Wallalong House Wedding 

Rob and Cate met seven years ago at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Newcastle. Funnily enough, Shaun, their mutual friend, also put his hand up to be their wedding MC on the night. It took another 18 months and a move to Sydney, where they both work as paediatric doctors, before they actually started dating. Rob proposed a year before their wedding on a family trip to Darwin where they planned to introduce their parents for the first time. On their way to pick up Cate’s parents from the airport they took a little detour to East Point so Rob could propose. It was a special place for Rob as he grew up in the area and the road out there was named after his grandfather. Four years into the relationship, it was their families’ first time all meeting together, and Cate’s parents got to hear the news the moment they landed at the airport.

That mix of family, warmth and not taking things too seriously carried straight through to their wedding day at Wallalong House, just outside Maitland in the Hunter Valley. As a Hunter Valley wedding photographer, these are the kinds of weddings I love photographing.

Why Wallalong House

The appeal for Cate and Rob was simple: they wanted their ceremony and reception in one place, surrounded by plenty of greenery, with a solid wet-weather plan if they needed it. Wallalong House ticked all three boxes, with the ceremony framed by giant fig trees and the marquee out the back providing a beautiful space for their reception, while also giving them a ready-made wet-weather ceremony option if needed.

The Ceremony

Cate and Rob said their vows beneath the giant fig trees, Wallalong House’s signature ceremony setting, with Jaya Bargwanna officiating. With the sprawling branches overhead and soft afternoon light filtering through the leaves, it was a beautiful spot for an outdoor ceremony and one that made the most of what makes Wallalong House so distinctive.

With their closest family and friends gathered around them, the ceremony felt relaxed and intimate despite the scale of the setting. There was plenty of laughter, a few emotional moments and, by the time Cate and Rob walked back down the aisle together, a very happy group of guests ready to celebrate with them.

Drinks on the Lawn

From the ceremony, everyone spilled onto the Garden Lawn for drinks and canapés as the afternoon began to soften. Music, laughter and conversation drifted across the lawn as guests settled in and Cate and Rob took some time to enjoy the afternoon with everyone before heading off for their portraits and then into the reception. With the homestead, gardens and open lawn surrounding them, it was exactly the relaxed garden-party atmosphere they had envisioned for the day.

The Reception

Cate and Rob described their overall wedding vision as “garden party vibes, sophisticated but fun,” and that feeling carried through the styling and details of the day. When the doors to the Marquee opened, the reception space overlooking the valley came together with whites, blues and touches of yellow through Film & Foliage’s florals, playful custom bar signs and table menus.

Dinner was served by Fennel & Co as shared plates, reflecting the way Cate and Rob actually love to eat, gathered around a table, sharing food and enjoying each other’s company without too much formality.

As the sun began to set across the valley, Cate and Rob slipped away for a few quiet minutes of sunset portraits before returning to their guests. Back inside, live music from Jerome O’Connor and Master Blaster carried the celebrations into the night.

Scroll through below to see how beautifully Cate & Rob’s Wallalong House wedding came to life.

The Vendors Who Made It Happen

Wedding planner: Jordan Weaver Events

Celebrant: Jaya Bargwanna
Hair & make-up: Airlie & Co
Florals: Film & Foliage
Cake: Sweet Poison Cakes
Live music: Jerome O’Connor & Master Blaster
Bride’s dress: Eva Lendel, via Marry Me Bridal, Mosman
Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka
Bride’s ring: Creative Jewellers, Darwin
Bridesmaid dresses: HÉXIÉ
Groom’s suit & groomsmen: MJ Bale
Groom’s boots: RM Williams
Groom’s ring: Creative Jewellers
Invitations: One Mimosa Please
Catering: Fennel & Co