne wedding vendors for their Gather and Tailor Warehouse two wedding:

Celebrant Gabriella Christopher Rings Julia Deville BRIDE ONE Dress Ellery Shoes Nicholas Kirkwood Makeup Ross Andrwartha BRIDE TWO Dress Dion Lee Entertainment The Elwood Community Shoes Proenza Schouler Earrings Ellery Makeup Ross Andrewartha Florist North St Botanical Venue Gather & Tailor Catering Pot and Pan Candles The Supply Co Lighting Technical Events Sound Hire DJ Warehouse 

While we’re here…

Heres some more of my wedding photography, made with couples from all over Melbourne, to the Yarra Valley, to Geelong and beyond.

Gather and Tailor wedding portraits
Steph and Zacs Quarry Farm Wedding. Usually i’m Melbourne, but sometimes i’m a Fremantle wedding photographer.
See more
Gather and Tailor wedding reception
Hannah and Ben from their Royal Mail Hotel Grampians wedding.
Hannah and Lachlan from their Gabbinbar Homestead wedding.
Pre wedding portraits Melbourne
Saranda, from her wedding at Fortyfive Downstairs.
Pre wedding portraits Melbourne
North Melbourne wedding portrait
Bride with dog first dance
See Lauras incredible Suzanne Harward wedding dress.
Bride in Jumpsuit
Pre wedding portraits Melbourne
Melbourne wedding photographer

Find Gather and Tailor online

Gather and Tailor website: http://www.gatherandtailor.com.au/

Find Gather and Tailor in real life

Unit 11/41-59 Sims St, West Melbourne VIC 3003

Gather and Tailor on Google Maps:

Hire me to photograph your Gather and Tailor Wedding

Wedding Photographer Melbourne – Briars Atlas: Enquire

Looking for more unique wedding venues in melbourne? If you’re stoked on Gather and Tailor, load yourself up with one of Melbournes best wedding celebrants, and reach out to the team at Gather and Tailor. If you want me along for the ride to capture images exactly like those here, you can book me here.

zonzo estate wedding photos

Nov 1, 2018

Each year I head out to this beautiful slice of the Yarra Valley to photograph a Zonzo Estate wedding, and each time is so different from one another. Growing up in the Yarra Valley, it’s always a treat to be a part of so many celebrations there year in, year out. Read on to check out these Zonzo Winery Weddings.

Zonzo Estate wedding

I wanted to share three Zonzo Weddings in the Yarra Valley, that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing over the last few years, that are wildly different in style, so that you can get a great idea of how different folks with different tastes have all used Zonzo (and, how they look when I photograph there). Zonzo Estate has undergone further brilliant transformation in recent years, and has a whole spread of wonderful areas on site.

Zonzo Estate wedding

These Zonzo weddings have been featured on Hello May, Ivory Tribe, and Polka Dot Bride, so be sure to read on for the links to those to find out all the other vendor information of who put their beautiful days together.

Zonzo Winery Weddings Yarra Valley:

1: Elisha and Daniel (featured on Ivory Tribe)
2: Sarah and Paul (featured on Polka Dot Bride)
3: Lou and Jamie (featured on Hello May)

1: Zonzo Winery Wedding: Elisha and Daniel

These young lovers met at 19, and 15 years later found themselves at Zonzo, in a bohemian-vintage themed winery wedding. These two married at the barn at Zonzo, and they carried on the entire day before whisking over to Europe for four weeks.

zonzo estate wedding photos
See more of Elishas Mariana Hardwick wedding dress.
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mariana hardwick
mariana hardwick
zonzo estate first look
zonzo estate first look
zonzo estate first look
zonzo estate first look
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zonzo estate wedding photos
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mariana hardwick zonzo estate
mariana hardwick zonzo estate
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
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zonzo estate festoon dance

Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Photography: Briars Atlas
Florist: Sugar Bee
Hair: Marie Uva
Make-up: Monica Gingold
The Dress: Mariana Hardwick
Shoes: Tony Bianco
Rings: Micheli Jewellery and Uniform Black
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Alice McCall
Menswear: Oscar Hunt
Catering and bar: Zonzo Estate
Entertainment: Phoebe And The Night Creatures

Check out their full feature here on Ivory Tribe.

2: Zonzo Estate Wedding: Sarah and Paul

These two marvels opted for a rustic wedding at Zonzo, piecing together many of the elements themselves, except for a double-rainbow over the back of the Yarra Valley, which joined the party just after the ceremony.

zonzo estate wedding photos
pink flamingo socks
wedding rings handmade box
wedding rings
zonzo first look
zonzo first look
zonzo first look
zonzo cows
zonzo cows
zonzo cows
zonzo cows
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
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zonzo estate wedding photos
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zonzo estate wedding photos
zonzo estate wedding photos
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Zonzo sunset
Zonzo reception
zonzo estate rainbow
zonzo estate rainbow
zonzo estate rainbow
Zonzo estate reception
Zonzo estate reception
Zonzo estate reception
Zonzo estate sunset photos
Zonzo estate sunset photos
Zonzo estate sunset photos
Zonzo estate sunset photos
Zonzo estate sunset photos
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate festoon
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate wedding reception
Zonzo estate festoon

Photographer – Briars Atlas
Bride’s Dress: Custom Made by Sarah’s Mother
Groom’s Attire – Pal Zileri
Groom’s Tie & Bowties – OTAA
Venue – Zonzo Estate

See their full Yarra Valley wedding feature here on Polka Dot Bride.

