When ‘The Farmer Wants A Wife’ program came to The Great Cask Hall and Peppers Convent in the Hunter Valley to film the first episode of series two, there was no turning back for the WHITE team; we were helplessly hooked on the journeys of the six lonely farmers Australia came to love.

We followed Rob, Ben, James, Howie, Nick and Michael as they explored new relationships with women also looking to find true love in a bid to find a perfect match. There’s no prize money – but the prize pool offers more than any amount of cash prize – the chance to find your soul mate.

Kylie Cooper talks to host, Natalie Gruzlewski, married to Newcastle’s former pro surfer Luke Egan, about the search for love, marriage and weddings.

‘It was fascinating to watch the relationships develop and love blossom for the farmers,’ Natalie says of her involvement in the program.

‘I loved the sincerity of the show. I loved that the farmers are genuinely looking for love. It’s a feel good love story, what’s not to love?’

‘The Farmer Wants A Wife’ has been hugely successful in helping couples find love. Already there’s been one wedding – Chris and Kim from series one were married just one year after they met on the show, and WHITE has a sneaky suspicion that a wedding could be on the cards for Jo and Rob from series two! And several other couples who met through the program are still madly in love and planning a future together.

Natalie says she likes to keep up to date on the progress of the relationships and to stay in touch with all the couples she meets. ‘I’ve already been invited to one wedding and hopefully there’ll be a few more invitations,’ she says eagerly.

‘The show gives you faith in love.’

A self proclaimed serial monogamist, Natalie has been in a long time relationship with our very own Luke Egan, former Merewether resident and ex professional surfer. The couple started dating 13 years ago and having been married for two.

Despite claiming to be only a little bit of a romantic, when asked if it was love at first site for her and Luke, she answers with no hesitation, ‘It was for me,’ laughing.

‘I guess I am a romantic…all girls love the notion of a fairytale ending. But I’m not a traditional romantic; chocolates and flowers are nice, but I like to have fun and I think that actions speak louder than words. I’m more of an easy going, relaxed tomboy kind of girl.’

Between her busy schedule presenting for ‘Getaway’ and ‘The Farmer Wants A Wife,’ and Luke’s busy schedule, they often feel like ships passing in the night, but they make sure they plan to get away for weekends and for holidays to keep their love alive. ‘You need to plan these things otherwise it doesn’t work. I believe in quality not quantity.’

Natalie and Luke love coming back to Newcastle and have lots of family and friends here. ‘We love the Hunter Valley. Fabulous food, wineries, day spas; my favourite things rolled into one, I guess it’s like a sanctuary to us,’ she laughs.

To couples who are getting ready to tie the knot, Natalie offers this advice; ‘enjoy every moment because the day goes by so quickly, and for your marriage, always remember to laugh.’

And for those still searching for their soul mate like our beloved farmers, she says, ‘love can strike when you least expect it and in the most unusual ways – meeting at a bar is taking a back seat. I believe in destiny and I believe there is someone for everyone.’

‘I guess I am a little [romantic]…all girls love the notion of a fairytale ending. I’m not a traditional romantic; I like flowers but I like to have fun...”

‘I’m not a traditional romantic; chocolates and flowers are nice, but I like to have fun and I think that actions speak louder than words'.