Merrimu Receptions wedding photos: Kim and Wennie walk hand in hand past a curved silver wall, her long train sweeping the wet plaza in Melbourne
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Real heritage wedding · Murrumbeena, Melbourne

Merrimu Receptions Wedding Photos: Kim & Wennie, Umbrellas to the Ballroom

Merrimu Receptions · Murrumbeena VIC · Melbourne

Ballroom Wedding · Garden Wedding · Heritage & Historic Venue Wedding · Urban City Wedding · Region: VIC - Melbourne CBD · City: Melbourne · Venues: Carlton Gardens · Merrimu Receptions

Red-covered gift trays carried up the footpath in the rain, a bride in red and gold, then a white ball gown swirling across a wet plaza beneath the Melbourne Museum’s silver blades. Kim and Wennie’s day ran from a family morning full of umbrellas to a church of pale stone arches and portraits in Carlton Gardens, then finished in the ballroom at Merrimu Receptions in Murrumbeena with happy tears, a shoe game and a packed dance floor. We were there for every laugh.

The gallery
Kim and Wennie in casual coats stand in an arched opening cut through a tall clipped hedge
Kim and Wennie stand small against a long clipped hedge between two tall cypresses under a wide pale sky
The couple hold hands and smile at each other in front of the clipped hedge, white parking lines at their feet
The groom lifts the bride off her feet for a kiss beneath two towering cypresses and a soft blue sky
Hand in hand, the couple stroll across a sunlit car park, long shadows stretching out behind them past tall cypresses
In black and white, the pair walk hand in hand towards the camera with cypresses and long shadows behind them
The couple lean beside a white iron fence wound with ivy, both smiling softly towards the camera
Face to face by the ivy covered white fence, the couple share a close, smiling moment in casual coats
A kiss on the cheek against the tall green hedge, with bright sun flaring over the top
Arms around each other, the couple laugh together in front of the sunlit hedge under a bright, cloudy sky
Cream laser cut invitations with a red wax seal and rose gold lettering for Kim and Wennie, the wedding bands resting on top
Two wedding bands, one etched silver band and one gold, rest on a cream rose among pink petals
The groom in braces and an untied black bow tie glances aside in a quiet corner of the house
Arms folded in a white shirt and braces, the groom waits on the arm of a sofa beneath a red abstract painting
Close up of the groom tying his black bow tie, a silver chronograph watch at his wrist
The groom, now in his black dinner jacket, adjusts his shirt cuff above a silver watch
In black and white, the groom looks down as he settles his cuff and watch
Ready in a black dinner jacket and bow tie, the groom gives the camera a calm, confident smile
The groom sinks into a cream sofa between two groomsmen in grey suits and navy ties, all three deadpan
Through an arched doorway, red paper flowers and a red banner hang in the next room beneath a wall clock
Two family members lay out red trays with gold fringed covers on a white clothed table
An older couple in a dark suit and red lace pose beneath the red glitter Kim and Wennie wedding sign
Seven older guests in suits and red and blue dresses line up beneath red paper flowers and the glitter sign
The groom, now in a navy check suit, kisses the cheek of an older woman in red lace
The groom smiles between an older woman in red lace and an older man in a dark suit beneath the glitter sign
Three men in suits carry red fringed trays from the house past a clipped hedge on a wet morning
An older woman in a red and black dress waits on the porch above the front garden, framed by striped poles
Seen through glass, red paper flowers and the couple's names in red letters decorate a wall beneath a pergola roof
Purple ribbons, coloured streamers and paper pom poms hang from the dark timber pergola beams
A loved one adjusts the bride's curls as she looks down in a sheer red dress embroidered with gold
The bride smiles to herself as hands behind her pin her hair, gold embroidery glinting at her high collar
Soft focus portrait of the bride glancing back over her shoulder, dark curls falling across the red and gold
Eyes lowered and smiling, the bride lets her long curls rest over a shoulder of beaded gold lace
The bride looks aside with a small smile, smoothing the front of her sheer red dress with gold appliqué
The bride checks her red and gold dress in a tall black framed mirror, smiling at her reflection
In the mirror, the bride touches her fringe and smiles, her embroidered sleeve blurred in the foreground
With a cream flower in her hair, the bride waits by a hallway door, hands clasped and smiling
A young woman in a cream beaded dress and glasses watches the bride from the doorway behind her
The bride in red and gold stands quietly at the end of a lamplit hallway beneath a framed painting
Seen through an open door, the bride waits alone in the long hallway, hands folded at her waist
From behind, the bride's long curls fall over the gold lace on her back as she looks down the hall
The groom arrives with red roses beside a white vintage car parked on the street, a groomsman striding up behind
Seven young women in cream, green, blue, lilac and orange silk dresses pose in a row outside the brick house
An older couple share a black umbrella as they lead the procession up the wet footpath
Groomsmen carry red fringed trays along the front garden path in the rain behind a woman in a long red dress
The line of groomsmen with red trays walks up the street footpath under blue and black umbrellas
Two groomsmen in grey suits hold red fringed trays under umbrellas, an older woman in red beside them
The groom carries red roses under a black umbrella past a tall timber fence on a grey, wet morning
The groom shelters under a black umbrella with red roses in hand, the tray bearers following beneath blue umbrellas
Young women in cream, green, pale blue, purple and orange silk dresses wait in a line by the brick wall
The groom holds a bouquet of red roses among four older guests with red flowers pinned to their lapels
