The Terrace Wedding Photos
A glass-walled room in the Royal Botanic Gardens, with the lake on one side and the skyline on the other
The Terrace is an events venue inside Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, beside the Ornamental Lake. Its covered deck and glass-walled room look across the water towards the city. The Gardens' current venue listing gives capacity as 150 seated or 300 for a cocktail-style event.
Frances and Tim held their reception at The Terrace after a Gardens House ceremony and portraits around the lake and Morell Bridge. The gallery includes their arrival at dusk, speeches, cake cutting and dancing. The reception space and the earlier ceremony are distinct settings within the same Gardens.
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 The Terrace
The Terrace overlooks the Ornamental Lake, so the reception can sit alongside a garden portrait walk without changing the wedding's main location. Frances and Tim arrived at dusk, then celebrated indoors with speeches and dancing. Their gallery also shows the separate lawn ceremony at Gardens House and portraits beyond the reception venue.