Hickson Street Lookout Wedding Photos
A paragliding pad on the cliff edge, Burwood Beach below and the whole Newcastle coast running north
Hickson Street Lookout is a grassed cliff-top at the end of Hickson Street, Merewether, on the southern edge of Newcastle where the suburb meets Glenrock State Conservation Area. A water tank on the corner marks it, and a short path leads to the synthetic-grass launch pad used by the local paragliding club. The view runs down over Burwood Beach and along the coast, and between May and November it is one of the better whale-watching spots in the city.
Veri photographed Rachael and Dylan’s ceremony on the lookout before their reception at Merewether Surfhouse, a few minutes back down the hill on the beachfront. It is a standing, open-air ceremony with no shelter, which is exactly the point: the ocean does the decorating and the wedding party walks straight off the grass to the cliff edge for portraits.
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 Hickson Street Lookout
Face the couple north or east and the coast fills the background; face them west and the afternoon sun is behind you and the guests. It is windy more often than not, so veils need a plan. Steps drop 500 metres to Burwood Beach for a second location if shoes allow. Check with the paragliding club: on flying days the pad is theirs. There is no wet-weather cover, so have Surfhouse ready as the fallback. The gallery below is Rachael and Dylan’s cliff-top ceremony.