Liv & Ben | Margan Wines Wedding
Liv & Ben’s Margan Wines Wedding - Broke
Ben and Liv had a beautiful winter wedding at Margan Wines and Restaurant in Broke, one of the oldest wine-making regions in Australia. Margan is a family-owned venue known for its fine wines, incredible food and stunning views of the Broke mountain range. I have worked alongside Margan Wines on weddings quite a few times now, and one of the things I love about this venue is that there's so much diversity in images I can create there. The mountain range is, of course, a sight to behold. However, Margan itself is picturesque. The gardens, the views, the building itself. Shooting here is so fun; the possibilities are endless!
Ben and Liv could not have planned their prep location better, getting ready at Talits Estate, only a short drive away. Having a close prep location for both bride and groom, while optional, adds ease to the flow of the day. Traffic doesn't become a factor in the timeline, and you get "more bang for your buck" (more photo time, less sitting in a car. You're not paying me for my sick driving skills, after all!)
When I found out Talits Estate was the prep location, I was drooling more than my teething baby. This place is a french provincial farmhouse dreamboat! The outside? Stunning. The inside? STUNNING. I did not shut up about it when I got home (just ask my wife). There's a cool old bath where Liv (bride) was getting ready, so you can bet your arse I utilised that.
With Bride prep in one part of the home and Groom prep in another, staying in the same place meant the couple could enjoy the company of their friends and family the day & night leading up to their wedding. Dining on some of the Hunter Valley's best food & wine together while relaxing in the chill pre-wedding vibes.
Liv & Ben did a first look in the Garden pre-ceremony. First looks are an excellent way to keep that emotional moment between you and your partner (and the dude with the camera lurking). Also, if you're a crier like me, it can prepare you before being in front of everyone you know. Following this was bridal party photos around the property and family photos & then they made their way across to Margan for the ceremony.
"Wed by Jade" conducted the ceremony. If you're looking for a down-to-earth, kick-arse celebrant, Jades your human. Being a musician as well as a professional MC, Jade exudes confidence and style, ensuring no awkwardness during your big moment. That's what Liv and Ben were after, and that's precisely what they got.
The ceremony took place in the Margan Wines courtyard. After this, their guests created a tunnel with handfuls of flower petals and showered the newlyweds as they made their way through.
A few friends and additional family photos took place after this, with some couple's photos at Margan as the sun set behind the Broke mountain range. Being winter, the sun sets quite early in the Valley. Another factor to consider is the mountain range; we lose light before a typical "sunset" occurs. So we were grateful for the extra time freed up by doing a first look beforehand and knocking over some family photos then.
Canapes commenced with live music by Jerome O'Conner, which then expanded into his three-piece, Master Blaster, for the evening's entertainment. Jerome can really get a crowd moving; it was an absolutely packed dance floor.
Margan restaurant did the catering, and all I can say is *insert chef's kiss emoji*. It's no wonder they are a hatted restaurant and boast tonnes of awards for their food. Almost everything they cook is grown on-site, and it shows.
Liv and Ben's day was so thoughtfully planned and flowed so beautifully. Every detail of the day reflected who they are as both individuals and a couple, and the photos we were able to capture as a result of that are just so full of emotion. Ben and Liv were an absolute pleasure to work with.
VENUE - Margan Wines & Restaurant
ACCOMMODATION - Talits Estate
