Some tips and tricks for planning your registry wedding.

I have a lot of couples who choose an intimate ceremony at the Old Treasury Building, followed by portraits around the city and family photos, and sometimes a reception somewhere nearby.

I thought I'd share a few helpful tips to make your day go perfectly, and a little location guide for your portraits.

Firstly, what a great choice! I absolutely love the way these celebrations feel, intimate and unique to the couple, the building you get married in is actually so beautiful and there are so many great places and opportunities for photos nearby, you will end up with a wedding gallery that you absolutely love and a day that feels fun and stress-free in the best way possible.

Here's a few little things to remember when planning for you day

1. Make sure you tell your guests to go to the Old Treasury Building, NOT Parliament House as they often get confused. The treasury building is just a few minutes the road, they both have steps out the front so it can be confusing. Parliament House has more steps, but the Old Treasury building can be hard to find as there's not many signs for the Victorian Marriage Registry (I think there might be one) and it just a little door that you actually go in.
2. Arrive early (15 minutes before your ceremony) to sign your paperwork first,, and don't forget all your ID! Luckily there are digital IDs that can be used but it can be stressful, so make sure you have a little document folder with everything you need on the day to help things go smoothly.
3. Your photographer (me) will wait outside and then enter with your guests, depending on which room your in, you can still do a little entrance with the groom at the front, in the bigger room there is more of an aisle to walk in, or be escorted by a family member to the front. The little room fits around 10 guests, the larger room about 50, so you can still invite your nearest and dearest to be there with you while you tie the knot.
4. You can play music at different times during the ceremony, they have a speaker you can attach your phone to, or ask someone from your guest party to assist. Depending on which ceremony option you choose, you can also still read personal vows to each other and do a ring exchange, just like a traditional ceremony, and it's honestly still so special.
5. Make sure you get a fun photo as you exit the building with your guests on the front steps! This is one of my favourite moments to capture, you've just gotten married, the level of excitement and joy is so real, do a little bouquet hooray in the air while your guest clap and cheer, its a special part of the day. You can also do a few photos with your group of guests in the rooms before you leave.
6. Now that the formalities are over, have a bit of fun with your photos! Pick a couple of locations you like the look of, do some family photos in the gardens and then some couple portraits. As your photographer, I'll lead you around to the best spots and guide you with some direction so its not awkward, your smiling and laughing and the photos will turn out beautifully. Try not to have too much to carry, or ask one of your family members to hang on to your bag for this part so we can capture some candid walking around the streets moments in your wedding attire. ( I will also offer to carry your stuff if need be!)
7. Think about the timeline of your day, if you can, aim to do your portraits either earlier in the morning before your ceremony or later in the afternoon after you ceremony at golden hour, because lighting makes a huge difference to how your photos will turn out. Full sun can also be fun, but you might need to find some shade in the gardens if its the middle of the day in summer and the sun is blazing down.
8. Use your hotel for photos. Getting ready photos are such beautiful moments to capture, and can really add to your gallery. A lot of my registry couples stay at the Hotel Windsor which is across the road from Parliament House, just a five minute walk from the register office, and it can be worth adding on some time to your photography package to capture those other parts of your day, either getting ready before the ceremony or even after the ceremony, having a drink at the hotel bar before your reception or some editorial portraits on the famous staircase. I'll share some examples below.