Seclusions in the Blue Mountains feels like something out of a storybook. It is tucked away in a valley laced with winding dirt roads, rolling paddocks, and tall, whispering grass. The amphitheatre and Pavilion sit against a backdrop of sweeping mountain ranges, with Lake Lyell glinting below. A hedge-lined path leads past a rustic barn strung with festoon lights, a small pocket of pine forest, and even a few llamas grazing lazily in the fields. It is the kind of place where elegance and charm meet in perfect balance.

It was here that Samanali and Dilan celebrated their Sri Lankan–Sinhalese Poruwa ceremony, a wedding that blended centuries-old tradition with thoughtful, modern design. As part of the team at Gather and Stitch, Samanali knew how to make every detail count. For her own day, she wore three bespoke gowns. She began with a delicately adorned traditional Sinhalese dress for the ceremony, later reimagined into a sleek two-piece for portraits, and finished the night in a dreamy ice-blue western gown.

From the start, the day pulsed with the rhythm of heritage. Sri Lankan dancers and drummers filled the air with music, Buddhist blessings brought moments of stillness and meaning, and the celebration unfolded with warmth and energy. When it was time to feast, guests gathered in the Pavilion, where every detail had been styled with care, and the rich, fragrant flavours of Maya da Dhaba’s catering kept everyone lingering over their plates.

As night fell, the Pavilion glowed like a lantern against the darkened hills. Music and laughter spilled into the valley, mingling with the crisp mountain air. It was a wedding where heritage, artistry, and place came together seamlessly, a celebration as layered and beautiful as Samanali’s gowns.