Country Vibes & Pure Love — Adam + Jo’s Wedding Day

ADAM + JO | WESTERN RIDGES, TOOWOOMBA

It’s not usually the groom who reaches out to organise the wedding booking, but from the get-go, Adam was on it. Super punctual, clear, and you could tell straight away he had a great vibe — and that was just through words!

Adam and Jo locked in my 8-hour photo and film package at Western Ridges in Toowoomba, an ideal venue for the average-sized wedding, with epic views and a relaxed, country vibe.

The Drive & First Impressions

On the day, the weather was mint. The drive from the Gold Coast was a breath of fresh air — open roads, cows, horses, and that clean country breeze that just resets your head. Getting creative in those kinds of surroundings is something I truly enjoy.

Western Ridges was a new venue for me, and the first thing I thought when I rocked up was:“Holy sh*t — look at that view!”

The layout is incredible — plenty of space, beautifully kept gardens, and standout features everywhere. A dream to shoot at.

Meeting the Couple

Meeting Adam and Jodie in person confirmed what I already suspected — these two were going to photograph beautifully. Jo’s flower choices, cowgirl boots, and the vibrant colour of the bridesmaid dresses brought character and style, and Adam and the boys looked sharp in blue.

When you've been in this job as long as I have, you start getting weirdly excited over colours — and this combo hit just right.

The Ceremony (aka Plot Twist)

The ceremony was handled by Scotty — the man, the celebrant, the legend. It was his first wedding in a while, and he absolutely nailed it. It was funny, emotional, and hit everyone right in the heart.

But here’s where it got wild…Right before the big “I now pronounce you” moment, Scotty dropped a bombshell:

Adam and Jo had already been married for a year.

Only six people knew. I think I was the seventh.Cue the shock, the cheers, the WTFs — it was epic. Seeing the guests’ reactions was gold — confusion, surprise, and then huge waves of joy and love.

That kind of twist? Doesn’t happen every day. (or year)

Bridal Photos

Bridal photos are my favourite part of the day. We headed down to a private property just down the road and got stuck into it. With limited sunlight left, I was watching the light like a hawk, making sure we didn’t miss a thing.

Adam and Jo had a few photo ideas they wanted to recreate — I love when couples know what they want. We kicked things off between two beautiful fig trees — the colours were popping, the vibe was relaxed, and the laughs were flowing.

I run a pretty tight ship during this part of the day — there’s no time to waste — but I always promise everyone it'll be fun, stress-free, and to stay hydrated (drink more — they love that tip).

We smashed out shots of the girls, the boys, the full bridal party — all combinations in under 15 minutes — then headed into a paddock where this stunning rusted fence gave us some incredible backdrops.

We wrapped up perfectly on time, with final shots under the fairy light tree and a few classics on the swing.

Reception Time

The reception area was stunning — beautifully styled, warm orange tones, long tables, and so many thoughtful details. A few of my favourite touches? Framed photo's of loved ones who had passed, watching over the celebration. You could feel their presence.

The bar team (Brissy-based legends) were absolute pros, and the food? Unreal.

Formalities rolled in — speeches were heartfelt, the first dance was perfect — then Adam threw down a surprise line-dancing performance with the bridesmaids. The look on Jo’s face was priceless — a mix of joy, shock, and full-on admiration.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get more romantic…

Adam pulls out a “Book of Love”, drops to one knee, and reads it to Jo during his speech. I’ve never seen anything like it. Every woman in the room turned to their partner like:

“Where’s my book of love?”Meanwhile, every bloke was thinking:“F***’s sake Adam, stop raising the bar so high!”

Wrapping Up

I’ve been part of so many weddings this year, and I honestly love them all. But this one had a little something extra.

New venue. Bold colours. Beautiful landscapes.

An energetic couple so deeply in love it hurts, and a bridal party that brought the absolute fire.

This is why I do what I do.This is why I love what I do.

Even though they’ve only received their teaser photos, Adam and Jo are already over the moon. Their kind review honestly hit me right in the heart. To think theres till a full video edit to come, insane!

I f***ing love weddings.

– Ant