Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photography Melbourne – Everything You Need to Know

Your wedding day is your big day, and it should be perfect – just as you’ve always wanted it. The wind should be just right, the sun at just the right angle, the flowers showing the perfect hue… everything should be flawless.

But one component of a perfect wedding that most do not fully understand is Melbourne wedding photography.

Great Melbourne  wedding photography not only captures all the beautiful emotional moments of your big day, it lets you create those moments in the first place. This is because a professional wedding photographer in Melbourne understands all you need for flawless scenes and candid photos that will always bring a smile to your face.

Most times, couples fret about how their wedding photos will turn out. But with the mega guide to Melbourne wedding photography that I’ll provide here, you’ll see exactly what you need for glorious wedding photos.

My name is William, and I love telling stories through imagery. In this article, I will reveal the essence of Melbourne wedding photography from a professional wedding photographer’s point of view. You’ll learn all the basics and tactics for capturing elegant photographs at the:

Groom Preparation

Groom Preparation Podcast

My itinerary on most wedding days begins with taking groom getting ready photos. It always makes more sense to give the girls a bit more time to get prepared. Besides, this is a perfect period to catch the boys at their most natural and relaxed selves. Here’s what I do at this stage:

• Groom accessories
• Groom and groomsmen getting dressed
• Groom wedding portrait shots
• Outdoor shots for groom and groomsmen

It is advisable for the groom and groomsmen to be at least half ready and have their room cleaned up before the Melbourne wedding photographer arrives. They can finish their showers, wear casual t-shirts and maybe have a couple beers, so they’ll be good and loose for some natural, candid photos.

In my experience, pre-wedding nerves usually set in for the groom right about this period, while the best man may be hiding in the corner practicing his speech. Of course, having these two tensed up like this will be bad for the photos.

That’s why I like to arrive a bit earlier so I can make some small talk and maybe get the guys started on those beers (not too many though, we don’t want a live replay of The Hangover now do we). This makes for a relaxed atmosphere and plenty laughter, which are essential elements for creating excellent photographs.

How I take photos for groom’s accessories

When I arrive at the groom’s place, I like to immediately take some scenery photos around the house, as well as some shots of the boys chilling out. After this, I usually move to take detailed photos of the groom’s accessories. These would usually include:

• Groom and groomsmen’s suits
• Shoes
• Cuff link
• Wedding band
• Pocket flower
• Wedding tie
• Watch
• Invitation card

Some grooms will even spoil their boys with groomsmen gifts, usually whiskey, a spirit flask or cigars. These will make very nice photos.

The surface used for accessories photos are extremely important to how the image turns out. I like to use a clean surface; such as marble or a wooden table or floor. These usually provide an elegant background. For little items such as the wedding band, as well as the watch, I use a 100 mm Marco lens to take some nice, close-up shots.

For most of the Aussie weddings, about 45 to 60 minutes should be sufficient for the groom’s getting ready photography. I typically spend 5 to 10 minutes for groom’s accessories photos and all the rest of the time with the groom and his groomsmen to produce genuine Melbourne wedding photography.

Groom getting dressed 

The groom’s getting ready routine will usually look something like this:

• Groom to put on his shirts, pants and suit
• Groom to put on his shoes
• Pin the pocket flowers
• Wear Tie or bow tie and pocket square
• Groom portrait photo
• Family photos

Video: How to Tie a Tie

A spacious room with French windows is usually ideal for these shots as it creates an amazing natural side light for the portraits. I would ask the groom and his best man to stand beside the windows, where the best man can then help the groom put on his suit while they have some small talk.

After the boys are all dressed up, they can then help each other with their pocket flowers, ties and pocket squares. If anybody is uncomfortable with a tie, they can get tips from YouTube on how to deal with this before the wedding day.

While all this is going on, I try to keep a low profile. Sometimes, they will make funny jokes or poke fun at each other, giving me the perfect opportunity to capture a golden moment of candid Melbourne wedding photography.

Groom portrait wedding photos

Once the groom is fully dressed, it will be time for his portrait wedding photos. After all, the groom should always have a memento to remember how much of a hunk he was on his wedding day.

