Rye Ocean Beach Wedding Photos
Bass Strait surf, dunes and a long open back beach, ninety-odd kilometres south of Melbourne
Rye Ocean Beach is the back beach at Rye, on the Bass Strait side of the Mornington Peninsula about ninety-five kilometres south of Melbourne. Where Rye’s front beach faces the calm of Port Phillip, the ocean beach is open surf and dunes inside Mornington Peninsula National Park, reached by an access road at the St Andrews Beach end. It is popular with surfers and divers and is not patrolled, and the park runs along this coast from Portsea to Flinders.
Veri photographed Simone and Sam’s ceremony on the sand here, followed by portraits along St Andrews Beach and a reception at the St Andrews Beach Recreation Hall. A beach ceremony on this coast is a barefoot, wind-in-the-veil affair, and the hall reception keeps the whole day on the same stretch of coast.
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 Rye Ocean Beach
The hour before sunset is the one to plan the couple’s portraits around. The dunes give height for a wide frame of the ceremony and shelter for the family groups. Sand and salt spray are hard on gear and hems, so I keep the walk to the water short if the wind is up. There is no shelter on the beach, so the wet-weather plan is the hall. The gallery below is Simone and Sam’s Mornington Peninsula wedding.