Carrick Hill Wedding // Lauren and Tim

It’s been a few years since my last Carrick Hill wedding, during that time they managed to build an incredible new building that’s just perfect for a wedding reception with views of the city as the sun goes down. There are hot days, and then there was Lauren and Tim’s wedding day. The kind of heat where you start sweating the moment you step outside, where the shade becomes your best friend, and where you realise very quickly that a black-tie dress code is both incredibly stylish and just a little bit ambitious. But if anyone could pull it off, it was these two.

Lauren and Tim’s story is the classic “right place, right time” moment. Having played hockey at the same club for years, their paths had crossed more times than they could count. But it wasn’t until a club event—one of those nights where you suddenly see someone in a whole new light—that everything clicked. A coffee date soon followed (at a spot they still love to this day), and from there, things just felt right. University days, moving in together, weekend adventures filled with fishing and exploring—it all unfolded so naturally that looking back, it’s hard to imagine it happening any other way.

Fast forward a few years, and Tim found himself on one of the most picturesque walks in Sydney, running on minimal sleep but with a very important plan in mind. As they reached a clearing on the Manly to Spit track, overlooking the ocean, he dropped to one knee and asked Lauren to marry him. She said yes, of course, and with that, the next chapter of their story began.

When it came to planning their wedding, Lauren and Tim wanted elegance without stiffness, formality with fun. A black-tie dress code set the tone, but the overall feel was all about a big, bright celebration with white, green, and brown tones tying everything together. And Carrick Hill? The perfect backdrop for it all.

The ceremony was nothing short of stunning—lush gardens, golden light filtering through the trees, and a very emotional moment as Lauren made her way down the aisle towards Tim. It’s always a special moment, but there was something about the way these two looked at each other that made it even more powerful. The heat? Forgotten. The black ties and jackets? Worth it.

From there, the party kicked off in true style—drinks flowing, laughter echoing across the gardens, and the kind of dance floor energy that only a group of athletes (and their very enthusiastic friends and family) could bring. If you thought playing state-league hockey required endurance, you should’ve seen this crowd tearing up the dance floor.

And for anyone wondering—yes, a black-tie wedding on a scorching day is still a great idea. Just maybe have a few extra cold drinks on hand!