There are venues you visit.
And then there are places that feel like home.

The Merribee is the latter for me.

I photographed my first wedding here back in 2013, and since then I’ve returned more than thirty times — more than any other venue I’ve worked at. I’ve seen it evolve through the seasons and over the years, slowly growing into what it is today. The changes have been subtle but meaningful, each one adding another layer of depth and character.

In many ways, it feels like a place I’ve grown up alongside — professionally, creatively, and personally.

It’s the venue I know most intimately.
The one where I don’t need to think too hard or look too far.
And the place where I feel most myself when I’m photographing a wedding.

The Merribee, on the NSW South Coast, has been part of my story for more than a decade.

A Place That Slows You Down

The first thing you notice at The Merribee is the calm.

The trees lining the drive.
The open paddocks breathing space into the air.
And, in the right season, a sudden wash of colour from the lavender fields.

You arrive and your shoulders drop.

As you walk the property, you begin to notice the details — how something is always in bloom, how it looks slightly different every time you visit. While the surrounding fields give a sense of scale and openness, The Merribee itself is made up of many smaller spaces. Each one feels intentional. Contained. Safe.

It’s a place where you can let your guard down.

A home away from home.
And, for me, one of the most magical places on the South Coast.

Couples Who Choose The Merribee

Couples who get married at The Merribee are thoughtful and considered.

They love the outdoors. They’re drawn to long tables under the crepe myrtles, alfresco dinners, and the idea of their guests moving through the grounds as the day unfolds. They care about photography — but more importantly, they care about trust.

Compared to venues like Mona Farm or Redleaf, Merribee couples often feel a little more relaxed. Less performative. More grounded. They want their day to feel real, not staged — and they’re happy to let experienced professionals do what they do best.

That trust makes all the difference.

My Approach at The Merribee

My approach never really changes: people first, always.

What The Merribee offers is space — not just physically, but emotionally. Space to slow down. Space to move. Space to let moments unfold naturally.

One of the beautiful things about the property is that you can take your guests on a journey throughout the day. Ceremony in one location. Drinks somewhere else. Dinner under the trees. It keeps the day feeling fresh, intentional, and never repetitive.

From a photography perspective, around three hours between ceremony and reception is often the sweet spot. It allows time for portraits and, just as importantly, time for you to actually be with your guests during cocktail hour — one of the best parts of the day.

Because The Merribee draws couples who value connection, ease, and time together, the way I photograph weddings here feels natural and unhurried.

Ceremony & Portrait Locations

I’ve photographed ceremonies all over the property, but a few favourites stand out:

The Secret Garden — perfect for smaller, intimate ceremonies

The Rose Garden — especially beautiful with the reverse aisle entrance

Under the trees — soft, shaded, and timeless

Portraits can happen almost anywhere. I tend to work with the light rather than fixed locations, but I do have a soft spot for the tennis court. The light there is often gentle, and in spring, flowers spill over the fence, adding colour and texture without effort.

Spring is my favourite season here — everything in bloom, light and alive. Early summer brings the lavender fields into their own, and they’re always worth experiencing.Redleaf tends to attract couples who are thoughtful, stylish, and quietly confident.

They value experience over spectacle — though there’s no denying that standing in front of the homestead does make a statement. They care about photography not just for how it looks now, but for how it will feel when they look back in twenty years.

Many dream of retiring in the Italian countryside one day. Redleaf feels like a small step in that direction.

The Practical Stuff 

Everything is typically on site at The Merribee, which makes the day feel relaxed and cohesive.

If it’s a late finish, I’ll usually stay nearby in Nowra, otherwise I’m happy to drive home. One thing to be mindful of is wet weather — the compacted dirt paths can get muddy and wedding dresses will get dirty.

My honest advice? Embrace it rather than stress about it. Some of the best photos come from those moments.

The venue is surrounded by dairy farms, so on certain days the flies can be lively. I usually take more photos on those days — and you rarely notice them in the images.

(From Someone Who Knows the Place Well)

Why I Keep Coming Back

At the end of the day, it always comes back to people.

The beautiful humans I’ve photographed here.
The conversations shared.
The trust given.

I’ve stayed at The Merribee myself on a few occasions — once even hiring it for my daughter’s christening, with our whole family there for the weekend. It’s a place that holds memories for me, not just professionally, but personally.

That connection matters.

