Leonda By The Yarra wedding photos: Sandra and Thanh walk down the garden steps towards the river jetty under tall gums in Melbourne
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Real church wedding · Hawthorn, Melbourne

Leonda By The Yarra Wedding Photos: Sandra & Thanh

Leonda By The Yarra · 2 Wallen Rd, Hawthorn VIC · Melbourne

Church & Cathedral Wedding · City: Melbourne · Venue: Leonda By The Yarra

A cathedral-length veil spread across the marble at St Anthony’s, a walk hand in hand across the road on a green light, then the groomsmen swinging the bride sideways on a timber jetty over the Yarra. Sandra and Thanh’s wedding at Leonda by the Yarra in Hawthorn kept everything within a few hundred steps. The reception brought white shorts, a dancing bridal party entrance, happy tears into a napkin and a first dance with a lift. We loved every minute.

The gallery
Sandra and Thanh's wedding invitation beside white orchids and a pearl hair comb, laid out at home before the church ceremony
Solitaire ring and rose gold teardrop earrings resting on the leafy wedding invitation beside green hydrangeas
White orchid buttonholes lined up in a row on green and white damask paper at home
Three bouquets of white orchids, green hydrangeas and blush roses lined up on the kitchen bench
Lace and crepe wedding gown hanging in a white doorway at home above pale timber floorboards
Close detail of the beaded lace bodice on the hanging gown, soft light over the stair rail behind
Nude block heel sandals with gold buckles resting on soft white tulle
Sandra in a navy robe with her hair pinned up as a fine brush adds colour to her lips
Sandra comes down the timber staircase in her lace gown while two bridesmaids behind gather her veil and train
Sandra smiles in the hallway at home in her lace gown, two bridesmaids in mauve grey dresses following behind
A woman in black pins the long veil into Sandra's hair as she sits on a timber chair
Sandra reflected in a mirror while her veil is pinned, the leafy courtyard showing through the glass behind
Close portrait of Sandra in her beaded lace gown and veil, gazing towards the window as her hair is finished
Sandra stands by a tall window at home before the church ceremony, holding white orchids and hydrangeas
Sandra looks away in soft window light, her orchid and hydrangea bouquet held low against the lace
Profile of Sandra showing the open lace back of her gown and veil, the garden glowing outside
Sandra walks past the glass doors at home with her bouquet, an ivy covered fence in the courtyard behind
Salmon brick walls and the pointed spire of St Anthony's Shrine in Hawthorn against a clear blue sky
Guests fill the timber pews beneath painted ceiling panels, chandeliers and stained glass inside the church
Thanh grins in the church aisle in a charcoal jacket and white buttonhole, chatting with a guest at the pews
An older couple and a woman in a red and gold brocade dress smile from a church pew
Family and friends line a timber pew in red, pink and lilac outfits, stained glass and the timber gallery behind
Thanh waits at the front of the church beside two celebrants in white, painted saints and the marble altar behind
Bridesmaids in long mauve grey dresses walk up the sunny drive at St Anthony's holding white bouquets
Sandra arrives with her veil down over her face, a woman in black lace carrying her train past the brick church
Sandra laughs under her veil and tucks back her hair, a woman in sunglasses and black lace beside her
Sandra and her dad stand arm in arm outside before the processional, her veil down over her face
A bridesmaid walks down the striped marble aisle, the timber doors open and Sandra waiting in the light behind
Smiling bridesmaid in a mauve grey gown carries white hydrangeas and roses down the church aisle
Her dad walks Sandra down the aisle of St Anthony's Shrine beneath stained glass and painted saints
Sandra and her dad walk the striped marble aisle of the church in sunlight, gold saint panels and timber doors behind
Wide view back down the nave of the Shrine of St Anthony as her dad walks Sandra in under the chandeliers
Her dad hands Sandra to a beaming Thanh at the front of the church, the groomsmen looking on
Thanh grins at Sandra through her veil as he takes her hand, his groomsmen and family watching from the church pews
Sandra and Thanh stand before the marble altar as two celebrants in white robes speak from the lectern
Guests stand in the timber pews at St Anthony's Shrine on Power Street, stained glass and a statue along the side aisle
Guests in silk and brocade outfits stand together at the front pew during the church ceremony
Sandra stands at the church altar under her veil, bouquet in hand, a painted saint glowing on the wall above
Sandra's dad watches the church ceremony from the pew in a grey suit and white orchid buttonhole
Two groomsmen in navy suits and white buttonholes watch the ceremony, stained glass church windows glowing behind
Thanh reads at the brass lectern beside the marble pulpit stairs while Sandra waits, veil still down
Sandra and Thanh stand together by the carved marble pulpit and an angel statue at St Anthony's
The two bridesmaids sit close in the front pew of the church, white orchid and hydrangea bouquets in their laps
Guests in silk and floral outfits sit beside church pews decorated with blush roses and white tulle bows
Sandra's dad and a woman in a floral dress stand together in the pews, each holding a white flower
An older couple in a pale silk jacket and dark suit stand at the front pew beside a groomsman
