Old Parliament House Rose Gardens wedding photos: Becky and George walk together across the lawn as her lace veil trails behind in Canberra
Home/Weddings/The Boat House, Barton
Real waterside wedding · Barton, Canberra

Old Parliament House Rose Gardens Wedding Photos: Becky & George

The Boat House · Grevillea Park, Barton ACT · Canberra

Waterside Wedding · Region: ACT - Canberra CBD · City: Canberra · Venues: Boat House, Barton · Senate Gardens

Five pairs of bright socks among the roses, a lace veil lifting over the Senate lawn and George sweeping Becky off her feet while the bridal party cheered. Their portraits in the Old Parliament House Rose Gardens in Parkes came between a church ceremony in Kingston and a lakeside reception at The Boat House, and a soft blanket of cloud that afternoon made every face glow. We loved every step of it, from bubbles in the morning to the last song of the night.

The gallery
A morning view over tiled rooftops and gum trees to a wooded hill under a soft blue sky in central Canberra
The wedding invitation for Becky and George tucked into her bouquet of peach, cream and pale yellow roses
Becky sits in a blue singlet with her lace veil pinned into soft curls while a bridesmaid waits behind her
Her engagement ring rests on the watercolour leaves of the invitation beside cream and blush roses
Becky's lace gown with thin straps hangs on a timber hanger against sheer white curtains at the window
Rose gold, silver and glitter heeled sandals for the bride and bridesmaids lined up along the curtains
Becky, lace veil on her shoulder, snaps her laughing bridesmaids in white robes on her phone
A selfie of three smiling friends glows on a phone screen held between the bridesmaids' shoulders
Five champagne flutes with gold lettered names stand in front of the blush and ivory rose bouquets
Becky and her bridesmaids in grey slips clink champagne flutes as they get ready in the Canberra CBD
Becky laughs in a tight huddle with her bridesmaids, champagne glasses raised against the sheer curtains
In a blue slip and lace veil, Becky reaches for the hem of her gown hanging at the bright window
Her four bridesmaids squeal at their first look at Becky in her gown as her dad grins behind them
Becky looks down at her fitted lace gown while her bridesmaids and her dad watch from across the room
A bridesmaid in a grey gown pins the lace veil into Becky's curls in front of sheer white curtains
A loved one in a pale blue lace dress and rose corsage laughs with Becky beside a man in a navy suit
In black and white, Becky looks down at her rose bouquet by the window, her long lace veil falling behind her
Becky smiles down at her blush, ivory and cream roses with olive sprigs as she gets ready in central Canberra
Becky breathes in the scent of her rose bouquet beside sheer curtains, her engagement ring catching the light
Becky meets the camera with a soft smile, holding her roses beside the window in her lace gown
Becky glances down at her long lace veil spreading across the carpet, bouquet in one hand, against the bright curtains
A close crop of Becky and her bridesmaids holding blush and ivory rose bouquets tied with pink and white ribbons
Becky stands among her four bridesmaids in blush, champagne, mauve and lilac, rose bouquets in hand, in the Canberra CBD
In black and white, Becky sits on a timber chair with her bouquet in her lap, her lace train pooling on the floor
The bell tower and domed roof of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Canberra rise against a big cloudy sky
George and his groomsmen in navy suits wait at the front of the church beneath a crystal chandelier and tall arched windows
Becky smiles through the window of the pale blue vintage car, her rose bouquet in her lap
Becky steps out of the white and pale blue vintage car, gathering her lace hem as her dad holds her bouquet
Becky and her dad share a smile beside the open door of the vintage car outside the church in Kingston, central Canberra
A high view down the long red aisle to the front of the church under crystal chandeliers and a skylight
Her dad walks Becky in beneath a fanlight of coloured glass as guests turn in the timber pews
Becky and her dad come down the red carpet aisle under a crystal chandelier, guests smiling from the pews
Her dad shakes George's hand warmly at the front of the church as Becky waits with her bouquet
Through a blur of bridesmaids, her dad stands in the pews beside a loved one in pale blue lace
From the gallery of St Nicholas Canberra, an octagonal skylight and two crystal chandeliers hang over the long red aisle
George leans in to Becky with a grin at the front of the church as guests watch from the pews
A bridesmaid in champagne dabs away a happy tear behind Becky and George, who wear beaded crowns
George sips red wine from a glass held by the priest in white and red robes
Wearing a pearl crown, Becky looks up at George with a soft smile as the priest holds a glass of wine
Becky's long veil trails along the red carpet past rows of guests, seen from the gallery above
A groomsman lifts the white ribbon joining the couple's crowns beside a lace covered table of flowers and candles
Seen from above, the bridal party and guests gather around Becky and George on the red rugs at a church wedding in central Canberra
The priest in white and red robes faces Becky and George before a carved timber screen as a groomsman looks on
Becky and George share a kiss in their crowns before the carved and gilded screen
Becky cups George's face as he laughs, the white ribbon still linking their beaded crowns
Becky and George walk back down the empty red aisle alone, seen from the gallery beneath the chandeliers
Guests shower George and Becky with coloured confetti and red rose petals under the arched portico in the Canberra CBD
George kisses Becky at the foot of the steps as pale petals fall and guests smile from the portico
The whole crowd cheers with arms raised for a group shot under the tall coloured windows of St Nicholas in Kingston
Becky and George stroll hand in hand with a bridesmaid past the white parliament building in central Canberra
George and his four groomsmen in navy suits straighten their jackets on a brick edged path under the wisteria in the Senate Gardens
George and the groomsmen hitch up their navy trousers on the lawn to show off five pairs of bright socks
Becky and her bridesmaids squeeze onto a bench under the pergola in the Senate Gardens at Old Parliament House, red tennis courts behind
Becky and her four bridesmaids smile under a leafy canopy in the Canberra CBD, rose bouquets tied with pink ribbon
The bridesmaids laugh and cheer as Becky lifts her bouquet high by the white pergola in the Old Parliament House Gardens
Becky walks ahead across the grass smiling as George follows in his cream fringed shawl past the pergola
Hand in hand, George and Becky walk beside pink rose beds in central Canberra, her long veil trailing on the grass
George and Becky stand on a brick edged path among the rose beds and white trellises of the Old Parliament House Rose Gardens
Becky and George turn to each other between the rose beds and white trellises under feathery leaves