We can create two types of wedding moods here – high key or low key wedding photography. This is achieved simply by adjusting the window curtains to vary the amount of light that comes into the room.

Fully drawn curtains help create romantic high key photos with plenty of light while partially or entirely closed curtains help create low key portrait Melbourne wedding photography. Either way, having natural light here will be key to creating charming images.

My personal favorites for groom preparation Melbourne wedding photography are usually the 35 and 50 mm prime lens. These focal lenses are great for wedding portraitures and can soften the backdrop, creating a jaw dropping bokeh effect.

Outdoor shots 

The garden serves as a great backdrop for these photographs, while the men take some natural walking shots, Godfather style, with glasses of whiskey in hand.

I normally reserve about 10 minutes for family photos just before the boys are ready to go for the ceremony. The groom can start with helping his parents pin their pocket flowers and his mum can fold the pocket square for her son. I love shooting this part because of the natural emotions that well out of everybody here. We can end this part with the groom taking family photos with his parents, siblings and close friends.

Heading to the bride’s house

For the majority of Melbourne wedding photography, I would usually head on to the bride’s house immediately after the groom’s photo session. But this can vary depending on the type of Melbourne wedding photography.

For some traditional weddings in Melbourne, such as Lebanese and Turkish weddings, the groom and his guests will continue dancing in front of his house with loud drums for another 20 to 30 minutes.

In a grand wedding, the groom and his groomsmen may jump into their exotic cars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis in bold colors and then drive down to the wedding venue. In fact, one of the grooms I have shot even hired a full blown biker gang while he rode along on his Shelby GT500. Now that was a luxury wedding in Melbourne to remember.

Bride Preparation Stage

Bridal photography is often intense and this is where a lot of the magic of a Melbourne wedding photography will show. I usually spend up to one and half hours taking the bride’s getting ready shots.

To save time here, one simple, yet effective, Melbroune wedding photography tip is to get all the girls finished with their makeup before the photographer is scheduled to arrive. This is especially important when the bride has several bridesmaids. If makeup is not done before the Melbourne wedding photographer arrives, the delay may squeeze the bride’s getting ready photo time.

Bride Preparation Podcast

Before the wedding day, it makes sense for the bride to discuss with her wedding makeup artist and agree on when makeup for the whole group should be over.

Here’s what I’ll focus on here:

• Bridal gown and accessories
• Bride’s close up photo
• Bridal party having fun and pop champagne
• Bridesmaids to jump in their dresses and help bride to get in the dress
• Mum wearing veil for bride
• Bride to put on her shoes
• Father’s first look
• Portrait shots for the bride
• Family photos

Bridal gown and accessories 

I’ll usually start with the bride’s wedding gown and her accessories. The Melbourne Wedding Photography shot list should ordinarily include:

• Bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses
• Engagement ring and Jewelry set
• Bridal shoes
• Bridal Bouquet
• Wedding invitation card
• Perfume

Some bridal dresses come with black or white plastic hangers or wooden hangers. Personally, I like to use wooden hangers as they have a more aesthetic look than plastic.

Then again, if the wedding dress is set on a mannequin, it’ll be even better. Using a mannequin is the perfect, luxurious way to showcase the shape and details of the wedding dress.

For dresses that come with hangers, I would usually hang the dress in front of the window before taking the shot. The natural light coming through the window will provide an elegant, almost magical lighting for the dress.

If the weather is good and when the dress can be moved easily, I will sometimes set the dress outdoors for even more detailed photos.

For dresses that come with a mannequin, I put the mannequin closer to the windows so the dress can also be lit up by natural light. The natural side lights help to boost the fine details of the dress such as the beading and lines.

When I have enough photos of the bride’s dress, I will turn next to the bridesmaids’ dresses. I will put all of these together and set the wedding gown right in the middle. This lets me take a gorgeous, symmetrical styled photo of the dresses.

For the rest of the bridal set, such as the wedding flowers, invitation cards, jewelry etc. a good mix for an aesthetic composition works like magic.