Wide view of guests seated across the timber pews of St Anthony's Shrine, groomsmen at the front
Sandra's dad wipes away a tear in the pew as the groomsmen and guests watch the church ceremony
Guests sit in the church pews facing the altar, painted saints and timber doors at the back
Bridesmaids and guests in the front pews listen during the church service, stained glass and a statue behind
Friends in party dresses sit along the side pews, a marble shrine and statue lit behind them
Thanh laughs beside Sandra as they sit on white upholstered chairs before the marble church altar
Both bridesmaids sit quietly in the pew holding their bouquets as the church ceremony continues
A bridesmaid smiles towards the camera from the pew, a white orchid bouquet resting in her lap
Sandra sits beside Thanh under her long veil, red roses and lilies on the church altar behind
Guests in glasses and silk dresses watch from the pews, a lit statue on the side altar behind
Wide view of the painted apse and marble altar at St Anthony's Shrine in Hawthorn as Sandra and Thanh join hands
Sandra holds Thanh's hands under her veil at the church altar while a bridesmaid in mauve watches with her bouquet
Sandra smiles softly through the tulle veil as she faces Thanh in the warm light of the church
Thanh and Sandra join hands for their vows as the celebrant holds the microphone before the marble altar
A groomsman holds the open red ring box beside Thanh as Sandra waits under her lace backed veil
Thanh slides the wedding ring onto Sandra's finger at the altar of the church as the celebrant in white robes looks on
Ring exchange at the front of St Anthony's, the painted mural and marble altar rising behind
Guests applaud from the church pews, a woman in red and gold holding a printed sheet
Sandra and Thanh kiss at the altar of St Anthony's Shrine beneath the coffered red ceiling
A guest in a red and gold dress takes a phone snap from the pew as family and friends smile
Young guests laugh together along a church pew, a statue and stained glass windows behind them
Guests turn and smile in the pews as a man in a pink shirt stands holding a dark jacket
A loved one in a red dress reads from the brass lectern while Thanh listens with his back to the camera
Older guests lean on the front pew as everyone stands, stained glass glowing at the back of the church
Guests stand along church pews tied with blush rose posies, a statue in a stained glass alcove behind
Sandra and Thanh walk hand in hand down the striped marble aisle under the painted church ceiling
Sandra and Thanh walk back towards the altar of the Shrine of St Anthony, her long veil trailing on the marble
Thanh smiles across at Sandra as they sit by the church altar flowers, her veil now folded back
Two celebrants at the white clothed altar of St Anthony's Shrine beneath the statue and painted saints
A celebrant raises his arms towards Sandra and Thanh as they stand side by side in the bright church
Sandra reaches across the front pew to hold the hands of an older guest in a pale silk jacket
Sandra and the celebrant reach across a pew to take the hands of older guests in the front row, everyone beaming
Sandra clasps hands with a smiling woman in a floral dress across the front pew of the church
Sandra and Thanh sit side by side near the marble church sanctuary, her white orchid bouquet in her lap
Guests come forward one by one to the celebrants at the altar rail of St Anthony's
Thanh bends to sign the register on a white draped table as Sandra and the celebrant look on
Sandra leans over the white cloth to sign the church register, a pearl comb in her hair
An older guest in a pale suit signs the register while Sandra watches over his shoulder
A woman in a floral dress with a ribbon scrunchie signs the register as the celebrant waits behind
The celebrant in white robes signs the church register while Thanh stands by with hands clasped
Guests and bridesmaids applaud from the pews at St Anthony's Shrine in Hawthorn as a man holds up his phone
Smiling guests clap in the church pews, a statue and stained glass windows glowing on the side wall
Sandra and Thanh hold up their marriage certificate in front of the marble altar and painted saints
Guests and bridesmaids smile and clap from the front church pews after the signing
Groomsmen sit in the front pew beside guests in red silk and floral outfits, smiling towards the altar
Sandra and Thanh stand with both celebrants at the marble altar rail of St Anthony's Shrine
Family and friends gather around Sandra and Thanh for a big group beneath the painted church apse
An older guest leaning on her cane stands with Sandra, Thanh and family in front of the altar
Sandra and Thanh with two older guests and a woman in red and gold brocade at the church altar steps
The bridesmaids, Sandra, Thanh, her dad and a woman in a floral dress line up in front of the pulpit
A larger family group joins Sandra, Thanh, her dad and the bridesmaids beside the church pulpit
Sandra and Thanh with women in pink, blue, red and patterned silk dresses and two men by the pulpit
Friends in suits and dresses gather with Sandra and Thanh on the church altar steps
A row of girlfriends in bright dresses lines up with Sandra and Thanh at the front of St Anthony's
Thanh leans in to kiss Sandra as their friends in party dresses laugh along the church altar rail
Sandra and Thanh pose with a woman in a mustard dress holding a quilted black handbag at the altar rail
Sandra and Thanh with two men in suits and two women in lilac and flame patterned silk dresses inside the church
