Melbourne wedding photos: Aaliya and Adam walk arm in arm along a shaded path beneath dark cypress trees in matching patterned outfits
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Real traditional Muslim wedding · Melbourne

Traditional Muslim Wedding Photos: Aaliya & Adam

Melbourne

Cultural & Traditional Wedding · City: Melbourne

Popcorn and fairy floss machines under a teal marquee, a fan of silver leaves pinned into Aaliya’s hair and a tennis court turned into the happiest garden party in town. Aaliya and Adam’s summer wedding stayed at one family property in Melbourne, from the first hairpin in the house to a cake, a microphone and a court full of dancing. We were right there with them, and we finished the day with a slow walk down a drive lined with tall conifers.

The gallery
A brick family home ready for a home wedding, white and red rose bushes along the paved drive and tall conifers behind
White gazebo on the tennis court with sheer curtains tied back by red roses and a flower-banked seat piled with blush cushions
Gold birdcage lanterns trimmed with white blossoms hang from the cream roof of the gazebo
Blush shell cushions on a gold couch, with red, white and pale pink roses banked around the seat under the gazebo
A bunch of red roses tied with raffia gathers a sheer white curtain at the edge of the gazebo
White and pink roses in small glass vials wrapped in gold mesh stand in a cardboard crate beside a red tablecloth
Popcorn, fairy floss and slushie machines wait under a teal marquee on the lawn for the small guests at this home wedding
Two little girls in a lilac floral dress and a cream lace top smile together on the backyard tennis court
Loved ones in aprons prepare big trays of food in the house kitchen, one slicing with a knife
A woman in a lilac scarf adjusts the shoulder of a smiling guest in grey lace and a black scarf
A smiling guest in embroidered grey lace and a black and silver scarf clasps hands with a woman in an apron
Hands peel back foil from a tray of food scattered with chopped herbs and chilli on the kitchen bench
A loved one in royal blue works at the kitchen bench among foil trays, with big pots on the stove behind
Hands tuck a folded purple sash at the waist of a purple and silver outfit with a matching tall headpiece
An older woman in a red and pink print smiles from a cream armchair beside a man in a dark jacket
Close detail of woven purple and silver fabric with a carved wooden hilt tucked into the waist sash
A hand with a silver ring rests on a folded purple sash against silver patterned purple sleeves
Adam in purple and silver with a tall folded headpiece and silver star brooch, standing by the window at home
Adam stands under leafy branches in the garden in his purple and silver outfit, a carved wooden hilt at his waist
Adam in his tall folded headpiece and a silver chain necklace looks towards the window light between gold curtains
In black and white, Adam waits by the curtained window, the silver chain catching light across his patterned top
A purple and silver patterned jacket and long skirt hang from a wardrobe door, ready to wear
Aaliya's crown, a fan of silver leaves on fine wire, laid on a teal cloth above three linked silver brooches
Aaliya's bouquet of white and teal callas and roses lies beside her silver leaf crown and brooches on teal cloth
Gold glitter cut-out heels stand on a teal tablecloth beside Aaliya's white and teal bouquet
Aaliya's hands, painted with deep red floral patterns and finished with red nails, rest in her lap beside a sparkling ring
Aaliya sits in a grey top by tall windows, chatting with a woman in a floral dress before her makeup begins
Aaliya traces her lips with a liner by the window, a fine silver necklace at her throat
In black and white, Aaliya sits in her patterned outfit by a tall window, hair down and eyes lowered
Framed by a dark shoulder in the foreground, a stylist pins up Aaliya's hair in the bright bay window
Aaliya laughs as a stylist combs her hair at the bay window while Adam, in his tall headpiece, looks on
Adam rests a hand on the carved wooden hilt at his waist, gazing out past the floral curtains
An older loved one in glasses and a grey and black scarf stands smiling in the hallway in a red floral top
An older loved one in a red and gold floral top looks across the room, a woman in a print dress behind her
A woman in a white dress embroidered with red flowers smiles across the busy getting ready room
Aaliya beams while getting ready for her home wedding, hair pinned into a high bun as the stylist works behind her
Aaliya laughs in her silver leaf crown, holding an open eyeshadow palette in her patterned hands
The stylist settles the silver leaf crown into Aaliya's high bun against the bright bay window
Two gold rings and a jewelled ring rest in Aaliya's open palms, painted with deep red circular floral patterns
Aaliya's patterned hands and red nails rest against the purple and silver fabric of her outfit, a ring on each
Two silhouettes at the curtained window as a loved one in black adjusts the shoulder of Aaliya's patterned outfit
Adam holds Aaliya's hand as a woman in black kneels to straighten the hem of her wide sleeved outfit
Aaliya's patterned hand rests on Adam's wrist, close against the purple and silver sleeves of their matching outfits
A loved one helps Aaliya step into gold cut-out heels on the tiled floor beneath her purple and silver skirt