3: Zonzo Winery Wedding: Lou and Jamie

A Naturopath by trade, the planning for Lou and Jamies Zonzo wedding put calm and health first in the entire process. With this in mind, it also meant that their day at Zonzo was littered with things that brought them both joy, including selecting carefully all of their vendors over 18 months. Lou and Jamie selected Zonzo Estate thanks for the venues ability to take care of everything from top to tail with the highest level of care, along with the added bonus of the spectacular Yarra Valley surrounds.

Rue De Seine gown
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
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Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
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Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding
Zonzo estate wedding

Photos: Briars Atlas
Bridal gown: Rue De Seine via The Bridal Atelier 
Robes / getting ready tees: Peter Alexander and Cotton On
Lingerie: Simone Perele
Shoes: Alan Pinkus
Hair: Renee Camilleri
Makeup: Kath Carlin 
Rings: Desi Desiderata
Bridesmaid dresses: Pilgrim
Bridesmaid shoes: Jo Mercer
Groom and groomsmen suits and ties: Briggins
Shoes: Aquila
Florist: Sugar Bee Flowers
Stationery: Ink Hearts Paper
Ceremony, reception and event stylist: Zonzo
Cake: Le Petit Gateau
Decorative elements: Kikki K
Wedding favours: Little Alchemy
Signage: Fox and Fallow
Entertainment: DJ Kwenda
Celebrant: Michael Goodluck.

Check out their full Yarra Valley wedding feature here on Hello May.

Book me as your Zonzo Yarra Valley wedding photographer

Make an enquiry https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

Book Zonzo Estate Winery for your Yarra Valley wedding:

Zonzo website: https://www.zonzo.com.au/
957 Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Yarra Glen VIC 3775
Phone: (03) 9730 2500

For more beautiful Yarra Valley wedding venues, check out Stones of the Yarra Valley, this Immerse Winery Wedding, and Yering Station.

Heading further north in Vic? Check out these gorgeous Castlemaine wedding venues.

More brilliant Yarra Valley wedding venues

Stones of the yarra valley sparkler exit

Oct 23, 2018

Located just 50km north-east of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley is the perfect road trip destination. With over 70 wineries (see Zonzo Estate), a huge range of tours, and some of the most quaint little hamlets this side of the moon, the Yarra Valley is a true hidden gem. Nestled amongst the hills and valleys of this spectacular region is the incredible venue Stones of the Yarra Valley, one of the best wedding venues the Yarra Valley has to offer, and a place where i’ve been fortunate to photograph weddings at year in year out.

So, here is a Stones of the Yarra Valley wedding guide (as much as we can cover in just a few page scrolls anyhow).

Stones of the Yarra Valley

Pre-Wedding Prep

Planning a wedding can sometimes feel orchestrating a symphony after necking a keg of port. You’ve got everything from accommodation, venue, food and guests to consider – plus the addition of all the little things that seem to skyscraper into the clouds and out of sight. When all the little things seem to become too much, allow Stones of the Yarra to kindly step in and offer a helping hand, thanks to their well-oiled team of wizards helmed by venue owner, Vonnie.

Here are just a few of the convenient pre-wedding services they offer:

  • Event staff on hand to provide professional advice.
  • Suggested offsite accommodation and transport, if required.
  • Five exquisite dining rooms to host pre-wedding celebrations.

The entire Yarra Valley region consists of amazing wineries and beautifully scenic attractions that everyone can enjoy. If you don’t find yourself too entangled in the wedding prep itself (ie. if you have an awesome wedding planner), you can check out tours, trails and townships in the surrounding areas.

We were blown away with how perfect everything was and our family and friends are still talking about it.

Stones of the Yarra Wedding Clients – Phoebe & Rob, April 2017

Stones of the Yarra Valley Wedding Day Vibes

When it comes to creating the perfect wedding atmosphere, Stones of the Yarra Valley run a super slick operation due to the services they offer. You are in consistently good hands when you choose to exchange vows and carry on celebrations at Stones itself or at one of their two gorgeous sister properties, No7 Healesville or The Warehouse at Meletos.

The lengths that this venue goes to in ensuring their happy couples are pretty wild, which everyone finds out after just one meeting with their planning team.

Depending on the Yarra Valley wedding package you choose, you could be basking in the following inclusions:

  • Seasonal decorative foliage.
  • Use of the exquisite grand piano in the chapel.
  • Private bridal room.
  • Tables, chairs, menus, microphones, lecterns, iPod facilities – plus all of the other bits and bobs that go into designing a stunning venue for a stunning reception.
  • Coordination with your external wedding planner and/or services booked to ensure a smooth wedding experience.
  • Friendly staff who are just as excited about your wedding as you are.

All this is just the beginning, which is pretty par for the course when the Stones ring leader Vonnie is driving things.

Yarra Valley Post-Wedding Shenanigans

Now, I’m likely talking more to the wedding guests than the stars of the show here, because they’re likely being whisked off on an amazing honeymoon. So, what can you do at Stones of the Yarra once the vows have been exchanged, the food has been consumed and the bar tab has been exceeded?

Plenty.

