The Boat House wedding photos: Tatiana and Gennady gaze at each other on the lakeshore at dusk, water and hills behind them, Canberra
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Real waterside wedding · Barton, Canberra

The Boat House Wedding Photos: Tatiana & Gennady

The Boat House · Grevillea Park, Barton ACT · Canberra

Waterside Wedding · Region: ACT - Canberra CBD · City: Canberra · Venue: Boat House, Barton

Gold rings beside a sprig of yellow blossom, vows in front of a wall of honey-coloured stone and a white faux fur wrap on a winter beach as the sun dipped over the lake. Tatiana and Gennady’s Canberra wedding gathered about sixteen of their closest people at The Boat House in Barton, with a cake topped by two red hearts and speeches beside a crackling fire. Small, warm and full of laughter, and we loved being part of it.

The gallery
Australian flag flying from a tall white flagpole above dark gum trees under a clear blue afternoon sky
Wedding invitation with a pastel floral wreath and the couple's names, propped against a silver elephant behind a small succulent
Lace mermaid wedding gown with a tiered ruffled skirt hanging from a white hanger on a closed door
Pair of nude suede pointed heels resting on a white table, seen from above in soft window light
Two rose gold wedding bands and a fine diamond engagement ring beside a sprig of fluffy yellow blossom
Rose gold pendant necklace and a slim pink metallic case laid beside white roses and tiny yellow buds
Tatiana in a white robe embroidered with a gold crown, smiling out over green trees from a balcony
Tatiana in her lace sweetheart gown with soft auburn curls over one shoulder, giving a shy smile
Tatiana smiling down at the scalloped lace of her gown in warm indoor light before the ceremony
Close view of Tatiana fastening an earring, lace neckline and loose curls catching soft light
A woman in black kneels beneath Tatiana's ruffled skirt, nude heels waiting on a dark shaggy rug
A loved one in a white cardigan and a woman in black help Tatiana with a satin garter under her tulle skirt
Tatiana seated on a grey couch by the window, holding her bouquet of white roses and green buds
Window light on Tatiana as she looks away from the camera, bouquet resting on the ruffles of her gown
Tatiana seen through window glass on the couch, her long ruffled train spread across the floor, in black and white
Tatiana gazes out the tall window, white rose bouquet settled on the layered ruffles of her skirt
Tatiana and a loved one in a white cardigan lean their heads together and smile straight at the camera
Tatiana laughs as the loved one in the white cardigan smiles back at her on the couch
The loved one in the white cardigan holds her glasses and shares a tender look with Tatiana
Tatiana seated on a shaggy rug in her lace gown, bouquet in her lap, looking softly to one side
Tatiana sits on the dark rug with her bouquet beside her and looks up at the camera, calm and ready
Tatiana and a smiling friend in a black jumpsuit stand back to back by the balcony shutters
The loved one in the white cardigan kisses Tatiana on the cheek as she beams on the balcony
Tatiana standing on the balcony with her bouquet, looking out over bare trees, in black and white
View from the window of tall cypress trees and bare winter branches against a pale blue sky
Rusted steel sign of The Boat House in front of the grey-roofed lakeside building, bare winter branches overhead
Gennady in a black tuxedo with a white rose buttonhole, waiting with a smile before his central Canberra ceremony
Guests in suits and patterned jackets seated in the front row before the ceremony at The Boat House in Barton
Bearded guest in a tuxedo and bow tie smiling towards the front as the waterside ceremony is about to begin
A guest in a pink tie puts his arm around a woman in a red dress, waiting for the bride at a Canberra CBD wedding
Guests in the second row smile towards the aisle in front of the stone bar and wine racks at The Boat House Canberra
Tatiana arm in arm with her dad outside, the lake and bare trees glowing behind them in Canberra city
Her dad walks Tatiana along the path to the ceremony, Lake Burley Griffin shining past bare trees
The tall glass door swings open and Tatiana appears on her dad's arm as guests turn to look in the lakeside room
Gennady waits at the front while her dad brings Tatiana up the aisle at The Boat House in Canberra and guests clap
Tatiana and Gennady face each other by the rough stone wall in central Canberra, the lacing of her gown down her back
Gennady holds Tatiana's hands at The Boat House, Barton as the celebrant's red folder opens in the foreground
Seen from behind Tatiana, a sparkling hair vine in her curls, the front row watches the waterside vows begin
