Lauren + Ryan | Cottesloe Civic Centre & Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club

Lauren and Ryan’s wedding was one of the most beautiful days we have had the pleasure of photographing. They are such a lovely couple, with amazing friends and family, we had the most enjoyable day as you can see from the photos below!

We started early at Ryan’s parents place, where groomsmen Tim and Brent were attempting to help Ryan to get ready. After much joking around and fun, we left the boys looking pretty charming. Meanwhile Lauren and her sisters Ellen and Claire were equally organised, having even cleared out space and done some styling and furniture rearranging for us upstairs. And boy did Lauren look stunning!

Their ceremony was held on stairs at Cottesloe Civic Centre, in one of the most dramatic locations I have come across. It was actually our first time photographing a wedding there but I have about four upcoming weddings there, which I am totally looking forward too! The grassed area was surrounded by perfectly spaced pine trees, making the stunning backdrop for the romantic ceremony, it reminded me lot of Caversham House with the beautiful balustrades plus a sense of space, as it’s on the hill overlooking the ocean. The bridal party photos were taken around the Civic Centre, on the stairs, the grassed area with the afternoon sun filtering through the trees, by the white-washed building that reminds me of Santorini and among the orange foliage. So much variety! We then went directly down the hill at Cottesloe Beach, in time for the sunset.

The reception was held at the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, which also offered lots of interesting locations for some quick photos before Lauren and Ryan’s grand entrance. The reception highlights include the touching speeches, a stunning cake, and dessert buffet complete with Easter eggs! The first dance was beautiful, and adding to this was our favourite, a dry ice machine, thus their first dance photos look like they are dancing on clouds.

Thank you Lauren and Ryan for having us there and for such a fab day. Also a big thank you to Jeff who assisted with lighting and third shooting during the day, making my dream of having four arms almost come true.