Groomsmen line up under the streamers holding red trays with gold fringe as guests watch from the front
An older man gestures warmly in welcome as the groom waits with red roses beneath streamers and the pergola
A guest films the gathering on a small video camera, the red trays blurred beyond the screen
Tray bearers stand in a row holding red covered trays trimmed with gold fringe, the groom waiting behind
Smiling young women in silk dresses face the groomsmen across a line of red fringed trays
In black and white, the groom stands among the gathering indoors, glimpsed between blurred shoulders
The groom with red roses poses in a row with groomsmen and older family members under a red lettered wall banner
Older guests in dark suits and silk dresses stand to attention before red paper flowers and lettering
An older man in a dark suit raises an arm to speak, a white envelope in hand, as the groom looks on
The groom stands quietly beside an older woman in red with a pearl necklace, the family gathered around them
An older man in a pinstripe suit and striped tie beams and clasps his hands beneath the red lettered banner
A woman in a cream silk dress with dark floral print smiles beside a laughing man in a dark suit
A man with a pink rose buttonhole breaks into a wide smile in front of red paper flowers
Older guests in dark suits and bright dresses laugh together as a man in a navy suit smiles at the camera
An older man laughs with a smiling older woman in a floral scarf while a groomsman in grey stands beside them
Young women in cream help an older woman in a purple suit along the hallway as an older man smiles nearby
In black and white, the groom holds his roses and grins as the bride comes in, family crowding behind him
The bride in red and gold appears smiling beside a young woman in orange silk as guests clap around them
Arm in arm with a young woman in orange, the bride is led into the crowded room to warm applause
The groom hands the bride a bouquet of red roses, both smiling as a guest films from behind
Holding her red roses, the bride beams at the groom beneath red paper flowers and lettering on the wall
The couple stand side by side in the crowded room, her red roses bright against the gold dress, family all around
The groom and bride share a smile face to face, her bouquet of red roses held low between them
An older woman in red lace fastens jewellery at the bride's collar while the groom grins over her shoulder
Close on an older woman in red lace and pearls, her hands busy at the bride's ear with an earring
An older woman in red lace pulls the bride into a cheek to cheek hug as guests smile and film
An older woman in red lace reaches for the bride's wrist while a laughing woman in red holds her arm
An older woman in red lace and a jade bangle hooks an earring into the bride's ear as she smiles
The groom's hand, a silver watch at his wrist, rests against the bride's cheek as she smiles up at him
The bride in profile, long curls over her gold beaded shoulder, the groom softly blurred behind her
The groom in a navy check suit and white rose buttonhole stands close beside the bride, eyes forward
Side profile of the bride with soft waves and red lips, the groom out of focus at her shoulder
The couple's hands set three decorated incense sticks into a brass urn between tall red candles
Shallow focus profile of the groom in glasses, the smiling bride in red and gold softly blurred behind him
The couple stand with an older man and a woman in green silk, both raising small glasses of drink
A groomsman offers drinks from a white tray as an older man and the couple greet family under the red banner
An older man laughs as he accepts a white envelope beside the bride's red roses
The bride hugs a woman in a cream silk dress while a groomsman holds out a tray of drinks
A woman in cream floral silk wraps the bride in a tight hug, both smiling cheek to cheek
The bride's eyes go wide with delight as a woman in cream floral silk hugs her close
Groomsmen pass the red fringed trays to young women in silk dresses beneath the streamers and pom poms
The groom laughs as he hands red envelopes to young women in pastel silk dresses outside the house
Smiling, the bride hands red envelopes to the groomsmen across the line of red covered trays
Hand in hand outside, the bride smiles in red and gold lace with a gold necklace and red roses
The couple's linked hands and the long red train of her dress spread across the wet concrete path
The bride glances shyly at the groom, gold necklace at her collar, as groomsmen carry red trays behind
With a soft smile, the bride turns to the groom outside the house, her curls swept over one shoulder
The couple gaze at each other and laugh, her arm around his waist in his navy check suit
Mid laugh, the bride and groom lean in face to face, white rose buttonhole on his lapel
The groom holds a patterned umbrella over the bride as they cross the lawn beside the street with red roses
Through the window of a white vintage car, the bride raises a hand to her eyes beside her red roses
An older man in a dark suit films from the porch beside a window hung with red paper lettering
The couple walk along the wet footpath past weatherboard houses, the bride lifting her red train with her roses
Older family members wait under spotted, black and blue umbrellas outside the house, one filming with a camera
Seen through reflective glass, the couple stand smiling before red paper flowers and the Kim and Wennie lettering
A hazy reflection in the glass softens the groom's grin and the bride's calm smile as groomsmen wait behind
From behind, the couple face a red and white backdrop of paper flowers and names beneath a brass light fitting
An older man raises a bundle of incense before a candlelit table as family members stand with palms pressed together
An older man in a dark suit reads aloud from a red card to the couple beside a tall red candle
The bride offers a small cup of tea to a smiling woman in pink lace as the groom watches
Laughing, a woman in purple silk takes the bride's hands and passes her a white envelope
