West Lakes Shore Beach Wedding Photos
A west-facing strip of Gulf St Vincent sand, twelve kilometres from the Adelaide CBD, between the dunes and the lake.
West Lakes Shore is a coastal suburb about twelve kilometres north-west of the Adelaide CBD, in the City of Charles Sturt. It runs from the beach on Gulf St Vincent back to West Lakes, the tidal lake built on reclaimed marsh that began filling in November 1974 and now carries a two-kilometre rowing course. The beach itself is on the gulf’s eastern shore, so it faces west, with the dune coast continuing south through Tennyson.
Momir and Biljana came to the beach for the last portraits of the afternoon, after the Adelaide Botanic Garden and before their reception at Festival Function Centre in Findon, which is a short drive inland. A west-facing metropolitan beach is the simplest sunset location Adelaide has: flat sand, open sky and the sun going into the water behind the couple.
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 West Lakes Shore Beach
Time it for the hour before sunset; the gulf light is the whole reason to be here. Earlier in the day the sand is bright and the sky flat, so use the dune grass and the access paths for shade and texture. Shoes off at the car, and keep the party on the firm sand near the water. There is no shelter, so the wet-weather plan is the reception venue or the conservatory back in the city. The gallery below is Momir and Biljana’s wedding.