Engagement photography and pre-wedding Venues in St Kilda and Port Melbourne | Bayside Wedding photographer
So, you have decided to jump ALL IN on your relationship and you have decided that is time to get serious, well: CONGRATULATIONS on your engagement! Navigating wedding planning can be a daunting task, but let’s start with your engagement. If you have landed on this page you are most likely planning your engagement or consider a couples session. We have created this page to help you plan your engagement and also for you to consider a couples or engagement photography session.
Frequently Asked Questions for couples considering booking an engagement photography session.
+ Why is it worth considering an engagement photography session?
An engagement photography session is worth considering as it is a great way to get to know each other and plan your day ahead. We will spend around one hour walking around your chosen location and photographing you and your partner.
+ What if my partner and I always feel awkward in front of the camera?
My goal as a photographer is to make you feel comfortable and relaxed during your session. I don’t do overly posed images, to me it’s all about motion and emotions, so I will get you to walk and run around, as well as doing some prompts and get you talking to each other while I do my own thing …
+ Where are the engagement or pre-wedding photography session held?
The session can take place indoors or outdoors. One of the most important things to consider while researching the location for your shoot are: do you have a meaningful place that could be included during the shoot? Maybe a place you visited on your first date or an anniversary? Also consider the feel you want for your images it could be more urban vibes with street art and busy roads or something wild like a deserted beach surrounded by cliffs. The Melbourne coastlines and National parks in Victoria offer an incredible variety of settings for your images.
+ Can we bring our dog to our engagement session?
YES PLEASE! Your dog is part of your story and they should also be there on your engagement photography session! If you need to know how to prepare your dog to include them on your engagement photos then come and visit our Ultimate guide to include your dog on your wedding day.
+ How much is a pre-wedding photography session?
Pre-wedding and engagement photography sessions are complimentary when you book your wedding photography package. Pre-wedding and wedding day photography packages details can be found here.
If you are wondering if an engagement photoshoot is really necessary, then of course I am going to say YES! This is the best time to get to know each other, it’s a little bit like try before you buy… During your engagement photoshoot we will get the time to be creative, while we talk about your wedding plans. “But what is this for if we will have a shoot on our wedding day?”, well you are correct, but wedding days are really busy and you will fill the entire day like you are being pulled on all sides, and everyone wants to have a chat to you both, so this is a great time to make memories of this milestone while taking your time and enjoying being together.
Do you always feel awkward in photos and you are not very used to be on the other side of the camera? This has to be one of the biggest fears of most couples I meet! An engagement photoshoot or a pre-wedding session will give you a chance to see how I work, it’s all about genuine emotions and the guidance you will get during our session so that on the day you can also relax and you will know what to do.
In’s and out’s of planning your engagement party in Melbourne
Are you ready to officially kick off the wedding celebrations? Then the best way is with an engagement party. Once you have decided to broadcast the news and you have decided to update your facebook status, then all your loved ones will be itching to congratulate you, an engagement party is the best way to break the news to everyone in your family and the best excuse to have a party!
The protocols of engagement parties for Australian couples
Protocol is a big word and I can’t help but feel stiff and full of norms. Just like any other modern celebrations you don’t have to follow the rules and it’s up to you to host an event that is rather formal and traditional or out of norms and original. If you are after a modern way to celebrate and you are not scared to break apart with tradition then your type of celebration should reflect your personality and the story you’ve had as a couple, however, there will still little bits and pieces that should follow a few rules to avoid any misunderstandings with any family members.
The engagement party should start before the serious wedding planning starts and around 3 or 6 months before you send the formal wedding invitations.
The engagement party should be hosted by the couple or the parents of both if they wish to do so.
If you are considering having a wedding website then this is the best time to work on it and hopefully have it ready for your engagement celebration. A wedding website is the best way to go green, to keep all the information in one place and to update your guests as you ad things to your event. This is where considering a couples photography session (included on most wedding photography coverage) comes in handy so you will be able to use the images form your session on your website.
Who do you invite to your engagement party?
This is when it can get sticky, and when you can get in the cross roads of the should and must. At the end of the day you want to have a wedding day and celebrations where you feel deeply connected to the people and it’s a meaningful day and not just formalities. We hope that this guide will help you to decide if Jenny from accounts should be invited or not.
In most cases engagement parties are a great time to include guests that will not be included on your wedding day: co workers, friends of friends and extended family and family friends. If you are going down the super informal road then you can always have a casual get together at a brewery or bar and get people to come down if they wish so.
Engagement party gifts: To gift or not to gift that is the question.
Unlike some of the other traditional celebrations (Kitchen tea, bridal shower) this party is all about eating and drinking, so presents shouldn’t be expected, it’s just a way to catch up with old friends and celebrate the great news.
Where should I celebrate my engagement?
There are a lot of ways to celebrate your engagement, from something traditional like a sit down dinner or something more casual like a catch up at a bar or a backyard party. When planning always come back to things that mean a lot to you, so if you have family members keen to get involved in cooking or if you want to ad elements of your culture to your day, then make sure that you have a chat to them to include them in the plans. You can always split your party like having family earlier in the day and later having friends around for something more casual.
If you are planning your engagement and you are wondering where to host the party, then look no further! We got you … here are some rad venues for your engagement party. While you are here, drop us a line if you are looking for a photographer and let’s have a chat.
Inner Melbourne Engagement venues
Hotel Esplanade: You seriously can’t go wrong with this classic of St kilda Beach. This space has recently been renovated and is now on trend and an incredible space to consider for your engagement celebrations.
Lona St Kilda: If you like the outdoors then this little hidden gem is a must. This Restaurant / Eatery has the perfect set up for a function with relaxed vibes, perfect to celebrate your engagement and kick of the celebrations in the right way!
The Craft & Co: This venue can cater for different sizes of functions. It has two spaces: the Makers Hall and the Makers Bar, and it can also offer both spaces combined. This venue is filled with Natural light and the Warehouse vibes are ideal if you want a more urban vibe. This space holds up to 200 people (in a cocktail setting) and it could also be used as a wedding venue.
Tokosan: In the heart of Prahran Tokosan is a Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar that will take you back to the grounge streets of Tokyo. This bar is strategically located near the train stations of Windsor and South Yarra.
The line: This is the perfect white canvas if you wish to style your own function. This warehouse is located in Footscray and the guys at The line have partnered up with Four side events to provide you with catering and some great menu options.
Fran Jorgensen is a Melbourne engagement and pre-wedding photographer in love with the outdoors and wild locations. If you are after a creative photographer always thinking outside the box, then let’s have a chat! If you are looking for places to propose then here is our locations to get engaged in Melbourne shortlist. If you would like to know more how to have a fun engagement photography session, then check this out.