Sam + Reece’s Riverside Wedding | The Wine House | Keegan Cronin
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From First Meeting to Unforgettable Ceremony at The Wine House, Pokolbin
💍✨ The first meeting with my couples is everything! It’s where I get to know them, chat through the legal bits, and soak up all the details about their vision. 🥂 This convo becomes my brief for the ceremony because no two couples (or ceremonies!) are ever the same. 💫 Reece + Sam told me all about this sweet venue they’d found called The Wine House that was perfect for what they envisaged.
When I met Reece and Sam, my notes said:
🌟 Happy, emotional, and full of love
😂 Big fans of a laugh (and okay with a bit of swearing!)
💖 He’s the romantic; she’s more practical.
Cool, cool, cool, cool. Totally my jam. 🎤 I knew we’d be a perfect match! I genuinely believe I was the best celebrant for them—and lucky for me, they felt the same. 🥰
Crafting ceremonies that feel exactly right for my couples? That’s what I live for. 🥂
Highlights from Reece & Sam’s Stunning Wedding Day at The Wine House
✨ Little moments from Reece & Sam’s day that I can’t stop smiling about:
👰 Sam rocked white Birkenstocks under her long dress—comfort goals!
🍷 Their venue, The WineHouse, was a hidden gem. It’s not typically a wedding spot, but wow, it was perfect! The ceremony by the river, champagne on the lawn, and the industrial-chic barn/barrel room created such a unique vibe.
🤵 The blokes looked sharp in tuxedos, and the mismatched pastel dresses on the bridesmaids perfectly complemented the soft, romantic florals.
😂 The bridesmaids laughed so hard when I surprised them with a little roast during the ceremony. Gotta keep things fun and unexpected!
🥂 That champagne tower? Total showstopper!
💇♀️ Fun connection: I married Sam’s hairdresser, Hannah Dargan, back in 2019. Small world, hey?
🖊️ I left my signing pen at the wedding. Sam + Reece kindly gave it back to me after their honeymoon.
The whole event felt Elegant, effortless, and oh-so-beautiful (and that takes careful planning!).
This day had it all—romance, style, and a whole lotta cool touches. I’m feel fortunate to have been part of it! 💕
What Happens When Familiar Faces Are in the Crowd
What happens when you rock up to a wedding at The Wine House and spot your neighbours in the crowd?
If you’re me, you feel the nerves kick in. I know, I know—performing in front of a crowd is literally my job. But the truth is, I still get nervous, especially when there are familiar faces in the audience. And let me tell you, I adore my neighbours, so naturally, I wanted to absolutely smash it in front of them.
But then it happened. While I was prepping my little heart out, even more familiar faces started rolling in—this time, wedding industry peers. Gulp. The stakes went from high to stratospheric in about three seconds flat.
So, what did I do? I dug deep, channelled every ounce of passion I have for what I do, and gave it everything I had.
And here’s the part that made my day: after the ceremony, the photographer (who I respect very much) complimented me on how brilliant the ceremony was. Honestly, it was music to my ears. 🎶
It’s moments like these that remind me why I do this job—it’s not just about the couples (though they’re always my #1), but about creating a ripple effect of joy and connection that people can feel. 💕
So here’s a little confession for you: even seasoned celebrants get a little jittery sometimes. But those nerves? They’re just proof that we care deeply about making each ceremony unforgettable.
Have you ever had to perform or present in front of people you know? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how you handled it! 👇
Review from Sam + Reece
“Julie is amazing! When searching for our celebrant my husband and I wanted someone who could capture our laid back and fun vibe but also encapsulate the romance and importance of our day and marriage. Julie did this perfectly. From the begging to end working with Julie was a breeze. She put our nerves at ease and made every step of planning our ceremony that little bit less scary and a lot more fun. Julie really captures the importance of individual couples and their relationships. Julie is extremely professional with communication and at the same time felt chatting with an old friend. Thankyou again for our special day.”
– Samantha + Reece
Wedding Vendors at The Wine House, Hunter Valley
Wine House Hunter Valley | Keegan Cronin | Design by B | Pretty Baked Bites | White April Bridal | Brides in Love | Wild Rosie | Urbandraw Wallsend (Hannah) | Simon Curwood Jewellers | Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery | Betti Z Events | Tarocash | RM Williams | The Event Artists (for hire)
If you enjoyed this blog and are looking for more Hunter Valley wedding inspo, check out these real couples I married at different Hunter Valley wedding venues.
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