Brendan and Alannah’s winter Ironbark Hill wedding went off splendidly. A beautiful day in the vineyards, became an evening devoted to celebrating with another new and very happy couple. While the Hunter Valley is just an hour and a half from Sydney, it’s an easy trip and an ideal spot for a weekend away which is usually the way most guests from the city choose to do it. But it feels like forever from Sydney, in a good way.
Every time I go up it’s a return to my roots for I grew up on the other side of the Hunter River, looking straight back to the vineyards. This was my backyard and it’s always great to be able to revisit and see the constant evolution.
Brendan got ready at a family property just minutes away from the ceremony, where the chickens roamed freely and the horses watched with a slight disinterest. His groomsmen spaced out their arrivals and readied themselves country style – on the spot.
Alannah, her family and bridesmaids were getting ready, nothing rushed or hurried, at the Hunter Valley Resort, using it as an even closer base to the ceremony. Alannah sidled up while I was photographing some of the details. She said she’d remembered something specific that Sarah had written about having fabulous shoes for the wedding. So she bought fabulous heels.
Alannah walked out of the room in her dress. Deep sighs. Lots of oohing.
Back in the room to put on a few extra thins like earrings, a the obligatory walk through a mist of perfume, I was noticing how beautifully the window light stood out.
I asked Alannah to come close to it and took some portraits of her. They are amongst my favourite ever.
The ceremony and reception was at Ironbark Hill in their lovely chapel. The light poured through the front windows to silhouette them. One of Alannah’s Uncles was given the honour of leading the wedding service, did a great job and personalised it immeasurably, and Alannah’s Aunt, Liz, was the creative genius who made the bouquets.
The winter sunset over the Hunter was very kind. It lingered a touch longer than we thought allowing for some very soft light images. But the chill of the air pushed us inside for warmth, the reception room becoming more and more welcome as we got close enough to zero degrees.
Some great speeches from all, lots of dancing, Brendon’s brilliant smile and laughter, excellent food and drink, and yet another of the Uncle’s doing some crowd surfing made for a memorable and happy Ironbark Hill wedding day.
If you’re taking the plunge into marriage and would love beautiful photography (and not just an Ironbark Hill wedding) then it’s time to talk to Sarah or myself. We take compelling, elegant and timeless stills. We capture the most valuable images in the world. Yours.
David
Contact Us / Facebook / info@davidhenryphotography.com.au / Phone: 0411 137 747
