Bramleigh Estate wedding photos: Nikka and Jessy share a quiet kiss beneath drooping branches beside fallen logs in grassy woodland, Yarra Valley
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Real wedding · Warrandyte, Yarra Valley

Bramleigh Estate Wedding Photos: Nikka & Jessy

Bramleigh Estate · 420 Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd, Warrandyte VIC · Melbourne

Country Wedding · Garden Wedding · Region: VIC - Yarra Valley · City: Melbourne · Venues: Bramleigh Estate · Dark Horse Café

A curly brown poodle in a bow tie, giant LOVE letters on the lawn and a groom who had to hide his face when his bride stepped onto the deck. Nikka and Jessy’s Bramleigh Estate wedding in Warrandyte, on the bush edge of Melbourne’s north-east, was blush pink, navy and soft winter light all afternoon. We were with them from the first button of the morning to a sparkler send-off after the reception, and every hour of it was a joy.

The gallery
Jessy's watch, cologne and two wedding rings resting on the invitation with Jessy and Nikka written in script
Close up of the groom in a navy vest straightening his white tie, silver cufflinks catching the window light
A groomsman helps Jessy into his navy vest as he grins towards the window on the wedding morning
An older man in a grey jacket fastens Jessy's cuff while Jessy adjusts his tie beside a tall window
Jessy in a navy three piece suit and white tie gazes out a tall window, hands in his pockets
Jessy and four groomsmen in navy suits line up on the garden lawn before a green roofed gazebo and gum trees
Jessy strides towards the camera with his groomsmen in navy suits, all grinning, tall gums and bush behind
Jessy, his groomsmen and an older man in a grey suit link arms and laugh together on the lawn
Jessy stands arm in arm with an older man in a grey suit and plum tie beside the garden gazebo
Jessy and the man in the grey suit give a thumbs up and share a grin in front of the green gazebo
The man in the grey suit and plum shirt smiles warmly at Jessy, an arm around his shoulder
Jessy hugs the man in the grey suit tightly beside the gazebo, eyes squeezed shut with emotion
Jessy wraps an arm around a groomsman in a pale pink tie on the lawn in front of the gazebo
Jessy and a groomsman in a pink tie laugh cheek to cheek, arms around each other's shoulders
Jessy poses with a smiling groomsman in a navy suit and pink tie beside the cream gazebo railing
Jessy throws his head back laughing as a groomsman hugs him close beside the gazebo
A tall groomsman with shoulder length hair stands arm in arm with Jessy, both beaming on the lawn with bush behind
The long haired groomsman plants a kiss on Jessy's head as Jessy grins in front of the gazebo
Jessy and a groomsman in glasses and a pink tie stand shoulder to shoulder before the gazebo
Close portrait of Jessy and his bespectacled groomsman smiling, gum trees soft behind the green roof
Nikka's strapless layered tulle gown hangs in a tall timber window at Dark Horse Café in Watsons Creek
Nikka's glittering silver strappy heels resting on a fold of white tulle, ready for her garden wedding
Nikka's perfume, lace garter, invitation, wishing well card and a little elephant charm laid out on tulle
Nikka in a lace trimmed white robe lifts the skirt of her gown where it hangs in the window over the café gardens
Nikka smiles beside her sparkling strapless gown, holding its tulle skirt out in soft light from the country gardens
Bridesmaids in blush pink fluff the layered tulle skirt as Nikka smooths the lace bodice of her gown
Nikka beams as four bridesmaids in blush pink tulle gather round to spread out her skirt before the garden ceremony
Bridesmaids in blush pink arrange Nikka's full tulle skirt beneath a woven pendant light on timber floors
A kneeling bridesmaid buckles Nikka's silver heel in the getting ready room at the country café
Nikka laughs out loud as her bridesmaids crowd in to help with her shoes before the garden wedding
Nikka's silver strappy heels peek out from beneath her sparkling tulle skirt on warm timber floorboards
Nikka smiles towards the window and the gardens outside, holding her bouquet of white and blush roses with baby's breath
Looking down at Nikka's lace bodice, pearl pendant and her bouquet of roses and baby's breath
Nikka stands by a tall curtained window in her layered tulle gown under a woven cane pendant light
Nikka sways her layered tulle skirt by the window on the morning of her country garden wedding, bouquet in hand
A loved one in navy lace pins the veil into Nikka's hair as she sits by the window
Nikka looks up with a tender smile as the loved one in navy lace rests a hand on her shoulder
Veiled Nikka looks out through timber framed glass doors over the deck to the bare trees of the bush
Nikka twirls the edge of her tulle skirt beside floor to ceiling timber windows looking out to the country café gardens
Nikka and four bridesmaids in blush pink gowns hold matching bouquets of roses on the timber floor
Nikka laughs with her bridesmaids in blush pink, their rose and baby's breath bouquets pressed together
The bridesmaids hold their bouquets up beside Nikka's, all laughing in a bright room above the café gardens
Nikka and her bridesmaids lean in and push their bouquets towards the camera, all smiles
Nikka and a bridesmaid with a low ponytail share a happy look, bouquets of blush roses held side by side
A bridesmaid kisses Nikka on the cheek as she laughs, their bouquets pressed together
