Sam and Andy’s autumn wedding was all about celebrating with their family and friends. Before the ceremony, close guests arrived at their house for a relaxed afternoon with drinks and canapes.

It may not be traditional for the bride and groom to see each other before the ceremony, but Sam and Andy decided that it was the right choice for them. One of the most special and emotional moments of the whole day is seeing each other for the first time, whether it’s just the two of you before the wedding or when the bride is walking down the aisle. We felt privileged that we were witnesses to the first time Sam and Andy saw each other on their wedding day.

The National Portrait Gallery is one of our favourite Canberra wedding venues, and only recently did we begin to fully appreciate how beautifully designed the building is. Not to mention the fantastic staff who catered for the reception. The National Portrait Gallery have an undercover area where they can serve canapés, so your guests can all stay warm and dry if it’s a rainy wedding day. With the National Gallery of Australia just across the road and parks nearby, there are so many beautiful locations for photography. Luckily they also have lots of undercover options too in case of wet weather. Canberrans are quickly realising the potential of the NPG, with HerCanberra running their Unveiled wedding fair here, and Hustle and Scout and the Handmade Markets holding Oh Happy Day back in 2015.