Adam leads Aaliya by the hand across the room, her silver leaf crown and wide sleeves catching the window light
In black and white, Aaliya leans forward on a stool by the tall window to fasten her cut-out heels
Aaliya smiles by the window on her home wedding day, holding her white and teal bouquet, three silver brooches down her front
Aaliya stands in profile in the curved bay window, holding her cascading white and teal bouquet
Eyes lowered, Aaliya turns the bouquet in her hands against the bright panes of the bay window
Close portrait of Aaliya smiling softly under her fan of silver leaves, linked silver brooches on fine chains below
Aaliya sits by the window with her bouquet in her lap and her silver leaf crown spread wide above her
Close detail of white and teal callas, white roses and pale blue blooms in Aaliya's cascading bouquet
A close look from behind at the silver leaves on fine twisted wire fanning above Aaliya's dark hair
Aaliya sits in an armchair gazing out the window, her bouquet trailing over the folds of her purple and silver skirt
Adam stands behind Aaliya with a hand on her shoulder as she sits by the window holding her bouquet
Both gazing out through the tall panes, Adam rests his hands on Aaliya's shoulders in soft window light
Adam and Aaliya in matching purple and silver, his hand on her shoulder, smiling for a portrait at home
Aaliya sits alone in the window light, head bowed over the bouquet in her lap
Aaliya poses with an older loved one in pale blue under a landscape painting in the lounge room
Aaliya and an older loved one in a pale blue scarf smile at each other beneath the framed painting
Aaliya and Adam side by side in matching purple and silver in the lounge room, a home wedding portrait under the painting
Aaliya fastens an earring beneath her silver leaf crown, her patterned hands raised by the window
Aaliya's hands folded over her purple and silver sleeves, with deep red floral patterns, red nails and two silver rings
A man in a white shirt carries a baby through glass doors into the lounge, a woman in navy beside him
A wide-eyed baby in a white shirt and navy bow tie peers over the shoulder of a smiling woman in navy
Aaliya and Adam stand with three loved ones, an older woman in silver grey and a young woman and man in black
Adam stands beside an older loved one in silver grey and a smiling pair in black under the lounge room painting
A guest in a blush scarf and floral dress takes a selfie with a smiling Aaliya in the hallway
Aaliya and Adam lean in for a phone selfie held up by a smiling guest in a blush scarf
Aaliya and Adam hold hands and grin at each other in the curved bay window
Adam's hand with a gold watch clasps Aaliya's patterned hand against their matching purple and silver outfits
Aaliya and Adam beam at the camera hand in hand by the bay window, a white flower pinned to his chest
Aaliya stands arm in arm with a smiling woman in a cream dress embroidered with pink flowers
Aaliya and the woman in pink embroidered cream laugh together in front of the landscape painting
Aaliya poses between an older loved one in a pale blue scarf and a woman in pink embroidered cream
Full length portrait of Aaliya with loved ones in turquoise and in embroidered cream on the patterned lounge room rug
Aaliya stands with a guest in a cream scarf and a long pink floral skirt in the lounge room
Two older men, one in a brown felt cap, share a warm embrace as guests arrive at the house
A guest in a gold and black patterned shirt and tinted glasses hugs an older man in a brown felt cap
Guests gather on the front lawn around a smiling man in a bow tie and braces holding the baby
Guests in patterned shirts and colourful scarves mingle by the rose bushes on the front lawn
Two young women laugh with the man holding the baby among guests on the front lawn by the parked cars
A grey-haired man in a leopard print shirt laughs as he lifts the baby on the front lawn
The wide-eyed baby in a navy bow tie rests against the shoulder of a smiling grey-haired man in leopard print
An older man in a brown felt cap hugs a guest in a white cap on the paved drive as others look on
A group of eight guests in shirts, bow ties and dresses line up under a leafy tree with the baby in the middle
A woman in a purple scarf and orange outfit greets the man carrying the baby under a teal marquee
Wide view of the backyard tennis court set for a home wedding, with a white gazebo, teal and purple marquees and blue tables
A man in a purple bow tie carries the baby across the sunny lawn past the popcorn marquee
Looking down at the baby in his arms, a man in a white shirt and purple bow tie strolls across the lawn
Baskets of cherries, bananas and green grapes on an orange floral tablecloth beside white orchids
A buffet tray of stewed vegetables with carrots and cherry tomatoes on a floral tablecloth
A tray of food in a rich red sauce scattered with fresh green herbs, ready on the outdoor buffet
Guests fill their plates at the home wedding buffet under a pale blue marquee beside the tennis court fence
Two women in blue and teal embrace at the tennis court gate as guests stream in from the garden
A grey-haired man in glasses hugs a guest in a brown felt cap under the trees, a jumping castle behind them
A man in a blue gingham shirt shares a hug with a guest in a striped brown robe under the trees
