Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne wedding photos: Stephanie and Nicholas smile at each other on a winding path between tree ferns and palms in Melbourne
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Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Wedding Photos: Stephanie & Nicholas

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne · Melbourne VIC

Garden Wedding · Region: VIC - Melbourne CBD · City: Melbourne · Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Red roses, red bow ties and bridesmaids in red dresses that flared every time they twirled, with the city towers rising behind the trees. Stephanie and Nicholas spent their wedding portraits wandering the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in South Yarra, from cool tree ferns to a tall bamboo grove and a lake where black swans drifted past. They finished at a relaxed picnic on the grass with the people they love, and we had the best time walking every path with them.

The gallery
Nicholas in a red bow tie walks beside Stephanie as she lifts her lace train on a shady path at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Nicholas grins with his phone in hand as Stephanie follows along the shaded garden path, holding up her train
Two bridesmaids in red lift Stephanie's floral lace train beneath a giant tree trunk in the gardens as she carries long red roses
Wind lifts Stephanie's hair as she laughs with red roses while her bridesmaids follow along the path, one carrying her heels
Stephanie lowers her eyes over red roses as she walks arm in arm with a man in a charcoal suit and red bow tie
A bridesmaid in red straightens Stephanie's train as Nicholas glances her way on a clover lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
A loved one in dark lace fans out Stephanie's sheer train on the lawn as Nicholas and the groomsmen wait, Melbourne city towers beyond
Stephanie and Nicholas stand with family and their wedding party on a lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Melbourne CBD skyline behind
Family and wedding party smile in a line on the grass for a garden wedding group portrait, central Melbourne towers above the trees
Nicholas kisses Stephanie in the middle of the family line up as everyone else smiles on the sunny lawn
Family and wedding party walk toward us in a wide line at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, inner Melbourne towers behind
Laughing mid stride, family and bridesmaids cross the open gardens with Stephanie and Nicholas beneath a hazy city skyline
Stephanie glances at Nicholas as the bridal party strolls across the sunny lawn at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas beams as he and Stephanie lead the family and wedding party over the sunlit grass toward us
Stephanie and Nicholas pose with four loved ones on the lawn, Melbourne CBD towers rising high behind the trees
A wider garden wedding family portrait of Stephanie and Nicholas with four loved ones, a spiky umbrella shaped tree to the right
Stephanie and Nicholas grin with four loved ones on a sunny lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens, hazy towers behind
A full length family portrait of the couple with four loved ones, the skyscrapers of inner Melbourne above the trees
Big smiles from Stephanie, Nicholas and four loved ones standing shoulder to shoulder on the sunny garden lawn
A grey haired loved one pats Nicholas's arm in a family portrait at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Stephanie and Nicholas stand between a woman in a dark beaded dress and a man in a red tie, the Melbourne CBD rising behind
The couple and two loved ones stand on a broad open lawn ringed by garden beds and a spiky umbrella shaped tree
Closer smiles from Stephanie, Nicholas and two loved ones in garden wedding portraits, her red roses bright against the ivory lace
Stephanie and Nicholas with a loved one in a patterned dress and dark wrap on a wide lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Stephanie leans into Nicholas beside a smiling loved one in a sheer navy wrap, Melbourne city towers above the trees
A full length portrait of the couple with a loved one in a silver patterned dress on the lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Stephanie tilts her head toward Nicholas as a loved one in a navy wrap smiles beside them under the hazy skyline
A loved one in a sequinned navy dress beams at Nicholas while Stephanie holds her red roses close
Nicholas grins at the camera as a loved one in sparkling navy smiles up at him under tall trees in inner Melbourne
Stephanie stands between a man in a red tie and a woman in a dark beaded dress on the lawn at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer garden portrait of Stephanie with two loved ones, a tall conifer and beds of spiky plants behind them
A loved one in dark lace kisses Stephanie's cheek as a man in a red tie looks on, smiling
A loved one in a red tie kisses Stephanie's hand while she laughs and a woman in dark lace smiles beside her
Stephanie laughs as a loved one in a red tie holds out his palm for her hand on a lawn in inner Melbourne
A loved one in a red tie holds Stephanie's hand and shares a laugh with her as a woman in dark lace looks on
A grey haired loved one smiles as he rests his hand on Stephanie's red roses, a white flower comb in her hair
A loved one in a red tie gestures warmly as Stephanie laughs during family garden portraits, a woman in dark lace beside her
Stephanie and a fair haired loved one in black beaded lace laugh together in the sun at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A fair haired loved one in beaded lace and Stephanie smile side by side, the roses glowing orange red in the sun
Stephanie gives a soft smile to a man in a dark suit as a fair haired loved one beams over her shoulder
Stephanie laughs with a man in a dark suit and red tie while a fair haired loved one smiles beside her during garden wedding portraits
