Elopement Photography Melbourne
Adventurous elopements for Melbourne couples
If the thought of a big wedding, with a big puffy dress and an insane amount of running around before during and after your wedding makes your head spin, then maybe a small intimate wedding or an elopement could be the best option for you and your partner! Here is a guide we have put together to help you organise your low-key adventurous elopement.
Elope
/ɪˈləʊp/ verb
past tense: eloped; past participle: eloped
Run away secretly in order to get married.
If you are looking for an intimate ceremony that completely focuses on your emotions and the love that you have for each other then an elopement would be the best option for you.
Elopements give you the option to really take your time and soak on the moments, they give you the freedom to plan them anywhere even the outdoors like the top of a mountain as long as it reflects what you love and the path that your relationship represents.
Top scenic lookouts and waterfalls in Victoria for your wild elopement
If you love an adventure and the outdoors as much as I do then we are made for each other! Here is a compilation of some of the wildest and more spectacular locations in Victoria to have a wild elopement. Just click on the locations on each pinpointed location to discover the stunning hidden gem and let’s make your adventurous elopement happen!
What Is An Adventure Wedding/ Elopement?
Basically, it’s doing a wedding that’s completely out of the traditional type. You can choose to elope or have a wedding in the mountains or any other scenic location. You can also choose a destination you have never been before. For instance, for your big day, you can choose to hike a trail that is special to both of you.
An adventure elopement or an adventure wedding will allow you to focus on the most important things that matter to you. By choosing the less travelled path, and choosing this format you will be able to take away the pressure of having a big and filled with formalities and expectations kind of wedding day and choose something adventurous and unique to you.
Great reasons why you should consider and adventurous elopement or a small outdoor wedding.
Are you stuck considering if you should go all out and have a traditional wedding or opt for something more intimate and meaningful to both you and your partner? We have compiled a little list of reasons why you should consider to elope instead of holding a traditional wedding day:
Stress-Free planning and stress free day: The fact that you will have less guests means that you will have more flexibility to hold your ceremony in unusual locations and also to have a bigger variety of images of both you and your partner.
A day filled with meaning and authenticity: A smaller set up will also allow you to concentrate your energy and creativity on adding meaningful details to your day. The way you add meaning to your day can take several shapes and forms but with a smaller set up you will have more flexibility and also you will be in the right frame of mind to be present in the moment.
Allow yourself to be emotional: This intimate set up will free up your mind from the ins and outs of a big wedding day that seems to be a mad rush and a ticking boxes kind of day. Having a relaxed day will allow you to open up and let go of social composure and you will be able to feel the authenticity of your day and let go of your emotions.
Avoid having all eyes on you: I still remember the daunting feeling on my wedding day of having all the attention on me and my partner, I felt like a fish out of water. By having a smaller wedding day, you will be able to celebrate with your significant people in a more intimate way instead of having all the eyes on you.
Best elopement options around Victoria, Australia
If all of this sounds like a great option but you don’t know where to start, then here are some ideas to get you on the way of planning your elopement. We have prepared this guide by geographical area in Victoria.
Elope at the Grampians National park and surroundings:
Where to stay near the Grampians National park:
Shacky in the Grampians: Shacky is a place where you can book small accomodations (for 2 only) in remote and secluded ares in country Victoria. This is a step up from camping while enjoying incredible views in remote locations.
DULC Cabins: An ideal lodge for the outdoor lovers. This option will allow you to get ready for any epic adventures.
Elope in the Victoria Alpine area or Bright:
Where to stay near Bright or the Alpine Area:
Aalborg Bright: This is an incredible house located in a secluded area of the Bright Alpine region, and it’s filled with incredible natural light.
Elope in Daylesford or Hepburn spring area:
Where to stay in Hepburn spring:
Clifftop at Hepburn: This incredible lodge has a sleek design and amazing views. It’s the perfect getaway for an intimate outdoor elopement day.
