When I was editing Saffron and Ben’s wedding album, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. Their Newcastle wedding was filled to the brim with laughter, happiness, good times and a heck of a lot of fun.
Before the ceremony, I had the opportunity to snap some shots of Saffron, her bridesmaids and her parents at their family home, near Lake Macquarie. The energy was cool, calm and collected, except when Saffron was watching her Mum try to get her flowers down the stairs 😉
Saffron and Ben’s nuptials took place at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Swansea – a coastal town about 40 mins from Newcastle. Have you ever seen a Bride rock up to the ceremony in a 4×4 Landcruiser?! Me neither – but it was awesome. There’s so much personality in doing things differently, and I knew they’d make for some super fun shots.
Newcastle Wedding Photo Locations
When couples are adventurous and up for anything, it makes my job fun. We had a couple of hours up our sleeves, which meant we could hit a variety of locations. The first stop was a run-down shack on the outskirts of Merewether Beach. Saffron is a florist and created all the bouquets and florals herself and the backdrop of this charming old shack complimented the rustic tones really well.
Pro Tip: If you have a couple of hours between your reception and ceremony, like Saffron and Ben, make sure you have some snacks on hand, like cheese, crackers and dips, as well as some drinks to keep the party energised. Looking this GOOD is tiring stuff!
Next, we made a pit stop in the Honeysuckle area of East Newcastle, which has a mix of urban, modern and industrial architecture – the polar opposite of the shack. Ben had mentioned that he had trained as an Architect when we first met, so I decided it would be great to have this element to their photos, which meant they had an assortment of content from their day. It was fun to play with the light and shadow of a Palm tree on the side of Newcastle Museum, and the huge yellow doors were just a gorgeous backdrop too.
Merewether Surfhouse Wedding Reception
The good times followed from here to Merewether Beach, where the reception was being held at the iconic Merewether Surfhouse. As the sun began to set, I stole Saffron and Ben away from the party and wandered down to the beach for blue hour. As relaxed as ever, Saffron and Ben slipped off their shoes and got their feet a little wet and sandy.
I asked them if they would humour me in wandering around the Public Swimming Pool and the evening bathers. They were quite the entertainment but they also made for some of my favourite moments from the day!
I always encourage my couples to take a moment, even as little as 20-mins, to go out at Sunset. This time of day is when the light is at its best. When the sun is low, it provides a golden, dramatic and much softer light. But after the drops from view, Blue-hour light is what follows and this light can be even more stunning, especially near the Coast. Not only that, I always try to leave the couple alone once we have what we need to give you a chance to have an intimate moment together before rejoining the party and partying the night away with your nearest and dearest.
Newcastle Wedding Vendors
Photography | Underatreehouse
Ceremony | Swansea Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Reception | Merewether Surfhouse
Hair and Makeup | Coco Tanning Hair and Beauty
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