The brides embrace on a rocky outcrop, with sweeping mountain views in the background. One bride is wearing a sequin top, and the other is in a lace gown.

A (secret) Elopement in the Victorian High Country

What inspired your decision to elope rather than have a traditional wedding?

We always knew that the ceremony would be just for us. We didn’t want distractions or the pressure that often comes with traditional weddings. Instead, we focused on creating an intimate experience where we could truly connect with each other. Eloping allowed us to be fully present and embrace each moment without distractions. When we look back on it, we’re so happy we chose this path, it was relaxed, personal, and exactly what we wanted​.

Why did you choose Mount Buffalo, in the Victorian Highlands, as the location for your elopement?

We love the mountains and spend a lot of our relationship exploring mountainous landscapes, so the decision felt right. While Mount Buffalo wasn’t a specific place we’d visited before, we’ve snowboarded and biked around the area and loved its natural beauty. We also got engaged atop a mountain, so it felt perfect to say our vows surrounded by the views that mean so much to us​.

How did your families react to your decision to elope?

We were lucky to have supportive families. They didn’t know we had eloped until the night before our ‘wedding’ celebration. We revealed the news by showing them a short film of our elopement that our amazing photographer put together in just five days. 

Everyone was stunned but excited. There were a few moments of confusion, especially for Sally’s young nieces, who were momentarily sad thinking there wouldn’t be a wedding dance floor. But we reassured them that the celebration wasn’t over​.

Two brides stand beside a green Suzuki Jimny. One is adjusting her lace gown while the other looks on with a smile, standing on a checkered blanket laid out on the ground. Tall trees surround them, creating a natural backdrop as they prepare for their elopement.
A black and white close-up shot of one of the brides through the car window, highlighting the back of her sequined top with an open-back design. The reflection of the trees is visible on the car window, adding a sense of serenity to the moment.
A detailed shot of the brides' lower bodies as they walk. One bride is wearing shiny silver shoes paired with a sleek, white skirt, while the other has on lace boots with her long lace gown.
The brides walk along a rocky path toward the ceremony location at Mt Buffalo, surrounded by a few close family and friends, with the mountainous landscape stretching into the distance.
The two brides stand hand in hand at their ceremony spot on the rocky outcrop, joined by their celebrant. One bride wears a lace gown, while the other sports a sleek white skirt with a sequined top, exchanging vows in the picturesque natural setting.
A black-and-white photo capturing an intimate moment as the brides stand facing each other on a rocky platform, with mountains in the background. One bride holds a note, presumably reading her vows.
The brides share a joyful moment as they exchange vows. One bride, in a lace gown, holds a piece of paper, while the other bride in a sequined top looks on with a smile.
A wide-angle black-and-white image of the ceremony from a distance, showing the expansive mountains behind the brides as they exchange vows with the celebrant beside them.
The brides share a kiss in front of a large boulder, one wearing a sleek, open-back white gown with sequins, the other in a lace gown. They stand in a natural setting, surrounded by low bushes and rocky terrain.
A close-up black-and-white shot of the brides sharing a kiss, their faces touching softly as they hold each other, showing the details of the lace gown and sequined top.
A light green backpack with the brand "Passenger" is placed on the ground next to a small bouquet of greenery, resting on a rocky surface with sparse vegetation.
One bride signs the marriage certificate, balancing it on the back of her partner. Both brides are dressed in white, one in a lace gown and the other in a sequined top.
The two brides walk carefully over rocky terrain with a dramatic cliff face in the background. One bride wears a lace gown, while the other is dressed in a sleek skirt with a sequined top.
The brides embrace on a rocky outcrop, with sweeping mountain views in the background. One bride is wearing a sequin top, and the other is in a lace gown.
The brides share an intimate moment, one whispering into the other's ear while standing against a backdrop of tall rocky cliffs and forested hills.
In a celebratory moment, the brides pop a champagne bottle together, spraying the champagne into the air, with mountains and cliffs in the background.
A close-up of the bride’s lace dress with intricate patterns, showcasing her shiny metallic boots on the rocky surface below.
The brides share a close embrace, smiling with their foreheads touching. One bride wears a lace dress, and the other is in a sequined top.
A detailed shot of the open-back sequin top of one bride, as the other bride embraces her from behind, both with their hands intertwined.The brides walk uphill together, one carrying a backpack and the other holding a bottle of champagne. Both are dressed in white gowns, with a backdrop of tall trees behind them.
The brides walk uphill together, one carrying a backpack and the other holding a bottle of champagne. Both are dressed in white gowns, with a backdrop of tall trees behind them.