Hope Springs retreat: If an outdoor spa under the stars sounds like your cup of tea then this lodge is the perfect set up for your adventurous wedding day.
Under a peppercorn tree: if linen and wood are your cup of tea, then this lodge is made for you! Surrounded by calming gumtrees this is a great set up filled with natural light, it’s a great location to get ready and come back for a small celebration.
Traditional cottage: French inspired decoration, this traditional cottage combines romantic hues tand vintage vibes. With gardens that are well looked after this is an incredible setting for a romantic day.
Daylesford Country Retreats: This incredibly sleek lodge offers an outdoor round pool as well as an incredible bath with fascinating views.
10 wild location to have your outdoor elopement ceremony in Victoria
The outdoors has always kept me sane and grounded. While planning your elopement and your wedding ceremony, don’t be scared to think outside the box. If you love adventurous settings like a mountain top or a waterfall then here is a list of our favourite places in Victoria. Consider a weekend getaway of planning and add these locations to your bucket list and get exploring for wild locations for your ceremony.
Useful tips to plan your adventure wedding or elopement
Here are some useful tips on how to plan for an adventure wedding or elopement:
Choose a meaningful location:
Australia has many incredible places to discover. There are so many options to choose from for your adventure elopement or wedding. It could be on the oceanfront cliffs , mountaintops or sandy desserts. All these places are scenic and will photograph beautifully. Among our favourite locations in Victoria are Bright, the Grampians National Park, the Mornington Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road.
If you are still wondering how you can choose your epic location then let me help with these tips to keep in mind:
Consider a place that you first visited together or your first holiday, or where your partner proposed.
Consider a place that is in your current bucket list
Consider doing an outdoor activity that you both enjoy and choose a location that appreciates that.
If you both love hiking, there are some great trails with incredible views both in the coastal or Alpine regions of Victoria. I am always up for a hike and I love to be surrounded by nature.
Check the weather and use it as a guide for choosing your destination. I have many apps that I check continuously when I plan my trips, the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology Willie Weather is one, and the Emergency Fires app is another great one).
Consider breaking all the rules and get married in winter. Winter can be such a romantic time of the year, with cozy fires and blankets, it’s the perfect time to cuddle up.
If you are lucky enough to have a lot of time, then maybe try to visit the location on the same time of the year that you are planning to have your wedding day.
Now that you know where to go for you adventure elopement or wedding, there are other things to prepare for the big day.
Choose A Good Adventure Wedding/Elopement Photographer :
As much as you are eloping or having your wedding in a different spot, you need to capture the most beautiful moments of your big day. That’s why you need to hire an adventure photographer (aka: Moi!). My aim is to be a great resource and help you plan a memorable wedding day. One of the ways I aim to assist is by researching the locations where we will shoot, and try to come up with the the right timelines to capture amazing photos in the best possible light available. Over the years I have built great relationships with other vendors that are linked to the wedding industry and I can assist in providing a list of people that I have loved to work with over the years (like florists, Dress makers, caterers etc). The photographer should also help you choose a good date to elope if you haven’t chosen one yet. Make sure you hire a photographer who has the best knowledge of the wedding location and the local weather for the best results. Don’t shy away from using a videographer to document every little aspect of the big day.
Plan a first look for your elopement
First looks are becoming more popular with Australian couples. To get the most out of this moment, it pays to give it some thought and planning ahead. Consider the backdrop you would like for your first look, this can be in an urban setting with great street art, or a lookout in a remote location. Either way, a first look is all kinds of romantic, and a great way to see each other before the ceremony.
I love first looks, because it’s that moment you give to yourselves, to enjoy each other and appreciate the step you are about to take in your relationship.
Fran Jorgensen is an elopement wedding photographer in love with natural light and emotions. aIf you are ready to book your adventure then I can’t wait to hear what you have in mind. Some of my favourite destinations in country Victoria for an epic wedding day are Bright, Grampians, Daylesford and Flinders.