Stephanie with two loved ones on the lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, glass towers of the Melbourne CBD behind
Stephanie stands between her two bridesmaids in red off shoulder dresses, skyscrapers rising behind the garden trees
Closer smiles from Stephanie and her bridesmaids in red for a garden wedding portrait in central Melbourne
The bridesmaids kick up a heel and swish their red skirts as Stephanie laughs down at her lace gown
Stephanie and her bridesmaids lift their heels and laugh at the Royal Botanic Gardens as Melbourne CBD towers peek over the trees
One bridesmaid laughs open mouthed as the trio poses in red and ivory on the grass of the gardens
Stephanie laughs with her two bridesmaids in red, each turning toward her on a sunny lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Both bridesmaids kick a leg out to the sides as Stephanie laughs between them, the Melbourne city skyline above the trees
A bridesmaid kicks up her heel and another bursts out laughing beside Stephanie on the grass
Stephanie and her bridesmaids hug in close for a smiling garden wedding portrait in front of beds of spiky plants
Seen from behind, Stephanie and her bridesmaids link arms, her crossed straps between two laced red bodices, Melbourne CBD towers ahead
Stephanie and her bridesmaids look back over their shoulders from the lawn of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Arms wrapped around each other, Stephanie and her bridesmaids walk away laughing across the gardens, her long train trailing
Turned away from us, the three friends hug and smile back over their shoulders on a sunlit lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A blonde bridesmaid grins beside Stephanie as the trio steps toward us in the bright sun
Stephanie and her bridesmaids walk toward us on the grass at their garden wedding, her floral lace skirt swinging
A blonde bridesmaid tips her head back laughing as she walks with Stephanie and a dark haired bridesmaid
Smiling bridesmaids in red walk either side of Stephanie, the Melbourne CBD skyline faint in the haze behind
Stephanie and her bridesmaids walk arm in arm toward us across the lawn at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
The bridesmaids flare their full red skirts and laugh as Stephanie grins between them on the garden lawn
A twirl of red skirts as the bridesmaids swing out wide beside Stephanie, central Melbourne towers above the trees
Stephanie and her bridesmaids hold out their skirts as they walk at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, pines and palms behind
A blonde bridesmaid lifts her red hem and smiles as the three walk on together through the sunny grass of a garden wedding
Nicholas stands with a loved one in a navy and silver dress on the lawn, inner Melbourne skyscrapers behind them
Nicholas and a loved one in a sheer navy wrap smile for a closer portrait at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Nicholas and a loved one in silver and navy smile at each other on the lawn, city towers on the horizon
A loved one beams up at Nicholas as they share a smile beside spiky garden plants and leafy trees
Nicholas and a loved one in a sequinned navy dress smile at the camera, a lone Melbourne CBD tower far behind
A tight portrait of Nicholas and a loved one gazing at each other, her heart pendant catching the sun
A loved one in navy lace looks up at Nicholas with a wide smile on a bright day in the gardens
Two groomsmen and a man in a charcoal suit, all in red bow ties, stride across the grass at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A slick haired man in a charcoal suit walks a step ahead of the two groomsmen across the sunny lawn
The two groomsmen and a man in charcoal stop on the grass and grin, bright red bow ties on all three
Nicholas stands between his two groomsmen under a tall spiky tree at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas and his groomsmen in red bow ties and pocket squares stand tall beneath a spiky branched tree in the gardens
The groomsmen rest their arms on Nicholas's shoulders for relaxed garden portraits beneath the spiky tree
Grinning wide, Nicholas and his groomsmen stand arm in arm on a lawn on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
Nicholas walks toward us flanked by his groomsmen under the spiky crowned tree at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Hand in a pocket, Nicholas strolls out ahead of his smiling groomsmen across the garden lawn
Nicholas and his groomsmen stand in a row looking off to the side, a single Melbourne CBD tower beyond the trees
Laughing groomsmen walk beside Nicholas through the open gardens, red pocket squares and bow ties bright in the sun
Nicholas and a bearded groomsman stand side by side beneath the wide branches of an old conifer at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A bearded groomsman and Nicholas share easy smiles in garden portraits before a sprawling conifer with low twisting limbs
Nicholas throws his head back laughing as a bearded groomsman reaches out to fix his red bow tie
A groomsman wraps Nicholas in a big bear hug under the low branches of an old conifer at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas laughs, hand on hip, as a bearded groomsman grins and pats his shoulder on the clover lawn
Nicholas and a bearded groomsman share a tight eyes closed hug in the dappled shade of the gardens
Arm in arm, Nicholas and a bearded groomsman smile beneath a broad old conifer in inner Melbourne
A full length portrait of Nicholas and a bearded groomsman beside the thick trunk of a tall conifer in the gardens
Nicholas and a fair haired groomsman stand beneath a tall conifer at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
A fair haired groomsman and Nicholas smile side by side, the conifer's long branches sweeping behind them