An older guest in a brown felt cap and grey beard embraces a man in blue gingham beneath a hanging lantern
Two women in pink and burgundy wraps step out from the back verandah between leafy green hedges
An older woman in turquoise and an older man in olive walk out together from the verandah between tall hedges
Aaliya steps out of the house with her bouquet beside a woman in pink embroidered cream, hedges on either side
Aaliya and a woman in embroidered cream walk down the verandah step, loved ones in soft scarves following behind
Aaliya crosses the sunny back lawn of the family home with loved ones in soft scarves and floral skirts
Seen through the court fence, Aaliya walks past a bright jumping castle with women in lilac and pink scarves
Aaliya walks onto the tennis court with her party as guests wait beside a tiered stand of white boxes on a teal table
Aaliya crosses the tennis court with her bridesmaids, past a cream marquee and a jumping castle
Smiling, Aaliya walks across the court with her bouquet, the woman in embroidered cream close beside her
Aaliya steps up to the flower-banked seat under the white gazebo, her bouquet trailing over pink roses
A guest in a blush scarf kneels beside Aaliya on the flower-banked seat as they laugh together
Framed by sheer curtains, Aaliya sits on the gold couch under the gazebo with her bouquet in her lap
Aaliya sits alone on the flower-banked seat under the white gazebo, a quiet moment at her backyard home wedding
A guest carries a domed yellow dish decorated with small white eggs, cherry tomatoes and red capsicum across the court
A guest in a brown felt cap hugs a man in a white cap and robe on the court as others pass
An older loved one in a pale blue scarf sits beside a tiered stand of small silver boxes on a teal table
A man in olive takes a small silver box from the tiered stand beside the loved one in pale blue
Two boys carry tall poles topped with bursts of coloured tinsel across the lawn ahead of Adam in sunglasses
Adam smiles as he walks behind the tinsel poles, a man in black and a woman in patterned trousers following
Tinsel bursts shimmer over Adam's head as the two boys lead him onto the tennis court
Adam in sunglasses and his tall purple headpiece arrives on the court, a jumping castle and marquee behind him
Adam laughs on the court beside a man in a black cap and checked waist wrap as a guest films on a phone
Adam grins in sunglasses and his tall purple headpiece beside a laughing woman with a phone and a man in a black cap
An older loved one in silver grey lace waves as women in soft scarves gather by the white gazebo to watch Adam arrive
A man in a black cap and sunglasses laughs with a microphone among women in blush and cream scarves beside the gazebo
Adam smiles across at a laughing guest in black, a silver star brooch on his folded headpiece and tall trees behind
A woman in a blush scarf laughs as a man in black holds a microphone up to her beside the gazebo curtains
Adam throws back his head with laughter as a man in glasses and a black cap jokes into a red microphone
Laughter breaks out under the gazebo as the man with the microphone teases the crowd beside an older loved one in silver grey
Adam laughs with a red microphone in hand on the court, a man in a teal shirt smiling at his side
Aaliya peeks out from behind a round blush cushion on the flower-banked seat while a guest in a lilac scarf laughs beside her
Adam speaks into a red microphone in the middle of the court at his home wedding, a man in teal clapping as guests watch
Under the basketball hoop, Adam talks into the microphone as a man in teal and a young man in a patterned shirt look on
Guests lift their phones at the white gazebo to film Adam, seen from behind in his purple headpiece
Aaliya hides her face behind a blush cushion on the seat as a woman in a peach scarf films the moment on her phone
Head thrown back, the older loved one in silver grey lace and a layered black scarf laughs in front of the gazebo curtains
Aaliya and Adam laugh at each other on the gold couch, his sunglasses on and her cascading bouquet in her lap
Side by side on the flower-banked seat, Aaliya and Adam smile for the camera between banks of red and white roses
Full length portrait of Adam and Aaliya seated under the white gazebo, her silver leaf crown fanned above her pinned hair
Wide view of the couple on the gold couch under the gazebo at their home wedding, crates of red, white and blush roses alongside
A guest in black and sunglasses crouches low in a playful dance step on the court as women film him on their phones
The guest in black lunges forward with his hands raised, a red and gold waist wrap swinging as guests film under teal marquees
The guest in black dances his way across the court towards the white gazebo where Aaliya and Adam sit among the roses
Kneeling barefoot on the platform, the guest in black reaches up to hug Adam while Aaliya smiles beside them
A man in a teal shirt strikes a wide lunging pose on the tennis court as a little girl in pink and purple watches
The man in teal bends low towards the gazebo while a young man in a patterned shirt films Aaliya and Adam on the seat
The man in teal leans in to hold Adam close on the flower-banked seat, Aaliya smiling beside them
A man in a black cap and gold checked waist wrap bows with palms pressed together as guests film him on the court
Barefoot on the court, the man in the gold checked wrap crouches in a slow dance step while a smiling crowd looks on