Nikka stands cheek to cheek with a bridesmaid in blush pink, white rose bouquets touching, before the garden ceremony
Nikka and a smiling bridesmaid pose shoulder to shoulder in the doorway, veil trailing behind
Nikka and a bridesmaid with highlighted hair squeeze close and grin, bouquets held in front
Nikka stands arm in arm with her dad and the loved one in navy lace, ready to leave for the garden wedding
Nikka laughs as her dad takes her hand, the loved one in navy lace smiling at her side
Close on Nikka grinning on her dad's arm, her bouquet of roses and baby's breath held low
The loved one in navy lace watches Nikka with a soft, proud smile as they wait to leave
Her dad and the loved one in navy lace each kiss one of Nikka's cheeks at the same moment
Nikka poses with a man in a camel blazer holding a toddler in a fluffy white coat at the country café
Nikka hugs a smiling flower girl in a white wrap and flower crown, who holds a posy of baby's breath
A boy in navy holds the lead as a curly brown poodle in a bow tie stands up on the deck at Bramleigh Estate
Grinning, the little boy walks the poodle across the timber deck, giant LOVE letters on the Yarra Valley country lawn behind
A man in a camel blazer leads a tiny flower girl in white across the deck at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte, gum trees above
A flower girl in a white wrap walks onto the deck with a posy of baby's breath for the Yarra Valley garden ceremony
A bridesmaid in blush pink walks alone past giant LOVE letters on the country lawn at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
A smiling bridesmaid in a blush tulle gown steps onto the ceremony deck above the country bush lawn
A bridesmaid beams as she walks the timber deck with her rose bouquet, Yarra Valley gums lining the slope behind
Nikka waits with her dad and the loved one in navy on the lawn of Bramleigh Estate at the gateway to the Yarra Valley
Her dad and the loved one in navy walk Nikka down the petal strewn aisle towards the white arbour for the garden ceremony
Jessy covers his face with his hand as Nikka appears, standing by the rose dressed arbour against the Yarra Valley bush
Jessy presses his lips together holding back tears as Nikka walks towards the floral arbour above the bush and gardens
Nikka and Jessy hold hands under the white timber arbour dressed with roses and eucalyptus at Bramleigh Estate
Jessy fights back happy tears beside a beaming Nikka under the rose covered arbour at their country garden wedding
Four bridesmaids in blush pink stand along the white deck rail above the Yarra Valley bush, one wiping away a tear
Her dad, the loved one in navy and a flower girl watch from the front row, the ballroom of Bramleigh Estate in Melbourne's north-east behind
The man in the grey suit watches the ceremony on his phone from a white chair, the estate gardens beyond the deck
Nikka laughs and leans towards Jessy as they hold hands during their Yarra Valley garden ceremony
Guests fill the white chairs on the deck at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte, a young guest cradling the poodle
Her dad, the loved one in navy and a flower girl watch side by side, the bush hills of the Yarra Valley beyond the rail
A guest in a teal jacket wipes away a tear during the garden wedding vows, seated beside a man in a dark suit
Guests in the front row smile at the ceremony, the sloping country lawn and gardens behind them
Four groomsmen in navy suits and pink ties line the white rail at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte, bush behind
Four bridesmaids in blush pink tulle hold rose bouquets along the deck above the Yarra Valley bush
Her dad, the loved one in navy and the flower girl clap from the front row of the garden ceremony
Nikka laughs as Jessy speaks his vows into a microphone held by a woman in a green coat, the estate gardens beyond
Jessy slides the wedding ring onto Nikka's finger, both smiling, with Yarra Valley gum trees soft behind
Nikka and Jessy share their first kiss under the floral arbour as groomsmen clap on the deck at Bramleigh Estate
Her dad grins from the front row as the loved one in navy and the flower girl applaud the kiss
Guests clap and cheer after the kiss at Bramleigh Estate at the gateway to the Yarra Valley, tall gums behind the rail
Nikka signs the register with a rose gold pen at the garden wedding, her bouquet of roses and baby's breath on the table
Jessy leans over the round table on the Yarra Valley deck to sign the register, his watch and new ring on show
Nikka laughs as a witness hugs her from behind while a man in a camel blazer signs beside Jessy
Nikka and Jessy rest their hands with new rings beside the marriage certificate and a rose gold pen after the garden ceremony
Nikka and Jessy sit at the signing table with two witnesses smiling over their shoulders at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
Nikka and Jessy at the signing table with both witnesses and the woman in the green coat, country bush behind
Four groomsmen in navy suits ham it up with thumbs up and pointing fingers by the rail on a grey Yarra Valley afternoon
Guests throw white petals as Nikka and Jessy walk back up the aisle at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte, Jessy clapping
Petals fly over Nikka and Jessy as they head down the aisle of their country wedding between cheering guests
