Ballarat Premier Apartments Wedding Photos
An Italianate mansion from 1901 in the centre of Ballarat: chandeliers and gas fires for the morning of the wedding.
Ballarat Premier Apartments occupy an Italianate mansion on Lyons Street South in Ballarat Central, built in 1901 for a local surgeon, later gifted to the RSL for returned servicemen, used as a hostel during the Second World War and restored as apartments in 2013. There are ten apartments across two floors of the old house, with crystal chandeliers, spa baths and gas fireplaces in some rooms, plus a newer block of two and three-bedroom units alongside.
Georgie got ready here before her ceremony at Mercure Ballarat and portraits in the Botanical Gardens, and the rooms explain why: period proportions, ornate décor and enough space for a bridal party without the clutter of a standard hotel room. It is also walking distance to Sovereign Hill and the Art Gallery of Ballarat, so the city is close if you want a second portrait stop.
How to prepare for your wedding photos (without overthinking it)
Seven small things that make a real difference on the day — learned across hundreds of weddings. None of them involve practising poses.
In motion, unposed · FR 15A1. Be yourselves — that's where the magic is
You don't need to perform or worry about what you look like. The best photos come from real moments: a glance, a laugh, a shared breath. Let go a little — we'll guide when needed, and the best unfolds naturally.
2. Build buffer time into your timeline
A little breathing room between getting ready, the ceremony and couple portraits makes all the difference. It gives us space for spontaneous shots — and gives you time to soak it all in.
3. Choose locations that feel like you
A quiet lane, an open field, a textured wall — we love meaningful or interesting spots. Trust us to find great light, but if you've got a place you love, let's work it in.
4. Consider an unplugged ceremony
Phones can distract from the emotion (and your photos). Asking guests to be fully present makes for cleaner frames and a more heartfelt atmosphere.
5. Get ready in calm, light-filled spaces
Clutter-free rooms with natural light are a photographer's dream, and calm energy in the morning sets the tone for the day. Keep the space tidy — or assign a friend to do a quick sweep before we arrive.
6. Keep a drink and snacks nearby
Especially during portraits — hydration and a little sugar go a long way in keeping energy and moods high.
7. Trust the process
We've worked at hundreds of weddings and we're here to make you look and feel amazing. Trust us with the light, the angles, the pace — we've got you.
Photographing a wedding at Ballarat Premier Apartments
Ask for one of the heritage rooms in the original house rather than the modern block; the chandeliers and fireplaces are the point. Window light in a mansion of this age is tall and directional, so put the make-up chair beside the glass and shoot toward the room. Keep dresses hung against a plain wall, not the patterned wallpaper. Ten minutes on the footpath outside catches the facade before the cars leave. The gallery below is Georgie and Johnny’s wedding.