As mentioned above, Stones of the Yarra Valley have five ridiculously charming dining rooms to book into for a celebratory meal. You can wander the property and take in the most amazing views. Your Instagram followers will be drooling, believe me.

Outside of the Stones of the Yarra Valley venue, you’ve got the entire Yarra Valley at your disposal! My top 3 suggestions for the adventurous at heart would have to be:

If you’ve made it this far and still have juice in the tank, be sure to check out this post on these Yarra Valley wedding venues for more wedding planning inspiration.

Check out a few of my all time favourite black and white photos. These beauties are magical monochrome majesty. For more Yarra Valley Wedding venues, also be sure to check out Immerse, Yering Station, and the brilliantly art-deco Burnham Beeches. For a country victoria wedding venue further north, check out this Sault Daylesford wedding.

cosmopolitan hotel wedding

Mar 25, 2018

Not only is the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham, Victoria a top-notch, classic Aussie hotel, it’s also one of my favourite low key wedding venues in Melbourne. Located right on the corner of High St and Cosmo Rd in Trentham, this unsung hero of wedding venues really does put on quite the show (also check out this post on rustic wedding venues that features Cosmo).

The best part? It’s only just over an hour north-west of Melbourne’s CBD, near Castlemaine. Let’s check out the awesome Cosmopolitan Hotel wedding venue and all it has to offer.

Why Plan A Cosmopolitan Hotel Wedding?

The team at the Cosmo are absolutely wonderful, for one. They place such pride in their venue that they can’t help but go all out for their wedding clients. The level of care shown for even the tiniest of aspects of every wedding is astoundingly endearing.

The event team know their venue inside and out which allows them to perfectly place each and every decoration. They’ll also suggest the best locations for photographs and assist with any and all queries leading up to and during the big day.

cosmopolitan hotel wedding

Cosmopolitan Hotel Wedding Inclusions

  • Seating up to 125 – more for cocktail style events
  • Amazing seasonal, local produce for meals and drinks
  • Bloody spectacular photo opportunities
  • Staff who legitimately care
  • Much more – check out their website

The venue itself is absolutely perfect for an intimate country wedding because it holds such a warm, rustic air about it. If you want your wedding to bring back memories of gorgeous gardens, rural charm and warm firelight, this is definitely the Melbourne wedding venue for you.

The two main locations within the hotel grounds that are used for wedding ceremonies and receptions are the picturesque gardens and the charming stables.

cosmopolitan hotel wedding

Cosmopolitan Hotel Gardens

The gardens truly are a sight to behold with their vast expanse and varied species of flowering shrubs and trees. Because of this they make a wonderful spot for wedding photos. They’re also honestly just a wonderfully calming, peaceful place to hang out.

Cosmopolitan Hotel Stables

The Stables, deary me, they are simply magnificent. Picture an old, weather-beaten barn built by hand from wood and other old-school materials. It’s well-kept enough to house up to 125 guests for a sit down dinner and a good old fashioned barn dance.

Fairy lights adorn both the interior and the exterior, adding a delightfully magical air to the entire event.

Even the simplest of decorations transform this venue into a lively, homely, spirited place to host a truly wonderful wedding.

cosmopolitan hotel wedding

The package includes delicious, local seasonal produce and a drinks menu featuring only the best wine, beer and cider from the region. So, the Cosmopolitan Hotel wedding in-house catering team is a force to be reckoned with.

A Cosmo wedding pays tribute to Victoria’s heritage in the most charming of ways. Events held here seem to draw on the historic nature of the pub itself. As a result, there’s no better place in Trentham to tie the knot that this majestic, historical venue.

And that’s the tea.

cosmopolitan hotel trentham wedding venue

Check out Adriana and Caleb’s Melbourne Covid wedding! What they managed to pull off, given the circumstances, was nothing short of astounding.

best rustic wedding venues melbourne

Feb 2, 2018

There’s nothing better than a rustic wedding. Surrounded by amazing antiques, homely vibes, and gorgeous Victorian era structures, you can’t help but allow yourself to be entirely engulfed by the country atmosphere. A well-done country-style nuptial celebration can have you feeling like you’ve been dropped right into your own Aussie fairytale. And let me tell you, the photo ops are to die for. Sprawling fields, old wooden sheds and stables, gorgeous native flowers from on-site gardens, delicious local menus – it all comes together to create a truly magical experience. So, without further ado, let’s check out the top 3 best rustic wedding venues Melbourne has to offer!

I’ve thrown in a few sneaky pics too so you can truly appreciate the warm, inviting atmosphere of each of these venues.

  • brown brothers winery
  • cosmopolitan hotel trentham
  • newstead butterland

Country Victoria wedding venue: The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham

The Cosmo Hotel is one of those classic Aussie pubs that looks and feels like your grandfather might have had his first beer at, back in the day, and maybe one of the most unique modern rustic wedding venue melbourne or beyond.

It is a highly convenient venue for Melbourne-ites to travel to because it’s situated only about an hour out of the CBD. It’s classy yet relaxed and it has a plethora of exciting bits and pieces that are honestly a wedding photographer’s dream.

