Engagement portrait of man giving woman a piggyback

Josie and Maks’ autumnal wedding at Marks Hall


I first had the pleasure of meeting Josie and Maks on a crisp autumn afternoon at a local park for their engagement portrait session. From the outset, their vibrant energy, genuine warmth, and natural chemistry made our collaboration effortless.

Their infectious laughter and playful banter filled each frame with joy and authenticity. It was the ideal opportunity for us to get to know each other, setting the perfect foundation for our journey together leading up to their wedding day.

Little did I know, this would mark my final wedding at this beautiful venue before its closure.

Getting Ready

The bridal preparations were brimming with excitement, with Josie's bridesmaids offering unwavering support and camaraderie. Maks surprised Josie with a heartfelt card, bringing a wave of emotions. With a humorous twist, the card initially intended for "The loss of your pet" was ingeniously repurposed for "fiancé" – classic Maks!

The Ceremony

They got married at Marks Hall, a picturesque old Coach House nestled within a private courtyard. Little did I know at the time, this would mark my final wedding at this beautiful venue before its closure. But what a grand finale it was!

They were incredibly lucky with the weather and even managed to have an outdoor ceremony in October! I was buzzing! I will always recommend getting outside for photos in the natural light wherever possible, so this was a dream. It also meant there was plenty of room to move around and get loads of photos from a variety of angles.

The Portraits

Couple portraits were important to them, so they allowed generous time to explore the vast grounds of Marks Hall. We went off in a golf buggy over the lake, into the secret garden and round to the Eucalyptus trees. I had two beautiful people in front of my camera, a gorgeous setting among the landscaped gardens and the result was magical.

The Reception

Their shared love for board games was subtly woven into the wedding theme, adding a playful and whimsical touch to every detail. During the speeches, the groom's brother arranged a lively game that engaged the entire room and made the celebration truly unique.

All the guests stood up, the brother asked a question such as ‘who is the most unorganised?’ and everyone would have to respond by making a J or an M with their arms. Interestingly, the best man won! It was a fun way of getting everyone involved.

“From the first conversation we had with Eleth we knew she was the photographer for us! Both her communication and her style of photography is warm, approachable, bright and clear. We would highly, highly recommend Eleth to anyone and everyone, whether that's for wedding photos, family portraits or something else. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you Eleth for being the very, very best photographer we could've asked for and for giving us these incredible memories to cherish forever!”

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