Sarah and Gene

Sarah AND Gene RYDAL

FULFILLING THEIR DESIRE FOR A WINTER WEDDING, THIS MARRICKVILLE COUPLE TURNED THEIR UNION INTO A WEEKEND OF CELEBRATING IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

PHOTOS: DANIEL GRIFFITHS PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah Whitworth and Gene Fehlberg originally met online back in November 2010 but almost didn’t make it to their first date. “Being a musician, Gene asked if I’d like to watch him play, so I took a few friends with me. Because his photo on the website was so small, I assumed he was the bass player and didn’t feel any attraction, so promptly left after the first set,” says Sarah.

“Gene then called me while I was on my way home with my friend Jenny and asked if I liked his singing,” she adds. “I turned to Jenny and screamed, ‘He was the singer!’ – obviously I thought he was cute, and the rest is history.”

Six years later, in June 2016, the couple became engaged in Thailand. Gene had hired a private boat during a visit to the Phi Phi Islands and proposed mid-swim by pulling the ring out from his board shorts.

After planning the various aspects of their wedding for months in advance but not coming up with the ideal location, Sarah and Gene stumbled across Blue Mountains Love in a Newtown newsagency and their search began in earnest.

“When I discovered that Paul Bedggood, the makeup artist I had chosen for my wedding day, was featured in the magazine, I realised the Blue Mountains was meant to be,” Sarah recalls.

“Gene is originally from Mullumbimby, in northern New South Wales, and had never been to the Blue Mountains before I took him there when we were dating,” says Sarah. “Ever since, weekends away have been spent exploring mountain cafés and restaurants, and going for hikes – it’s become our go-to place.”

With their birthdays in June and July, Sarah and Gene decided a winter wedding would be the perfect way to keep the celebrations going each year. “A summer wedding never had any appeal,” says Gene. “The idea of red wine and craft beer by the fire with amazing music and views was so us.”

The couple set 8 July 2017 as their wedding date and chose Seclusions Blue Mountains, in Rydal, as their venue. Along with beautiful views from every angle, this romantic retreat has six cabins onsite, all with spas and gas log fires. There is also the ‘Super Cabin’, privately set on a hillside and boasting a glass-encased double spa looking out across the lush rolling hills.

After six months of planning, with a great deal of love and support from family, the big day arrived and 100 guests gathered outdoors at Seclusions to witness Sarah and Gene exchange their vows. Two of Sarah’s bridesmaids, Chelsea Gilleran and Melissa Patterson, even flew all the way over from the US.

“It was super freezing and we were shaking while signing the documents,” laughs Sarah. “But the sun came out right after the ceremony, and everyone loved being around the fire. It was a ceremony filled with love and respect for each other and those around us – including couples who couldn’t get married at the time under New South Wales law.”

Respect was also shown for loved ones who have passed, including Gene’s Dad, Kerry. “We shared photos as a reminder that they are still with us,” says Gene, adding that another special touch was having Sarah’s mother, Jane, and brother David read a poem during the ceremony.

Family members also helped out with the flowers. “We bought flowers from Sydney Flower Market and they were arranged by my artist brother, David, and Gene’s mother, Carol, who is also an artist,” says Sarah. “The gum was provided by Gene’s Aunty Val and Uncle Ross, who own Camellia Hill Foliage Farm in Silvan, Victoria – Carol drove it all the way to the Blue Mountains!”

‘Something blue’ was provided by the hand-dyed silk ribbon tied around the flowers, which came from Songbird Silk, owned by Gene’s sister-in-law’s sister, Tamara Franz.

While there was so much to love about their big day, Sarah says Gene singing her down the aisle was her standout moment: “The crowd was shocked and everyone cried when Gene started singing Van Morrison’s Crazy Love. It had us all going, including my father, Trevor, who was walking me.”

Gene says the whole experience of getting married was exhilarating: “For me, it was the intensity of the day overall, and the love of family and friends in the room and all together.”

Taking lessons at El Paso Dance Studio for six weeks meant Sarah danced in perfect step with Gene and her Dad. The venue also proved to be perfect – along with the spectacular views, Gene says he really appreciated the outstanding service: “Tom, the owner, is straight up and easy to deal with – he listens to concerns and answers questions promptly, and he even lent a hand on the night, when we had to quickly make up another table because we had miscounted the numbers.”

Mr and Mrs Fehlberg both say they wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Blue Mountains as a wedding destination. “The surrounds are beautiful, the air is crisp and clean, and it’s a beautiful place for family and friends to get away for the weekend,” Sarah concludes. “It’s also so cosy in winter!” BML

“The crowd was shocked and everyone cried when “ Gene started singing Van Morrison’s Crazy Love.

STYLE FILE

CEREMONY, RECEPTION & ACCOMMODATION Seclusions Blue Mountains, Rydal CELEBRANT Leighton Heise HAIR & MAKEUP Paul Bedggood, Katoomba BRIDE ‘Barefaced Bride’ dress from sarahjoseph.com. Worn with vintage pumps. The bridesmaids wore dresses they chose from diff erent stores GROOM Suit from M.J. Bale, Sydney. Worn with Loake shoes from Enrico Santi Shoes, Chippendale. The groomsmen wore their own suits and accessories WEDDING RINGS, SARAH’S JEWELLERY & BRIDESMAIDS’ EARRINGS Handcrafted at Studio 303, Leichhardt FLOWERS Purchased from Sydney Flower Market and arranged by Sarah’s brother, David, and Gene’s mother, Carol. Blue hand-dyed silk ribbon from songbirdsilk.com.au CATERING & DESSERT TABLE Eden Catering, Central Coast MUSIC During the ceremony, Shaston King, Micah King and Dan Sipple performed. The Mitch Anderson Band played after dinner and there was an open jam at the end of the night, with Gene having a play on guitar! STATIONERY Invites were designed by Sarah and Gene via greenenvelope.com PHOTOS Daniel Griffi ths Photography