Nicholas laughs as a fair haired groomsman throws an arm around his shoulders mid handshake during the garden portraits
A fair haired groomsman grins over Nicholas's shoulder as they hug in the shade of the garden trees
Nicholas playfully reaches over to tweak a fair haired groomsman's red bow tie as he glances down
Nicholas reaches out to a smiling fair haired groomsman as they joke around on the lawn at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas laughs and points at a fair haired groomsman, both in red bow ties under the spreading conifer
Nicholas doubles over laughing beside a grinning fair haired groomsman on the clover lawn of a garden wedding
Nicholas puts an arm around a blonde bridesmaid in a red off shoulder dress beneath the long conifer branches
A blonde bridesmaid and Nicholas pose cheek to cheek on the lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
A blonde bridesmaid bursts into laughter beside a grinning Nicholas in the dappled shade on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
Stephanie and a fair haired loved one in black beaded lace stand together under the wide conifer boughs in the gardens
A closer portrait of Stephanie arm in arm with a fair haired loved one in navy beaded lace beneath old conifer branches
Stephanie and a fair haired loved one smile softly together in the cool shade of a conifer in central Melbourne
Forehead to forehead, Stephanie and a fair haired loved one share a quiet laugh in the dappled garden shade
Stephanie laughs as she leans into a fair haired loved one, the beading on her navy dress catching the light
Stephanie and a loved one in beaded navy stand dwarfed by a huge spreading conifer at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A grey haired loved one in a red tie smiles down at Stephanie as they stand together on the shady garden lawn
Stephanie turns to smile at a grey haired loved one in a navy suit under the sweeping branches for a garden wedding portrait
A grey haired loved one with a dragonfly lapel pin smiles with Stephanie beneath the old conifer
Stephanie and a loved one in a red tie stand on the sunlit lawn of the gardens, a glimpse of city towers at the edge
Stephanie and a grey haired loved one exchange a warm smile in central Melbourne, his dragonfly pin glinting on a navy lapel
A grey haired loved one in a red tie beams at Stephanie at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
A grey haired loved one smiles at Stephanie in soft shade, her lace bodice and its thin bow belt in focus
Two loved ones, a man in a red tie and a woman in beaded navy lace, pose arm in arm beneath a sweeping conifer
A closer portrait of the two loved ones smiling arm in arm, tall palms and the sunny gardens of inner Melbourne behind them
The two loved ones stand close under low conifer branches on a wide lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
The pair stroll arm in arm across the clover lawn, smiling at each other beneath a tall palm
The loved one in a red tie glances fondly at the fair haired woman beside him as they walk on at the garden wedding
Stephanie and a dark haired bridesmaid hug side by side near a timber bench and a spiky tree, a lone tower behind
Stephanie and her dark haired bridesmaid in red smile with their heads together on a lawn at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, a city tower behind
Stephanie and her dark haired bridesmaid turn to grin at each other, long stemmed red roses between them and a timber bench behind
A close, laughing moment between Stephanie and her dark haired bridesmaid in red off shoulder satin during garden wedding portraits
A grey haired loved one in a red tie holds a black umbrella over a dark haired bridesmaid to keep the sun off her
Stephanie and her blonde bridesmaid in red stand close and smile, Melbourne CBD towers faint through the trees
A full length portrait of Stephanie and her blonde bridesmaid beside a timber bench and a spiky tree at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Stephanie and her blonde bridesmaid smile side by side on the sunny grass, a timber bench and flowering shrubs behind them
Stephanie and her blonde bridesmaid turn and laugh together, a city tower rising above the trees of inner Melbourne
Stephanie squeezes her eyes shut laughing as her blonde bridesmaid wraps her in a tight hug on the garden lawn
Up on her toes, the blonde bridesmaid throws her arms around Stephanie, the long lace train spilling across the grass of the gardens
One heel kicked up, the blonde bridesmaid hugs a laughing Stephanie on a dappled lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
A grey haired loved one holds a black umbrella over Stephanie as she gathers her skirt, Melbourne CBD towers on the skyline
Stephanie lifts her skirt and walks on with both bridesmaids while a grey haired loved one keeps the black umbrella over her
Stephanie glances back as she and Nicholas walk hand in hand across the lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne toward the towers
Smiling over her shoulder, Stephanie walks hand in hand with Nicholas as the Melbourne CBD skyline rises above the garden trees
Nicholas smiles back at Stephanie as they stroll toward a spiky umbrella shaped tree, her crossed back straps catching the light
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss on the open lawn for a garden wedding portrait, two towers of central Melbourne beyond the treetops
Stephanie looks back with her roses as Nicholas leads her past leafy beds at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, her train sweeping the clover
Nicholas smiles ahead as Stephanie looks down at her long stemmed red roses, white flowers tucked in her hair
A soft smile from Nicholas in his red bow tie as Stephanie walks beside him with her roses through the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas stroll hand in hand down a wide path in central Melbourne, family and the wedding party trailing behind under an umbrella