The man in the gold checked wrap leans in to embrace Adam as Aaliya beams with her bouquet on the rose-lined seat
Aaliya and Adam on the gold couch with five loved ones behind them, one holding the baby, in a family group under the gazebo
Six loved ones stand behind the seated couple for a family portrait at their home wedding, the baby held high in the middle
A bigger family group gathers around Aaliya and Adam on the flower seat, crates of red and blush roses at their feet
Standing behind Aaliya and Adam on the seat, a man in a black cap and a smiling woman in black
Full length portrait under the gazebo of the couple seated in purple and silver with two loved ones in black behind them
Behind the seated couple stand an older man in a rust knitted cap and an older woman in a teal scarf
Close family portrait of Aaliya and Adam with the older man in the rust cap and the woman in the teal scarf behind them
Adam rises from the seat to clasp the hand of an older loved one in silver grey lace as she arrives at the gazebo
The older loved one in silver grey lace sits between Aaliya and Adam on the gold couch, hands folded in her lap
An older couple, she in a blue print and he in a dark vest, stand behind the seated trio on the flower seat
A man in leopard print and a woman in a burgundy scarf join the group behind the couple and the loved one in silver grey
Nine loved ones crowd onto the platform under the white gazebo for a home wedding family group, framed by red and blush roses
A grey-haired man holds a little girl in pink behind Aaliya and Adam, flanked by women in magenta and peach
A smiling woman in a cream scarf stands alone behind Aaliya and Adam on the cushioned gold couch
The man in the white shirt holds the baby beside a woman in navy, both standing behind Aaliya and Adam
A woman in a floral blouse leans in close behind the couple, Aaliya's bouquet trailing over her purple skirt
Cradling the baby, an older man in a white cap joins three loved ones in a group portrait behind the couple
Two young women in blush and lilac scarves sit on the platform edge in front of a big group gathered around the couple
A little girl in a pink top and purple skirt stands proudly in front of the gazebo platform as Aaliya and Adam smile
The little girl in pink perches on the gold couch beside Aaliya while a woman in black stands behind
Adam sits the baby on his knee for a family portrait, a bearded man in pink and a woman in a red scarf behind
Four older loved ones in cream, teal and earthy tones stand behind the couple on the flower seat
Four women in green, purple, mauve and teal scarves line up behind Aaliya and Adam for a portrait
Adam laughs as five women in mustard, pale blue, teal and cream scarves gather behind the seat at the home wedding
Two men and two women in scarves of yellow and mint stand behind the seated couple in their purple and silver
Around Aaliya and Adam gather a man in a black cap and sunglasses, two women and the little girl in pink
Two young men in a white shirt and a beige jumper and a woman in a floral blouse pose behind the seated couple
A bearded guest in glasses and a beige jumper rests his hands on the couple's shoulders from behind the gold couch
A man in a blue checked shirt, an older man in beige and a woman in a burgundy and gold wrap stand behind the couple
A boy in black and a little girl in pink sit either side of the couple, with a man in a black cap behind
A woman in a gold leaf print and a man in a black cap pose on the court with the little girl and her doll
Big white clouds over the tennis court, where a turreted jumping castle and a cream marquee keep the home wedding guests busy
Glimpsed between guests at the court gate, Aaliya turns to talk under her silver leaf crown, her bouquet held low
Aaliya and Adam walk arm in arm across the grass outside the court fence, Adam carrying a cup of green drink
Adam points with a grin at a guest in black and a red patterned wrap who throws his arms around the couple on the lawn
Aaliya and Adam stand before a tall green hedge with an older guest in a purple scarf and an orange outfit trimmed in gold
A bright red and yellow jumping castle stands on the back lawn of the family home as guests drift between the marquees
Four guests pose with drinks on the court, a young woman in a floral print, a man in sunglasses and an older couple
A green and gold table set with a vase of white blooms, a red and yellow floral centrepiece and a wrapped gift
A long sweets table on blue cloth with tiered stands of pastries and green layered cakes beside the court fence
A tiered stand of silver patterned favour boxes tied with silver ribbon on a teal table, tinsel bursts behind the fence
A gift wrapped in gold and silver paper with dotted ribbons and a handwritten envelope on top, resting on a green tablecloth
Close detail of crates of blush blooms, white roses and red roses heaped at the foot of the gold couch
The older loved one in a pale blue scarf clasps hands with a guest in a red leaf print beside the favour boxes
By the court fence, the older loved one in pale blue sits between two smiling guests in a red leaf print and a navy floral
Men in pale shirts chat under the cream marquee on the court, one pointing across as another sips from a cup
Full length portrait of the older loved one in silver grey lace arm in arm with a smiling woman in white lace and glasses
