SARAH
& HUW
To all of our nearest and dearest,
We cannot wait to celebrate our big day with you on Friday 5th April 2024 in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia!
To help you plan your trip, we've created our wedding website as a hub for all the information you will need including travel, accommodation and local recommendations, along with the schedule for our wedding weekend.
Please explore our website for details, and we ask that you RSVP at your earliest convenience, so we can include you in our wedding plans.
We’ll continue to update the website as we get closer to the wedding day, so please check back regularly for more information.
Lots of love,
Sarah and Huw xxx
THE CEREMONY
Friday 5th April 2024
3pm arrival time
Circa 1876 Hunter Valley, 64 Halls Rd, Pokolbin, NSW, 2320
The main event! We ask that guests arrive on time to ensure that everyone is seated for the ceremony which will commence at 3:30pm.
Canapés will be served from 4.30pm before transitioning into the reception starting at 6pm.
THE RECEPTION
Circa 1876 Restaurant Hunter Valley
from 6pm to 11.30pm
3 course dinner, beverages and speeches. The music will start at 8:30pm - get your dancing shoes on!
THE AFTERPARTY
The Convent Hotel (88 Halls Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320)
11:30pm - late
The party doesn't have to stop after the reception. We will continue the celebrations at our wedding venue accommodation with some casual drinks and conversations
THE WEDDING PARTY
ANDREW CABLE
BEST MAN
HAMISH KAY
BEST MAN
MAURIZIO BRUNO
GROOMSMAN
GARR-LAYY ZHOU
MAID OF HONOUR
SOPHIE MILWARD
MAID OF HONOUR
HELEN BENNETT
BRIDESMAID
PRIYA PATEL
BRIDESMAID
TRAVEL
SYDNEY KINGSFORD SMITH AIRPORT
If you are flying in from overseas, Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is the nearest airport to the Hunter Valley, and is an approximate 2.5 hours drive from the airport.
Airlines we recommend:
Singapore Airlines, British Airways, Qatar, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Air New Zealand, Virgin Atlantic and Qantas.
Websites we recommend to book your flights:
Skyscanner, Google Flights, Trail Finders or directly with the airlines.
Visa- For those travelling from overseas, please be aware you will need to apply for an Australian e-Visitor visa before travelling (via https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/). For British passport holders, it's free and processing time is between 1 - 2 days.
SYDNEY
Hunter Valley is within 2.5 hours from Sydney and is easily accessible via the M1.
When driving out of Sydney, we suggest avoiding rush hour (between 7:30am - 9:30am and 4pm - 7pm) - Sydney traffic is no fun!
The Hunter Valley has no trains and is generally limited in terms of other public transport, so we recommend driving.
Reputable car hire companies from Sydney: Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt and AVIS.
When driving, please be mindful of Australian wildlife in the area like kangaroos, especially around dawn and dusk.
HUNTER VALLEY
There are a handful of taxi firms operating within the Hunter Valley (no Uber) so we suggest booking taxis in advance.
Local taxi companies:
Cessnock Radio Cabs +61 (0)2 4990 1111
Diggers Shuttle Service & Taxis in Maitland +61 (0)2 4032 7999
Taxis should cost around $15-20 (£10-12) for those staying within 10 minutes of the venue.
Please be aware, taxis can be very slow in the Hunter Valley so we recommend you allow yourself plenty of time when booking taxis.
HOTELS
THE CONVENT HOTEL (ON-SITE)
Our wedding venue has onsite accommodation called The Convent Hotel with 15 rooms available for our guests.
We'd love for you to stay with us at The Convent, particularly those who would like to continue with the celebrations after the reception where we will have casual drinks back at the hotel. The Convent is a short 5 min stroll to and from the ceremony and reception.
Please indicate if you would like to stay at The Convent Hotel in your RSVP, so we can assign you a room. We will do our best to accommodate as many guests as possible. Rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
The Convent price is $500 per twin room which includes an à la carte breakfast- payments to be made to Sarah and Huw.
There is also the option to stay the night before the wedding at a cost of $400 (weeknight rate) - to be booked directly with The Convent Hotel.
