ELOPEMENT, ON FILM,FEATURED

Rachel + Bill

We looked at a few traditional venues, but nothing clicked until we found this quiet hideaway in the Dandenong Ranges — private, just for the two of us and a handful of people we love. We let the forest carry the mood, then pushed against it with something artificial: balloons, red against white. Once we saw that contrast, we couldn't picture the day any other way. The small things mattered most — vow cards with a painterly red-on-texture finish, and rings made of red and white daisies instead of anything traditional. I didn't want to look like a "bride" in the conventional sense, so I chose a ShushuTong piece with a quiet rebelliousness that felt more like me. Bill went with a grey Prada jacket, its collar doing the work a shirt usually would.

Tell us a little about yourselves!
A bright orange rubber ball is positioned on a white background, with a blurred reflection beneath it. A thin red string is attached to the ball, extending vertically downward.
A person's hands reaching towards a red balloon on a white background.
A white dress hanging on a black hanger attached to a tree trunk in a forest setting with green trees and plants in the background.
Person holding a piece of paper with handwritten notes, with a blurry background of trees or foliage.

“今天是2025年2月1日，在过去相处的五年里，我们不仅深爱着彼此，也一直在相互理解、共同成长。最珍贵的是，在很多不确定的时刻，你总能让我感到安心。一路走来，我觉得自己很幸运，好像一切都是冥冥之中的安排。愿未来的每一天，我们都能…… ” BILL