A beaming older man clasps the couple's hands while a woman in red holds a white envelope
The groom accepts an envelope from a woman in a blue and gold dress as guests look on from the rug
The bride smiles warmly over the shoulder of a woman in a blue and gold dress who hugs her tight
The groom passes a small teacup to a woman in purple lace as the bride offers another to a smiling man
An older man in a dark suit takes the groom by the shoulders with a broad grin while the bride hugs a guest
An older man in grey clasps the couple's hands as a grey haired woman in black smiles beside them
An older woman in a red coat sips from a teacup while two older men and the couple look on smiling
A man in a grey suit cradles a baby in a white polka dot outfit beside a woman in orange silk
The couple stand with three men in dark suits beside a red table set with tall candles, fruit and framed photos
A man in a striped tie and white rosebud buttonhole beams as older guests clap behind him by the window
The bride hugs a short haired older woman in red velvet as the groom grins beside them in his check suit
Kim and Wennie pose with two older couples beneath red paper flowers and their names in red letters
The groom smiles down at a grey haired woman in a purple jacket, the bride's red and gold sleeve in the foreground
A grey haired woman in purple and tinted glasses rests a hand on the groom's shoulder as the bride smiles at her
The couple pose with two young women in white silk dresses and two groomsmen in grey suits beneath the red lettering
Sparkly gold heels sit on a black rail between spiky leaves, an orange and pink autumn tree glowing outside
A loved one in a navy jumper pins the bride's curls as she smiles in a fluffy pink robe
Soft focus close up of the bride's lowered face and pink lips, auburn curls drifting across her cheek
The groom bends to lace his black patent shoes on a shaggy grey rug, a silver watch at his wrist
Back in braces and a white shirt, the groom ties his bow tie by the cream sofa as two groomsmen wait
Tilting his chin, the groom fastens his black bow tie by tall windows while a groomsman in grey watches
In a tall black framed mirror, the groom straightens his bow tie as groomsmen stand out of focus in front
A groomsman pins a white rosebud buttonhole to the lapel of the groom's black dinner jacket
The groom shakes hands with a groomsman beneath a red and gold abstract painting as another rests a hand on his shoulder
The groom in black tie leans on a timber stair rail with two groomsmen in grey suits and blue ties
Standing tall on the pale timber staircase, the groom and his two groomsmen look down towards the camera
The bride in a pink robe smiles over a handwritten card as the groom in black tie grins across the room
Close on the bride's hands in fluffy pink sleeves holding open a handwritten card
From above, the groom and the bride in her pink robe share a kiss on the cream sofa beneath a red abstract painting
Through orange autumn leaves in the garden, the white lace ball gown hangs in a dark framed window
The bride smiles in profile in her pink robe as her hair is styled, the white gown and an autumn tree in the window
In black and white, the bride closes her eyes softly in profile while her long hair is pinned
A white lace flower clip sits in the bride's long waves as she smiles in her pink robe
Seen through the window glass, a lace flower clip goes into the bride's hair as the groom fixes his cuffs behind her
Framed by autumn leaves in the garden, the bride has her hair styled in the window beside her hanging white gown
Through a curtain of orange leaves, the bride reaches up to touch her lace gown hanging in the tall window
Now in her lace gown, the bride looks down shyly as a loved one settles the veil beneath her flower clip
The bride smiles with a calm sideways glance as two loved ones arrange her long veil by the window
The bride glances back over her shoulder in a tall red framed mirror as her lace back is fastened
By a tall window, the bride turns her face to the light, holding pink and cream roses against her lace bodice
Head bowed, the bride looks down at her pink and cream roses while a loved one smooths her train behind
Long dark curls fall over the lace bodice as the bride glances down, a loved one bending to her train beyond
Full length, the bride stands smiling in her white satin ball gown and veil, roses held at her waist
Lit softly by the tall window, the bride gazes out with a gentle smile and her pink and cream bouquet
Soft daylight catches the bride's face as she smiles down beside the dark window frame
Eyes lowered and smiling, the bride cradles her rose bouquet, a lace flower clip pinning her veil
Detail of the bride's hand holding a round bouquet of blush, cream and pink roses against her satin skirt
The bride smiles down at her roses, dark curls falling over her lace shoulders beside the window
The bride walks out of a long white hallway in her ball gown, roses in hand, between framed paintings
The bride sits on a dark leather sofa with her satin skirt pooled around her and her roses at her side
Seated on the leather sofa by the window, the bride glances aside with her satin train spread across the floor
Through blurred autumn leaves in the garden, the bride smiles from inside the window with her roses
Through the car window glass, the bride smiles out softly with her bouquet of pink and cream roses
The bride beams from the back window of a white vintage car, a leafy tree and houses behind
The couple stand side by side at the front of the church under pale stone arches, her long satin train on the floor
The couple sit side by side at the front, smiling, her bouquet resting on the full skirt and a painted statue behind
Two young women in white chiffon dresses sit in a timber pew, listening intently
A woman in a grey scarf and a man in glasses and a red tie listen from a timber pew
Guests in dark suits and bright dresses listen along pews tied with white ribbon bows
Past a blurred reader at the lectern, the seated couple watch with soft smiles beneath a tall window
Seated at the front, the couple listen quietly under a tall arched window, her bouquet on her satin skirt
