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Capturing Intimacy: Lee & Russ’s Enchanting Hunter Valley Micro Wedding
In April 2025, Lee and Rus tied the knot at the beautiful Ridgeview estate in the Hunter Valley. This was my first time visiting the estate, and from the moment I drove through the gates, I knew exactly why Lee and Russ chose this venue. From the dramatic mountains, the vineyard which illuminates during golden hour and the intimate room for the reception, it was the perfect spot to host a Hunter Valley micro wedding.
Throughout the planning process, Lee and Russ were adamant that they already had the perfect venue for their nuptials. The food, the staff, the view. It was exactly what they wanted to bring their blended families together. But one thing on their mind was their photos. They did not want to be taken away for hours on end, having their photos taken. Russ had family who had travelled from California, and they wanted to spend their day celebrating and catching up with friends and family.
Like many people, Lee and Russ chose a micro wedding for a few reasons. Being present on the day was at the forefront of this. But they also wanted a more budget-conscious day and a day that was more about celebrating rather than ticking boxes and taking photos.
I explained my process, and immediately they knew I was on the same page. That day isn’t a photoshoot, and it’s a celebration. Of course, we’ll still get your bridal portraits, but that’s not the priority of the day.
With only 2 hours of coverage, we were on a time crunch, but a short and sweet ceremony, no official bridal party (they were all in family photos), we were able to prioritise Lee and Russ spending time with family before we headed off for golden hour portraits.
As the sun set over the Hunter Valley, The Ridgeway came alive, and the vineyards, which were once dry from the summer, began to dance in the wind. We could see the venue in all its glory. Like all my portraits, I strive to keep them light and candid, with a fun mix of romantic and introspective elements. Lee and Russ’s playful and affectionate personalities made this an absolute breeze, and what we created was some of the most genuine portraits to date. Their personalities and love were at the forefront of every photo.
I have since fallen in love with the Ridgeview Estate and hope to work with them again in the future.
Read about one of my favourite Central Coast elopements!