Six women in lilac, navy florals, silver grey, white lace and a red leaf print line up in front of the gazebo
Guests talk in the sun beside the jumping castle, a man in a silver grey long shirt and sunglasses gesturing as he speaks
Older loved ones in soft coloured scarves share a blue table of drinks and food under the teal marquee at the home wedding
Three guests sit on the gold couch as a woman in a yellow scarf throws her arms up playfully behind them
A young boy in a white cap and shirt serves himself salad from the outdoor buffet beside a pot of red sauce
The popcorn machine, fairy floss dome and twin slushie maker stand ready on a yellow cloth under the teal marquee
The baby in a pale blue bucket hat and bow tie frowns from the lap of the older loved one in a pale blue scarf
Rubbing his eye, the baby lets out a cry on the lap of the smiling older loved one in pale blue
A jumping castle with red, green and blue turrets fills the sunny backyard lawn below a wall of tall conifers
A man in purple and a checked wrap strolls across the court past marquees and the jumping castle, the home wedding in full swing
Four men in pale shirts and a patterned shirt talk in the sunshine on the court beneath the basketball hoop
A grey-haired man in glasses and a black jacket leads a toddler by the hand out of the brick verandah between leafy hedges
Older men sit in white plastic chairs on the lawn, one with a bowl of food, chatting as a toddler wanders past
Before a soft conifer hedge, the man in the gold checked wrap poses with a smiling woman in a navy ruffled top
Full length portrait of the pair in navy, his gold checked wrap and her patterned skirt, on the paved path by the hedge
Two smiling men in a black jacket and a white shirt stand together on the front lawn of the family home beside parked cars
A man in a floral shirt holds the baby while chatting with two guests on the lawn near the popcorn machine
Three men in sunglasses and patterned shirts pose on the court beside a boy holding a red paper bag
A guest leans over the popcorn machine under a teal marquee as a young woman in a cream scarf waits with her plate
Children queue at the jumping castle in dappled shade under leafy branches as guests wander across the lawn
Children bounce inside the red and yellow jumping castle while a woman in a cream scarf watches from the side
Holding a white bowl, a man in a white shirt chats with a guest in a lilac shirt and white sunglasses on the court
A bearded man holding a toddler poses with two women in red and a man with a plate of cake on the court
Aaliya and Adam sit at a green and gold table under the teal marquee, loved ones crowding behind them at their home wedding
A crowd of women in bright scarves and florals gathers around an older woman in red on the gazebo platform
Seven older women in soft scarves of magenta, teal, beige and silver grey pose together on and behind the gold couch
Five women in green, magenta, plum and silver grey scarves smile for a group portrait on the flower seat
Older guests gather under a teal marquee on the back lawn, a wall of tall conifers rising behind the yellow hedges
An older man in a brown felt cap hugs a beaming guest in a white cap at the court gate
Beside the favour boxes, the older loved one in pale blue takes the hands of a guest in a peach scarf
A little girl in pink reaches out to the older loved one in pale blue at the favour table
On the court, an older man in a black cap and navy blazer poses with three women in navy, silver grey lace and peach
Two young women in blue and red and in a pink scarf stand behind Aaliya and Adam on the flower seat
Close detail of Aaliya's hand, traced in fine red floral designs, laced with Adam's against the purple and silver fabric
A woman in a teal scarf and navy flings out her arms in a playful dance as the women around the couple burst out laughing
A dozen women in bright scarves pose around Aaliya and Adam, three of them seated on the edge of the platform
The guest in orange with a purple scarf strikes a playful dance pose on the court, the home wedding marquees behind her
Smiling behind her glasses, the guest in orange sways across the court with her hands turned in front of her
The guest in orange throws one arm high as she dances on the court beside the blue sweets table
The guest in orange and the woman in the teal scarf dance face to face, palms meeting, as the man with the microphone watches
Cheek to cheek, the two dancing women hug with hands clasped high, the man with the red microphone grinning behind
The women on the gazebo platform laugh and point as the dancer in navy turns in front of the seated couple
Guests line up along the court to watch the dancing, a pram parked beside a young man in a patterned shirt
The two dancers wrap their arms around each other in front of the flower seat as the women behind give a thumbs up
Arms flung wide, the guest in orange and the woman in teal pose in front of the laughing group under the white gazebo
An older loved one in purple and orange throws an arm around a guest in pale blue, both laughing in front of the flower seat
A large family group gathers around Aaliya and Adam on the flower-banked seat at their home wedding, two older men seated at either end
Aaliya and Adam in indigo and silver sit either side of a smiling loved one in a tan scarf on the gold couch
