Sara and Lincoln were crossing everything as their wedding date approached. With one cancellation under their belts, it was an utter relief when they got their dream of a modern vineyard romance come to life. Says Sara “We did postpone due to Covid as there were elements we wanted to make sure we’re able to do. We were thrilled to be able to have our wedding just the way we wanted (dance floor, mask-less, being able to mingle with everyone). Being able to celebrate with everyone we cared about after the year that was (and still is…) We feel so relieved that our wedding was able to happen the way we wanted it to, and with all the people special to us.”

And oh a dream it was, beautiful florals and styling by Oh Hello Petal in all the shades of dusky pink, the perfect detail for a day with the soundtrack of acoustic tunes by Paper Hearts. It all took place deep in the Yarra Valley at much-loved winery venue Zonzo Estate. Jessica Rose Photography captured every moment in absolute beauty.

The couple first crossed paths in high school, though it took some time for them to realise romance was a’budding. Sara fills us in on their story. “Lincoln was a year above me in high school. He was the tall sporty guy. Lucky for me we had a class together when he was in Year 12, and I was in Year 11, so we knew who each other were. However, we didn’t get together until a year after I finished school.

A good friend of mine’s boyfriend at the time, (now husband) was good friends with Lincoln, so he would randomly be at parties and nights out. We had been chatting here and there over a few months when one night he messaged me asking to catch up for a McFlurry (romantic I know!) and the rest is history – it wasn’t long after this night that we were “official”.

It was on a weekend away, booked by Sara, that Lincoln decided to ask her to marry him – much to her utter surprise! “I had booked a weekend away with our dog Indie to Marengo. We were together for almost 10 years before he proposed, so I had long given up expecting a ring!

He surprised me by proposing on the way home, on a quiet part of the beach with the dog. It was the best, I’m not one for flashy proposals, and I love my dog so he did it perfectly! Linc had also had my ring made at Michael Wilson Jewellers. The diamonds in my engagement ring were left to me by my late Nan, which made the proposal so much more special – knowing he had thought to include them in the ring.”

The “first look” with her father, remains one of Sara’s favourite parts of the wedding. “When I was getting ready, walking out in my dress, and seeing my dad instantly tear up – I’ve never really seen him cry before so that was a special moment of my day.”

Sara wore an elegant Pronovias gown with a draped back,  she found it at Raffaele Ciuca. “I was so excited to go shopping for a wedding dress after the proposal! With mum in tow, we headed to three shops over about three months. Mum knows me so well, so I could trust her for her very honest feedback, and it was so nice to do this experience with her.

Our final stop was Raffaele Ciuca in Brunswick. I had it in my mind that I wanted a dress with all the beads and lace! I thought, when else would I get to wear something “extravagant” than my wedding… We were looking through the rack, and my mum pulled a plain dress with a low back – I immediately screwed my nose up and went for other dresses I thought I would like, but to please her I agreed to try it on.
Mum’s dress ended up being the one I chose in the end. Like I said – she knows me best (better than myself sometimes)! My dress was the Pronovias Hispalis, accompanied by a delicate cathedral-length pearl veil (that she also chose!).”

In stunning hues of pink, Sara and Lincoln worked with floral designer Ione of Oh Hello Petal. Sara explaining “I left the flowers up to my wonderful Florist and Event specialist. I gave her a brief and she delivered far beyond what I could have ever imagined!
I had a dusty pink theme (to go with my bridesmaids) which included: Garden Roses, Queen Annes Lace, Peony, Dahlia, Anthurium and Phalaenopsis, and greenery. She also dried flowers over 12 months for my bouquet which made it look stunning!”

Lincoln donned a chic black suit from Politix. Sara explaining  “We chose black because Linc had been in a few weddings already who wore blue/navy suits so he wanted to get something different but traditional.
Lincoln wore a bow tie, just to be slightly different to the boys who were in ties. He chose Politix after we had enquired at a few different places. The staff were super helpful and genuine which sold us!”

Beautiful Yarra Valley venue Zonzo Estate was just what Sara and Lincoln wanted for their big day. Sara sharing “The Capella (ceremony venue) sold us on this venue (as well as the amazing food and view from the restaurant!). I wanted an indoor ceremony, and I didn’t want it to look too rustic. The Capella with its high ceilings and black trim was the perfect venue for us to say ‘I do’ and fit with my vision of Romantic/Vinyard/Modern vibes.
The Restaurant (reception venue) was amazing! It overlooked the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley which were stunning.”

And in fact,  Sara notes the last meeting at Zonzo her absolute favourite moment of wedding planning. “The final meeting at Zonzo with our event manager Bridget was my favourite. It came as restrictions were lifting, and gave me the reassurance I needed that the wedding was going to go ahead just as we wanted!”

The bride walked down the aisle to a live serenade by Paper Hearts. She remembers “I walked down with my dad to ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love – Kina Grannis’ it was sung by our amazing acoustic duo, Amelia and Ryan from Paper Hearts”.

Personal yet beautiful, Sara and Lincoln chose Anna Smale to officiate their ceremony. Says Sara “We wanted it to be a representation of us – which it 100% was! Lincoln’s sister Emily did a reading out of Corelli’s Mandolin “love is a temporary madness…’
Anna Smale our celebrant did a wonderful job providing us with all the information we needed to turn the ceremony into a celebration of us. We wrote our vows too (with her help).”

Sara offers up this simple wedding day advice. “Surround yourself with positive people and wonderful vendors and you’ll be in great hands!”

Sara spied her dream photographer Jessica at a friend’s wedding a year prior. “Jess was wonderful to work with! I wanted to book her for our wedding after attending a friend’s wedding the previous year, and seeing how she worked. She gets all the good shots, and is so easy to feel comfortable around 🙂 Jess was also familiar with Zonzo which was great and resulted in so many amazing pictures! I love all of them!”

Loving a good drop of bubbles, Sara and Lincoln ditched the wedding cake. “We aren’t major traditionalists,” she explains “therefore we had a champagne tower instead of a cake. The main factor was because Zonzo included dessert in our package – and the dessert was amazing!”

The speeches remain firm favourites of the night for the newlyweds .”We had speeches from my dad, Lincoln’s mum, maid of honour (my sister Laura) and best man (Lincoln’s brother, Eddy).”

Notice those blue ribbons? They’re the wedding favours Sara and Lincoln chose “Our bonbonniere was a donation to the Leukaemia Foundation, we donated a sum of money, and they sent us the Leukaemia Foundation ribbon to include with our place cards – we were always going to do this. Lincoln had Leukaemia when he was 18/19, so it was nice to give back to the foundation on behalf of our guests.”

The first dance? Not quite as smooth as Sara planned, but we’d stay it still hit all the romantic notes! “I used to be a dancer, so I thought this would come a little more naturally than it did….” she laughs. “We did our first dance to “Your Song” by Elton John.

We did one practice in our small lounge room before taking to the floor. I’m sure the guests thought it was funny (Lincoln isn’t a bad dancer, but it was an unrehearsed event…).”

The couple chose Bliss and Boho to capture a beautiful film of their day.

Congratulations to you both Sara and Lincoln! We are so thrilled you go to have the day of your dreams. Thank you today goes as well to Jessica Rose Photography for sharing today’s beautiful imagery.