A man in grey and a woman in an orange floral dress stand beside a carved eagle lectern under stone pillars
Tall pale stone arches rise above the couple as the celebrant in white robes stands before them
A choir in dark clothes sings from song sheets beneath three pointed stone arches and high windows
In profile, the groom faces the front beside the bride's veil and roses, guests blurred in the pews
Past the blurred celebrant at the lectern, the couple stand together before a tall bright window
The couple stand quietly at the front of the church, listening, with the celebrant softly out of focus
Two groomsmen in grey suits and purple ties stand in the pew beside a young girl in a patterned dress
A groomsman in grey listens in profile as a young girl with blue flowers in her hair looks up beside him
Older guests in dark suits and a red jacket stand along the pew, listening with hands clasped
The celebrant in white robes speaks before a bright stained glass window and an ornate iron screen
A man in a striped tie laughs widely in the pews beside a young girl with blue flowers in her hair
Seated beside a tall white flower arrangement, the couple burst into laughter, her roses in her lap
The couple sit laughing at the front beside a stone pillar and lilies, guests blurred in the foreground
Detail of the bride's satin skirt flowing over the polished floor as she sits holding her roses
Wide view of the full church from the side, rows of pews beneath pale stone arches and a timber ceiling
The groom faces the bride at the front while the celebrant reads beside them, her long veil down her back
The bride smiles towards the groom as the celebrant holds a microphone and a small card between them
The bride speaks into a microphone, holding the groom's hand for the rings, as the celebrant looks on
The couple kiss at the front beneath three stained glass windows as a groomsman claps and a young woman in white watches
Older guests with red flower pins smile from the pews while others film on phones and video cameras
Guests beam from the pews beside the long red carpet aisle as a man with a camera turns to smile
From behind, the bride's long satin train spills down the steps under a warm timber ceiling and stained glass
Wide view up to the high timber ceiling, with the couple small at the front between pale stone arches
Framed between blurred pews, the groom sits in black tie with hands folded, gazing to the side
Glimpsed between the heads of guests, the bride sits quietly with her roses beside a stone pillar
Past a lit candle and white lilies on the cloth, the groom turns to the bride as she gazes ahead
The groom bows his head beside the bride behind a tall candle in a brass holder and white lilies
The couple hold hands as they sit on timber chairs, her round rose bouquet resting on the satin skirt
Through blurred guests, the couple sit with heads lowered beside a tall arrangement of white lilies
Framed by the dark shapes of guests, the couple smile at each other beside the lilies
The bride signs the register at the white clothed table, her roses resting beside the open book
Head bowed, the groom signs the register with a silver pen as the bride watches over his shoulder
A young woman in a white dress and glasses signs the register while the couple and a groomsman stand behind
A groomsman in a grey suit leans over the open register to sign, the rose bouquet on the white cloth beside him
Kim and Wennie hold up their certificate and smile as a groomsman applauds beside them
Guests applaud and film from the pews as a young woman in white covers her mouth in delight
A man in a dark suit reads at the timber lectern while the couple and a groomsman stand with heads lowered
A man speaks into a microphone at the lectern as the couple listen with eyes lowered beside him
Smiling, the man at the lectern gestures towards the groomsman, groom and bride lined up before white lilies
The choir laughs and claps from their seats among microphone stands and a small mixing desk
The celebrant in white robes claps and beams against the pale stone wall
The couple pose on the steps with groomsmen, young women in white and family beneath three stained glass windows
The couple walk back down the red carpet aisle arm in arm as guests stand and film from the pews
Laughing, the bride walks up the red carpet on the groom's arm beneath a vaulted timber ceiling
Guests clap and hold up phones from both sides of the aisle as the newlyweds walk out smiling
From high at the back, the whole crowd gathers in the aisle behind the couple under stone arches and a timber roof
Looking straight down the red carpet from above, the couple kiss in front of all their guests and the long rows of pews
Guests in the aisle crowd in to hug the bride, her long veil seen from above
The couple stand in a row with an older couple, all four smiling the same way for a family photo
The groom grins in profile between the bride and an older woman, an older man in a red tie beside them
Reflected in rain streaked glass among dark leaves, the couple walk out for garden portraits in inner Melbourne
The groom smiles at the bride with tall city towers rising behind them in central Melbourne
Garden wedding portraits begin at Melbourne Museum in inner Melbourne, the bride smiling as the groom waits by the silver panels
The bride stands front and centre against a riveted silver wall, the groom behind, in an urban Melbourne CBD portrait
The bride laughs as her train swirls over the wet plaza in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens, the groom grinning behind on heritage ground
Arms folded, the groom grins past the blurred bride and her roses during city portraits in the heritage-listed gardens
In profile with her roses, the bride turns as the groom smiles behind at Melbourne Museum in Carlton, on the Melbourne CBD's edge
The groom leads the bride by the hand beneath tall silver blades, her train sweeping the wet plaza, for garden portraits on historic grounds
Hand in hand beneath the angled silver blades of Melbourne Museum, the couple cross the shining plaza in an urban portrait in central Melbourne
