A Poetic Fall Wedding in Adelaide Hills, South Australia

As an international wedding photographer, Hayley brought a practiced eye and a deeply personal vision to her own celebration with her partner Dylan — held at Villarica Estate, a Tuscan-inspired property nestled in the Adelaide Hills. Drawn to its European architecture and hillside grandeur, the couple envisioned a day that balanced elegance with ease.

The ceremony took place in front of the estate’s stone façade, where sculptural white and green florals framed the aisle in soft, organic symmetry while guests were seated on pared-back black chairs, shaded by parasols.

Beneath strings of fairy lights, the alfresco reception began with long tables draped in cream silk and adorned with personal detail — each place setting marked by a handwritten letter, sealed with custom wax. Italian dishes were paired with South Australian wines, while a black-and-white film of the couple, projected at dusk, offered an intimate pause before the rest of the evening unfolded.

Our Story

Names / Hayley Rafton & Dylan Stankovic

Location / Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Wedding Date / April 5th, 2025

Guest Numbers / 100

How We Met

We met at a friend’s wedding, Dylan was the groomsmen and I was the photographer!

Our Engagement Story

Dylan proposed on the 30th of December 2023 at my family’s place at Lake Conjola, a place that’s incredibly special to me. He dropped to one knee right by the water at sunset, and it was absolutely perfect. We had six of our closest friends and their babies there, which made it even more intimate and meaningful. He threw me off a bit because I thought he’d propose either on New Year’s Eve or on my birthday the following week!

What we love most about each other…

I love Dylan’s heart for people and his kind gentle spirit (he’s a gentle giant!). He’s always making me laugh and never takes life too seriously.

I love Hayley’s passion for her work and the way she is always looking out for others. She also has strong family values and always prioritizes the people she loves.

The Setting

Wedding Location

As a wedding photographer, I knew I wanted to get married at a venue I hadn’t shot at before, which honestly made narrowing down our options a bit challenging! As much as I loved them, venues like Mona Farm and Krinklewood were off the table.

I had seen the first wedding ever held at Villarica Estate in Adelaide, and I instantly fell in love with the place. Dylan, however, wasn’t quite convinced about having a destination wedding. So, we explored venues in NSW, but nothing truly felt right or gave us that “wow” factor. We kept finding ourselves comparing everything to Villarica — and that’s when we knew it was the one.

Aesthetic

Villarica is a breathtaking Tuscan-inspired estate, and we wanted to let the venue set the tone for the day. Our aim was to create the feeling of a European escape — all without leaving the country. We brought this to life through Italian food, live strings, warm lighting, and romantic florals. The overall vision was timeless, with personal touches woven throughout the day. Most of all, we wanted to celebrate our love in a way that felt relaxed, beautiful, and memorable — and to make sure our guests had the best time doing it.

Preparation

We stayed on the property the night before, which made the morning feel incredibly peaceful. Waking up at the venue and easing into the day with our closest friends and family around us was such a gift — calm, unrushed, and full of anticipation.
We chose not to have a traditional bridal party. With so many different friend groups, it felt more natural to keep things relaxed and avoid any sense of hierarchy. Instead, I had my sister and a few close girlfriends get ready with me, and Dylan did the same with a few of his friends. One of the most special moments of the day was gifting Dylan a watch he’d been wanting for years, engraved with the words “Till the end of time.”

Photography

Khara from House of Lucie was our photographer, and choosing her was the easiest decision of all. As a photographer myself, people often asked if it would be hard to choose someone to capture our day — but I always knew it would be her.
What drew me in was her incredible eye and artistic style, but even more so, her beautiful presence. She brings such care and intention to everything she does, creating an experience that feels personal and effortless. My grandparents practically adopted her — that’s how loved she was by everyone.
She captured our day more beautifully than I ever could have imagined. Every image is rich with feeling and full of atmosphere — a perfect balance of style and soul. Each frame feels like a piece of art, and we’ll treasure them for the rest of our lives.

