A Cooks Shed Wedding Overlooking the Hawkesbury - Caitlin & Lachlan
October 18th, 2025
You want those elegant, Vogue-worthy wedding photos, the kind that become family heirlooms. But you dread the thought of a stiff, serious photographer who makes you feel awkward and posed all day. What if you could have the fine-dining meal, but the Michelin-star chef comes out, tells a great joke and makes you feel like family?
That’s the magic. That’s what I live for. And Caitlin and Lachlan’s wedding at The Cooks Shed in Sackville was the perfect embodiment of this philosophy, timeless elegance delivered with a process that felt like an absolute blast.
As a Hunter Valley wedding photographer, I’m always excited to travel for a venue that offers something special. The Cooks Shed, with its breathtaking views of the Hawkesbury River, is exactly that kind of place.
Lachie waiting for his first look...
Vows with a Perfect Mix of Heart and Humour
Caitlin and Lachlan are high school sweethearts, and their entire day was a testament to a love that is both deeply romantic and wonderfully real. They chose to share private vows before the ceremony, an intimate moment of pure, classic emotion that I was privileged to capture. This was their time for the profound, legacy-defining promises.
But the ceremony? That’s where the witty, fun side of their love story shone through. Instead of reading their own vows, they presented vows written for each other. It was genius. Amidst the tears and cheers, we heard promises like:
"I promise not to get mad when car parts arrive and to not ask what they are or how much they cost."
"I promise to always hop into bed first on a cold evening to warm it up for you."
A Ceremony Kiss for the Ages
The ceremony took place on the lawn, with the vast, winding Hawkesbury River as the ultimate backdrop. Here’s a little secret: on this day, I was working as a second shooter. This unique position gave me the freedom to hunt for extraordinary angles. While the main photographer captured the essential front-on shots, I was able to find a higher vantage point.
The result? An epic, sweeping photograph of Caitlin and Lachlan’s first kiss, encapsulating them, their guests and the majestic landscape in a single, timeless frame.
Let's not forget about how special Lachie's grandad's car is to him!
This wasn't just a cool vintage prop for a photo op, it was a piece of Lachie's story, a tangible link to his family and his history. You could see the pride on his face as he stood beside it with Caitlin. The brief was simple - "get heaps of pics with the car." For me, that translates to capturing the feeling behind the request... the nostalgia, the legacy and the sheer joy of having a piece of his grandfather's spirit there on the most important day of his life.
This is what it’s all about. It’s blending the classic, elegant aesthetic of a beautiful old car with the real, human emotion that makes it priceless. It's another one of those "gets the little things right" details that creates a true "fuck yeah" moment they'll treasure forever.
Caitlin and Lachlan getting to the reception after a very short drive down the drive way in the vintage car!
Cocktail Hour, Courtesy of Hades
How do you make an already divine garden cocktail hour even better? You get your dog involved. Guests mingled with incredible mix-and-match snacks, but the highlight was the party favours from the couple’s beloved dog, Hades. Each guest received a bag containing his favourite treat and a tennis ball. It was quirky, personal and a perfect nod to their life together. It’s these unexpected, joyful details that tell the real story.
A Low-Lit Shed and a High-Energy Entrance
As evening fell, everyone moved into the beautifully rustic Cooks Shed for the reception. The low, warm lighting created an intimate and incredibly lovely atmosphere. But intimate doesn't mean quiet. The entrance of the bridal party, followed by Caitlin and Lachlan, was an explosion of music, joy and dancing. The energy was electric, and you better believe I was right there in the middle of it, capturing the laughter and the hugs.
Why This Hunter Valley Photographer Loves a Cooks Shed Wedding
Shooting at The Cooks Shed in Sackville was an absolute dream. It offers the best of both worlds: stunning natural beauty for those grand, classicist portraits and intimate, soulful spaces for capturing candid, human moments. The flow from the ceremony lawn to the garden to the reception shed is seamless, allowing for a relaxed and joyful experience for everyone involved.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Cooks Shed and are looking for a photographer who will deliver those stunning, timeless images while making the entire process feel like you’re just hanging out with a friend, then I might be your guy. I’m here to get the little things right and chase those "fuck yeah" moments with you.
Heirloom Wheels and Personal History