History

In 2005, the Cosmopolitan was ravaged by a fire that destroyed a huge portion of the venue. Unperturbed, the owners rebuilt the hotel, restoring it to its former glory, with the addition of a few modern features. Although it has been done up in recent years, this historic pub still holds an air of friendly, rustic sophistication. This charm truly lends itself to the bright-eyed, love-filled couples who exchange nuptials here.

rustic wedding venue cosmo hotel

Rustic Features

The primary locations for a Cosmopolitan wedding are the Stables and the Gardens. These two locations simply have the most peaceful atmosphere.

The Gardens are impeccably kept and host a wide range of native Australian flora. Due to this, they are the perfect location to exchange vows and capture memorable photos. You may also be lucky enough to find your reception hall at the Stables decked out in some of the native flowers that the gardens have on show.

garden wedding

The Stables are truly breathtaking with their dim lighting, beautiful flowers and rustic decorations. The olden-day style wooden shed works together with these features harmoniously. This creates a mystically rustic setup for both the reception and dinner.

This delightfully quaint barn surprisingly seats up to 125 guests, perfect for a medium sized wedding. Inviting a few extra guests along is easy enough because the space can accommodate more for a cocktail style function.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel wedding packages are all encompassing due to their awesome inclusions like a wedding planner, local food and drink options, access to the entire grounds of the venue and more!

Final Thoughts

The Cosmo exudes such an air of homeliness and warmth that you can’t help but smile no matter where you are on the property. It’s definitely one to consider if you’re looking to venture to truly rustic wedding venues Melbourne adjacent.

Cosmopolitan Hotel Trentham website: https://www.thecosmopolitanhotel.com.au/

Also check out this Cosmopolitan Hotel Wedding.

Country Wedding Venue: Brown Brothers Winery, Milawa

About 3 hours north east of Melbourne CBD sits Victoria’s wine country. This region hosts many historic wineries and vineyards just waiting for travelers and tourists to visit. For many reasons, one that stands out as a truly remarkable wedding venue is the picturesque Brown Brothers Milawa Winery.

History

Since its inception in 1889 Brown Brothers has held its title as one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine companies.

Brown Brothers won the award for ‘Most Loved Brand’ at the 2015 and 2017 Australian Drinks Awards. They received this due to their mix of traditional wine making methods, plus an added innovative flair that supports experimentation. Their mix of old-school and modern techniques spills over into the physical attributes of their winery with expertly designed features. Whilst it is a rustic setting, sparks of contemporary design are scattered throughout.

brown brothers winery milawa

Rustic Features

This unique venue in the heart of the King Valley boasts sprawling green grounds with gorgeous gardens full of natives. Cottages and heritage sites make themselves known, standing tall on the lawns. Mountains surround the valley and can be seen for miles from anywhere on the Brown Brothers Milawa site.

A nearby forest of tall native gums makes for an epic photo shoot location due to an air of intrigue and mysterious adventure. Check out these bad boys…

Even after years of photography experience, my mind is still blown by how finding the perfect angle can eloquently capture such magnificent moments in time.

The luscious on-site gardens make for a truly heartwarming ceremony with gorgeous native trees and shrubs lending their old-school Australian charm. Large oak trees surround the gardens in order to provide shelter from the elements.

brown brothers milawa wedding

A beautifully restored historic barn is the perfect setting for post-ceremony festivities and a seriously delicious dinner. Decorated to the nines, this venue is the perfect balance of modern sophistication and rustic charm.

Stained wooden features and an old-timey cellar provide a visual contrast from the light and bright wedding decorations and attire. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better venue when it came to capturing phenomenal wedding photos for this couple.

rustic wedding photography

Choose from a range of packages and options including The Bridal Cottage, Prosecco Hour, a custom made wedding cake and a professional wedding planner in order to construct the perfect wedding.

Final Thoughts

Any couple would be #blessed to secure a wedding at this contemporary yet rustic venue. A wide range of wedding package inclusions, stunning grounds and photo locations that are out of this world make Brown Brothers, Milawa one of the best rustic wedding venues Melbourne has to offer.

Brown Brothers Winery website: https://www.brownbrothers.com.au/

Country Victoria wedding venue: Butterland, Newstead

This one-of-a-kind venue is located just under 2 hours out of Melbourne CBD allowing it to be an ideal destination for couples looking for a modern rustic wedding venue Melbourne and beyond. As you may have guessed from the name, Butterland is an old butter factory that has been masterfully refurbished as a rustic event venue.

History

Butterland was constructed in 1904 to accommodate an influx of settlers that came to Newstead as a direct result of the Gold Rush. It has been transformed from a dairy to a candle factory and now stands as a unique, multi-purpose venue for country-style weddings and other quirky events.

The red brick exterior, the chimney stack of the original dairy and the front signage have all been restored to their former glory in the recent restoration. Internal features have also been magnificently brought to life to accentuate the historic charm of a structure that has managed to survive throughout the ages.

butterland newstead

Rustic Features

The grounds of this stunning old building are nothing short of breathtaking due to the well-manicured lawns, stone walls, wooden structures and charming atmosphere.

A gorgeous garden and several homely veggie patches can be seen on the acre of land this venue calls home. Not only that, there’s a concrete pool hosted by an old sump tank and a disused railway line. These seemingly small features provide a spectacular opportunity to capture both the fun and sincerity of wedding celebrations.

newstead butterland wedding
rustic wedding venues melbourne

The internal aspects of this repurposed butter factory are just as stunning as the external.

