Geelong Botanic Gardens Wedding Photos
Victoria’s second-oldest botanic reserve, on the rise in Eastern Park above Corio Bay
Geelong Botanic Gardens sit inside Eastern Park at East Geelong, on the rise east of the city centre above Corio Bay. The land was set aside as a botanic reserve in 1851, five years after Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, and the first curator, Daniel Bunce, laid out paths and plantings from 1857. The mature conifers date from that era. At the western entrance the 21st Century Garden, opened in 2002, is a dry garden of native and arid-climate plants with Queensland bottle trees.
Lisa and Steve held their ceremony in the gardens and stayed for portraits before their reception at Little Creatures Brewery in Geelong. A wedding here usually runs that way: vows on a lawn under the old trees, a slow walk through the heritage beds and the bottle-tree garden, then a short drive to a reception in town.
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 Geelong Botanic Gardens
Morning and late afternoon are the times to be here; the tree canopy throws deep shade at midday, while the 21st Century Garden is open and bright by comparison, so use it when the sun is high. The conservatory gives shelter if a shower comes through, and Eastern Park around the gardens has wide lawns with the bay below for a wider frame. The gallery below is Lisa and Steve’s Geelong Botanic Gardens wedding.