When taking shots of the wedding engagement rings and jewelry, I like to use the Marco lens to enhance the details of the diamond and bezels.

In all, I will spend about 5 to 10 minutes taking photos of the bridal dress and accessories. This also gives the bride time to put the finishing touches to her makeup.

Bride’s close up shots

If the makeup artist is still around when the gown and accessories shot is done, it makes sense to do a bit of retouching for the bride’s makeup.

For these close ups, the bride can sit on a high chair and move close to the window. The makeup artist can then use an air brush and lipstick for some final retouching. While this is going on, I can capture some candid bridal close ups.

Fun and champagne with bridal party 

Before the girls get dressed, it will be nice to have them relax a bit so we can take some photos of them having fun in their robes or pajamas. It doesn’t hurt to get a bit of a champagne buzz on for these shots, as we want to see lots of funny moments.

Sometimes, the girls can get a bit silly due to the alcohol, jump on the bed and probably start a pillow fight with the bride. This will be perfect to capture some fun and candid pillow fighting shots.

The girls can then put down their glasses and stand in front of their dresses. I will let the bride talk with the girls about her dress (show that lovely gown off a bit) while I capture some candid moments.

Bride and bridesmaids dressing up

Before the bridal party starts to dress, I like to ask the bridesmaids to leave the last button on the bride’s dress for the photos that will come later. After everyone is dressed, I will then take some photos of the bridesmaids helping our bride do the final button of her dress. This makes for a gorgeous scene.

To make the scene as candid as possible, each bridesmaid can be made to do different things. One can do the knots on the dress, while another fixes the bride’s train. The point is to get all the girls engaged with our bride.

I always recommend that the girls stand closer to the windows during this scene. This ensures that everyone receives good lighting. I’ll sometimes move any furniture blocking the lights or the shots. This also gives the girls enough space to get some beautiful group shots.

Mum helping bride wear veil 

Traditionally, the bride’s mum is the one who helps the bride wear her veil, and this is usually one of the most emotional moments. Mum would typically have some tears of happiness shining in her eyes while the bride gives her a big hug.

During this emotional moment, I will take as many photos as possible without interrupting them. Sometimes, mum can also help the bride wear her necklace, earrings and other jewelry.

Bride wearing her shoes 

Bridesmaids are traditionally responsible for helping the bride wear her shoes. This scene always looks magical and often reminds me of the scene where Cinderella slips on her crystal shoes before going to meet her prince.

The bride can sit on a corner of the bed or on a chair for this shot. Ideally, the chair should be high so the dress can naturally drop down to the floor and the sitting posture allows the bride show off her beautiful leg curves.

Sometimes, I even suggest that the bride wear her shoes before putting on her bridal gown. When the bride has some really nice shows such as a Valentino, Rockstud, Jimmy Choo or Christian Louboutin, we want photos that highlight those shoes.

Also, the wedding robe is usually shorter than the wedding dress, and some ball gown dresses even have lots of heavy layers. Wearing her shoes before dressing up allows the bride walk easily, while taking nice pictures that show off her legs and shoes.

Father’s first look 

Some brides usually want their dad to get the first look at them after their bridal preparation is done. This is usually a very emotional scene and often makes for very memorable pictures.

Dad waits outside while the bride is finishing up inside the room and when she’s ready, she asks dad to come in. We don’t see men tear up often but seeing his daughter in white makes even the tightest of men spring a leak.

Portrait shots for the bride 

Personally, I bring out some of my best creative Melbourne wedding photography ideas during the bride’s single portrait photos. I like to take these shots in an editorial photography style.

Lighting is especially key for these photos as it can turn plain scenes into timeless and classic memories.

Natural light from the windows creates a high key or low key mood, depending on how the curtain filters light. We can draw the curtain fully to let all the light come in or use a thin curtain to create softer lighting.

Alternatively, we can narrow a thick curtain to create dramatic lighting. There are many ways to create the ambience we want. I have even used a flashlight to create glamour Melbourne wedding photography by having my assistant hold the flashlight for me on the side. Although I prefer to focus solely on natural lighting these days as it prevents a tacky look in the photos.

