Sophie & Kurt

PHOTOS: DUSTIN LING

Sophie AND KurtKATOOMBA

THE CARRINGTON HOTEL WAS A DREAM VENUE FOR SYDNEY COUPLE SOPHIE AND KURT, WHO WANTED TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVE AMID ART DECO GRANDEUR.

Two years after meeting in a Newcastle pub, singing loudly to Billy Joel songs, Sophie Smyth and Kurt Rupp made the decision to marry.

“I always wanted to get married in the Carrington Hotel – it’s such a majestic and beautiful place, and it was the only venue we rang when we got engaged,” Sophie explains. “Our wedding date – 18 August 2018 – was picked for us, as it was the only date the hotel still had available.”

Based in Sydney, the couple share a love of art deco architecture and Kurt has an ongoing connection to the Blue Mountains, as he used to visit the region regularly as a child. “The mountains is great all year round but it’s extra magical in winter and we often spend a weekend there relaxing in front of fireplaces – it’s very romantic,” he says.

As well as being sold on the Carrington’s grandeur, Sophie and Kurt loved the idea of having their ceremony and reception in one place. “Being able to have our guests stay at the venue was also perfect,” Sophie adds. “Because it’s such a beautiful destination and isn’t too far from Sydney, the Blue Mountains is the ideal place to get people together for a celebration. We really wanted our guests to leave their normal lives behind for a weekend.”

With the date set, the couple started planning the finer details of their big day. “We wanted two bridesmaids and two groomsmen and had 90 guests on our list,” says Sophie. “I did most of the planning and Fiona Morrison [Wedding Coordinator at The Carrington Hotel] took time to help us out with the specifics of the day. I also had some help from family members and friends.”

Sophie and Kurt’s celebrations kicked off on Friday, with everyone meeting for dinner in advance of the wedding. It snowed lightly on the Friday night, but the skies cleared. “The actual day was cold but perfect,” says Sophie. “We were married by our hilarious celebrant, Ben Ager, then moved into the hotel’s Grand Dining Room for a three-course meal and the cake-cutting and speeches.”

Music was provided by Soda Jazz Band and the couple danced their first dance as Mr and Mrs Rupp to the Beach Boys classic, God Only Knows. “We had the most amazing day and seeing Sophie at the end of the aisle for the first time was a highlight for me,” says Kurt.

“Dancing with my husband and our family and friends all night was so fantastic, and having a photo booth was so much fun,” Sophie adds. “It felt like we had the whole hotel to ourselves, and it was so lovely to wake up the next morning in the Carrington’s luxurious art deco rooms. It was an unforgettable weekend for everyone.” BML

It felt like we had the whole hotel to ourselves, and it was so lovely to wake up the next morning in the Carrington’s luxurious art deco rooms.“ “

STYLE FILE

RECEPTION & CEREMONY The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba CELEBRANT Ben Ager BRIDE Dress by Bridal Atelier, Double Bay. Worn with Christian Louboutin shoes and Jodie Louise Millinery hairpiece BRIDESMAIDS Own dresses GROOM & GROOMSMEN Suits from asos.com WEDDING RINGS Australian Diamond Brokers, Sydney HAIR Hairitage at the Carrington MAKEUP White Lion Cosmetica FLOWERS Kiko Design, Dulwich Hill CAKE Butter Cream Cake with caramel, chocolate and lemon layers, made by Buttercream Bakery, Sydney CATERING Canapés, cocktails and a three-course sit-down dinner prepared by the Carrington Hotel MUSIC Soda Jazz Band PHOTO BOOTH In the Booth INVITATIONS etsy.com ACCOMMODATION The Carrington Hotel PHOTOS Dustin Ling