Bride and groom hold hands gazing across twilight bay waters in a Freshwater Bay Yacht Club portrait
Groom and groomsman hold numbered billiard balls spelling out the wedding date between their hands
Groom in white shirt steadies a black dog wearing a white lace collar in golden garden light
Groom cuddles his black labrador close to his shoulder in warm autumn backyard light
Softly blurred reflection shows two smiling groomsmen in white shirts during morning preparations
Groom smiles straight at the camera in a white shirt against sunlit foliage and purple flare
Thoughtful groom buttons his cuff against a plain taupe wall in soft window light
Groom fastens his cufflink while two groomsmen watch and smile during getting-ready moments
Diptych of the groom fastening his tie then smiling in a navy vest by a glowing doorway
Three groomsmen in navy vests and white shirts help each other dress against a plain wall
Diptych of a dark suit jacket hanging with a white bow, then lifted from its hook by the groom
Two-panel portrait of the groom buttoning his charcoal suit, then gazing calmly aside
Close-up of embroidered pink lettering stitched inside a groom's grey suit jacket lining
Groom lines up a pool shot while a groomsman watches with cue in hand by timber shutters
Two-panel portraits of a groomsmen in navy vest and tie standing before a warm doorway glow
Groom's hand opens a silver pocket watch with roman numerals against his dark suit
Two groomsmen check pocket watches while seated in carved red-velvet armchairs indoors
Lauren and Ryan's cream invitation cards with plum ribbon on a bright windowsill
Strapless lace wedding dress on a hanger beside the bride's low chignon and white robe
Scruffy grey schnauzer in a pink collar gazes at the camera in soft indoor light
Art deco crystal bridal bracelet mirrored on a pale reflective surface in soft light
Lauren smiles softly in a white robe on the bed's edge amid warm lamplight
Diptych of bride Lauren in a white robe, pensive then beaming by the bedside lamp
Bride in white robe laughs with three women in pink dressing gowns before the ceremony
Bridesmaids in pink robes chat on a timber staircase with pearl bracelets and upswept hair
Bride Lauren smiling as bridesmaids in purple gowns and her mother help fasten her lace dress
Lauren beams in her strapless lace gown beside a close-up of hands buttoning its lace back
Lauren's mother in navy lace helps her fasten a sparkling bracelet in soft window light
A seated Lauren laughs while her veil is arranged; a bridesmaid poses with the mother in navy lace
A bridesmaid pins Lauren's veil in place as she sits smiling in profile, warm low light
Lauren's bouquet of ivory roses and purple callas in one frame, her bright bridal portrait in the other
Lauren fastens an earring, laughing, as bridesmaids and her mother watch holding white and purple bouquets
Lauren laughs at her reflection in a tall mirror and relaxes on an armchair in her gown
Lauren's mother kisses her cheek as she holds her bouquet, framed portrait glowing above
Bridal bouquet of cream roses and purple callas beside a card remembering family on the wedding day
Lauren holds her white and navy bouquet in warm lamplight, glancing down with a smile
Lauren lifts her sheer veil over her face and smiles, eyes lowered in soft light
Lauren's smiling face seen through the fine tulle of her veil
Lauren hugs her mother before leaving, then pauses on the stairs with veil trailing
Lauren and her bridal party wait beside a white vintage limousine under blue Perth skies
Lauren and her mother share a smiling moment in the back seat of the wedding car
Lauren grins through the car window, veil catching the sun as she arrives
The white wedding car glides down a tree-lined Perth park road on a clear morning
Lauren walks across a sunlit lawn with her bridesmaids and mother toward the ceremony
Lauren kneels on the grass arranging her bouquet beside bright memorial flowers
Bridesmaids in purple gowns help Lauren from the vintage car onto the lawn
White petals line the grass aisle between chairs dressed with rose jars at Cottesloe
Groom Ryan grins with his groomsmen in charcoal suits before guests seated on the lawn
Ryan waits with his groomsmen beneath stone urns, guests' silhouettes in the foreground
A bridesmaid in deep purple walks the aisle holding white peonies, Lauren arriving behind
Lauren walks the petal-strewn aisle between white chairs under tall pines by the sea
Lauren on her mother's arm during the processional, guests rising along the chair rows
Lauren beaming mid-aisle, and the newlyweds together on the stone steps after vows
Lauren greets Ryan and her mother at the altar, sunlight washing the lawn behind
Lauren and Ryan wed on the curved stone steps, party and celebrant gathered around
Wedding guests in spring dress watch the ceremony from white chairs in the gardens
A grandmother in a black fascinator dabs away tears as vows are read
Lauren turns to Ryan with a smile, veil lifting in the breeze during vows
Lauren laughs mid-vow holding Ryan's hands, bridesmaids and celebrant close by
Guests fill the lawn ceremony beneath pines with the Cottesloe coastline beyond
Rings exchanged in close-up as white roses blur in the foreground sunlight
Lauren and Ryan share their first kiss, then pose beneath the stone staircase urns
Lauren cups Ryan's face as the two touch foreheads in soft afternoon light
The wedding party gathers around the signing table after the ceremony
Lauren and Ryan front a full group photo on the lawn beneath towering pines
The newlyweds walk back down the aisle to applause from smiling guests
Petals rain over Lauren and Ryan as they leave arm in arm across the sunlit lawn
A bridesmaid hugs Lauren tightly, both grinning with bouquets in hand
Lauren greets a grandmother in pearls and a black fascinator after the ceremony
Close-up of hands strumming an acoustic guitar fitted with a capo in the sun
Lauren and Ryan pose with their parents among the gardens in golden light
Lauren strokes Ryan's face between empty chairs under a deep blue sky
The newlyweds kiss on the lawn beneath Norfolk pines and a vast evening sky
Lauren and Ryan laugh face to face among white chairs in low golden light
Silhouetted against the fading light, Lauren and Ryan nearly touch, veil drifting
Lauren and Ryan embrace on the Cottesloe Civic Centre lawns beneath tall pines and a deep blue sky
Lauren and Ryan kiss by white ceremony chairs under the pines, then hold hands on a rise at sunset
Lauren and Ryan pose on the lawn as bridesmaids in purple stroll beneath Cottesloe's towering pines
Ryan and Lauren share a quiet moment on a stone balcony, her plum and cream bouquet catching soft light
Bridesmaids in purple gowns laugh with groomsmen in navy suits by a stone balustrade in golden light
The wedding party gathers on Cottesloe's stone steps at golden hour under autumn-toned trees
