Carlei Estate Winery Wedding
Kintara and Christian’s Carlei Estate wedding in Upper Beaconsfield was one of those days that just kept getting more beautiful as it unfolded. From the rustic fairy-lit ceremony space and red-carpet limousine arrival, to a jaw-droppingly spectacular golden hour, this was a winery wedding full of emotion, laughter, family and so many gorgeous little moments to capture.
The Heartfelt Ceremony
Arriving at Carlei Estate, we parked next to La Terrazza, the stunning ceremony space tucked beside the main winery buildings. With glass walls, fairy lights overhead, flowers, vines and those rustic white timber doors at the end of the aisle, it had such a lovely relaxed winery feel: part indoor, part outdoor, and completely ready for celebrations! Christian was already greeting family and friends, with lots of smiles, handshakes and pre-ceremony excitement as guests began taking their seats.
Then High Horse Limousines arrived and very literally rolled out the red carpet. Kintara’s bridesmaids stepped out in soft pink, followed by the children. Their driver was so careful and thoughtful, even shielding Kintara with an umbrella so guests had no chance of spotting her too early, despite the sun shining brightly around the corner. Mikey and I ducked between the ceremony space and the hidden getting-ready nook, successfully managing to be in two places at once without missing anything!
One of my favourite details of the ceremony was the way the staff opened the big timber doors in time with the music. The doors opened for the bridal party, closed again, then opened once more at just the right moment for Kintara, glowing in her beautiful dress with her bouquet and her sons by her side. She walked down the aisle to Christian, who was wiping away a tear… the emotion in the room was just gorgeous. The boys hugged and kissed them both before leaving Kintara beaming up at him, which was such a beautiful moment to catch.
The ceremony, led by Sonia Thomas, was full of smiles, prayer, vows, tenderness and that unmistakable feeling of a room full of people who are both moved and delighted to see two people so happy together. After the signing and official announcement, Kintara and Christian walked back down the aisle to cheers, looking wonderfully victorious as everyone stood around them.
After the ceremony, everyone spilled into the space between La Terrazza and the main winery buildings for hugs, kisses, congratulations and all those lovely just-married moments that happen before anyone is quite ready to stand still. I always love this part of a wedding day: people laughing, wiping away tears, grabbing each other for one more squeeze, and generally forgetting there is a photographer hovering around trying to catch it all.
We gathered everyone on the steps for the big group photo, including some proper smiling ones and, of course, a few excellent silly faces while Kintara and Christian went in for a big newlywed Hollywood Smooch. From there we moved through family combinations and bridal party portraits, mixing the traditional “everyone looking lovely at the camera” shots with the more candid in-between frames where people are laughing, chatting, fixing each other’s outfits or just reacting naturally.
Kintara and Christian’s bridal party brought such an easy, happy energy, and the children added so much sweetness and personality to the photos. We made the most of the fountain near the main building, the beautiful hedged driveway, and the big white High Horse Limousines car, which gave us some wonderfully classic newlywed portraits before everyone moved inside.
Carlei Estate Wedding Reception
The reception space at Carlei Estate had all the good winery wedding ingredients: wine barrels, fairy lights, rustic textures, warm lighting, and a beautiful Baby Cakes wedding cake waiting on display. DJ Masters got everyone settled, then announced the bridal party pair by pair before Kintara and Christian made their grand entrance to huge cheering from their guests.
They moved straight into the cake cutting, then took their seats at the bridal table facing a room full of family and friends who were very clearly ready to celebrate. There was so much talking, laughing and movement around the tables, with that happy early-reception buzz where everyone has finally relaxed into the party part of the day.
Golden Hour Wedding Portraits by the Lake
Golden hour at Carlei Estate was ridiculously amazing in the best possible way. We were so lucky with the weather, and Natalie from the venue was wonderfully hands-on in helping make sure we were in the right place at the right time for the breathtaking sunset. I am always watching and timing the light pretty closely at weddings, but it is very handy when the venue team is just as excited about not missing the magic!
We started with the full bridal party wandering through the long grass and along the vineyard edges, getting a mix of relaxed walking shots, laughter and soft golden portraits. Then Kintara and Christian had some time together, snuggling in close, giggling, walking hand in hand and looking increasingly thrilled as the sky kept getting better.
The lake portraits were some of my favourites from the whole day. Conditions could not have been more perfect and the love was radiant in itself. The clouds had this perfect rippled texture, glowing around the edges, with the hills behind them and the water reflecting the sky like a mirror. It was one of those sunsets where everyone can feel the photos becoming special as they happen, which only makes the smiles bigger.
Just before we headed back inside, I asked Kintara and Christian to pause an extra moment (no pun intended) and actually take it in… not just for the photos, but for themselves. Not everyone gets a sunset like that on their wedding day, and I wanted them to remember how it felt as well as how it looked. (Naturally, I photographed that too!)
Speeches, First Dance and Hitting the Floor
Back inside, the evening continued with speeches that were funny, heartfelt and emotional. Christian’s speech was especially moving, with another tearful moment, and it was lovely to see Natalie and the Carlei Estate team recognised for all the care and work they had poured into the day, including the scrumptious food and the estate’s incredible wines.
Then Kintara and Christian shared their first dance as husband and wife, before DJ Masters opened up the floor and the party properly took off. There were lights, conga lines, the Nutbush… plenty of big dance floor energy, and some excellent Michael Jackson moves from the kids. The whole room felt like it had happily tipped from formal celebration into full party mode!
Before we knew it, it was time for the sparkler exit. Guests formed a glowing arch for Kintara and Christian to run through, before the newlyweds hugged and kissed everyone goodbye and headed off in their second High Horse Limousines car of the day (red carpet included, of course). Everyone waved as they drove away, which made for the perfect sparkling finish to a very beautiful Carlei Estate wedding.
Kintara and Christian, thank you so much for inviting us to capture your day in both photo and video. From the emotional ceremony to that unbelievable sunset and the dance floor celebrations, your wedding was full of warmth, love and so many special moments that were an absolute privilege to preserve.
Vendors:
Celebrant: Sonia Thomas
Cake: Baby Cakes
DJ: DJ Masters Melbourne
Limousine: High Horse Limousines
Venue: Carlei Estate / Carlei Wines
❤️🎥 Video: Mikey Bugeja for Pause The Moment – See Kintara & Christian’s Videography Highlight Add-On Here 🎥❤️
Photography: Michelle Radcliffe – Pause The Moment