A family group in suits and floral dresses stands with the couple before the altar of St Anthony's Shrine on Power Street
Six women in red, coral, aqua, floral and pink dresses surround Sandra and Thanh near the church pulpit
Sandra and Thanh with a woman in polka dots, a friend in a floral sundress and a man in a pink blazer
Sandra and Thanh between friends in a pastel floral skirt and a black dress inside the church
Sandra and Thanh with a young man in a white shirt, a man in a pinstripe suit and two women in red and white
Sandra and Thanh with friends in a lilac blazer, a grey lace dress and bold printed dresses on the altar steps
The bridal party lines up along the marble rail of the Shrine of St Anthony, groomsmen in tweed and bridesmaids in mauve
Thanh, Sandra, two groomsmen and two bridesmaids stand before the marble altar shrine and painted saints
The bridal party laughs together beneath the painted saints of the church apse, white orchid bouquets held low
Sandra and Thanh with a friend in a pale blue shirt and a woman in a blush lace dress at St Anthony's
Thanh and Sandra pose between a man in a dark jacket and a woman in a purple off shoulder dress at the altar steps
Friends and family in a white blazer, floral and burgundy dresses line up with Sandra and Thanh at the church altar rail
Sandra's cathedral length veil spreads across the marble steps as she stands with Thanh at St Anthony's Shrine in Hawthorn
Thanh and Sandra kiss before the church altar and painted saints, her long veil pooled down the marble steps
Sandra and Thanh with a friend in a black shirt and a woman in a dark cardigan in the sunlit church
Sandra stands in silhouette in the bright church doorway, her train swirling across the floor, in black and white
Sandra and Thanh kiss in the open church doors in black and white, her train spread across the stone floor
Sandra and Thanh cross the road hand in hand on a green light from St Anthony's Shrine, her veil lifting behind
Thanh leads Sandra across the busy road after the church ceremony, a line of cars waiting in the afternoon sun
The bridal party follows Sandra and Thanh over the tram lines from the Shrine of St Anthony, a woman carrying her veil
Guests in suits and summer dresses wait by the white columns and clipped round hedges for the couple to arrive
Sandra and Thanh walk past the white colonnade and topiary trees at the front of Leonda By The Yarra, her veil trailing
Thanh and Sandra walk a hedge lined path down towards the river after the church ceremony, her veil spread over the pavers
Sandra and Thanh stand on the garden path at Leonda beneath a weeping tree, her long train fanned across the pavers
Close portrait of Sandra and Thanh smiling at each other, a crystal comb in her hair and blush roses in her bouquet
Sandra and Thanh stroll down a timber boardwalk past grassy banks sloping to the Yarra River
Sandra and Thanh pause at the top of the garden steps after their church vows, white lanterns by the rail and the jetty below
The bridal party lines up on the sunny timber deck at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn, bridesmaids in mauve grey dresses
Thanh in a navy blazer and Sandra with her orchid bouquet stand on the timber landing, the river glinting behind them
Sandra smiles beside Thanh at the top of the steps down to the water at Leonda in Hawthorn, a white lantern on the boards
Thanh and Sandra share a close moment under her sheer veil after the church ceremony, a white rose buttonhole on his lapel
Wide view of Sandra and Thanh on the riverside deck at Leonda By The Yarra, tall gums and the water stretching behind
Thanh and his two groomsmen stand with Sandra on the timber jetty, her long train spread across the weathered boards
The groomsmen swing Sandra sideways on Leonda's private jetty while Thanh laughs beside her, her train sweeping the boards
Groomsmen hold Sandra up sideways as Thanh grins behind her, a bit of fun by the water after the church wedding
Thanh stands between his groomsmen in navy blazers, paisley ties and cream trousers on a jetty over the Yarra River in Hawthorn
Thanh and his groomsmen stride down the timber jetty side by side, a green rail and the river beside them
Thanh and a groomsman pose together on the jetty at Leonda, sunlight sparkling on the water behind them
Thanh with his arm around a smiling groomsman in glasses, the church wedding party relaxed on the sunny jetty
Two bridesmaids lift Sandra's long veil as she walks the jetty above the Yarra River, sunlight dancing on the water
Bridesmaids carry Sandra's veil along the jetty as the water sparkles in the sun, in black and white
Sandra stands between her two bridesmaids in long mauve grey dresses on the jetty at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
Sandra and her bridesmaids smile with white orchid and hydrangea bouquets, leafy riverbank trees softly blurred behind
Close detail of three white orchid, rose and green hydrangea bouquets held by Sandra and her bridesmaids after the church service
Sandra laughs with her bridesmaids, a bridge crossing the Yarra River in Hawthorn behind them
Sandra smiles towards the camera between two bridesmaids, their orchid bouquets catching the sun
Sandra poses with a bridesmaid on Leonda's private jetty beside a timber bollard and the calm river
Sandra and her other bridesmaid smile on the timber boards, a white lantern and the long veil trailing behind
Thanh and Sandra stand with both bridesmaids on the jetty, glowing in afternoon light after their church ceremony
Sandra and Thanh walk arm in arm with the laughing bridesmaids along the riverside at Leonda By The Yarra