Stephanie and Nicholas pose on a shady path lined with tree ferns and palms at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas grins down at Stephanie on the tree fern path, red roses resting against her ivory lace for garden wedding portraits
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss in the cool green shade beneath tree ferns and tall palms
Nicholas kisses Stephanie on a fern lined path in inner Melbourne, her long stemmed roses held at her side
Stephanie swishes her lace skirt and laughs up at Nicholas on a tree fern path at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Stephanie flares out her floral lace skirt as Nicholas holds her roses and grins, ferns all around them for their garden wedding
Laughing together, Stephanie sweeps her skirt wide while Nicholas holds the red roses against his tuxedo in the green shade
Stephanie and Nicholas walk toward us smiling, her lace skirt lifted in one hand, his red bow tie and pocket square bright
Stephanie beams up at Nicholas as they walk arm in arm through the shady fern gardens
Stephanie lifts her skirt as she and Nicholas walk toward us, beaming, along a shady path through the palms
Close smiles from Stephanie and Nicholas in garden portraits on the fern lined path, his red bow tie set against a navy tuxedo
Stephanie and Nicholas gather with family and the wedding party among tree ferns at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
A wider family and wedding party group under tall tree ferns in central Melbourne, a red dress and an orange dress at either end
Closer smiles from the whole group of family and wedding party, Stephanie's red roses at the centre of the garden wedding portrait
Stephanie and Nicholas stand on the mulch beneath a tree with long twisting branches hanging around them like a curtain
Nicholas and Stephanie smile under the twisting branches of a huge old tree at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer smile from Nicholas and Stephanie in dappled garden shade, her red roses held low against the lace
Nicholas kisses Stephanie's forehead beneath twisting branches on the edge of the Melbourne CBD, her train spread over the mulch
Nicholas leans in close to Stephanie under a curtain of twisting branches, a timber bench on the sunlit lawn beyond
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss beneath the sprawling, twisting canopy of an old tree at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Stephanie gazes up at Nicholas in the dappled shade for a garden wedding portrait, red roses held at her waist
Nicholas grins behind Stephanie as she holds long stemmed red roses in the soft shade of inner Melbourne's gardens
Nicholas looks down smiling while Stephanie laughs, a white and gold flower comb in her hair and red roses at her waist
Stephanie smiles at the camera as Nicholas grins with his eyes half closed behind her, the roses bright red
Nicholas presses a kiss to Stephanie's forehead under the hanging branches, the red roses held together between them
Stephanie and Nicholas with both bridesmaids in red under the twisting branches at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer garden wedding portrait of the couple and the two bridesmaids in red off shoulder dresses, a timber bench behind
Stephanie and Nicholas walk toward us between the two bridesmaids in red, twisting branches spread overhead in inner Melbourne
The bridesmaids in red turn to laugh with Stephanie and Nicholas under the arching branches of the gardens
A bridesmaid in red smiles up at Nicholas as the four pause beside a thick old trunk at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Laughter all round as Stephanie, Nicholas and the bridesmaids in red stand by a thick old tree trunk in central Melbourne
Stephanie and Nicholas stand with the two groomsmen in red bow ties under the twisting branches for a garden wedding party portrait
A closer smile from Stephanie, Nicholas and the groomsmen, red bow ties and pocket squares bright in the dappled light
Nicholas crouches to scoop Stephanie up as the groomsmen look on, a timber bench on the sunny lawn of the gardens
Nicholas sweeps Stephanie into his arms between the grinning groomsmen under twisting branches at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Held high in Nicholas's arms, Stephanie kisses him as both groomsmen smile beside them on the mulch in inner Melbourne
A kiss mid lift as the fair haired groomsman grins and the other looks on, red bow ties matching the roses, in garden portraits
Stephanie laughs in Nicholas's arms, roses in hand and her train trailing to the mulch, with a groomsman either side
Stephanie holds her roses out to the dark haired groomsman while Nicholas holds her up, all three men grinning in the dappled shade
Stephanie leans back laughing in Nicholas's arms between the groomsmen beneath twisting branches at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
The groomsmen crack up as Nicholas laughs with Stephanie still held in his arms on the shady garden lawn
Nicholas throws his head back laughing while Stephanie grins with her roses and the fair haired groomsman laughs beside them
Stephanie and Nicholas burst out laughing as he holds her up under hanging branches beside the Melbourne CBD
Stephanie gazes up at Nicholas with her roses as he carries her through the dappled shade of the gardens
Nicholas dips Stephanie for a kiss on the mulch, her long floral lace train fanned out across the ground
A deep dip kiss under the spreading branches at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Stephanie's red roses held low
Nicholas leans Stephanie back into a kiss, her arm stretched down with the roses and her train pooling in the shade
Another dip kiss in the dappled light, her floral lace gown spilling over the mulch in a garden wedding moment
A closer view of the dip kiss, Stephanie's hand trailing the long stemmed roses and a timber bench on the lawn behind