Gennady smiles down at Tatiana while guests in the front row smile along at their Canberra CBD ceremony
The loved one in the white cardigan keeps a white faux fur wrap on her lap beside a guest in a pink coat
Guest in a navy three-piece suit and striped blue tie watching the vows from his seat at a Canberra city wedding
A guest in a red and blue patterned jacket presses her hands to her face as she watches the vows by the lake
Wide view of the ceremony under the glass skylight, Tatiana and Gennady before the golden stone wall at The Boat House
Tatiana smiles up at Gennady with shining eyes against the rough stone wall during their central Canberra vows
Tatiana fights happy tears as the silver-haired celebrant holds the red folder beside her at the lakeside ceremony
Guests laugh at the Canberra CBD ceremony while a woman in a pale pink coat holds up a tablet in a red case
Front row of guests sits smiling on the timber floor at The Boat House Canberra as a videographer films behind them
Close view over Gennady's shoulder of Tatiana smiling at him by the lake, her long curls over her lace strap
Low view of Tatiana and Gennady holding hands beneath the skylight and stone wall at The Boat House in Barton
Older guest in a bow tie smiles through the Canberra city service beside a woman in a floral patterned jacket
Profile of a woman in a red and blue floral jacket with gold hoop earrings, smiling as she watches the waterside vows
Guest in a purple shirt and tie sits beside a smiling woman in a black and white tweed jacket
Tatiana laughs with delight as Gennady slides the ring onto her finger at their central Canberra wedding
Tatiana smiles down as she places the ring on Gennady's finger in front of the golden stone wall at The Boat House, Barton
Tatiana and Gennady hold hands by the lake while the celebrant in pearls reads from the red folder against the rough stone
Gennady looks into Tatiana's eyes at their Canberra CBD ceremony as the celebrant in pearls speaks from her red folder
Older guests and a young man in a bow tie listen from their seats at The Boat House in Canberra, one holding a pink clutch
Older guest in a grey suit and striped tie listens closely to the lakeside vows, hands folded on his knee
Young guest in a burgundy bow tie sits beside an older man in a navy suit, both watching the Canberra city vows
Tatiana and Gennady kiss in front of the golden stone wall under the skylight at The Boat House
Guests clap and laugh in their seats by the lake, the loved one in the white cardigan holding the fur wrap and a red tablet
Front row of guests in central Canberra bursts into smiles and laughter, a woman in a floral jacket holding a red ring box
Guests in the second row grin at the couple beside the wine racks and timber cabinets of The Boat House Canberra
Guest in a navy suit and pink tie holds hands with a woman in a red dress at the waterfront ceremony
Gennady signs the register at a white table in the Canberra CBD as the celebrant points and the bouquet rests beside him
Tatiana leans over the red folder to sign the certificate at The Boat House in Barton, warm stone softly blurred behind her
Bearded guest in a tuxedo leans in to sign the certificate by the lake as Gennady watches with a small smile
Guest in a pale pink coat signs with a rose gold pen at the Canberra city ceremony while Gennady looks down at the page
Tatiana and Gennady sit at the signing table at The Boat House in Canberra, hands together on the red folder, smiling up
Their hands and new rings rest together on the red certificate folder beside the white rose bouquet at the waterside venue
Tatiana and Gennady kiss at the signing table in central Canberra, hands still joined on the red folder
The newlyweds at the signing table with two smiling guests standing behind them by the stone wall of The Boat House, Barton
A guest in a floral sleeve snaps the couple by the lake on her phone as they pose at the stone wall
Tatiana and Gennady stand hand in hand at their Canberra CBD wedding as the celebrant closes her red folder
Tatiana and Gennady burst out laughing at something the celebrant said at The Boat House, the bouquet clasped between them
Tatiana doubles over with laughter against Gennady's shoulder, her ruffled train spread across the lakeside room's timber floor
Full length view of the newlyweds cuddling before the honey-coloured stone wall of The Boat House Canberra, her train fanned out
Tatiana hugs the guest in the pale pink coat after their Canberra city ceremony, while Gennady waits beside them
Gennady shakes hands with a smiling guest in a navy suit at The Boat House in Barton as Tatiana holds her bouquet close
An older guest in a navy cardigan pulls Gennady into a huge hug in central Canberra while Tatiana laughs beside them
