Aerial view of Chapel Ridge in the Lower Hunter Valley, the sandstone chapel, pavilion, hedge maze and ponds set among green paddocks and wooded hills

Chapel Ridge Wedding Photographer

Wedding photography and film at Chapel Ridge, a sandstone chapel on a ridge in the Lower Hunter Valley.

A country wedding, quietly elegant

We are La Este Film, a husband-and-wife photography and film studio led by Courtney and Hamish Lawrence, telling wedding stories with an editorial eye since 2013. Chapel Ridge is the kind of place where the whole day can unfold in one setting, from vows beneath the chapel’s crystal window to long tables under the greenery and an evening lit across the grounds. We document it the way it feels, honest and romantic, so that every image becomes an heirloom.

Chapel Ridge, Lower Hunter Valley

Chapel Ridge is a family-owned, purpose-built wedding venue nestled within 200 private acres in the Lower Hunter Valley, just over an hour north of Sydney. It hosts only one wedding at a time, so the grounds are yours alone for the day.

Surrounded by native eucalyptus, its sandstone chapel sits high on a ridge, with panoramic views through an iconic 17-metre crystal window.

Inside the Chapel Ridge chapel, rows of chairs facing the 17-metre crystal window and the countryside beyond

Long white reception table beneath a canopy of climbing greenery on the terrace at Chapel Ridge, an arched timber door behind

Gemma & Mitchell at Chapel Ridge

Some weddings remind us why we’ll keep doing this for as long as we can, and Gemma and Mitchell’s spring day at Chapel Ridge was one of them. Their excitement, their nerves and their pure joy filled the whole celebration, with a warmth that came from their families. They said their vows in the chapel, with celebrant Craig Moran officiating and the Hunter Valley Harpist adding a soft, elegant note, and a sausage was buried to bring out the sun. It worked. Gemma wore Jane Hill Bridal and Mitchell wore Tarocash, and we worked our romantic style into every frame, in both photo and film, as the spring light moved across the grounds. Then came pizza, tiramisu and a White Chicks dance-off nobody at Chapel Ridge will forget.

Photography & film: La Este Film · Venue: Chapel Ridge · Celebrant: Craig Moran · Harpist: Hunter Valley Harpist · Florals: White Lane Events · Dress: Jane Hill Bridal · Hair: Hair by Hatem · Makeup: Chanae Loren Makeup · Menswear: Tarocash · Catering: Eden Catering and Events · Cake: Sweet Bakes Sydney · Acoustic: Tyler Chapman Functions · DJ: DJ D’Angelo Sydney · Hire: Prestige Party Hire

Gemma walking down the aisle through the arched timber doors of the Chapel Ridge chapel

Gemma smiling in her strapless gown and veil, resting her chin on her hands on the lawns of Chapel Ridge

Gemma and Mitchell exchanging vows before the crystal window of the Chapel Ridge chapel, framed by white florals

Reception tables beneath a crystal chandelier at Chapel Ridge, with white florals and a sandstone fireplace

Isabella & Christopher: timeless and quietly elegant

Isabella and Christopher’s love was celebrated in a timeless, quietly elegant, romantic and modern way. They honoured culture with a tea ceremony before exchanging vows, and the celebration began with warm bowls of fresh pasta and cocktails. The sun warmed the guests (including a furry guest, Isla), Natalie Clare painted live portraits of the guests and there was captivating entertainment, all against the sandstone chapel, the manicured greenery and the panoramic views of Chapel Ridge. We love authentic love stories we can weave our signature style into, creating heirlooms to cherish forever.

Photography & film: La Este Film · Venue: Chapel Ridge (@chapel_ridge) · Celebrant: Persempre Ceremonies (@persempre.ceremonies) · Florals: Flower Baby Sydney (@flowerbabysydney) · Dress: Lee Petra Grebenau (@leegrebenau) · Hair: Hair by Hatem (@hairbyhatem) · Makeup: Hannah Senam Makeup (@hannahsenam.makeup) · Catering: Fennel & Co (@fennelandco.catering) · Cake: With Love and Sugar (@with.love.and.sugar) · Harpist: Rebekah Harp (@rebekah.harp) · Live guest portraits: Natalie Clare Art (@natalieclare_art) · Entertainment: Reigan (@reigan) and Mark Turner Music (@markturnermusic)

Isabella smiling with a bouquet of white blooms, seated in the doorway of a white vintage wedding car at Chapel Ridge

Isabella and Christopher side by side beside the sandstone chapel at Chapel Ridge, her long veil lifting in the breeze

Planning your Chapel Ridge wedding

Light and season

Spring light at Chapel Ridge is soft and generous across the grounds, and the chapel sits high on the ridge with open views. We plan portraits around the late afternoon, and the grounds are lit beautifully after dusk for evening portraits.

Getting ready on site

The Farm House sits a short stroll from the venue, so the morning, the ceremony and the celebration can all happen in one place, with no travel between them and more time for the moments that matter.

Multi-day coverage

Our multi-day coverage includes welcome events, the wedding day and recovery days, so the whole weekend in the Hunter Valley becomes one story.

35mm film

Every standard package includes two rolls of 35mm film. Discover our 35mm film wedding photography.

We photograph and film weddings across Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe (Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France, Germany and Sweden), and anywhere in the world.

Read Gemma & Mitchell’s full story at Chapel Ridge. More Australian venues: Yering Station, Maleny Manor and Lindenderry at Red Hill. Or explore our full wedding portfolio.

Planning a wedding at Chapel Ridge?

Tell us about your celebration, and we’ll be in touch.

Enquire about your date