Paynes Rise Wines Wedding Photos
An 1860s homestead, old elms and oaks, and vine rows sloping off the Warburton Highway
Paynes Rise is a small family vineyard on Paynes Road at Seville in the Upper Yarra Valley. The property is the 1860s homestead of Thomas Payne, Seville’s first settler, and the cellar door still runs out of the original house and outbuildings. The first Cabernet vines went in in 1999, with Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris since. Couples marry under the old oak, by the dam or among the vines, and the grounds take functions of up to about 150.
Veri has photographed two weddings at Paynes Rise. Kate and Wes married beneath a mature tree, took portraits among the vines and finished the evening beside a fire pit. Amy and Nathan’s wedding shows another celebration at the same Seville vineyard.
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 Paynes Rise
Paynes Rise Wines sits on a north-facing vineyard slope in Seville. Mature trees shaded Kate and Wes’s outdoor ceremony, and the vine rows became their afternoon portrait backdrop. Later, the reception lights and fire pit gave the gallery a night scene. Their wedding and Amy and Nathan’s show different parts of the property.