OTHER ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS (OFFSITE)
If you are looking to stay locally there are some options nearby:
THE RYDGES RESORT HUNTER VALLEY
from $373/Night
The Rydges have offered a 15% wedding discount rate for our guests. To access the discount rate, book using the website link below where an automatic 15% discount will be applied,
MERCURE RESORT HUNTER VALLEY GARDENS
from $450/ Night
THE CARRIAGES
from $275/ Night (2 night minimum stay)
The Carriages is short 5 minute walk from Circa 1876 via a small walking track making it a convenient location from the wedding venue.
There are plenty of Airbnb options also available in the area.
RECOVERY BREAKFAST
We'll be regrouping the day after the wedding on Saturday morning at The Convent Hotel. For those not staying at the hotel, you can join us for the à la carte breakfast for $39pp.
Please let us know if you would like to join us for breakfast in your RSVP.
POST-WEDDING CELEBRATIONS
We are truly grateful for everyone making the effort to attend our wedding, and appreciate that for some of you, you’ll need to head back to Sydney after the wedding day.
But for those of you wishing to stay on for the weekend and make the most of this beautiful region, we'll be organising accommodation for everyone to extend their stay until Sunday.
We are organising a wine tour for those staying on (est. cost $140 inc. lunch) to take in some of the fantastic wineries and food in the area and will be staying at The Rydges (est. cost $350 per room). Dinner on the Sunday will likely just be a casual thing at the resort.
Please indicate in your RSVP if you would like to join us for this or let us know directly so we can include you in the numbers!
HUNTER VALLEY - THINGS TO DO
It’s no surprise that the best thing to do in Hunter Valley is to visit some wineries. Self-guided on electric bikes is recommended as well as self-driven or organised wine tours.
Here are some of our favourite wineries in The Hunter Valley: Pepper Tree (on the Circa 1876 grounds), Ivanhoe Wines, Petersons Wines, Iron Gate Estate, Scarborough Wines, Tintilla Estate, Glandore Estate, Oakvale Wines. There are also a number of breweries and distilleries in the area.
Other things to do: local cheese and chocolate shops, Hunter Valley gardens and plenty of restaurants to choose from including Muse Kitchen, Restaurant Botanica and Cafe Enzo (their brunch is a must!).
WHERE TO STAY IN SYDNEY
DARLINGHURST / SURRY HILLS - the "Soho" of Sydney with brunch / dinner options and great nightlife. We recommend using buses, trains and trams to get around, although the city is within walking distance. Sarah and Huw also live close by.
PADDINGTON - a beautiful area with fantastic shopping and good dinner options. Paddington is also close to where Sarah and Huw live.
SYDNEY CBD (Central Business District) - the city centre of Sydney with larger hotels, lots of fantastic restaurants and bars, shopping and attractions like the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and museums to explore. We recommend staying somewhere with a harbour view (and you might get a view of some of Sydney’s other most iconic landmarks).
DARLING HARBOUR - on the edge of Sydney’s CBD but with water views of the harbour, which is less built up than the CBD but still offers plenty of restaurants and things to do to keep you busy.
BONDI - if you’re looking for beach living then Bondi is a fan favourite. Bondi is easily accessible from the city via public transport and is great for morning beach walks, good brunches, and dinners options. You could even take up surfing!
SYDNEY THINGS TO DO
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE - the world famous venue, has daily tours, and hosts various events throughout the year including theatre, music, and comedy.
HARBOUR BRIDGE - the walk across the Harbour Bridge from The Rocks to Kirribilli is a must. Admire the views of the harbour at Bradfield Park and take a stroll to our favourite brunch spot Celsius Coffee & Dining (located right on the water at Kirribilli Wharf). After brunch, catch the ferry to Circular Quay where you will be able to take in the view of the Opera House from the water.
SYDNEY BOTANICAL GARDENS - amazingly maintained parklands to explore right next to the Opera House.
MUSEUMS - loads of museums including our favourites Museum of Modern Art, the Australia Museum, and the National Maritime Museum.
BONDI TO COOGEE WALK - explore your way through Sydney's golden beaches along the coastal walk, just don't forget your swimmers and take a dip in Bondi's famous Icebergs pool whilst you're there!
WATSON'S BAY - beautiful day trip taking Sydney’s ferries to Watson’s Bay. Enjoy fish and chips on the beach and a walk along the glorious headland.
