COVER STORY
A South Australian Estate Wedding with a Sentimental Twist
WITH THE BRIDAL JOURNEY
Some weddings feel like a page from a novel: a historic stone manor, a custom dress stitched with sentiment, a dance floor under the stars. For Harriet and Henry, their March wedding at Eurilla Estate was not only one of the first hosted at the storied Adelaide Hills property but also a deeply personal celebration that reflected their roots, relationship, and refined sense of style.
Photography by Stacey McLean
HARRIET & HENRY (1)
Eurilla Estate Nuptials
The couple met on a dance floor in Adelaide in early 2016. “We first crossed paths at a mutual friend’s 21st and have been together ever since,” says Harriet. After two years in their hometown, they relocated to Sydney in 2018, but South Australia remained central to their story. It’s where they fell in love, where Henry proposed, and where they chose to say ‘I do’ nearly a decade later, surrounded by 150 of their closest friends and family.
The Proposal
In April 2024, Henry proposed in Blackburn Gardens, overlooking Redleaf Beach in Sydney. “He told me we were meeting friends for coffee, but they were hiding in the bushes ready to capture the moment,” Harriet recalls. “He was so nervous, he could barely get the words out.” Champagne flowed, followed by lunch at Margaret’s, and a weekend celebrating at Watson’s Bay Hotel. “Today, we still say our engagement was one of our favourite days.”
The Venue
It didn’t take long for the couple to fall in love with Eurilla Estate. “We were open to venues in either South Australia or New South Wales and had seen many online,” says Harriet. “But when we visited Eurilla in person, we knew instantly it was the one.” With its sweeping gardens, hydrangea borders, and a charming cottage for the couple to stay in, the property offered the perfect canvas for their garden party vision.
A dry-hire venue, Eurilla allowed them to bring in every detail, from the long tables and festoon lights to the white pleated pendants scattered throughout the clear marquee. “It was more work than we realised, but it meant we could make the day completely our own.”
“It was more work than we realised, but it meant we could make the day completely our own.” says Harriet.
HARRIET & HENRY (2)
Photography Stacey McLean
The Styling
The aesthetic drew from Harriet and Henry’s classic personal style, filtered through the lens of the property’s grandeur. “We wanted something traditional yet charming,” Harriet explains. The palette was soft and natural with layers of white, matcha green and blush woven through linen tablecloths, spray roses, candles and hand-printed menus. The reception space was arranged with a grey and white checkered dance floor in the centre, surrounded by long tables to keep the mood intimate and connected.
ORTC Events managed the day, but Harriet led the styling decisions with help from her sister Madeleine. “Pinterest was my best friend,” she laughs. “But having a clear vision helped when it came to not getting distracted by every beautiful idea online.”
“But having a clear vision helped when it came to not getting distracted by every beautiful idea online.” says Harriet.
The Fashion
Harriet wore a custom Greta Kate gown, an off-the-shoulder, romantic yet modern silhouette. Her reception look was a full-circle moment: her Year 12 formal dress, lovingly restored. “Mum sent me a photo of it one day, and it clicked. Greta made a few small alterations, and it fit like a glove.”
Accessories were kept minimal. She wore a custom Greta Kate veil, a gold Olivia Bond bracelet, and pearl drop earrings from Mejuri. Her heels were white satin Vince Camuto pumps, chosen for comfort on recommendation from stylist Little White Looks.
Henry worked with Porter at P. Johnson Tailors to design a midnight-blue dinner suit, a nod to understated elegance. “Porter is from Port Lincoln, near where I grew up,” Harriet shares, “so there was a lovely hometown connection.”
The bridal party wore black dresses in different styles by designers, including Zimmermann, Esse Studios, Bianca Spender, Rachel Gilbert, and Kika Vargas. Each look was individually chosen and paired with strappy black heels and gold jewellery. Harriet gifted her bridesmaids relaxed white pieces from Deiji Studios to get ready.
HARRIET & HENRY (5)
Memorable Moments
The Ceremony
Set under a canopy of trees, the ceremony featured acoustic artist Nick Cunningham, who also performed at Harriet’s sister’s wedding ten years earlier. “Henry is a huge fan. He’s in Nick’s top 0.01% of listeners on Spotify,” Harriet says. She walked down the aisle to his cover of Simply the Best, a nod to their mutual love of Schitt’s Creek and a song that played on repeat in the lead-up.
Although they opted for a traditional Catholic ceremony, the couple closed their reception with heartfelt speeches to one another. “It was our way of ending the formalities with something just for us.”
The Reception
he reception, held in a black-frame marquee, was designed for atmosphere. Festoon lights, pleated lanterns, and low candlelight set the tone for an intimate evening. The menu by Emma Reeves Catering was a standout, with Chardonnay-poached chicken sandwiches, lamb with duck fat potatoes and late-night toasties featuring taleggio, smoked mozzarella and ’nduja. Drinks included Aperol and Hugo spritzes, South Australian wines, espresso shots, gin, and tonics served from trays as the night progressed.
The couple’s first dance to Billy Joel’s “Vienna” felt effortlessly natural. “We didn’t get around to dance lessons, so we kept it simple,” Harriet says. “But it was perfect.”
The Memories
While the whole day unfolded flawlessly, despite 35-degree heat, one moment stands out. “Walking down the aisle felt like an out-of-body experience,” Harriet says. “But the real magic happened later, on the dance floor, surrounded by everyone we love.”
The celebration was captured in the Super 8 film, giving the day a layer of nostalgic beauty. “Seeing all our people in one place, dancing and laughing together, made all the planning feel completely worth it.”
Stick to your vision and don’t try to please everyone else. Add personal touches where you can, because those details you’ll remember most. Once you’ve made a decision, trust it. Don’t overthink every little thing. It goes so fast, so try to soak it all in.”
HARRIET & HENRY (4)
Memorable Moments
Vendors
Photography: @staceymcleanphoto
Venue: @eurilla_estate
Dress: @gretakate
Reception Dress: Vintage
Hair: @chelsealouise.hair
Makeup: @_alisha_makeup
Flowers: @blossomsep
Furniture: @sashevents @whitemarquee
Stationery: @terracepress
Suit: @pjohnsontailors
Catering: @emmareevescatering
Music: @nickcunningham @entertainmentadelaide
Lighting: @venue.productions
Dance Floor: @sa_staging
