Jess & Kyle | Chateau Elan Wedding in the Hunter Valley
Jess & Kyle | Chateau Elan Wedding in the Hunter Valley
Jess and Kyle were married at The Carriage House at Chateau Elan on Saturday, 30th November 2019 — a day that delivered just about every kind of weather the Hunter Valley can throw at you.
Overcast skies. Heavy rain. A thunderstorm. And then… the most beautiful light imaginable.
Getting Ready at Chateau Elan
When I arrived at Chateau Elan, hair and makeup were already well underway. The incredibly talented teams from Kimidoll Makeup Artistry and Hair by Brooke Broughton were doing their thing while Jess got ready with her family, keeping the mood calm and upbeat.
Outside, the weather was starting to turn. Rain rolled in and the clouds thickened — but if there’s one thing experience teaches you, it’s not to panic. I’d photographed weddings at Chateau Elan in far worse conditions, so it was all about reassurance and trusting the process.
Meanwhile, my second shooter for the day, Jaden Cavanagh (legend, excellent beard, very sharp camera skills), was over with Kyle and the groomsmen, covering prep while I stayed with the bride.
A Stormy Arrival & A Perfect Ceremony
Just moments before the ceremony, as Jess arrived at the chapel, the sky absolutely opened up. Heavy rain poured down without warning.
Credit where it’s due — the Chateau Elan team were incredible. They had everything covered (literally), running Jess and her bridesmaids from the car to the chapel under cover, keeping dresses dry and spirits high.
Jess and Kyle were married by Sophie from C’est la Sophie, and if you’ve ever worked with her, you’ll know how effortlessly she brings warmth and energy to a ceremony.
Almost right on cue, as the ceremony came to an end, the rain stopped. Sunlight poured through the chapel windows just as Jess and Kyle shared their first kiss as Mr & Mrs Jenkins.
The ceremony was short, sweet and full of emotion — followed by an epic petal-throwing tunnel exit that looked absolutely unreal.
Family Photos & Exploring Chateau Elan
After family photos, we jumped into the golf carts and headed off for portraits.
Our first stop was a tucked-away spot within Chateau Elan that feels more like a forest than a vineyard — a beautiful contrast to the rest of the Hunter Valley and a favourite location for something a little moodier.
From there, we made our way toward Bimbadgen, spending most of our portrait time in the vineyards. Rolling vines in the foreground, mountains in the distance and dramatic post-storm skies overhead — the payoff for sticking it out through the weather was huge.
And yes… the JBL Boombox was blasting the whole time. No shame. Good tunes make everything better.
Reception Vibes & A Packed Dance Floor
The reception kicked off around 6pm in the Barrington Room, where guests settled in quickly and the atmosphere lifted immediately.
Kazzie Music had the dance floor pumping well into the night, and the bridal party set the tone early — high energy, lots of laughs and absolutely no hesitation when it came to celebrating.
It was the kind of wedding where everyone was all in.
A Note from Jess & Kyle
A few days later, I received this message from Jess & Kyle — and it sums the day up perfectly:
“OMG the photos are absolutely beautiful!! We are stoked!!
I want to say the biggest thank you to you for so many reasons! You managed to make me feel so calm and at ease when things weren’t exactly going to plan — veil and that ridiculous thunderstorm.
But the aftermath of the thunderstorm delivered such a beautiful backdrop for us and you were the best photographer! It was so relaxed and fun! We actually had a ball! We cannot thank you enough!! We are still on cloud 9!!”
Final Thoughts
Jess & Kyle’s Chateau Elan wedding is a perfect reminder that unpredictable weather doesn’t ruin a wedding day — often, it makes it better.
When couples stay relaxed, trust the process and lean into the moment, the result is something far more memorable than perfect blue skies ever could be.
If you’re planning a Hunter Valley wedding and want photography that keeps things calm, flexible and genuinely fun, you’ll find all the details on my wedding photography pricing & packages page.
Vendors
Celebrant: C’est la Sophie
Venue: Chateau Elan
Hair: Brooke Broughton
Makeup: Kimidoll Makeup Artistry
Music: Kazzie Music
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“OMG the photos are absolutely beautiful!! We are stoked!!
I want to say the biggest thank you to you for so many reasons! You managed to make me feel so calm yesterday and at ease when things weren’t exactly going to plan - veil and that ridiculous thunderstorm.
But the aftermath of the thunderstorm delivered such a beautiful backdrop for us and you were the best photographer! It was so relaxed and fun! We actually had a ball! We cannot thank you enough!! We are still on cloud 9!!”
- Jess & Kyle
