Sandalford Winery Wedding during a Perth Lockdown 2021
Rachael and Michael, had meet me in May 2018 at a wedding expo after they had booked Sandalford winery for their wedding. They had originally planned to have the wedding in April 2020 but due the Covid situation they needed to postpone the date to 2021.
I along with Sandalford Winery and other wedding suppliers rescheduled the date for them to April 2021. As the year went by Maggie Panaia who was the celebrant told me see would be retiring from being a marriage celebrant and this would be one of her last weddings. I felt a little sad as Maggie is a very good celebrant and I have done lots of wedding with her particularly at Sandalford Winery.
To go back a little, we did an engagement shoot for Rachael and Michael at an orchard in the Perth hills during autumn as Rachael is originally from Canada. She really loves those colours as it reminds her of her home and fall is a big thing over there.
On the lead-up to the wedding things where going smoothly with all the usual planning and making sure times are right, as we do when doing the schedule so the wedding photography runs without any hiccups on the day. The night before it was announced that Perth would go into a 3 day lockdown from midnight, I was thinking oh no hope this does not affect the wedding, luckily weddings could still go ahead but everyone needed to wear a mask.
On the wedding day both bride and groom got ready at their home which is close to Sandalford Winery and was an easy decision for them. The boys got ready in the back part of the house while the bride and bridesmaids were in the front room until the boys left to go to the ceremony at Sandalford Winery.
Wedding Ceremony at Sandalford Winery
The bride arrived at the ceremony with all the guests waiting at the Chenin Lawn area which is a new ceremony spot at Sandalford Winery. The bride was walked down the aisle with her mother by her side. The bride and groom were not required to wear a mask but everyone else needed to.
After the ceremony family photos were done we skipped doing a big group photo due to the situation with having to wear masks.
Wedding Photography at Sandalford Winery
Sandalford Winery is a very popular location in the Swan Valley for weddings and I seem to do quite a few weddings here. Although it lacks some of the architectural aspects of other venues in the Swan Valley like Caversham House, a good photographer can bring out the best in any venue. The main features I tend to use are around the vines and the large lawned area that slopes down to the lake.
We did some photos around the Chenin Lawn with the bridal party before heading off in the vineyards with the bride and groom to capture some intimate shots with them. Afterwards we took the whole bridal party over to the large lawned area for some more group photos. One of the bridesmaids had broken her toe on the Monday before the wedding so she was on crutches this limited us doing too much walking, but we got some great images anyway. I walked with bride and groom down to the lake which is another good spot for wedding photos with the weeping willow trees.
The bride and groom entered the reception which was held in the Oak room with all guests standing to cheers on the couple as they entered. The night went smoothly with guests enjoying the amazing food that Sandalford Winery always provide.
The dancing started after the couple cut their wedding cake and did the first dance.
Although it took almost 3 years to do the wedding after first meeting me at a wedding expo. It was such a relief to finally get these lovers married after the hurdles thrown at them on the journey.
I wish Rachael and Michael the best for the future I loved capturing their special day please enjoy the memories.
Some of the wedding suppliers who made this wedding day
Venue, Sandalford Winery
Celebrant, Maggie Panaia Marriage Celebrant
Photographer, Paul Winzar Photography
Videographer, Chapman films
Makeup artist, Alinta Hassan
Hair Stylist, Bespoke hair creations by Amanda pierotti
Wedding cake, Cocoa Shells
Flowers, Flourish
DJ, Southwest mobile DJ
Photobooth, Kiss and Tell Photobooths