Featured Weddings at The Merribee

A small selection of weddings I’ve photographed at The Merribee, each shaped by its own light, landscape, and energy.

“Scott is a true artist and captured our day at Merribee perfectly. He made us feel so comfortable, blended in seamlessly, and created magic from our day.”

— Dana & Dan

Kind Words from Merribee Couples

“Meeting Scott was like a breath of fresh air. Our photos are natural, authentic, and completely captured the feeling of the day.”

“Scott is professional, calming, and an all-round great guy. The photos blew us away.”

“Looking at our photos brings back so many emotions. We’re blown away by what you captured.”

— Abby & Tom

— Lisa Lee

— Dara 

The Merribee Wedding Photography FAQs

Have you photographed weddings at The Merribee before?
Yes — extensively.
I’ve photographed over 30 weddings at The Merribee, making it the venue I’ve worked at more than any other. I shot my first wedding here in 2013 and have returned consistently ever since, watching the property evolve and grow over the years.

I know the flow of the day, how the spaces connect, and how the light behaves across seasons and times of day.

Do you feel comfortable photographing at The Merribee?
Completely.
The Merribee feels like home to me. I’m deeply familiar with every part of the property — from the ceremony locations to the quieter corners guests tend to gravitate toward later in the day.

That familiarity means I can work intuitively and calmly, without needing to “hunt” for locations or pull you away unnecessarily.

What ceremony locations work best for photos?
It really depends on the size and feel of your wedding, but some favourites include:

The Secret Garden — perfect for smaller, intimate ceremonies

The Rose Garden — especially beautiful with the reverse aisle entrance

Under the trees — shaded, soft, and timeless

Each space photographs differently, but all share that relaxed, natural Merribee atmosphere.

Where do you usually take portraits at The Merribee?
Rather than locking in fixed portrait spots, I prefer to work with where the light is best on the day.

That said, I have a soft spot for the tennis court — the light there is often beautiful, and in spring, flowers spill over the fence adding colour and texture without effort.

Portraits at The Merribee are usually gentle and unforced — short walks, quiet moments, and letting things unfold naturally.

What’s the best time of year to get married at The Merribee?
Spring is my personal favourite. Everything is in bloom, the gardens feel alive, and the light is soft and forgiving.

Early summer is also stunning, especially when the lavender fields are flowering. The Merribee photographs beautifully year-round, but spring and early summer really let the property shine.

How much time do we need for photos?
Less than most couples think.

As a guide, around three hours between ceremony and reception works beautifully at The Merribee. This allows time for portraits and gives you plenty of space to spend time with your guests during cocktail hour — one of the best parts of the day.

My focus is always on efficiency and intention: getting what you need, then getting you back to the celebration.

What happens if it rains?
Wet weather is part of country weddings — and The Merribee handles it well.

One thing to be aware of is that the compacted dirt paths can get muddy, and wedding dresses may get dirty. My honest advice is to embrace it rather than stress about it. Some of the most beautiful, atmospheric photos happen in those conditions.

I’m very comfortable adapting plans on the day to keep things relaxed and flowing.

Are flies an issue?
Occasionally, yes — The Merribee is surrounded by dairy farms, so on some days flies can be lively.

When that happens, I tend to photograph more actively, capturing moments as they unfold. You rarely notice flies in the final images, and the energy of the day always outweighs it.

Do you stay nearby when photographing weddings at The Merribee?
If it’s a late finish, I’ll often stay nearby in Nowra. Otherwise, I’m happy to drive home. Either way, logistics are never something you need to worry about.

What kind of couples does The Merribee suit best?
The Merribee tends to attract couples who are:
relaxed and intentional
drawn to the outdoors
more interested in experience than spectacle
happy to trust their vendors
It’s perfect for couples who want their wedding to feel like a gathering, not a performance.

Is The Merribee good for intimate weddings?
Absolutely.
I’ve photographed both larger celebrations and smaller, more intimate weddings here — and the venue works beautifully at all scales. The smaller spaces in particular create a sense of privacy and closeness that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

Why do you love photographing weddings here so much?
At the end of the day, it always comes back to people.

The Merribee attracts beautiful, grounded humans. I’ve shared countless meaningful moments here — not just as a photographer, but personally as well. It’s a place that holds memories, and that connection shapes how I photograph weddings there.

Planning a Wedding at The Merribee?