The background is very important to getting a great shot. A  as it is a background that is both simple and versatile. It’s always great to go with a light tone color such as white or a darker hue.

At the same time, greenery is also perfect for these photos. If a room has some indoor plants, they can be added into the background to provide a bit of contrast in the image. Plants such as bird of paradise, Monstera Deliciosa, fiddle leaf fig and other bigger leaf foliage plants can provide a sense of modernism and minimalism here.

Family photos 

The last 10 minutes at the bride’s house can be utilized to organize a family photo shoot. The parents and bride’s siblings can take photos with the bride and if time permits, each bridesmaid can take an individual photo with the bride as well.

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony Podcast

Once the preparation photos of the bride and groom are done, it’s time to head down to the wedding ceremony location.

Usually, the groom, his guests and the Melbourne wedding photographer will arrive at the ceremony location about 30 minutes ahead of the bride. This period will be perfect for the Melbourne wedding photographer to take photos of the decorations at the venue, including the ceremony arch, flowers and stationery.

Video: How to Shoot Wedding Ceremony

It’ll also be a great time to take pictures of the groom mingling with guests. Here’s a list of the key moments and items that should be captured at the wedding ceremony:

• Ceremony decoration
• Groom arrives and guests mingling
• Bride’s wedding car arrives
• Bridal party walks down aisle.
• Father and bride walk down the aisle
• Wedding vows and ring exchange
• First kiss
• Signing of wedding certificate
• Bride and groom walk down aisle
• Family photo

Ceremony decoration 

Some of the most common wedding ceremony locations are indoors at places like churches or a reception’s function room. If it is an outdoor ceremony, gardens and beaches are also a great choice.

When I arrive at the location of the ceremony, the first thing I do is to take some pictures of the location, including the interior and exterior, if indoors.

Groom mingling with guests 

The groom may arrive with the Melbourne wedding photographer or slightly ahead. For some big weddings, I have a second shooter who can arrive at the ceremony earlier to capture the groom arriving.

I usually utilize this period to roam around the wedding venue, capturing candid photos while the groom socializes with guests. The wedding celebrant (or minister) may also want to discuss with the groom at this point.

On the day, if there is a wedding videographer that I haven’t worked with before, I will also take the opportunity to discuss their plans. Every wedding videographer has their own style for shooting weddings. As such, it is important to communicate on this beforehand so we are on the same page and not blocking each other’s shots during important moments.

Arrival of the bride 

The moment when the bride arrives at the wedding venue is also pretty important. After taking some candid photos of the groom and guests, I’ll usually wait outside for the bride’s car to arrive.

The bride and her dad normally arrive at the wedding together, alongside the bridesmaids. Although, the bridesmaids will get off the car first, then the father of the bride will help his daughter out of the car as well. I will be snapping away all through this period.

Walking down the aisle 

This is one of the most magical moments of the wedding. The bridal party will usually be waiting outside the church or garden. Once the music starts playing, the party will walk in one by one.

When walking down the aisle, I always suggest that the party walks slowly while keeping some distance between one another. This lets me take clear photos of each member of the party.

Some couples choose to have their wedding ceremony unplugged. This means that all guests will be required to turn off their phones and only the Melbourne wedding photographer and videographer will take Melbourne wedding photography and video.

An unplugged ceremony is a great way to prevent iPhones and iPads from showing up in your Melbourne wedding photography.

Wedding vows and ring exchange 

I typically use a 24 to 70 mm Zoom lens to capture photos during the ceremony. The celebrant or priest will usually use the first 5 to 10 minutes to provide some background and tell the couple’s love story.

Then the bride and groom will exchange wedding vows, followed by the page boy or best man handing over the ring box to the groom. The bride and groom will then exchange rings.

As usual, parents and close relatives will be sitting at the front row and this lets me capture some emotional photos of their expressions during the ceremony.

