After three cancellations and their photographer cancelling on them just a month out from their wedding, it was clear there was not much that was able to hold Robyn and Cate back from finally tying the knot. And in modern, “big party atmosphere” style, tie the knot they did.  “We arrived in a maxi taxi with family,” remembers Robyn, “we laughed, we cried, we laughed a lot more and we danced. It was magnificent.”

With a modern distillery as their backdrop, a printed dress and chic suit and the most beautiful richly toned floral arrangements, photographer Nikki McCrone Photography (the last-minute saviour!) had endless not just details, but joy-filled moments to capture.

The story begins with Robyn and Cate meeting at work. “Neither of us was out so there was a lot of sounding each other out.” The pair hitting it off, and after years (pre-referendum) of hypothetical “will you marry me?” questions from Robyn, with Cate responding that she didn’t believe in marriage, it was not until the pair were enjoying a winery lunch, that the tables turned. Remembers Robyn “Cate had too many wines and said she could see us getting married there amongst the vines. Robyn took that as a yes and had it all booked within a fortnight!”

As lovers of gin, it was an easy pick for Robyn and Cate to hold their wedding at the distillery Craft and Co. “We chose Craft and Co because it had a modern industrial look that we both love. Also, they make gin.”

The beautiful flowers brought to life rich autumn tones, the beauties style by Pomp and Splendour. “Pomp and Splendour did an amazing job softening the room” remembers Robyn. “There was an arbour above us for the ceremony, six ‘flower bombs’ of beautiful colours and flowers along each table. It was breathtaking.  Nikki McCrone photographer and Pomp and Splendour flowers together with the Craft and Co event managers were all brilliant, together with our dear friend and celebrant Naomi Smith.”

The couple was walked down the aisle by their nephew Alex, to “Don’t Change” by The Audreys. The couple also asked their older nephew Will to be their ring bearer.

“It was a rollercoaster after three postponements,” remembers Robyn of the ceremony officiated by dear friend Naomi Smith. “Tears, laughs, cheers. Absolutely amazing. We started with an acknowledgment of country and had a reading of “On Marriage” by Khalil Gibran.”

The couple were lucky enough to have their photographer Nikki step in at the last minute, explains Robyn. “Our original photographer cancelled a month out from the wedding but we were fortunate enough to find Nikki McCrone who had a spot free. Nikki was amazing! She made us feel comfortable with her from the outset which is so important. She took magnificent candid photos and managed to capture everyone at the reception (115 people) which was really impressive. Nikki really caught the mood in her photos and we considered ourselves very fortunate to have had her as our photographer.”

With not one, but two beautiful outfits to tell you about, let’s start with Robyn’s suit. “I had a herringbone blue suit made for the occasion by Germanicos Bespoke Tailor as I don’t do dresses. I also wore my RM Williams boots which were comfy on the dance floor.” Robyn carried one of her great-grandmother’s lace hankies in her pocket. For Cate, she chose a Marimekko fabric in a blue and white floral print to have a dress custom-made. She paired the dress with platform Stella McCartney shoes, which she switched out for silver sneakers for dancing.

“Our favours were was small bottles of gin with the wedding details printed on it” explains Robyn, “a nice touch which reflected not only the venue but us, as we love a chat over a Gin and tonic of an evening.”

The newlyweds opted out of a formal first dance, but danced the night away they did! “Be yourself. If you don’t want a first dance don’t have one. If you want a quirky song, use it. It’s your day so personalise it.”

Congratulations Robyn and Cate! What an absolute joy to be able to have your wedding. Thank you both and thank you to Nikki McCrone Photography for sharing the beautiful photographs of the day with us.