Riverbank Estate Winery Rustic Wedding

Classic rustic wedding for Samantha and Luke

When it comes to a Rustic style wedding where the bride and groom’s personalities shine through and through, it just doesn’t get any better than the nuptials for Samantha and Luke on 16 October 2020.

The couple got ready for their wedding in separate rooms at The Colony at Mandoon Estate in WA’s Swan Valley, an exclusive enclave of rooms overlooking the winery’s Verdelho vines – it was truly a stunning start to the day with a location like this!

To top it off, this wedding was not only beautiful, but lots of fun!

Samantha, together with her bridal party, popped open the champagne and began their preparations with many laughs, giggles and smiles along the way. With hair and makeup done and dusted, it was time for the women to relax a little before the bride put on her gown.

There were plenty of aesthetic opportunities for photos of Samantha, with sheer curtains, staircases, and floor to ceiling windows as backdrops.

The great thing about couples getting ready for their big day at the same location is that it is easier for me to get to the preparation photos for both sides of the bridal party! I headed off to take pictures of Luke and his groomsmen, and what I found incredibly entertaining was his love of country music – hence the cowboy hat and accessories that went with it!

Certainly different from all the other weddings I’ve photographed, Luke provided a different type of flair to the photos, and his quirky nature poked out just enough for him to really ease into comfort in front of the lens.

Stylish from his boxers to his suspenders, and cowboy hat to his burgundy jacket, Luke and his boys even played a fun small game of golf before heading off to see his blushing bride – plenty of time to spare!

As is a growing trend at the moment, Samantha and Luke opted for a First Look photo session, whereby the bride and groom get to see each other in an intimate and private setting before they meet at the altar. Whilst Luke waited in the vineyards, Samantha made her way from the rooms, behind Luke to surprise her groom. Glowing in every way, the couple got a quiet chance to say some words to one another as I took my spot a bit further away to not interfere with their privacy. This result, I feel, is a beautiful way to capture photos that are raw, real and very much personal.

The ceremony itself was held at Riverbank Estate Winery, just a quick 5km drive south of Mandoon. Another glorious location with a vineyard setting the scene, the nuptials were a very intimate affair and there was nothing but joy all around, from bridal party to each individual guest. Everyone could see and feel the abundant love surrounding Samantha and Luke, and the sunshine certainly beamed down on them for their special day.

Ceremonies at Riverbank Estate Winery are definitely on top of a photographer’s favourites list – there is ample room to move around freely and capture moments of everyone, all the while having a stunning backdrop – beautiful enough to provide amazing colour, but not intense enough to take away from the newlyweds’ special moments.

Immediately following the ceremony was cocktail hour for the guests, but also an opportunity for the bride and groom to receive their congratulations from everyone. Eventually I managed to get the newlyweds to sneak away for a little while to take their official bridal photos, which were at the same location – we needn’t have gone far to get glamourous country-style images full of lush green grass, foliage and vineyards.

We hit the golden hour at the perfect time, and with not a cloud in sight, the rays of the sun were at the most ideal angle for a photoshoot in a small valley at the bottom of a hill. Samantha and Luke brought out the romanticism for their bridal shoot, and by now were inevitably comfortable in front of the lens – Samantha, in particular, stood out like a classic starlet in her lace wedding gown with the glow behind her.

From luscious greenery to a true blue Aussie farm home, we managed to snap a great array of backdrops for Samantha and Luke to cherish as keepsakes.

And we didn’t have to go far for the couple’s reception, which was also held at Riverbank Estate. Guests were already mingling, socialising and chatting away when we arrived, and I could straight away tell what a happy collective of friends and family Samantha and Luke had in their circle. After cocktails and canapes came the speeches and of course, the first dance under fairy lights and a glorious Swan Valley night sky.

Everyone finally let loose soon after, and the rest of the evening was a country party like no other.

All my best wishes to Samantha and Luke for their marriage, it was a complete pleasure capturing the most important moments of your special day.

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