Samantha & Richard's Wedding - Stonehurst Cedar Creek - Hunter Valley

I will forever be in awe of Sam & Rich's wedding day. They two of the kindest, down to earth and funniest people I've ever met!
Their day was beautiful beyond words, straight from a Pinterest board. But more importantly they have a beautiful relationship. Sam & Rich have experienced so much together already.  Rich is from Bristol in the UK and Sam from here in Australia. They met on Instagram, started dating in London where Sam was working at the time, and have travelled to almost 30 different countries together since. It's easy to see when they are together that they are soul mates, share a deep connection and respect for each other and love for nature, travel and adventure.

They DIY-ed so much of their beautiful day.. and organised most of it from another state!  Rich made the gorgeous tree stump ring holder, turned an old bathtub into the coolest esky ever,  the welcome sign was all their handy work and Sam's epic writing skills. Those bouquets? Put together by Sam herself.

Stonehurst Cedar Creek boasts a 550 acre property, vineyards, deer, horses, open paddocks, stone cottages and winding dirt roads set against a backdrop of  mountains. It was easy to see why Sam & Rich fell in love with it!

We started the day at the cottages at Stonehurst. Dark clouds were rolling overhead. The air felt thick with a mix of excitement, purpose and anticipation....
 

As Sam made her walk from the cottages  the rain started, making everything that bit more magical. Surrounded by Rich's family (who had flown from the UK to Australia for the first time!) Sam's family and their closest friends, they said their vows in a beautiful intimate ceremony in the Poplar Grove at Stonehurst. As they signed their marriage certificate, a huge rumble of thunder rolled overhead - perfect timing.
 

"A marriage makes two fractional lives a whole. It gives to two questioning natures a renewed reason for living. It brings a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life"
- Carl Sagan

Let me set the scene.. 

Tall trees, a long timber table decorated with willow branches foraged from Stonehurst's creek bank, and the best damn pizza I've ever eaten! Seriously.. Pizza as a wedding meal! As if this day wasn't perfect already! 

Sam & Rich's guests wined and dined their way through the most delicious all you can eat woodfired pizza (and dessert pizza!), then danced the night away under  a thousand twinkling fairly lights.

P.S Brides proud of their muddy gowns at the end of the best day ever are my favourite!
 

The beautiful people who contributed:
 

Venue - Stonehurst Cedar Creek

Styling - Crab Apple Vintage

Sam's Head Piece - Crystal Eclipse Crowns

Hair &  Make-up -  Glow Hair & Makeup

Celebrant - Spark Ceremonies

Pizza -  The Pizza Guys

Florals, Signage, Ring Holder, Setup - Sam & Rich!

Sam & Rich - I will be forever grateful that we crossed paths and  you invited me into your world! Thank you for trusting me to tell your story

Mel x