Stephanie wraps an arm around Nicholas's neck and holds the roses high as they kiss in the gardens
Nicholas and Stephanie share a kiss under low hanging branches in central Melbourne, her train sweeping out across the mulch
Laughing, Stephanie leans back against Nicholas and lifts her roses beneath the twisting branches for a garden wedding portrait
Nicholas kisses Stephanie as she holds the red roses out to the side, the crossed straps of her lace gown in view
Nicholas dips Stephanie into a kiss on the shady mulch at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, her train swirling at their feet
A wider view of the dip kiss beneath a huge spreading tree, sunlit lawns of the gardens stretching away behind
Nicholas leans over Stephanie mid dip, both smiling, a great old tree and sunny lawns of inner Melbourne behind them
Stephanie and Nicholas with two loved ones before a tall wall of bamboo at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer garden wedding family portrait of the couple with two loved ones against tall bamboo stems and broad leaves
The couple with a fair haired loved one in beaded lace and a grey haired man in a red tie by bamboo in central Melbourne
Nicholas stands with a grey haired loved one in a red tie in front of a wall of bamboo in the gardens
Nicholas and a grey haired loved one smile side by side by the bamboo at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Nicholas and a grey haired loved one shake hands and laugh among the leafy garden plants
Stephanie stands with a fair haired loved one in black beaded lace on a path beside the bamboo and a dark iron gate
Stephanie and Nicholas with a loved one in a navy and silver leaf patterned dress by the bamboo on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
A closer smile from Nicholas, a loved one in a navy leaf patterned dress and Stephanie by the bamboo at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A loved one in a sheer navy wrap rests her head on Nicholas's shoulder in a warm hug before the tall bamboo
Nicholas grins as the loved one in navy wraps her arms around him and leans her head on his shoulder for garden portraits
A tight portrait of Nicholas smiling as a loved one in sequinned navy hugs him close, her head on his shoulder
The loved one in navy looks up at Nicholas with a fond smile, her sheer sleeve across his tuxedo in the gardens of inner Melbourne
A loved one in navy lace pulls Nicholas into a long hug, both with eyes closed, in front of the bamboo
Nicholas and a loved one in navy share an eyes closed hug, bamboo rising behind them at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Nicholas smiles with eyes closed as the loved one in navy leans on his shoulder among broad leafy garden plants
The loved one in navy laughs up at Nicholas, both smiling wide in front of the bamboo in central Melbourne
Nicholas and the loved one in a sheer navy wrap turn to smile for the camera, still arm in arm by the bamboo
Stephanie and Nicholas line up with their groomsmen and bridesmaids in red before a tall bamboo stand at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer wedding party line up, red bow ties and red off shoulder dresses bright against the bamboo for a garden wedding portrait
The wedding party lines up on a leaf strewn path between bamboo and a pale barked tree at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Nicholas kisses Stephanie's cheek mid line up as the groomsmen and bridesmaids smile on the leafy garden path
Big grins from the couple and their wedding party beside a pale barked tree and the bamboo in inner Melbourne
Stephanie and Nicholas beam with their wedding party in red on the leafy path at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
The wedding party stands arm in arm under leafy branches, red dresses bright and everyone grinning
Stephanie and Nicholas walk hand in hand past a tall palm, a two storey house across the wide lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Stephanie glances back with a smile as Nicholas leads her along the lawn's edge beneath towering conifers in central Melbourne
Stephanie smiles over her shoulder, her long train trailing on the path, as Nicholas walks beside her with the red roses
Sunlight flares through the conifers as Stephanie and Nicholas stroll hand in hand at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Stephanie swishes her lace skirt as she and Nicholas walk on smiling past a timber bench and tall trees in the gardens
Nicholas grins at Stephanie as they walk across the sunny lawn, roses in his other hand, for garden wedding portraits
A burst of sun through the treetops as Nicholas leads Stephanie by the hand along the path on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
Stephanie and Nicholas walk hand in hand down a curving road past a small gazebo and tall palms at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas smiles at Stephanie as they stroll by the gazebo and flowering shrubs, red roses swinging at his side
Stephanie lifts her skirt and looks across at Nicholas as they walk hand in hand beside a sloping lawn in the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas lean in close as they walk up the road under tall palms at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Stephanie gazes up at Nicholas mid stroll beside a grassy bank, palms and a gazebo roof behind their garden wedding portrait
Nicholas laughs and leans toward Stephanie as she holds out her lace skirt on the road beneath two tall palms in inner Melbourne
Stephanie and Nicholas walk hand in hand down a sunny curving road lined with palms at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Smiling at each other, Stephanie and Nicholas stroll past a grassy slope and a distant bench in central Melbourne
Nicholas kisses Stephanie on the road beside a grassy slope, the red roses held out at his side