Smiling, the couple stroll hand in hand past the silver blades, a Gothic stone building beyond the gardens in Melbourne city
The bridal party walk arm in arm across Carlton Gardens, Carlton, the pale heritage exhibition building facade behind them
The bridal party stride towards us across the wet plaza with blush bouquets, a garden wedding portrait walk in Melbourne city
Laughing, the bridal party walk arm in arm under the glass canopy at Melbourne Museum on Nicholson Street, beside the historic gardens
The groom and two groomsmen lean on the silver wall with one foot up, a playful urban portrait in the Melbourne CBD
The groom grins as he strides ahead of his groomsmen over the wet paving of historic Carlton Gardens
Groomsmen fold their arms and prop a foot on the wall as the groom smiles in front, garden portraits in Melbourne city
The groom leads his two groomsmen past a doorway cut into the silver blades, a city portrait in the heritage gardens
The groom laughs, arms folded, between two groomsmen in grey suits against riveted silver panels, an urban wedding portrait in central Melbourne
Hand in pocket, the groom strides across the wet plaza beneath the silver blades of Melbourne Museum in Carlton for city portraits
Two bridesmaids kiss the bride's cheeks at once, all three holding pink and cream roses, during garden wedding portraits in the Melbourne CBD
The bride and her bridesmaids throw their bouquets up under the glass canopy, the wet plaza mirroring them at heritage-listed Carlton Gardens
Lifting her full skirt, the bride walks ahead of two bridesmaids in long blush dresses across the plaza in the gardens of inner Melbourne
Garden wedding portraits on a wet day: the bride swirls her white ball gown against the vast riveted blades of Melbourne Museum
Smiling, the bride steps forward with her rose bouquet, her gown sweeping over the shining plaza by the gardens in Melbourne city
The bride glances over her shoulder as her long train fans across the wet paving on the historic exhibition grounds of central Melbourne
Small against the angular silver wall, the bride lets her train spill across the reflective urban plaza in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens
Heads bowed, the couple hold hands against a riveted panel, a quiet pause in their garden portraits in the Melbourne CBD
A kiss on the studded urban walkway at Melbourne Museum on Nicholson Street, her long train trailing back across the wet paving
Up close, the groom kisses the bride beside the studded silver wall as city lights glow softly beyond the gardens
Seen from low down, the couple kiss at the foot of a towering riveted wall for garden portraits at Melbourne Museum in Carlton
The groom wraps his arms around the bride from behind and both smile against pale panels, an urban portrait in inner Melbourne
On a grey city afternoon the couple share a smile against pale riveted panels, her lace headpiece bright, at Carlton Gardens, Carlton
Beneath the soaring silver blades the couple lean in nose to nose, her rose bouquet at her side, for garden portraits in central Melbourne
Hand in hand, the couple cross the rain-soaked forecourt of the heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building and its golden fan window
The groom leads the bride by the hand across the forecourt, the pale historic facade and arched window rising behind them in the gardens
A kiss in the drizzle before the white facade and golden arched window, closing their garden wedding portraits in the Melbourne CBD
A tall white five-tier cake waits on a mirrored table before the head table in the heritage-style ballroom at Merrimu Receptions
A groomsman in a grey suit and a bridesmaid in pale chiffon walk in arm in arm, the ballroom staircase rising behind them
Another groomsman and a smiling bridesmaid make their entrance under a chandelier, the historic venue's ironwork staircase behind them
Kim and Wennie stand small on the mezzanine balcony above the staircase, its heritage-style iron balustrade lit by a chandelier at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
The bride and groom make their entrance past chairs tied with black sashes, grinning on their way into the ballroom of the historic venue
Kim and Wennie cut their tall white cake together as groomsmen and a bridesmaid watch from the head table at historic Merrimu
A kiss over the cake: bridesmaids cover their mouths and groomsmen clap before red swagged curtains in the ballroom
Guests crowd the parquet floor raising phones and cameras under a purple-lit coffered ceiling in the Grand Ballroom at Merrimu
An older woman in a blue embroidered dress and long pearl strands smiles beside an older man in a red tie in the heritage-style ballroom
An older couple pose at their table, his arm around her shoulders and a glass of red wine in his hand, at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena
A man in a pinstripe suit and polka dot tie sits beside a woman in black, both wearing rose corsages, at a heritage-style ballroom table
An older man in glasses reads a speech at the lectern beside the cake in the ballroom at Merrimu Receptions
Warm table lights blur in the foreground as the couple smile from the head table during ballroom speeches at the historic venue
The couple clap from the head table through sparkling foreground lights during speeches at Merrimu on Dandenong Road
A woman in black smiles across her table as a waiter passes with a tray, purple-lit candelabra glowing in the heritage-style room
The groom hugs an older man warmly during speeches as the bride, in a gold embroidered dress, looks on at historic Merrimu
An older man with a red tie reads his speech into a microphone, guests softly blurred behind him in the heritage-style ballroom
The groom, the bride in gold lace and the bridal party listen along the ballroom head table at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
A man in a pinstripe suit with a pink rose corsage smiles as he listens to the speeches at the historic reception venue
A woman in a black jacket with a peach rose corsage listens closely to the speeches in the ballroom
