What do you get when you cross a Star Wars fan, May the 4th, a Family Vineyard, amazing food and wine, an incredible sunset and 100+ guests who love a good time? A classic Hunter Valley Vineyard Wedding of course!
Wow, what a day! I mean, this is the type of stuff you read about on Wedding Blogs and think, “it sounds too perfect, it can’t be true”… But this was true, it was legit, I was there, I photographed it and you’re about to see it!
This is how the very first email from Jessica & Chris read:
International Star Wars Day !! I say “I’ve been set up as this is my future husbands all time favourite and I am yet to make it through one movie”
Upon reading that, I said to myself “Star Wars Wedding, “I’m in!”
My reply:
“Haha, Star Wars is ingrained in life now, are you going as Leia, can I wear a Storm Trooper outfit to photograph? Semi serious question, but I certainly would entertain coming along “in theme”…
As I came to learn Chris was indeed a huge Star Wars fan, they wouldn’t be dressing as Leia & Han Solo and I wasn’t required to dress up. Navigating a wedding dressed as a member of the Galactic Empire carrying a few cameras wouldn’t be the most comfortable way to go about ones business…
The Glenguin Estate Vineyard was first planted in the 1980’s and ever since they adopt organic and biodynamic farming principles where things are still done by hand from planting through vine training to pruning and handpicking at vintage.
The name Glenguin comes from the original Scots Gaelic name of the Highland distillery now called “Glengoyne” (since 1909). Robin Tedder (Father of the Groom), Australia’s 7th Master of Wine, is the third Baron of Glenguin and grandson of Arthur Tedder the First Baron Marshal of the RAF and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in WW2. Arthur was born on the distillery property in 1890 and the Tedder family continues the association with great drinks through the vineyards at Glenguin in Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley.
That last paragraph I pulled from Glenguin’s website minus the (Father of the Groom bit), but the main history lesson here is that Glenguin Estate is entrenched with Chris and Jessica. It’s been a significant part of Chris’ life and now the same with Jessica.
Back to the Wedding! Jessica, her Bridesmaids & Family got ready at the iconic Tinonee Vineyard Estate. Further up Milbrodale Road, Chris, his Groomsmen and family did their wedding prep at Lavender Ridge Estate. You won’t find two nicer spots. Without doubt some of Broke-Fordwich’s finest properties.
The ceremony took place under a brilliant blue sky right in the middle of Glenguin’s vines. After the Ceremony guests mingled while the Bridal Party moved all of 250 meters into the fields for some portraits and impromptu dancing to 90’s Hip Hop tunes. On our way back to the marquee for some canapés and more wine we were literally stopped in our tracks for one of the most impressive Hunter Valley sunsets not only myself, but everyone else there had seen.
The rest of the night was a wild mix of entertaining speeches, dancing, a Scotsman in a Kilt doing the splits, drinking games, the occasional Star Wars reference, wine, overseas accents, a game of Charades, ridiculously yummy food and desserts by Sprout Catering, more wine, Eagle Drops, you name it. It was action packed, heartfelt, honest, hilarious the list goes on. It was a day I’m not likely to forget in a hurry, and I’m sure a day Jessica & Chris will cherish forever. May the Fourth be with you!!!
Big thanks to everyone involved make making this day pretty legendary! Especially my 2nd Shooter Jaden for supplying the Hip Hop beats. I’m still not sure how his Ford Fiesta made it through the fields with those little wheels…
If you’re planning a Hunter Valley Vineyard Wedding or a wedding anywhere for that matter, I’d love to photograph it, please get in touch here: https://mattsphotography.com.au/contact/
Venue: Glenguin Estate – https://www.glenguinestate.com.au/
Catering: Sprout Catering – https://sproutcatering.com.au/
Bride Prep: Tinonee Vineyard Estate – https://www.tinoneevineyardestate.com.au/
Groom Prep: Lavender Ridge Estate – http://www.lavenderridge.com.au/
Celebrant: Kate Muller, Spark Ceremonies – https://www.sparkceremonies.com.au/
DJ: Advantage DJ’s – https://advantagedjs.com.au/
