‘I felt like it was him up there’: Astyn Reid and Ben Underdown honour lost son’s life in Port Lincoln wedding

Grieving mother Astyn Reid was travelling soon after the death of her first son when she caught a captivating sight.

Astyn Reid and Ben Underdown's Port Lincoln 'WEDFEST' wedding. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Astyn Reid was driving home to Port Lincoln from Adelaide a few weeks after the death of her first child Hunter who was only 11 days old, when she was captivated by the moon.

“It totally took all of my attention,” the 35-year-old told The Advertiser.

“I couldn’t stop staring at it … this was a very emotional time, I was staring at it, crying.”

Ms Reid and her fiancee at the time, Ben Underdown, had just attended the funeral of their son in Adelaide after he tragically lost his battle with group B streptococcus (GBS), also known as Strep B.

The next morning after Ms Reid’s encountera friend sent her a message telling her that the moon was called he Hunter’s Moon, the name given to the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox.

“I felt like it was him up there,” she said.

Hunter Underdown, who was born on October 13, lost his life 11 days later after an infection. Picture: Supplied by family

Hunter’s Moon the day of Ashtyn and Ben’s wedding. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Astyn, Isabella, Ben and Hunter after the birth of Hunter. Picture: Supplied by family

The couple discovered they were pregnant with Hunter in January 2022, after trying for a baby for a while.

“To see those two lines, I thought it was surreal,” Ms Reid said.

When Hunter was born on October 13, 2022, Ms Reid and Mr Underdown brought him back to their Port Lincoln farm for only one day before he was rushed back to hospital with the infection.

“He got very sick within a matter of hours,” Ms Reid said.

“He was a perfect little baby, he was so calm and quiet.”

Hunter was flown to Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide. Picture: Supplied by family

Hunter’s Moon the day of Ashtyn and Ben’s wedding. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

He was flown to Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide with Strep B.

“They did what they could and kept him alive … but the infection caused really severe brain damage and he didn’t make it.”

Hunter died on October 24, 11 days after his birth.

“You look back on it and it doesn’t even really feel real, how could that actually have happened,” Ms Reid said.

“He’s still very much part out of our family and our lives.”

Astyn Reid and Ben Underdown's Port Lincoln 'WEDFEST' wedding. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Astyn Reid (middle left), Ben Underdown (right) with their children, Isabella (left) and Adeline (middle right). Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Ms Reid and Mr Underdown, knew when it was time to choose their wedding date, they would marry under the Hunter’s Moon and on Thursday, October 17, 2024, they said ‘I do’ in front of family and friends lit by Hunter’s Moon.

“Going through child loss was a lot for us to go through … it was utterly devastating and horrible but it’s brought us so much closer together and we know without a doubt we’re each other’s other half,” Ms Reid said.

“I couldn’t imagine going through that without Ben. He was such an incredible support, he’s my rock.

“Hunter, he came into our lives to enrich them and teach us a lot of lessons and make us live life a lot more purposefully and be more present and appreciate everything we’ve got.”

The wedding guests watching Hunter’s Moon. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Astyn and Ben were introduced by Astyn’s cousin. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

80 guests were camping on their farm for their week-long occasion. Picture: Bec Smart Photography

Ms Reid and Mr Underdown were introduced by Ms Reid’s cousin six years ago.

Three years into seeing each other, with Ms Reid five months pregnant with Hunter, Mr Underdown got down on one knee on their Port Lincoln farm and proposed.

When the time came for Ms Reid and Mr Underdown to tie the knot, most of their guests had to travel at least two days to get to Port Lincoln so they decided to make “a week of it”.

Calling their wedding ‘WEDFEST’, around 80 people camped on their farm.

“It was like a week-long party,” Ms Reid said.

They had custom ‘WEDFEST’ showbags, sideshows, live bands, facepaints, spit roasts, cocktail bars, a candy bar, cocktail food, midnight yiros station, coffee and brunch van, doughnut van, kissing booth, toddler teepee, a big artwork painting by all the guests, Marron races and much more.

Ms Reid and Mr Underdown are finalists for The Advertiser’s best wedding of the season.

Public voting is now open and will close on Wednesday, May 7 at 8am.

You can cast your vote, here.

Originally published as ‘I felt like it was him up there’: Astyn Reid and Ben Underdown honour lost son’s life in Port Lincoln wedding