Videography

Our wedding film was captured by one of my dearest friends, Claire from Everwood Films. Originally from Europe, Claire brings an effortlessly romantic, European aesthetic to her work that I’ve always adored.
Her style is soft, emotive, and full of movement — something that truly sets her apart in the Australian wedding space. Having her there felt completely natural and grounding. She brings such a calm presence and intuition, which made all the difference on the day.
We’ve already received our teaser trailer and are completely obsessed. It captures not just the visual beauty, but the atmosphere and emotion of the day so perfectly. I fear Dylan might be growing tired of the soundtrack, haha… I play it every single day!

Style Notes

Ceremony Décor

Villarica Estate offers a few beautiful options for ceremony locations, but for us, it was always going to be in front of the house — it’s the hero of the estate and such a breathtaking backdrop. With its striking European architecture, we leaned fully into that aesthetic for our inspiration.
Evie from Eve Bud created the most stunning floral installation that lined the aisle with soft white and green tones. It felt timeless, romantic, and beautifully organic. We used European-style black chairs from La Simplicité to tie in with the setting, and added parasols for guests to keep things comfortable in the afternoon light. One of our favorite elements was the draped wishing well — it felt like a little design moment all on its own.

Reception Décor

Our hope for the reception was that it would feel like a big, joyful family dinner — intimate, welcoming, and full of heart. The setting was nestled between two beautiful buildings, overlooking the hinterland, with fairy lights strung above two long tables to create a soft, romantic glow as the sun set.

We continued the white and green color palette throughout the styling and florals to keep it timeless. For a personal touch, each guest received a letter on scalloped paper, sealed with a custom wax sticker bearing our initials — something we loved creating together.
As the sun dipped, we played a black-and-white video of us at the beach, projected onto a draped backdrop. It added a quiet, meaningful pause to the celebration.

Wedding Planner & Stylist

We had the absolute privilege of working with Natasha from Du Jour Events. I had always admired her refined aesthetic and creative eye, so choosing her was a very easy yes.

While there were a few elements I had a specific vision for — like the projector video and our personalized guest letters — I wholeheartedly trusted Natasha’s expertise and creative direction. She took those ideas and elevated them beyond anything I could have imagined.

Not only did she bring our vision to life with such elegance and detail, she also made the entire planning experience feel calm, seamless, and genuinely enjoyable. Nothing was ever too hard or too much, and she always made us feel completely seen and supported.

The wedding day itself was breathtaking — beyond what we ever dreamed. Every space she styled felt like a work of art, yet still true to us. I think my mouth was open the entire day just soaking it all in. We had so many guests say it was the most beautiful wedding they’d ever been to, and I have to agree. Natasha’s creativity, warmth, and intuition are unmatched.

Flowers

We were beyond lucky to have Evie from Eve Bud create the florals for our wedding. Like with our stylist Natasha, I gave Evie little more than a color palette — white and green — and allowed her to interpret that in her own way. The results were breathtaking.

Evie created beautiful, timeless floral installations throughout our ceremony and reception, using a mix of white florals and lush green foliage. Each arrangement felt effortlessly chic.

For my bouquet, Evie designed a simple yet striking composition of classic white flowers, with a few green hanging flowers that added a playful touch.

Finding a florist whose style you admire is key, and once you find them, trust their creative instincts. Ask them if there’s something they’ve been wanting to try, and you may be surprised by the beauty they create.

“Instead of a grand entrance, we led our guests down the driveway to the reception space. It didn’t feel like ‘us’ to make a big performance, and this way, we got to experience that magical moment with our guests. It was a highlight of the whole day.”

Stationery

For our stationery, we were thrilled to work with the incredibly talented Jess from For Love and Letters. It was a full-circle moment for me, as I had photographed her wedding just a year before. Jess’s artistry was exactly what we envisioned for our day.

One of my favorite touches was the hand-drawn illustration of our venue on the save-the-dates – such a personal, beautiful detail. But the real statement piece was our guest letters. Each one was scalloped and handwritten, sealed with a custom chocolate brown wax seal featuring our initials – the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern elegance.

Jess also designed our bar menu, which was printed on a plinth. It was a unique and playful element that I hadn’t seen before.

Favors

For our wedding favors, we went with the personalized letters mentioned earlier. The response from our guests was so touching – many were moved to tears, and it was one of the highlights of the day for us. It felt like such a meaningful way to show our appreciation to our guests.