Thanh and Sandra share a look as the bridesmaids link arms with them, laughter all round
The full bridal party spreads out along Leonda's private jetty, sun flaring over the river and trees
Sandra and Thanh kiss in the middle of their bridal party, fresh from the church and lined up along the jetty
The bridal party links arms and laughs together on the timber boards at Leonda, the river glinting behind
Sandra and Thanh with an older man in a pinstripe suit and a woman in a black and white floral dress on the jetty
A big family group gathers around Sandra and Thanh on Leonda's private jetty, her train spread at their feet
Thanh and Sandra face each other on the jetty after the church ceremony, her veil curving across the boards to a white lantern
Sandra and Thanh gaze at each other beside a timber bollard at Leonda in Hawthorn, in black and white
Sandra smiles up at Thanh in warm sunlight, the lace straps of her gown and his white rose buttonhole close in frame
Seen from above, Sandra and Thanh stand on the jetty as the sun glints off the Yarra River behind
Sandra laughs beside Thanh with her orchid bouquet, the riverbank blurred behind them after their church wedding
Thanh leads Sandra by the hand along Leonda's private jetty, the water sparkling in the afternoon sun
Sandra smiles as Thanh walks ahead holding her hand, sunbeams falling across the river behind
Sandra and Thanh kiss in a shaft of afternoon light beside a timber bollard, in black and white
Wide view of Sandra and Thanh on the jetty at Leonda By The Yarra, the lawn, garden path and river stretching beside them
Seating chart with the couple's names on an easel in front of a pastel landscape painting
Towers of white candle globes and orchids rise from the tables by the tall windows at Leonda in Hawthorn
Two heart shaped cakes iced with cartoon puppies and pink roses beside champagne glasses for the church wedding reception
A place setting at Leonda with red chopsticks, a ribboned thank you favour and rolled white napkins
A red signing cloth covered in handwritten messages beside a carved red timber box with gold lettering
Guests settle at round tables in the Garden Room at Leonda, floor to ceiling windows framing the trees
A guest in a long pale pink dress speaks into a microphone from her notes, cream curtains and speakers behind
Guests in red, lace and floral outfits share a window table at Leonda By The Yarra, trees glowing outside
Guests at a round table turn and smile for the camera, a man in a pale grey suit seated in front
Younger guests look up from their table in front of cream curtains, a candle globe tower in the middle
The bridesmaids walk into the reception at Leonda past the bar, bouquets in hand as guests clap
Sandra makes her entrance waving both arms, bouquet in hand, as guests applaud at the church wedding reception
Sandra waves her bouquet overhead as she walks between the tables at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
A groomsman in a navy blazer and white shorts dances his way between the tables as guests laugh
Thanh waves as he and his groomsmen dance in wearing dark blazers and white shorts
Thanh dances through the Garden Room at Leonda in white shorts, his groomsmen dancing and filming beside him
Sandra and her bridesmaids laugh beside the speakers, enjoying the entrance at their church wedding reception
Guests cheer and film on their phones from a table near the curtains at Leonda By The Yarra
Guests at a window table hold up their phones to capture the bridal party entrance
A guest in a pale grey suit and friends in red and green dresses grin at their table
Guests in floral dresses and a blue blazer turn to watch from a table beside the curtains after the church ceremony
Guests cheer with raised hands at a table by the tall windows at Leonda, trees outside
Friends at a long table smile at the camera, towers of candle globes rising behind them
An older man in a dark suit raises his hand at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn as a woman in a floral dress claps
An older man in a white shirt and a woman in a burgundy dress stand at their table as guests applaud
Sandra, Thanh and the bridal party line up before the cream curtains of the Garden Room at Leonda, groomsmen in white shorts
A woman in a red dress throws both arms up and laughs as guests clap at the church wedding reception
A woman in a red dress waves both hands in the air while guests around the table clap and smile
A woman in a floral dress and hair ornament stands clapping at a table at Leonda By The Yarra, guests looking on
A man in a beige suit and red tie stands with a woman in a gold brocade dress, both smiling
Thanh speaks into the microphone at Leonda in Hawthorn, Sandra, the bridesmaids and the groomsmen beside him
Guests seated by the candle towers smile and listen to the speeches after the church ceremony
Older guests listen along a table beside the windows at Leonda, a man in a pink shirt in the middle
Guests in green, mustard and grey listen at a window table, a man in a red tie at the end
Thanh holds the microphone and smiles as Sandra and a bridesmaid listen beside him
A woman in a red dress laughs out loud beside a smiling man in glasses as the speeches go on
The woman in the long pink dress reads from her notes as the bridal party stands in the Garden Room at Leonda
Guests raise their phones from tables crowned with candle globe towers at the church wedding reception
Sandra speaks into the microphone at Leonda By The Yarra, her bridesmaids and groomsmen in white shorts beside her