What were some of your favorite moments from the elopement day?

The whole day was filled with amazing moments. We started the morning in Bright, relaxing with sudoku and receiving some surprise calls from family, who were blissfully unaware of the day’s significance. 

Later, we drove up to Mount Buffalo, got dressed in the car park, and exchanged vows with just our celebrant and two witnesses. One of the best parts was after the ceremony when we chased the sunset at the top of the mountain, cheered on by strangers who were there for the view. We ended the night by making pasta, drinking champagne, and watching the AFLW game back at our accommodation​.

How did you personalize your ceremony?

We kept the ceremony super simple. We included an acknowledgment of the country and explained why Mount Buffalo was meaningful to us. The rest was the legal stuff and, of course, our vows. It took about 20 minutes in total, followed by two hours of exploring and capturing photos. 

It was really about being out in nature, just the two of us, soaking in the moment and the adventure of it all​.

What was your experience working with your vendors?

We worked with Laura, the artist behind Coral Covey who crafted us incredible, unique engagement rings. It was a personalized experience that surprised us – she got to know us as a couple and made the entire ring designing process easy and fun.

When we found our photographer, Jacinta of The Lavender Haze, and it was an instant connection. She loved the idea of our elopement and was integral to the day, not just as a photographer but as someone helping us with the location. It felt more like spending time with a friend who happened to be taking lots of photos. 

Jacinta also created the beautiful video that we showed our family and friends after the elopement. We chose local vendors from the Bright area for everything else, including our celebrant and hair and makeup.

The couple stands side by side, both smiling broadly, each holding a small bouquet while standing against a large rock.
A 4x4 vehicle drives along a winding road through a scenic mountainous area during sunset.
The couple kisses at sunset, their arms around each other, with a soft glow of light behind them.
The couple kisses on a rocky ledge with a panoramic view of mountains stretching into the horizon.
The couple holds hands as they walk through a grassy area with sparse trees and rocks, both dressed in their wedding attire.
One partner sits behind the other, wrapping an arm around their partner, as they sit on the grassy ground with a mountain in the distance.
One partner in a lace dress climbs over a low stone wall, while the other partner smiles, standing nearby.
Guests at the wedding reception gather near the bar, some seated and some standing, attentively watching a presentation.
A screen at the wedding reception displays the names "Sam & Sally" as guests look on.
Two brides, one wearing a sleeveless lace dress and the other in a sparkling crop top with a long white skirt, enter a room holding hands as they are greeted by applause.
A black-and-white image of one bride, wearing a sparkling crop top, hugging a guest closely in an emotional embrace during the reception.
A musician sits on a stool playing an acoustic guitar while the two brides stand in front of him, listening, during their wedding reception.
A wide view from a modern venue overlooking a scenic landscape of rolling hills and a distant lake, with a few guests gathered outside playing lawn games.
The two brides stand in front of a large open doorway, framed by modern brick walls and surrounded by greenery, as they laugh together.
The two brides walk hand-in-hand through a vineyard, both smiling and dressed in white, one in a lace gown and the other in a fitted skirt with a sparkly top.
The brides embrace in a vineyard, with one bride wearing a lace dress and the other a sparkling crop top and fitted white skirt, sharing a quiet moment.
A black-and-white image of the two brides dancing on a wooden deck surrounded by guests holding sparklers at night.

Photography by The Lavender Haze

Ceremony Venue Delatite Winery
Dress Boutique Still White
Dress Designer Anna Campbell
Engagement Rings Coral Covey
Live Music Will Campbell Music
Wedding Rings Natalie Marie Jewellery

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