Hanah + Christie’s Casual Rustic Wedding in Armidale | Louise Brown Photography | Great Hops Brewery
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MY FIRST ARMIDALE WEDDING: GREAT HOPS BREWERY
When Hanah and Christie first booked me, I had this image in my mind of a classy, upscale affair in the vineyards— you know, the whole big shebang. Turns out, I completely misread the vibe they were going for. They had this vision of a relaxed, down-to-earth country wedding with minimal fuss at Great Hops Brewery.
Now, don’t get me wrong—they didn’t skimp on style or their choice of vendors. Their wedding was still every bit as stunning and chic as you could imagine. But the vibe? Totally casual.
Instead of fancy chairs and formal seating, their guests were chilling out on hay bales, taking in the scenery of a paddock filled with cows, right in front of a brewery. It was like something out of a rustic dream, with that laid-back, easygoing atmosphere that just made everyone feel right at home.
It was perfect. Because at the end of the day, what mattered most to Hanah and Christie wasn’t the frills and the extravagance—it was about celebrating their love in a way that felt authentic to them.
THE ARMIDALE SHOW
Heading to Armidale for Hanah and Christie’s wedding was not just about work for me—it was also a chance for a little family adventure. Since I’d never been to Armidale before, I decided to bring the whole family along for a getaway. We had a blast!
Between the rehearsal and the big day itself, we managed to cram in a ton of fun activities. We sipped on delicious cocktails, savored some tasty eats, and took leisurely strolls around the charming shops in town.
The real highlight was the Armidale show, which just so happened to be in full swing while we were there. Now, my husband Cam, being a country boy from the Riverina, absolutely loves a good show. And I was over the moon to be able to take our son along for the experience.
We spent the day soaking up all the classic show vibes—watching the show jumping competitions while chomping down on dagwood dogs, browsing through the colorful array of show bags, and even trying our hand at judging the pavilion competitions for ourselves.
My son’s face lit up with excitement when he got the chance to sit in the front of a real fire truck. It was moments like these that made our little trip to Armidale extra special—a perfect blend of work, family, and fun.
HEARTWARMING FIRST LOOK AT GREAT HOPS BREWERY, ARMIDALE
Hanah and Christie made this sweet decision to have their first look right before they strolled down the aisle together at Great Hops Brewery. Lucky me, I was close by and got to catch it all happening in real time. It was something special, like really, really special. I mean, I’m usually pretty good with words, but this moment? It’s almost beyond description.
What I saw was loads of love, tons of affection, and this undeniable connection between these two amazing women. They were hugging, laughing, just basking in each other’s presence like they’d found their ultimate comfort zone.
And you know what’s even cooler? They carried that vibe with them as they sauntered down the aisle, still laughing and totally wrapped up in each other. It was like they were in their own little world, dancing through life together, hand in hand. In that moment, they weren’t just partners—they were each other’s rock, their safe haven, their everything.
Basically, what I saw was love in its purest form, doing its thing and making the world a better place. Hanah and Christie’s journey down that aisle wasn’t just about getting married; it was a celebration of their love story, filled to the brim with laughter, affection, and that magical feeling of knowing you’ve found your forever person.
BEING FIERCE & VULNERABLE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
I Zoomed with Hanah + Christie to see if we were a good fit. I knew within seconds that I wanted to marry them. From the moment we started chatting, I just knew there was something special about them. I mean, seriously, how could I not want to marry these two? They’re just incredible.
Hanah and Christie are like this perfect blend of strength and softness. They’ve got this aura about them that’s both fierce and vulnerable at the same time.
When I asked them about their relationship—they poured their hearts out, expressing every ounce of love they felt for each other. It was so raw and genuine, like they were inviting me into this sacred space.
They were able to beautifully articulate their love story to me, the depth of their emotions for each other, what marriage meant to them.
I knew—I wanted to be the one to tell their story. This wasn’t just another wedding to me; it was a beautiful narrative waiting to be shared with their nearest and dearest.
Lucky for me, Hanah and Christie felt the same way. They thought I was the best woman for the job, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled.
Here’s what they had to say about it:
“ We wanted a lively, good-humoured celebrant that would take our audience on a journey through our love story. Not only did we get that in Julie – we also got an Irish celebrant, which was the trifecta. From our initial meeting to after our wedding at Great Hope Brewery, Julie provided so much guidance and support. Not only does she have an ability to hear your love story once and turn it into a complete ceremony, she also provides coaching on how to write your vows, complete the legal paperwork and works with the couple to calm your nerves on the big day… all while keeping you laughing and having a drink! Not only were we over the moon with the ceremony and her delivery, the guests loved it too. Couldn’t recommend Julie more!”
Louise Brown Photography had these lovely words to say about working with me:
Julie is such a legend! As someone who works in the industry, and who has attended a stack of weddings personally, I can say that this gal is one of the best. I had the pleasure of working with her recently, and she was wonderful – constantly doing the absolute most for the couple, the guests and the other vendors.. she even gave me a snack bag for the drive home! I’ll recommend Julie to everyone now, and very much hope our paths cross again in the future 
Vendors: Louise Brown Photography | Wedding Grounds | Little Cocos Gourmet Catering | Designer Bunches | Moose + Co Weddings | Great Hops | Renee Jonas Music
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