Riva St Kilda Wedding Photos
A marina room on Marine Parade, boats at the window and the bay and the city skyline beyond
Riva St Kilda is the waterfront function venue at the St Kilda Marina on Marine Parade, where St Kilda meets Elwood on Port Phillip Bay. The Marina Room seats up to 180 for a reception, 150 with a dance floor, or holds 400 for a cocktail party, and ceremonies for up to 150 run indoors or outside with the marina and the bay behind the couple. There is a private courtyard over the marina and a bayside lounge bar that stays open late.
Veri photographed Markala and Gavin’s wedding here. A bayside venue like this makes a full day simple: a ceremony by the water, portraits on the foreshore and among the boats, and the reception a few steps away, all without a car between locations. Some couples arrive by boat through the marina, which is an entrance worth photographing.
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 Riva St Kilda
The bay is the backdrop, so I time the couple’s portraits for the last light over the water while guests are at drinks. The marina walkways and the moored boats give the graphic frames, and the foreshore path and the sand give the softer ones; both are within a couple of minutes of the room. Inside, the room looks onto the water, and after dark the city lights across the bay come into the reception pictures. The gallery below is Markala and Gavin’s wedding at Riva.