If you’re planning a wedding at Coombe Yarra Valley, you probably already know the vibe: manicured gardens, European structure, and a venue that feels considered from the first step through the gates.

This is the kind of place where the room matters. The guest experience matters. The pace matters. And your photos should reflect that. Calm, editorial, emotionally honest… and never “pretty but generic”.

Coombe sits in Coldstream in the Yarra Valley, on an estate known for its historic gardens and story, once home to Dame Nellie Melba.

Coombe is one of those venues that photographs so well naturally, but it still needs a certain approach to achieve that editorial look. Coombe is naturally photogenic with its hedged lines, texture, towering trees, a reception space with big windows and clean architecture, but my honest truth, especially after photographing over 800+ weddings in my career so far is this. A beautiful venue doesn’t automatically guarantee a strong gallery.

What makes Coombe shine in photos is how the day is led:

• portraits done efficiently (so you can host, not model)
• a timeline that protects light + breathing room
• calm direction that doesn’t turn your wedding into a production

Coombe’s reception space is also light-filled with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking gardens, and is set up to host larger celebrations (up to around 150 guests depending on configuration).

Let’s not forget the ceremony locations either. You are spoilt for choice with two outdoor options, The Italian Garden and The Oak Tree. The Italian Garden is a secluded, European-style garden framed by sculpted hedges and pencil pines. A photographers dream when it comes to clean lines, symmetry, and a runway-style aisle that reads editorial without trying too hard. The space already has strong structure that I adore photographing in. The Oak Tree is a full statement moment. Open-air, grounded, and naturally romantic with dappled light. The venue notes it as over 180 years old. Most photographers would shudder at dappled light, but this light is gorgeous… if you know how to handle it. This is where an experienced photographer makes the difference.

Coombe’s main dining room is designed for dinner and dancing in the one space, with a dedicated indoor dance floor and big window lines that keep the room feeling open. If you care about atmosphere (and I know you do), consider:

• Candlelight + layered tablescapes (Coombe’s tones suit warm styling beautifully)
• A strong run-sheet so speeches don’t drag into dancing
• Lighting that supports the mood without turning the room into a nightclub

If you’re getting married at Coombe, you’re not looking for someone to simply “take photos”, you’re looking for someone who can lead discreetly (no chaos, no ego), create non-generic imagery with a clear point of view, and deliver a gallery that feels like your standard, not a highlight reel of trends.

If you’re planning a Coombe wedding and you want photography that feels refined, calm, and unmistakably you, I’d love to hear what you’re creating.