A dome of deep red roses beside the gold couch, white blooms and a lace lantern softly blurred behind
Close detail of soft pink peonies and clusters of pink berries banked around the couple's seat
A white two tier cake with purple ribbons, sparkling buckles and sugar roses, its plaque iced with Adam and Aaliya's names
Under the marquee, the purple ribboned cake waits on a green tablecloth beside a yellow centrepiece carved with red flowers
Close on their hands as Aaliya and Adam guide the knife into the cake together, her fingers patterned in deep red
Adam in a folded purple headpiece and Aaliya in her silver leaf crown smile as they cut the cake under the teal marquee
Adam grins at Aaliya, knife in their joined hands, as they slice the cake at their home wedding
Eyes on the cake, Aaliya and Adam press the knife down together in their matching indigo and silver outfits
Guests in floral prints and plum clap along beside the marquees as the cake is cut, the white gazebo behind
An older loved one in a soft tan scarf takes a piece from the carved yellow centrepiece as Aaliya and Adam look on
Aaliya feeds Adam a bite of cake as he offers her one back, both standing beneath the teal canopy
Adam licks cake from his fingers while Aaliya laughs beside him, her silver leaf crown catching the light
An older guest in a brown felt cap smiles among guests filming on phones on the court, a basketball hoop behind
A man in black with sunglasses and a red patterned waist wrap speaks into a microphone beside Aaliya and Adam at the gazebo
Adam speaks into a red microphone with Aaliya at his side, the man holding the baby among guests behind them
Adam gives his speech in front of the white gazebo, Aaliya beside him and peach shell cushions on the couch behind
Guests stand in a long line on the tennis court to listen as Adam talks into the microphone by the gazebo
Over the shoulders of watching guests, Adam speaks to the crowd with Aaliya at his side under the sheer curtains
A guest in a pink and blue print films Adam's speech on her phone, the gazebo glowing softly beyond
Adam laughs mid speech, red microphone in hand, as Aaliya smiles beside him between banks of red and white roses
A young guest in a lilac scarf smiles towards the speech, standing among loved ones in soft scarves by the marquee
A guest in a soft tan scarf laughs, phone in hand, beside a smiling woman in turquoise and a printed tunic
Loved ones in turquoise, peach and cream scarves laugh at the speech beneath a green marquee on the court
Four guests pose in front of the blue buffet marquees set up on the tennis court for the home wedding
From behind the couple's shoulders, guests in floral dresses and soft scarves raise their phones towards the gazebo
Seen from behind Aaliya and Adam, a crowd of guests films them across the court, a jumping castle in the distance
Aaliya glances back with a wide smile as she and Adam turn to their guests on the lawn of the family home
Adam beams into the red microphone while Aaliya, in her fan of silver leaves, smiles up at him by the gazebo curtains
Adam laughs through his words as Aaliya grins over his shoulder, their indigo and silver patterns glowing in late light
Two men in black caps, one in purple, share the microphone with a small boy as guests watch beside a tinsel pole
Adam turns to Aaliya with the microphone lowered, both smiling between the banked red roses under the gazebo
Adam finishes his speech with a grin as Aaliya laughs beside him in front of the sheer white drapes
Hands joined, Aaliya and Adam begin to dance on the tennis court as guests at the home wedding clap and film
Adam leads Aaliya into a spin past a bright jumping castle and a cream marquee as guests raise their phones
Aaliya laughs as Adam pulls her close to dance under an old basketball hoop, loved ones in a wide ring around them
With hands clasped high, Aaliya and Adam turn together while guests in floral skirts and scarves cheer from the court lines
Aaliya smiles up at Adam mid twirl, his arm raised, as a guest in a floral dress films the dancing
Adam twirls Aaliya under his arm on the tennis court, grinning, as a young man in a patterned shirt watches
Adam steps back to clap as a laughing loved one in turquoise and a floral wrap joins the dancing circle
Guests in long floral dresses and soft scarves sway in a loose circle on the court, Aaliya and Adam at its edge
A loved one in turquoise and a printed wrap dances with her arms spread wide beside the gazebo at the home wedding
Adam laughs as an older guest in a brown felt cap and the dancer in turquoise join him on the court
Aaliya and Adam hold both hands and dance side to side, her silver crown bright against the green marquee
A guest in black and a peach scarf dances with her hands raised while friends with phones smile on the court
A family of four poses on the court in suits and purple and gold, two little boys in front of a jumping castle
An older guest in silver grey and a black scarf claps and laughs as she dances beside a friend in navy
A young woman in black chats with a man in a black cap and dark shirt among dancers on the court
A man in teal grins and claps beside older dancers in silver grey and turquoise in front of the jumping castle
The man in teal raises a hand high as the guest in silver grey and a laughing woman in navy dance with him
A man in a black cap and red patterned wrap dances across the court with his arm raised as guests cheer
