The brief: “While we’re super excited to get married and celebrate with our nearest and dearest, the ceremony is probably the part that's the most daunting to us. We want something that's a good balance between lighthearted/fun and intimate/heartfelt.”

bec page the love page celebrant redleaf wollombi marriage ceremony, photo on film by house of lucie — **Venue:** Redleaf Wollombi, Hunter Valley

**Celebrant:** The Love Page Celebrant
**Photographer:** House of Lucie
**Video:** Hey There Lovers
**Florist:** Lily and Mae Weddings
**Hair and Make Up:** Hannah James Makeup
**Live Ceremony Music:** Jess and Matt
**Planner:** Angie Marie Events

Hailing from Canberra, Tess and Ben first came to me about 20 months before their planned summer soiree after finding me on instagram. We chatted on a video call after work one night, and they shared their dream for a ceremony that would be meaningful but not showy, and certainly not so long their guests would lose comfort in the warm February air.

I immediately loved that they were so authentically humble, warm, and genuine, and could picture that good humoured personality in a ceremony perfectly nestled against the backdrop of the luxurious, classic European style of Redleaf’s gorgeous main house.

Given so many of their guests were a part of the origin story of their love, it was fun to weave the personalities of some of those key players.

They first met sharing a shift behind the bar at their local club in their first year of uni. He was a rugby player who split his time between lectures, training, and pouring beers. She was a softballer balancing study, two jobs, and a thriving social life. Amongst the sounds of clinking schooners and the rambles of regulars locked in heated debates about the Brumbies' latest season, they’d unknowingly shared the space for a while already, until that fateful roster change.

Tess remembers trying to get Ben to talk like it was an Olympic event. Ben claims it was equally as painful getting Tess to chat, though there’s a high chance he was just too hungover to function at full capacity.

Tess admires how Ben is incredibly loving, supportive and helpful beyond measure. Ben adores how Tess shows an incredible commitment and dedication to everything she does in life.

And so under the mottled light of the full tree outside that gorgeous terracotta toned house at Redleaf, we held a lovely, relaxed yet formal ceremony. I particularly loved that they chose to stand alone during the ceremony, without a formal wedding party. Instead, they had their closest friends get ready with them that morning, and privately exchanged vows during a first look which really helped ease them into the day without the kind of nerves that just wouldn’t have been right for them. When I arrived an hour before the ceremony started, they were two of the most relaxed, genuinely chilled out and happy people I’ve ever seen before one of the biggest moments of their life.

Tess and Ben, thank you! What an honourable treat it was to be your celebrant!