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Golden Hour Magic: How to Capture Stunning Outdoor Wedding Photos

05.11.25
Photography Wisdom Wedding Planning Wisdom Wisdom
Golden Hour Magic: How to Capture Stunning Outdoor Wedding Photos
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BY
Dani Bartlett
The Alfresco Issue

As the weather warms up, we’re celebrating the magic of outdoor weddings! Picture gorgeous receptions under the setting sun and dancing beneath the stars.

We’ll cover everything from stunning styling ideas to practical planning tips – like wet weather backup plans and all those important outdoor wedding considerations.

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Our 2025 chapter has come to a close – a year wo Our 2025 chapter has come to a close – a year woven with love stories, creativity, connection, and those small glimmers that carried us through!⁠ ⁠ As we step into a slower season, we’re wishing you long exhale moments, gentle celebrations, and space to savour time with the ones who matter most.⁠ ⁠ Thank you for every story you trusted us with and every moment you shared in this community. We’re endlessly grateful.⁠ ⁠ We’ll still be popping in with some colourful round-ups and holiday inspo, and we can’t wait to relive some magic with you.⁠ ⁠ Here’s to rest, renewal, and all that 2026 has waiting.⁠ ⁠ With love,⁠ The Polka Dot Team⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @berrystudioau⁠ ⁠ [Image description: a shot of a tablescape with someone cracking a Christmas cracker filled with confetti, that flies across the table mid-shot.]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #HappyHolidays #CheersToThat #SeeYouNextYear #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WeddingStory #WeddingStories #WeddingMemories #WeddingInspiration #WeddingInspo #RealWedding
It’s giving festive. It’s giving fruity. It’ It’s giving festive. It’s giving fruity. It’s giving… “someone’s about to get engaged at Christmas lunch.” ⁠ ⁠ Cocktail Friday returns with a Christmas-kissed gin creation from Jin Bar at the @dorsettmelbourne, a gorgeous mix of berries, botanicals and holiday sparkle.⁠ ⁠ Save this one for your holiday party, proposal dinner, girls’ night, or the moment you reveal a shiny new ring over dessert.⁠ ⁠ If your December is filled with reasons to celebrate (and if you’re here, it probably is!), this one deserves a spot on your menu.⁠ ⁠ Cheers to love, laughter, and cocktails that taste like holiday joy!⁠ ⁠ Photography: @dorsettmelbourne⁠ ⁠ [Image description: Two festive pink cocktails sit on a round marble table with a brushed gold edge, each served in a coupe glass with a frothy white top and a small rosemary sprig garnish. Behind them, a lush Christmas-inspired arrangement of greenery and pinecones adds a seasonal touch. The background is softly blurred, with warm golden bokeh lights, including a small, out of focus Christmas tree, creating a cosy, celebratory atmosphere.]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #PolkaDotMade #Cocktail #Cocktails #AustralianCocktails #CocktailFriday #Drinks #CocktailRecipe #CocktailRecipes #ItsCocktailOclock #WeddingBlog
As we wrap up 2025, we’re ready to let go of all As we wrap up 2025, we’re ready to let go of all the noise - pressure for perfection, endless comparisons, and that voice asking, “Is this good enough?” We’re especially saying goodbye to the grind of chasing algorithms and the FOMO that comes with it. People pleasing and performative moments have crowded out what really matters in weddings for too long. In 2026, we want to see more joy. Not just the polished kind, but the loud, messy, beautifully unscripted moments that make weddings feel real. We’re making more room for laughter, for genuine connection, for those moments you’ll actually remember long after the day. If you’re looking for permission to do your wedding your way, this is it. Let what matters to you take centre stage and let go of the rest. Your wedding is enough, truly. Images used in this reel 1. Sneha & Mubiana captured by @fotogenica_wp 2. Rebekah & Jackson captured by @belcombridgephotography 3. Dan & Brandon captured by @weareallstardust_ 4. Suzie (@suzie_stevens) & Sam captured by @jacksongrantweddings 5. Amber & Dom captured by @marynacherednikova 6. Shalu & Jason captured by @shoshkruger 7. Rhys & Bonnie captured by @littlewildflowerphotography_ 8. Paris & Nick captured by @benandebony 9. Prue & Jacob captured by @allmywednesdays (Continued in comments)