An older woman in violet blue embroidery and long pearl strands listens in profile, the heritage-style ballroom soft behind her
An older woman in a white cardigan and pearl earrings listens with eyes half closed during ballroom speeches at Merrimu Receptions
Mid speech, the groom hugs a bald older man in glasses while the bride in gold embroidery stands by the historic venue's swagged curtains
A bridesmaid reads from a little book into a microphone as the couple smile up at her, at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena
Golden lights sparkle beside the bridesmaid as she reads from her little book, the couple beaming at the ballroom head table
Touched by the reading, the bride lifts a hand to her face while the groom laughs beside her at Merrimu, the historic reception venue
The bride wraps the reading bridesmaid in a big hug as groomsmen applaud along the head table of the heritage-style ballroom
The groom gives his speech at the lectern, the cake and glowing candelabra behind him in the ballroom at Merrimu on Dandenong Road
The bride watches the groom speak from the head table as a groomsman sips red wine, the historic venue's amber curtains behind
An older man in a striped shirt waves cheerfully at the groom from his ballroom table during the speeches
The pair with rose corsages share a laugh at their table as the speeches go on in the heritage-style ballroom
The older couple in blue embroidery and a red tie smile at the groom's speech from beside the cake at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
The bride smiles behind a red-ribboned gift box at the ballroom head table as the groom speaks, a heritage-style room around them
Guests leap up to cheer and applaud among the round tables and red swagged curtains of the Grand Ballroom at Merrimu
A wide view of the head table beneath swagged amber curtains and white columns as the couple clap in the heritage-style ballroom
The couple steal a kiss at the long head table, their bridal party either side, at historic Merrimu Receptions
Guests share a seafood platter around a silver globe centrepiece, red curtains and warm lights filling the historic venue's ballroom behind
A groomsman in a grey suit gives his speech beside the tall white cake in the ballroom at Merrimu
Kim and Wennie burst out laughing at the head table during the groomsman's speech at the historic venue
The bride and her bridesmaids lean in, giggling down the long table over bread rolls and glasses, at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena
Hand over her mouth, the bride laughs at the head table as the groom grins beside her in the heritage-style ballroom
The groom hugs a groomsman in a grey check suit after his speech while the bride smiles at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
First dance under a purple-lit coffered ceiling: the groom twirls the bride across the wide parquet ballroom floor of the historic venue
The groom lifts the bride off her feet mid dance, guests ringing the parquet floor of the Grand Ballroom at Merrimu
In the first dance, the bride in short gold embroidery and the groom in braces smile at each other in the heritage-style ballroom
The bride beams over the groom's shoulder as they dance, swagged curtains glowing behind them at Merrimu Receptions
Hand in hand, the couple dance across the parquet under purple stage lights as guests watch in the historic venue's ballroom
Holding hands close, Kim and Wennie smile into each other's eyes during the first dance on the ballroom floor at Merrimu
The bride turns under the groom's arm, her gold embroidered skirt flaring, at the historic reception venue
The groom spins the bride under a coffered ceiling as guests watch from the round tables at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena
The couple finish their dance hand in hand on the shining parquet of the heritage-style ballroom
Back in her gown, the bride sits back to back with the groom for the shoe game, both waving shoes at Merrimu Receptions
The groom raises his black shoe while the bride holds one of each, laughing through the shoe game in the heritage-style ballroom
Older guests at a round table cheer the shoe game with thumbs up and applause at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
Blindfolded, the groom reaches for the bride's hand as a man with a microphone and a bridesmaid look on at the historic venue
The bride doubles over laughing as the blindfolded groom feels for her hand on the ballroom floor at Merrimu
An older couple dance cheek to cheek, her pearls and blue embroidery bright against his dark suit in the heritage-style ballroom
Women in a floral dress and a peach gown dance with friends under the lights at historic Merrimu on Dandenong Road
The bride and groom kiss an older woman in blue embroidery and a flower crown on both cheeks at the historic venue
A packed dance floor: the couple dance among pointing, cheering friends in the Grand Ballroom at Merrimu
Kim and Wennie laugh together among friends on the busy dance floor of the heritage-style ballroom
Friends cheer the groom on as he sips from a glass on the dance floor at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena
Arm around a friend, the groom dances and points as the crowd shouts along on the historic venue's dance floor
The groom poses with friends in white shirts, one making an OK sign, late in the night on the ballroom floor at Merrimu
The groom pulls the bride into a playful dance as guests laugh around them in the heritage-style ballroom
Three friends in black laugh as the groom swigs from a large bottle in the ballroom at Merrimu in Murrumbeena
Outside the historic venue after dark, the couple face each other by a softly lit sash window, her long train spread wide
A night kiss beneath the glowing sash window on the dark brick wall at Merrimu on Dandenong Road
Lit from below, a statue in a niche glows above a still pool as the couple hold each other close in the heritage-style courtyard
A wide night view of the lit statue niche and pool, the couple embracing beside it in the garden at Merrimu Receptions
The wedding story