First kiss 

No Melbourne wedding photography is complete without a worthy shot of the first kiss. After the exchange of rings, the photographer should be well-positioned in the middle of the aisle.

A professional celebrant would step back or walk away after the exchange of rings before announcing: “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I use high speed shutter to make sure I get several photos of the magical moment when the couple shares their first kiss as husband and wife.

Signing the wedding certificate 

The wedding will usually be followed by legal formalities after the first kiss. The celebrant will then have the couple sign the wedding certificate in the presence of their witnesses. This provides several photo opportunities and when they are done, I will also take a photo of the couple holding their certificate, along with the celebrant.

For elopement weddings, only one bridesmaid may be in attendance as the bridal party. Since the law usually requires at least two witnesses must sign the certificate, I am often privileged to serve as one of the witnesses to sign for the couple.

After the formal photo with the certificate is done, guests can then dive in and have their fill of selfies with the couple.

Couple walks down the aisle

The last part of the ceremony will involve the couple walking down the aisle while the guests throw flower petals or confetti over their heads. These make for a lovely, colorful background that will turn out some gorgeous photos.

But not all churches permit the throwing of petals or confetti. If the organization does not permit these, it may be possible to use bubbles instead. Then, there are other traditional endings that are just as picture perfect.

In a Jewish wedding for instance, the ceremony would usually end with the groom smashing a special glass that is thin and easy to break. The guests then shout “Mazel Tov!”, expressing their congratulations to the newly-wedded couple in the Jewish language.

As the bride and groom walk down the aisle together, I use a high-speed shutter to capture every aspect of the scene, especially as guests rain flower petals down on the couple.

After the couple exits, the guests will then come and express their congratulations individually. I am usually the last person to say “Congratulations!” and nothing makes me feel happier than this.

Family photos 

Once the ceremony is over, it will be time for family photos. It’s crucial to get everyone together to do this before they start wandering towards the food-laden tables. I always advice that the couple prepare a wedding family photo list as this will help save time for location photography later in the day.

Organizing a big group photo is no easy task though. Where the garden is small or the church has limited frontage space, it can often be hard to capture all the family in one photo, even using a wide-angle lens.

So what I do is find a high vantage point and let everyone squeeze in as much as possible. Often, finding a high vantage point means looking for a ladder to step on.

Ideally, I will find a clean or natural background with lots of greenery for the shoot. This should also be in shade as harsh sunlight can often be an enemy of great photos. The strong light can cause unflattering shadows on everyone’s faces.

If there’s no shade readily available, I will let the guests stand facing away from the sunlight. This way, they won’t have to endure the harsh glare of the sun.

Melbourne Wedding Location Photography

Wedding Location Podcast

Now this is where things really get exciting for a Melbourne wedding photographer. Location shots indicate the true skill of the photographer you have hired and if you have chosen well, you’ll see your money’s worth in these shots.

A professional Melbourne wedding photographer will advise you of four important factors that are crucial to making your location photos a success:

• Time
• Location
• Weather
• Photography style

Time 

Video：How to Shoot Wedding Location Photos

There are many important things that should be kept in mind here. These include:

How much time should be reserved for the wedding location shoot?

I would usually advise that couples reserve at least one hour for the wedding location shoot. For some couples that may want to take photos at several locations in the city, even more time may need to be reserved.

If you’re not sure just how much time you should allocate for your location photo shoot, you can read our wedding timeline guide for help.

What is the best time to have the wedding location shoot?

I would suggest that you avoid midday on a summer day. The harsh glare of the sun will create unflattering shadows on people’s faces. Often, the best time for summer wedding location photos will be after 4pm.

If you have a winter wedding in Melbourne instead, the ideal time will also be between 3 to 4pm, as the sun will go down around 5pm.

Is there a golden hour for the most magical wedding location photos?

Absolutely. The golden hour usually occurs around a half hour before sunset. At this time, you are guaranteed the absolute best lighting for stunning Melbourne wedding photography.

As the sun gradually drops down the horizon, the sky will turn deep blue to a fiery orange, creating a soft and romantic warm lighting. This creates a rich color tone that adds extra mystery and romance to your location photos. When the sun drops out of sight, the ambiance becomes darker, giving us the perfect conditions for silhouette photography.

