As a documentary wedding photographer in Victoria, I’ve had the honour of knowing these two amazing humans for more than fifteen years, having studied photography at NMIT with the beautiful bride, Bel. Photographing one of my best friend’s weddings was such an honour — but I won’t lie, there’s pressure that comes with that kind of privilege.

The day before the wedding, friends and family gathered for a working bee to transform the blank canvas of Kongwak Hall into something perfectly Bel & Leigh. Every decoration, flower and detail reflected them completely.

Country road sign showing directions to Korumburra and Inverloch on the way to Bel and Leigh’s regional wedding.

Wedding venue stage decorated with gold tinsel backdrop, pastel pom-poms, string lights, and floral arrangements for Bel and Leigh’s celebration.

Getting Ready at The Kongwak Butter Factory

The morning began at the perfectly decked-out Kongwak Butter Factory Airbnb. It was the ideal spot to get ready: light, character, and calm energy.

Groom and friends playing ping pong and laughing in a relaxed moment before Bel and Leigh’s wedding ceremony.

Candid close-up of the bride holding a handheld mirror while getting ready for Bel and Leigh’s wedding

Candid black and white moment of the groom laughing with family and a young boy during morning preparations before Bel and Leigh’s wedding.

Black and white moment of the bride and her friend helping each other get ready before Bel and Leigh’s wedding.

Bride laughing and holding perfume while getting ready for Bel and Leigh’s wedding day.

Black and white portrait of the groom adjusting his jacket and smiling while getting ready for Bel and Leigh’s wedding

Bride walking up the stairs laughing and holding her shoes during candid pre-wedding moments for Bel and Leigh’s wedding.

First Look Under the Willow Tree

Bel and Leigh chose to have a first look under the willow tree. I love these moments… the vulnerability, excitement and love are always palpable. There’s something incredibly honest about seeing each other for the first time, all dressed up, ready to begin the day together.

Groom standing under leafy willow tree before the wedding ceremony, relaxed and smiling in soft natural light.

Close-up of couple reaching out to hold hands during their first look, showing wedding outfits and connection.

Groom laughing joyfully during first look as he sees his bride under the willow tree canopy.

Couple embracing tenderly beneath a canopy of trees during their wedding reveal.

Groom kissing bride’s hand in an intimate black and white wedding portrait.

Unique Portraits session

From there, we explored the quirky grounds of the Butter Factory before wandering over to the local strip of shops
which consisted of a Telstra telephone box, a market space and a vintage store. If I could have picked any shop to explore with Bel, it would be that one. It felt as though the town had built it just for them. The fans gave us a little relief from the heat, but it was wall-to-wall in vintage and retro glory.

Bride and groom walking across gravel courtyard towards ivy-covered building at their wedding venue

Bride and groom walking hand in hand beside ivy-covered wall, smiling under blue sky

Wedding couple holding hands standing under ivy-covered window outside venue

Black and white wedding portrait of couple smiling and embracing under ivy-covered window

Bride and groom standing apart against white brick wall with twin windows and ivy creeping above

Bride and groom reading community notices on brick wall outside Kongwak Hall

Bride and groom standing beside red post box and Telstra phone booth in small country town

Black and white photo of wedding couple browsing inside quirky vintage store filled with collectibles

Bride and groom stand together in front of colourful bookshelves, their expressions calm and content in a cosy vintage bookshop. — Embracing the awesome backdrops

Bride holds up a vintage album cover with large eyes, creating a playful illusion in front of a bookshelf filled with records and books.

Groom playfully holds up a Wayne Newton record cover to his face, blending humour and nostalgia in a vintage store setting.

The couple shares a kiss surrounded by rows of books and vintage clothes inside a quirky secondhand store.

The couple stand at the entrance of a retro bookstore, smiling warmly as sunlight spills across the scene.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand down a quiet country road, sharing a lighthearted moment beneath a blue sky. — The road was so hot they were melting into the road

Being a documentary wedding photographer in Victoria means every story is different – every couple brings their own quirks, emotions and details.

A Sudden Twist

We returned to the Butter Factory to freshen up before the ceremony, the day running as smooth as can be – until twenty minutes before it began. Bel’s mum tripped and fell hard. In an instant, the day shifted. The ambulance was called, and we learned she had broken her wrist and hip. The energy in the room fell silent.

There were so many questions. Should they postpone? Should they get married beside the ambulance? Roll the stretcher down the aisle? (Ok, that last one was never going to happen 😝). In the end, Bel’s mum was taken to hospital a few hours away, with a dear friend by her side, and, thanks to some incredible paramedics , she watched the ceremony via FaceTime. True champions.

Bride and groom standing quietly in a kitchen before the ceremony, captured in black and white documentary style.

Close-up of a bride and groom standing together inside, holding hands and embracing during a quiet moment before the ceremony.

Documentary wedding photo showing paramedics assisting a guest while the bride and groom watch with concern inside the venue.

The Ceremony and Celebration

The ceremony went ahead surrounded by family and friends, both in person and on screen, with everyone’s efforts woven into the day, from the decorations to the cake. Then the true celebration kicked in and

Groom smiling with emotion as he watches his partner walk down the aisle beside the celebrant

Bride walking down the aisle with her father, smiling at guests gathered in the hall.

Bride smiling softly during the wedding vows, holding a colourful bouquet of dahlias.

Groom looking at his bride lovingly as they exchange vows in front of golden streamers

Wide view of the ceremony inside Kongwak Hall with family and friends gathered to watch.

Guest capturing the ceremony on their phone under colourful streamers and disco lights.

Guest laughing joyfully during the ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

Bride placing ring on groom’s finger as their child watches during the ceremony.

Couple sharing their first kiss as newlyweds under golden streamers at the hall.

Moments in between.

Bride walking down a wooden hallway towards the reception filled with guests and confetti.

Bride embracing a close friend during candid wedding moment inside the hall.

Bride and friend beside the DJ booth with drinks in hand at the wedding reception.

Bride and groom standing together listening to speeches in front of silver streamers.

Close-up of champagne glass raised in a toast, showing small XO tattoo on wrist.

Detail of bride’s white heels surrounded by confetti and two glasses of champagne.

Bride twirling in the arms of her groom as guests smile and take photos

Bride and groom dancing under warm orange lights at their wedding reception

Bride and groom share their first dance surrounded by guests at their regional hall wedding reception

Guests dancing beneath streamers and disco lights inside the wedding hall.

Guests gathered outside the country hall under large trees at a regional wedding venue.

A Full-Circle Moment in friendship and history

Back when we were studying, Bel was always my model for major photography projects. (She still hangs on our walls at home.) We’d drive around the Victorian countryside searching for backdrops and light. Seventeen years later, there we were again — this time on her wedding day — standing in front of a petrol station sign that read Mobil Lubricant in the dusk light. It was cinematic, heartfelt and a little surreal. The kind of moment you can’t plan, but you’ll never forget.

Couple walking along a country road at sunset after their wedding

Bride and groom touching noses and smiling in soft natural light

Bride and groom walking hand in hand down a country road after their wedding

Bride and groom kiss at sunset with rolling hills behind them

Couple walking together down a country road hand in hand

Wedding couple walking in countryside with rainbow appearing in the background — A rainbow celebrates

Bride and groom posing outside a vintage Mobil service station with old pumps

Bride and groom standing outside Mobil Lubrication service station wall

Their day was relaxed, full of fun, and beautifully personal – a celebration that was perfectly them

Photographing Bel and Leigh’s day reminded me exactly why I love being a documentary wedding photographer in Victoria — capturing honest stories that stand the test of time.