Thanh covers his face with his hands, overcome, as Sandra speaks to the room
A guest in a dark suit rests his chin on his hand as he listens, a woman in teal behind him
Guests in a black floral dress and dark blazer laugh and clap at a table near the bar
Guests at a window table laugh into their hands as a man in a dark jacket grins
Wide view of guests at long tables at Leonda turning to watch, green hedges outside the glass
Guests in a pale grey suit and lace blouse laugh at their table after the church ceremony
Guests stand and raise their glasses in a toast at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
Thanh stops at a table to chat with guests, a hand on one man's shoulder
Thanh bends to talk with older guests in suits at a table by the window
An older couple in a floral dress and paisley tie smile together at their table by the window
A woman in a white blazer and a young man in a black tie sit together in front of the curtains
A man in a white shirt and a woman in a burgundy dress sit side by side at a long table
A young couple in a white shirt and black dress smile at their table at Leonda By The Yarra
A man in a striped tie and a woman in a blush pink dress smile at the church wedding reception
A man in a dark suit sits with women in teal lace and mustard yellow by the window
Two women in teal lace and mustard yellow share a smile at their window table
Two men in grey and beige suits sit together at a table at Leonda in Hawthorn, candle globes beside them
Four women in silver, floral, black lace and red dresses smile together around a table
Three older men, one in a pale silk jacket with gold buttons, pose arm in arm at their table
A big group of family and friends gathers around a table in the Garden Room at Leonda, trees behind the glass
A man with white hair and a woman in a blue top smile at their table after the church ceremony
A woman in a royal blue dress leans her head on the shoulder of a smiling man in a striped shirt
A smiling couple in a pale blue shirt and pink lace dress sit together at their table
Sandra stands between her two bridesmaids in mauve grey beside a pastel landscape painting at Leonda By The Yarra
Sandra lines up with friends in bright cocktail dresses in front of the painted landscape wall
Sandra and her friends blow kisses at the camera, a row of colourful dresses at her church wedding reception
A bridesmaid and a man in a white shirt and black tie sit close together and smile
Two men, one in a paisley shirt and one in an embroidered cap and round glasses, laugh together at their table
Three women in red, black lace and navy lace smile together at a table at Leonda
A woman in navy lace and a man in a bow tie and grey jacket sit together at the church wedding reception
Sandra and Thanh hug an older guest in a dark suit and red patterned tie seated at his table
Sandra and Thanh gather with a family group around a table at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
A bridesmaid in mauve grey poses with a man in a light blue shirt and maroon tie between the tables
Guests at table six gather for a smiling group around a tower of white candle globes and orchids
A woman in a black lace dress with embroidered flowers and a man in glasses lean in close in the Garden Room at Leonda
A woman in a pale pink top and a man in a grey tie smile together at their table, cream curtains behind
A man in a black waistcoat and a woman in a red dress with jewelled trim pose at table five of the church wedding reception
A woman in a blue print dress and a man in a polka dot shirt sit side by side at their table
A woman in a white lace blouse and pearls sits beside a man in a pale blazer at Leonda By The Yarra
A man in a blue blazer and a woman in a floral dress rest their heads together at a guest table after the church ceremony
A woman in a blush lace dress and a man in a brown suit and striped tie sit close against the cream curtains at Leonda
A young man in a red polka dot shirt sits with two women in printed dresses beside the glowing candle globes
Older guests stand and chat around a round table by the tall windows at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn, the riverside trees outside
A man in a pale grey suit and a woman in a red one shoulder dress laugh together at table eight
A man in a navy jacket and a woman in a green lace dress pose at their table as the church wedding reception buzzes behind
A woman in a green lace gown and a friend in a blue lace dress hug at their table beside the window hedge
Eight friends in red, yellow, green and lace dresses crowd together for a table portrait in the Garden Room at Leonda
Four women in floral, black, red and blush lace dresses smile at their table by the windows after the church ceremony
Sandra sits in her lace gown surrounded by five women in blue, red, navy and grey at Leonda in Hawthorn
A man in a white shirt and two women in black floral and navy off shoulder dresses at table four, the lit bar behind
Women in yellow, navy floral and black laugh at table eight as speeches carry on at the church wedding reception
Friends in yellow, navy and green print dresses lean in together, laughing behind the white candle globe towers
Sandra in her lace gown stands with a woman in a floral jumpsuit and two men by the tall windows at Leonda By The Yarra
Thanh in white shorts and a dark jacket stands with Sandra and three guests before the painted landscape wall
Sandra poses with a man in a white shirt and two women in black floral and navy dresses beside the landscape painting at Leonda
A woman in a white beaded dress and a man in a green blazer each hold a microphone for a speech against the cream curtains