The same guest in the navy cardigan wraps Tatiana in a tight embrace at The Boat House in Canberra, eyes crinkled with joy
The loved one in the white cardigan hugs Tatiana by the stone wall of the waterfront venue while guests hold up a red tablet
The loved one in the white cardigan hugs Gennady under the skylight at The Boat House, Barton as Tatiana smiles on
Tatiana beams with her bouquet as a guest in a cream coat reaches out to congratulate her at the Canberra CBD wedding
Tatiana and Gennady hold up their certificate with the celebrant in front of the stone wall by the lake
Seen through the glass doors of The Boat House, the newlyweds stand between the empty rows of chairs before walking out
Tatiana in her white faux fur wrap and Gennady step out through the tall glass doors hand in hand in Canberra city
Red and white rose petals rain down as Tatiana and Gennady walk out of The Boat House by the Lake laughing
Guests cheer and toss petals over the beaming couple at the waterside venue as a videographer's camera rig films the exit
Small wedding party of about sixteen guests gathered with the couple on the path at The Boat House in Grevillea Park
The whole party throws their arms in the air for a joyful group photo on the front path in central Canberra
Tatiana and Gennady walk hand in hand away from The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, her ruffled train trailing behind
Gennady kisses Tatiana as they look out past bare winter trees to the lake
Tatiana laughs with her bouquet as she and Gennady stroll along the sandy beach in Grevillea Park
Gennady grins as Tatiana laughs into the breeze, white roses held high beside the lake
Tatiana and Gennady walk hand in hand across the sand in the Canberra CBD, her ruffled skirt swinging as she smiles
Gennady glances at Tatiana as they walk the waterside sand, her faux fur wrap bright in the low winter sun
Tatiana blows a playful kiss while Gennady laughs behind his hand on the beach below The Boat House in Grevillea Park
Tatiana and Gennady laugh as they walk hand in hand towards the camera, the lake and bare trees behind
Gennady grins back at the camera as Tatiana leads him along the shoreline in Canberra city, bouquet in hand
Tatiana smiles over her bouquet of white roses as Gennady holds her hand on the lakeside sand
Tatiana and Gennady stand close on the sand as silver light breaks through the clouds over Lake Burley Griffin's East Basin
Tatiana gazes up at Gennady as he holds her bouquet close at the edge of the lake
Wind lifts Tatiana's hair as she smiles up at Gennady, eyes half closed, on the beach at Grevillea Park in Barton
Close lakeside portrait of Tatiana looking up at Gennady with a gentle smile, faux fur collar soft around her
Wide view of Tatiana and Gennady on the little sandy beach in central Canberra, broad water and clouds stretching beyond
Tatiana laughs with the wind in her hair by the water, white fur collar bright against the blue
Tatiana wraps her arms around Gennady below The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, bouquet behind his back
Tatiana grins at the camera as Gennady hugs her close on the waterside sand, bouquet in his hand
Gennady kisses Tatiana's temple and she leans into his shoulder on the beach at Grevillea Park on Lake Burley Griffin
Tatiana closes her eyes and nestles against Gennady on the sand as small waves roll in off the lake
Calm grey water of Lake Burley Griffin under a long band of cloud, apartments and a tall flagpole on the far shore
Tatiana and Gennady stroll hand in hand along the lakeside footpath, wide water and far hills beyond
The newlyweds walk the curving path below The Boat House in Grevillea Park under the bare branches of a large tree
Gennady smiles down at Tatiana as they walk the path by the water beneath a spreading bare tree
Tatiana and Gennady face each other at the water's edge in the Canberra CBD under a canopy of bare winter branches
Tiny figures of the couple stand between two bare weeping willows in Grevillea Park, the lake beyond
Tatiana and Gennady embrace under hanging willow branches on the waterside lawn, her long train spread over fallen leaves
Gennady rests his cheek on Tatiana's hair as she hugs him by the lake, her rings catching the late light
Tatiana and Gennady hold each other close beneath the willow fronds below The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin
Gennady kisses Tatiana's forehead beneath a bare willow on the lakeside lawn, her white faux fur wrap bright in the fading light
Willow strands frame Tatiana and Gennady hugging on the path in Grevillea Park, apartments lining the far shore of the lake
Tatiana and Gennady embrace softly out of focus behind a curtain of bare willow strands in central Canberra
