We first met the wonderful Phil and Lauren Dann back in 2019 with nothing booked in, dreaming of a gorgeous October 2020 wedding. Meeting them was such a joy and they soon became close friends of ours. I often spent hours on the phone just chatting, from learning all about their love story to helping guide them the perfect venue. Our Charlotte was even on the phone to Lauren chatting about life and her wedding during a major milestone – when Charlotte walked through the doors of her new home for the first time.

Like so many of our clients unfortunately they fell victim to COVID-19 Restrictions and we helped them put their dream on hold, somewhat indefinitely. We set to work moving each and every booking back 5 months to March 2021, holding out hope (along with the rest of the world) that COVID-19 would be a distant memory. While March 2021 wasn’t without its challenges, we helped them navigate the ever-changing landscape and after months of waiting, it became clear that their dream would finally become a reality.

On a beautiful March day, Phil & Lauren woke at Oaks Cypress Lakes to their big day, eager to finally become husband & wife. Phil was so eager that he completely forgot to go meet his Bride for their ‘first look’ and went straight to the Twine for the ceremony! I caught him just in time and drove him (a little bashful) to see his stunning Bride. It was all worth it for the precious moment they shared, Phil clearly breathless at the sight of Lauren.

I delivered Phil back to the ceremony and we were back on track! The pergola at Twine overlooking gorgeous rolling green Hunter Valley hills, was beautifully framed with an overhead floral arrangement by The Flower Alley. Lauren looked absolutely breathtaking as she walked down the aisle lined with pews and posies, dressed to the nines in a gown from Final Touch Bridal. Her hair and makeup were picture perfect, expertly crafted by Alicia Finn Personal Hair Design. The incredibly talented Jerome O’Connor set the mood with gentle acoustic guitar, even learning a song close to the couple’s heart just to add the finishing touches to their special moment. After a long wait and many hurdles that we helped Phil & Lauren navigate, The Hunter Celebrant Anthony Burke married the couple in a beautiful intimate ceremony.

Not long after moving on to the ceremony, a massive storm rolled in, transforming the beautiful blue sky into dramatic rolling clouds. Of course, not before an incredible double rainbow spread itself across the sky catching the last glimmers of light! A truly spectacular natural phenomenon we’re sure Mr & Mrs Dann and their guests will remember for a long time! Unfortunately, the storm meant their celebratory helicopter flight had to be postponed however we worked quickly with the fantastic team at Aero Logistics to reschedule it for the very next day to kickstart their honeymoon in style.

While the Bridal Party were whisked away by one of our favourite suppliers - Everlast Video & Photo Productions - to capture stunning video & photos, our team set about putting the finishing touches on their beautiful reception in Twine’s restaurant. To help keep the budget under control and reduce wastage, we repurposed the stunning overhead ceremony florals from The Flower Alley to dress the Bridal Table, which looked divine.

Boy did the Bridal Party return with a bang! Their grand entrance was so much fun, packed full of epic dance moves! Howard Shearman and Alex Douglass are two musicians who always get the room dancing and the Dann Wedding was no exception, with the pair even learning special sentimental songs that Phil & Lauren requested. Special touches that let the personality of a couple shine through are one of the secrets to an unforgettable wedding, something we always try to help our couples keep sight of and pull off. One we helped the Danns pull off was a cheese lovers’ dream – a cheese tower in place of a wedding cake! It looked fantastic in the ‘cake cutting’ photos, had a second life when we flipped it for the dessert grazing table AND Phil & Lauren are surely still snacking on cheese weeks later.

Of course we couldn’t bring such a dream day like the Dann Wedding together without a fantastic network of suppliers we know and love. Mel Rose Cakes decorated the cheese tower and provided the cupcakes for a sweet touch. The bridal party arrived in style thanks to Royal Me Limousines. Vintage Peacock Hire supplied two gorgeous aisle runners as  finishes to the ceremony and The Event Master decked out the chill zone with lounges, barrels and lawn games. Sajaro designed the couple’s welcome sign and even created a seating chart at the last minute! Charlotte collected the signs and the ceremony runners for the couple, even venturing into the rain when the storm suddenly hit to roll up and protect the rugs from the elements.

We wish Mr & Mrs Dann the happiest future together and can’t wait to see where their love story takes them.

Vendors:

Wedding Planning, Styling & Design, On Day Coordination and Master of Ceremonies: @huntereventsnsw | Hunter Events NSW

Venue: @twinerestaurant | Twine Restaurant

Accommodation: @oakscypresslakesresort |  Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort

Photographer & Videographer: @everlastvideoproductions | Everlast Video Production

Celebrant: @ant_burke_12 | The Hunter Celebrant

Florist: @the_flower_alley | The Flower Alley

Hair: @aliciaspersonalhairdesign | Alicia's Personal Hair Design

Helicopter: @aerologistics_newcastle | Aero Logistics

Cupcakes: @melrose_cakes | MelRose Cakes

Transport: RoyalMe &  Peaks Mini Bus Hire

Aisle Runners: @vintagepeacockhireandevents | Vintage Peacock Hire

Entertainment: @howardshearman | Howard Shearman Music

Entertainment: @jeromeplaysguitar | Jerome O'Connor

Styling Hire: @theeventmasterau | The Event Master

Cheese Tower: @hunterbellediaryco | Hunter Belle Dairy Co

Stationery & Signs: Sajaro

Gown: @finaltouchbridal | Final Touch Bridal