Sam Armytage marries Richard Lavender in Southern Highlands

Sunrise star Sam Armytage married 60-year-old Richard Lavender today in an intimate NYE ceremony outside of Sydney.

And the bride wore … white. Sunrise host Sam Armytage opted for a white gown from her favourite designer Carla Zampatti to tie the knot in a last minute low-key wedding today.

Armytage, 44, wed partner Richard Lavender at his Bowral home in an intimate ceremony just immediate family invited due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Newlyweds Samantha Armytage and Richard Lavender. Picture: Instagram/sam_armytage

After the official ceremony, the couple and their guests travelled a short way to nearby winery, Centennial Vineyards, to enjoy a sit down lunch.

Wearing a navy suit and lighter blue tie, Lavender complemented his new wife’s look with a white rose on his lapel.

Inside the luncheon, Armytage’s father, Mac, sat at the head of the table while her younger brother, Charlie, and Lavender’s two daughters — Sasha and Grace — were also in attendance.

The couple together at the Epson race day at Royal Randwick racecourse. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Sam Armytage at the Everest Day at Royal Randwick. Picture: David Swift

It was a bitter sweet occasion with Armytage’s beloved mother, Elizabeth, having passed away in November after a long illness.

The couple originally intended to wed earlier this year but were forced to push back the date due to the ongoing pandemic.

Lavender, 60, runs an equestrian business and has been previously married.

They were introduced by close friend Skye Leckie, who was spotted arriving for the nuptials.

Samantha Armytage with Everest contender Libertini. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“It was immediate,” he told the Telegraph in October, declaring it was love at first sight when they met.

“This sounds really stupid but I thought, ‘gee whiz, I like that girl’ from the moment I first saw her. I had no idea what she did or anything like that, which was probably a plus. You know when you meet someone and you feel comfortable.”

Attending TAB Epsom Day at Randwick Racecourse, Armytage said the couple shared a passion for horses.

Samantha Armytage at the Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill Gardens. Picture: Don Arnold

“We come (to the races) all the time,” she said. “We are very lucky that we met because we have a lot in common and we do enjoy, whether we are watching the races at home or we are at the track, we really both very much enjoy the races and everything that goes with that.”

However they made news when Lavender asked the Sunrise host to be his wife on June 21.

He proposed in a paddock on his property with Armytage sharing the happy news on social media.

“What a year,” she wrote on Instagram, posting an image of her diamond engagement ring.

The 44-year-old later showed off the sparkler on Sunrise and copped a grilling from co-host David Koch.

“I’m very happy, very happy,” she said. “He said (Lavender), ‘Darling, do you want to marry me? ’It was just private and lovely. It was very romantic.”

Armytage later added that Lavender asked her father Mac for permission before popping the question.

“My parents love him. Both our families get on very well – it’s a very happy union.”