Nikka and Jessy stop for a kiss halfway down the aisle as guests cheer at their Yarra Valley garden wedding
Every guest gathers with Nikka and Jessy on the deck at Bramleigh Estate, the LOVE letters and gums behind
The whole wedding crowd waves arms in the air on the deck, the Yarra Valley bush rising behind
Family photo on the deck edge at Bramleigh Estate in Melbourne's north-east with her dad, the loved one in navy and a couple in teal
A wider family group lines up with Nikka and Jessy at the foot of the sloping country lawn and gardens
Nikka and Jessy stand with her dad and the loved one in a cream faux fur jacket before the LOVE letters at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
Nikka and Jessy pose with the man in the grey suit and a woman in black faux fur by the Yarra Valley estate gardens
A woman in a teal one shoulder dress and a man in a dark suit join Nikka and Jessy for garden portraits
Nikka and Jessy with friends, a toddler and a woman in burgundy satin by the gardens at Bramleigh Estate
Nikka and Jessy line up with family and friends on the deck edge, tall Yarra Valley gums on the slope behind
Family and friends in dusky pink, blue and grey gather around Nikka and Jessy in the gardens at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte
A big family group in rust, teal and grey crowds around Nikka and Jessy on the country garden lawn, two small boys in front
Nikka and Jessy stroll the lawn of Bramleigh Estate at the gateway to the Yarra Valley with the poodle on its lead
Jessy crouches beside the poodle in a bow tie as Nikka leans in, both smiling before the LOVE letters on the garden lawn
Nikka and Jessy kiss beside the curly brown poodle, who looks straight down the lens, at Bramleigh Estate
The wedding party lines up by a fallen log in the Yarra Valley bush, one groomsman striking a silly pose
Nikka and Jessy kiss in the middle of the wedding party among the bush gums at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
Nikka and Jessy walk arm in arm with the bridal party past a tall gum trunk in the country bush
Jessy leads Nikka by the hand across the leaf strewn grass of Bramleigh Estate in Melbourne's north-east, the wedding party behind
Nikka and Jessy kiss among laughing bridesmaids in blush pink during their Yarra Valley garden portraits
Nikka and her bridesmaids glance back over their shoulders, bouquets held high beside a peeling country gum
The groomsmen wave the borrowed bouquets in the air around Nikka and Jessy among the country gums at Bramleigh Estate
Four groomsmen lift a laughing Nikka in a cloud of tulle as bouquets wave among the Yarra Valley gums
Groomsmen hold Nikka aloft, layers of tulle everywhere, while one cheers with a bouquet raised high on the country slope
Nikka and Jessy hold each other by a fallen log under low branches in the bush at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
Jessy kisses Nikka under a curtain of low branches for their garden wedding portraits, her veil falling over the tulle
Nikka and Jessy touch foreheads framed through bare drooping branches at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte
Jessy kisses the back of Nikka's hand as she laughs under the low branches of the Yarra Valley bush
Jessy kisses Nikka's cheek by a fallen log at Bramleigh Estate at the gateway to the Yarra Valley, her gown over dry grass
Jessy lifts the edge of Nikka's tulle skirt as she glances back laughing on the open country slope
Jessy twirls Nikka by the hand between pale peeling gums on the bush slope at Bramleigh Estate
Jessy dips Nikka into a kiss among tall Yarra Valley gum trunks, her bouquet of roses tucked against his back
Jessy leads Nikka by the hand towards the camera for their country garden portraits, gums behind
Nikka beams at Jessy as they walk hand in hand through the gums of the Yarra Valley, bouquet swinging at her side
Nikka and Jessy kiss with their backs to the camera among tall peeling gums at Bramleigh Estate in Melbourne's north-east
Under the veil on a grey Yarra Valley afternoon, Nikka and Jessy stand nose to nose, smiling
In black and white, Nikka and Jessy gaze at each other nose to nose beneath her veil
Jessy kisses Nikka's cheek under the veil as she breaks into a huge smile in the Yarra Valley bush
In black and white, Jessy presses a kiss to Nikka's cheek beneath the veil during their garden portraits
Arm in arm, Nikka and Jessy share a grin as he carries her bouquet past tall pale gums at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
Jessy carries the bouquet while Nikka holds up her tulle skirt on their walk back through the country bush
Nikka and Jessy stroll arm in arm towards the camera, beaming, with the tall bush gums of Bramleigh Estate behind
Nikka and Jessy smile straight at the camera as they head back across the Yarra Valley grass towards the house and gardens
Jessy grins as he strides across the deck at Bramleigh Estate in Warrandyte, the country lawn sloping behind
Nikka glances back over her shoulder as she swishes her tulle skirt across the garden lawn near the LOVE letters
After dark, Nikka and Jessy embrace under the uplit white arbour on the empty deck at Bramleigh Estate
Nikka and Jessy kiss at the far end of the lit deck at night, reflected in tall shuttered windows above the Yarra Valley bush
Guests hold sparklers high as Nikka and Jessy run the sparkler tunnel laughing at Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte
The wedding story