Our Merrimu Receptions wedding photos: red trays in the rain, silver blades in Carlton Gardens and a shoe game in the ballroom

Morning portraits by a hedge · Red trays in the rain at home · Ceremony under stone arches · Melbourne Museum and Royal Exhibition Building portraits · Speeches and dancing at Merrimu Receptions

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Hedges, braces and a bow tie

The day started quietly. Before anyone dressed up, Kim and Wennie met us in casual coats beside a long clipped hedge, with two tall cypresses standing guard, and we made them small against all that green and sky. A short session like this settles nerves and gets everyone used to the camera. Back at home, the groom tied his bow tie, settled his watch at the cuff and sank into the sofa between his groomsmen, looking far calmer than they did. Home rooms are small, so we work close with a wider lens and keep a window to one side for soft light.

Red trays through the rain

Two family members laid out trays draped in red and gold fringed cloth, and then the rain arrived, right on cue for the procession. The groomsmen walked up the footpath in a line, each carrying a tray, while black and bright blue umbrellas bobbed overhead. We ran ahead and shot back towards them, so the line of red led straight through the frame to the groom and his red roses. A row of young women in pastel and white silk dresses waited at the door, and the families gathered under a pergola strung with ribbons and paper pom poms.

Red and gold in the hallway

Inside, the bride waited in a hallway in a red dress embroidered all over in gold, soft curls falling over one shoulder. A loved one fastened her earrings while she held her red roses, and another hugged her so hard they both laughed. When the groom walked in, he could not stop smiling. We kept the flash off and let the warm lamps and the red paper flowers on the wall do the work, then stepped back for the wide frames: the couple greeting family elders, drinks offered from a tray and envelopes passing from hand to hand.

