Whisky, Waterfalls & a Whole Lotta Love
Laura + Dan’s Intentional Otways Elopement
Some couples want a big party with everyone there beside them.
Laura and Dan wanted something a little… slower, softer, and surrounded by trees.
So they rounded up a couple of their dearest mates, packed a flask of top-shelf whisky, and meandered deep into the Otways to Hopetoun Falls to say their vows.
They chatted away as we all walked down. Laura jumped the rail with ease in her gorgeous dress, while Dan took extra care with his beaut blue suit to avoid any unwanted stains. We all rambled out onto the slick rocks, surrounded by ancient trees — and a few curious tourists taking photos from the viewing platform further back.
It was the kind of calm, joyous, and easeful experience that only comes when everything feels just right.
A Love That Felt Like It Was Always Meant to Happen
These two met across the bar — although depending on who you ask, only one of them actually saw it happening in real time (pesky glasses!).
Their story unfolded naturally over time, helped along by mutual friends, continual crossing of paths, and shared values. So when they finally came together, it felt serendipitous. Like timing really was everything.
Their connection? Aligned and effortless.
Equal parts grounded and giddy.
And what’s grown is the kind of partnership where you feel truly seen — and celebrated — for exactly who you are, every single day.
The Ceremony
Hopetoun Falls is one of those places with its own kind of atmosphere — lush, romantic, and quietly alive. The perfect setting for a ceremony that felt intimate, intentional, and completely relaxed. A bit of an adventure to get there, and an epic location to commit to one another once you do.
Everyone loved the journey to that point.
Vows were shared (yelled a little, to be heard over the falls).
Papers were signed once we were safely back on firm ground.
Whisky was passed around.
Big grins and happy tears flowed as it all unfolded organically.
No rush. No grandeur.
Just a ceremony that felt so much like them — where they were able to be fully present and take in every moment.
And that’s exactly the point.
The Redwoods
Afterwards, they wandered into the ancient and majestic Redwoods — a part of the Otways that holds so many love stories, and gives moments like these the quiet reverence they deserve.
It was the perfect contrast to the laughter and clinking flasks of earlier — just the two of them, held by stillness, reflection, and towering trees that feel sacred, there are no other words for them.
Why This Worked
Because it was never about putting on a show.
It was about gathering a handful of people who mattered most.
Doing things their way — with intention, with an adventurous spirit, with flexibility, and just enough mischief to keep things feeling real and full of life.
This was the ceremony they’d envisioned from the start.
But the experience on the day? Every muddy step, every moment that evolved along the way, every shared sip of whisky and story — it all added up to a day that was wildly, unmistakably them.
Thinking of eloping your way?
Whether it’s a forest, a cliffside, or your own backyard — if you’re dreaming of a ceremony that feels calm, real, and totally you — I’d love to help bring it to life.
Photos by one of my fave collaborators: Dan Brannan
