From the very beginning, Kate and Jordan’s focus for their wedding was simple: they wanted a day that felt relaxed, fun, and full of the people they love most.
As Kate put it:
“We wanted everyone to feel like it was a big family reunion with just some extra flowers added.”
And I can certainly say that perfectly sums up their beautiful autumn wedding at Inglewood Estate.
Why Kate & Jordan Chose Inglewood Estate for Their Autumn Wedding
Sometimes couples spend months searching for the perfect venue, but Kate and Jordan knew they had found theirs almost immediately.
“The staff were so easy to work with to the point where we didn’t look any further.”
“The land there is so calm and we felt that energy straight away.”
If you’ve ever visited Inglewood Estate, you’ll understand exactly what she means.
The rustic barn and charming homestead, the towering willow trees hanging lazily by the lake, and the rolling countryside with views over Mt Dandenong create a backdrop that feels peaceful from the moment you arrive.
In early May with the autumn colours at their absolute peak, it was looking particularly spectacular.
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The Ceremony Outside of the Inglewood Estate Chapel
Kate spent most of the morning feeling completely relaxed, but that changed for about thirty seconds.
“I was so calm the whole day getting ready, but when I was heading to the chapel it hit and I was super nervous.”
Then she saw Jordan.
“That only lasted for 30 seconds as when I saw Jordan I was back to being calm.”
It’s one of the things I love most about weddings. No matter how busy or emotional the day becomes, everything seems to settle the moment couples finally see each other.
The couple were married by celebrant, Rob Mason, who has been a close family friend of Kate since they were children. Rob just has this distinct style that will have all the guests in tears of laughter there are some lines from his ceremony Kate and Jordan will never forget!
The Vows They’ll Never Forget
When I asked Kate which part of the day she’d relive if she could, her answer came instantly.
“Our vows. The whole world went away in that moment and it was just all about us, the laughter and the love.”
There are so many exciting moments during a wedding day, but it’s often these quieter moments that stay with couples long after the celebrations are over.
Wedding Photos That Felt Like Fun, Not Work
One of my favourite answers from Kate’s questionnaire was what she loved most about her wedding photos.
Not just the images themselves but the experience of taking them.
“The experience of taking them. SO. MUCH. FUN.”
That’s always the goal.
The best photos happen when couples stop worrying about the camera and simply enjoy being together.
Kate and Jordan spent their portrait session laughing, exploring the grounds of Inglewood Estate and soaking in a few quiet moments together before heading back to their guests.
Looking through their gallery now, you can feel exactly how much fun they were having.
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Many more photos from this wedding are located at the bottom of this blog post (scroll down!) but I also just had to share Daniel Turner’s trailer video set which just captured the essence of the day perfectly – and set to the song playing whilst Kate & Jordan walked back down the aisle as a newly married couple. It’s definitely one to watch!
The Photo That Means Everything
Every couple has that one image from their wedding they treasure over everything else, but for Kate, it wasn’t necessarily a portrait of herself and Jordan.
It was a moment between her parents.
“Mum and dad when they realised their wedding song was playing. I’ll never forget that moment and neither will they, the emotion in the shot says it all.”
Kate had clued me up prior to the wedding that she was planning on playing her parents first dance song immediately after Kate & Jordan’s first dance when guests would be invited onto the dancefloor. They both realised immediately and the photos say it all.
Those are often the photos that become family heirlooms. The unexpected moments that tell a much bigger story than anyone planned for.
Kate’s Favourite Outfit
When asked about her favourite outfit moment of the day, Kate didn’t mention her dress.
Instead, she immediately thought of her dad.
“Dad in his sunnies walking me down the aisle. The high gloss shoes were the cherry on top too.”
It’s details like this that make wedding memories feel personal.
Not necessarily the things you spend months planning, but the little moments that make everyone smile years later.
A Dance Floor That Delivered
Kate had one non-negotiable for her wedding: A packed dance floor.
And she made sure it happened.
“Not a song… but me!! I made sure everyone had a boogie as that’s one thing I was looking forward to the most.”
The celebration continued well into the evening, with family and friends filling the dance floor and creating exactly the atmosphere Kate and Jordan had hoped for.
Fun, relaxed, and completely focused on being together.
Advice for Future Couples Planning Their Wedding
Kate’s advice might be some of the best I’ve heard.
“Enjoy it. It’s not that serious. If it works for you then great! If not move on!”
Simple. Refreshing. And honestly, a pretty good approach to wedding planning.
What Kate Had To Say About Working Together
I’ve known Kate and her family for years, so being trusted to photograph this day was incredibly special.
Her words were very kind:
“Emma is a hard and passionate worker, it shows in the beauty of her work and she’s an absolute angel through it all.”
Thank you, Kate.
It was such a privilege to document this chapter for you both.
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Final Thoughts
When I think back on Kate and Jordan’s wedding, I don’t immediately think about timelines or details.
I think about laughter, about family and about the incredible autumn colours that surrounded us all day.
Most of all, I think about two people who created a wedding that felt completely true to who they are.
And judging by the smiles on every face, that’s exactly what made it so memorable.
Wedding Vendor Dream Team
Photographer: Emma Hawkins Photography
Venue: Inglewood Estate
Videographer: Daniel Turner Weddings
Celebrant & MC: Rob Mason Events
Florist: Flowerpot Debbie
Acoustic Music & DJ: Dan Vogl Music
Hair & Make Up Artist: Hannah Hocking Makeup
Dress Designer: Fairytales Bridal Boutique
Planning an Inglewood Estate Wedding? I’d Love to Photograph It.
Let’s bring your Yarra Valley wedding dreams to life.
Whether it’s editorial portraits post-ceremony or dancing at golden hour with vineyards in the distance, I’m here to capture your love story the way it felt.
Ready to explore dates or see sample timelines?
Click here to get in touch or let’s book a time to chat.
With love,
Emma x
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