Tatiana laughs and tucks back her hair under the willows, the lit windows of The Boat House glowing across the lawn
Tatiana holds a willow strand and smiles in her ruffled mermaid gown, tall cypress trees rising behind her in Canberra city
Gennady in his black tuxedo strolls across the waterfront lawn with one hand in his pocket and a soft smile
Gennady gazes across the water in profile, a white rose on his satin lapel, the lights of The Boat House in Grevillea Park behind
Close view of Gennady's white rose buttonhole with tiny white sprigs against his dark lapel as he glances down
Gennady stands beside a bare willow at The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, hands in his pockets, the far shore pale behind him
Gennady walks towards the camera across the lakeside grass, hand in his pocket and eyes to one side, in black and white
Dusk settles on the dark brick entrance of The Boat House, Barton, lamps glowing by the open timber door and petals on the step
Small white cake topped with two red hearts and their first names in red icing, two cake knives beside it at the lakeside reception
Printed dinner menu headed with the couple's first names on a white tablecloth, pink flowers softly blurred beside it
Table posy of coral pink lilies and tiny white blooms in a glass bowl at The Boat House in Canberra, glassware sparkling behind
Gift table of presents wrapped in gold, chevron and floral paper between two bouquets in tall glass vases at the Canberra CBD dinner
Red roses wrapped in kraft paper rise from a glass vase behind a pile of floral and chevron gifts at the waterside reception
A smiling guitarist with a sculpted mohawk plays acoustic guitar beside a drummer in a black hat at The Boat House in Barton
Four smiling friends in tweed, black, red and camel pose arm in arm by a lake window at their central Canberra reception
Tatiana raises a glass of bubbles between the loved one in the white cardigan and a woman in a floral jacket by gold leaf art
The newlyweds stand with two loved ones in a white cardigan and a floral jacket beside the gold leaf art at The Boat House Canberra
Tatiana and Gennady stand close beside the loved one in the white cardigan and glasses, all three smiling by the gold artwork
Tatiana and Gennady line up with three loved ones in a white cardigan, a floral jacket and a bow tie for a family photo
A man in a bow tie and the woman in the floral jacket stand either side of the beaming couple at the Canberra CBD reception
Family group of eight with Tatiana and Gennady on the timber boards at The Boat House, her dad in his grey suit near one end
Tatiana and Gennady with her dad and an older woman in a dark cardigan over a floral dress before the gold leaf painting
Gennady and a young man in a burgundy bow tie hug Tatiana between them, all grinning against the gold artwork in Canberra city
Bearded guest in a white shirt and black bow tie leans in beside a smiling woman in black at the lakeside dinner
At The Boat House by the Lake, a guest in a blue shirt hugs a smiling woman in tweed, water glinting through the glass doors
Three friends in a checked shirt, a coral dress and black lean in together at a round table, far apartments glowing beyond
Guest in a red tie and checked shirt sits arm in arm with a woman in a coral dress at their Canberra CBD dinner table
Guest in a striped tie and dark waistcoat sits close to a smiling woman in a cream jacket over navy at the waterfront reception
Two guests in dark suits smile at their table while a long mirror behind them reflects the windows and a photographer
Two smiling women in black and coral lean over a seated friend in glasses at The Boat House in Grevillea Park, the lake beyond
Guests stand to clap as Tatiana and Gennady walk in across the timber floor, a videographer filming at their Canberra city reception
Guests rise from their round tables to applaud in the dining room of The Boat House, Barton, tall windows open to the lake
Her dad and other guests clap around a table of pink flowers as the lakeside view fills the tall windows behind them
Two women in black and coral clap beside a smiling guest in a checked shirt as the newlyweds are welcomed in central Canberra
Tatiana rests her chin on her hand and laughs beside Gennady and a guest in a black ruffled top at the waterside table
Wide view of the dining room at The Boat House in Canberra as guests watch a slideshow of red hearts on the big screen
Tatiana and her table turn to watch family photos on the screen at the end of the long dining room
Tatiana listens with her chin on her hand beside Gennady, the lake deep blue in the window behind them
Tatiana covers her mouth as she laughs beside Gennady and a guest with a blonde ponytail during the Canberra city slideshow