Autumn leaves and a white gown

Then came the change of outfit. The bride read a handwritten card in a fluffy pink robe while her ball gown hung in the window. We went outside and shot back through the orange leaves of a tree in the garden, so the gown sat in a frame of autumn colour. A layer of leaves close to the lens is one of our favourite tricks on a grey day: it adds warmth and hides a busy street. In the gown, she stood by a tall window with her pink and cream roses, then smiled out at us from the back of a white vintage car.

Under the stone arches

The church was all pale stone arches, a timber ceiling and a long red carpet. Kim and Wennie sat side by side at the front, her bouquet resting on that huge skirt, while a choir sang to one side. We worked long from the side aisle to stay out of the way and still catch faces: a beaming older guest, a little girl with flowers in her hair, two friends in blush dresses watching closely. Then the rings, the kiss at the front, and a quiet moment as they signed the register with the bouquet beside them on the white cloth.

A wide view from above

The certificate went up for the room to see, the celebrant clapped, and the whole church joined in. As they walked back down the red carpet, the pews turned into a wall of smiles and phones. For the last frame we climbed up high at the back and shot straight down the aisle, so the arches, the warm ceiling lights and the crowd all fit around two small figures kissing at the end. A high vantage point turns a busy exit into one clean picture, so we always look for a balcony or loft in a church.

Silver blades in Carlton Gardens

The rain eased just enough for portraits in Carlton Gardens. The Melbourne Museum’s tall sloping blades are clad in pale panels, and on an overcast afternoon they bounce soft light back onto faces like a giant reflector. The bridesmaids in long blush dresses lifted their bouquets, the groomsmen in grey strode out beside the groom, and the bride spun so her train fanned across the wet plaza, which mirrored everything. Then we walked them over to the Royal Exhibition Building, where the white façade made a calm, bright background for a kiss in the drizzle.

A staircase entrance at Merrimu

At Merrimu, the bridal party made their entrance under the chandeliers, and we found Kim and Wennie up on the mezzanine balcony above the staircase, small against its ironwork. They cut a tall white cake together and the room cheered. Speeches brought a big hug from the groom for an older guest, happy tears when a bridesmaid read from a little book, and laughter all along the head table. These are the Merrimu Receptions wedding photos we love most: faces lit warm by the table lights, with swagged amber curtains glowing behind.

Spins, shoes and a lit window

For the first dance the bride wore a short dress embroidered in gold, and the groom swapped his jacket for braces and a white shirt. They spun under a coffered ceiling washed in purple light while everyone watched. Back in her gown, the games began: the two of them back to back on chairs, each holding up a shoe to answer questions, then a blindfolded groom feeling for his bride’s hand. The floor filled, an older couple danced cheek to cheek, and we slipped outside with Kim and Wennie for a last portrait beside a softly lit window.

Photographer's venue notes

Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena: a balcony entrance, a purple first dance and night portraits by the pool

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Arriving at Merrimu after the rain

Kim and Wennie reached Merrimu after a wet, happy afternoon of portraits on the plaza in Carlton Gardens, still smiling through the drizzle. Inside, the bridal party came in pair by pair under a chandelier with the staircase rising behind them. Rather than another walk in, we photographed the couple up on the mezzanine balcony from the floor below, small and central inside the ironwork. They came down and into the ballroom past chairs tied with black sashes, and the tall white cake was waiting on a mirrored table before the head table.

Warm tables and a purple ceiling

Speeches belong to the head table, and the warm table lights there did beautiful work on faces. We often shot through the little sparkling lights in the foreground, so each reaction sat inside a soft blur of gold, with the amber curtains glowing behind. The first dance was a different mood. The coffered ceiling was washed in purple, so we went wide from the edge of the parquet to show that colour, the guests ringing the floor and the groom twirling the bride in her short gold embroidered dress.

Games on the parquet

The shoe game is pure joy to photograph if you are in the right place. With Kim and Wennie back to back on two chairs, we stood square in front and low, so both faces and every raised shoe read clearly in one frame. Then we turned around, because the best reactions came from a round table of older guests giving thumbs up and applause. The blindfold game that followed had the bride doubled over laughing, and from there the floor filled with friends cheering the couple on late into the night.

A short step outside after dark

Some of our favourite frames from this wedding were made outside in a few quiet minutes away from the party. A softly lit sash window on a dark brick wall gave just enough light for a kiss, with the long train spread wide across the ground. Nearby, a statue in a niche glowed above a still pool, lit from below, and the couple held each other close beside it. Our tip from their night: when the games end and before the late dancing starts, slip out with us while the gown still looks perfect.

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