MANLY BEACH - catch a ferry from Circular Quay and enjoy Manly's beautiful beach with lots of shopping and brunch options.
DAY TRIPS FROM SYDNEY
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS - day trip to one of Australia’s most beautiful regions with short walks through the bush and astounding views from atop of the mountains - you can also get the train to Katoomba from Sydney's central station for the day if you don’t have access to a car
FEATHERDALE WILDLIFE PARK - sanctuary for rescued wildlife that has the largest collection of Australian wildlife in the World!
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK - the national park is within one hour of Sydney and contains many beautiful beaches and walks along the way including the Figure Eight Pools and Sea Cliff Bridge. Be sure to stop off at Bald Hill look out to admire the view of the coastline and watch the hang gliders soaring over the cliffs.
....and many more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GETTING TO THE WEDDING VENUE?
For guests who are not staying on site, we recommend taking a taxi to/from the venue.
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WHAT'S THE DRESS CODE?
Something that makes you feel fabulous!
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WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?
Although we love all the little ones in our lives, we hope you will understand our decision to make our wedding child-free so that you can take the opportunity to let your hair down for the night and celebrate with us.
We understand that it may be difficult to leave a nursing infant at home or with a sitter, so babies under 12 months are welcome to attend. Please let us know as part of your RSVP if you will be bringing your bub, so we can ensure there is enough pram space at your table.
Noting, there will be two children in attendance: Anna (niece) and Isaac (nephew) who will be part of the wedding party. Please consider them as “VIPs”.
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WHAT ABOUT WEDDING GIFTS?
We appreciate all of the effort that our friends and family will have made to be part of our wedding, so please don’t feel obliged to get us a gift, however if you wish to, a contribution to our honeymoon would be gratefully received.
A gifting site will be set up shortly for anyone who would like to contribute to our honeymoon funds.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF IT'S RAINING?
The wedding ceremony will be taking place outdoors on the grounds of the property.
If it’s bad weather on the day, we will continue with the ceremony outside - the venue can provide the majority of guests with umbrellas to remain dry but we ask that you also bring your own should we not have enough. We will conduct all of the other activities inside.
If the weather is really bad, the wedding ceremony will either take place within the small on-site chapel, or elsewhere within the reception venue.
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WEDDING UNPLUGGED
Although we love that you will be capturing the event for your own memories, and ours, we ask that you kindly keep your phones away during the ceremony as we’ll have amazing photographers and videographers capturing the event and your reactions as it unfolds, so we’d like to keep it as natural as possible.
Please feel free to take as many photos and videos as you want for the remainder of the day.
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DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
To ensure that we can accommodate everyone's needs during the reception, we ask that you include any dietary requirements within the RSVP to ensure the restaurant is aware of this ahead of time.
If you are also staying on-site at The Convent for the wedding, please also make sure the hotel is aware of your dietary requirements, to ensure they can cater for this at breakfast.
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HOW DO I BOOK INTO THE CONVENT HOTEL?
We have already booked out the entire hotel for the evening of the wedding - if you would like to stay at The Convent then please indicate in your RSVP so that we can reserve you a room. Payments to be made to Sarah and Huw.
If you also wish to stay the night before the wedding to join us early, you can book this directly with The Convent Hotel - there's still space!
Photographer: https://www.instagram.com/bandwagonbull/
THANK YOU
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for playing such an important part in our special day. Your presence, love and well wishes made our wedding a truly unforgettable experience.
To help relive those magical moments, we're excited to share some links below that we hope will transport you back to 5th April 2024.
With all our love and appreciation,
Mr. and Mrs. Costello
Sarah & Huw's Wedding Photo Gallery
Our official wedding photo gallery from our incredible photographer Matt Ashton:
Sarah & Huw's Unofficial Wedding Photos
An unofficial wedding photo gallery for all of the other photos taken across the wedding weekend. If you have any photos from the day, we would be grateful if you could share them here too:
Sarah & Huw's Wedding Playlist on Spotify
Our wedding playlist so you can revisit the dance floor whenever you want - don't forget to subscribe or create a copy of the wedding playlist to your Spotify account. Happy listening:
Sarah & Huw's Wedding Day Video
Coming very soon...
Sarah & Huw's Chinese Tea Ceremony
Our photos from our Chinese Tea Ceremony captured by Alex Bull