Ali and Ben’s simply amazing Merbein wedding.
When Ali and Ben announced they were getting married, we already knew it would be a different wedding. As details of their wedding plans began to emerge, we knew this would be one of those memorable events. Ali and Ben, had opted for a Merbein wedding, in an amazing old vineyard garden. 
To understand our excitement, you have to know a little of the not so public face of Ali. Yup I know you have recognised her by now. Ali, like most public figures has two sides. Her public opinions and actions persona and the side of her personality she reserves for family and friends.
We at Excitations have been lucky to see little bits of both worlds.
It would be fair to say, Neither Robyn nor myself, have ever met a young woman, who draws absolute delight from grabbing and old dip tin, plonking it under a row of grape vines and is instantly ready for a chat. I’m sure she imagines herself as a modern young woman. But… her sense of identity, history and connection with the past is a something to behold.
I know you have most likely seen this image of Ben here on the blog before. I can’t remember ever having a car directly linked to a famous movie in one of our a wedding photos before. So, of course it was going to be back for an encore. Ben was excited to tell us about his wedding car well before the wedding. Like lots of grooms really. The difference this time was THE CAR. So much fun to play with photographically.
Ben and I share only one thing in common. I mean, he is young, good looking and intelligent. Need I go on. However, both of us met our future wives, while lugging dirty great big TV cameras around. Although I’m willing to bet his big camera weighted a whole lot less than mine.

Ali and Ben were married beside a very large garden pond. Covered by lavender coloured petals from a nearby Jacaranda tree. A small fountain which provided a constant, soothing background sound, was the centre piece to the pond. Futher away was the original garden. Old, well kept, shady and full of character. In the centre of this old garden, the original farm house. With its wide, open verandahs providing ideal locations for our wedding photography session.
As our garden photo session drew to a conclusion, Ali has an idea… She knows there is a part of the river somewhere near here, where you have these wonderful red cliffs and can look down on the river as a background…. Remember I said she had a great sense of identity and history!!! Fortunately for all of us, the spot is right beside a highway. Just a few short steps and we’re ready to shoot. Working quickly, because the sun was hot, and a couple of us get sunburn easily. This Merbein wedding photography session was over in a few short minutes and it was off to a party.
Love looking at wedding photos. There are more in our folio here