The dancer in black and a peach scarf twirls her hands while the man in a black cap claps from the edge of the circle
Adam dances with a grin by the gazebo, a silver bead necklace swinging, as an older guest in sunglasses hugs a friend
Two guests in plum and cream join hands to dance by the flower seat while others clap under the green marquee
A young woman in black laughs and points as she dances with the older guest in silver grey on the court
Arm in arm, two young guests in peach and pink scarves dance forward as an older guest in grey claps behind
Two young women in a mustard top and a lilac scarf hold hands and dance across the court at the home wedding
Close on two young guests in teal and lilac scarves laughing as they dance hand in hand on the court
The man in teal leads a teenager in a patterned shirt into the dancing as two men in black caps follow behind
Laughing, the man in teal draws the teenager in a dark patterned shirt across the court by the hand
Two men in black caps, one holding a red microphone, step low in time on the court as a ring of guests claps
The men in black and in purple kick up their heels side by side beneath the blue marquees
Grinning behind sunglasses, two men in black caps dance shoulder to shoulder, one in red patterned trousers
Aaliya, still in her silver leaf crown, joins hands with a guest in plum and a white scarf to dance across the court
Aaliya and the guest in plum swing their joined hands as they dance, a wide ring of loved ones clapping along
Aaliya sings along as she dances hand in hand with the guest in plum, tall conifers rising behind the marquees
Two young men in dark patterned shirts dance side by side on the court while Aaliya watches from the circle
Adam and a man in a black cap and checked wrap dance low, knees bent, as the family claps in a ring around them
Bent low and laughing, Adam and the man in a black cap step together while Aaliya cheers from the side
Adam throws his head back laughing as he dances arm in arm with the man in black and a checked orange wrap
Aaliya and Adam stand with a guest in olive and a young woman in plum and a pale grey scarf below a blue marquee
Aaliya straightens the silver bead necklace on Adam's chest as two guests in pale scarves smile behind them
A row of guests in black, plum, olive and silver grey lines up with Aaliya and Adam before the white gazebo at their home wedding
Aaliya and Adam stand at the centre of a long line of friends, men in black caps at one end, under the gazebo roof
Two men in a burgundy shirt and a white print shirt flank Aaliya and Adam beside the flower-banked seat
A big group of loved ones gathers around Aaliya and Adam on the tennis court as the afternoon light softens
Loved ones of all ages crowd in around Aaliya and Adam under the green marquee, a boy in a navy jacket in front
A man holding a toddler in a red skirt and a loved one in a pale blue scarf pose with Aaliya and Adam
Adam grins over the shoulder of a friend in a white print shirt as they hug by the gazebo, Aaliya behind
A friend in a burgundy shirt hands Adam back the carved wooden hilt to tuck into his waist sash
Aaliya wraps a guest in a blush scarf in a long hug, deep red patterns on the hand at her back
A shaded gravel drive at the family home curves beneath an arch of leafy trees, clumps of agapanthus along its edges
Aaliya and Adam step out from under the dark conifers onto a grassy path, her gold heels peeking from her hem
Hand in hand, Aaliya and Adam stroll the gravel drive under pale green leaves, a wall of conifers beside them
Adam wraps his arms around Aaliya from behind for a portrait against the feathery conifers by the drive
Close on Adam's hand closing over Aaliya's patterned fingers against the folds of her indigo and silver jacket
Aaliya glances at Adam as they walk the drive in soft late light, bright young leaves glowing behind them
Aaliya and Adam walk towards the camera down the long gravel drive, conifers on one side and leafy trees on the other
Aaliya's patterned fingers and red nails curl around Adam's arm against the woven silver diamonds of his sleeve
Aaliya holds out the wide edges of her indigo and silver jacket on the gravel drive, leafy trees glowing on her right
Smiling softly, Aaliya stands alone in the long drive late in her home wedding day, her fan of silver leaves bright against the sky
In profile, Aaliya looks down over her shoulder, the silver leaves on fine wire rising from her dark bun
Adam stands in the middle of the gravel drive with a hand at his waist sash, tall dark hedges and bright trees either side
Close portrait of Adam in his folded indigo headpiece with a silver star, one hand resting on the carved hilt
Aaliya and Adam pose arm in arm on a paved path beneath a tunnel of young leafy trees, agapanthus along the edge
Foreheads together, Aaliya and Adam hold each other close beneath the arching green trees along the path
Aaliya's patterned hand with red nails and a sparkling ring rests against Adam's smiling cheek, a silver chain across his chest
Adam draws Aaliya into a dance hold in the garden, blurred red roses in the foreground and leafy shrubs behind
Holding hands, Aaliya looks back over her shoulder with a smile as she and Adam walk beside the dark conifers
Aaliya and Adam walk away hand in hand down the gravel drive, ending their home wedding day between conifers and leafy trees
The wedding story

