VINES OF THE YARRA VALLEY WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHY

ABOUT THE WEDDING

4 days since my last visit, I was back filming a wedding at Vines of the Yarra Valley. This was actually the second wedding I had filmed for this family. They’re a close sibling group, and I’d been told that they often sit down together and watch all the wedding films back-to-back, with mine usually saved for last. So there was already a bit of familiarity heading into this one, and a bit of pressure to add anther great film to the family catalogue.

The morning coverage was split between the family home and bride prep at a nearby Airbnb. Both were kept fairly streamlined. At the family home, I focused on a few meaningful exchanges while the boys got ready, including a greenstone and a pocket watch being passed down. From there, it was straight into bride prep where things moved quickly. A few candid moments, into the dress, a couple of reveals, and then on to the venue without overcomplicating the schedule.

At Vines of the Yarra Valley, I used the early window to get setup out of the way and focus on capturing arrivals and the environment. The first look was kept simple and covered across multiple angles, letting the moment play out naturally before moving into bridal party coverage in the vineyards.

The light through this part of the day was harsh, with clear skies and strong overhead sun. Rather than forcing coverage in those conditions, I kept things selective on digital and leaned heavily into Super 8mm film. It suited the energy of the bridal party and handled the light in a way that felt consistent with its nostalgic look. A large portion of that section ended up being shot on Super 8, which worked well as its own standalone piece alongside the main film.

One of the advantages of being set up early at this venue is being able to stay present during guest arrivals. The lead-up to the ceremony always has a good rhythm here, with people naturally moving between the open lawn and shaded areas, creating plenty of small interactions to work with.

The ceremony itself sat in soft, even light. A thin layer of cloud took the edge off the sun while still keeping colour and contrast in the scene. It’s a combination that tends to hold up really well on camera, especially at this location where the colours consistently come through clean and vibrant without needing much adjustment.

After the ceremony, we kept things relaxed and allowed time for guests before heading out later for sunset. Knowing how quickly the light drops here, we moved to a higher vantage point that consistently holds the best colour and depth as the sun goes down. It’s a simple spot, but one that delivers every time.

The reception carried that same steady energy into the evening. Speeches, dinner, and a full dancefloor that kept things moving naturally without needing much intervention from a filming perspective.

In the days following the wedding, Brooke’s father, who had been present on the day, passed away. I put together a separate piece made up entirely of moments featuring him, focusing on preserving as much of his presence as possible. It’s a reminder that while a wedding film often starts as a way to relive the day, it can very quickly take on a deeper role. Something that holds onto people and moments in a way nothing else really can.

If you’re planning a wedding at Vines of the Yarra Valley and looking for a Melbourne wedding videographer, it’s a venue that consistently offers strong natural light, clean colour, and a layout that allows the day to unfold in a way that translates easily into film.