Fort Scratchley - Bronwyn & Jake Wedding

Bronwen & Jake’s Fort Scratchley and Merewether Surfhouse Wedding

Bronwen and Jake’s wedding had such a good feel to it from the start. It had all the right parts — a great couple, a beautiful Newcastle backdrop, plenty of energy, and a crowd that was ready to celebrate properly.

With the day beginning in separate locations, there was already a lot building before the ceremony even started. Bronwen was getting ready at The Hill, with everything coming together as the afternoon got closer, while Jake was in the city with his side of the day unfolding there. By the time everyone arrived at Fort Scratchley, there was a real sense that it was all coming together.

Their ceremony was one of the standout parts of the day. Fort Scratchley gave them that big Newcastle setting, but the focus stayed completely on Bronwen and Jake. With Eleanor leading the ceremony — and also being Bronwen’s sister — it felt personal straight away. That added something extra to the whole moment. It was not just a beautiful ceremony, it felt very much like their ceremony, surrounded by the people closest to them.

Once they were married, the energy lifted even more. Family and friends were straight into celebrating, and the afternoon kept moving with everyone still riding that just-married high. Bronwen and Jake were great together all day, and that really came through once we had a bit of space for photos. They were easy to photograph because they were so comfortable with each other, and the laughs, the smiles and the way they were together did all the work.

The move into the reception at Merewether Surfhouse gave the day a completely different feel in the best way. After the ceremony and portraits, the night opened up into a bigger celebration with the ocean right there and everyone ready to settle in for a fun reception. Bronwen and Jake made the most of that from the start. Rather than sitting back and letting the night come to them, they got straight into it and made sure the room felt involved early.

One of the most special parts of the night came thanks to Bronwen’s sister, who organised for their fur baby to come into the reception. That gave Bronwen and Jake such a personal moment in the middle of the celebration, and it also meant we could head back out for evening photos with their dog. It was one of those parts of the day that added something extra because it meant so much to them, and it made those evening images even more special.

One of the best parts of the reception was how much they included everyone. Getting around the room for photos with all the tables brought a lot of fun into the night and set the tone straight away. It made the reception feel full, lively and connected, which suited them perfectly. It was about making the most of having all their people there and enjoying every part of it.

As the night rolled on, there was a lot packed in without it ever losing its energy. Speeches, cake, dinner, a dress change, and then the bridal waltz gave the reception plenty of shape, but it still felt relaxed and easy. Heading back out for evening photos was another highlight and rounded the day out so well before the celebrations continued inside.

Bronwen and Jake’s wedding was fun to be part of because it felt personal the whole way through. They had a beautiful day, a great group around them, and so many moments that mattered to them both. That is what came through the whole way through — not just in the big moments, but in the smaller ones as well.

Bronwen and Jake’s wedding was a very good Newcastle celebration from start to finish. A strong ceremony, a fun reception, plenty of energy through the day, and a couple who made the whole thing easy to enjoy.