George bends to kiss Becky's hand beside a pink rose bush in the Rose Gardens at Old Parliament House
George and Becky walk towards us along a brick edged path in the Canberra CBD, rose bushes on one side
George steals a kiss from Becky as they stroll the garden path past the rose beds
Becky leads George by the hand under the white pergola, a clipped hedge and Old Parliament House behind them
George pumps his fists in white sunglasses as he struts across the lawn in the Canberra CBD with his groomsmen
The bridal party walks towards us arm in arm across the big lawn of the Old Parliament House Gardens, framed by tall trees
George sweeps Becky up in his arms in the middle of the bridal party on the open lawn in central Canberra
The bridesmaids and groomsmen point and cheer as George holds Becky aloft on the Senate lawn
Becky walks arm in arm with her laughing bridesmaids across the lawn in front of Old Parliament House in Parkes
The groomsmen hold the bridesmaids' bouquets and pull faces while George sneaks a kiss with Becky on the lawn
George holds out one side of Becky's lace edged veil as it lifts in the breeze over the Senate Gardens lawn
Becky looks back over her shoulder as George leads her by the hand across the lawn in the Canberra CBD
George and Becky stand nose to nose on the lawn, her lace veil pinned into loose golden waves
Becky glances at the camera with a quiet smile as George looks down at her on the grass
Walking away hand in hand, Becky smiles back as her long lace trimmed veil sweeps over the grass
Becky and George walk hand in hand across the open lawn of the Senate Gardens at Old Parliament House, a dark hedge behind
Becky wraps her arms around George's neck and touches his cheek as they hug, her veil falling down her back
A wide view of Becky and George crossing the big lawn of the Old Parliament House Gardens beneath tall poplars
George dips Becky low on the grass in central Canberra, her veil and train sweeping across the lawn behind her
George walks towards us alone across the lawn, one hand at his lapel and a cream rose on his jacket
George glances to the side with one hand at his lapel, his cream fringed shawl over a navy jacket and bow tie
George smiles at the camera on the lawn in the Canberra CBD, a cream rose pinned beside his bow tie
Becky turns towards the white façade of Old Parliament House, Canberra, her lace veil falling down her open back
Becky spreads her long lace veil wide across the grass in front of a clipped hedge and a gum tree
Becky glances back over her shoulder with her bouquet, the lace veil trailing and the white building behind her
Becky stands on the open lawn in central Canberra with her rose bouquet, her veil fanned out behind her
The whole bridal party strolls along a tall clipped hedge in the Senate Gardens, a white roofline peeking over the top
Cyclists ride the lakeside path past leafy trees and white globe lamps as the afternoon light fades in central Canberra
The rusted steel sign of The Boat House stands before its dark timber pavilion and vine covered pergola by the water
A three tier white wedding cake decorated with blush roses and olive sprigs at the waterside reception in the Canberra CBD
Single blush roses stand in slim glass vases along the lakeside reception tables at The Boat House, Barton
George's place card with a painted pink rose sits on a folded white napkin by a tea light, set for the waterfront dinner
Guests gather on the covered deck of The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin as a little boy dances on the lakeside path
Older guests chat at a small table under a tree on the deck, the lake shining behind them in central Canberra
Guests laugh over drinks under festoon bulbs on the waterside deck of The Boat House Canberra
An older guest throws her arms wide as George comes over to greet her on the lakeside deck
Becky laughs with friends on the low stone wall by the water outside The Boat House by the Lake
George laughs with three older guests under the steel pergola at the lakeside reception in the Canberra CBD
Becky and George listen to the speeches in the waterfront room at The Boat House in Barton, her lace veil draped over a gold chair
Guests clap as Becky rests a hand on George's head while he bows with a laugh at the waterside reception
Glasses go up across the candlelit waterfront room at The Boat House in Canberra as Becky and George toast the bridal table
George gives his speech at the lectern as guests listen at round tables in the lakeside reception room in central Canberra
Becky and the bridal table smile through the speeches at the waterfront reception, seen past a soft blur of guests
The bridesmaids are in fits of laughter during the speeches by the water, Becky smiling beside them in the Canberra CBD
Becky and George hold each other close for their first dance against the amber lit stone wall of The Boat House
In black and white, Becky and George take hands for their first dance at the waterside reception as guests watch
George leads Becky onto the lakeside dance floor at The Boat House, Barton under red light, a gold kangaroo painting ahead
Becky twirls under George's raised hand beside the stone wall as a guest in a red dress watches at the waterside party
George leads a line of dancers at The Boat House Canberra as Becky and her bridesmaids hold up their hems and follow
Guests link hands in a circle around Becky and George, who laughs with his head tipped back on the lakeside dance floor
George punches the air in the middle of a packed dance floor by the water, surrounded by the bridesmaids and friends
Guests hold hands and dance in a long chain under the lattice ceiling of the lakeside room at The Boat House in Barton
Jacket off, George leads the dance with a white napkin as Becky follows by the stone wall at the waterside party in central Canberra
Becky dances through the crowd at The Boat House in Canberra with her train gathered over one arm under purple light
A guest in a navy suit high steps across the floor of the waterfront reception as bridesmaids and friends cheer
Becky laughs and dances with friends in floral dresses at The Boat House, one of them holding a glass of white wine
A young guest drops to one knee and a bridesmaid in sneakers kicks up her heels on the waterside dance floor
George and Becky dance hand in hand with friends under pink light at the lakeside celebration in the Canberra CBD
The sun sinks beside the Parliament House flagpole across Lake Burley Griffin, framed by dark overhanging leaves
Becky and George walk hand in hand off the deck towards the shining lake as the sun drops through the trees
Becky and George walk the lakeside path in silhouette at The Boat House on Lake Burley Griffin, her veil trailing in the low sun
George holds Becky from behind on the stone edged waterfront as they gaze across the lake in soft evening light in central Canberra
In black and white, Becky smiles up at George beneath her sheer veil in a close moment by the water
Becky closes her eyes as George rests his forehead against hers under the veil in warm lakeside light
George holds Becky close as they look out over the water at The Boat House by the Lake at sunset
The wedding story

