Kiara & Steve's Wedding

High school sweethearts Kiara Pudney and Steve Rusca first met in year 8 through mutual friends when they started Nuriootpa High, but it wasn’t until year 9 they began dating.

Fast forward to October, 2020 and the couple went on a mini getaway to the Pudney family shack in Wallaroo.

Stunning weather greeted the couple, and after enjoying some drinks at the beach front café, it was back to the shack for a barbecue.

While outside and watching the sunset, Kiara questioned Steve about watching his beloved AFL side, Geelong, on TV, but he insisted on staying outside to enjoy the view.

Steve went inside for a few seconds and when returned outside, Kiara was inspecting the re-development of the sand dunes.

Kiara turned around to see Steve down on one knee with an engagement ring.

A year later and the couple hosted a relaxed garden party wedding at St Hallett Wines.

A day of light, bright whites and rustic greenery, with homemade touches including the lawn games and decorations.

The pair wished for a day of their guests interacting, having fun and dancing.

COVID-19 restrictions lifted in time for the wedding, which meant the couple were granted their wish of dancing, with a dance floor in the middle of the pavilion.

Bride’s attendants were Tayla Pudney, Kelsie Lafont and Jessica Signore.

Groom’s attendants were Tom Ryan, D’Arcy Hamon and Daniel Burgess.

The His and Hers two-tiered nude cake was a combination of Steve’s choice of chocolate mud cake with salted caramel sauce and chocolate ganache, and Kiara’s pick of white chocolate mud cake with strawberry coulis covered in white chocolate ganache.

Steve and Kiara spent a few nights in Barossa Pavilions before heading to the Wallaroo shack after the wedding and hope to honeymoon to Perth in January.

Kiara is the daughter of Shane and Sharon Pudney of Tanunda, and Steve is the son of Julie Miles and the late Sidney Rusca, of Nuriootpa.