Because the venue is owned by a florist, you can look forward to indoor plants and flowers galore. A wedding with a botanically-forward theme would be perfectly at home here.

Exposed wooden beams and a mish-mash of chairs made from steel, wood and other materials add to the relaxed aura. Long wooden tables extend through the main hall to provide ample seating for guests.

The owners of this homely venue will work with you to ensure every detail of your wedding is truly yours.

butterland wedding
wedding photography

Final Thoughts

Butterland isn’t just any wedding venue. It’s a wedding venue with history, personality and a suave charm that’s very difficult to resist. Quirky couples with a country-style wedding in mind will go nuts over this place. Honestly, it’s too much fun for its own good.

Butterland Newstead website: https://www.butterland.com.au/

Of the weddings I’ve been privileged enough to photograph, I often find myself looking back at rustic wedding venues with such fondness.

The simple, country vibe never fails to remind us of the importance of family, friends and home. It’s not just the amazing photo ops that draw me to these weddings. It’s the people, the history and the ability to connect so personally with a venue.

What are your favourite rustic Melbourne based wedding venues? Shout out in the comments!

Check out some pics from Tess and Sam’s stunning Kangaroo Valley wedding if you haven’t already…

For beautiful rustic venues specific to the Castlemaine region, check out these Castlemaine wedding venues, or on the other side of Victoria, if rustic is your vibe then you’ve gotta take a look at these Mornington Peninsula wedding venues.

Mariana Hardwick wedding dress

Jan 30, 2018

Mariana Hardwick is Australia’s leading designer of bridal couture, with new and progressive twists on bridal classics. Over the last 30 years, modern brides all over Australia and beyond have picked a Mariana Hardwick wedding dress when looking for wildly progressive but timeless designs.

Because I photograph weddings all over Melbourne and the Yarra Valley, that also gives me the chance to check out some of the incredible designs happening on our own fine lands.

Today it’s this majestic Mariana Hardwick wedding dress on Elisha, at her wedding to Daniel at Yarra Valleys Zonzo Estate. Elisha and Daniels Zonzo wedding was featured over on Ivory Tribe.

mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress zonzo
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
Zonzo sunset
Zonzo sunset
Zonzo sunset
Zonzo sunset
Zonzo sunset
mariana hardwick wedding dress
mariana hardwick wedding dress
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Zonzo estate festoon
Zonzo estate festoon

Find Mariana Hardwick online:

Mariana Hardwick website: https://marianahardwick.com.au/

If you love this stunning Mariana Hardwick wedding gown, you might also like these unique wedding dresses, fellow Melbourne bridal designer Suzanne Harward, or these beautiful modern bridal jumpsuits. Pick up the work of this beautiful Victorian designer for your New South Wales wedding at Deux Belettes.

Immerse Yarra Valley wedding photo

Jan 14, 2018

Donut towers, friendly neighbourhood cats, and two of the most loved-up theatrical maestros on the planet, Annie and Daz, getting their wedding on at the lush winery, Immerse Yarra Valley.

Annie and Daz had family from all over the planet joining them at this beautifully lush patch of green out in the Yarra Valley, and so they made use of the sprawling on site accommodation available.

Annie also had a rogue echidna join in for their bridal portrait photos.

Cheers mate.

Enjoy this little peek into a majestic day of sunshine and good vibes at their Immerse Yarra Valley wedding.

Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding Gillian Pollard flowers
Gillian Pollard Flowers
Immerse Winery accommodation

Immerse Yarra Valley Wedding Ceremony

Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding Ceremony
Immerse Winery Wedding
Gillian Pollard Floral Arch
Immerse Winery Wedding
Gillian Pollard Floral Arch
Immerse Winery Wedding Gillian Pollard Floral arch
Immerse Winery Wedding
Immerse Winery Wedding

Immerse Yarra Valley Wedding Portraits

Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Immerse Yarra Valley portraits
Yarra Valley wedding portraits
Yarra Valley wedding portraits
Yarra Valley wedding portraits
Yarra Valley wedding portraits
Yarra Valley wedding portraits

Immerse Yarra Valley Wedding Reception

Gillian Pollard table setting
Gillian Pollard table setting
Gillian Pollard table setting
Immerse Reception
Harsh sunlight on face
Immerse Portraits Yarra Valley
Immerse Portraits Yarra Valley
Immerse Portraits Yarra Valley
Immerse Portraits Yarra Valley
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse YV Reception
Immerse wedding first dance
Immerse reception
Immerse reception
Immerse reception
Immerse reception
Immerse reception

Book Immerse Yarra Valley Winery for your wedding:

Immerse Yarra Valley website: https://immerse.com.au/

Immerse Yarra Valley is located about 1 hour from Tullamarine airport, and a little closer from the Melbourne CBD. Plenty of accommodation is available for guests and wedding parties alike, and the region is one of my favourite generally to spend a week, if you can spare some time either side of the wedding day itself. Accomodation available 20 rooms for exclusive use by your crew, and the standard reception length is a nice and hefty 5.5 hours.

Immerse Yarra Valley has a vineyard on site, beautiful little chapel, and a wild array of other things dotted on the property that make for a beautiful little loop for portraits. Ceremonies can either be held inside the modern enclosed chapel, or underneath a large outdoor area that’s also protected from the weather.

