Werribee Mansion Wedding Photography & Film
A grand estate, half an hour from the city
Few places near Melbourne carry the quiet grandeur of Werribee Mansion. Sandstone, bluestone and a sweeping staircase inside; manicured gardens and old trees outside. It feels European, and it suits couples who want a wedding that looks timeless. We are La Este Film, a Melbourne-based luxury photography and film studio led by Hamish Lawrence, filmmaker and founder, and Courtney Lawrence, photographer and creative director. We've photographed and filmed weddings at Werribee Mansion in both stills and motion, with an editorial eye and a deep respect for the moments that happen on their own. All three of our Werribee Mansion weddings below were featured in British Vogue.
The venue
The mansion was built in 1877 by brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside. It is now heritage listed and sits at the heart of Werribee Park. Around it lie ten hectares of manicured formal gardens, where exotic species grow alongside Australian natives, with a grotto and an ornamental lake. The farmyard's bluestone outbuildings, once the working heart of the estate, contrast with the mansion's elaborate craftsmanship.
Beyond the formal gardens, past a Heritage Border of rare and historic roses from around the world, is the Victoria State Rose Garden. Its 5,000 roses bloom from October to late July, are at their best from November to April, and reach their first spring peak in November.
Next door, the Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park offers luxurious guest rooms, a day spa and Joseph's Dining. Couples can get ready, celebrate and stay without leaving the estate.
Photographing Werribee Mansion
For us, the estate is a place of endless frames:
The grand staircase. A red runner, a carved balustrade, bronze lamp figures and an arched window. It works beautifully in colour and in black and white.
The upper landing. Looking down over the iron railing gives a wide, symmetrical view of the hall.
The sandstone facade, loggia and arches. Italianate stonework and repeating arches give portraits a European feel and offer deep shade for walking shots.
The tiled terrace. Patterned tiles and a stone balustrade, with tall trees behind.
The trees of Werribee Park. A ceremony beneath the mature canopy, with the mansion framed behind you.
The Refectory courtyard. Bluestone walls that keep their character by candlelight.
We recommend about ninety minutes for portraits, including family photographs. If you'd love the staircase, confirm interior access with the venue as you plan your timeline.
Our approach to photography and film
We move quietly, direct gently and with intention, and let real moments breathe. Hamish films with a cinematic, story-led sensibility. Courtney photographs with an editorial eye for light, form and feeling. Together, the stills and the film tell one cohesive story.
Every standard package includes two rolls of 35mm film, shot alongside our digital work. It adds a tactile, timeless layer to your day that only film can give.
We photograph and film multi-day celebrations, including welcome events, the wedding day and recovery days. We work at Werribee Mansion, throughout Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe (Italy, Greece, Switzerland, France, Germany and Sweden), and anywhere in the world.
Featured weddings at Werribee Mansion
Georgia & George
A trip to Paris, and an afternoon in the clipped green formality of the Jardin du Luxembourg, shaped Georgia and George's spring wedding. They married among the trees of Werribee Park with the mansion rising behind them. Their cocker spaniel Oscar carried the rings. Portraits followed on the 1870s staircase and the sandstone facade. Then came a champagne tower, a five-tier baroque buttercream cake Georgia made herself, and a traditional zaffe with Lebanese drummers. When evening rain arrived, the celebration simply moved beneath a marquee in the Refectory courtyard.
As featured in British Vogue.
View Georgia & George's wedding →
Ellie & Matthew
Ellie and Matthew chose a classic black-tie palette for their summer wedding: a white dinner jacket for Matthew, a sleek gown and long veil for Ellie, and bridesmaids in deep chocolate brown. They married on the lawn among bentwood chairs and hand-lettered fans. Portraits followed on the staircase, loggia and terrace, and dinner was served beneath a fairy-lit, clear-roofed marquee against old bluestone walls.
As featured in British Vogue.
View Ellie & Matthew's wedding →
Jess & Justin
Jess and Justin's autumn wedding moved from a bright, minimal home in the morning to the grand Victorian setting of Werribee Mansion. Justin wore a white dinner jacket, and Jess a strapless floral-textured gown and long veil, carrying a bouquet in soft blue, lilac and blush. They married on the lawn before dense green foliage and tall white flowers, with bridesmaids in pale blue, then signed at a simple white table and stepped out to explore the house and grounds.
As featured in British Vogue.
View Jess & Justin's wedding →
Getting there from Melbourne
Werribee Park is about 35 kilometres west of Melbourne's city centre, a short 30-minute drive over the West Gate Bridge or via the Geelong Road. Take the Werribee / Werribee South exit (Exit 19, C108) to K Road, and enter via Gate 2 onto Main Drive. Guests without a car can take the Werribee line train from the CBD to Werribee station, then bus 439 to Werribee Park. From Geelong, it's around 40 minutes along the M1.
Frequently asked questions
Have you photographed weddings at Werribee Mansion?
Yes. You can see Georgia & George's spring wedding, Ellie & Matthew's summer wedding and Jess & Justin's autumn wedding at the estate in our portfolio. All three were featured in British Vogue.
Do you offer both photography and film?
Yes. Hamish leads film and Courtney leads photography, so your stills and film are crafted together in one signature style.
Is 35mm film included?
Every standard package includes two rolls of 35mm film, shot alongside our digital work.
When are the roses in bloom?
The Victoria State Rose Garden blooms from October to late July, at its finest from November to April.
Can you cover a full wedding weekend?
Yes. We photograph and film multi-day celebrations, including welcome events, the wedding day and recovery days.
Begin your story
We accept a considered number of weddings each year. If you're planning a celebration at Werribee Mansion, we'd love to hear about it.