Photography: Jimmy Raper
Grey skies and misting rain were no match for the joy that lit up the wedding of Amy Karaoglu and Sam Millett in March this year. After connecting on the dating app Hinge and finally making it to their first date (“I kept putting it off at first, rescheduling a few times,” Amy says), the two hit it off straight away.
“I felt instantly at ease with Sam – he was calm, sweet, and made me feel like I’d known him for years,” recalls Amy of the day at a pub in 2021 when the one drink they’d planned turned into several, and then into dinner. “From that point on, we saw each other regularly and everything about being together felt natural and easy. Four years later, we still feel like that – just even more ourselves.”
Sam proposed in Turkey, when the couple were on holiday with Amy’s family, rediscovering their roots. “We took a little boat to a tiny island, and as we stepped off, Sam pulled me aside, fumbled through a few very sweet words, and asked me to marry him,” says Amy. “I cried, he cried, the parents were watching from a distance – and then we all drank wine and celebrated into the night. It was perfect.”
No less perfect was the wedding itself, which took place at Greyleigh, a former dairy farm just outside Kiama, NSW. “As soon as we visited, it just felt like us. We wanted somewhere relaxed, intimate, and tucked away from the world, where we could celebrate with our favourite people,” explains Amy. “The South Coast holds special memories for us and our families, so it felt deeply personal. For me, it was a beautiful full-circle moment, celebrating a new chapter in a place where I spent so many childhood long weekends. For Sam, who loves the ocean, being close to the water was a must.”
Water ended up playing a slightly bigger role in the day than they might have wanted, but despite grey skies, the rain held off for the outdoor ceremony. Then the party simply moved inside for speeches, dinner and dancing.
“The stand-out moment of the day was when my brother-in-law, who is of Māori descent, and two uncles performed a haka for us. It was raw, powerful, and incredibly moving,” Amy says. “To have such a deep honour shared with us on our wedding day was something we will never forget.”
Another highlight was when Amy arrived at the ceremony. “Watching Amy walk down the aisle with her dad, seeing the pride on his face and the emotion in hers, was one of the proudest and most unforgettable moments of my life,” says Sam. Amy agrees: “Everything slowed down and I was able to take it all in and truly appreciate how lucky we were to be surrounded by so many of our beautiful friends and family.”
BEHIND THE SCENES
Venue & catering Greyleigh
Planning Pania Whyte at Greyleigh
Photography Jimmy Raper
Videography Sommar Films
Bride’s Dress Kyha Studios
Reception dress Alex Perry
Bride’s shoes Tony Bianco
Bridesmaid’s dresses Bec + Bridge, Mossman, Shona Joy
Make-up artist Helen Samaryan
Hairdresser Chloe Piche
Groom’s & groomsmen’s suits InStitchu
Wedding rings Diamond Traders
Celebrant Aniella Batten
Florist & stylist Celine at Caloonaa
Cake Rachel McNally, The Cake Inn
Wine supplier Henry Clive
Music Nathan Zammit (DJ), Dave Jackson (saxophonist)
Transport Kiama Coaches