To find out more information on the specific things available as standard inclusions, head over to the Immerse Yarra Valley wedding booking information page out here: https://immerse.com.au/wedding-package/

Visit Immerse Yarra Valley Winery

See other unique wedding venues in Melbourne, or for Yarra Valley venues, check out Stones of the Yarra Valley, this Yering Station Wedding, the pizza-wizards otherwise known as Zonzo Estate, and this impossibly wild Burnham Beeches wedding. For a country Victoria wedding venue further north, try this Sault Daylesford wedding.

Tanglewood Estate wedding

Dec 27, 2017

Holding a Tanglewood Estate wedding is like holding a wedding at something straight out of the head of Tim Burton. True to it’s name, Tanglewood Estate is a layered landscape of brilliantly twisted and tangled trees with a whole bunch of options both indoors and out for hosting your Mornington Peninsula wedding.

On it’s 100+ acres, Tanglewood Estate rustic spaces include The Chapel, The Grounds, the Studio (a former artists studio constructed entirely of mud brick), and the Winery. There’s a few little pieces about Tanglewood Estate’s story that are best left to them telling, but the one about their Chapel being purchased on Gumtree is a pearler.

I love shooting at Tanglewood Estate – apart from the enormous variety of spaces there, that sunset that drops behind the lake is out of this world and on our peninsula (check out these other Mornington Peninsula wedding venues).

I ran another series of wedding photography workshops at this beautiful slice of Mornington Peninsula wilderness – at it’s space called the Studio, and was joined by such a brilliant crew of Victorian creatives to spend the day together, such as the utterly inimitable Briggsy, Ashleigh Haase photography, my dear mate Cass Sullivan over from Tas and so many more, and had the incredible skills of Humdrum Films (head here for more Melbourne wedding videographers) putting together a video of the day.

Here’s a little peek into the day. Huge love to Humdrum Films for capturing it.

Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate floating lake platform
Tanglewood Estate floating lake platform
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photographer
Tanglewood Estate wedding photos

Hire me for your Tanglewood Estate wedding photography

Growing up in the Yarra Valley and later towards the Mornington Peninsula, i’ve got a special love for those areas of Victoria, and it’s always a treat to photograph weddings out that way. Usually close to half of my photography year is spent across those two regions, and having spent so much time out there it makes perfect sense to host a wedding at Tanglewood Estate.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer at Tanglewood Estate or the Mornington Peninsula, reach out and I can advise on how to go about it and how to make the best of your time out there.

Make an enquiry: https://briarsatlas.com/enquire
Tanglewood Estate website: https://tanglewoodestate.com.au/

Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer

mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
mornington peninsula wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
Wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
Wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer
tanglewood estate wedding photographer

luminare wedding

Nov 5, 2017

Lauren and Nick had a Luminare Wedding at the iconic Melbourne rooftop wedding Venue, Luminare South Melbourne. These stylish legends had a wild and enormous day top to tail, with a Catholic ceremony nearby, before heading into the cavernous rooftop wedding event space of Luminare.

I tagged along with these maestros for the day, along with the marvels over at C2 Films.

Lauren and Nicks Luminare wedding South Melbourne

Nick getting ready for his wedding at Luminare South Melbourne
Groom before Luminare
A photo of a bride before her wedding at Luminare South Melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne portraits
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding south melbourne
Luminare wedding styling
Luminare wedding styling
Luminare wedding styling
Luminare sunset portraits Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne
Luminare wedding South Melbourne

Book your Luminare wedding:

Luminare website: https://luminare.net.au/

Luminare Wedding Venue Information

Luminare supports a maximum of 250 wedding guests. File this majestic joint under “decadent”, it’s a blank-canvas wedding venue that can be turned into anything you can imagine, but seems to have it’s spiritual ground in the opulent.

Take the iconic lift up and you feel like you’re entering Willy Wonkas great glass elevator.

Luminare Weddings Contact Information

Luminare location: Cnr Browns Lane & York St, South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Luminare Phone: (03) 8416 9791
Luminare Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 6pm – 1am, Sat and Sun: 7am – 1am.

Luminare Wedding Photo Locations

Luminare wedding

I’ve photographed so many beautiful weddings at Luminare and know a bunch of wonderful spots around the venue for your wedding portraits that don’t require you to tell your guests to have a 3 hour nap while you get your photos taken halfway across the country. South Melbourne has so many beautiful heritage homes, shopfronts, and unique gardens all within a short walk from Luminare itself.

To see some of these for yourself, head over to my post on the best Wedding Photo Locations in Melbourne, which also includes Google Maps pins and detailed location information.

Book me to photograph your Luminare Wedding

Briars Atlas Wedding Photography – Enquire

More beautiful modern wedding gowns:

Jaime Lee Major wedding gowns

Unique wedding dresses

Got the gowns sorted? Make sure you check out these amazing unique wedding dress designs.

If you like the look of a Luminare Wedding, you might also love these other Melbourne rooftop wedding venues:

Other venues like Luminare weddings

If you like Luminare, you might also like Metropolis Events, or just a little further out to the east, the wedding reception and function venue Vogue Ballroom. Also be sure to check out these Unique Melbourne wedding venues.

Fremantle wedding photographer

Jul 15, 2017

Fremantle is one of the most marvellous places to have a wedding in Australia, and benefits from the incredible natural beauty of the surrounding areas of WA being at the fingertips, as well as the beautiful heritage architecture and layout of the old city itself. I’m hired every other year as a Fremantle wedding photographer, and you can see some of the wonderful wedding i’ve photographed there here.