A man in a dotted tie and a woman in a black and white print dress sit together at the church wedding reception
A man in a pinstripe suit with a red flower buttonhole sits beside a woman in a black and white floral dress
A man in a dark suit and striped tie sings into the microphone in front of the cream curtains in the Garden Room at Leonda
A man in a dark suit and purple paisley tie gives a speech with the microphone, his shadow on the tiled floor
A man in a grey satin trimmed jacket speaks by the speakers and DJ desk after the church ceremony, guests watching from the tables
Sandra and Thanh stand behind a table of guests in gold, floral and red dresses at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
Sandra and Thanh with her dad and three seated guests by a candle globe tower after the church ceremony
Sandra and Thanh with her dad, a man in a grey suit and a seated guest in a red tie, trees filling the window
Sandra and Thanh gather a big table of friends in floral, red, lace and yellow dresses at Leonda By The Yarra
A man in a beige suit chats with an older man wearing a buttonhole beside the tall windows and weeping trees
Three men in dark, white and grey suits smile by the windows of the church wedding reception, river trees behind
Thanh in white shorts and loafers shares a laugh with three men in the hedge walled courtyard at Leonda
Thanh in white shorts and Sandra stand behind two heart shaped cakes and champagne flutes on the dance floor
Thanh and Sandra cut the heart shaped cakes together, guests watching from the tables in the Garden Room at Leonda
Knife slicing into two heart cakes iced with cartoon puppies and pink roses at the church wedding reception
A woman in a white beaded dress holds the microphone and a green forkful of cake as Sandra and Thanh listen
Thanh and Sandra share a bite of green cake from one fork, nose to nose on the tiled floor at Leonda in Hawthorn
A woman in a black and white lace dress reads her speech into the microphone by the speaker stand
Sandra laughs from her chair in her lace gown as guests chat between courses at the church wedding reception
Sandra smiles across the room from her seat, Thanh beside her with a raised fist in his white shorts
A woman in black and white lace reads her speech at Leonda By The Yarra, the keyboard player behind her
Sandra presses a white napkin to her eyes during the speeches as Thanh sits back smiling at the next table
Sandra looks down quietly at her seat in her lace gown while guests around her listen to the speeches
Sandra, Thanh and their table raise glasses for a toast at Leonda, the lit bar glowing in the back
A young man in a white shirt, white shorts and glasses speaks into the microphone on the tiled dance floor
Guests laugh along a long table by the hedge and tall windows at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
A table of guests bursts into laughter over seafood platters during the speeches after the church ceremony
Sandra laughs at her seat and Thanh rests his chin on his hand, both turned towards the speaker in the Garden Room at Leonda
Thanh hugs a speaker in a white shirt tight as Sandra beams beside them and guests applaud
Guests at a table dab at happy tears and laugh behind a menu card at Leonda By The Yarra
A groomsman in a navy blazer and white shorts gives his speech with a microphone and phone in hand
The groomsman reads from his phone with a grin, white buttonhole on his navy blazer, the cream curtains behind
Thanh and a friend in white shorts share a big hug on the dance floor while Sandra smiles beside them at Leonda
Thanh in his dark jacket and white shorts takes the microphone beside Sandra, hours after the church ceremony
Thanh speaks to the guests with Sandra at his side, tables of family listening around them
A man in an embroidered red and green cap laughs as the women beside him clap at a candlelit table at Leonda in Hawthorn
The man in the embroidered cap gasps at a small iced birthday cake with a lit candle as friends clap
The birthday guest grins at his friends over the iced cake, a candle globe tower glowing beside the table
Both bridesmaids in long mauve grey gowns take the microphone together for their speech in the Garden Room at Leonda
Sandra and Thanh sit side by side at their table and listen as the bridesmaids speak after the church ceremony
One bridesmaid of the church wedding party holds her glass while the other speaks into the microphone, notes in hand
Sandra turns to laugh with a guest at Leonda By The Yarra as a woman in black presses a hand to her chest
Sandra smiles across the room, hands folded in her lap, a white napkin on the chair beside her
A woman in a blue off shoulder top laughs beside a man in a striped shirt as the table listens to the speeches
Guests lounge back in their chairs and smile along a long white table by the dark windows at Leonda
Sandra and Thanh raise their glasses with the guests at their table, his tan loafers crossed in front
Sandra wipes happy tears into a white napkin at the church wedding reception as a woman in black smiles beside her
Sandra hugs a bridesmaid tight after the speech while the other bridesmaid laughs beside them at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
Sandra reads her own speech from her phone with the microphone, the cream curtains and speakers around her
Thanh sits back with his chin on his hand, smiling at the speeches in his dark jacket and white shorts
Sandra and Thanh walk hand in hand onto the tiled floor for their first dance at Leonda By The Yarra, guests watching from every table