Tatiana leans her cheek on her hand and smiles while a guest with a blonde ponytail looks on across the waterfront table
Gennady throws his head back laughing at the table while Tatiana hides a giggle behind her hand
Guests dine beside tall windows at dusk at The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, the water rippling beyond the deck
Guests clap and smile at a table of pink flowers, bare willows framed in the windows behind them
Her dad sits with two women in a dark cardigan and a floral jacket at a table by the dark lakeside windows
Her dad, the woman in the dark cardigan and the woman in the floral jacket lean together and smile at their Canberra CBD table
The woman in the floral jacket holds a glass of white wine beside the loved one in the white cardigan at the waterside dinner
A man in a printed shirt, a young man in a burgundy bow tie and her dad dine before Lake Burley Griffin at night
The young man in the burgundy bow tie sits with her dad and two women at their table, city lights across the dark water
The woman in the floral jacket wraps her arms around the man in the printed shirt and the young man in the burgundy bow tie
The woman in the floral jacket hugs her dad and the woman in the dark cardigan from behind at The Boat House Canberra
Her dad sits close to the woman in the dark cardigan, both smiling, the lake shimmering in the dark beyond the deck
The loved one in the white cardigan sits at her table with handwritten notes beside her plate in Canberra city
Tatiana laughs and reaches out to hold hands with friends in a cream jacket and a coral dress at The Boat House in Barton
Gennady smiles at Tatiana as a guest with a blonde ponytail chats across their table, gifts stacked behind them
Tatiana and Gennady smile from their round table among friends at the central Canberra reception, pink flowers in the middle
A loved one in a floral jacket gives a speech by the glowing fireplace at The Boat House as her tablemates listen
Guests turn in their seats to listen to the speeches at the waterfront reception while a videographer films from a tripod
The loved one in the floral jacket smiles as she reads her speech, the fire glowing behind her at the Canberra CBD reception
Gennady grins towards the speaker as Tatiana laughs softly beside him, a flute of bubbles on the lakeside table
Gennady laughs out loud during the speeches while Tatiana hides her face in laughter beside him
Her dad, the man in the printed shirt and two guests listen at a round table at The Boat House in Grevillea Park
Tatiana and Gennady stand and kiss at their table as a guest in black raises her glass in a toast in central Canberra
Tatiana laughs as Gennady reads from a card at their table, friends raising glasses at the waterside reception
Bearded guest in a tuxedo reads a speech from a sheet of paper as a guest with a blonde ponytail looks down beside him
Tatiana and Gennady smile up from their table at The Boat House, Barton as the bearded guest reads his speech
Gennady bursts out laughing and Tatiana grins as the guest giving the speech points to the ceiling
Guests stand around a round table at The Boat House in Canberra and raise their glasses to Tatiana and Gennady
Tatiana and Gennady turn in their chairs to listen as the loved one in the white cardigan reads a speech at the lakeside dinner
The loved one in the white cardigan reads her speech from a sheet of paper, microphone in hand, under coloured lights in central Canberra
Tatiana and Gennady listen from their table with the fireplace glowing behind them at The Boat House
The woman in the floral jacket smiles up at the loved one in the white cardigan as she speaks into the microphone
Her dad and his tablemates listen to the speech at The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, lights glittering across the water outside
Gennady rests a hand on Tatiana's shoulder as she listens quietly, the room's lights reflected in a long mirror at their Canberra CBD wedding
Tatiana wipes away a tear as Gennady holds her close, listening to the loved one in the white cardigan read her speech
Tatiana smiles through happy tears at the speaker while Gennady keeps his arm around her, her ruffled skirt spilling over the chair
Tatiana touches her face as she listens at the waterfront reception, Gennady's arm around her, while the speech goes on
Gennady claps as Tatiana and the loved one in the white cardigan share a long hug after the speech at The Boat House Canberra
The loved one in the white cardigan holds Tatiana's hands after her speech while Gennady applauds beside them in Canberra city
Gennady hugs the loved one in the white cardigan as Tatiana smiles beside them and guests watch from their lakeside tables
Tatiana and Gennady line up with five friends against the lit golden stone wall of The Boat House, timber floor at their feet
