National Gallery of Australia Wedding Photos
Raw concrete from 1982, a sculpture garden by the lake, and a Turrell Skyspace after dark
The National Gallery of Australia stands at Parkes beside Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Colin Madigan’s Brutalist building of angled raw concrete opened in 1982; the Sculpture Garden around it is planted with Australian natives and holds works by Rodin and Henry Moore, and James Turrell’s Skyspace, Within without, was added in 2010. For weddings the gallery offers ceremonies in the Sculpture Garden, Gandel Hall with glass doors onto the Australian Garden terrace, and a dining room looking over the lakeside garden.
Sanduni and Theshan’s Indian wedding was held entirely at the gallery: ceremony, portraits and reception. Veri has also photographed wedding portraits inside the Skyspace, paired with a session at the National Arboretum across the lake. A day here moves from concrete and lake edge to sculpture lawn to a glass-walled hall within a few hundred metres.
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 Gallery of Australia
Concrete holds soft light well, so an overcast day is no loss here; in full sun the angled walls throw hard shadows you can use for graphic frames. The Sculpture Garden is the reliable outdoor spot, with the lake as backdrop and the sculptures as anchors for couple portraits, and the terrace outside Gandel Hall keeps the drinks in the open air. Wet weather simply moves inside, which is the point of a gallery. The gallery page below is Sanduni and Theshan’s National Gallery wedding.