We can also use a remote flash to light up the bride and groom. This brightness and lumen balances the lighting between the subject and the sky, creating what we call dramatic wedding photography. Every time you look at the photos created as a result, you’ll get goosebumps.

Location 

If possible, it’s always a good idea to stage the location photos somewhere close to the ceremony venue. If your wedding photographer has used that wedding venue before, they can give you some ideas on the best spots for location photos around.

If the wedding photographer is also seeing the venue for the first time, it may be better to discuss potential photo locations with them long before the wedding. Don’t worry about this though. You’ll find plenty inspiration for wonderful Melbourne wedding locations photography on the internet.

There are quite a few delightful wedding photo locations in Melbourne CBD as well. These include the Parliament House, Carlton Garden, Princess Pier, University of Melbourne and many more.

If you get marry in different location, please check the articles for  Yarra Valley,  Dandenong Range and Mornington Peninsula .

I usually take time to ask the couple what preferences they have for wedding photo locations. Do you prefer historical buildings or natural gardens?

Weather 

Overcast weather can often provide really beautiful photos as the light becomes softer and more even on such days.

For sunny days, the bridal party can take their photos in locations that provide shade, for instance, the Parliament House or a tree lane.

If the weather becomes windy, I would advise that the couple stay away from the beach as the wind can easily ruin the bride’s hair.

On a rainy day, you can prepare a number of clear umbrellas for the bridal party and take advantage to indulge in some creative Melbourne wedding photography. Alternatively, we can go somewhere that offers shelter.

Photography style 

There are several  Melbourne wedding photography styles that a Melbourne wedding couple can pick from. These include candid, natural, fine art and editorial. But which one is best for you?

If you prefer a relaxed and stress-free photo shoot, the candid Melbourne wedding photography style will suit you well. The photographer won’t give you as many directions and you can spend more time having fun and enjoying your time with the bridal party.

For luxury and classic weddings, the Melbourne wedding photographer can direct you on everything you need to achieve editorial style photos.

Are smoke bombs okay to use for wedding photos?

Yes. Smoke bombs can be used to create a colorful and interesting background for your rustic style wedding. Popular colors for these smoke bombs include pink, green, orange and purple, and the bombs usually last between 60 and 90 seconds.

When choosing the color of the smoke bombs, it’s always useful to keep the wedding theme color in mind. I would choose a color that is complementary to or that contrasts with the couple’s wedding theme color. It’s also useful to avoid using two colors at the same time so the background does not become too busy.

Will smoke bombs stain your dress with color?

Yes, the smoke bombs can stain your clothes. To avoid this, you can put the bomb in a neutral color pot. Then the couple can ether hold the bomb up high or leave it in a pot on the ground behind them.

Where do I use the smoke bombs?

First, avoid using smoke bombs where there’s a strong wind. The wind can blow all your smoke away. Second, choose a background that contrasts with the color of your smoke bomb. For instance, if your bomb is pink or orange, you can go with a green as a good matching backdrop.

Where can I buy smoke bombs?

You can buy from eBay or at Geelong Wedding Fireworks.

Wedding car shoot.

If the couple hires a wedding car to take them to the reception, we can do the shoot in front of the church or reception, using the wedding car as part of the backdrop.

There are some great places in Melbourne where the car shoot will really work well. These include the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Fitzroy Town Hall and South Melbourne Town Hall.

These locations provide a lot of space to park the car in front, and the bridal party can stand on either side as we take the photos.

Wedding Reception

Wedding Reception Podcast

Video：How to Shoot a Wedding Reception

Once the location shoot is done, the bridal party can retire to the bridal suite for a short rest. This is also a good time for one of the bridesmaids to do a quick retouch of the bride’s makeup.