Tatiana lifts her ruffled skirt to show off a lace garter, laughing with three friends against the stone wall in central Canberra
Gennady shakes hands with a bearded friend in a tuxedo as six men in suits line up along the rough stone wall
Laughing friends lift Gennady sideways into their arms in front of the rough stone wall at The Boat House in Barton
Close view of Gennady beaming as his friends hold him aloft against the warm stone at the waterside reception
Tatiana stands among five women friends in black, tweed, navy and red against the lit stone wall at The Boat House in Grevillea Park
Tatiana looks back over her shoulder with a laugh as five friends hug in close at the golden stone wall in Canberra CBD
Tatiana glances back with a smile from the middle of a line of friends in black, tweed, white and red at the lakeside venue
Gennady kneels in front of Tatiana as a dozen friends gather round for a group photo at the stone wall of The Boat House, Barton
Tatiana and Gennady with two friends in a navy dress and a striped tie, smiling in front of the rough stone wall in Canberra city
Tatiana and Gennady pose with a friend in a coral dress and a guest in a pink tie against the warm stone
Tatiana and Gennady with a friend in black and a guest in a maroon tie before the golden stone at The Boat House in Canberra
Friends strike playful poses with the couple at the stone wall, Tatiana kicking up one heel with a laugh
Tatiana and Gennady with a guest in a blue shirt and a woman in tweed on the timber floor of The Boat House Canberra
Tatiana and Gennady with a woman in a black jumpsuit and a bearded friend in a tuxedo, the stone glowing behind at the waterfront venue
Gennady chats with three friends in suits near the bar and timber cabinets, seen through a half open door at their Canberra CBD wedding
Gennady holds a card and gestures to Tatiana on the empty dance floor of The Boat House by the Lake under coloured lights
Her dad and family smile from their round table by the dark lakeside windows, one holding up a phone in a pink case
Guests watch from their table as Gennady reads his words to Tatiana, a videographer filming on a tripod at the Canberra city reception
Gennady reads his own words from a card to Tatiana under pink and purple lights, a glass of bubbles in her hand
Tatiana listens quietly as Gennady reads from his card beside her, a red canvas glowing on the white brick wall
A guest in a coral dress laughs at her table during the speeches in central Canberra while the videographer films from the back
Gennady raises a glass of bubbles in a toast beside Tatiana in front of the glowing fireplace at The Boat House
Guests at the family table turn their chairs to watch the toast at the waterside reception, the loved one in the white cardigan in front
Tatiana sings into a microphone to Gennady as they hold hands on the timber dance floor under purple light in Canberra CBD
The loved one in the white cardigan, her dad and family smile as they watch the couple, one filming on a red phone
Guests at a round table lean forward to listen, gifts and flowers stacked on the long table behind them in Canberra city
Guest with a blonde ponytail rests her chin on her hand and grins across the waterfront table, gifts piled behind her
A table of friends turns towards the dance floor to listen, glasses of bubbles and pink flowers between them
Tatiana sings into the microphone with Gennady at her side, a red canvas and pink light on the brick wall in central Canberra
Her dad speaks into a microphone at his table by the lakeside windows, gesturing with one hand as the man in the printed shirt smiles
Gennady hugs Tatiana close beside the cake table at The Boat House in Barton, the little white cake with red hearts waiting
Her dad stands with a microphone at the family table by the dark windows as the loved one in the white cardigan listens
A man in a printed shirt and bow tie speaks into a microphone by the fireplace while the couple listen at the Canberra CBD reception
The man in the printed shirt smiles mid speech, microphone in hand, the fire glowing in its steel surround beside him
Tatiana reaches out with her glass to the man in the printed shirt as Gennady smiles on the dance floor
The woman in the floral jacket and the man in the printed shirt dance together on the timber floor in Canberra city
Tatiana and Gennady cut the cake together at The Boat House in Grevillea Park, smiling at the camera beside her bouquet
Close view of their hands guiding the knife into the white cake with a red heart, two flutes of bubbles in front
Tatiana and Gennady kiss over the cake table, knife and server still in hand, the lit shore glowing through the windows
The wedding story