Our Bramleigh Estate wedding photos: a groom hiding happy tears, a poodle at the LOVE letters and a sparkler send-off

Getting ready with the boys and the girls · Deck ceremony under a white arbour · Family groups by the LOVE letters · Bushland portraits among the gums · Reception at Bramleigh Estate · Sparkler send-off

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Navy suits by the gazebo

Jessy’s morning started with the small things laid out on a white table: his watch, his cologne and both rings resting on the invitation with Jessy and Nikka written across it in script. A groomsman helped him into his navy vest, and he could not stop grinning. Then the boys headed outside to a lawn with a little green-roofed gazebo and gum trees behind. Five navy suits in a row look sharp, but the frame we loved was the one where they all kicked a leg out at once and nearly fell over laughing.

Blush pink and a lace robe

Meanwhile, Nikka’s wedding gown hung in a tall timber-framed window while she stood beside it in a lace-trimmed robe, smiling at it like an old friend. Her bridesmaids arrived in blush pink, and the room filled with swishing skirts. One of them knelt on the floorboards to fasten her heels while the others held up the tulle. Rooms with big windows and timber floors are our favourite for getting ready: the floor bounces warm light back up into faces, so we can work without a flash and keep every colour true.

Window light and the bouquet

Once the layered tulle gown was on, we sat Nikka by the window with her bouquet of white roses, blush blooms and baby’s breath. On a grey winter day that window was a giant soft box. A loved one in navy lace fussed over the last details, then each bridesmaid stepped in for a cuddle and a photo cheek to cheek, bouquets pressed together. Before they left, Nikka’s dad and the loved one in navy each kissed one of her cheeks at the same moment, and her smile in that frame says everything.

A poodle on the deck

At Bramleigh Estate, the timber deck was set with white chairs and a white arbour dressed in roses, and big white letters spelling LOVE stood on the lawn below. Before the ceremony a little guest in a navy suit led a curly brown poodle in a bow tie across the boards, and the dog stood up on its back legs for a better look. A tiny flower girl in white toddled along hand in hand with a grown-up, and a bridesmaid in blush walked out alone, bouquet low, past the LOVE letters.

