Kirks Reservoir Park Wedding Photos
Plantings from the 1860s, two rotundas and a reservoir wall, ten minutes out of Ballarat
Kirks Reservoir Park sits on Daylesford Road at Gong Gong, about a ten-minute drive from the centre of Ballarat. The gardens are managed by Central Highlands Water and hold more than a hundred indigenous plant species, some dating from the early 1860s, with more than two thousand new plantings added in recent decades. There are two rotundas: a timber one on flat lawn among the garden beds, and a steel one near the reservoir wall. Both can be booked for ceremonies at no charge.
Veri photographed Justin and Jodie’s ceremony and portraits here, which is the natural way to use the park: marry at the timber rotunda, then walk the paths and the reservoir edge for photographs while guests picnic under the trees. There are toilets, free gas barbecues and plenty of parking, so a relaxed afternoon in the park before a reception in Ballarat is easy to organise.
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 Kirks Reservoir Park
The timber rotunda sits in open lawn, so a mid-afternoon ceremony gets full sun; on a bright day I favour a later start, or set the chairs so the sun is behind the couple. The mature trees give shade and dappled light for the family groups, and the reservoir wall and the water are the long, quiet frames afterwards. The park closes on total fire ban days, which matters for summer bookings, and there is no built shelter beyond the rotundas. The gallery below is Justin and Jodie’s wedding here.