There’s a real draw to the Hunter Valley when it comes to weddings. The open space, the mountains, the wineries, world-class food and did I mention the wine? It’s easy to see why many couples opt for a day trip to the Hunter Valley from Newcastle & Sydney when it comes to wedding planning, and Loani and Luke were just like everyone else when they were planning their Hunter Valley micro wedding. Where do we start? It can be overwhelming with the number of venues in the Hunter. And as a Central Coast wedding photographer, I have seen my fair share, but there is something about Ben Ean in the Autumn which stuck out to them, and it’s easy to see why.
Autumn in the Hunter Valley is a special time; the air is crisp, the sunset is early, and the visitors are sparse. It’s the perfect time for a wedding in wine country. Loani & Luke agree. Their micro wedding was set above the grape vines at Ben Ean, with the discount broken back mountains as the backdrop. The ceremony was intimate. With only 40 of their nearest and dearest. It was an emotional ceremony with many tears (celebrant included).
As a Central Coast wedding photographer. These are my favourite weddings to work. There is something very special about capturing a day which all about intention. Every guest was chosen for a reason, every moment was painfully thought out. These days are a true notion that a wedding is for the couple and nobody else.
After the ceremony ended, we were right into golden hour for the portraits, which in wine country doesn’t last long. The sun was quickly lost behind the mountains as we finished out the wedding party portraits. Loani & Luke’s portraits happened at dusk, which is not something I would normally recommend. However, with the early sunset in Autumn, and losing light quickly in the hunter valley its not always an option. And I’m stoked to say, we absolutely nailed the portraits.
Loani and Luke were an absolute dream and really reminded me why I love being a Central Coast wedding photographer. Seeing couples so in love and being able to document them is a real privilege and something I won’t ever forget.
As the day turned into night, we quickly wrapped up so the couple could enjoy the last half hour of cocktail hour and head into the reception.
I finished right after the reception began, but capturing this day was one of my favourite Hunter Valley weddings to date.