Before the reception guests are seated, the Melbourne wedding photographer can also take that period to capture detailed photos of the reception decorations. The shots list should ordinarily include:

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• The interior of the reception
• Flower arrangement, centerpieces, flower wall
• Wedding dance floor vinyl and initials
• Bridal table and table setting
• Wedding cake
• Wedding guest list board
• Wedding signage and gift box

In some lavish weddings, the couple can take their wedding reception decoration to the next level by hanging flowers, including a flower wall, suspended wedding cake and vinyl dance floor that has couple’s initials engraved on it.

Before the reception starts, I will also seize the opportunity to take the couple inside the venue for some photos within their spending setting. I will guide them to stand in the middle of the dance floor, where the bridal table, wedding cake and flower centerpieces become a great backdrop for the photo.

After taking photos of the reception setting and when the guests are ready to take their seat, the wedding reception will announce the bridal party’s entrance. The wedding reception formalities will usually include:

• Bridal party’s entrance
• Cutting of the cake
• First dance
• Speech
• Father and daughter dance, mother and groom dance
• Toast boutique and garter
• Bride and groom exit the reception

Bridal party’s entrance

Introducing the bridal party marks the start of the wedding reception. There will be many opportunities for memorable photos at this period.

Usually, the parents of the bride and groom will enter into the reception first, followed by the page boy and flower girl. Then, the bridal party will walk into the reception in pairs. Lastly, the Master of Ceremonies will call the guests to stand up and cheer the arrival of the newly wedded couple.

Some traditional weddings, such as Lebanese weddings and Viennese weddings feature a grand entrance. The couple in a Lebanese wedding will usually hire 6 to 10 drummers who will welcome the couple with quite a display. Some couples even arrange for special effects, such as fireworks, which will go off when they enter the reception venue. This is absolutely splendid to capture.

In some Asian weddings, such as Chinese and Viennese weddings, it is traditional for the couple to hire a lion dancer for when the couple enters the reception. For big wedding receptions such as this, it is not uncommon for the couple to hire two Melbourne wedding photographers who can capture the entrance scenes from multiple angles.

For the rest of the night, Melbourne wedding photographers will be shooting photos in a documentary style and we won’t give too many directions during this period.

Bridal waltz

During the bridal waltz, I will usually use a wide-angle lens to capture a wide shot of the couple dancing while the fireworks sparkle. I will shoot from a lower angle to make the scenes look even more luxurious and romantic.

In the high point of the first dance, the fireworks will simultaneously follow the groom lifting the bride or having a dip.

Nighttime Melbourne wedding photography shoot

Some couples prefer to have additional nighttime Melbourne wedding photography shots during the reception break. This can be especially gorgeous for a rooftop wedding reception in the city. The couple can have the benefit of colorful city lights as a backdrop.

Some receptions have fairytale drape lights set up outside, and we can use this as ambient natural lighting for the nighttime Melbourne wedding photography shots. Due to the fact that it is usually pitch black outside at this time, I would sometimes use a remote light to provide some fill light.

Nighttime Melbourne wedding photography shots allow for some really creative photo shoots. One of my favorite tricks is to let the couple light up some sprinklers and play with them. The warm and romantic light is often perfect for the nighttime Melbourne wedding photography shots.

Also, we can shoot a long exposure photo with the couple using the sprinkler to form the word “love”.

Bride and groom exit the reception 

At the end of the wedding reception, the bride and groom will say their farewells to everyone. In traditional Italian weddings, the guests will form a big circle and the couple will shake hands with and hug each guest. The guests can also make a tunnel through which the bride and groom will walk through as they exit the venue.

You can also have the perfect wedding 

And that’s it! With all the tips and tricks provided here, we will have succeeded in creating wedding memories to treasure for a lifetime, all backed up on my computer and hard drives.

You can also have the perfect wedding and the memories to boot. It also begins with starting a conversation with a professional Melbourne wedding photographer.

The wedding photogaphy behind the scence.

Podcast Real wedding review

If you are interested in post-editing of Melbourne wedding photography, or want to know much to invest in your Melbourne wedding photography package, you can reach out to us today. We would be delighted to help you bring your perfect wedding dream to life.

Video： How to edit wedding photos in Lightroom-5 easy step Tutorial