Carla & Rhys’s Sensational Kirribilli Club Wedding Sydney

A sophisticated, lively Kirribilli Club Wedding filled with warmth and heartfelt moments.

If you haven’t experienced a Kirribilli Club wedding yet, you’re in for a treat! Because this charming and romantic Lavender Bay venue knows how to throw a party. And I was fortunate enough to experience it as the photographer for the wedding of Sydney couple Carla and Rhys in 2021. This lovely pair married on a wet and windy day back in June, but the winter weather didn’t stop them from enjoying a warm and intimate celebration.

The Kirribilli Club wedding Venue, More Than Just Great Views

As a wedding photographer in Sydney, I’m fortunate enough to visit many different venues all over the city. And we are blessed with some extraordinary places here. One such spot I adore is the Kirribilli Club wedding venue. A charming waterside venue with multiple bars, restaurants, and event spaces within. Its marvellous harbour bridge views are legendary among the locals of Lavender bay, and it’s not hard to see why. But it’s not just the impressive views that have made the Kirribilli Club wedding venues one of the hottest in Sydney; it’s their fine cuisine that has also got couples’ talking.

This is far from your average wedding food handcrafted by executive chef Vlad Verlan and his experienced culinary artists using the freshest, finest local produce.

A Sydney Couple Supporting Their Local Community

Carla and Rhys have loved the Kirribilli Club wedding venue for many years, and as proud locals, always dreamed of having their wedding there. As residents of Neutral Bay, they had seen how this, and so many other venues, have struggled over the last 18 months. And so, they wanted to make sure that they supported somewhere in their hometown by tying the knot there. Besides, just like everyone else, they love the harbour bridge views!

Unfortunately, on the day of their wedding, the weather was less than desirable… And the wind was whipping along the harbour, bringing with it some unwanted dampness to the surroundings. But I never saw Carla and Rhys ever get downhearted with this, and they embraced the wet and wild weather like real troopers! And as their photographer, they and their iconic Sydney backdrop combined to create some beautiful Kirribilli Club wedding day moments.

Modern, yet Classic with a Touch of Hollywood

The Kirribilli Club wedding venue was the location for the entirety of Carla and Rhys’s wedding day, with the ceremony taking place in one of the harbourside event spaces. The space is tastefully decorated in a chic, minimalistic style, with accents of colour coming from beautiful florals by Best Buds Florist. The floral blooms were in a palette of soft pinks, burgundy, dark roses, whites, and greens throughout the day. And together, it brought a fresh, vibrant look to every space they used and complemented the season perfectly. Carla looked incredible in her gown. A modern yet classic wedding dress with a touch of Hollywood glam designed by Catherine R Couture and shopped locally at Perfect Day Bridal in Sydney.

Carla made her way down the aisle towards Rhys in this stunning style, he couldn’t stop himself from displaying just how he felt. Wiping away the tears, as Carla drew near, I was able to capture some heartfelt moments of them both and their loved ones, all feeling the positive emotions of the day. It was a wonderful ceremony, presided over by the talented celebrant Marlene Shipley and Carla’s bridesmaid, who also shared some great words with them both.

The Wet Weather Did Not Dampen Anyone’s Mood

Following the delightful ceremony, it was time for celebrations and portraits. And as their wedding photographer, I felt it was vital that I captured Sydney harbourside views in their photography. We made our way outside, ignoring the wetness underfoot, while the bride and bridesmaids embraced the wind in their hair. Together, we created some fabulous imagery, especially the shots with just Carla and Rhys. Their moments together were so tender, sweet, and fun as they waltzed up and down the boardwalk.

Once we’d captured their portraits, it was time to celebrate! And the efficient team at the Kirribilli Club wedding venue had put together an incredible looking reception in preparation for the wedding party. The overall look of the celebration continued the sleek and minimal theme from the ceremony, combined with some beautiful floral centrepieces, also from Best Buds Florist.

Laughter, Amazing Food & Some Heartfelt Speeches

After some celebratory drinks and chatting among the bridal party, everyone took to their seats. And waited patiently for the infamous culinary treats to come from the Kirribilli Club wedding venue! They were not disappointed, and even as their wedding photographer, I could sample a few delicious bites of the work by those talented Sydney chefs.

There were too many mouthwatering dishes to mention all of them, but if you re-visit my Instagram stories from the day, you’ll see just delicious it all looked! During this beautiful meal, Carla and Rhys were treated to one of the highlights of their day, the speeches. Family and friends took turns sharing stories about the couple in a heartfelt and genuine way that touched the room. There was much laughter and a few tears, but overall these speeches gifted the reception an even more joyful mood.

Not Your Average Wedding Band, and Not Your Average Special Guest

As soon as the plates were cleared away and glasses were re-filled, it was time for our band to hit the stage. And on this memorable occasion, the Fifth Whiskey Band were joined by a special guest! Our groom, Rhys, had penned a song especially for his bride Carla called ‘The Beautiful Moment’. And he sang his song and played the guitar with the band in honour of his new wife. It was a moment this Sydney photographer had not seen the likes of before at a wedding, and it brought the house down.

The talented guys from the Fifth Whiskey Band continued the incredible energy and brought the whole wedding party to their feet with their lively set. It was a fitting end to a wedding day that was all joy, all the time, with boundless positive energy that was infectious. Carla and Rhys had managed to create a big day that was warm, loving, and elegant throughout — and I am honoured to have photographed it.

Carla was kind enough to share some sweet words about my work, and so I thought I would share them with you;

“Your professional yet relaxed approach on the day, your communication, and your dedication in getting the perfect shot — I recall you crouching in the bushes at one stage! And we really loved the Polaroids — we have stuck them in our guest book, and they look wonderful! Thanks so much Daniel”.

I forgot to mention those Polaroids! Whilst I ate my meal during the reception, I printed some shots with an Instax printer; I presented these snaps to the happy couple and the bridesmaids, and they loved them! It was so lovely to give them photos from the day while still enjoying their Kirribilli Club wedding day! A unique experience.

Rhys
Suit…Mr. Fierze – Men’s Designer