Sunnybrae Estate Wedding Photos
Bluestone from the 1880s, a wraparound verandah and a palm avenue, a short drive north of Adelaide
Sunnybrae Estate is a heritage homestead venue on Naweena Road at Regency Park, a short drive north of the Adelaide CBD. The land was bought in 1879 for the Islington Sewage Farm and the homestead, dairy, stables and outbuildings went up between 1882 and 1887. After years as a museum, the Liapis family took it on in 2015 and restored the buildings, adding a free-standing marquee and, in 2024, the glass-walled Ìkos room. Ceremonies use the Palm Garden, the Rose Garden or The Landing.
We photographed Shannon and Luke’s ceremony and reception here. Sunnybrae’s verandah wraps the homestead in shade and symmetry, made for formals, while the palms and lawns loosen everything up outside. We finished on the western lawn as the bluestone caught the last warm light of an Adelaide evening.
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 Sunnybrae Estate
Sunnybrae’s garden ceremony and reception settings sit on the same estate. After the ceremony, Shannon and Luke photographed beneath the trees and beside the heritage buildings, then made a night portrait on a path lit by festoon lights. Their Carlton Gardens portrait belongs to an earlier Melbourne engagement shoot, not the wedding day.