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Stories by Joshua Mikhaiel

Ash and Amani’s winter wedding at Bendooley Estate

Southern Highlands

Ash and Amani’s winter wedding at Bendooley Estate had everything I love about a cold-weather celebration: beautiful light, a welcoming room and people delighted to be together.

They came prepared with gloves and coats, and the contrast between those warm layers and the bare trees made the photographs feel especially atmospheric.

Their outfits suited the setting beautifully, but it was the energy of their guests that made the day. The dance floor gave us a memorable finish to the celebration.

Leafless trees stand along a grassy riverbank beneath a bright sky, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A sign marks Bendooley Estate, Berkelouw Books and its restaurant and accommodation, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A wedding dress hangs between two wooden doors at the estate, shown in two views, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Framed botanical artwork hangs on the getting-ready room wall, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A makeup artist applies makeup to the smiling bride, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A winter landscape with bare trees stretches beyond the estate grounds, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride smiles while a friend styles her hair, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A pair of wedding rings rests on a dried flower beside fabric, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A tall tree stands beside the lake on the estate grounds, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Wedding shoes and a plate of food sit beside a person’s feet, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The groom puts on his shirt before the ceremony, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A friend adjusts the groom’s bow tie before the ceremony, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A chalkboard points guests toward the ceremony at Bendooley Estate, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Rows of chairs are set beneath a spreading tree for an outdoor ceremony. Photograph by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A bride stands in her robe near the open bedroom doorway, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and a bridesmaid stand together beside the bedroom window, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride smiles with a bridesmaid beside the fireplace, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The couple hold a plaid blanket between them outdoors on a chilly day, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride walks between her guests toward the ceremony, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride walks forward with her bouquet while her father joins her, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom stand with their wedding party beneath the trees, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A table arrangement features flowers, candles and a small framed photograph. Photograph by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Guests gather in the garden as the bride and groom prepare for a group photograph, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The groom stands with his friends and family after the ceremony, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The wedding party gathers beneath the trees for a group portrait, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride laughs with a guest while holding her bouquet, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The wedding party follows the bride across the lawn, shown in two views, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom walk together through the garden, shown in two views, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The couple kiss beneath the trees in the garden, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A bride and groom walk together beneath trees, carrying a bouquet. Photograph by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A bride and groom walk beside a reed-lined pond in autumn, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A man rows a couple across a calm lake in a small boat, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom paddle across the lake together in a small boat, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom row together in a small boat on the lake. Photograph by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A camera lens shows a framed view of the trees across the lake, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A couple sit together in a rowboat on the water, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Leafless trees stand beside a still river in an autumn landscape, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The timber facade of the estate’s bookshop and restaurant stands beneath the trees, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Books and a small floral arrangement sit on shelves in the library. Photograph by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A long table is set with flowers and tableware inside the book-filled reception room, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The timber ceiling and flower arrangements inside the reception room are shown in two views, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The newlyweds enter the reception hall together as guests gather around them, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The newlyweds enter the reception together as guests gather around them, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride raises her glass while guests cheer around her at the reception, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom dance together beneath the timber beams, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A fire burns outside during the winter reception, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom share a moment with guests beside the reception bar, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Guests dance together during the evening reception, shown in two moments, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The groom spins the bride around as she dances, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The groom lifts the bride during their dance as guests look on, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A fire burns brightly outside the reception hall, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
Guests dance and laugh together beneath the reception lights, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A man dances with a guest in a red dress as the reception continues, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
A guest stands with a microphone beside a seated woman during the reception, shown in two candid views, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom dance together surrounded by guests, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.
The bride and groom embrace in front of the reception guests, photographed by documentary wedding photographer Joshua Mikhaiel.

If you are considering a similar day, read my winter wedding planning guide or explore more Southern Highlands venues.

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Joshua Mikhaiel