Perfect storm: Rain doesn’t dampen Claire and Bernie’s rustic winery wedding

Most brides wish for sunshine on their big day, but for Claire and Bernie, even raging thunderstorms couldn’t dampen spirits at their rustic winery wedding.

“Don’t worry about the weather,” Claire reflects.

“We wanted a bright sunny day but the thunderstorms kept everyone together on the dancefloor and the cloud cover gave us the most amazing photos, we couldn’t be happier.”

The paramedics, who met when they were rostered together, held their love-filled celebrations at Acacia Ridge Winery in Yarra Glen on Melbourne Cup Eve, November 4, 2019.

“It was the first venue we viewed, we felt it was us from the moment we drove into the carpark,” Claire says.

The couple wed undercover at the rustic venue in front of 130 friends and family.

“We had personalised vows and we signed our wedding certificate with a trout pen (yes, a pen that looked like a giant fish) – Bernie won it on one of our first dates,” Claire says.

Rustic styling ruled the marquee reception, with fairy lights, hessian table runners, laser-cut timber placecards and succulent favours.

Claire says the wild weather actually added to their rustic winery wedding.

“I loved looking up into the roof of the clear marquee when it was covered in raindrops during a downpour, watching the lightning bolts over the valley was an amazing sight,” she says.

Photos courtesy of Love and Other Photography.

“I wanted something fun and elegant,” Claire says of her beautiful lace gown.

Bernie went with a fresh take on the classic black-tie look with a charcoal shirt from Daniel Hechter.

“Paul is a bit of a comedian, he gave everyone a humorous account of how we met and our journey prior to the day. He made it fun yet heartfelt and our guests loved him,” Claire says of the ceremony.

When asked what she loves most about new husband Bernie, she says it’s his warm loving nature and sense of humor.

The couple had an 18-month engagement to plan their winery wedding, choosing rustic-style invitations from Giant Invitations to invite their 130 guests.

The couple opted for a cheese cake, with tempting tiers including brie, cheddar and Manchego.