While you’re here, for the best wedding dresses straight out of Perth, check out the inimitable designs of Jaime Lee Major.

Jaime Lee Major wedding Gown Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer

Some of the historical streets of Fremantle look like they were plucked straight from a movie set. A quick stroll around them can get an incredible diversity of Fremantle wedding photos.

Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer

And, just around the corner, it changes again… from heritage, historical Fremantle streets, to beautiful old decaying urban walls.

Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer kids at weddings
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Quarry Farm wedding
Quarry Farm wedding
Quarry Farm wedding
Quarry Farm trees wedding
Quarry Farm trees wedding
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm sunset wedding photos
Quarry Farm reception
Quarry Farm reception
Quarry Farm reception
Quarry Farm reception
Fremantle wedding photographer
Quarry farm lake boat

Most of these were taken at the incredible Quarry Farm wedding of Stef and Zac. Quarry Farm is located in Whitby, slightly southeast of Fremantle and Perth. If you’re having a wedding at Quarry Farm, the beautiful Fremantle wedding photo locations above are a quick and easy diversion on the drive out there.

Not just Fremantle wedding photography:

Here are some of my favourite wedding images that i’ve photographed from weddings here, there and everywhere.

From Tim and Alix’s Rupert on Rupert wedding.
Fremantle wedding photographer
Check out Hannah and Lachlans stylish Gabbinbar Homestead wedding.
If you’re heading to the east coast, check out this and other unique wedding venues in Melbourne.
Laura in Suzanne Harward.
Fremantle wedding photographer
Fremantle wedding photographer
Taken on a 60 year old camera. Head to this post on why i shoot weddings on film.

Find Quarry Farm Whitby online

Quarry Farm Whitby website: https://www.quarryfarm.com.au/

Find Quarry Farm Whitby in real life

1475 South Western Hwy, Whitby WA 6123

Fremantle wedding photographer FAQ

What are the best wedding photo locations in Fremantle?

How far in advance should I book my Fremantle wedding photographer?

You can book me as close or as far away from your wedding day as you like.

What are the best wedding venues in Fremantle?

The best wedding venue in Fremantle is Quarry Farm.

Do you also photograph weddings in Perth?

I photograph weddings all over Australia, including Perth.

Book me as your Fremantle wedding photographer

I regularly photograph weddings in Perth and Fremantle, and there are no additional costs or complexities involved. Reach out to me via my enquiry form over here.

tuggeranong homestead wedding

May 17, 2017

When it comes to a phenomenal wedding package, the team at Tuggeranong Homestead are not here to mess about. They’ve got some amazing inclusions, an awesome venue that’s perfect for capturing wedding photography and videography and an air of serenity that Darryl Kerrigan would be entirely unable to resist. Let’s take a look at some Tuggeranong Homestead wedding photos and learn a little more about the services they offer to couples about to tie the knot.

Tuggeranong Homestead Location

As far as the ACT goes, Tuggeranong is a delightfully natural area directly south of Canberra. It’s full of Nature Reserves and borders multiple National Parks. The various scenic drives and lookouts are all sights you must see if you visit Canberra at any point.

Tuggeranong Homestead is located in the very heart of Tuggeranong Valley, not even half an hour out of Canberra CBD and airport.

The Tuggeranong Creek runs but a stone’s throw away, adding to the already naturally peaceful setting.

act wedding venue

Tuggeranong Homestead Wedding Venue

The venue itself is a gorgeous rustic homestead on 70 acres of the vast, secluded Aussie outdoors. The Homestead and its surrounding features exude an old-timey flavour that radiates “home”, “love” and “welcome”.

With your wedding package you get exclusive access to all the on-site areas listed below. These are perfect for hosting events, accommodation and of course, capturing some epic wedding photos and videos.

  • A sandstone paved cafe garden, perfect for the ceremony and reception.
  • A large homestead with several rooms available to host functions including the Drawing Room with two gorgeous open fireplaces and the Sunroom contained entirely within large windows.
  • A machinery shed that screams, “capture amazing rustic photos here”.
  • Garden marquees to provide some cover to guests.
  • A bandstand to host a dancefloor and/or live band.
tuggeranong homestead wedding

Inclusions

There are so many bits and pieces included in a Tuggeranong Homestead wedding package that I simply cannot fit them all in one short blog post. Here are a few though, that should help you figure out whether this venue is the one for you and your partner…

  • A commercial kitchen and fully licensed bar to cater for everything you need food and drinks wise.
  • Reception chairs and tables, chairs for guests for the ceremony and some super chic antique furniture for the signing.
  • Free overnight parking in a well-lit space.
  • Fairy lights in the machinery shed to add to the magical charm of the venue.
  • A fire pit with seating surrounding it for a chilled, late-night fireside chat.
  • Pet-friendly grounds.

And much, much more! Just head to their website to see all the other amazing inclusions on offer.

tuggeranong homestead wedding

Tuggeranong Homestead Wedding Photos

Tuggeranong Homestead wedding portraits
Tuggeranong Homestead wedding portraits
Tuggeranong Homestead wedding portraits
Tuggeranong Homestead wedding portraits
Tuggeranong Homestead wedding portraits
tuggeranong homestead
tuggeranong homestead

For a charming, serene, rustic wedding, Tuggeranong Homestead has everything you need and more!

