Grace and Dave got in touch about 6 months before embarking on their 3 month road trip from Victoria to WA. As a couple they love camping, hiking and exploring new areas. They had never been to WA but decided that it would be a pretty awesome place to get married. And then to honeymoon! And they were not wrong!!

So why elope? Neither Grace nor Dave enjoy being in the spotlight, plus they wanted something which was authentically them! When they finally stumbled upon us, they felt like they’d hit the jackpot!! Plus not being from the area, they were happy for our expertise, saving them the hassle and the stress of organising it themselves. They chose the Classic Package and after telling them about Boranup; being forest lovers, it was decided that they would have a Boranup Forest Elopement!!

Tell me about your The Beginning!

We met on Bumble at the beginning of Covid, right before the state decided to lockdown. At the time we were living an hour apart, so we were lucky to have matched!
Our first date was a walk around the waterfront in Geelong with our dogs. It was a cold Sunday afternoon, yet the conversation flowed with no awkward silences, we didn’t want the date to end, so kept on walking for hours.
The dogs sealed the deal on a perfect first date, they acted like they’d know each other for years and have been best friends ever since.
Since that first date we saw each other every moment we could, with Covid making the relationship excel quickly we moved in together after just three months, bought our first house together after 12 months and got engaged in less than two years!

When and where did you get engaged?

Dave proposed at the 9:30pm fireworks on New Years Eve. He arranged a weekend away in Melbourne, which was something we never did. We got all dressed up and went to Moulin Rouge the musical (my absolute favourite), before dinner at the most magnificent Italian restaurant. Then a little tipsy. we wandered the streets before heading back to the hotel to freshen up for New Years Eve.
Thats when Dave got down on one knee, and I said YES!
After the proposal we sat down by the Yara River in our little bubble of love watching the fireworks bring in 2022.

What style/theme have you chosen for your Elopement Day?

We didn’t really choose a theme as such for our elopement. We were both a bit blasé about the whole day to be honest, with a very wishy-washy vision in our heads. The only thing we really wanted out of the day was to have a heap of fun and of course get married.
After over 12 months of toing and froing between ‘The Big Wedding’ or having just our nearest and dearest we couldn’t decide what option was right for us. Prior to getting engaged we’d been planning a road trip to WA for 3 months and our plans for the trip always trumped plans for the wedding. It wasn’t until early 2023, when we finally decided, we would get married on the trip. If we didn’t do it then, when would we do it?! And 6 months later we made it happen in Margaret River.
Being lovers of nature and the great outdoors, getting married in Boranup National Park was a no brainer, even if we’d never even set foot into WA before we knew it would live up to the expectations.
We had complete faith in Victoria for our elopement and trusted her local knowledge of the area to make our day truly special.
We wanted out day to be simplistic and authentically us.

Knowing all of this and then finding out that their ideal date night would be visiting somewhere new, putting on a nice outfit and visiting an intimate cocktail bar before a nice romantic dinner followed by a stay in a cute airbnb! Well… HELL YEAH!!! we knew we could come up with the goods!!

Hair stylist & makeup artist Sam arrived at the scene first. And I arrived a bit later, just as they were finishing up, in order to capture the tail end. I like to make sure everything is done so that the couple can enjoy the moments of the lead up together. These two had a little first look, followed by a toast of champagne. I captured a few details as well, because Grace specifically wanted these. They look absolutely mint as the end pages of an album!!

We made our way to Boranup Forest. Boranup is about 20 minutes outside of Margaret River. Boranup is made up of karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) a pale-barked tree that’s truly striking as it towers over you. This forest is the furthest west you can find these trees, and it’s actually a regrowth forest – over a hundred years ago, the entire area was logged, but the resilient karri has already grown back to amazing heights. There was also a deadly bushfire that swept through only a year and a half ago. It’s amazing how it all heals so quickly.

The two spoke their heartfelt personal vowels. It was a beautiful moment and a real privilege to be part of and capture. Sam and I were witnesses and then the deal was sealed with the most amazing cake!!

We then embarked on a little foresty adventure!! Both Grace & Dave admitted beforehand that being in front of the camera made them feel super awkward, however they were so blown away with the newly married feels and spirit of adventure, that it became not an issue!! Little side note – making people comfortable in front of the camera is also one of my super powers!!

Afterwards Grace & Dave dined and sipped cocktails at the wonderful Morries, which is conveniently located in the centre of Margaret River. It was the perfect end to an immaculate day.

Want to see more of Boranup? Here’s a secret elopement I shot there. Celeste & Felix didn’t even let their guests know what they were in for!!