In addition to the letters, we set up a backdrop wall and hired a second photographer to capture moments of our guests throughout the cocktail hour. We loved the idea of gifting them with beautiful photos of themselves from the day – a perfect keepsake that we can’t wait to share with them.

Cake

For our cake, we went with a rectangular shape and a simple, textured white design that complemented the overall look of the day. We opted for a vanilla buttercream cake with lemon curd. It was a true crowd-pleaser!

Food & Beverages

We decided to keep the food Italian-inspired to match the Tuscan villa vibe. The seated menu included red gnocchi, beef ragù, fresh salads, and fries – simple, delicious comfort food. For drinks, we kept it classy with amaretto sours, Aperol spritz, and a selection of red and white South Australian wines, along with, of course, beers.

As the evening unfolded, we brought a bit of extra fun to the party with espresso martinis on the dance floor. A last-minute idea I had was to serve Magnums and Tim Tams on silver platters – it was such a fun, unexpected touch that our guests absolutely loved!

Fashion & Beauty Notes

Bride’s Dress & Shoes

I had always envisioned myself in a simple satin gown, so I completely surprised myself and everyone around me when I chose a drop-waist “ballgown” from Kyha. It was such a moment, and I felt absolutely stunning in it. The gown made me feel like a true bride. I was also considering a neck scarf but ultimately decided on a timeless lace-trimmed veil, which went perfectly.
For my second look, I returned to the simplicity I envisioned, opting for a satin gown from Kyha with a high neck and low back. It was understated yet stunning, and I changed my hair to a sleek ponytail, which is my go-to look.

And for the final hour of dancing, I threw on a short sparkly dress from Shona Joy – it was the perfect choice for a bit of fun! My shoes were customized white pumps from Tony Bianco, adding a chic finishing touch to each look.

Wedding Rings, Jewelry & Accessories

My engagement ring is a solitaire radiant from By Saint Stone, and I couldn’t be more in love with it. Dylan and I both got gold cigar bands from Midas, and we loved the idea of having matching rings that reflected our style. We had them engraved with our wedding date, which felt like the perfect personal detail. I adore how the cigar band pairs with my radiant diamond – it’s just enough to make a statement, but it doesn’t take away from the beauty of the engagement ring.

Dylan had also gifted me a beautiful pair of earrings for my 25th birthday from Kate and Kole, and I wear them every day. They were the perfect accessory for all three of my looks, not only because they’re so sentimental, but also because they felt most like me. Dylan also wore the watch I gave him that morning, which added a special touch to his look as well.

Hair & Makeup

Shauna from Sydney Bridal Makeup had already worked her magic on two of my best friends, and after those experiences, I knew she was the only choice for my own wedding.
For my makeup, I wanted a natural, fresh, and glowing look with no blush or lipstick — just a beautiful, simple version of myself. Shauna absolutely nailed it. For my hair, I went with it down and curly for the ceremony and up for the reception. During the trial, I had tried a bun, but at the last moment before the reception, I decided on a ponytail, as it felt more like me. I felt comfortable, confident, and like the best version of myself, and so many guests complimented me on that!

Groom’s Attire

Dylan wore a customized black tuxedo from P Johnson. He had originally considered a white or double-breasted style to make a statement as the groom, but in the end, he chose the classic black tux, which felt more true to his style. He paired it with a large bow tie and polished shoes, creating a timeless look.

The Details

Honeymoon

I planned the wedding, and Dylan planned the honeymoon. I told him I wanted somewhere warm with no passports and a short flight, so he chose Byron Bay, and it was absolutely perfect! We actually met there, so it felt like such a full-circle moment for us. We stayed at Elements, which was amazing – swim-up bars, pools, restaurants, and a café on-site, so you never had to leave if you didn’t want to. One of the highlights was definitely dining at Lightyears, where the food was unreal. Dylan also surprised me by extending our honeymoon for three more days in this cozy cabin deep in the middle of nowhere. It rained most of the time, and we had a fire going nonstop for three days – it was perfect.

Gift Registry

Being a destination wedding, we didn’t expect anything additional from our guests. However, we did have a wishing well there for anyone who wanted to give, which went toward our honeymoon! 

Wedding Songs

Our theme song-wise was Florence and the Machine! We had Dog Days Are Over for our ceremony exit, Say My Name to lead the guests down to the reception, and You’ve Got the Love for our first dance.

