Tuesday 19 August 2025
When you imagine your wedding photos, chances are you’re picturing soft, glowing light, candid moments under the trees, and golden-hour portraits you’ll frame forever. What you might not realise is that the quality of your photos often comes down to one thing – light. And at a venue like Growwild, knowing how to make the most of natural light can elevate your photos from lovely to unforgettable.
In this blog, we’ll walk through why natural light matters, how Growwild lends itself beautifully to it, and a few tips for working with your photographer to take full advantage of the light on your day.
Why Natural Light Makes All the Difference
Natural light gives wedding photos their warmth, depth, and authenticity. It brings out true skin tones, softens shadows, and creates that romantic glow couples love. While great photographers can work in any condition, most will tell you they plan their entire schedule around the sun.
Good light can turn an ordinary photo into something magical. It adds a sense of softness and intimacy that’s difficult to replicate with artificial lighting. At a property like Growwild, which is surrounded by open skies, blooming gardens, and dappled bushland, the natural light becomes a key feature of the entire experience.
The Best Light at Growwild, and When It Happens
Growwild’s unique mix of ceremony gardens, open fields, and indoor-outdoor reception spaces gives couples a lot to work with. Here’s how to think about light across different parts of the day:
Golden Hour:
Roughly an hour before sunset, golden hour is prime time for portraits. At Growwild, the bushland backdrop glows with soft amber tones, and the gardens take on a rich, romantic hue. Ask your photographer to block out time during this window – even just 15 minutes – for some golden hour magic.
Midday Ceremony?
If your ceremony is planned earlier in the day, you’ll likely be dealing with stronger sun and harsher shadows. But Growwild’s garden ceremony spaces offer plenty of tree cover and dappled shade, which can help soften the light. Your photographer can guide you on the best angles to face or suggest positioning the aisle for more flattering shots.
Marquee and Barn Light:
The barn at Growwild features large openings and soft, filtered light – great for “getting ready” photos, detail shots, or signing the register. The marquee’s transparent sides allow ambient light to fill the space, but soft drapes or fairy lights can help balance things out as the sun goes down.
Working With Your Photographer
The best way to maximise natural light is to talk through the light conditions at Growwild with your photographer ahead of time. Here’s how to collaborate effectively:
- Do a walk-through together or share a venue map with the ceremony and reception layout.
- Ask your photographer about light direction and how it changes across the afternoon.
- Plan for backup spots if the weather shifts (e.g. the barn is beautiful for rainy-day portraits).
- Time your ceremony and couple portraits to fit the light, not just the catering schedule.
Trust your photographer’s eye – they’ll know how to adapt to what’s happening on the day, but the more you can prepare together, the better your photos will turn out.
Light-Friendly Touches to Consider
A few small decisions can make a big difference to how light shows up in your photos:
- Avoid dark or heavy ceiling drapes in the marquee if you want a bright, airy look.
- Choose light-coloured robes or outfits for morning prep – especially for the barn.
- Use clear or white umbrellas for rainy days so light still filters through.
- Add candles or warm-toned lighting as the sun sets for a golden transition indoors.
Final Thought
Your wedding day will be full of beautiful moments, and natural light has a way of capturing them at their best. At Growwild, you’re already surrounded by nature, texture, and colour. With a little planning and the right timing, you can use the light to tell your story just the way it looked – and felt – on the day.
Ready to see it for yourself? Book a tour and experience how Growwild transforms in the light throughout the day.