Kelly & Damian

The country backdrop of a winery wedding is all kinds of beautiful rustic charm and today’s romantic winery wedding with marsala details, captured on film by Sheri McMahon Photography, with its deep wine tones has a stunning elegance.

Having met at work, they chose a local vineyard for their big day. Kelly remarking “Damian and I were both living in Newcastle when we met through work relations, I was still studying at University and he was working. Damian turned up on my door step which was my parent’s place and simply never left. After 4 years including relocating to country NSW, Damian popped the question whilst with family in Newcastle on a wet and windy romantic day!!!!”

“Damian had purchased a ring and kept very calm about the whole process without any knowledge to me. He had a little help from a very close friend, in which they would take part in little outings together after work” explains the bride of the proposal, continuing “We had a wonderful Christmas following a week getaway with my parents in which Damian was secretly plotting his opportunity. Finally on the 6th of January 2016 Damian persisted on us checking out the Anzac memorial walk in Newcastle. I should have known then he was up to something, I mean, wanting to exercise outdoors on a windy, raining and stormy afternoon! Whilst battling our way against the severe sea winds! I was complaining of the cold and also admiring the ocean and beauty of a place we love and as I turned to look at Damian he was behind me on one knee. In shock, I had to focus and make sure he wasn’t just tying up his shoe laces – in fact he had a tight grip on a beautiful piece of bling!”

The bride wore a classic gown from Newcastle Bridal House, adding her mother’s pearl earrings and her grandmother’s Australian dark sapphire ring to complete her look.

Kelly notes “We both loved The preparation of the day, so many emotions and full of excitement. Walking down the aisle was also another highlight. For Damian, it was the anticipation of waiting for me to arrive and having all our family and friends by our side.”

Helen McLean officiated the ceremony, the bride remembering “We both wanted our wedding day to be full of love and laughter. We love the simple things in life and without having to be over the top we had everything we wanted to be included in our day.”

The bride and bridesmaids carried bouquets of silver dollar eucalyptus with flowers in shades of marsala and blush styled by The Meadow Floral Design. The bride explaining “For our wedding, we wanted something elegant and romantic whilst capturing the beautiful country location that we now call home. All aspects of our wedding were simple but stylish.”

Of their photographer, Kelly notes “We felt a great photographer and band were two components that had to be right. Great memories to look back on, and all our guests danced the night away with our amazing band.” 

Country winery Lazy River Estate set the scene for the Autumnal celebration, the bride noting “Having an Autumn wedding, meaning the touch of warmer colours were fitting to the location. The wine coloured bridesmaid dresses along with the native florals really complimented the green leafy wedding location. The Lazy River Estate venue was simply a no-brainer, it allowed us to have an elegant wedding with all of our family and friends in a relaxed and loving environment.”

Kelly and Damian gifted guests homemade favors, Kelly telling “We had for our favors, glass mason jars with my grandmother’s homemade tomato relish alternating with terracotta pots with green succulent plants. Both favors decorated with black twine.”

Cakes at Number 5 created a stunning two tier cake with marble detail, the bride remarking “We had an amazing two tier cake. with marbled fondant on the bottom tier and white on top. one tier was chocolate mud with chocolate ganache and the other tier was caramel mud with white chocolate ganache. Fresh florals decorating similar to our bouquets.”

Congratulations on the start of your lives together Kelly and Damian! Thank you for taking the time to share your stories! Thank you also to Sheri McMahon Photography for sharing today’s beautiful day.