"Orchard estate wedding" as an email title in my inbox felt a little bit like I was striking gold before I even opened the email. As someone who had recently moved up to Queensland, I'd been so used to shooting a lot of the same venues on the outskirts of Sydney's nearby rural wedding venues and Byron Bay wedding venues like the Orchard Estate. just felt like this thing that only Byron Bay wedding photographers were allowed into. It was like there was some mystical force field around this gorgeous little plot of land and you had to be on this special inner circle list to photograph somewhere like the Orchard Estate.

But this was my lucky moment to stand at the end of the rainbow and find out what was in that pot of proverbial gold. And boy was I NOT disappointed. Honestly even if this wedding wasn't at a gorgeous Byron Bay wedding venue, it would have rocked just because Jess and Rich are absolutely excellent humans and I was so stoked to be there for them alone. I would have happily photographed their wedding in the loading dock of a KFC if I had to and I'm sure it still would have absolutely rocked.

Jess & Rich chose the Orchard Estate for their wedding and this wedding venue is an absolute banger. The orchard in question is a Macadamia orchard which makes for wonderful photos and the vista overlooking the Byron hinterland is stunning.

Prep locations

While the boys were able to use the gorgeous on-site cottage at the Orchard estate, Jess & her girls got ready at one of the tastiest farmhouses I've seen in a long long time. Temple farmhouse is a photographers dream for taking getting ready photographs and genuinely just hanging with your crew pre-wedding.

The Orchard Estate Wedding Vendors on the day

Planning & Coordination: Creative Weddings Byron Bay

Beauty: Alex Ouston

Celebrant: A.M. celebrant

Catering: Figtree Restaurant

Hire: The Wedding Shed

Flowers: The French Petal

Music: Magnus Murphy

Lighting & Audio: Byron Audio

Transport: Magic Bus Byron Bay

A little bit of information on The Orchard estate and having your wedding there.

The Venue sits on a 100 acre macadamia farm. With beautiful views overlooking the nightcap mountain range. One unique feature is the purpose build barn, which provides an industrial, modern-ish rustic feel. It's got a commercial kitchen and great toilet facilities. This means you're not having to have the inconvenience of your caterers setting up inside some sort of tent thats clearly visible to your guests and a bunch of portable toilets hidden behind a tree somewhere.

In terms of photo options, which is my favourite part you've got a really nice variety between the macadamia orchard which is fantastic to use when it's bright and sunny and there's huge trees to give shade and lovely leading lines between the trees for the sunset to burst through. You also have the option to take photos on the edge of the hill with the sunset bursting across the horizon, both of these options are within easy walking distance from the barn and make it so easy to get your photos done quickly without walking far or needing to drive anywhere. There is definitely no need to go offsite for your wedding photos.