Our Melbourne home wedding photos: a crown of silver leaves, tinsel bursts on the lawn and dancing on the tennis court

Getting ready in the house · Matching purple and silver · A flower-banked seat on the tennis court · Family groups under the gazebo · Cake and dancing on the court · Portraits on the conifer drive

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Popcorn before the guests

We arrived to a quiet house in a big green garden, roses along the drive and a teal marquee already standing on the lawn. Under it sat a popcorn machine, a fairy floss machine and a slushie maker, waiting for a crowd of small guests. Inside, a loved one was busy in the kitchen with big pots on the stove. We always photograph a home wedding before the gates open, because once the guests arrive those touches get eaten, moved or hidden behind people, and the couple put real care into every one.

Purple and silver for Adam

Adam was ready early, standing by a window in a purple and silver patterned outfit with a tall folded headpiece to match. He looked calm, a little shy and very pleased with himself. We turned him a quarter towards the glass so the light ran across the pattern and picked out every silver thread. A plain wall behind a groom is fine; soft side light from one window is what makes fabric like that come alive in a photo, and it costs nothing but a minute of moving furniture.

A crown of silver leaves

Aaliya’s headpiece waited on a teal cloth beside her bouquet of white and teal callas and roses: a fan of silver leaves on fine wire, with matching brooches laid out in a row. In the next room her hair was pinned high and her makeup finished while she laughed at someone off to the side. By the window, a loved one smoothed the front of her purple and silver outfit, two silhouettes against the curtains. We kept that frame dark on purpose; it tells you more about the morning than a bright one would.

Together at the bay window

Then Aaliya stood in the curved bay window with her bouquet, the silver leaves catching the light every time she moved her head. We came in close from behind for the detail of the headpiece against her dark hair. An older loved one in blue joined her for a portrait under a landscape painting, and a wide-eyed baby made a very serious appearance in someone’s arms. Adam came in next, the two of them in matching purple and silver, holding hands and grinning at the window before anyone outside had seen them.

A tennis court in party clothes

Out the back, the family tennis court had become a reception ground: a white gazebo hung with sheer curtains, marquees in teal and purple, tables down both sides and a jumping castle just over the fence. Guests poured in through the garden, trays of food came out steaming, and Aaliya crossed the court with her bridesmaids to a raised seat banked with red and white roses. She sat alone on it for a moment, perfectly still among the flowers, while the crowd gathered and the phones came up.

Tinsel bursts on the lawn

Adam’s arrival was the loudest moment of the afternoon. Two boys marched ahead of him across the lawn carrying tall poles topped with bursts of coloured tinsel, and a guest in black danced a playful crouching step in front of him all the way to the court. Adam laughed the whole way in. We ran backwards ahead of the group with a wide lens, low to the grass, so the tinsel filled the top of the frame and the boys’ faces stayed sharp. Then he took his place on the seat beside Aaliya.

Family on the flower seat

The gazebo became our studio. Aaliya had sent us a list of everyone who had to be in the main photos: her parents, her grandparents, her brothers and sister, sisters-in-law, Adam’s brother and their little nephew. We worked through it group by group on the seat, then added cousins, aunties and friends as they came forward. One older guest leaned in to kiss Adam’s cheek on the way past. A written list like Aaliya’s is the single best thing a couple can give us for a big family day.

Cake, a microphone and a dancing court

Later the two of them cut a white tiered cake trimmed with purple ribbon under the teal marquee, next to a bright red and yellow floral centrepiece, and Adam laughed so hard he covered his mouth. Back at the gazebo he took a microphone and spoke to the crowd with Aaliya at his side. Then the court filled with dancing: circles of aunties, a guest in orange throwing her arms out, pairs spinning past the basketball hoop. Tennis courts are great dance floors for photos, because the clean lines keep a busy frame tidy.

The conifer drive

For the last half hour we stole Aaliya and Adam away from the party and walked them down the long gravel drive, lined with tall conifers on one side and leafy trees on the other. By then the sun was low and the trees threw even shade across the path, so their faces stayed soft while the light glowed in the leaves behind them. They walked towards us arm in arm, Adam took a few solo frames with a grin, and then they wandered away down the drive together, two small purple figures between the green walls.

Photographer's venue notes

A family property in Melbourne: a rose banked seat under the gazebo and a late walk down the conifer drive

Read the venue notes

Every corner of the property had a role

Aaliya and Adam used their family property like a venue with several rooms. The house held the getting ready. Arrivals spilled across the front lawn by the rose bushes, while the back lawn carried the marquees, the popcorn and fairy floss machines and the jumping castle for the children. The tennis court became the heart of the day, with the white gazebo, the flower banked seat, the cake and the dancing. The long gravel drive was kept for the two of them at the very end.

Summer sun, white fabric and late shade

It was a bright summer afternoon with big white clouds over the court, and the sun stayed strong for hours. The sheer white curtains of the gazebo helped enormously, because they softened that light across the couple and every family group on the seat while the court stayed bright behind them. Inside the house, the bay window gave us gentle light for the crown of silver leaves and the matching purple and silver outfits. By the time we walked down the drive, the sun had sunk into the trees and the conifers threw cool, even shade across the gravel.

The places we chose for Aaliya and Adam

The bay window was the best spot in the house, with glass on several sides, so Aaliya could turn and always find flattering light on her face. On the court, the gazebo seat banked with red, white and blush roses gave the groups a fixed, comfortable home. Out on the drive, the dark conifers on one side and the bright young leaves on the other gave us two very different backgrounds in a single walk, and the paved path under the arching trees made a green tunnel for close portraits.

Tips for a big day at home

Keep the drive or a garden path clear of parked cars for the last hour, so you have somewhere calm and empty to walk once the party is in full swing. Give children their own corner, as Aaliya and Adam did with the jumping castle and the popcorn machine, so the little ones stay happy while the adults are needed for groups. Set out plenty of chairs in the shade on the lawn for older guests, because the sun stays strong for a long time on a summer afternoon.

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