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 single red-orange ball on a white surface, with a thin shadow underneath, viewed from above.
A person is reaching out toward a red spherical object on a white surface, with their hands extended
A white dress hanging on a tree in a forest with lush green plants and trees in the background.
Person holding a piece of paper with handwritten text, with blurred background.

“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

Close-up of two people holding hands, one wearing a dark suit and the other a white dress with a watch, outdoors with trees in the background, black and white photo.
A bouquet of white daisies with yellow centers resting on a hardwood floor.
Close-up of women's legs in sheer stockings and high heels standing on a sofa, with a man in dark pants and shoes standing nearby.
A woman in a white dress with red stockings and black shoes standing behind a seated man who is holding a bouquet of flowers, with large windows showing trees outside.
A man standing in front of a sofa with a woman in a white dress and red stockings behind him, in a room with large windows and a painting on the wall.
A woman wearing white lingerie underneath a sheer wedding veil outdoors in a forest setting.
A woman in a white dress and veil standing in a forest, wearing red stockings and black shoes, with fallen leaves and branches on the ground.
A bride in a white wedding dress and veil stands on a forest trail, surrounded by lush green trees and ferns, with string lights hanging above.
Person dressed in a gray suit observes a woman in a white dress with red tights and black high heels, standing in front of a mirror with their backs facing the camera.
A woman in a white dress with red tights is looking at herself in a mirror, adjusting her earring. She is wearing black shoes with red straps, and a large white bow in her hair. Balloons are visible in the foreground, and a potted plant and a framed picture are in the background.
A woman in a white dress and red stockings standing next to a stone bust of a woman's head and shoulders, with a man in a suit standing beside her, both looking in the same direction.
A man and a woman sitting on the floor in a sunlit room, with large windows in the background. The man is dressed in a suit, and the woman is wearing a white dress with a large bow in her hair. They are looking at papers, with red flowers and various objects on a black wooden table in front of them.
A person holding a white flower and a red flower in front of a bouquet with a card that has decorative red writing.
A person wearing black shoes and holding a small red purse with black trim, standing on a wooden floor, with white daisies and red flowers on the surface.
A young man and woman stand side by side indoors, holding hands, during a wedding ceremony. The man wears a dark suit and tie, holding a bouquet of white daisies. The woman wears a white lace dress with bright red tights and black shoes, and has a white bow in her dark hair. Large windows behind them reveal a forested outdoor scene.
A woman with black hair styled with a white ribbon, wearing a white dress, holding a bouquet of red, pink, and green flowers, standing in a kitchen or cafe setting.
A woman dressed in a white dress with red stockings and black shoes is standing inside a room, looking out through a door. She is holding a bouquet of red and orange flowers.
A woman dressed in a white wedding gown with a veil stands in a lush, green forest, surrounded by tall trees and ferns.
A couple dressed in wedding attire sharing a kiss outdoors, surrounded by trees and string lights, holding red and white balloons.
A young man in a grey suit and a young woman in a white dress, red stockings, and black shoes, standing on a forest path surrounded by tall trees and green foliage.
A close-up side portrait of a young person with dark, short hair, wearing a gray suit and a delicate veil. The person appears to be resting their head on their knee or arm with their eyes closed. The background is blurred green foliage.
A person in a suit is holding a piece of paper or a document, with the focus on their hand and the paper.
A man in a suit standing outdoors with trees and foliage around, looking towards the camera, while a woman in a veil stands in the foreground with her back to the camera.
A garden scene featuring greenery, trees, and string lights, with red balloons and a figure of a woman in a white dress in the foreground.
A woman in a white dress holding an orange flower, standing next to a man in a dark gray suit, their arms touching.
A woman with black hair wearing a white dress and pearl earrings, holding a microphone, speaking to a man in a dark suit with short black hair, standing outdoors at night near a red balloon and pink flowers.
A man and woman dressed in wedding attire holding hands and standing outdoors during daytime. The woman holds a bouquet of red and purple flowers. They are standing in front of a white background with greenery behind.
A man in a dark suit standing next to a woman in a white dress, both smiling and holding flowers, outdoors with greenery in the background.
Close-up of a woman with short black hair, closed eyes, and a nose piercing, wearing a tulle veil and a pearl necklace, embracing a man dressed in a suit, with green foliage in the background.
A group of people at an outdoor event in the woods, with a woman in a white dress and red socks, and other individuals, some holding objects like balloons and a camera.
Two hands, one with a black sleeve and one with a silver watch, holding a red flower while a white flower with a yellow center rests below. The background is plain white.
A man and woman sharing a kiss, dressed formally, with the woman wearing pearl earrings and the man in a suit.
A hand holding two flowers, a red flower and a white flower, against a dark background.
A person is holding a white gerbera daisy flower, and another person is touching it with their hand. The background shows part of a person's arm in a white shirt and a wristwatch, and a person in a dark suit jacket.
A person holding a white flower in the foreground with a stone sculpture of a smiling face in the background surrounded by plants and trees.
A couple sitting at a decorated table with candles and flowers, celebrating at night indoors in front of a window.
A partially eaten slice of chocolate cake with cream filling on a white plate, next to a knife with a wooden handle, surrounded by cherry tomatoes on a vine and a gold-colored napkin on a silky tablecloth.
A table decorated with lit candles, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, cherries, a strawberry, and a bottle of wine, with a white cloth underneath.
Table covered with a satin cloth, decorated with flowers, candles, and a bottle of wine.
A young woman with black hair and tattoos, wearing a white dress with a large white bow in her hair, standing in front of a table with flowers, candles, and fruit, holding a red balloon.
A man and a woman standing in a hallway, facing each other, with the woman wearing a white dress with ruffles and red knee-high socks, and the man in a dark suit or coat
A woman and a man at a birthday celebration with a decorated table featuring flowers, red candles, strawberries, and red-themed desserts.
Close-up of a woman with dark hair and makeup, wearing a white dress with lace details and a sheer veil decorated with small white flowers.
Close-up of a smiling woman with short dark hair and a man with dark hair, both posing closely for a photo.
Close-up of an orange ball placed on a smooth white surface with a soft white background.
Side profile of a person with short black hair wearing a tan shirt and a black sweater with blue accents, standing against a plain white wall.
Close-up of a woman's face, showing her eye, nose, and lips, with black hair styled with a slight wave and pearl earrings. Part of a magazine page featuring text and a partially visible headshot in the background.
A woman with long hair taking a mirror selfie in a dimly lit room, wearing a white tank top and shorts.
A person in a white dress and veil standing indoors near a large dark painting and a yellow lamp, with red stockings visible.
A woman in a white wedding dress with a long veil standing next to a classical stone bust sculpture, with a dark abstract painting in the background.
A person dressed as a bride wearing a white dress, with a veil, red knee-high socks, and red high heels, standing next to a griffin statue and a bust sculpture of a woman with curly hair.

/ 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/)