Have you met @lillimarcs? If not, now’s the time Have you met @lillimarcs? If not, now’s the time!⁠ ⁠ Lillie and her team welcome everyone into their store for a magical experience, where you can select one of their existing gowns to try on – or even look at creating the wedding outfit of your dreams.⁠ ⁠ Her best wedding tip? Let your dream wedding dress find you! ⁠ ⁠ To learn more about Lilli Marcs (and see more of her gorgeous work), head over to the Polka Dot Directory – link in bio!⁠ ⁠ psst! Are you a wedding vendor? Do you need more eyes on your business? Sign up for a Polka Dot Membership! Link in bio for all the deets.⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @dejanacubrilovicphotography / Gown: @lillimarcs⁠ ⁠ [Image one description: This bride and groom walk among tall cacti in a desert-like garden. The couple can be seen from behind, with the bride wearing a sleek, halter-neck satin gown with a low back and holding a bouquet of white flowers. The groom holds her hand as they walk, dressed in a light grey suit.⁠ ⁠ Image two description: Taken as the couple sits on a wooden park bench, surrounded by red foliage. The groom leans forward to press a gentle kiss to his bride's cheek.]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WeddingVendors #WeddingDirectory #WeddingWebsite #WeddingInspo #WeddingInspiration #WeddingBlogger #GownDesigner #WeddingDesigner #WeddingCouture
“Everyone says that your wedding day goes so qui “Everyone says that your wedding day goes so quickly, and unfortunately, it’s completely true. My advice would be not to stress over the little things and just be present.” – @sophiebult & @robpetkov ⁠ ⁠ A wedding soaked in soft light, warm tones, and the kind of effortless elegance that feels almost unreal.⁠ ⁠ Sophie and Robert's dreamy wedding featured blush florals, glowing gardens, and a celebration wrapped in heartfelt warmth – this day is what dreamy romance looks like.⁠ ⁠ Find their breathtaking celebration now over on Polka Dot Featured.⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @Mergephotography / Bride's Dress: @rachelrosebridal / Venue: @ambroseestate / Cinematographer: @chapmanfilms / Flowers: @signaturefloraldesign / Makeup Artist: @jacquibradfieldmakeup / Hairstylist: @theprettyparlour⁠ ⁠ [Image one description: This bride and groom stand together outdoors in a sunlit garden. The bride wears a strapless, full-skirted gown with a soft blush tone and an oversized bow detail at the back. She leans her head gently on the groom’s shoulder, smiling softly. The groom wears a classic black tuxedo with a bow tie and a boutonnière pinned to his lapel.⁠ ⁠ Image two description: A black and white shot of the couple in an outdoor hallway. The groom has his hands in his pockets as he stares lovingly at the bride, who is facing away from the camera as she walks around him with one arm looped around his.⁠ ⁠ Image three description: A small, cream, fluffy dog looks directly at the camera with a curious expression. She wears a white ribbon harness with a small decorative attachment around its neck. Part of a wedding bouquet filled with pink and white flowers is visible beside the dog.]⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #DreamyWedding #RomanticWedding #BlushWedding #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WeddingStory #WeddingStories #WeddingMemories #WeddingInspiration #WeddingInspo #RealWedding
Autumn had never looked so bright! With bold pin Autumn had never looked so bright! With bold pink florals, cocktail-hour style, and a dance floor powered by tambourines, Britt and Michael’s celebration proves that colour is always in season.⁠ ⁠ See the full feature on Polka Dot Featured now.⁠ ⁠ Photographer: @abouttimeco / Flowers: @garden.graffiti / Makeup Artist: @ericacoffeymua / Bride’s Dress: @whitelilycouture / Band: @birdmanrandy / Styling: @thelussh / Venue: @thevitanova_ / Accessories: @thetambourineco / Catering: @purecatering_bne⁠ ⁠ [Video description: shots from Britt & MIchael’s wedding flash across the screen as Maroon 5’s “Sugar” plays in the background.] ⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings
Joy and heartbreak don’t cancel each other out; Joy and heartbreak don’t cancel each other out; instead, they sit side by side.⁠ ⁠ Weddings aren’t always tidy, all-smiles moments. Sometimes they’re the place where families gather around the hard stuff, where love stretches wide enough to hold the ache.⁠ ⁠ In this follow-up to Annie and Bobby’s story on Polka Dot You, Annie shares more about navigating wedding planning while Bobby’s dad, Stu, was unwell, and how their family found clarity, connection and softness through it all.⁠ ⁠ It’s tender, honest, and a reminder of what truly matters.⁠ ⁠ Read part two now on Polka Dot You!⁠ ⁠ [Image description: ⁠on a red background, a quote reads "Wedding planning is emotional under normal circumstances. Planning while watching a parent face terminal illness requires a different kind of emotional management altogether."]⁠ ⁠ #PolkaDotWedding #FeelGoodWeddings #AustralianWeddings #AustralianWedding #WeddingStory #WeddingStories #WeddingWisdom #TerminalIllness #PlanningAWedding #WeddingPlanning #WeddingGrief #WeddingMemories #WeddingInspiration #WeddingInspo #RealWedding

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