Lily & Justin’s Intimate Wedding at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

As a Hunter Valley wedding photographer, I get to capture so many beautiful love stories, and Lily and Justin’s intimate wedding at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley was one of those days that stays with you. With just family and a few close friends, the couple focused on what really mattered: each other.

For an intimate wedding like this, three hours is more than enough to document the excitement, laughter, and quiet anticipation. From getting ready to those final little details before walking down the aisle, I was able to capture a full story in a natural, relaxed way resulting in beautiful images that really reflect the day.

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Pre-Ceremony Moments in the Villas

Lily and Justin got ready in separate villas that backed onto the ceremony area and let me tell you, this is such a great perk at Rydges Resort. It made moving between the getting ready shots and the ceremony so easy, and gave plenty of opportunities for relaxed, candid photos. No jumping in and out of cars, finding parks, unloading gear. I’ll take an all in one venue any time!

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A Meaningful Ceremony

Fiona Hall led their ceremony, and it’s always such a pleasure working with her. You can see how genuinely happy she is for each couple, and with just their closest family and friends in attendance, the ceremony felt incredibly personal and heartfelt. After the vows, hugs, and kisses, we moved straight into family and bridal party photos. With everyone feeling relaxed and happy, the pictures came out naturally and full of genuine connection.

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Quiet Moments in the Vineyard

One of my favourite parts of the day was heading to the vineyard with Lily and Justin for some quiet moments just between the two of them. This is when I can capture those intimate, romantic shots that really show the couple’s connection.

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Why Intimate Weddings Work

More couples are choosing smaller, intimate weddings in the Hunter Valley these days and it’s easy to see why. When the focus shifts from tradition and guest lists to the actual meaning of the day, the celebration feels more personal, emotional, and authentic. As a Hunter Valley wedding photographer, I love being part of these kinds of weddings because the emotions are front and centre, and the memories are so real.

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Shooting at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley

Shooting at Rydges Resort is a dream for a wedding photographer in Hunter Valley. The villas, ceremony area, and vineyard are all close together, which makes moving around on the day seamless. It also helps when the on the day co-ordinator is great at her job! Thank you Madi for your attention to detail. It’s always a pleasure to work alongside you.

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A Wedding to Remember

Lily and Justin’s wedding is a perfect example of why intimate weddings in the Hunter Valley are so special. Smaller weddings allow couples to focus on love, connection, and meaningful moments and as a Hunter Valley wedding photographer, capturing those moments is what I love most about my job.