Berry Courthouse Wedding Photos
Four Doric columns on Victoria Street, an 1891 courtroom and a hedged garden planted for weddings
Berry Courthouse is an 1891 courthouse on Victoria Street in Berry, on the New South Wales South Coast about two hours from Sydney. James Barnet, the colony’s longest-serving Colonial Architect, designed it in a classical style: rendered brick with sandstone detail, a portico on four Doric-form columns and a royal coat of arms in the pediment. The court sat until 1988; Shoalhaven City Council bought the building in 1999 and it went on the State Heritage Register in 2005. A volunteer committee now runs it.
Veri has photographed two full weddings here, including Eleanor and Paul’s and Justine and Chris’s, each with ceremony, portraits and reception on the grounds. The private Hedged Garden was planted specifically for weddings, ceremonies can also be held in the courtroom, and receptions go into a marquee on the lawn with the courthouse itself as the wet-weather room.
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 Berry Courthouse
The portico is the obvious frame for the couple and the family groups, and it faces the street, so keep an eye on passing cars. Inside, the courtroom has the dark timber and high windows of its era; expose for the windows and let the room fall soft. The hedged garden gives a green, private backdrop for portraits, and Berry’s main street is a short walk if you want shopfronts. The galleries below are two weddings held at Berry Courthouse.