National Arboretum Canberra Wedding Photos
A hundred forests on a hillside above the city, and cedar and cork oak stands that predate all of them
The National Arboretum Canberra covers 250 hectares of hillside on Forest Drive in the Molonglo Valley, with wide views over the city. It was planted on land burnt out in the 2001 and 2003 bushfires and opened on 1 February 2013, planned as 100 forests and 100 gardens. Two older stands survived the fires: Himalayan cedars and cork oaks. The timber Village Centre and the smaller Margaret Whitlam Pavilion, which seats 80, take weddings, and ceremonies can be booked in the forests and gardens.
Veri used the Arboretum as the portrait location for Kate and David, who married at the Presbyterian Church of St Andrew and celebrated at Hotel Kurrajong. For a wedding party it is a short detour from the city with several different landscapes: the dark aisles of the cedar forest, the grey trunks of the cork oaks, the young rows of newer plantings, and the open hilltop with the view over Canberra.
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 the National Arboretum Canberra
The hill is exposed, so wind and hard midday light are the two things to plan around; the cedar forest is the shelter and gives dappled, even light at any hour. The Wide Brown Land sculpture on the ridge and the Village Centre’s timber roof are worth a frame each. If the weather turns, the Village Centre and the pavilion are the covered options. Ceremonies in the forests and gardens are booked through the Arboretum. The gallery below is Kate and David’s wedding, with portraits at the National Arboretum Canberra.