The Barn at Adams Peak hits the mark on the kind of venues we love – a glorious, rustic blank canvas in NSW’s Hunter Valley that allows you to bring your own amazing wedding vendors and transform the space into something that reflects your personality.

That’s just what Lesley and Mark did, with the help of the talented team at The Wedding Designer, who suspended dense greenery over linen-clothed tables with vintage crockery to create a sophisticated twist on a country wedding. The awesome photographer and all-round nice guy Ben Howland captured the day.

We asked Lesley a few q’s about the day.

How did you guys meet? And what was the proposal like? 

Our story is a long one, but technically we met on a nightclub dance floor in Las Vegas while we were both travelling. Mark is English and I’m Australian and our ‘meeting’ was terribly fun, terribly brief and classified as a holiday fling – but it appears Vegas had other plans for us.

Knowing his future wife all too well the proposal was carried out in our apartment, private, deeply emotional and beautifully articulated on his part. Then there was much celebratory champagne and a long dinner at Catalina in Rose Bay. A perfect night.

What of sort vibe were you aiming to create for the wedding?

We were keen to have something that was a little different and reflected our easy going personalities. A vibe where people really came together and felt like they were at a great dinner party with friends. Share plates for the food courses played a big part in that. Being in the Hunter Valley, great food and wine was integral. The overall theme was very much vintage and quirky with an indoor outdoor feel. As city kids we wanted a true country wedding experience for our guests.

What advice would you give other couples planning their big day? 

Enjoy yourself. Choose suppliers that you connect with and who get you, then trust them. Have a wet weather backup plan. Don’t sweat the small stuff and make decisions together as best you can. Stay true to yourselves, stay true to your vision and try and manage the expectations of your friends and family along the way. On the day, stop, breath, reflect (oh, and EAT).

What does marriage mean to you both? 

Marriage itself, or any long term relationship we think means true partnership. Elevating and supporting each other to get the most out of life, as a team and as individuals. It’s sharing the simple things as well as the big things with someone who is your equal, your absolute best friend.

Did you have a favourite moment on the day? 

So many, but at the end of the night, when the rain had stopped, the air was still and everyone was jumping on the buses, Mark and I took a moment and ran off to the front of the property in the quiet and giggled hysterically at what we had just done. Just us, under the stars, and we took a cheeky selfie to remember the moment.

Any funny moments you can share?

On the day, Mark’s little brother (who was in charge of working the iPod for the ceremony) proceeded to make an executive decision to not play the pre-selected song for our signing. Instead he decided to skip to the next playlist “because it looked like it would last longer” changing our planned signing song from Better Together by Jack Johnson to Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles….way to rub it in on behalf of the newlyweds!

Ceremony song? 

‘Lifening’ by Snow Patrol.

First dance?

‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong.

CREDITS Venue The Barn at Adams Peak // Photos Ben Howland // Bridal gown Amy Kuschel // Bride’s shoes Panache Bridal Shoes // Bride’s headpiece Purdy in Bloom // Flowers The Wedding Designer // Rings Dustins Jewellers // Jewellery + accessories Samantha Wills // Groom’s suit MJ Bale // Groom’s shoes Loake  // Tie MJ Bale // Styling The Wedding Designer // Cake Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Shop // Catering Monkey Place Catering // Band Press Club Band Sydney // Celebrant Jacie Whitfield – I Do Bespoke Ceremonies // Hair Peta Winter Bridal Hair // Makeup Chic Artistry // Stationary The Wedding Designer

Want to see more real weddings at WedShed venues? Click here.