After almost a decade together, Brandon popped the question to Sally at their favourite hiking spot Aaoraki/Mount Cook in New Zealand.
The couple tied the knot among the wildflower gardens at Down the Rabbit Hole Wines. Sally says the unexpected rain made the day perfect – a rainbow appearing on cue for the newlyweds’ photos. “Having to pause when it rained was so perfect in order to take it all in,” Sally says. “It was all so perfect and far too quick.”
Location Down the Rabbit Hole Wines
Celebrant Tita Ascencio, Por Vida Ceremonies
Bridal gown Caleche Bridal House
Groom’s suit Oscar Hunt
Flowers Flora Lab
Cake Sunday Flour Shop
Photographer Jones and Jagger
Tell us about your big day.
When planning our wedding we had three goals: Good people, good food and good music. We knew we wanted an intimate event, with our immediate family and closest friends – our favourite people in the world. We knew from the moment we first visited Down The Rabbit Hole in 2024 (after moving to Adelaide) that this was where we wanted to be married. Dom and the staff are all so genuinely kind and welcoming, their wine is incredible and the food by chef Nick is next level delicious!
Our wedding day began at 5pm so we had such a relaxed morning getting ready. We had a little patch of rain during our ceremony which, looking back, was perfect! We all raced undercover and gave us the chance to pause, catch our breath and take it all in. After the rain, came the sun and a cool breeze which everyone said was a paid actor with how it made my veil flow gently in the wind. We were also lucky enough to have a rainbow come out when taking photos. After the Ceremony, limoncello spritzes were passed around and a chance for us to mingle and catch up.
Dinner was super laid back with the most incredible multi course menu made especially for us by chef Nick from local, seasonal produce followed by wto desserts (a beautiful panna cotta and our tiramisu wedding cake).
After the sun had set we moved out onto the deck and had our first dance under the festoon lights (we danced to Harvest Moon by Neil Young), then the party started! There were limincello shots all around and everyone hit the dance floor. It was all so perfect and far too quick!
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What do you both do for work?
I work in hospital pharmacy and Brandon in aviation.
How did you meet?
We met through my sister many years ago and reconnected five years later when we very quickly fell in love. This year will be nine years together.
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Tell us about the engagement.
Brandon asked me to marry him in New Zealand while we were on a hike to our favourite spot in the world, in front of Aaoraki (Mt Cook), with the most beautiful ring, a salt and pepper diamond that he designed with the team at Heirloom Jewellers based in Newcastle, NSW.
What did you love about your dress?
I truly have never felt as beautiful as how I felt wearing my gown from Caleche. It was crafted with so much expertise and care and it fit my body perfectly. The entire team at Caleche were beyond kind and incredible and even designed my veil for me (a Juliette style). My gown was like liquid silk with a gorgeous low back and removal sleeves.
What was your inspiration behind the styling?
Down The Rabbit Hole has the most incredible wild flower gardens which was such a big inspiration for our styling and flowers for the day. We are so lucky they have such a beautiful venue so we didn’t need to bring in anything. And with their double decker bus as such a fun spot, we were able to hang a Just Married sign where we had our group photo. Our florals for the ceremony were re-purposed for the ceremony and DTRH also have flowers from their gardens for each table.
What was one of your favourite parts of the day?
Looking back, I think having the pause when it rained was so perfect in order to pause and take it all in (as it just flies by) but every moment we were able to spend with our family and friends feasting was the best.
This article first appeared in the April 2026 issue of SALIFE magazine.
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