Stephanie smiles down as she and Nicholas walk hand in hand by palms and a gazebo at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Stephanie lifts her skirt as she follows Nicholas across the grass toward a bench under the long low branches of an old tree
Nicholas and Stephanie stack their hands over her long stemmed red roses, wedding bands and gold watches glinting in the sun
Nicholas cups Stephanie's hand on her lace skirt in a garden wedding detail, her red stone ring beside his gold band
Stephanie smiles softly at Nicholas on a bench in inner Melbourne, his hands folded over hers above the roses
Nicholas kisses the tip of Stephanie's nose as they sit close on a timber garden bench, a sunny lawn behind
Stephanie and Nicholas gaze at each other on a timber bench, long feathery branches hanging over the bright lawn
A garden portrait of the couple holding hands on the bench, a long branch arching overhead and her lace train spilling down
Stephanie and Nicholas sit on a timber bench under a long low branch at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, her train spread over the grass
Her gown pooled across the grass, Stephanie turns to Nicholas on the bench as the branch's shadow stretches over the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss on the bench beneath a sweeping low branch on a bright day in central Melbourne
A closer kiss on the bench for their garden wedding portraits, red roses bright against the layered lace of her skirt
Nicholas kisses Stephanie's hair on the bench as the long branch sweeps down over the lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Nicholas wraps an arm around Stephanie and both smile straight at us from the bench, roses resting in her lap
Stephanie laughs up at Nicholas on the timber bench, a twisting old branch reaching low across the lawn
Stephanie tilts her head toward Nicholas and laughs on a bench at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, her lace train flowing over dappled grass
Nicholas and Stephanie share a quiet smile in the shade, his hand resting over her red roses
Eyes closed, Stephanie leans into a kiss on the forehead from Nicholas under the twisting tree in inner Melbourne
A closer forehead kiss on the bench, Stephanie smiling with her eyes shut as dappled light falls through the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas grin side by side on a bench at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, his arm around her shoulders
Nicholas looks down at Stephanie as she gazes back, a white flower comb in her hair and red roses in her lap
Joined hands rest on Stephanie's lace skirt beside her red roses during garden portraits in central Melbourne
Nicholas carries the roses as Stephanie laughs and lifts her skirt, walking a sunny garden path past tall palms
Nicholas leads Stephanie up old stone steps with a curving rail at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne as she glances back at us
Sun bursts through the branches as the couple climb the stone steps hand in hand between the rocky beds of the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas pause halfway up the stone steps in inner Melbourne and smile back at us, her lace train cascading down
Seen from behind, Nicholas leads Stephanie up the shady steps during their garden wedding portraits, sunlight spilling through the trees
Nicholas kisses Stephanie beside the curving rail of the old stone steps at the Royal Botanic Gardens, twisting branches overhead
A wider view of their kiss on the stone steps, framed by leafy shrubs and the twisting branches of the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas smile beneath a rusted steel arch wrapped in climbing vines at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Under the steel arch, Nicholas kisses Stephanie's hair as she holds her roses low against the lace
Nicholas presses a kiss to Stephanie's temple beneath the vine covered arch, in soft shade in central Melbourne
Eyes closed, Stephanie leans into Nicholas for a tender garden wedding portrait as climbing leaves trail down beside them
Nicholas grins at Stephanie under the vine covered arch, one hand in his pocket and a rocky path curving behind
Stephanie smiles at us while Nicholas beams down at her, a ribbon tied round the roses, on a shady path in inner Melbourne
A closer look at Stephanie's bright smile as Nicholas leans in, the leafy beds of the gardens soft behind them
A wide view of the couple beneath a rusted steel arch at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, stone steps rising behind
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss under the lattice arch, twisting branches spreading over the stone steps behind them
Stephanie looks back over her shoulder at the foot of old stone steps at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a tall palm above
Stephanie swishes her floral lace skirt at the bottom of the steps, smiling down among the rocky beds of the gardens
Stephanie sweeps her train out wide and smiles back at us on the stone steps of a garden wedding in central Melbourne
Seen from behind, Stephanie climbs the steps lifting her skirt, her crossed back straps catching the light
Stephanie smiles over her shoulder on the steps at the Royal Botanic Gardens, holding out her lace skirt beneath tall palms
A close look at the lace flowers on Stephanie's train as she carries her roses up the garden steps
Arm in arm on a sunny path, Nicholas carries the roses as Stephanie smiles down with her skirt in hand
Stephanie and Nicholas smile at us mid stroll, roses in his hand, sunlit trees behind them on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
Walking away along the path, Stephanie lifts her train as Nicholas strolls ahead under a huge old tree for garden wedding portraits
Stephanie and Nicholas face each other on a paved avenue under arching old conifers at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A kiss far down the tree lined avenue, the couple small beneath the spreading conifers of the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas smile at us from the middle of the shady avenue, tall trunks lining the way in central Melbourne