Our Boat House wedding photos: vows by the stone wall, a faux fur wrap on the beach and speeches by the fire

Getting ready at home · Ceremony by the stone wall at The Boat House · Arms up out the front · Winter beach in Grevillea Park · Dinner and speeches by the fire · Cake and dancing

Read the full story

Rings and yellow blossom

The day opened under a clear blue winter sky, an Australian flag snapping above the gum trees. Inside, we set the rings down beside a sprig of fluffy yellow blossom, two rose-gold bands and a fine diamond ring, and shot them close while the light from the window was still soft. Tatiana was already in her lace sweetheart gown, glancing down with a shy smile. We sat her on the couch by the glass with her bouquet of white roses and green buds, because side light from a big window is the kindest light there is for a bride.

A quiet moment on the couch

A loved one in a white cardigan sat down beside Tatiana, and the two of them leaned their heads together and smiled straight at us. It was one of those frames that needs no direction at all. Then Tatiana settled on a shaggy rug with the bouquet in her lap, her skirt spread out around her, and looked up at the camera, calm and ready. At a small wedding the getting-ready part is short, so we keep it simple: one good window, one or two people, and enough time to breathe before everyone heads out.

Arriving at the lake

We went ahead to The Boat House in Barton to catch the grey-roofed building and its rusty steel sign before the guests arrived, bare winter branches overhead and the lake glinting behind. Inside, the ceremony room was set with two neat rows of chairs on a timber floor. Gennady waited at the front, and when the tall glass door swung open Tatiana appeared on her dad’s arm with the winter trees framed behind her. We stood among the guests for that one, so their heads turned towards her in the same frame.

Sixteen happy faces

With about sixteen guests, every face in the room was part of the story. A couple near the aisle leaned in close, an older guest in a patterned jacket beamed through the whole service, and a younger guest kept a red ring box safe on his knee. Gennady could not take his eyes off Tatiana as she reached him. Small ceremonies are wonderful to photograph because the reactions are so close: we used a longer lens from the side wall and caught the smiles in the front row without anybody having to turn around.