Our Old Parliament House Rose Gardens wedding photos: bright socks under the pergola, a veil on the Senate lawn and a sunset by the lake

Getting ready with the bridesmaids · Church ceremony in Kingston · Senate Gardens rose beds and pergola · The big lawn at Old Parliament House · Reception at The Boat House · Sunset on Lake Burley Griffin

Read the full story

A ring on the invitation

We started with the small things while Becky’s make-up was finished. The invitation went into her bouquet of peach, cream and blush roses, and the engagement ring sat on its watercolour leaves for a close-up. When she was dressed, she turned to face her four bridesmaids in blush, champagne, mauve and lilac, and they squealed, while her dad grinned at the back of the room. For her own portraits we moved back and used a longer lens beside the sheer curtains, which keeps a fitted gown true to its shape and lets the train run across the carpet.

A pale blue car in Kingston

The church in Kingston rose against a big, cloudy sky. The vintage car arrived in white and pale blue, and before the door opened we photographed Becky through its window, bouquet in her lap and a small, calm smile on her face. Shooting through glass gives a quiet, private feel, and the reflected trees became part of the picture. Then she stepped out beside her dad, who walked her in beneath a fanlight of coloured glass and shook George’s hand warmly at the front before stepping back to his seat.

From the gallery to the steps

We climbed to the gallery, where an octagonal skylight and two tiers of crystal chandeliers hang over a long red aisle, and watched the veil trail down the carpet while a bridesmaid dabbed away a happy tear. Height turns a busy room into a clear pattern. Our favourite frame from up there came at the end: Becky and George walking back down the empty aisle, alone for a moment. Outside, guests on the steps threw handfuls of pale petals, and the whole crowd gathered under the tall coloured windows for one big group photo.

