Hotel Kurrajong Canberra Wedding Photos
Garden pavilions from 1926, Chifley’s old hotel, and a terraced garden a short walk from Old Parliament House.
Hotel Kurrajong sits on National Circuit in Barton, inside Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle a short walk from Old Parliament House. It was built between 1925 and 1927 to a design by John Smith Murdoch in the garden pavilion style of Griffin’s plan for the city, and opened in 1926. Ben Chifley lived here from 1940 until his death here in 1951, choosing it over The Lodge as Prime Minister. It closed in the late 1970s, reopened in 1995, and reopened again after renovation in 2015.
Kate and David held their reception here after a ceremony at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and portraits at the National Arboretum, and that is the gallery below. The hotel gives a Canberra reception a settled, old-fashioned frame: art deco rooms, hand-carved mantels, heritage pavilions and a terraced garden that the balcony rooms look over.
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 Hotel Kurrajong Canberra
The terraced garden is where I take the couple on arrival, while the guests find their drinks, and the pavilions and verandahs give shade and shape if the afternoon is bright. Inside, the mantels photograph well with a little window light, so I ask for the reception room to be lit gently rather than fully. Canberra evenings are often cold and clear, which makes for sharp blue-hour frames outside the entrance. The gallery below is Kate and David’s wedding, from St Andrew’s to the Arboretum to their reception here.