Collingwood Children’s Farm Wedding Photos
Eight hectares of paddocks on a bend of the Yarra, farmed since the 1830s and four kilometres from the city
Collingwood Children’s Farm is a not-for-profit community farm on the banks of the Yarra at Abbotsford, next to the Abbotsford Convent. It opened in 1979, the oldest children’s farm in Australia, on land farmed since 1836, the oldest continuously farmed ground in Victoria. The eight hectares hold more than 350 animals across a dozen species, the Yarra trail runs through toward Dights Falls, and a farmers’ market fills the paddocks on the second Saturday of each month.
Veri’s team has photographed and filmed weddings here. Emma and George said their vows under the old oak, a bridesman in pink and their dog in the front row, then a reception and first dance in the Barn. Ceremonies are held under the old oak beside the river or in the Stables Paddock, a pocket of bush with the Yarra behind the couple. Receptions go into the Barn with its strings of lights over the gardens, or the open-air Farm Cafe for smaller groups. Goats, horses and a donkey wander into the background whether invited or not.
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 Collingwood Children’s Farm
The oak throws deep shade, so ceremonies under it are comfortable even in January, and the light on the paddocks turns warm from about an hour before sunset. The riverbank gives a quiet spot for the couple away from the crowd, and the convent next door adds a second look within a few minutes’ walk. Expect mud after rain and plan shoes accordingly. The barn lights make the evening easy to photograph without flash.