A Sweet Garden Wedding at Dalywaters Rose Garden, Mornington Peninsula
Some weddings feel like a big, joyful exhale. This one at Dalywaters Rose Garden on the Mornington Peninsula was exactly that. Intimate, heartfelt, and full of the kind of quiet excitement you only get when the guest list is your closest people, the light is soft, and the day runs on connection instead of chaos.
Even more special, I’d photographed this sweet couple’s engagement celebration a while back, so by the time the wedding day arrived, we already had that easy rhythm together. No awkward warm-up. Just the best kind of familiarity.
A relaxed, intimate celebration with the people who matter most
With a smaller guest list of close friends and family, everything felt intentional. There was time to slow down, to laugh, to breathe, and to actually be present.
That’s one of my favourite things about intimate weddings. The moments don’t get swallowed up by schedules. They get to land.
The first look: calm nerves, big feelings
We started with a first look, which I’ll always recommend for couples who want a private moment before the ceremony (and a calmer timeline overall). It’s a chance to connect without an audience, let the nerves melt a little, and have a genuine “oh wow… you’re here” moment together.
We also did a first look with the bride and her bridesmaids, which was pure joy. The kind of excited squealing that turns into happy tears in about 0.5 seconds.
Family photos without the stress
After the first look, we moved into family photos, keeping things simple and efficient. If you’re planning something similar, a quick tip: send through your family group list ahead of time and everything runs so smoothly.
It means less time organising and more time enjoying your own wedding.
Dreamy backdrops everywhere you turn at Dalywaters
One of the reasons Dalywaters is such a beautiful choice is the variety. You can create a whole gallery without ever feeling like you’re “leaving the venue”.
Within minutes we had:
Long grasses that feel soft and romantic (especially when they catch the light)
Vines and greenery for that lush garden texture
A small lake that adds space, reflection, and calm
And of course, the show-stopper: rose gardens and archways that look like they were designed for wedding portraits
Every corner feels like a new scene, which makes portrait time relaxed and fun because you’re not forcing anything. You’re just wandering through pretty places together.
The details: pale blue shoes, a colourful bouquet, and that “fresh garden” feeling
I’m always looking for the details that tell the story of a day, and this wedding had the loveliest little pops of personality.
The bride wore pale blue shoes (such a soft, unexpected touch), and carried a colourful bouquet that looked gorgeous against the garden greens. It was bright, joyful, and perfectly suited to the setting.
Those small choices are often the things you’ll remember most, because they’re so you.
A Mornington Peninsula garden wedding that felt effortless
This day didn’t need to be huge to feel meaningful. It had everything: the intimacy, the laughter, the gentle emotion, the beauty of the gardens, and the kind of love that’s easy to photograph because it’s easy to feel.
If you’re planning a Mornington Peninsula garden wedding and you want photos that feel candid, romantic, and true to the day, I’d love to chat.