Black and white photo of two people holding hands, with one person's arm visible, wearing a dark sleeve, and the other person's arm and hand visible, wearing a wristwatch, outdoors with trees in the background.
A red fire alarm on a textured brown floor with a black emergency hammer attached, and a bouquet of white daisies nearby, partially obscured by a white lace dress.
Black and white photo of a woman standing on a sofa, wearing stockings and shoes, next to a man in dark pants and shoes.
A woman in a white dress and red stockings with black high heels stands behind a seated man in a suit holding a bouquet of white flowers, inside a room with large windows, wooden floor, and greenery outside.
A man standing in front of a beige couch with two cushions, one on each side, and a woman dressed in a white dress with red stockings and black shoes standing behind him inside a room with large windows and a view of trees outside.
A person wearing a white wedding dress and veil, outdoors with a lush green background.
A woman in a white dress with a tulle veil, standing in a forest with green foliage and brown fallen leaves, wearing red thigh-high stockings and black shoes.
A woman in a wedding dress standing in a lush green forest, wearing a veil and black shoes, with string lights hanging overhead.
A woman standing in front of a mirror, wearing a white dress with red tights and black shoes, with another woman in black pants and a grey top standing nearby, in a room with a wooden floor and potted plant.
A woman in a tutu, red tights, and high heels looks at her reflection in a mirror, while wearing balloon shoes, decorated with red and white balloons tied to her body. Behind her, a plant, a framed picture, and a black walker are visible.
A woman in a white dress with red stockings and black shoes, holding a red balloon, standing next to a man in a gray suit, both looking at a white classical bust of a woman on a pedestal in a room with wooden floors and beige walls, and a black abstract painting in the background.
A man and a woman sitting on the floor next to a black coffee table that looks like a tree trunk, with flowers on it, near a beige sofa and large windows in a bright room.
Person holding a white flower, a red flower, and a white gift box with a white ribbon and red writing.
A bouquet of white flowers with long green stems on a black surface. Part of a red flower is visible in the lower left corner. A hand is holding the handle of a small red suitcase or clutch with black trim and a gold ring.
A young couple standing inside a room by a large window, holding hands. The man wears a dark suit and holds a bouquet of daisies, while the woman wears a white dress and bright red stockings.
A woman with short dark hair and earrings, dressed in a white dress with ruffles, holding a large bouquet of red and pink flowers with red ribbons.
A woman dressed in a white party dress with a red ribbon, red stockings, and black high-heeled shoes is standing in a doorway holding a bouquet of red flowers. She has dark hair with bangs, and is looking to the side with a serious expression while inside a well-lit room.
A woman in a white dress with a sheer veil stands in a forest, surrounded by green foliage and fallen leaves.
A couple dressed in wedding attire is close together in an outdoor garden setting, holding balloons with string. The woman is wearing a white wedding dress with a veil, and the man is dressed in a gray suit. They are smiling and leaning their foreheads toward each other. The background features tall trees, greenery, and hanging string lights.
A young man and woman in formal attire stand holding hands in a lush forest with tall trees and green foliage. The man wears a dark suit with a turquoise tie, and the woman wears a white dress with red socks and black shoes.
Close-up of a young man with short dark hair, wearing a gray suit, with eyes closed, and a woman with a pearl earring, a nose ring, and a white veil, resting her head on his shoulder.
A person in a dark suit is adjusting a white ribbon or sash, possibly at a formal event or ceremony.
A man in a suit standing outdoors in a wooded area, looking directly at the camera, with a woman in a wedding dress with a veil facing away in the foreground, in a black and white photograph.
A figure of a woman in a white dress with a bow in her hair walking through a lush, wooded area decorated with hanging red balloons and string lights.
A close-up of a couple at a wedding, with the woman holding a red flower while standing next to a person in a dark gray suit.
A man dressed in a dark dress suit with a pink shirt is facing a woman who is lying in a bed. The woman, with black hair and pearl earrings, is holding a microphone and appears to be talking to the man.
A couple holding hands during a wedding ceremony outdoors, with the groom in a gray suit and the bride in a white dress holding a large bouquet of red and purple flowers. They are standing in front of a white backdrop with a red balloon attached to the bride's dress.
A man and a woman are standing close together, smiling and looking down at the woman's hand holding white and red flowers. The background appears to be a white wall and green foliage.
Close-up of a man and woman in wedding attire, with the man resting his forehead on the woman's head, outdoors with green foliage.
A group of people participating in a photo shoot in an outdoor forest setting. Two people are now holding a white backdrop, and a model dressed in a white dress with red knee-high stockings and black shoes is standing in front of a white sheet, with one person on each side of her adjusting their positions. There are red balloons on the ground and white flower petals are being thrown in the air.
Two hands, one with a dark suit sleeve and the other with a watch, are holding a small bouquet of different colored flowers against a plain white background.
A man and a woman are kissing. The man is dressed in formal attire, wearing a blazer and tie. The woman has dark hair with bangs, is wearing earrings, some makeup, and a strapless dress. The background is plain and light-colored.
Close-up of two hands holding colorful flower cutouts, one hand is darker-skinned with bright red flower, the other hand is lighter-skinned with white flower.
A person holding a white flower while another person appears to be placing a ring or similar object on the flower. The scene suggests a moment of exchange or ceremony, with the hands and flower as central elements.
A person holding a white flower with a pink center in front of a stone sculpture of a smiling face, with greenery, tree bark, and fallen leaves in the background.
A couple sitting at a table decorated for a celebration, with lit candles, flowers, and food, in a room with a large window and some wall decorations.
A slice of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting on a white plate, crumbs scattered around, with cherry tomatoes on a vine and silverware nearby on a satin-covered table.
Decorative table setting with candles, flowers, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, and a partially visible wine bottle, on a white tablecloth.
A table draped with a shiny cream-colored cloth decorated with white and red flowers, two red lit candles on gold holders, a bottle of red wine, and a bowl of grapes, set near a window at night.
A woman in a white dress with large white bows in her hair is holding a red balloon at a decorated table with candles, flowers, and food. The setting appears to be indoors with a window in the background.
A man in a suit and a woman in a dress with red stockings and a fluffy skirt are standing in a narrow hallway, facing each other.
A woman with tattoos and a white dress is sitting at a table with birthday candles, flowers, and red holiday-themed decorations. A man is leaning over the table, blowing out candles. The table has a white tablecloth and various desserts, with a large bouquet of dried flowers in the background.
Close-up of a woman wearing a wedding dress and veil with floral embellishments, against a dark textured background.
Close-up of a young man and woman smiling with their faces close together in a warm indoor setting.
Close-up of a red pill capsule with a smooth, shiny surface, set against a plain white background.
Profile of a young man with black hair, wearing a beige shirt and a black blazer, with a blue inner shirt, standing against a white wall.
Close-up side profile of a woman with dark hair and earrings resting on a surface with posters or signs featuring orange and black text and graphics.
A person taking a mirror selfie in a room with beige walls. The person is wearing light-colored thigh-high stockings and no visible top, with their face obscured by their phone. The floor appears wooden, and there is a white pillow and a small piece of furniture in the background.
A woman dressed in a white vintage-style dress and red stockings, with a sheer veil covering her face, standing in a dimly lit room beside a yellow floor lamp and abstract artwork on the wall.
A woman dressed in a vintage white wedding gown with a long veil stands next to a white classical bust sculpture of a man with curly hair. The woman's face is partially visible through the veil, and she has dark hair with bangs. The background features a textured black artwork or textile on a white wall.
A woman wearing a wedding dress and red thigh-high stockings standing next to a plaster bust sculpture, with a wedding veil on her face.

/ Suppliers /

Photography | ISO25

Event Planner, Stylist & Floral Rings | Pearl Bloom Studio

Florist | Love Blooms

Venue | Forest Retreat, Dandenong Ranges (via Airbnb)

Cake | Le Yeahllow

Celebrant | Siwen Wang

Bridal Gown | SHUSHU/TONG

Veil | Prochaine

Bride's Shoes | Dries Van Noten

Bride's Accessories | Vivienne Westwood

Groom's Jacket & Shoes | Prada

Groom's Shirt | Loom Forma

Groom's Pants | Fax Copy Express

Groom's Tie | Louis Vuitton

Watch | Rolex

as featured in [Hello May](https://hellomay.com.au/real-weddings/rachel-bill-dandenong-ranges-elopement-victoria/)