Thanh leads Sandra out to the middle of the room, the open back of her lace gown towards the guests
Sandra laughs as Thanh holds her hand for the first dance beneath the downlights in the Garden Room at Leonda
Thanh spins Sandra under his raised arm in the first dance after the church ceremony, guests filming from their seats
Thanh wraps Sandra in his arms from behind for a slow sway on the dance floor at Leonda, a warm lamp beside them
Thanh in his navy jacket and white shorts guides Sandra by the hand across the floor, a bright lamp behind
Sandra glances down with a soft smile as Thanh leads her through the first dance steps at Leonda in Hawthorn
Sandra twirls with one arm raised over her head while Thanh steps in close behind, guests watching
Thanh holds Sandra close from behind for a quiet moment of their first dance between the speakers and lamps
Thanh lifts Sandra off her feet in a hug during the first dance, her gown sweeping the tiled floor at Leonda By The Yarra
Sandra beams as she dances in Thanh's arms, cheeks pressed close, guests filming from the tables
Sandra and Thanh stand hand in hand grinning at the end of their first dance at the church wedding reception
Guests in white, red and green print outfits applaud the first dance from their tables in the Garden Room at Leonda
Guests clap and film from their chairs at the edge of the dance floor, a candle globe tower behind
Thanh lifts Sandra high off the floor with her gown flying out behind as the whole room watches
Thanh in his dark jacket and white shorts speaks once more into the microphone at Leonda
Guests at a long table by the dark windows turn to watch Thanh's speech, a man in a pinstripe suit smiling
Sandra and Thanh pose together on the empty dance floor under a single bright lamp, long shadows at their feet
A man in a pinstripe suit and pink flower dances with a woman in black and white florals at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
An older couple in a white shirt and a black and white print dress dance cheek to cheek at the church wedding reception
Sandra dances hand in hand with the man in the pinstripe suit and pink flower, the dark windows behind
Thanh twirls a laughing woman in a black and white floral dress on the dance floor at Leonda By The Yarra
Two friends in a yellow top and a black lace dress dance with joined hands between the tables
The dance floor fills with guests in red, black lace and dark suits in the Garden Room at Leonda
A woman in a black and white floral dress dances with the man in the pinstripe suit as a singer performs behind
A woman in a white jacket and blue lace dress dances towards the man in the pinstripe suit at Leonda
A man in a white shirt and bow tie sings into the microphone as women in floral, lace and sequins dance past
A man in a grey suit and striped tie dances between friends in gold silk and pink, candle towers glowing behind
Two women in black lace dresses dance hand in hand and laugh with friends filling the floor at Leonda in Hawthorn
A man in a purple paisley tie laughs as he dances with women in green lace, black lace and a flowing red sleeve
Guests in green, black lace and silver dresses dance in a line with motion blur streaking across the frame
A friend in a yellow top and floral skirt dances low inside a circle of women at Leonda By The Yarra
Sandra dances in her lace gown inside a ring of friends in floral, yellow, red and navy dresses
Women in red, green lace, mustard and black lace dresses clap and dance together in the Garden Room at Leonda
A man in a grey jacket and red tie laughs mid dance beside a woman in black and a smiling man in white
Thanh in a white shirt and shorts dances hand in hand with Sandra and a woman in black sequins at Leonda
Two women in black print dresses sing along beside the man with the pink flower in his lapel
A woman in a fitted black dress and a laughing man in a red tie dance by the candle globe towers
A man in a pale blue shirt and grey tie flings out an arm mid dance at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
A man in a grey jacket and floral shirt and a woman in a pink floral dress pose cheek to cheek at their table
The man in the pinstripe suit and the woman in the black and white floral dress laugh as they dance off the floor
A woman in a grey fitted dress and glasses sits with a man in a red tie at the church wedding reception
A table of eight friends in pink, red and black crowd in for a late group shot at Leonda By The Yarra
Couples slow dance across the tiled floor under two bright lamps, a man in a pink shirt leading a partner in floral
A man in a white shirt and a woman in black lace sway close for a slow dance by the dark windows
Thanh and Sandra stop by a table to share a laugh with a guest in a striped shirt at Leonda
A man in a black waistcoat dances towards the camera beside a man in a grey suit, hours after the church ceremony
Women in floral, black and emerald green dresses dance between the tables as a man in white shorts looks on
Sandra stands with five women in red, floral, black lace and gold beside the seating chart at Leonda By The Yarra in Hawthorn
A bridesmaid from the church wedding party sings into the microphone with her arm around Sandra
Thanh claps and stamps in his white shirt and shorts, dancing for the guests at the church wedding reception
Sandra and Thanh slow dance in the warm lamplight as a woman in white films from the edge of the floor
Sandra smiles up at Thanh in his navy blazer as they share a last slow dance at Leonda By The Yarra
The wedding story