Rings by the stone wall

Tatiana and Gennady stood in front of a rough wall of golden stone while the celebrant read from a red folder. Gennady slid the ring onto Tatiana’s finger and she laughed with delight. Stone like this is a dream behind a white gown: it adds warmth and texture but stays quiet, so the eye goes straight to faces and hands. Tatiana signed the certificate with the bouquet resting beside her, we came in close on their hands together on the red cover, and then the three of them burst out laughing at something the celebrant said.

Hugs and arms in the air

Then came the handshakes and the hugs. A guest pulled Gennady into a huge embrace while Tatiana held her bouquet and beamed, and under the skylight everyone took turns to congratulate them. They walked out through the glass doors together, and on the lawn in front of The Boat House the whole party threw their arms in the air for one joyful group photo. With a small group we always do one big, silly frame like this outdoors. It is usually the photo couples frame, because it looks exactly like how the day felt.

A faux fur wrap on the beach

Tatiana pulled on a white faux fur wrap and we walked the two of them down to the little sandy beach below the building. Winter sun sits low over Canberra by mid-afternoon, so the light came in gold across the water and lit their faces from the side. They held hands and laughed along the sand, Gennady kissed her temple, and she leaned into his shoulder with her eyes closed. For us, The Boat House wedding photos from this beach were the heart of the day: the lake bright behind them and nothing in the way.

Under the bare willows

As the sun went down we walked them along the curving lakeside path, then stopped Tatiana under a stand of bare willows. Their branches hung down like a curtain, the lake shone pale behind her, and the lit windows of The Boat House glowed through the trees. She tucked her hair behind her ear and laughed. We finished with a close detail of Gennady’s white rose buttonhole against his dark lapel. Winter has a beauty of its own here: no leaves means more sky and more lake in every frame.

Speeches, cake and dancing

Inside, the windows turned deep blue as the guests sat down at round tables, a little white cake with two red hearts and their names waiting on its stand. A loved one stood by the fire to give a warm speech, Gennady laughed until he cried, and later read his own words from a card. Friends and family took turns posing with the couple against the lit stone wall, a group of friends struck poses, and then Tatiana and Gennady cut the cake together and danced under coloured lights on the timber floor.

Photographer's venue notes

The Boat House, Barton: winter vows by the stone wall and a golden walk on the little beach below

Read the venue notes

One building for the whole day

Tatiana and Gennady kept everything at The Boat House, so once they left home the day never needed another car. Their vows took place indoors beneath the skylight, in front of the honey coloured stone wall, with short rows of chairs on the timber floor. From there it was out through the glass doors for petals and a group photo on the front path, down to the sand for portraits, along the lakeside path to the willows, then back inside to a dining room with the fire going and the lake in the windows.

Winter light, low and early

It was a clear winter afternoon, and the sun already sat low over the East Basin as the ceremony wrapped up. That low angle lit Tatiana and Gennady from the side on the beach and made the water bright behind them, turning silver whenever cloud drifted across. Once the sun dropped, the light under the bare willows went cool and soft, which suited the white faux fur wrap beautifully. By dinner, the glass behind the tables had gone navy, with lights shining across the dark water.

Where we stood for this couple

Under the skylight we framed wide first, so the stone wall and the glass roof told the story of the room, then came in close for the rings and the signing on the red folder. On the beach we kept the lake behind them and simply let them walk, laugh and lean in, which suited a couple this relaxed. The willow stand was our quiet finish, shooting through the hanging strands for a soft edge. After dark the same stone wall, now lit, became the backdrop for every friend and family group.

Tips for a small winter wedding here

Keep a warm wrap that suits the dress close at hand, as Tatiana did, so stepping outside straight after the vows costs nothing. Head for the beach as soon as the group photo is done, because the gold light on a winter afternoon here is brief, and every moment spent indoors first is a moment lost by the water. With a small guest list, use the lit stone wall for groups after dinner, when everyone is relaxed and happy to pose in twos and threes.

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