If winter was going to bring the grey skies, Deni and Hugh were more than happy to answer with colour. Their Sydney micro wedding, and the first featured wedding of our Pattern Issue, was filled with burgundy velvet, bright florals and family time, all happening against the Harbour Bridge before dinner at Bennelong. The day was deliberately intimate and intentionally unhurried. Jacqui from Running Under The Sprinkler captured the couple, and now we get to share it with you!

Deni and Hugh’s story is as old as time. Well, as old as time since 2012, when Tinder launched across the world! Like many modern couples, this one was also brought together by the power of a good old dating app.

For their proposal, Hugh took Deni out for her favourite things: a walk through an eye-catching exhibition, and then a delicious dinner. “Hugh then took us to a nearby park and told me how much he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me…” Deni shared. “The rest is history.”

Deni wore this beautiful, floaty tiered dress that went perfectly with her bouquet and flower crown created by Flowers by Julia G. “She also wore rings from her mother and grandmother and my mother and grandmother to symbolise the wonderful women in our lives who made us the people we are today,” Hugh shared.

“Our florist Julia really nailed the theme and put so much effort into our stunning florals.”

To match the pop-of-colour theme, Hugh wore an incredible burgundy velvet suit jacket that matched Deni’s flowers. “He also wore my grandfather’s ring and a pair of custom H&D cuff links,” she explained.

“We got ready together with our families and had some wonderful, relaxed time together. It was beautiful to do the whole day together and as a big family unit.”

What better place to celebrate Sydney’s beauty than having a ceremony right on the water, and under the Harbour Bridge! “Dinner was a stunning and intimate affair at Bennelong in the Opera House.”

For Hugh and Deni, this micro wedding on the water was exactly what they wanted out of their day. “It was a perfect small elopement with just our families, where every member of the family was involved.” Deni shared

During the ceremony, Jacqui captured Hugh’s favourite shot of the day: “The picture of Deni tearing up during our vows!” For Deni, it was the shots under the bridge that truly won her heart.

One of their favourite elements of the day was the ring warming at the ceremony, where every guest had the pleasure of warming the rings for Hugh and Deni to exchange. “Our wedding rings were passed around our family so they could bless them and infuse them with love.”

Jacqui from Running Under The Sprinkler captured the warmth and love of Hugh and Deni’s winter micro wedding perfectly. “She was just stunning, and her work was magnificent,” Deni shared.

“She took so many beautiful candid shots and really captured the essence of our special day and the love we share.”

The five things that made this micro wedding so special for Deni and Hugh included:

“1. Getting to marry my best friend,

2. Being surrounded by our families,

3. Spending time together on the day and getting ready with our families,

4. Reminding each other we were finally married,

5. Having perfect weather.”

To wrap up their day, Deni and Hugh want to leave you with this piece of advice: “Don’t sweat the small stuff and try to make some time to spend with each other on the day because it goes so fast.”

Huge congratulations to Deni and Hugh on brightening this winter day with your vibrancy! And thanks to Runnings Under The Sprinkler for capturing all of these heart (and ring!) warming moments.