Marnong Estate Wedding in Winter Sunshine with Ellie & Anthony
Not every wedding gets golden hour in the middle of winter. But Ellie & Anthony’s day at Marnong Estate was full of little miracles like that. The skies cleared, the sun beamed down over the hills north of Melbourne, and suddenly August felt more like early spring.
Their ceremony unfolded under open skies, and by the time we wandered into the vineyards for portraits, the whole place felt like it was glowing. Honest, emotional, completely unfiltered — this is the kind of wedding I love to photograph. A bit elegant, a bit playful, and full of moments that sneak up on you and stay.
Getting Ready: Calm Moments in the Morning Light
The morning began at Ellie’s family home — soft light spilling across the floorboards, the scent of fresh coffee drifting through every room. It was unhurried, heartfelt. Her bridesmaids, in sleek black satin, moved between touch-ups and quiet laughter, breaking into spontaneous Nutbush steps across the living room floor.
A Ceremony Beneath a Winter Sky
Their garden ceremony in Melbourne took place outside on the lawn of Marnong Estate’s The Secret Garden. And the sun — oh man, the sun. It kissed their faces as they read their vows, the kind that wobble your voice and make you squeeze each other’s hands even tighter.
It was intimate and open-hearted. Personal, but not performative. You could see it in every glance, every half-smile. When Anthony looked at Ellie walking down the aisle, there was a flicker of disbelief, like how did I get this lucky? And Ellie, radiant and grounded, never took her eyes off him.
Their guests were wrapped in blankets, warm drinks in hand, smiling with the kind of full-body joy you only feel when you’re watching two people exactly where they’re meant to be.
Golden Hour Portraits by the Hills and Homestead
After the ceremony, we slipped away for portraits, we wandered the grounds quietly. Ellie’s veil caught the breeze, Anthony’s hand never left hers, and the sun dipped low enough to trace gold along her dress, his collar, the quiet space between them. The homestead made a perfect frame — timeless and grounded — as if it had always been waiting for them.
I barely had to direct a thing. They leaned into each other, whispered something I’ll never know, and let the day wrap around them. These were the frames that mattered most — not posed, not polished. Just real. Just theirs, as featured in my Melbourne wedding portfolio.
Reception Warmth at The Angliss Room
By sunset, the reception space was glowing. Candlelight flickered across long banquet tables, wine flowed, plates clinked, and the speeches were everything — equal parts roast and romance.
One of Anthony’s groomsmen gave a toast that had the room in stitches, followed by Ellie’s sister, who somehow managed to make half the room cry and the other half want to call their siblings. That’s the thing about intimate weddings like this — when the guest list is tight, the feelings hit even harder.
Their first dance started sweet and slow, then kicked into something fun and cheeky — totally them. And from that point on, the dance floor never really cleared. There was a lot of shoulder-swaying, some barefoot spins, and at one point, a conga line broke out (unprompted, as all good ones are).
Why Marnong Estate is One of Melbourne’s Best Wedding Venues
Let’s talk practicals. If you’re a couple searching for a north of Melbourne wedding venue that’s got soul, scenery, and everything in one place — Marnong ticks all the boxes.
It’s 35 minutes from the CBD and about 15 from the airport
You’ve got ceremony + reception + accommodation on-site
Vineyard views? Check. Valley backdrops? Absolutely.
Rustic luxe interiors that don’t need over-styling? Yes please.
Up to 250 guests for a sit-down reception,
And from a photographer’s lens — the light, the space, the variety — it all works.
Tips for Future Couples Planning at Marnong Estate
If it’s winter, embrace it. The light is soft, the colours muted in the best way, and if the sun shows up, it’s like the universe giving you a wink.
Schedule portraits around golden hour. The vineyard hill catches sunset perfectly.
Build in breathing room. Ellie & Anthony gave themselves time between ceremony and reception to soak it all in — and it made everything feel unrushed.
Trust your people. Ellie and Anthony’s vendor team flowed like magic. They handed things off, stayed present, and it showed.
