Newcastle Wedding Photographer

Relaxed, candid weddings from the city to the coast

I'm Thierry Boudan, a wedding photographer based in Kotara, right here in Newcastle. In 20+ years and 1,500+ weddings I've photographed couples everywhere from the steps of Newcastle Town Hall to the sand at Redhead, and I still love how much this city packs into a single wedding day: heritage buildings, harbour views, surf beaches and the calm of Lake Macquarie, all within a short drive.

My style is documentary and relaxed. I'm there for the real moments, the nervous laugh before the ceremony and your grandparents on the dance floor, with a little gentle direction when it helps and never stiff, rigid posing. You'll get photos that look like your day felt.

Newcastle wedding venues I photograph

Newcastle Town Hall. Grand civic architecture, with sandstone steps and pillars out the front that make a classic backdrop for arrivals and portraits. See the Newcastle Town Hall wedding guide, plus two real Town Hall weddings: a classic city wedding and a gold-gown wedding with a vintage car.

Fort Scratchley. A historic fort above the harbour entrance, with big skies over the water. See a Fort Scratchley wedding.

Merewether Surfhouse. Ocean views from the venue, with nearby lookouts and the beach for portraits. See a Merewether Surfhouse wedding.

Stanley Park, Fullerton Cove. Waterfront grounds, a grand fig tree for the ceremony and a rustic barn for the reception. Read the Stanley Park venue guide and my Stanley Park blog post.

In the city. Heritage streets, the harbour foreshore and the coast close by for sunset portraits. See a relaxed Newcastle city wedding.

Clifftop wedding ceremony under a timber arbour with the ocean and headland behind
Bride and groom on an ocean-baths walkway with surf breaking behind them
Bride and groom laughing in the sand dunes with the ocean behind
Couple embracing on a jetty with moored yachts under fiery sunset clouds, Lake Macquarie
Bride and groom in a rowboat on glassy water under a blazing Lake Macquarie sunset
First kiss beside a native floral arbour by the lake at a Newcastle wedding
Bride walking down timber steps through coastal greenery to her clifftop ceremony
Bride and groom on a harbour wharf under a big blue sky
Couple and flying veil beneath a stormy dusk sky by the water
First kiss against a deep blue sky at a clifftop ceremony
Groom reading his vows with the blue ocean behind him
Wedding vows under a white floral arch by waterfront windows, Lake Macquarie
Groom’s emotional reaction as he waits at the altar at a Newcastle wedding
Bride reclining on a timber boardwalk with her bouquet at a Newcastle wedding
Overhead view of newlyweds laughing in a little blue dinghy on Lake Macquarie
Black-and-white portrait of a couple beneath a huge industrial wharf shed
Vintage VW Kombi wedding car parked in the bush at a Newcastle wedding
Couple on a jetty beneath a dramatic golden sunset sky on Lake Macquarie
Bride and groom embracing on the beach as the waves roll in
Bride laughing on her father’s arm with a bold native bouquet at a Newcastle wedding
Bride and groom in front of a heritage garden rotunda in Newcastle
Lone tree silhouetted against a golden sky with the couple tiny beneath, Lake Macquarie
Couple laughing as they sit against a vintage VW Kombi at a Newcastle wedding
Father and daughter dance at a Lake Macquarie wedding reception
Black-and-white city-street portrait of a couple smiling at each other
Bride and groom in front of a large, colourful street-art mural

Lake Macquarie and the coast

If you'd rather be near the water, Lake Macquarie and the beaches south of the city are some of my favourite places to work.

Favourite Newcastle photo spots

Newcastle makes portraits easy because there's so much variety close together. Depending on your venue and timeline, we might head to the harbour foreshore, the heritage streets of the East End, Nobbys and the breakwall, or the coastal rocks and beaches for golden hour. I'll suggest a plan that suits your day, keeping travel short so you're back with your guests quickly.

How a Newcastle wedding day flows

City and coastal weddings often have more moving parts than a single-venue day: a ceremony at one spot, portraits at another, a reception somewhere else. I'll help you plan the timing so travel between locations stays short and relaxed, and so we reach the water or the harbour when the light is at its best. On the day I keep things calm and unhurried, quietly gathering the family photos you need and then stepping back so you can enjoy your guests.

Newcastle wedding FAQs

Do you travel for Newcastle weddings?

I'm based in Kotara, so Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the nearby coast are home ground. Most venues are a short drive away. I also photograph weddings across the Hunter Valley and Port Stephens.

When is the best light for beach photos?

The last hour before sunset is usually the softest and most flattering, and it's quieter on the sand. On the coast the wind can pick up in the afternoon, so we plan portraits around it and keep veils and hair in mind.

What if it rains?

Newcastle has plenty of covered and indoor options: venue verandahs, heritage interiors and covered walkways. I always scout a wet-weather plan with you before the day, and some of my favourite photos have come from a quick dash out between showers.

What's included, and how do we book?

You'll find what's included on my wedding packages page. When you're ready, send me your date and venue and I'll let you know if I'm available.

Planning a vineyard wedding instead? See my Hunter Valley wedding photographer page.

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