Mont du Soleil Weddings
Ochre walls, carved doors and vows under the vines on a hilltop in the Dandenong Ranges
Mont du Soleil sits on a hill above Kallista-Emerald Road in Kallista, less than an hour from the Melbourne CBD. Its house was inspired by the buildings of Tuscany and Provence and built with plenty of recycled timber, and the estate covers forty acres of bush with fern-lined creeks, mountain ash and views over the Yarra Valley to the Warburton Ranges. A cottage on the property doubles as a getting-ready suite.
Veri’s team has photographed one Mont du Soleil wedding here and filmed it too. Samantha got ready in the cottage, her brother flew in from overseas to surprise her, and she and Harrison said their vows under the vine arbour before driving off in their own 1959 Holden ute to a marquee reception in Mount Evelyn.
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 Mont du Soleil wedding
The vine arbour throws open shade across the ceremony and puts a chandelier right in the frame, with the hills rolling away behind. Between the courtyards, the carved doors, the iron fanlights and the rust-red spiral staircase, every few steps gives a new backdrop, so portraits move quickly. The best light comes in the last hour of the afternoon along the stone wall above the hills, and the Dandenongs run cooler than the city once the sun goes.