Chrissy + Phil | Wonganella Winery Port Stephens

Country Wedding photographer, Nelson Bay wedding, Kangaroo Valley wedding photographer, Southern highlands photographer,

It started with a swipe right. And ended there, with Chrissy and Phil never actually meeting up for their tinder date. But fate had other plans, and it was at a mutual friends party that Chrissy saw a TALL handsome surfer across the room and realised it was the guy she cancelled her tinder date on. Chrissy said she was grateful that his profile photo didn’t do him justice cause she was sure Phil would have otherwise been ‘snapped up’.

Some relationships are a slow burn, formed on friendship first, but Phil yelling from a railroad bridge “that was the best kiss of my life” on their first date had them both realising that things were off to a great start.

Now Chrissy is one of our best friends and we were lucky enough to be up visiting her and Phil in Newcastle last year when Phil snuck out to propose at sunrise on the beach, with a gorgeous yellow diamond ring passed down from Phil’s beloved Nan, Annette.

Chrissy is a super relaxed, calm, chilled out person. The sort of person who is partial to napping. It’s Chrissy’s easygoing nature that is one of the things that attracted Phil to her, and is one of the reasons why we love her so much. This also makes her the perfect bride to shoot. She is the epitome of “Bridechilla”-while most brides would stressing getting nervous the morning of the wedding, I found her and Bel casually dolloping honeycomb onto huge rounds of cheese, and piling up awesome goodies in one of the best grazing tables I’ve seen.

But the week of the wedding did put that easy going nature to the test with Chrissy and Phil waking a week before the wedding to a text message from Phils brother saying his family had left for the airport 4 days early to fly out of Texas before cyclone Harvey struck, and Chrissy and Phils house soon became overflowing with family in the lead up to the day, much to the joy of their two rescue kitties, Alf and Sophie.

Friends and family travelled from all over the globe to celebrate their winery wedding. And the trip was well worth it. Chrissy looked absolutely radiant in her Maggie Sottero gown. Michelle Jackson Hair and Chic Artistry had her and the bridesmaids looking beautiful to walk down the aisle. A stand out was her niece Chloe who chose to wave a large stick as she wandered down the aisle with Chrissy and Phils other four nieces, in an attempt to ward off any wild animals that might be about (thanks to Chrissys dad, James for that!)

Their fantastic celebrant and friend Julie Muir married them infront of 110 guests, with Brown Bear and Hooves wowing everyone with their tunes. As the sun began to sink the paella got cranking and Master Blaster had everyone dancing (and imaginary skipping – thanks to Mbeezy) before the cutting of the Doughnut Tower. Everyone was smiling, everyone was happy and having a ball but no one looked happier or head over heels in love than Phil dancing with his new wife.

Bel, Bud, Pip and I love you two, and I echo Bels joy that Chrissy has found her soulmate. We know you will have a wonderful life together and are so blessed to call you both special friends. Congrats xx