Being Christians, we wanted a worship song for me to walk down the aisle to. One day, while driving down the coast, we discovered a strings version of Gratitude by Brandon Lake on Spotify. The moment we heard it, we both teared up and knew that was the song.

Entertainment

We decided on a string quartet for our ceremony and cocktail hour, which created the perfect elegant and timeless atmosphere — Bridgerton vibes all the way, and we adored it! For dinner, we created a Spotify playlist filled with our favorite songs, blending artists like The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, and Bon Iver to keep things relaxed and intimate. Given that Dylan is a DJ, we opted for a DJ over a live band! We also played songs during main moments like the cake cutting and sparkler exit to add to the atmosphere.

Celebrant

Our celebrant was our senior pastor, James Murray, from Abide. He had been a great mentor to Dylan for many years, so it was very meaningful having him there.

Readings

We wrote our own personalized vows! I definitely cried the whole time and barely got through them, haha. Dylan’s words were so special.

Our Advice

A memorable moment…

One of the most memorable moments from our wedding was when, instead of making a grand entrance as husband and wife, we led our guests down the driveway to the reception space. It was such a special highlight for us! I’m not one for big performances, and a traditional entrance didn’t feel like “us,” so this felt like the perfect alternative. We played Say My Name by Florence and the Machine as we made our way down, and it was such a fun moment. We got to experience the reception space for the first time along with our guests and see everyone’s reactions. Plus, I had just changed into my reception dress, so there was still an element of surprise and excitement.

One thing I wish I knew before I started my wedding plans…

Honestly, our day was so perfect, I truly wouldn’t change a thing. If I could go back, I think I would have loved to spend just an extra 20 minutes or so mingling with guests during cocktail hour. Between my dress and hair change and the speeches happening during that time, I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. I even forgot to have a cocktail! But at the end of the day, I got to spend some relaxing time with my girls while getting changed, and I felt so confident walking into the reception in my second look. Plus, we had over three hours of mingling at our welcome drinks and plenty of time on the dance floor, so I was absolutely thrilled with that.

It’s easy to feel like you didn’t get to spend enough time with every guest, but unless you have a super intimate wedding, that’s pretty much impossible. Guests are just enjoying themselves, and they don’t expect a ton of one-on-one time with the bride and groom. So, I’d say, have grace for yourself and enjoy the moments you do get!

Sources of inspiration…

Being in the industry definitely worked to my advantage! I had a clear sense of what I liked and didn’t like, which helped me make decisions quickly. I drew inspiration from Instagram, Pinterest, and The Lane, but ultimately, I trusted Natasha completely. She did such an incredible job bringing our vision to life!

If I could give other couples one piece of advice…

Choose a venue that speaks for itself. It’s tempting to pick a venue that you’re “okay” with and then try to add styling to make it perfect! But I really suggest picking a place you genuinely love on its own. A beautiful venue can set the mood for the whole day, and it can also be a way to save money. We were fortunate to have florals in the end, but when we first chose our venue, we were planning to keep styling simple and let the venue’s natural beauty take center stage.

Also, don’t forget what it’s truly about. You can plan as many of the details and aesthetics in the lead-up, but on the day, focus on the people. Hug your loved ones extra long, listen carefully to the speeches and words said on the day, write the letters to those you love. Nothing compares to the love and support you feel with all your friends and family surrounding you! And lastly, hire the videographer. Then you get to relive all the special moments over and over.

Our Contacts

Wedding Venue / Villarica Estate

Wedding Stylist & Planner / Du Jour Events

Photography / House of Lucie

Videography / Everwood Films

Bride’s Dress / Kyha

Bride’s Shoes / Tony Bianco

Wedding Rings / Midas and By Saint Stone

Jewelry & Accessories / Kate and Kole

Hair & Makeup / Sydney Bridal Makeup

Stationery / For Love and Letters

Florist / Eve Bud

Cake / Cheryse Zagler

Catering / Chopping Board

Celebrant / James Murray

Entertainment / Behind the Veil and Platinum DJ Services

Transport / JC Mini Buses

Gift Registry / Wishing well from La Simplicité

Content Creator / Modern Day Romance

Furniture Hire/ La Simplicité

Bride & Groom / Hayley & Dylan