Xanthe + Rob’s Bendooley Estate Wedding

Xanthe and Rob’s wedding at Bendooley Estate was a relaxed Southern Highlands celebration, surrounded by family, friends and plenty of room to breathe.

They got ready separately. Rob spent the morning with his groomspeople at Bendooley Estate, while Xanthe got ready with family and friends at a nearby Airbnb.

The sun was out for the preparations and stayed around for the ceremony. 

A Southern Highlands Wedding at Bendooley Estate

Bendooley Estate sits across 200 acres in the heart of the Southern Highlands. The property has more than two centuries of history, with a Georgian homestead, established gardens and rows of European trees giving the estate much of its character. 

Then there’s the Book Barn, one of Bendooley’s defining features. The Berkelouw family brought their love of books to the property, turning the original barn into a destination filled with books, dining and country charm.

It’s easy to see why Bendooley has become such a well-known Southern Highlands wedding venue. There are sprawling lawns, old trees, gardens, the heritage homestead, the lake and plenty of quiet corners to explore.

The Book Barn brings something completely different. Inside, timber beams, bookshelves and a huge stone fireplace give the space plenty of warmth and character. It feels polished, but it still feels connected to the countryside.

For Xanthe and Rob, the ceremony took place on the lawn across from the homestead. The sun was shining, the weather was warm and everyone settled in for the afternoon.

And then came Rutherford.

Gardens, Lake Views and One Very Popular Pup

Straight after the ceremony, Rutherford made his entrance and promptly stole the spotlight from the newlyweds.

To be fair, he had four legs and absolutely no interest in sharing the attention.

After the ceremony, we spent some time with the wedding party before exploring the grounds with Xanthe and Rob. By then, the sunshine had given way to overcast skies, creating softer light for their portraits.

The grounds around Bendooley gave us plenty to work with, giving the photographs a different feel. One spot felt quiet and tucked away. Another opened out across the estate. The homestead brought all that old-world character, while the lake gave us something more open and peaceful.

That variety is one of the things that makes Bendooley such an interesting place to photograph. You don’t have to go far to find a completely different backdrop.

Later, everyone headed into The Book Barn at Bendooley Estate for the reception. With its timber beams, rows of books and huge stone fireplace, it has a character that feels very much at home at Bendooley. 

It was a pretty great way to spend a wedding day. Good people, a beautiful corner of the Southern Highlands, plenty of room to explore, and one very good dog. Oh…and there was a sparkler exit.

If you’re planning a celebration in the region, you can also explore more of our work as Southern Highlands wedding photographers.

Vendor Credits:

Venue:  Bendooley Estate
Fab Celebrant:  Jo Booth Celebrant
Florist:  Emma Blake Floral
Hair and makeup:  Ethix Makeup Beauty & Styling  
Dress:  Essence of ASW
Suit:  Peter Jackson AU