Hiding his face

Nikka’s dad and the loved one in navy walked her across the deck with the bush rolling away behind them. Up at the arbour, Jessy put a hand over his face and dropped his head, and we swung from Nikka to him and back again, because a groom’s reaction lasts seconds and both halves of that moment matter. Under the arbour they laughed through their vows, a guest in teal wiped her eyes, and four groomsmen stood in a tidy line against the white rail. When they kissed, the front row was already on its feet clapping.

Everyone on the deck

Jessy signed the register at a small round table, then Nikka, with two witnesses grinning over their shoulders. They walked back down the aisle and stopped halfway for another kiss among the white chairs. Then we climbed up high and brought every guest onto the deck for one big group, arms waving. For family photos we moved down to the lawn and used the LOVE letters as a backdrop. Big props like that are handy for groups: they give everyone a natural line to stand along and add a bit of fun to formal frames.

Bouquets up in the gums

The poodle got its own moment too. Jessy crouched beside it in front of the LOVE letters while Nikka leaned in for a kiss, and the dog looked straight down the lens like a professional. Then the wedding party walked down into the gum trees at the edge of the property. The groomsmen borrowed the bouquets and held them in the air, the bridesmaids gathered in close while Nikka and Jessy kissed, and then four groomsmen tried to lift her at once, layers of tulle everywhere and everyone howling.

Under the low branches

With the bridal party back inside, we took Nikka and Jessy further into the bush. We framed them through a curtain of low, bare branches, touching foreheads, then by a fallen log where he kissed her and the white gown glowed against the grey bark and dry grass. Jessy twirled her on the open slope, and they strolled back towards the house holding the bouquet between them. One close portrait of Jessy kissing her cheek under the veil we kept in black and white, because her smile needed nothing else.

Arbour lights and sparklers

The reception carried on inside Bramleigh Estate, with a first dance, speeches and a room full of family. After dark we stepped back out onto the deck with Nikka and Jessy. The arbour was lit from below, the boards caught the light, and they stood together in the frame like a stage set. We finished with guests lining the path holding sparklers, and the two of them running the tunnel laughing. For a winter wedding, that is the perfect end to a set of Bramleigh Estate wedding photos: early darkness means you get night frames well before the party winds down.

Photographer's venue notes

Bramleigh Estate, Warrandyte: a winter deck ceremony, a poodle at the LOVE letters and portraits in the gums

Read the venue notes

How Nikka and Jessy used the estate

Once they arrived at Bramleigh Estate, everything happened within a short walk. The ceremony was on the timber deck under the white arbour dressed in roses and eucalyptus, with the white rail and the bush slope behind the bridal party. The register was signed at a round table right there on the deck, and the whole crowd stayed up on the boards for the big group. Family sets moved down to the lawn and the LOVE letters, before the bridal party wandered down the slope into the bush.

Grey skies and an early winter dark

This was a grey winter afternoon, and the soft cloud did Nikka’s layered tulle a big favour. There were no hard shadows on the deck, so faces in the front row and along the rail stayed easy to read from every direction. Down in the bush the light was flat and even, which kept every layer of tulle detailed among the pale trunks. Night had fallen long before the reception was over, and the deck lights were on, so a short step outside gave us a whole new set.

The bush spots we chose

A fallen log under low, bare branches was our anchor in the bush, and draping branches in the foreground gave the quieter frames a soft edge. The log also made a natural line leading into the kiss. The open slope beyond gave room for a twirl and for the groomsmen to lift Nikka in her tulle, while a stand of tall peeling gums suited the walking frames. Back near the house, the LOVE letters doubled as a backdrop for the poodle’s portrait, and the lit arbour on the empty deck gave us a clean night frame.

What we learned for winter couples

If a pet is part of your day, give them a young handler and a short walk across the deck before the ceremony starts. Keep the bouquets handy for the bridal party in the bush, because having the groomsmen wave them around turned a formal set into pure fun. For a sparkler exit, line guests along the path and ask them to hold the sparklers high so faces stay lit. A long tulle skirt meets leaf litter in the bush, so hand your bouquet to your partner on the walk back, as Nikka did.

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