Pennyroyal Otways Retreat Wedding Photos
Country wedding photos among the lakes, paddocks and forest of Pennyroyal
Pennyroyal Otways Retreat sits in the Otways hills near Lorne, with timber cottages, lakes, native forest and farmland across its 60 acres. Alpacas graze in the paddocks. Taylah and Sinclair’s gallery shows an outdoor ceremony and a marquee reception on the property.
Taylah and Sinclair began their day in the cottages, married beside the lake and crossed the paddocks for portraits. After a walk on the hillside in the later light, they celebrated under paper lanterns near the marquee.
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 Pennyroyal Otways Retreat
At this wedding, the lakeside lawn was the ceremony setting. The portraits moved along the grassy hill, farm gate and alpaca paddocks before the reception began beside the marquee. After dark, paper lanterns and fairy lights became the backdrop for more portraits.