Lauren and Ryan flank their purple-gowned bridesmaids and suited groomsmen on garden steps
Lauren and Ryan stand forehead to forehead on the lawns, veil lifting in the breeze between pines
Lauren and Ryan sit facing each other on a white veranda ledge, laughing in afternoon light
The couple and wedding party fill an arched alcove of Cottesloe Civic Centre's white facade at dusk
Bridesmaids in purple and groomsmen in navy crowd a Cottesloe archway around the seated couple
Lauren reaches playfully toward Ryan across twin veranda arches as the wedding party laughs
Lauren and Ryan pose by a wrought-iron archway, then gaze at each other in warm side light
Ryan smiles at Lauren over his shoulder on the lawn, then she stands hand on hip beneath a wide sky
Close-up of Ryan holding Lauren's bracelet-adorned hand against soft blurred garden light
Detail of Lauren's jewelled sash, cream and plum rose bouquet, and hands entwined with Ryan's
Lauren and Ryan kiss on a grassy rise under dramatic clouds streaked across the afternoon sky
The full wedding party stands among autumn foliage and limestone rocks in soft evening light
Lauren's train pools on the paving at sunset, then the pair descend weathered stone steps hand in hand
Lauren and Ryan walk hand in hand beneath tall pines and autumn leaves toward the setting sun
Lauren and Ryan grin at each other mid-stride past succulents and limestone in golden light
Lauren and Ryan pose atop a grand stone staircase as a boy rides his balance bike below
The couple stand small beneath towering Cottesloe pines, silhouetted against a vast streaked sky
Lauren beams between her two bridesmaids in purple as sunset light glows through the trees
Lauren and Ryan wave from the open roof of a white vintage limousine, bouquet raised in triumph
The wedding party crosses the Cottesloe foreshore at sunset, groomsman trailing Lauren's veil
Lauren and Ryan stand on a limestone sea wall, her train streaming as the sun melts into the ocean
Lauren and Ryan embrace above the Indian Ocean, her bouquet in hand under a glowing dusk sky
Lauren and Ryan press foreheads together against a moody twilight sky over the water
Ryan and his groomsmen stand shoulder to shoulder in charcoal suits under a darkening sky
Lauren and her bridesmaids hold cream bouquets as the sun sets behind them over the ocean
Groomsmen in suits lean back in a row on a foreshore bench, boots stretched toward the camera
The couple and wedding party gather by a pale vintage Jaguar outside the yacht club at nightfall
Lauren and Ryan smile at each other in the yacht club marina as dusk silhouettes the masts
The couple stroll hand in hand along the riverbank at last light, yachts moored behind them
Lauren and Ryan kiss beneath a ghostly gum tree under a deep blue evening sky by the water
The pair cross the floodlit lawn at Royal Freshwater Bay, clubhouse glowing behind them
Ryan carries Lauren along the jetty at night, her train sweeping the marina boards
Seen from behind, the couple hold hands facing the deep-blue evening sky over the bay
The couple glance back at each other on the dock, sailboats and rigging dark against dusk
Ryan dips Lauren for a kiss outside the lit boatshed, dinghies stacked along the wall
Lauren holds Ryan's face as they kiss in the marina night, clubroom lights glowing above
Close-up of the wedding seating chart card reading Lauren and Ryan's 19th April 2014 celebration
A carved wooden Mr and Mrs heart sign and blush roses decorate the couple's sweetheart table
Seating plan on a white easel beside a jam jar of purple and cream roses at the reception
A black ribboned bonbonniere tagged hugs and kisses sits on the table by candlelight
Lauren spins under Ryan's arm as guests cheer around the yacht club dance floor at night
The bridal table bursts into laughter, champagne flutes and white roses lining the cloth
Guests double over laughing in the lamplit reception room, an older woman beaming in blue
Lauren and Ryan raise champagne flutes, grinning at each other across the candlelit table
Bridesmaid in purple giving a speech at the lectern while the applauding bridal table sits beside a tiered cake
Lauren and Ryan laughing during speeches beside their tall tiered cake in the evening reception room
Diorama of a silhouetted couple kissing against warm bokeh beside their crystal-strung tiered cake
Engraved silver cake knife tied with plum ribbon resting on the white tablecloth
Lauren and Ryan cutting their crystal-hung tiered cake together, both beaming, hands joined on the knife
Lauren in her strapless gown posing arm in arm with eight female friends in colourful cocktail dresses indoors
First dance for Lauren and Ryan over billowing white fog as guests watch from packed tables beneath a chandelier
Lauren and Ryan gazing at each other mid first dance, lens flare sparkling between them in the dim ballroom
Ryan twirling Lauren under his arm through drifting fog on the dance floor, guests watching from the glow
Wide view of the newlyweds dancing hip to hip, deep fog swirling around their gown and suit under draped ceilings
Lauren and Ryan kissing mid-dance, warm flare washing the dark reception room behind them
Ryan leading Lauren by one hand across the fog-dusted floor, her bow-backed gown lit from behind
Two couples swaying in fog on the floor, bridesmaids in plum gowns dancing with their partners at the reception
Four party guests pulling wide-eyed rock poses for the camera mid-dance at the crowded reception
Lauren twirling her huge skirt in the middle of a cheering guest circle on the timber dance floor
Lauren waving her bouquet aloft as a crowd of keen single girls reaches skyward behind her
Excited women leaping with outstretched arms as the bouquet sails above them during the toss
Delighted catcher crouching with the bouquet as cheering friends react around her after the toss
Groomsman hunting for the garter around Lauren's ankle as she sits laughing amid a wall of grinning men
Lauren leaning from her chair laughing nose to nose with a kneeling groomsman, blokes cheering behind
Pack of men leaping with arms stretched for the garter flying high above the dance floor
Guest in headband and beer dropping low to the floor in a squat while dancers cheer around him
Dancer in checked shirt lifting his partner in pink high overhead mid-dance as the bride laughs nearby
Two mates howling back to back with raised wine glass while revellers cheer at the late-night party
Couple in pale blue and vest sharing a grin, champagne in hand, amid the packed dim dance floor
Lauren and Ryan ducking hand-in-hand through a tunnel of raised guests' arms as they exit the reception
Macro of the solitaire engagement ring stacked on its pavé band beside Ryan's gold wedding rings
Diptych of Lauren and Ryan hand in hand at night, yacht masts glowing behind, then strolling the club corridor

This wedding, in context

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