The love story, something so funny
Sarah and Darcy met in a park in Melbourne through Sarah’s housemate at the time and instantly connected. Their first night together turned into an adventure – a pub crawl, late-night kick-ons at a friend’s place, and eventually, a 5 AM jam session in the lounge room, likely much to the dismay of their neighbours!
The engagement
While traveling overseas, Sarah and Darcy found themselves in the breathtaking Cinque Terre, a place Sarah had visited before and couldn’t wait to share with Darcy. They spent the day hiking, swimming, eating, and drinking, soaking in every magical moment. But as the afternoon went on, Darcy started acting strangely. Sarah kept asking what was wrong, but he insisted it was nothing – when in reality, he had decided that tonight was the night he would propose.
As they got ready for dinner, they planned a quick walk up a hill to meet Darcy’s sister, Clare, and her partner, Matt – who had been keeping the ring safe throughout their travels. Darcy practically stormed up the hill while Sarah, true to her usual pace, took her time. At the top, Clare offered to take a photo of Sarah with the stunning view behind her. But as she turned around, there was Darcy, down on one knee, ring in hand. Clare captured the exact moment of Sarah’s shock as Darcy asked, ‘Will you marry me?‘
One piece of advice
Trust your instincts and choose what truly feels right for you on your wedding day. If you want to do something unique or a little out of the ordinary – go for it! Your day should be a reflection of you, and the people there are there to celebrate your love story. Make it as personal and special as you’d like!
The gown
Sarah’s Wedding Gown Story – ‘Funny enough, I had tried this dress on when we were originally planning our wedding and instantly loved it. I almost bought it on the spot, but then we found out we were expecting and decided to postpone. When we started planning again, that exact dress was no longer available – but I knew I had to try it on one more time.
So, I made the trip all the way to Geelong and found the same design, but in a different fabric – linen! And I fell completely in love with it. The open back, the statement sleeves, the plunging neckline… and the best part? It had pockets! Not only did it look incredible, but it was also so comfortable. It was the one!’
The venue
Sarah & Darcy wanted their wedding to feel personal and truly reflect them as a couple – something unique and full of heart. So, they went for a relaxed, DIY backyard-style celebration, drawing on the talents of family and friends wherever they could and supporting local vendors along the way. Sarah shared ‘It was the perfect way to create a day that felt warm, meaningful, and completely us.’
Favourite ceremony details
Sarah and Ben felt so grateful to have their friends and family play such a big part in making their day unforgettable. Sarah’s dad’s Irish band, Mollimor, set the perfect vibe, and one of the most special moments was when she got up to sing a few songs with them – everyone joining in made it even more magical.
Their friend PJ took on the role of MC, while their friend Jacinta officiated the ceremony, making it all the more meaningful. Sarah’s friend Lil helped with signage and invitations, adding beautiful personal touches. And seeing Darcy’s parents’ home transform into a festival-like celebration was simply incredible. For them, it was everything they had hoped for – warm, relaxed, and deeply personal.
Favourite memory
One of Sarah’s favorite memories was playing a few songs with her dad’s band, but the most special moment of all was the surprise she had planned for Ben. She had written and performed a song just for him – something he had no idea was coming until it was happening. Seeing his emotional and overwhelmed reaction made it all the more meaningful. It was nerve-wracking, but in the end, it was a moment they would both cherish forever.
Favourite vendors
Sarah shared regarding all of their wonderful vendors and one of their absolute favourite vendors was Annemarie from Stratton Photography! She captured our day so beautifully, making us feel completely at ease while documenting all the special moments. Her talent, warmth, and attention to detail made her an absolute dream to work with!
Vendors
Bars Pop ‘n Clink I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer & For Love Bridal I Cake / Sweets Sweet Treats by Jamie Lee I Catering Sampson’s Bar and Grill I Celebrant Cinta the Celebrant I Ceremony Venue Private Property I Entertainment Music Mollimor / DJ Nige I Florist Allamby Flower Farm I Grooms Attire Dicksons Menswear I Hair Stylist Hair By Claire Malady I Invitations / Stationery Lillian Wentworth I Jewellery The Traveller Series I Makeup Artist C2 Make Up I Marquees / Teepees Elderberry Marquees I Nails / Tan Del Luna Tans I Photographer Strattan Photography I Transport Darcy’s Dads Car
Strattan Photography
Annmaree Strattan is a Gippsland wedding photographer renowned for her unique ability to capture the authentic emotions and intricate details of a couple’s most cherished day. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Annmaree has developed a distinctive style that blends photojournalism with fine art photography, resulting in images that are both timeless and evocative.