Winter 2022 | Page 78

When you own a gorgeous venue , and are wellversed in bringing wedding dreams to life , hosting your own big day should be a cinch . Not so for newlyweds Samantha and Darren , owners of Braeside at Gin House Creek Estate ( spoiler alert : not their wedding venue ), who weathered lockdowns , floods and a complete nightbefore reset for their celebration . Seriously , you couldn ’ t write this script ! Turning a ‘ street festival vibe ’ into an intimate sit-down dinner at a completely new location isn ’ t for the faint of heart . But this couple rode the rollercoaster with grace and determination , discovering that while their take-three wedding was something different , it was still something wonderful . After seven years together and five sons between them , the couple are used to having a new adventure around every corner . “ We seem to bring out the drive , confidence and best in each other and have been incredibly fortunate since we met ,” says Sammi , a teacher in a previous life ( once voted Australian Teacher of the Year in fact !). “ In our first year we counted 47 flights together , travelling to India , Indonesia and America . We have bought , built , and sold a house . Then , by random chance , we bought a wedding venue that we were looking at for our own wedding !” The day of Darren ’ s proposal unfolded in typical style . It was Sammi ’ s birthday . Darren was running for council . Aaand it was the first day of the first Covid lockdown . Thinking her birthday would be forgotten , Sammi made herself a little backyard picnic , almost derailing Darren ’ s plans .

[ Top ] The couple had eyes on the prize ( getting married !) while still enjoying a memorable day . [ Below left ] The Island was transformed into an intimate wedding wonderland . [ Below right ] Darren had his crew by his side . [ Far left ] The delightful cake from Hello Little Crumb .

78 Autumn 2022