Brassey Hotel Wedding Photos
A 1920s hostel with American Colonial lines, on two and a half acres at the head of Belmore Gardens
The Brassey Hotel stands at the corner of Belmore Gardens and Young Street in Barton, in the Parliamentary Triangle a short drive from Lake Burley Griffin. It was built in the 1920s as a Federal Capital Commission hostel, the only one of its American Colonial style in Canberra, and its axial placement at the end of Belmore Gardens earned it a place on the ACT Heritage Register. Today it has 75 rooms set in two and a half acres of gardens and lawns.
Shara and Geveen held their Indian wedding ceremony at the Brassey, then went across to Canberra Nara Peace Park in Yarralumla for portraits. The hotel’s lawns and the tree-lined approach from Belmore Gardens give an outdoor ceremony a proper sense of arrival, and the 1920s facade is a strong backdrop for the formal group photographs afterwards.
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 Brassey Hotel
The lawns are open, so a midday ceremony will be in full sun; late afternoon puts the light low across the grass and softens faces. Use the axis of Belmore Gardens for the processional and the wide shot, then the hotel verandah or entry for the family groups. Ceremonies with a lot of ritual, such as an Indian wedding, need the photographer close and a second angle, so ask about positioning beforehand. Wet weather moves inside the hotel. The gallery below is Shara and Geveen’s wedding.