A full length portrait of the couple on the avenue, Nicholas with a hand in his pocket and her train fanned behind
Stephanie and Nicholas gaze at each other on a shaded avenue at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, broad leaves framing the view
Hand in hand, Nicholas swings the roses low as Stephanie laughs and lifts her skirt, walking toward us down the avenue
Nicholas smiles at Stephanie as they stroll under broad leafy branches in inner Melbourne, her lace skirt swinging
Big smiles as the couple walk hand in hand beneath a canopy of broad leaves in the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas stroll across a sunny lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a tall palm and dark conifers behind
Stephanie lifts her skirt as she walks beside Nicholas over the bright grass, benches tucked under the trees on a garden wedding stroll
Nicholas grins as Stephanie swishes her skirt on the open lawn of the Royal Botanic Gardens, towering old trees behind
Stephanie flares her skirt in the hazy sun as Nicholas walks beside her on a lawn in central Melbourne ringed by tall trees
Backlit on the grass, Stephanie gathers up her floral skirt as Nicholas smiles beside her with the roses
Sun flare washes over Stephanie as she sweeps her skirt and Nicholas smiles down at her on the lawn of the gardens
Nicholas smiles on old stone steps beside a bed of red kangaroo paw at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
A portrait of Nicholas in his satin lapelled tuxedo and bright bow tie, red kangaroo paw beside him in inner Melbourne
Nicholas grins off to the side on the steps, hand in pocket, beside spiky red kangaroo paw flowers
A close profile of Nicholas smiling, his bright bow tie and pocket square set against blurred flowers
Nicholas laughs in profile for his garden wedding portraits, ferns and red blooms softly blurred behind
Nicholas straightens his satin lapel, eyes lowered to his bright pocket square and bow tie
Nicholas leans on the steel stair rail with a broad smile, his gold watch and wedding band showing
Hand on the rail, Nicholas gazes away past red kangaroo paw and leafy beds on the edge of the Melbourne CBD
Nicholas stands at the top of the steps beside beds of red kangaroo paw at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra
Nicholas looks out across the flower beds with a hand on the steel rail, thick greenery behind him
Nicholas smiles at us from the top of the steps in inner Melbourne, red kangaroo paw glowing among the leaves
Seen from below through leafy branches, Stephanie and Nicholas lean in for a kiss at a black railing for garden wedding portraits
Stephanie and Nicholas smile down at us over a black railing, a tall palm rising behind the soft leaves
Stephanie and Nicholas glance back as they walk past a tall palm trunk toward the lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Hand in hand, the couple head down the lawn to the lake as Stephanie smiles back, a Melbourne CBD tower beyond the trees
Stephanie and Nicholas stand by the lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens as black swans glide past, Melbourne city towers on the skyline
Nicholas and Stephanie kiss on the lake's edge, black swans drifting by and central Melbourne towers above the trees
The couple gaze out over the lake together as a black swan paddles close to the bank of the gardens
Nicholas leans in to Stephanie on the lawn by the water, young grey swans afloat and inner Melbourne towers in the haze
Stephanie and Nicholas walk hand in hand along the lake at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, black swans on the water
Nicholas twirls Stephanie by the lake, her roses held out wide, a flagged tower and the Melbourne CBD skyline beyond
A lakeside kiss for their garden wedding portraits, Nicholas holding the roses as young swans gather at the edge
Stephanie spins under Nicholas's raised hand beside the water, a lone central Melbourne tower in the haze
Nicholas hugs Stephanie and kisses her hair beside the lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, young swans nearby
Wrapped in Nicholas's arms, Stephanie smiles at us by the lake, young swans gliding below a Melbourne city tower
Stephanie hooks an arm around Nicholas's neck for a lakeside kiss, roses in hand and a black swan resting nearby in the gardens
Stephanie stands with her back to us on the lawn, roses in hand, as two ducks wander past
Stephanie sweeps her skirt and smiles beside the lake at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, a black swan on the water behind
A closer look at Stephanie mid twirl by the water in inner Melbourne, red roses in one hand and a swan behind
Stephanie smiles back over her shoulder with her crossed straps in view, the water sparkling through the gardens behind
Stephanie and Nicholas hold each other close beside a bank of pink flowers for a garden wedding portrait
Stephanie and Nicholas kiss beside a wide bank of pink flowers at the Royal Botanic Gardens
A closer kiss among the pink blooms, Nicholas holding the roses low at his side in the gardens
Stephanie and Nicholas look into each other's eyes beside the pink flower beds at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens
Seen from behind, Stephanie and Nicholas walk toward loved ones seated at a picnic table on the lawn for their garden reception
Stephanie stands at the picnic table with its checked cloth at the Royal Botanic Gardens in South Yarra, her bridesmaids in red beside her
Her bridesmaids in red fluff out Stephanie's skirt beside the picnic table, a sprawling old tree overhead in inner Melbourne
A loved one in navy and silver lace smiles from her chair at the garden picnic beside a grinning bearded man in a bow tie
The wedding story

