Montsalvat Wedding Photos
Mudbrick, salvaged stone and a Gothic Great Hall on five hectares of Eltham garden
Montsalvat is the artists’ colony on Hillcrest Avenue in Eltham, founded by Justus Jorgensen in 1934 and still Australia’s oldest continuous artists’ community. Its thirty-odd buildings were raised by the artists themselves from mudbrick, pisé and stone found on site, with windows and balconies salvaged from demolished Melbourne buildings: the Great Hall’s limestone windows came from the old Royal Insurance Building. The whole complex, on five hectares of established gardens, is on the Victorian Heritage Register.
Veri photographed Leah and Daniel’s first look and portraits here before their ceremony and reception at Fondata 1872 in Kangaroo Ground. It is also a full wedding venue in its own right: the Great Hall seats up to 130 for dinner and the ornamental pool takes 200 for a cocktail reception under the sky, with ceremony and photography packages available on their own.
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 Montsalvat
Montsalvat photographs like a corner of rural Europe, which is how its own people describe it. The courtyard around the ornamental pool, the stone stairs and the Great Hall balconies are the spots, and the gardens between the studios give shade at midday. Afternoon light on the earth walls is warm and low, so a first look or portrait session from about three o’clock in autumn is my preference. The gallery below is Leah and Daniel’s day at Montsalvat and Fondata 1872.