Our Leonda By The Yarra wedding photos: a veil across the marble, a lift on the jetty and white shorts on the dance floor

Getting ready at home · Ceremony at St Anthony’s · Family at the altar · Across the road to the river · Jetty portraits · Reception at Leonda by the Yarra

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Orchids on the bench

Our afternoon began with the small things laid out in the window light at home: the invitation with Sandra’s ring and rose gold earrings resting on it, and three bouquets of white orchids, hydrangeas and blush roses lined up on the kitchen bench. We always shoot those details first, while nobody needs them yet. Then Sandra came down the timber staircase in her lace gown, a bridesmaid behind her gathering the train, and stood by a tall window with the garden outside. Side light from one big window does more for lace than any lamp.

Up the aisle with her dad

At St Anthony’s the bridesmaids walked up the sunny drive in long mauve-grey dresses, and Sandra arrived with her veil down over her face, smiling under it. One bridesmaid set off down the aisle across the striped marble floor, the timber doors wide open behind her. Then Sandra’s dad walked her in beneath the stained glass and the painted saints. We stood at the front for that entrance, because Thanh’s face was the real story. He was grinning before she reached him, his two groomsmen right behind him.

Vows under painted saints

With the veil folded back, the two of them stood together at the front of the church, the marble altar and painted figures rising behind them. The celebrant held the microphone while they joined hands for their vows, and a loved one in a red dress read from the lectern. The bridesmaids sat close in the front pew, bouquets in their laps, watching every second. A bright church like this one lets us work without flash, so we kept moving quietly along the side aisle to catch faces in the pews as well as the couple.

Hands across the pews

One of our favourite frames from the ceremony is a simple one: Sandra and the celebrant reaching across a pew to take the hands of the older guests in the front rows, everyone beaming. Then an older guest in a pale suit bent over the white cloth to sign the register while Sandra watched over his shoulder. Before the recessional we lined up family groups in front of the altar, from an older guest leaning on her cane to a big crowd of family and friends, and finished with the bridal party along the marble rail.

A veil across the marble

Once the church emptied we had a few quiet minutes. Sandra and Thanh stood at the altar steps and we spread her cathedral-length veil out across the marble floor, a wide frame that shows the whole length of the nave and the painted wall behind them. Arranging a long veil takes two people and about a minute, so it pays to plan for it. At the doors we turned around and shot back into the light: Sandra in silhouette in the bright doorway, train swirling, a frame we kept in black and white.

Across the road on green

The reception was just over the road, so there was no car to wait for. Sandra and Thanh crossed at the lights hand in hand, the veil lifting behind them, and walked past the white colonnade and clipped topiary at the front of Leonda by the Yarra. A hedge-lined path took them down towards the river, Sandra’s train trailing along the pavers. Walking is our favourite way to start portraits: couples stop posing, start talking, and the frames look like a day rather than a photo shoot. That short walk set the tone for all our Leonda By The Yarra wedding photos that followed.

Swung sideways on the jetty

The timber jetty on the Yarra was all sunshine and sparkle. The groomsmen strode down it in navy blazers and pale trousers, then scooped Sandra up sideways while Thanh laughed beside her. A bridesmaid fanned the long veil out across the boards with the river behind, and we put the low sun behind Sandra so it lit the edges of the tulle. Family joined them for photos on the jetty, and we finished close: Thanh and Sandra under the veil, then her laughing at his shoulder with the water glinting behind.

White shorts and a grand entrance

Inside, towers of white glass candle globes and orchids rose from each table, and the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows framed the trees along the river. Sandra walked in waving her bouquet over her head, and then the surprise: Thanh and the groomsmen danced their way through the tables in blazers and white shorts, guests on their feet and cheering. Thanh took the microphone straight away with the bridal party around him. Big window light like this is a gift for reception candids early in the evening, before the curtains close.

Happy tears and a lift

The speeches brought out the tissues. A loved one spoke straight to the couple, Thanh hugged one speaker tight, the two bridesmaids took the microphone together, and Sandra laughed and cried into a white napkin at her seat. Then came the first dance on the tiled floor: a spin, a dip and Thanh lifting Sandra off her feet while the guests cheered. He spoke once more, and the dance floor filled with bright dresses and big smiles. We closed with a slow dance under the warm light, the room around them happy and full.

Photographer's venue notes

Leonda by the Yarra, Hawthorn: a walk over from the church and a sunlit lift on the jetty

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From the church steps to the river

Sandra and Thanh’s day ran on foot. Their vows were across the road at the Shrine of St Anthony, so once the families had their groups at the altar we simply walked with everyone to the lights, over the tram lines and in past the white colonnade at Leonda. From there a hedge lined path and the garden steps led down to the boardwalk and the jetty, and later the whole party came back up to the Garden Room for dinner. No car meant no waiting, and the bridal party reached the water still laughing.

Sun on the water

This was a bright, clear afternoon, and on the jetty the river did half the lighting for us. The sun sat low over the water, so we turned the couple to keep it at their backs, which put a soft rim on Sandra’s hair and made the long veil glow. Sparkle on the river behind them turned into lovely soft highlights. Inside, the tall windows kept the Garden Room bright through the speeches, then the lamps over the tiled floor took over for the first dance and the slow dances that closed the night.

The spots that worked for Sandra and Thanh

In the church, the striped marble aisle and the steps below the altar gave us room to lay out her cathedral length veil, and the bright doorway made a strong backlit frame on the way out. At Leonda, the weeping tree on the garden path, the top of the steps by the white lanterns and the end of the jetty beside the timber bollard were our favourites. The bridge in the distance gave the bridesmaid portraits a sense of place, and the hedge walled courtyard was a calm corner for Thanh and his mates once the white shorts came out.

Tips from this day

If your ceremony is just over the road like this one, treat the walk as part of the portraits rather than a transfer: have a bridesmaid carry the veil across the crossing and let us walk a few steps ahead of you. Ask for a few quiet minutes in the church once guests have left, because spreading a long veil needs an empty aisle. And if you are planning a surprise entrance, give us a hint beforehand so we are waiting between the tables, not stuck behind the bar.

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