Our Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne wedding photos: red dresses against the skyline, a dip kiss under twisting branches and black swans on the lake

Under the big fig · Family groups with the skyline · Tree ferns and bamboo · Benches and stone steps · Black swans on the lake · Picnic on the lawn

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Under the big fig

We met Stephanie and Nicholas on a shady path beneath the spreading limbs of a huge old fig, and they walked toward us side by side, Stephanie gathering her lace skirt in one hand. Starting in deep shade on a bright day is a smart move: the light under a big canopy is soft and even, faces relax, and everyone gets a few minutes to settle before the camera comes closer. Nicholas’s red bow tie and pocket square set the colour story for the whole day, and Stephanie’s bunch of red roses matched it perfectly.

Towers over the lawn

Out on an open lawn the city towers stood up over the treetops, and the family came together in front of them. A loved one fussed over Stephanie’s train while the groomsmen waited, then the whole party walked toward us in a line with the skyline behind. For family groups on a lawn like this we shoot from slightly low, which lifts the towers clear of the trees and keeps the crowd tidy. Nicholas got a big kiss on the cheek from a beaming family member, and Stephanie laughed with two loved ones as one of them took her hand.

Red dresses made to twirl

Then it was the bridesmaids’ turn. Their red off-shoulder dresses had full skirts made for twirling, so twirl they did, with the towers still peeking over the trees. We turned the three of them around for a frame of backs: Stephanie’s crossed straps between two bright red bodices. Red against green is a gift for a photographer, because the two colours sit opposite each other and both look richer side by side. High sun makes those skirts glow, so we kept the girls moving and laughing to stop anyone squinting straight into it.

Red bow ties and conifers

The groomsmen lined up in dark suits and red bow ties under a tall, spiky tree that looked straight out of a desert, and loosened up quickly. One wrapped Nicholas in a bear hug, two of them shared a laugh, and we stepped back for a wider frame among the big old conifers. Strong shapes overhead frame a group better than any backdrop we could bring. Family pairs came next under the same branches: Stephanie with loved ones one at a time, then each bridesmaid in turn, every pair given its own patch of shade.

An umbrella and tree ferns

Walking between spots, a loved one held a black umbrella over Stephanie to keep the sun off, which we adored, while a bridesmaid helped carry her skirt across the grass. It is a small thing that makes a big difference on a bright day: the bride stays cool, makeup holds and nobody reaches the next spot pink in the face. Stephanie and Nicholas stole a kiss on the lawn with the towers behind them, then the path dipped into the cool green of the tree ferns and palms, where the light turned soft and dappled and the family gathered once more.

Under twisting branches

Next we found a tree with long, twisting branches hanging down like a curtain. Under it, Stephanie and Nicholas leaned together with their roses, and the groomsmen stood guard on either side while Nicholas swept Stephanie up for a kiss. Then he dipped her on the mulch, her skirt flaring across the ground. Shooting up into a canopy like this lets the branches frame the couple like lace, and the shade stops every white detail of the gown from burning out. A low lens angle also hides the paths, so the moment feels completely private.

A wall of bamboo

A stand of tall bamboo made our next backdrop, a wall of thin green stems that reads like a pattern from a few steps back. We ran through more family groups and the whole wedding party here, everyone lined up on the path in red and navy and grinning. One loved one pulled Nicholas into a long hug with her eyes closed, a frame we were so glad to catch. Bamboo works beautifully for groups because it is even from top to bottom: there are no bright holes behind heads, and every face sits on the same calm green.

Benches, steps and kangaroo paw

With the groups done, it was just the two of them. They walked hand in hand past tall palms, Stephanie swishing her skirt, then sat close on a timber bench under a long, low branch. Nicholas led her up a flight of old stone steps with a curving rail, they paused under an arch of rusted steel, and Nicholas gave us his best grin beside a bed of red kangaroo paw. Our Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne wedding photos often move at this pace: a few minutes in each pocket of the garden, then on to the next.

Black swans and a picnic

The lake was our last stop. Stephanie and Nicholas strolled the bank hand in hand while black swans cruised past, with the city towers rising over the trees on the far side. A kiss beside a tall palm trunk, another beside a bank of soft pink flowers, then we followed them across the lawn to a picnic under the trees, where tables with checked cloths and folding chairs were waiting. The bridesmaids fluffed Stephanie’s skirt one last time as she arrived, and a smiling loved one sat beside a bearded guest in the sun. It was the perfect way to end.

Photographer's venue notes

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: a red and green portrait loop from the old conifers to the swan lake

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A portrait loop with everyone in tow

Stephanie and Nicholas used the Gardens as one long walking route, with family and the wedding party coming along for most of it. We opened on a wide lawn where the city towers rise over the treetops for the big groups, moved under the spreading conifers for groomsmen and family pairs, then dipped through the tree ferns, a curtain of twisting branches and the bamboo. After that it was just the two of them on benches, stone steps and a palm lined road, ending at the lake and a picnic under a sprawling tree.

Working a bright, hazy day

Their day was bright with a high, hazy sun that softened the skyline into pale blue shapes behind the trees. On open lawns we kept the sun behind or beside the group, so the red dresses lit up without anyone screwing up their eyes. Everywhere else we chased shade, from the deep cover of the conifer avenue to dappled light beneath broad leaves. Later in the walk, the sun began flaring through the conifers and across the grass, which gave the late walking portraits a warm, glowing edge around her lace skirt.

Why these spots suited the red and the lace

The colour plan made our choices easy. Green walls of leaves and bamboo pushed every red bow tie and bodice forward, and a bed of red kangaroo paw by the stone steps echoed Nicholas’s tie in his solo portraits. The shaded avenue of old conifers gave us a long, receding line that shrinks the couple and makes the space feel grand. At the lake we crouched low on the bank, so black swans and young grey swans floated in the foreground while the towers sat in the haze beyond.

Planning a walk like this one

Split your family list by location before the day. Stephanie and Nicholas spread their groups across the lawn, the tree ferns and the bamboo, so no single stop dragged and each set of photos came out with its own backdrop. Hand a bridesmaid the shoes between stops, as one of the girls did here, so the long paths stay easy on everyone. And finish where your guests are: the picnic was already set when the couple walked up, so the portraits flowed straight into the celebration.

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