For some delightfully rustic Castlemaine wedding venues, check out this blog in the Briar’s Atlas Notes!

indian wedding photography melbourne

Dec 1, 2016

Karishma and Ro’s incredible Indian wedding took place all across Melbourne, with their Mandap ceremony taking place in the suburbs before their evening reception at the shed in the Docklands. Looking for an indian wedding photographer? Take a look at their incredible wedding.

So many incredible colours, rituals, and precious moments between family and community happen at an Indian wedding, it’s like nothing else, and familiar and different every time I’m lucky to be photographing one.

After Ro’s incredible energetic Baraat, I leapt back to capture the Jai Mala to the Talumbralu and onwards, and it was an incredible, love filled day with these two legends.

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Book your Indian wedding photographer

To book me to photograph your Indian wedding and consult on how your coverage will work, reach out to me at my contact form.

Sault Daylesford wedding lavender

Aug 18, 2016

Sault Daylesford isn’t just the most instagrammable lavender field in the state, it’s one of the regions best restaurants and slices of country in Victoria. Jo and Mike decided on a Sault Daylesford wedding, and I hitched a ride and took some proof that somewhere in amongst the glorious food and lavender field jaunts, they also did the marriage thing.

Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding / Pates Baroni poster
Daylesford groom
Daylesford wedding dress
Daylesford Bride
Daylesford Bride
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford Sunset
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding lavender
Sault Daylesford wedding lavender
Sault Daylesford wedding lavender
Sault Daylesford wedding lavender
Sault Daylesford wedding lavender
Sault Daylesford wedding
Sault Daylesford wedding reception
Sault Daylesford wedding reception
Sault Daylesford wedding reception
Sault Daylesford wedding reception
Sault Daylesford wedding reception

Enquire about a Sault Daylesford wedding

Reach out to Jodi and Damien, the husband and wife powerhouse who run Sault Daylesford. After getting married there themselves, they fell in love with the place and bought it! As you do. This means the most wildly invested team deeply in love with the surrounds but hosting an incredible time for your wedding.

Sault Daylesford website: https://www.sault.com.au/

For more country Victoria wedding venues, check out Immerse Yarra Valley, Stones of the Yarra Valley, Yering Station, or for more industrial vibes, have a look at these unique Melbourne wedding venues. There’s something about the structure of Sault that reminds me of an incredible venue in Byron Bay: so check out Deux Belettes.

retro wedding stationary

Aug 8, 2015

I recently photographed the incredible retro themed wedding of Ryan and Alan in Lake Placid, Update New York. Enthusiast campers and artists, it was always going to be something of a Wes Anderson Wedding vibe, in one majestic lodge. They DIY’ed much of their wedding, and what stood out to me was their beautiful retro wedding stationary, and retro wedding favours.

They produced a wedding field guide for all of their guests with beautiful retro styling, including a bunch of games, edibles, and more. Check out the images below.

View their full retro wedding, featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.

retro wedding stationary
retro wedding stationary
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retro wedding signage
retro wedding favours
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Check out these unique florists in Melbourne.

While you’re here, if you enjoyed this incredible lodge, check out a list of the most unique wedding venues in Melbourne.

Solscape wedding New Zealand

Apr 27, 2015

Jono, in the world of surf, and Wendy, a camera operator for Weta. Which, if you don’t know, basically means she’s responsible for goblins in Lord of the Rings, etc. Wendy and Jono married at the impossibly majestic clifftop commune, for their Solscape wedding, which merged these two classic pillars of New Zealand together: incredible surf, and majestic nature.

Solscape is a unique Eco village in Raglan, New Zealand (check out this Queenstown Helicopter elopement and this incredible New Zealand wedding dress designer), and as well as being some of the most beautiful rustic accommodation anywhere in New Zealand, host weddings and workshops.

Bright sun, crashing waves from the Ngarunui beach below the outcrop the venue is perched on, and the incredible sounds of Cornerstone Roots driving the tunes well into the evening.

Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
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Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding raglan
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
kids at wedding
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
Cornerstone roots
wedding fire art
wedding fire twirl
Solscape wedding
Solscape wedding
wedding lantern

Book Solscape Raglan for your wedding

Solscape website: http://www.solscape.co.nz/

Book me as your New Zealand wedding photographer

As a destination wedding photographer I’m frequently in New Zealand, and even if not, it’s a quick flight over from Australia and often easier than even going to some of our own cities. Make an enquiry at Briars Atlas.

All Smiles Sorrento wedding

Dec 28, 2014

Kristi and Phil headed to the Mornington Peninsula for their gorgeous All Smiles Sorrento wedding. I came along with a few cameras slung over my shoulders, and spent the day with these stylish legends and their community.

All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding
All Smiles Sorrento wedding

Book me as your Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer

Mornington Peninsula wedding photographer: https://briarsatlas.com/enquire

Book All Smiles Sorrento for your wedding

All Smiles Sorrento website: https://allsmiles.com.au/mornington-peninsula/

For surf coast weddings in New Zealand, check out this Solscape wedding in Raglan. For something a little more rustic, check out Tanglewood Estate. Looking for more venue alternatives? Check out these wedding venues on the Mornington Peninsula.

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