Sheridan & Bruce — A Barefoot Beach Wedding at Gnarabup, Margaret River

I've photographed a lot of weddings across the South West. Every now and then one comes along that has absolutely everything — and Sheridan and Bruce's day at Gnarabup Beach was one of them. Stormy skies, golden light, a champagne tower, and a rain shot I'd had prepped all night just waiting for the right moment. Here's the full story and the images.

Sheridan and Bruce's wedding was one of those days I'll be talking about for a long time. They came to me with a clear brief — specific images, a real vision for what would eventually hang on the walls of their home — and we even did a site visit together at Gnarabup to walk the light, plan the timeline, and make sure nothing was left to chance. That kind of preparation is my idea of a good time.

Bruce got ready at their beautiful new country property on McCormack Road which by pure coincidence is their surname! He was relaxed, completely in his element, and exactly what you want from a groom on a wedding morning. There's something really lovely about a groom getting ready somewhere that already means something to him, and it showed in every frame. His getting ready shots featured the wide open spaces of the property, his boys around him, and of course his beloved Mustang. The perfect start to the day.

Meanwhile Sheridan was at Injidup Spa Retreat in Yallingup with her mum and girls — one of my absolute favourite getting ready locations in the entire South West. If you're planning a wedding down south and looking for somewhere stunning to get ready, Injidup is hard to beat. The light is incredible, the spaces are generous, and there is a plunge pool that was made for a champagne toast.

Sheridan wore a stunning gown from Luv Bridal and had personalised everything — engraved perfume bottles, a customised champagne bottle, bespoke mirrors. The detail was next level. Hair by Tegan at Styling Hair Designs and makeup by Emily Love Makeup — both absolutely flawless.

Before leaving for the ceremony Sheridan shared a first look with her grandfather, who she is very close to. I'm not going to lie — there were tears, mine included. One of the most beautiful moments I've ever photographed at a South West wedding.

A vintage blue Mustang from Mr Mustang Hire then collected her, her mum, and her grandfather for the drive to Gnarabup Beach.

The ceremony was held at Gnarabup Beach in front of The White Elephant Cafe in Prevelly — one of the most iconic beach wedding locations in the Margaret River region. Planned beautifully by Kirby at Barefoot Beach Weddings, with stunning florals by Chari at Addy & Co. If you're looking for a wedding planner in the South West or Margaret River area, Barefoot Beach Weddings is one of the best in the business.

Celebrant Donna from Confetti Days, alongside a family friend, managed to be deeply personal, genuinely meaningful, and absolutely hilarious all at once. Bruce was already at the end of the aisle looking like the happiest man alive.

They walked back up the aisle through a shower of rose petals and completely nailed the dip kiss they had been practising. I won't say how many times we discussed that dip kiss but it paid off.

The sky had been threatening a storm all afternoon and honestly it delivered in the best possible way — dramatic clouds, golden light breaking through in bursts, the clifftops of Gnarabup looking absolutely wild and cinematic. This is the South West at its most beautiful and exactly why so many couples choose this stretch of coastline between Dunsborough, Yallingup, Prevelly and Margaret River for their wedding day.

Brett from Different Suns was alongside me capturing it all on video. We also had the Mustang positioned in a very specific car park I had scoped weeks in advance — that level of pre-planning is completely normal to me and absolutely worth it every single time.

After portraits I always leave couples alone for a little while — because the day isn't just about photos. It's about actually being married and taking a breath together.

The reception started with cold sparks on the dance floor, straight into their first dance, and the party never really stopped after that. Tom from Envy Event Group on saxophone and DJ had absolutely everyone on the floor all night. The champagne tower brought the house down — it always does.

And then the rain started.

I had been watching the sky all evening hoping for it. Rain shots — a couple under an umbrella, lit by the shimmer of rain — are one of my favourite things to create at a South West beach wedding and one of the hardest because you simply cannot plan for them. The second it came down I grabbed Sheridan and Bruce for a few minutes and got the shot. It's one of my favourite images I've ever taken.

They finished the night with a sparkler exit — chaotic, joyful, and absolutely worth coordinating a crowd of very merry guests holding sticks of fire.