Socks under the pergola

Then it was on to the gardens beside Old Parliament House, the part of the day we had all been waiting for. Becky and George strolled hand in hand past the white building, and in the Senate Gardens George and his groomsmen hitched up their navy trousers to show off five pairs of bright socks. The bridesmaids squeezed together under the leafy timber pergola, red tennis courts glowing behind them. Under a pergola the leaves filter hard sun, but with cloud overhead the light was already soft, so we simply let the greenery frame their faces.

Between the rose beds

Becky and George wandered the brick-edged paths between the rose beds, pink blooms on one side and a white trellis behind them. George bent to kiss Becky’s hand, then stole a proper kiss further along the path. Those long straight paths are a gift for a photographer: they lead the eye straight to the couple, so we stood at one end with a longer lens and let them walk towards us without any posing. These were the moments we had in mind for their Old Parliament House Rose Gardens wedding photos, unhurried and full of colour.

Running on the big lawn

Out on the open lawn, framed by tall poplars and clipped hedges, the bridal party let loose. The groomsmen held the bridesmaids’ bouquets while George snuck in another kiss, then he swept Becky up in his arms as everyone pointed and cheered. We asked them all to walk towards us arm in arm, and the laughter did the rest. A lawn this size lets a group of ten spread out without anyone hiding behind a shoulder, and the dark hedges give a plain backdrop that makes white dresses and navy suits stand out.

A veil and the white façade

A breeze picked up Becky’s lace-edged veil, so George held one side out while she turned back to look at us, and later she spread it wide across the grass on her own. We took George alone too, walking towards us with one hand at his lapel. Then we turned Becky towards the white façade of Old Parliament House and had her glance back over her shoulder, the veil falling behind her. To finish, the whole party strolled past a tall clipped hedge with the building’s white roofline peeking over the top.

Drinks and speeches by the water

At The Boat House, guests drifted onto the deck with the lake right there. A little boy and a girl in red danced on the lakeside path, older guests settled at a table under the trees, and one of them threw her arms wide when George came over. Inside, single blush roses stood in glass vases along the tables. George took the lectern for his speech, glasses went up across the room, and the bridesmaids were in fits of laughter. We shoot speeches from the side, so we catch the speaker and the faces listening.

Sunset, then the dance floor

When the light turned gold we walked Becky and George to the shoreline, where the sun was sinking beside the Parliament House flagpole across the water, and let them fall into silhouette against the shine on the lake. Back inside, the first dance happened against a rough stone wall lit amber, then the colours turned red and purple and the floor filled. George led a line of dancers while Becky and her bridesmaids held up their hems and followed, jackets came off, and someone slid across the boards on one knee.

Photographer's venue notes

Old Parliament House Rose Gardens, Parkes: pergola groups, rose bed paths and a breezy lawn under cloud

Read the venue notes

How we moved through the gardens

Becky and George came to the gardens straight from their ceremony in Kingston, with the whole bridal party and the pale blue vintage car in tow. We began with the groomsmen beneath the wisteria on the Senate side, then the bridesmaids on a garden bench, before giving the couple some time alone among the rose beds. The big lawn came last, for the full party and the veil, and the stroll back to the car past the white façade wrapped everything up without any doubling back.

Cloud cover the whole way through

Cloud sat over Canberra the entire time we were in the gardens, which meant we never had to chase shade or turn anyone away from the sun. Under the pergola, on the brick paths and out on the open grass the light stayed level, so the white gown, the blush and taupe gowns and the navy suits all held their detail in a single frame. The grey sky also let the hedge greens and the pink roses look deeper and richer than they ever do in hard summer sun.

The spots that suited this bridal party

The timber pergola gave the groomsmen posts to lean on and a leafy roof to frame them, and the red tennis courts behind the bench added a warm strip of colour behind the bridesmaids. For Becky and George, the long brick edged paths between the rose beds pulled the eye straight to them, with white trellises keeping the background tidy. The open lawn, backed by tall poplars and a dark clipped hedge, was where the lifts, the cheering and every veil frame happened.

Tips for a garden portrait stop

Save the veil for the open lawn. Away from the rose bushes, the breeze across the grass lifted Becky’s lace clear of everything, and George could hold one side out while she looked back at us. Let the playful frames come early, while energy is high: the sock reveal set the tone for the rest of the stop. And park the car where you plan to finish, because the bridal party crossing back to it in front of the white building became one of our favourite closing frames.

Keep exploring

The Boat House weddings

Every Veri wedding at this venue

Canberra weddings

More real weddings across the city

Canberra CBD weddings

Real weddings across the region