Kaitlyn & Chiron’s Bulong Estate Wedding
This wedding was extra special as it was the first wedding I’d photographed since 2019 (cheers COVID-19). After years of cancelled ceremonies and postponed celebrations, stepping back into the world of “I do’s” felt like catching up with an old mate – albeit one who’d forgotten how to tie a proper bow tie without YouTube’s help.
It’s always fascinating to discover how couples find their way to RXAphotography, and Kaitlyn and Chiron’s story was certainly unique. Picture this: 2011, a last-minute 21st birthday party booking, and me frantically trying to capture the chaos of twenty-somethings celebrating. Among the crowd was Kaitlyn, and apparently I managed to snap a photo that didn’t involve someone photobombing with a questionable dance move. Fast forward a decade, and that same woman trusted me with photographing her marrying the love of her life, the handsome Chiron.
True to form – because apparently I’m a magnet for beautifully spontaneous couples – this wedding also came with just three months’ notice, compared to my usual year-plus timeline. But honestly? Some of the best weddings happen when couples embrace the “let’s just get on with it” approach rather than getting lost in Pinterest perfectionism.
The day arrived with the weather forecast promising to keep us all on our toes. Rain was threatening, because of course it was – Mother Nature clearly has a wicked sense of humour when it comes to outdoor ceremonies.
The morning began with the boys getting dressed, and I documented the process with all its charming chaos. As is far more common than grooms would care to admit, YouTube became the unsung hero of the day when it came to conquering those tricky ties. There’s something beautifully human about grown men huddled around a phone screen, rewinding a tutorial for the third time while muttering about “rabbit ears” and “around the tree.”
Next stop: the bridal suite to capture the girls’ preparations. The spa facilities came in handy for those final relaxation moments, but the absolute highlight for me was discovering that Kaitlyn’s bouquet could literally stand up by itself. I may have gotten slightly too excited about this engineering marvel – there’s something deeply satisfying about a bouquet with structural integrity that’d make an architect proud.
With preparations sorted, we headed to Bulong Estate Winery, our stunning location for the remainder of the day. The venue’s rolling vineyards provided the perfect backdrop, even if the clouds were looking increasingly suss overhead.
Sure enough, the rain made its dramatic entrance during the ceremony – because what’s a wedding without a bit of meteorological drama? But being the absolute legends they are, Kaitlyn and Chiron simply shrugged it off with the kind of grace that reminds you why some couples are just meant to weather any storm together. They didn’t let a few drops spoil their moment; instead, they embraced it as part of their unique story.
After the ceremony, we ducked off for photos whilst guests got stuck into lawn games and refreshments. The intimate gathering size made everything feel more connected and genuine. By evening’s end, I genuinely felt like family – they even pulled me into the official family photos, which might be a first in my career!
It was such an honour documenting this beautiful celebration, and I’m grateful to Kaitlyn and Chiron for trusting me with their precious day.
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